If you are of the growing number of people who have viewed the forum titled Age of Fairfax Underground Users? than this might be a forum/survey of your interest also. If you are a new comer, than welcome, and feel free to provide any productive commentary and/or information.

The topic is favorite local restaurants of Fairfax Underground Users. Give us details on why you like such restaurants, their location(s), and economic tips about these places (for we are in a recession).

Thanks

I can't name a favorite, too much to choose from around here. But, Legal Seafood is probably my first choice in local dining. It's a chain, but the Tysons location is sort of my go-to place when I want good food. They have a great lunch special on the weekends, it's a swordfish steak with 4 grilled shrimp and rice pilaf for like 16 bucks. It's a steal of a meal, excellent food and less than $20.

Busara down the street from there is also the best Thai you can get in Tysons. That's a definite go-to place as well.

No money concerns:

Chez Francois
Citronelle
Restaurant Eve

Some or a few money concerns:

Coastal Flats
Sweetwater Tavern

Cheap:

Southside 815
Tara Thai
Famous Daves

For consistency, variety, service and value I think that all of the Great American Restaurants have to be at the top of any local list. Artie's is probably our 'go to' place when we just want a good meal and there are signature dishes like the crab fritters or the shrimp and grits at Coastal Flats that are just plain good and satisfying.

Sakoontra for Thai, Villa Bella for brick oven pizza and Firehouse Grill when you just want some wings or a burger.

Born Restaurant next to Magruder's in Vienna. Excellent Thai food for less than $20. Lunch specials run about $7 - $10. Usually very quiet and the service is outstanding.

Amphora also in Vienna is a great 24 hour diner; food prep is really quick and it doesn't have the cheap trashy feel of IHOP or Denny's. Don't look suspicious, the parking lot is filled with State troopers at around 3 am.

The places owned by Great American Restaurants are pretty good; especially Sweetwater Tavern. Good microbrews and quick service. Kinda noisy and a long wait, but it has large open areas, so it doesn't feel cramped.

As far as chains, Bonefish Grill in Kingstowne and Chantilly are really great, but the dinner entrees can run past $30 - $40. Upscale atmosphere without the prices of Ruth Chris'.

As far as express service restaurants (Panera, Noodles and Company), Pei Wei is my favorite, with entrees running about $12 to $15. Owned by PF Chang's but without the wait or cheesy wannabe authentic Chinese restaurant feel.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“It's too bad that stupidity isn't painful." - Anton Lavey

actually, if you want good cheap food, i recommend the food bars at Whole Foods in Fair Lakes. The BBQ is good and i know folks that swear by the fish.

If you are hungry and on a budget, I will gladly take a dump in a hotdog bun for you. No charge if you bring the bun.

ITRADE Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> actually, if you want good cheap food, i recommend
> the food bars at Whole Foods in Fair Lakes. The
> BBQ is good and i know folks that swear by the
> fish.


I like the Fair Lakes location, along with the Rte. 7 Whole Foods. I fucking hate the Vienna store. I can't place my finger on it, but I think it has something to do with the pompous douchebags that inhabit Wolf Trap. That, and the bicyclists coming from the W & OD trail that shop there in sweat drenched tank tops and those faggy tight bicycle shorts. I hate those shorts.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“It's too bad that stupidity isn't painful." - Anton Lavey



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/22/2009 11:43PM by Furfur.

Yeah, those shorts are nasty. Especially the ladies with the sweat line on the camel toe.

Thanks for tip on the "Born Restaurant". Always looking for a new place to eat, and love me some Thai.

Second Villa Bella for pizza. Very good.

I know this isn't in Fairfax..but close enough. Lost Dog Cafe on Wash Blvd is fantastic. Great selection of beers. Good pizza and great sandwiches. The seating availability is a little on the small side (but they are expanding), so you might have a bit of a wait, but it's worth it.

Even better if you live within their delivery radius as they will also deliver beer.

Crack Hitler Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yeah, those shorts are nasty. Especially the
> ladies with the sweat line on the camel toe.


I think some of those women are baking sourdough bread in the shorts.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“It's too bad that stupidity isn't painful." - Anton Lavey

Great responses, keep them cuming!

Plaka Grill, Vienna.. Actually the best in vienna

ITRADE Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> actually, if you want good cheap food, i recommend
> the food bars at Whole Foods in Fair Lakes. The
> BBQ is good and i know folks that swear by the
> fish.


