Engel's Buffet by StreetsofWashington Via Flickr: William A. Engel (1865-1948), a native of Bühne, Germany, came to America as a teenager, starting off in Baltimore and then moving to Rosslyn, Virginia, where he was foreman of the Portner Brewing Company plant. Around 1898 he struck out on his own, opening Engel's Hotel and Restaurant at New Jersey Avenue and C Street NW, across the street from the B and O Railroad Depot. Engel's was popular both with locals and travelers, and was known as much for its drink as for its food. After the block was condemned for creation of Union Plaza, Engel's moved his restaurant in 1911 to the block of E Street that had formerly been known as Rum Row. This postcard shows Engel's E Street location, next door to the old Washington Post building.