Since I live only an hour’s train ride away from Washington D.C., I have made it a goal to increase my trips to the District. There’s so much to explore in this quirky city, and the density of gluten-free friendly eateries is fairly unmatched to any other city I have been to (except for maybe New York City).


On my latest visit, I stopped for lunch at the Plan B Burger Bar (PBBB), a bit of an unusual choice for me, as I rarely (if ever) order burgers, and am not a huge fan of all-American cuisine. What lured me to PBBB was a bunch of rave reviews from fellow gluten-free travelers on Find Me Gluten-Free and an easily accessible location in Penn Quarter- nestled in the center of town mere blocks from the Smithsonians and National Mall. 


PBBB is based on three “b”s: burgers, beer, and bourbon. The founders wanted to create a restaurant where people could gather over good, locally sourced food, which definitely sets them apart from other gourmet burger joints. With plenty of tantalizing gluten-free options, I definitely had high expectations going into my lunch. 


The regular menu is marked to indicate gluten-free and vegetarian offerings. Be sure to inform you waiter of your dietary needs, so that they can attend to ensuring the meal prep is up to par for medical needs. I did confirm that do have a dedicated fryer in the kitchen. Read the full menu right here.

Although I do not drink alcohol- especially on the hottest day of the summer so far, I did notice they have many gluten-free options on hand, should you be interested in one. Do note that Omission is a gluten-removed beer made from gluten-containing grains. 

Since PBBB specializes in burgers, I figured a burger is what I’d order. I don’t eat red meat, but they had plenty of non-cow-based burgers to choose from, so I selected the turkey club (sans bacon) “in the grass” (no bun, atop lettuce), with tater tots instead of french fries. 

The burger itself was massive. I was thankful I did not order a bun because it would have been definitely a jaw breaker with added height. The turkey was fresh-ground, and seasoned beautifully, allowing the flavor of the grill to shine through. The tomatoes and lettuce bed were average, but the avocado slices underneath the burger added a cool creaminess that definitely was a special addition. While seemingly simple, the burger was pretty much perfection, which pleased me. 

The tater tots were fried to a golden brown glory, but retained fluffy potato-ness on the interior. They had a satisfying crunch on the outside, and were salted to the right amount. There’s really not much more to say expect that they not only met, but exceeded my expectations. 

With a pretty formidable gluten-free menu, I had high expectations of PBBB, but must admit that I left truly impressed with the restaurant. They understand the importance and correct handling of gluten-free food, and don’t make dining out with restrictions an ordeal on the customer. Service was attentive, and my server was definitely friendly and knowledgable about gluten-free options. It honestly doesn’t get much easier than this to have a sit-down meal that’s both safe and multi-optional. 


During the lunch hour on a Thursday, there was a wait (for me as a single, 10 minutes, for others, 30-60 minutes), so do plan ahead and snag a reservation or plan to dine during off-peak hours. Due to it’s prime location, it’s definitely a bustling spot. 

Disclaimer: This review is based upon the information I have at the time of the review and does not reflect changes in ingredients or availability of items. Please contact the restaurant directly for up-to-date information and feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. I was not compensated for this review and it is a reflection of my personal opinion.