Good suggestion...the BBQ and sushi bars are both excellent and a favorite place for a quick, relatively inexpensive meal on a Friday or Saturday night, especially if we are heading to a movie at Fairfax Corner. You can get a spicy tuna roll with miso soup and salad for like $9.

This is one of two Whole Foods concept stores in the country and it is so much more pleasant than either the Vienna or Arlington locations.

I know the Plaka Grill fans are legion in Vienna theses days, so I checked it out...twice.

NOT very good at all, considering the ordinary gyro places down the street in Vienna. Like 4-5 of em.

Maybe I caught them on a bad day? The pork whatever gyro thingy (some made up Greekish name on the menu) was absolutely putrid. And I don't get the french fry raves--cmon, they're FRENCH FRIES!

My kids love the place though, so I'm sure they'll get another chance. Sigh.

______________________________________________
I have had to change the addresses to my retaliatory blogs over half a dozen times.

fairfaxdude Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I know the Plaka Grill fans are legion in Vienna
> theses days, so I checked it out...twice.
>
> NOT very good at all, considering the ordinary
> gyro places down the street in Vienna. Like 4-5
> of em.
>
> Maybe I caught them on a bad day? The pork
> whatever gyro thingy (some made up Greekish name
> on the menu) was absolutely putrid. And I don't
> get the french fry raves--cmon, they're FRENCH
> FRIES!
>
> My kids love the place though, so I'm sure they'll
> get another chance. Sigh.

What ordinary gyro places down the street? I actually don't like the pork one that much either, the fries are okay, they are better when they put them in the sandwich(Plaka style lol) but the gyros,and chicken slovakia are the best in Vienna

Skorpios Grill in Vienna makes a rockin gyro. I can't imagine there's a better gyro in that town. The fuckers are huge, too.

Is Plaka really better?

TheMeeper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Skorpios Grill in Vienna makes a rockin gyro. I
> can't imagine there's a better gyro in that town.
> The fuckers are huge, too.
>
> Is Plaka really better?


Okay i forgot about Skorpios, but that's about the only one better. Not even by that much either.

It's not Fairfax Co, but Okra's in Old Town Manassas is really good if you like New Orleans cajun food. Prices are in the $15-$25 per entree range.

How come Denny's hasn't made the list???

My favorite's are of course the Great American Restaurants that are dotted all over Northern VA.

And thanks 2 whoever impersonated me b saying: great response keep them coming. Nice 2 know I dnt even have 2 comment on my own forums ny more, that I culd hav somone else do it for me.

Bobby....register your nic, doofus! Then they can't accuse you of being someone else. Wait---well the mentally unbalanced ones can, I guess....LMAO..well, or the drunks.

______________________________________________
I have had to change the addresses to my retaliatory blogs over half a dozen times.

Warhawk Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It's not Fairfax Co, but Okra's in Old Town
> Manassas is really good if you like New Orleans
> cajun food. Prices are in the $15-$25 per entree
> range.

Yeah, REStonPeace and I have eaten there... good and easier to get to than Bardia's New Oreleans Cafe in Adams Morgan.

Bonefish grill is the shit.
Sweet Water Tavern and Mikes are good for chain restaurants
Five Guys is always money
And theres a great little Italian place called Mike's Italian, although i dont remember where it is, but is great.
Oh yea and Tuscan grill in Tysons Mall is fuckin great.

x



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/05/2015 10:31PM by WingNut.

TheMeeper Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Skorpios Grill in Vienna makes a rockin gyro. I
> can't imagine there's a better gyro in that town.
> The fuckers are huge, too.
>
> Is Plaka really better?

Next to 7-11 and Wendys? I think I had a really good mousakka there years ago, forgot all about them though.

x



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/05/2015 10:31PM by WingNut.

WingNut Wrote:
------------------------------------------------------
>
> Next to 7-11 and Wendys? I think I had a really good mousakka there years ago, forgot all about them though.


Yup, in the shopping center next to Wendy's. The gyros are excellent. The only reason I don't go in there too often is because it's really just too much food for one sitting.

WingNut Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Great American is OK American food wise, but if
> you want to pig, it's the place. I used go and
> order a steak and then add the buffet for like
> $3.99 or something. I'd completely victimize the
> buffet, then when the stealk came, I ask them to
> wrap itup to go. I'd get 2 meals for about 12
> bucks.

The GAR group doesn't have a buffet. And if they sold their steaks for $8.00...I'd eat there every night.

WingNut Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There is a really good Italian place on the right
> side of SB Richmond Hwy almost to Belvoir, I can't
> recall the name. Anybody?


