Where: 201 Mass. Ave. N.E.
Carded: depends on the crowd
Cover: none
Dress: red, all red
Specials: Happy Hour from 4-8 p.m. and nightly specials

My roommates are from the Midwest, and while I, too, prefer “pop” instead of “soda,” there are some things I just don’t understand, such as my Omaha roommates claim that “runzas” are excellent pocket sandwiches, and this notion of being raised a Cornhusker fan from birth.

Since D.C. is a city of transplanted citizens, it is not surprising that there are quite a few Nebraskans in our midst. Crazy Cornhusker fans, at that. Whenever the fans want to catch this week’s big game, they head to the Red River Grill.

While I was wearing a red shirt myself, nowhere written on my clothing were the words “Nebraska” or “Cornhusker,” unlike everyone else’s T-shirts.

In every one of the bar’s three rooms and on the patio, a television was showing the football game. And on every table there were pitchers of beer and towers of red, plastic cups. There was not an empty seat in the entire place.

I quickly learned that it is best to arrive early to get a good seat and order your food. The menu is typical Tex-mex. I am sure there were other first-time visitors, but the crowd was full of regulars.

While I enjoy watching college football, I clearly stood out in the crowd because anytime Nebraska made a good play or scored a touchdown, I merely clapped or kept staring at the TV. Everyone else went berserk.

When a Nebraska game isn’t on TV, Red River Grill becomes a typical Capitol Hill watering hole favored by locals and congressional staffers. So whether a Nebraskan or polical staffer you can celebrate your victories and drink away your losses at the Red River Grill.

Belle Rating: 2 bells