Caboose Cafe

I have been here a few times since living in the area, but today finally pushed me over. On my previous visits, ive had meh food, all to go, never dining in, so the service may be great. But today walking in for yogurt and dessert, the food in display all looked «old». After asking for the yogurt and a dessert, i mentioned the side dish in the display was molded. I received a stern glare, not a word, and the cashier took those containers out and put on the counter, rang me up, and never said a word. This was very strange to me and unsanitary. I wont be back here for todays experience and would proceed with caution with their prepared food.

As a vegan and an Ethiopian food fanatic, I was exited to expose my visiting friend to my favorite cuisine. I did not want to stress out my friend, so I suggested that we find Ethiopian food near where she was visiting in Alexandria. We walked in and got to choose our own table though there was some live music that made it hard to hear conversation. The food came in a timely manner and interestingly enough, I was able to order a sampler for one person and my food came with LOTS of extra injera (the fermented spongey bread), which made me grin from ear to hungry ear. The various stews were filling and flavorful and the service was very pleasant. My friend LOVED her meal and promised she would pursue Ethiopian food in the future. I will definitely return to this lovely, vegan-​friendly restaurant!

This is one of my standard places for breakfast and lunch in Del Ray. The food is solid — it’s not going to blow anybody’s socks off, but it’s very good and the prices are extremely reasonable.
More importantly, the staff here is awesome. Everybody is always friendly, energetic, and focused on the customers. The people really don’t come any better than this.
If you’re looking for the tastiest breakfast in the neighborhood, you can wait in a line to pay twice as much for half as much food over at Stomping Ground. If you want the very best coffee around then head over to Swings, but don’t expect to find anything to eat beyond a muffin or croissant. If you’re looking for a great meal with good coffee and awesome service that you could afford on a daily basis, this is your place.
I should note they have plenty of outdoor seating and the inside is very bright and open, so it’s a great place to sit and hang out too!
The Verdict: This is the everyday neighborhood breakfast and lunch joint that I would be happy to eat literally every day.

If you’re looking for an artisanal breakfast, this is not the place for you. We popped in yesterday morning; sat at a table on the sidewalk. We ordered a breakfast croissant with ham, eggs, and cheese, a farmer’s omelet, a cappuccino, and an americano. Both the dishes were simple and basic, served warm, and tasted fine. The farmer’s omelet, served with toast and fruit was a good portion size. The breakfast sandwich, though a decent size on its own, felt a bit small as a meal. Perhaps if the dish had included something else, maybe some fresh fruit, it would have felt more complete. The coffee drinks were both good, though won’t win any awards.
All in all a decent no frills breakfast. I’m sure we’ll go back.

I eat a lot of Ethiopian food and was very happy with the vegan sampler plate. The restaurant itself is simple, comfortable and non-​ostentatious. Staff are friendly. I didn’t have a coffee but it looked like they had a nice range of options. I’ll come back and try some other dishes.

We stumbled upon this place and it’s my new Del Ray fav. The people are sweet and the food was delicious! Nice outdoor seating too :) Get the eggplant parmesan.

Very reasonable prices and wholesome dishes. Hubby and I have enjoyed are meals here several times. Nice soup, healthy mixed salad and tasty meat.

A good place to hang out and enjoy some good Ethiopian food. The food is always delicious and the wait staff is always friendly. Sometimes it gets a bit crowded and seating is limited.

Excellent sandwiches and muffins. Very friendly employees. Highly recommend checking it out.

A bit eclectic, but we enjoyed the Ethiopian offerings for dinner a few nights ago. The service was a little casual, but very friendly and attentive. We will certainly be back!

My mom loves Caboose. She took me here one day and introduced me to all her Caboose staff friends. I tried the honey vanilla latte which was great. I also had a breakfast sandwich which was great.
The one thing I suggest is you get there early. A lot of regulars come and sit at tables for hours.

