Kogod Liquors

It cracks me up that people comment on this place looking shady. Hello? Have you been anywhere in DC? All our corner stores look like this… but they don’t all have a really great deli upstairs. I have never gotten anything upstairs that wasn’t dang good, especially for the price. You really can’t go wrong if you don’t have time for a sit down meal or are just taking something back to the office anyway. Beats the heck out of the food trucks and I do have a few of those that I frequent. Why not 5 stars? Ummm, well, because it’s a liquor store. You’d have to give me free liquor to get 5 stars. ;)

We were skeptical to try it when we saw that there was a liquor store that also said New York deli but we are sure glad we did. During a stay at the Hyatt Regency we grabbed sandwiches for dinner and liked it so much we decided to try breakfast the next morning.
The food is delicious and the portions are definitely well worth the price. The veggies in the vegetable omelet were fresh. The home fries were delicious. I wish I could try more of the items on the menu but we are here for a short stay. I will definitely be back to visit.

Definitely an unusual place to find a deli in the back of a liqour store, but this place is great. Cheap breakfast sandwiches are delicious. Good coffee. I haven’t had lunch here, but breakfast has been great the two times I visited while staying in DC.

Happy to see that they carry a few of my favorites from my home in California, Klinker Brick and J Lohr.

This store is mainly a liquor store, but there is a deli in the back. The food is advertized as «NY Deli» but it is worse than warmed over diner food. Plus they didn’t have the veggie burger advertized on the menu. The worse thing was at the check out. The guy (who I think was the manager) gave me change for $ 10 rather than the $ 20 I handed him, even though I said «here’s a $ 20» when I paid (He didn’t put the bill at the front of the till, which is the usual custom). When I protested very strongly, he finally gave me the right change (having a few other customers show interest in the unfolding incident helped), but said the shortchanging was «just a joke». I notice that at least one other Unilocal reviewer complained about being cheated at checkout, so it seems to be a pattern. Stay away from this place — you’d do better to get packaged food in the Starbucks in the Hyatt across the street.

Yea, yea, yea… I’ve heard it a thousand times — «no way the deli inside the liquor store’s any good. Just look at it.» But those who give it a shot all say the same — it’s amaaaazing. I’ve tried the New York Sub, Cubano, Chicken Chipotle and Philly Steak and Bulgogi and they’re all so very awesome. I considered bumping the rating down to 4 stars just cuz the owner is your typical rude Korean storeowne (I can say that — I’m Korean). When I paid for something that was under $ 10, he asked if I had cash, I said no. He then proceeded to run the card and slam the receipt and pen down. Despicable. But the wife and two Hispanic ladies at the deli are great … so I said what the hell, let’s give it 5.
Also, the store’s beer selection is outstanding, with many a great craft beers to choose.

The liquor store itself has a decent selection of beers at average DC prices («expensive» for anyone not from NYC or San Francisco). I’m giving it two stars because I tried to purchase a 6-​pack of beer that was listed at $ 8.49. Although the beer did indeed ring up at $ 8.49, I was a bit distracted as the cashier was ringing me up. I heard quite a few beeps, but didn’t think anything of it. He handed back my card, and my party and I left. I realized later that they had tacked on a bunch of other little charges, and my $ 8.49 beer wound up costing $ 10.50. Tax puts the beer at $ 9.35. A buck twenty isn’t the end of the world, but I really don’t appreciate the dishonesty of stealing «just a little bit» from me because you think I won’t notice. If you live nearby or are staying in a nearby hotel, I would recommend going to Wal-​mart for beer and wine. You will be charged appropriately. If you still want to come here, you need to watch every one of your pennies like a hawk. This establishment would receive three stars, but for the stealing.

Superb deli quality in an unexpected place — a small carry out counter in an upstairs annex to a street corner liquor store. I would come here again! Also, FRIENDLY STAFF! They helped my 82 year old Mom (special order, brought napkins) and she enjoyed every bite. Steady stream of traffic, so others know about this little find, too!

