Little Engine Rotisserie Chicken Opens at Eastern Market on Tuesday, Feb 17

Little Engine Rotisserie Chicken Opens at Eastern Market on Tuesday, Feb 17

By Larry Janezich

February 16, 2026

Rob Sonderman’s Rotisserie and Wings restaurant – “Little Engine” – opens Tuesday, February 17, at 11:00am, across from Eastern Market, at 250 7^th Street, SE. 

Sonderman says, “So we try to serve something that is recognizable but taken to the next level as far as the flavor goes.”  He’s a veteran of opening restaurateur Steve Salis’s Catalogue Group’s Federalist Pig and Honeymoon Chicken, and struck out on his own last summer after ten years.

He’s a life-long resident of the Eastern Market neighborhood and this is his first venture in Southeast, for which, he partnered with Jeff Zients, owner of part of Call Your Mother on Barracks Row. 

Here are some photos from this weekend’s soft opening for family and friends. 

Little Engine was formerly the site of Eat Brgz. 

The “Little Engine” logo suggests “revving up” the chicken and wings offerings with high-quality flavors at a reasonable, family friendly price point. 

Here’s Sonderman, hands-on, in the kitchen.  He was formerly the pitmaster at Federalist Pig. 

The dining area decor announces that it’s family friendly. Especially with …

An impressive baseball card collection. 

Here’s the menu.  Little Chicken will be open daily, 11:00am – 9:00pm.