We’re always taken by Ethiopian food, but didn’t expect this combination of a casual café bakery (home-​made items) with takeout, dine-​in and wine menu to also have a back side to their menu that had Ethiopian cuisine. The prior Unilocal reviews and our search of «Ethiopian» attracted us to this restaurant. Don’t let the outside of the café fool you in thinking it’s only a café. We enjoyed dining in for an early dinner in on New Year’s Eve.
The restaurant has breakfast, lunch and dinner menu offerings. And a very friendly behind-​the-​counter and service staff. As others shared in their reviews, the atmosphere is communal. Appears many of the patrons have been here multiple times. And the early evening we went, there was even a live accordionist playing background Italian music!
On the food, we had the vegan sampler for two, and also a Tibbs sampler. You can get more injera if you’d like, but we were all more than stuffed. And all good ‚… prepared, looked and tasted as good as it gets. We think the sampler for two was actually more than enough for three!
The bakery items included amongst many things buns and scones. We took some home and had them for breakfast. Delicious. The restaurant atmosphere is just like a café with outside seating too.
But for us, what’s neat, if not endearing, is the Ethiopian menu … and it’s done well.
Our hats go off to this café. We’ll be back.

I am from out of town and a friend brought me here. The oatmeal with green apples was so good I had seconds. The coffee was strong and black. I will return.

We love the Ethiopian dinners and their freshly baked bread. Tuesday evenings you can get dinner for 2, including a bottle of wine and dessert for $ 34! Can’t beat that. The food is fresh, hot and delivered with a smile. My meat eating fiancé can enjoy his meals there as much as I do my vegan options. Caboose is his favorite restaurant on Mount Vernon Ave. We’re fans!

This is the best neighborhood café/​restaurant in Del Ray. My family and I have been going to Caboose Café for 6 years and frequently. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Not only is the food delicious with a number of Ethiopian, American, Mediterranean, and French options, the service is friendly and warm. It has a charming atmosphere and very loyal patrons. It will keep you coming back.

I and a friend wandered in during the Del Ray Art Festival and ordered Ciabatta bread, and a salad. We enjoyed the bread with a Manchego cheese we just purchased next door at Cheesetique.
I’ll certainly buy bread from this location the next time I’m in Del Ray.

Cute neighborhood café with a friendly wait staff and good menu selection. Sure to be able to find something for everyone; the BLT and Cuban were tasty and were just the right amount if filling. Can get lunch all day, just ask!

Casual neighborhood breakfast spot with outdoor seating. Great breakfast sandwiches, French toast, bacon, and organic coffee.
The only thing that that I am iffy on is the ceramic tile and grout bar counters and floors. Grout is very pourous and difficult to keep clean and harbors bacteria. Doesn’t convey warmth and cleanliness.

I recently returned for a second time. We were excited to return until I sat down and was wiping things down and I saw a large cockroach on the floor belly up. I told a worker who really didn’t say or do too much. We walked out disgusted abd I do not plan to return!
Previous post (first visit)
My husband and I stopped in to the little restaurant for brunch after visiting the farmers market. It was quite busy but found a seat quickly. You order your meal at the cash register and they come find you when its ready. My husband got coffee but you loved and a ham and cheese omelette. The only it was fresh hot and tasty and possibly the best I want we’ve had out to eat in awhile. I had the French toast which came out hot fresh and amazing! I highly recommend it to anyone who goes to the café. The orange juice was freshly squeezed and tasty if you don’t like pulp pass on the orange juice. We will definitely be back!

You just have to love this place, for the food, prices, and communal atmosphere are perfect. This is a neighborhood spot, and the customers and staff are friendly beyond measure. In a way it is almost as if you are sitting down and having coffee in someone’s kitchen. Proof that they are really friendly at the Caboose Café is that the last time I was here for a meeting it a little over two hours and not once did I feel rushed to leave or order something else. In many ways, it was like dinning in Europe.
The food is fantastic here with a wonderful selection of soups that changes regularly. However, my favorite item here is the hot chocolate which may very well be the best on the whole planet. I’d match it against anything Willy Wonka and a team of Oompa Loompas could produce any day of the week.