«Hey, you wanna go to the liquor store to grab lunch?» — things you don’t expect to hear your co-​worker say. I will admit that I was a little sketched out by Kogod initially — first, by the fact that there’s a deli upstairs and, second, because it looks like the most unassuming corner store that happens to neighbor the Hyatt and a fire station.
The menu at the deli is actually very diverse — ranging from breakfast foods to sandwiches, soups, and salads, to a Korean staple: the bibimbap beef rice bowl. Everything is made to order — just walk up to the counter and let them know what you would like to get. You pay downstairs at the liquor store counter once you’ve received your food. I was in and out within 10 minutes with a steaming hot, freshly prepared bulgogi bibimbap. Everyone who helped me was really friendly and even cracked a few jokes.
The bulgogi here is on point. Very well marinated. Veggies were fresh too and the portion size is extremely reasonable.
A short walk away from Capitol Hill and Union Station, Kogod is a great place to stop if you’re trying to grab a quick, simple, and filling meal. Yum!

This place doesn’t look like much but the food is delicious! (This is not a review of the liquor store portion of the business, but how can anyone review a liquor store? Buy booze, pay for it. Voila.)
We’ve been to this deli a number of times and what we’ve noticed is consistent: never a line at the deli (we’re usually there midweek around 5pm), service is always friendly, and the sandwiches and fries are really good. I almost never eat fries but at this deli I always order them (and they are included with some sandwiches).
It’s pretty much hard to go wrong here. Not everyone knows the deli exists because the liquor store gets the more prominent signage, but it’s a high-​quality food establishment. Go there if you get the chance!

I walk past this place everyday but have never thought to stop in. Feeling adventurous — and receiving reassurances from Unilocal — I decided to pick up a sandwich for lunch today. A well-​reviewed, affordable bulgogi sandwich? I was sold. Perhaps it was a case of high expectations, but the sandwich was just meh. The mini baguette it was served on was soggy and soft, the bulgogi lacking in flavor, and no sign of the kimchi slaw advertised. Was fun to discover something new, but don’t think I’ll be a regular. But if I’m ever in need of a lotto ticket (unlikely) or a bottle of wine (more likely) I’ll check out the downstairs, non-​deli portion.

Had a Broadway sandwich, turkey, ham, cheese and salad and was very fresh and tasty. Nice kitchen person. Handy if you’re staying at the Hyatt Regency across the road-​bit cheaper! Would go back

I understand why people may give this a lower star rating, but honestly it deserves more. Does it look older and a little run down? Yes… But it’s a liquor store and deli. I’ve been to much worse. For some perspective, I was staying in an executive suite at the Hyatt across the street. That’s a little more on the high end, and I was still happy with my experience here. I didn’t get anything from the deli, but I did get alcohol here. The prices were lower than what I’d expect for the area and the guy who rang me up was real cool. It’s really a classic case of «don’t judge a book by it’s cover.» I’d go back in a second if I stayed down here again.

Surprisingly good hot sandwiches, and wonderful people manning the kitchen. Off the beaten path, and a great change of pace from Union Station fast food. Definitely worth a visit.

They had a great chips deal for 99cents!!!
For chip lovers, it is a 4 star!

