City Cast DC RIP Streateries? Plus, Shutdown Ends, and a New WaPo Food Critic
Nov 14, 2025
Ike Allen, a Washingtonian staff writer and expert on D.C.'s food scene, dives into the future of streateries, born from the pandemic but now facing new challenges. He discusses upcoming DDOT fees that could impact their viability and the debate over their benefits versus neighborhood concerns. Allen also introduces the Washington Post's new food critic, Eleazar Sontag, and explores how a modern critic's influence might reshape the restaurant landscape in D.C., balancing the power of social media with traditional reviewing.
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Streeteries Shift From Emergency To Policy Fight
- Streeteries began as pandemic emergency measures and became vital revenue boosters for some restaurants.
- DDOT plans new fees and enforcement starting December 1st that could shrink or end many streeteries.
New Fees Could Make Streeteries Costly
- DDOT will charge a $260 one-time permit plus $20 per square foot annually starting December 1st.
- Large streeteries could cost restaurants tens of thousands of dollars per year under the new fees.
Economic Case For Keeping Streeteries
- Analysts argue streeteries can generate more tax revenue than metered parking replacement value.
- A single parking-space-sized streeterie needs relatively few diners nightly to offset lost meter income.