Add Tico to Your List of Lunch Options

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TICO RAMEN: BUCKWHEAT NOODLES, BEEF BROTH, SHRIMP DUMPLINGS, CORN, PORK BELLY & JALAPENO, $12.

TICO RAMEN: BUCKWHEAT NOODLES, BEEF BROTH, SHRIMP DUMPLINGS, CORN, PORK BELLY & JALAPENO, $12.

By AJ Dronkers, Edible DC

With the exploding dining scene on 14th Street NW and Shaw, securing a dinner reservation for Friday or Saturday can feel like an impossible journey, let alone trying to get a table as a walk-in someplace popular. But the middle of day is another story. Other than fast casual, this neighborhood has been short of lunch options for those who don't work downtown. That's why we when we heard that Tico, Michael Schlow’s Latin-inspired American restaurant, is now serving lunch from Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 3:00 pm, there was applause in the office.

WARM QUINOA, AVOCADO, CAULIFLOWER, APPLE & WILTED GREENS $13 COMBINE IN THE CHOPPED KITCHEN SINK SALAD, $14.

WARM QUINOA, AVOCADO, CAULIFLOWER, APPLE & WILTED GREENS $13 COMBINE IN THE CHOPPED KITCHEN SINK SALAD, $14.

Tico, one of our go-to brunch spots, has talented Chef de Cuisine Rodrigo Perez at the helm. We stopped by on Friday to sample the menu. Chef Rodrigo explained that the menu is his homage to the cultures and cuisines on 14th Street, so Tico can be your one-stop shop for getting that experience. From the cocktail menu (that has my personal favorite is the Hibiscus Margarita) to the crudos, salads and inventive takes on Latin American food, delicious options abound whether you want to grab a bite at the bar and or relax for a multi-course meal.

One important piece of advice. Do not skip dessert. We will repeat that. Do not skip dessert. Pastry chef Alex Levin just kills it in this category, whether it was the sweet and tart passion fruit creme brulee or my absolute favorite cinnamon sugar churros, you must try something from Levin's menu.

CRUNCHY EDAMAME FALAFEL, SPICED HUMMUS, SWISS CHARD & TAPENADE COTIJA, $14.

CRUNCHY EDAMAME FALAFEL, SPICED HUMMUS, SWISS CHARD & TAPENADE COTIJA, $14.

YOU MUST TRY THE DESSERTS FROM PASTRY CHEF ALEX LEVIN AT TICO. THE CHURROS ARE SUBLIME CINNAMON SUGAR CONFECTIONS.

YOU MUST TRY THE DESSERTS FROM PASTRY CHEF ALEX LEVIN AT TICO. THE CHURROS ARE SUBLIME CINNAMON SUGAR CONFECTIONS.

We've go the full Tico Lunch Menu here:

BOWLS

  • GRILLED CHICKEN CAESAR WITH MARCELINO'S FAMOUS DRESSING $13
  • TUNA POKE WITH BRAISED CABBAGE, CRISPY RICE & MINT JALAPENO $16
  • CRUNCHY EDAMAME FALAFEL, SPICED HUMMUS, SWISS CHARD & TAPENADE COTIJA $14
  • TENDER PORK CARNITAS, CILANTRO RICE, BLACK BEANS & TOMATILLO SALSA $13
  • TICO RAMEN, BUCKWHEAT NOODLES, BEEF BROTH, SHRIMP DUMPLINGS, CORN, PORK BELLY & JALAPENO $12
  • WARM QUINOA, AVOCADO, CAULIFLOWER, APPLE & WILTED GREENS $13
  • CHOPPED KITCHEN SINK SALAD $14

SANDWICHES

  • CRISPY CHICKEN SANDWICH WITH SPICY FENNEL SLAW & ANCHO AIOLI $12
  • FRIED GREEN TOMATO BLT $12
  • ALL AMERICAN TICO CHEESEBURGER $15
  • CUBAN WITH TENDER PORK, HAM, ANCHO CHILES, SWISS & PICKLED JALAPENOS $13

TACOS

  • TWO TEXTURE BEEF WITH MORITA CHILES $5 each
  • PORK AL PASTOR WITH GUAJILO, GRILLED PINEAPPLE & AVOCADO $5 each
  • CRISPY FISH WITH CHIPOTLE, CABBAGE & PICKLED JALAPENO $5 each
  • "STEAK & EGG" WITH TOMATO, ONION & RICOTTA SALATA $5 each
  • CARAMELIZED CAULIFLOWER WITH SPICY CORN SALSA, PICKLED RED ONIONS & AJI AMARILLO $4 each
  • SHRIMP A LA DIABLA WITH CHIPOTLE CREAM & CRISPY QUINOA $7 each

TICO SIGNATURES

  • SOUP OF THE DAY
  • SALMON CEVICHE with rocoto leche de tigre, mint $9
  • HAMACHI CRUDO with sea urchin, pickled cucumber $11
  • BLISTERED SHISHITO with shallots, lime & sea salt $9
  • SHREDDED CABBAGE SALAD with spicy salsa verde $8
  • CRISPY CALAMARI with ancho-lime aioli $10
  • ROASTED CAULIFLOWER with crunchy fava, cotija cheese $8
  • CRISPY MANCHEGO with spicy pomegranate-honey sauce $9