Italian Cuisine

Hank & Mitzis’ Hidden Menu Logic: How to Score $0.99 Meatballs, Brunch-Exclusive Truffle Pizza, and a Full Italian Feast for $50

At Hank & Mitzis in Washington, D.C., the menu isn’t just about what’s on the plate—it’s about when you show up. With three fully distinct daypart menus, a happy hour that borders on generosity, and a takeout bundle that redefines value, this Shaw hotspot has quietly built a diner-first Italian playbook for 2025. And the best part? You don’t need to be a food critic to play—you just need to read between the lines.


🕒 The Time-Based Pricing Secret

Hank & Mitzis doesn’t inflate prices uniformly—it tailors them to your schedule:

  • Dinner (Tue–Sun, 4 PM+):
    • Fettuccine Bolognese: $18
    • The Hank Pizza: $17
    • Linguine with Clams: $21
  • Lunch (Tue–Fri, 11:30 AM–3 PM):
    • Bolognese: $14 (same Leeds family recipe)
    • The Hank Pizza: $14
    • Spaghetti & Meatballs: $14 (vs. $17 at dinner)
  • Brunch (Sat–Sun, 12–4 PM):
    • Pizza al Uovo: $18—black truffle fonduta + poached egg (weekend-only)
    • Lamb Ossobuco: $28 (vs. $32 at dinner)
    • Shrimp Fra Diavolo: $23 (vs. $25 at dinner)

Translation: Lunch = budget-friendly luxury. Brunch = creative exclusives. Dinner = full indulgence. Choose your adventure.


🍖 Happy Hour Isn’t Snacking—It’s Strategic Dining

Tue–Fri, 4–6 PM, dine-in only

  • Hank’s Meatballs: $0.99 each (pork, beef, veal, tomato, pecorino, pesto)
  • Fried Calamari with arrabbiata: $6
  • Margherita or Pizza Bianca: $7
  • House wine, rail cocktails, Stella Artois: $6

Grab 3 meatballs + calamari + pizza + drink = under $16. That’s a full Italian meal for less than most lunch salads elsewhere.


🧀 Brunch-Only Dishes That Vanish by Monday

These aren’t seasonal—they’re temporal:

  • Pizza al Uovo ($18): truffle + egg + asparagus
  • Brunch Calzone ($16): ricotta, prosciutto cotto, Parmesan hollandaise
  • Maritozzi con Panna ($10): Nutella-draped cream bun
  • Brunch Caesar ($16): bacon, eggs mimosa, anchovies

If you miss the weekend window, you wait another week. No exceptions.


🧺 The $50 Italian Family Feast: A Takeout Masterpiece

Available only via advance TOCK order, this $50 bundle feeds four people with:

  • Caesar Salad for 4
  • Choice of 2 Pizzas: The Mitzi, The Hank, Veggie, or Cheese & Pepperoni
  • Choice of 2 Pastas: Bolognese, Mafalde, Lasagna, Spaghetti & Meatballs, or Cacio Pepe

That’s $12.50 per person for a chef-made, restaurant-quality Italian dinner—no delivery fees, no markup.


🍝 Gluten-Free? Zero Surcharge. Full Flavor.

Every pasta—Bolognese, Cacio Pepe, Ravioli, Mafalde—is made in-house daily. Gluten-free pasta is available for any dish at no extra cost. A rare standard of inclusivity in Italian cuisine.


🍸 Cocktails Are Packed for Two (Even If You’re One)

All drinks—like the Italian Mule ($12), “You Broke My Heart, Roberto Baggio” ($14), or the breezy Pirlo ($11)—are sold to-go as double servings for 2x price. Perfect for sharing—or solo celebration.


🍷 Wine: From $8 Draft Prosecco to $119 Brunello

  • House Prosecco (draft): $8
  • Nero d’Avola (glass): $9
  • Barolo Broccardo 2016: $105
  • Brunello La Togata 2013: $119

Whether you’re sipping casually or marking a milestone, the list grows with you—no gatekeeping, just great bottles.


Hank & Mitzis proves that smart Italian dining in 2025 isn’t about extravagance—it’s about timing, transparency, and treating guests like family. The menu changes, but the mission doesn’t: great food, fair prices, and joy in every bite.

Unlock the full experience at
https://www.hankandmitzis.com/menus/.