Washington DC (Winter 2026) - Day 2

Bureau of Printing and Engraving

Started the day after a bit of jet lag with a tour of the Bureau of Printing and Engraving which is one of two sites in the US where they make paper money. You have to have a timed ticket entry here even though it is free because the tour is guided and you have to go through security to enter.

They have a strict no photo and no phone policy while on tour so the photos here are of the film presentation before the tour and the visitor center/gift shop after the tour.

On this particular day I got to see a lot of $100 bills being manufactured. I found those bags of shredded currency that sell for $7 in the gift shop. A few years ago I was at the Denver Fed and the bags were free - inflation indeed.

Stan’s DC Restaurant

One of the two food items I wanted to try in DC was the mumbo sauce. It is a sweet slightly hot tangy sauce that is put on wings or fried chicken. This place was supposed to have a good version. The sauce was fine but the wings were a bit meh.

It was still a good place to hang out and watch some sports while having snacks. The restaurant itself is actually underground, you have to access it by going down a staircase from the sidewalk.

Red Derby

Took the metro up to the Columbia Heights neighborhood. We kept on walking north until we found a suitable drinking establishment to relax for a while. Found this great little locals bar with beer and shot specials and cocktails.

This is the kind of place I would frequent if I lived here.

Bombay Street Food

The final stop of the night was for some dinner. This restaurant is also in Columbia Heights and had tasty Indian food. The biryani was especially good. The food was spicy but not overpoweringly so.