The rumor mill has said that the line at Horace and Dickies Seafood can go around the block and, according to most patrons of this popular seafood carryout in D.C., that is not too far from the truth.
Horace and Dickies is discreetly tucked away a couple storefronts down on Twelth Street in Northeast D.C. The line reaches the corner on most days, especially during the lunch hour rush. The wait in line can average about 10 minutes.
The storefront is a simple creamy yellow and blue painted cinder brick building that usually sports a row of people filing into the door waiting to purchase some of what they consider D.C.'s best fried fish. On the inside, the take-out style restaurant yields no special flair or pizzazz in its décor.
One patron, Chris Archie, a metro employee, said, " It may not look like much on the outside. It's just a carryout place. They aren't there to sell some fancy-smanchy, ritzed-up, palace-type stuff. They sell you the real deal - good 'ole fried fish. They don't need that extra."
Behind the counter is the Horace and Dickies family. The family is made up of several lively people, each who will gladly take your order and point out their individual tip-jars.
Everyone in the establishment prides themselves not only on the quality of the food, but also the speed at which it is delivered.
Malcolm Hoffman of Northwest D.C. said, " I like this place. The girls, they talk fast; run their mouths real quick but they get your food even quicker."
Several of the people behind the counter are related to Horace and Dickie and if you ask nice enough they will tell you. However, the focus in the establishment is more on business than on personal endeavors.
They pride themselves in selling the best fish in D.C. for over 15 years. The most popular item on the carryout menu is the fish sandwich: four large pieces of fish with two slices of bread at $4.31.
Adults are not the only ones who enjoy the fish sandwich. Eleven-year-old Anna Morton from Northwest D.C. enjoys the fish so much that she saves part of her allowance for it. "I save half of the money my parents give me so I can get some fish and a soda. You have to be careful though cause it has bones sometimes," she said.
If fish isn't your cup of tea, there are other items on the menu such as chicken and crab cakes.
One patron loves his crab cakes so much that he calls himself Mr. Crab Cakes. He is a harmless old man who sits outside the establishment and has no trouble asking those in line if they can spare some change so that he may purchase a crab cake or two of his own. If he is feeling talkative, he'll try to persuade you to purchase a crab cake for him.
When asked what it is he likes about the crab cakes on the menu, Mr. Crab Cakes said, "There ain't much better than them there crab cakes...They be the best crab cakes in the world. I eats 'em hot or cold, rain or shine."
Many of the regular customers don't pay him much attention, as he seems to be as much a fixture of Horace and Dickies as the small cups of tartar sauce and hot sauce that come with each order.
Horace and Dickies is located at 809 12th St, Northeast, off of H Street. They are open Monday though Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Horace and Dickie's is Metrobus accessible and, although there is no seating, there is a nearby park where you can enjoy your food. For more information on Horace and Dickie's, you can call them at (202) 397-6040.
