As GDS students settle into the new school year, Marv’s Dogs DC will open its doors. Located at 4936 Wisconsin Avenue, adjacent to Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza, Marv’s location is less than a five-minute walk from GDS’ campus. Offering conveniently located comfort food, Marv’s hopes to find its place in the bustling Tenleytown food scene.
Unlike other Tenleytown restaurants, Marv’s will offer an arcade located on the building’s basement level. Games such as pinball and Pac-Man will be located in a large lounge area for customers to relax while playing. Marv’s owners Diane Gross and Khalid Pitts, married parents of two GDS students and owners of Cork Wine Bar and Market on 14th Street, said they hope the space will increase customer appeal, especially among kids.
The restaurant is scheduled to open on Monday, Dec. 15. Gross said she and Pitts have “had a number of issues with delayed permits,” leading to a series of setbacks in construction that have pushed back the day of opening, which was originally set to be in early fall.
Freshman Alexandra O’Brien said she thought Marv’s will “build more community participation because it’s like, even if you’re still on devices, especially with the arcade, you can play games with your friends versus everyone sitting around staring.”
Marv’s menu will feature classic Chicago-style hot dogs, veggie dogs, French fries and a variety of unique soft serve ice cream flavors. There will also be a variety of toppings such as relish, house-made pickles, onions, mustard and sport peppers.
Freshman Charlie Butcher said he thought the restaurant will be “a good addition” to the Tenleytown food scene.
Sophomore Theo Hauser also said he was excited about a new lunch option. “I’d say the [hot dog place] is a good thing,” Hauser said.
High school history teacher Anthony Belber was also enthusiastic to see more food come to Tenleytown. “The bottom line is that hot dogs are affordable, so that’s a nice lunch option for a lot of people,” he said. “If the prices aren’t too expensive and the food tastes good, then people are going to want to go there.”
Belber said he was excited about the various different menu items offered at the restaurant, saying the “soft serve will definitely be appealing.”
Gross said one way she hopes to increase the affordability of Marv’s is through a “lunch pack.” Primarily geared towards students, the meal will be a combo that includes a hot dog, French fries and a drink.
Gross said she created the deal because, as a GDS parent, she understood that “spending a lot of money on lunch everyday is difficult.” She said she wanted customers, particularly students, to have a way they “could get out of [Marv’s] with a hot dog and fries at a reasonable price.”
In addition to the affordability of Marv’s, Gross also mentioned the design of the restaurant as something that would set it apart from other restaurants in the area. She said she took inspiration from old-school hot dog joints and combined their retro themes with modern trends, planning to create a restaurant that is fun, warm and nostalgic.
Part of the design includes indoor and outdoor seating. Bar seating will be available on the main floor and basement of the restaurant, with tables and couches in the lounge space. A patio in the front of the restaurant will host its outdoor seating.
Gross said she hopes her restaurant will create a welcoming atmosphere, envisioning a place “where kids can go hang and be themselves.”