What minimum operational history is required for a D.C. icon?

Answer

Decades of Operation (50 to 100 years)

The criteria for graduating from merely being a 'good' restaurant to a 'genuine D.C. icon' involves several measurable characteristics, one of the most fundamental being time in business. The definition provided suggests that an iconic establishment must possess a history stretching back at least 50 to 100 years. This longevity, or historical ballast, is critical because it implies decades of consistent operation, community vetting, and survival through various cultural and political shifts, lending the establishment a layer of trust and authority that newer venues cannot immediately command.

What minimum operational history is required for a D.C. icon?
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