Spike sits down with Shawn Townsend, President and CEO of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington — aka the guy making sure the DMV’s food scene doesn’t burn out under pressure. Shawn has seen DC from every side of the line — behind the bar, behind the badge, and now behind the movement keeping restaurants alive. From his early days crushing grapes in Sicily to becoming DC’s first “Night Mayor,” Shawn breaks down what it really takes to keep a city eating — through politics, policy, and pandemic fallout. They dig into everything from third-party delivery fees and minimum wage battles to ICE raids, nightlife culture, and what “Together We Dine” really means for the future of dining out in DC.

This one’s for anyone who’s ever fought to keep the lights on, the kitchen running, and the city’s flavor alive.

What You'll Hear In This Episode:

• How a military kid from Charleston ended up shaping DC’s restaurant policy
• Lessons from working nightlife enforcement to advocating for restaurants
• The evolution of DC’s food scene — from Obama-era renaissance to post-COVID recovery
• Why third-party delivery apps became both a lifeline and a liability
• How ICE presence and federal optics are scaring off both workers and diners
• The reality of doing business across DC, Maryland, and Virginia
• “Together We Dine” — RAMW’s new campaign to bring people back into restaurants
• What local owners can do to adapt, innovate, and survive the new era of hospitality
• Why DC’s food scene is still on fire — in the best and worst ways

Listen & Connect With Us Here: https://linktr.ee/intheweeds.pod 

🎙️🎙️ In The Weeds Podcast is proudly sponsored by: 

Events DC is the official convention and sports authority for the District and a key player in making some of DC’s most exciting events and experiences happen. From world-class sports to cultural festivals and everything in between, they help power the energy of the city. Visit eventsdc.com to see what they are cooking up!

DC Central Kitchen is an iconic nonprofit and social enterprise that combats hunger and poverty through job training and job creation. The organization provides hands-on culinary job training for individuals facing high barriers to employment while creating living wage jobs and bringing nutritious, dignified food where it is most needed. To learn more, please visit dccentralkitchen.org