Greetings from our nation’s capital! :D
Ben and I grew up less than a mile away from each other, but his parents moved to DC last summer. Today, since the first time they moved here almost a year ago, the whole family convened for a 4-day vacay!
Crazy side story – Sigourney Weaver was on our flight from Des Moines to DC! As we were boarding our plane I was all… “Weird. That woman looks a lot like Sigourney Weaver. Clearly it couldn’t be her though. Why the heck would Sigourney Weaver be in Des Moines?!”
As we were waiting for our gate-checked bags in DC, standing directly across from the look-alike on the jet way, I whispered my suspicions to Ben. “I thought so too!!!” he replied.
She was with a guy who we assumed to be her husband (they were PDA’ing…) so I Google searched an image of “Sigourney Weaver’s husband” on my iPhone, and he popped right up. Sigourney Weaver was standing 2 feet away from me – HA!
According to several helpful sources on Twitter and Facebook, she was in Des Moines to speak at a local women’s talk series. So random that she was on my flight. I should have asked her about Ghostbusters… ;)
Anyways, Ben’s Dad picked us up from the airport and took us on a spin around town to see a few monuments and such before lunch. I am SUCH a history nerd – hello, I work at a museum – so I was geeking out!
When my in-laws moved here last summer, a reader told us to check out Easter Market whenever we made it out to visit. 
It happened to be right by the restaurant we ate lunch at, so we popped inside to take a look!
Kind of a miniature version of the Ferry Building Market Place in San Fran, this indoor market had everything from fresh flowers, fruit & handmade Italian pasta,
to pigs feet, goat meat & enoooourmous fish!
Loved it!
Our stomachs began to growl, so Ben’s Dad took us across the street to a place he had seen on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Tortilla Cafe!
I took one look at the sign outside the door, and I was sold. PUPUSAS!
The inside is no frills, but what kind of frills do you need when Pupusas are on the menu anyways? And for $1.75 no less! :D
A traditional Pork Papusa was exactly what I ordered. It came out hot and was accompanied by spicy, crunchy cabbage slaw.
YES!!!
The outside was crisp, the inside was tender, and it seriously melted in my mouth. The vinegary heat from the slaw was literally. perfection. Loved it!
The Tortilla Factory’s Tamales were also featured on their Triple D episode, so I had to get one too. Fresh cornmeal wrapped around tender, baked chicken then steamed. Incredible.
Couldn’t have said it better myself. ;)
Well the troops have all rallied and we’re back at Ben’s parent’s place now.
Check out this view! :D
Awww, check out THIS view – Ben’s parent’s pup, Emma. Missed this little gal!
Off to go hang with the fam for the evening. We’ve got a full, 4 days of fun planned and we need our rest!
ps I’ll post the winners of the Sabra Hummus VIP Coupon Giveaway tomorrow!
See ya!
~~~~~
Are you into politics?
Eeeek, no. I have zero interest in politics. My Grandmother – who, at 92, is still VERY informed – hates this. ;)
That’s so great! I love Eastern Market and Tortilla Cafe so much!!! I went there before DDD filmed and I may have had a minor freak-out when I found out they were going to be on. I totally agree with the other commenters here, Founding Farmers and Ted’s Bulletin are amazing (if you do go to FF, you should probably call or go on Tasting Table, they get B-U-S-Y). Have a great time!
Right next to Tortilla cafe is Acqua Al 2 which is an amazing restaurant! There is one in Firenze and one in D.C. Order the blueberry steak :) Sounds a little weird but it is famous in Firenze, so it can be like you are in Italy!
Is ben wearing a BGSU hoodie? Bowling Green? My wife graduated from there!
Both of my parents went to BGSU! :D
I didn’t realize that you & Ben grew up a mile apart. Did you guys know each other then?
Cracks me up how you & another commenter both figured out that it was the celebrity you thought by Googling the spouse’s pic. A little bit creepy… :)
Love the dog!
