Cheers @ The Big Chair, Washington

Die-hard sports fans. Overwhelmed politicians. Neighborhood regulars. What sounds like the cast of Cheers is actually the crowd you'll find at Cheers at The Big Chair, DC's hub of savory down-home fare. Red velvet waffles and baked salmon sliders await patrons from far-off lands and just around the block, filling their bellies with decadent flavors and market-fresh ingredients.

Let's take a closer look at the eatery's signature dish, the legendary crab fries:

• The meat: Sliced from the the muscles connected to crab's swimming fins, these dense chunks of lump meat give the dish a hefty texture.
• The sauce: The palatable aioli—an alternative to mayo—gives the dish a kick of garlic and olive oil.
• The base: French fries sit beneath everything, giving the dish a starchy base and soaking up delectable juices as you munch.