The National Mall is a very pleasant area with a calm and warm kind of atmosphere. There are so many things that you can do there that are free. However, food would be one of those things that are not free at the National Mall, and instead of setting your wallet on fire with some half-rate food at a food truck, there are refreshment stands to help save your stomach and your wallet at the same time!

WHAT ARE THE REFRESHMENT STANDS?
The refreshment stands are kiosks sprinkled around the National Mall that sell a variety of snacks and foods. Around the refreshment stand, there are various chairs and tables so that you or your friends/family can sit down and enjoy the meal right there. The condiments are located behind the stand, but in my opinion, the condiments are a bit lacking, and it’s a bit inconvenient that it’s self-serve. However, there is a pretty wide variety of filling meals that you can get at the refreshment stands for arguably cheap. They sell a variety of snacks, drinks, and entrees there at the refreshment stands, like fries, burgers, hot dogs, a variety of sandwiches, or fruits.

WHY GO TO THE REFRESHMENT STANDS?
With how many different restaurants are nearby or located inside of the National Mall, it’s only reasonable to question why I’m so fond of the refreshment stands so much and why I believe that you should go there. Well, compared to most other restaurants around at the National Mall, the refreshment stands are almost empty, meaning that lines are nonexistent. Not to mention that the food is out in a pretty timely manner. 

The prices for food are also much cheaper, for example, a milkshake at a nearby food truck was fifteen dollars. Doesn’t that sound outrageous? Not to mention that it was only about twenty fl oz, compared to a twenty fl oz drink at the refreshment stand, which was ONLY. THREE. DOLLARS. The differences in pricing are absolutely absurd. And it’s not like I expected a milkshake to cost the same as a basic drink, but FIFTEEN DOLLARS?! The refreshment stand’s prices blow the competition out of the water, and it’s not even close.

Just the calming atmosphere, hanging around outside on a warm spring day, laughing with your friends as you enjoy a meal, occasionally feeding the birds. The sheer fuzzy feeling of the irreplaceable moment alone trumps all other restaurants or food-related places at the National Mall by a landslide.

NOW WHAT?
Overall, the refreshment stands are your greatest option when it comes to price, convenience, and now, reliability. Just a few moments ago, multiple food trucks have been reported to have just appeared near the National Mall, not following the mandatory rules for licensed food trucks. Stick to safety and consistency, and just go to the refreshment stand.