The chicken parmigiana with vodka sauce from Caruso’s Grocery has earned a spot on The Washington Post’s list of the “40 Essential Dishes of D.C.,” which highlights selections from restaurants across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia.
Caruso’s Grocery has a Montgomery County location at 11820 Trade St. in Pike & Rose, which opened in late 2022. The original restaurant opened inside The Roost on Capitol Hill in May 2021.
The Washington Post recommends requesting vodka sauce in place of the dish’s standard marinara. The publication praised the rich and tangy sauce, which covers a thinly pounded, breaded chicken breast topped with mozzarella, spices and ribbons of basil.
The recognition follows another recent honor for the restaurant. Earlier this year, Caruso’s Grocery was the only Maryland restaurant included on Eater DC’s list of the “Best Pasta Places Around D.C.”
The Italian-American concept draws inspiration from classic red-sauce restaurants, focusing on traditional dishes rather than modern reinventions. Its menu includes Penne alla Vodka, Sole Francaise, Mozzarella en Carrozza and Garlic Bread with Four Cheese Sauce.
