This DC Eatery Is OpenTable's Most Reserved Restaurant In America

WASHINGTON, DC — The most-reserved restaurant in America is Founding Farmers in D.C., according to OpenTable.com.

The popular restaurant, situated just blocks from the White House and focused on "scratch-made, responsibly sourced American cuisine," is 2019's most-booked restaurant on the website, OpenTable.com said in its annual report on dining trends. The most-reserved restaurant of the year was determined based on online seated reservations from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30.

Founding Farmers, which claims to be owned by 47,000 farmers, has certainly made a name for itself ever since it opened its flagship restaurant at 1924 Pennsylvania Ave. NW in 2008. The concept began in 2005 when members of the North Dakota Farmers Union looked for ways to bring their products directly to consumers, and proposed launching a restaurant in D.C. to showcase them.

Since then, the restaurant has exploded in popularity, leading to the opening of more locations. Currently, Founding Farmers has nine locations, expanding out to Tysons and Reston Station. Seven of its locations are in the D.C. area, and the other two are in King of Prussia, Pa.

"Our modern farmhouse design evokes America’s rich farming tradition, as well as its vibrant future," their restaurant website states. "From our original DC location to our restaurants in the Maryland and Virginia suburbs, we demonstrate the same commitment to hospitality, high-quality food, sustainable practices, and attention to detail – all within inviting, beautiful settings."

They are not without their detractors. Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema famously gave the restaurant zero stars in a 2016 review. Sietsema was mystified at the restaurant's popularity in the review and ultimately decided that "location, location, location" was the reason for their success.

However, the review hasn't appeared to affect the chain's success, and other critics have lauded the restaurant. Travel and Leisure Magazine once named Founding Farms the "Best Farm-to-Table" in D.C., and Robert Irvine — the celebrity chef behind Food Network shows such as "Restaurant: Impossible" — once raved about Founding Farmers' Devilish-Eggs on Food Network's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate."

The restaurant is rated 4.4 out of 5 on OpenTable out of more than 28,000 reviews.