The Whitlow's tradition began on the corner of 11th and E Street, NW, when David Whitlow opened his bar and grill to the public in 1946. Over the next 25 years, Whitlow's became an unmistakable landmark in downtown Washington.
Greg Cahill purchased the restaurant in 1971, but changed little of the tavern that had become so much a part of the city. In 1989, Whitlow's closed its doors to enable a mass redevelopment of that site. It was the first time in 18 years, excluding Christmas and the filming of a scene in Broadcast News, that the grill was closed. Unfortunately, the redevelopment never materialized.
