In the heart of Adams Morgan, Her Diner re-imagines the classic diner through a queer-inclusive lens, pairing craft cocktails, comfort food and retro flair in a space built for the neighborhood.
Owners Kelly and Kethida Laczko opened Her Diner in November 2024 with the goal of creating an inclusive space that uplifts women, people of color and LGBTQ+ communities, according to the restaurant’s website. Bright colors, an energetic atmosphere and a menu that moves beyond traditional diner staples — pulling from Italian-inspired dishes and Mexican breakfast specialties — make the restaurant feel less like a pit stop and more like a community gathering place.
Formerly the manager of Duplex Diner in Adams Morgan, Kelly Laczko formed a partnership with her wife Kethida Laczko to establish the beloved Her Diner in the same location, hoping to modernize the old diner while maintaining the same nostalgic feeling. As part of the rebrand, the Laczkos pushed the diner to prioritize community involvement by actively working on fundraising for organizations like The Wanda Alston Foundation on the LGBTQ+ Counseling Collaborative. I was already pumped to visit the diner, but knowing I was supporting these causes with my purchase thrilled me even more.
Specializing in dinner, brunch and drinks, Her Diner’s menu ranges from Fried Chicken Benedict for brunch to Cacio e Pepe for dinner. The restaurant is open for dinner on weekdays, though it stays open later on Fridays — perfect for a post-Adams Morgan bar snack. It then opens for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays and stays open for the rest of the day. Their brunch menu is only accessible on the weekends, while their dinner menu is available all days of the week.
Eager to try the Dinner Special Chili, I took the D74 bus from campus on Monday, walking 10 minutes from the bus stop to the diner, which I found to be a pleasant walk. Walking into the diner at around 5:30 p.m., Madonna greeted me from a collage of posters on the bar wall, as well as other pop stars from the ’80s who made an impact on the LGBTQ+ community. The wall’s centerpiece featured a landline hooked to the wall and above it in neon pink spelled “Answer Her,” while red tinsel intertwined with twinkling lights lined the ceiling, helping the diner achieve its ’80s, electro-pop feel.
I was greeted by the host, and I chose to sit at the semicircular bar that resembled a retro diner booth. Although customers can make reservations on their website, I came to the diner without one and had no trouble getting a seat as there were only a handful of patrons eating their meals when I arrived — most likely because I caught the early side of the night. The evening crowd trickled in about an hour later with lively chatter and delighted greetings. Regulars exchanged small talk with the bartenders, and I could hear laughing from the kitchen.
The menu was vast, with items from Chicken Pot Pie ($22) to a caprese pasta ($16). I settled on the Dinner Special Chili ($14) to recover from the cold weather outside. The diner also hosts an extensive drinks menu with cocktails including a Strawberry Mezcal Margarita ($15) and Squeezes, fruit juice-based cocktails ($13).
A waiter placed the bowl in front of me roughly 15 minutes after I ordered. The chili featured a warm tomato soup base with beans, grounded beef and assorted root vegetables, topped with sharp cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream. The dish made the most sense to recover from the cold weather outside, offering a comforting warmth. The hearty serving size was filling as a standalone meal because of the generous amount of ground beef.
I was impressed from the first bite. The chili’s delicious, smoky hints of peppers and roasted ground beef worked harmoniously with the earthy flavor of vegetables. The cheddar had a pungent presence that I enjoyed with the tomato soup base, and the beans mitigated the strong flavors by absorbing the seasonings through its mild nutty flavor. As I reached the bottom of the bowl, the flavor was savory — bordering on salty.
But the sour cream balanced out the saltiness, and the rich tangy flavor of the chili was still present until the end. Personally, I would have liked the chili to have been a bit more spiced than salty. Nonetheless, it was a classic creamy and thick stew, and I left the diner full and happy.
Away from the freezing cold, I found comfort in the fun, colorful decorations and the warm energy of the environment created by friendly service and good food. Her Diner created a simple, traditional diner meal into a fun and upbeat eating experience where everyone belonged.
