Annie's Paramount Steak House has occupied a corner of Dupont Circle since 1948, when George Katinas, the son of Greek immigrants, opened it as the Paramount Steak House with help from his five sisters. In the early 1960s he renamed it in honor of his sister Annie, whose warmth behind the bar became legendary — including the oft-told story of her encouraging two men to hold hands openly at their table decades before that kind of welcome was common. The restaurant remains family owned today.
That history shaped its identity as a longstanding fixture of Washington's gay-borhood, a place built on the idea that everyone is welcome. The menu runs on classic American comfort food — steaks, buffalo wings, seafood, and homemade desserts — alongside strong cocktails, served across brunch, lunch, and dinner.
Regulars describe generous portions and familiar, warm service as part of the draw, alongside memorable desserts, even as steak preparation draws mixed reviews. In 2019, the James Beard Foundation named Annie's an America's Classics Award winner, recognizing it as an enduring neighborhood institution.
That history shaped its identity as a longstanding fixture of Washington's gay-borhood, a place built on the idea that everyone is welcome. The menu runs on classic American comfort food — steaks, buffalo wings, seafood, and homemade desserts — alongside strong cocktails, served across brunch, lunch, and dinner.
Regulars describe generous portions and familiar, warm service as part of the draw, alongside memorable desserts, even as steak preparation draws mixed reviews. In 2019, the James Beard Foundation named Annie's an America's Classics Award winner, recognizing it as an enduring neighborhood institution.