Best hot pastrami sandwich in D.C. Hands down.
When I came to work in the neighborhood about 3 years ago, I tried out a few sandwich shops nearby for lunch. As a fresh-​faced college graduate from the South, I had little to no idea what real adults did at «delis», so I just kind of ordered things and ate them. That all changed when I got to Kogod in my second week. After overcoming my initial hesitation at ordering food in a liquor store, I picked out one thing on the menu I hadn’t really had before — a hot pastrami sandwich on rye bread (because I think I had heard people order pastrami on rye before in movies). One bite, and I was sold. In those three years since, I’ve had a chance to go places all around the District, and I’ll order a hot pastrami there to see if it compares to Kogod — but nowhere has even come close, at least to me.
Kogod has been my go-​to for lunch for years, and they deserve every accolade they get for their deli, which, in addition to the typical deli fare, features both Latin and Korean flavors, such as an excellent Cuban sandwich and authentic bulgogi and bibimbap. The staff is always friendly and the service is prompt and now even easier with phone and online ordering.
As far as the rest of the store goes, the interior isn’t going to win any décor awards, but the prices for their full suite of spirits are excellent, the wine selection is diverse and affordable (from a twentysomething’s perspective), there’s a good mix of craft beer and American standards, and they get shipments of Route 11 Salt and Vinegar chips and they sell Vanilla Coke.
The neighborhood is just as safe as anywhere else in DC — a block from Union Station, in the shadow of the Capitol Building, and hotels and office buildings all around — you’ll be fine walking around anytime the store is open. The homeless shelter down E Street does tend to spit out a few panhandlers, but they seem to be happy with Kogod sandwiches too, from my experience.
The only downside I can think of is that my cholesterol level has gone up about 30 points in those 3 years, so I may have to start running there and back to offset the pastrami sandwiches. Sorry for the long review, but they’ve treated me right for years and I figured it was time to give back in my own way.

The obvious draw here for most folks is the beer, wine, and liquor selection, which is pretty good and reasonably priced. They also have the usual soda, candy, and convenience store items and some frozen foods. None of it seems well-​cared for and the whole place is just as dingy inside as it is outside. The area has really improved in the last decade or so, but Kogod’s is the same as always. I’ve been in here a hundred times without incident but I still get that feeling of impending trouble every time I walk in.
The secret draw here is the deli upstairs, which is surprisingly good. Comparatively very clean, friendly, and uncrowded. The Korean bbq and the Italian sandwich are both good.

So delicious!
Definitely looks a little sketchy on the outside, but inside is filled with lunchtime goodness. I had a free $ 10 voucher for LivingSocial takeout that I decided to use here, and it couldn’t have been easier. Decided to try their chicken and pesto panini and some fries. Got my discount online and paid the tax and tip in advance, so when I showed up all I had to do was grab my lunch and head back to the office!
I had the sandwich on ciabatta bread that was soft and fresh. The chicken was deli-​sliced, which made the sandwich hold together really well as opposed to a full breast. The pesto and tomatoes were very flavorful. Overall, a great experience and I’ll definitely be ordering online from them often!

This sketchy-​looking, potential-​place-​to-​get-​shot-​in corner liquor store makes the best bibimbap around DC.
And, extra bonus, it looks a lot sketchier than it really is. Turns out, you probs won’t get shot there. It’s run by Koreans and they know what’s up with bulgogi and bibimbap (rice bowl with marinated beef, various pickled and fresh veggies, and delish hot sauce).
Note: I can’t speak to anything else about Kogod because I pretty much go there solely for my bibimbap cravings. They must sprinkle crack in the food because I swear to god I want it at LEAST once a week when I’m at work. I have a frequent visitor card that they stamp everytime you buy something and you get the 10^th thing free. So far on this card I have 5 stamps — all 5 are for bibimbap bowls.
The ONLY downside: there’s no where to eat. This is a to-​go kind of place. A delicious, authentic, sketch-​looking to-​go kind of place.

JANKY! This shithole was next to our hotel, and smells like your grandmother’s house. After being shut for the entire winter. Smelly.
Smudgy doors, lotto clutter, shady characters, dirt. Weird selection of grooming products as if you’re on your way to a by-​the-​hour motel. Wines way past their prime, and overpriced. Some good deals, but some old crap that should have been relegated to «cooking wine» months ago.
Regardless, it’s a convenient place next to our hotel to get beverages. .. juice, club soda, wine, ginger ale, booze to avoid the damn expen$ive drinks at our hotel bar. Just get there before 9 PM!