Have a great vacay! Can’t wait to hear all about your trip & see some great pics! I’m living vicariously, girl! :)
Yep! We were in the same Kindergarten class and everything – but didn’t start dating until our senior year in college!
That is so cute that your grandma loves politics. I used to live in DC and miss it so much! Eastern market is the best!
That dog is super cute. Hope you have a great time in D.C. I was supposed to be there this weekend but we canceled it last week since we are out of town the next couple weekends.
I am not into politics at all, my entire family loves it and I just don’t get it.
P.S. What’s this BGSU stuff I am seeing? I went to Toledo and that was our rival!
Welcome to DC!
I just discovered your blog two weeks ago and it’s been my good ol’ midwestern fix everyday since! It’s so entertaining and you inspired me to get back into writing in my blog again. Thank you IowaGirlEats! I’m living in DC now (originally from central Illinois) and Eastern Market is my stomping ground. It looks like you and Ben are having a fantastic time! Sorry it has been so rainy here but at least y’all will be in for a warm weekend! I’m sure you’ve planned your trip but just wanted to let you know that tomorrow there’s a street Asian Heritage Festival and it’s FREE! :) Right next to the capital building: http://www.asiaheritagefoundation.org/
Have a great time in DC!
P.S. So did Ben go to BGSU? I have family that went to Bowling Green and I’m excited to see him sporting his orange hoody!
I am a political scientist, so yes, I am into politics! And food, which is what brings me to your blog.
oh oh oh! – That’s funny Sigourney was on her way to Washington D.C. – ever see the movie “Dave”? – awesome chick flick! great for conspiracy theorists as well!
I lived in DC for 4 years during college- if you are still in town you HAVE HAVE HAVE got to go to Founding Farmers near Foggy Bottom. This is not a joke. It was like you and that menu were MADE for each other!
Politics not way.
Love the BGSU shirt!
Go Falcons!!! Got stopped in the Milwaukee airport last week asking where I got my BGSU t-shirt bought while visitin YOU!!!
I really like exploring Washington DC! There is so much to see and do! Have fun! :) That puppy is so adorable!!!
I also LOVE history. When I went to DC last year I was amazed by the US History Museum. Did you go there? I was so sad that I could only spend a couple hours there, because you could spend days there and not get bored!
Such an amazing city! I’m taking my kids to Arlington National Cemetery for “flags in” next weekend and then we will squeeze in what other sites we can. This will be their first trip.
As you probably know, it’s a foodie’s dream, too. And there are lots of runners there, too. Enjoy your trip!
How fun! I love DC. Have a wonderful weekend and it looks like you guys might get some sunshine this weekend. ;)
I love Washington, DC! It really is such a great place, especially at this time of year! I hope you saw some pretty cherry blossoms :)
The S.W story is lovely and I love that Grandma at 92 HATES that you are not interested in politics (even though from what I have read we don’t agree ;-) But I LOVE the the 10th picture down, Ben and the lady in the long dress in the isle! That is the coolest pic!
IG, you rock the blogs, can I just say that!!??!!!
Have fun G~~~
Emma makes me miss my Schnauzer!
Hey! I’ve become quite a fan of your blog – I love everything that it stands for! Traveling, eating well, and staying fit. I am from central Iowa and also a HUGE history nerd. I graduated from Iowa State with a degree in Classical Studies and really, really want to work in a museum, so your entry today prompted my curiosity.
So, if you don’t mind I have some questions! What was your major in college and what area of the museum do you work in? I am planning on getting my master’s in Library Science or Museum Studies very soon! And if it’s not too nosy, what museum do you work at? I had a collections management internship at one of the museums at Iowa State and I loved it! Sorry if I am rambling – talking about it just makes me very excited for my future!
Have fun in D.C.!
I just fell asleep reading that little snippet about politics. OK, I didn’t really but that’s how much I care. Can I tell you how much I hate living in Iowa every 4 years!?