This is part of our ongoing Business Spotlight series, which interviews local Mt. Pleasant Main Street business owners.
Today’s post features Alex Kramer—a local Mt. Pleasant resident and owner of Dos Gringos Cafe (3116 Mt Pleasant Street NW). Dos Gringos has become a beloved neighborhood spot that serves up delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Video Credit: Dos Gringos Cafe
Tell us a little bit about your business.
Dos Gringos opened on December 30, 1999 because we lived in Mt. Pleasant and there was no place to get a bagel with cream cheese and tomato at that time. We made our mission statement to serve tasty, affordable, non-processed food because we lived in Mt. Pleasant and thought other people would want what we want.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in NY and came to DC to go to George Washington University. I always thought I would go back to NY, but feel at home in Mt. Pleasant and like my lifestyle here.
What is unique about your business?
I think what makes us unique is how organic we are in the sense that we are real and keep close to the source. We make everything in-house and from scratch.
The special is something that I love. Every day we come up with a new special. It always costs $8 so it’s affordable and it’s pretty much always vegetarian.
Are you still operating during COVID-19? In what ways?
Yes, we are still operating same hours for take out, but business is not the same as usual.
Editor’s Note: They currently also have outdoor seating available.
How can the community support you right now?
We could use more business. We have folks who bought gift cards which helps and we had a sponsor buy lunches for one of the local healthcare facilities staff.
What is your favorite thing about this community?
I love that people are real in Mt. Pleasant. We say hello, know our neighbors (mainly by face or pet, not name) and people are involved in their own ways.
If you could tell all of the residents in the Mount Pleasant Main Street area one thing, what would it be?
I would like people to know that what they do matters. Where they spend money matters.
Editor’s Note: You can follow Dos Gringos for daily specials and more on Facebook.
Often when people hear the term ‘Main Street’, they think about business corridors. But many people do not think about the stress and loneliness that many business owners experience while navigating the hurdles of entrepreneurship and running a business—especially during an unprecedented pandemic. Main Street programs all over the country work to make sure that business owners have an advocate and support system so that your favorite local coffee shop or tailor can keep their doors open. Help us continue doing our work by chipping in $10, $100, $1,000. Please do so on our website at districtbridges.org/donate.