That's probably the Mike's Italian somebody else mentioned.

http://www.mikesitalianrestaurant.com/

Skorpios/Maggios is way better than Plaka. My friend got food poisioning at Plaka.

If you want a reasonably priced dinner with great italian dishes and some house wines, try Esposito's on Rt50 opposite PJ Skidoos. Wood-fired pizza is excellent,also.

Tarin Thai Herndon - awesome thai


www.tarinthai.com

Nice to see we have a Tarin Thai spammer.

Add me to the fans of Born Thai.

Serenity and Old Peking were liked by my wife who is very fussy regarding Chinese food.

I also like the Minerva Indian restaurant in Fairfax City.

Have been to the Greek Grill some, will need to try Plaka and Skorpios.

formerhick76 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Add me to the fans of Born Thai.
>
> Serenity and Old Peking were liked by my wife who
> is very fussy regarding Chinese food.
>
> I also like the Minerva Indian restaurant in
> Fairfax City.
>
> Have been to the Greek Grill some, will need to
> try Plaka and Skorpios.

can you really be "fussy" when it's all dog and cat - you can dress it up however but shit is shit

Agree on:

Chez Francois (Great Falls) - absolutely great French-Alcasian dining experience
Five Guys (various locations) - top burgers, no question
Amphora (Vienna & Herndon) - tradition and a better diner than any of the chains
Duangrats (Bailey's Crossroads) - very good Thai
any of the Great American Restaurants (as noted above)

To add (Fairfax only):

Shamshirry (west end of Tyson's Corner somewhat near the Sheraton) - fantastic Persian-style kabobs
Amoo's Kabob (McLean/Chesterbrook) - very good Persian-style kabobs
Charcoal Kabob (Herndon/K-Mart shopping center) - great Afghan/Pakistani-style kabobs
Thai Luang (Herndon) - very good Thai
Euro Bistro (Herndon) - nice, not-too-expensive south-central European fare
Pho 75 (multiple locations) - Vietnamese soup - that's it, but it's great
Joe's Pizza (Bailey's Crossroads & Vienna) - good buffet for lunch
Konami (Tyson's Corner across Rt. 7 from the BB&B) - good sushi/Japanese
Hard Times Cafe (multiple locations) - chili
Rio Grande Cafe (Reston, Fairfax, others?) - decent Tex-Mex
Peter Pan Buffet (Fairfax Circle) - huge all-you-can-eat Chinese-plus
Minerva (Herndon/Centreville Shopping Center) - good Indian lunch buffet

I'm sure there are a bunch I have forgotten, here.

thats true. I do like Uncle Julios.

Pho Sate-For Pho
Anitas- For Mexican
Basura- for Thai
Rays Hell Burger-For burgers
Eddie's chicken- for chicken pollo
Miu Kee- For late night Chinese closes around 3 am
Ill Mee- All you can eat korean bbq (absolutely delicious)
Lebanese Butcher- For schwarmas
Moby Dick- for Kabob
Pastry Xpo- For espresso and pastries
Mamma Lucia- for pizza
Green Olive- Good seafood and chinese buffet
Ray's the Steaks-Steak
Bon Chon- Korean Fried Chicken (Something not many people know about, but its phenomenal)
Yechon-Perfect for late night korean food open 24 hours
Banh Mi So 1- for classic french/Vietnamese subs
Four Sisters- For quality vietnamese food

Umm I am getting hungry now.

I wana try all these Greek places u guys mentioned.

Have anyone been to Spartans in Burke? I like that place, but I wonder if those two places U mentioned are better. I knoW my boyfriend everYtime he eats there, his stomach hurts him, but for me nothing.

Anyways my fav places:

* Arigatos Sushi- rt 29 [God this place is awesome, everything there tastes so good. We go there every weekend and never get sick of it]
* Pho Today- rt 29
* Pei Wei
* Mobby Dick [Even though I wana try other Kabob places, but not sure where to go. Any suggestions?]

I can't think of anything else..

But in Loudon, I have a couple fav places:

* Manhattan Pizzeria - intersection of Ashburn Village and Farmwell [DELICIOUS]
* My Thai Place- near FOX Regal Theater [ That place is so cool, I love the interior, and their food is Goood]

Shamshirry--agreed....fantastic AND cheap.

Peter Pan--ummm, not so good..just skeevy, with a nasty smell about the place--even the best selections are just average.

Joes Pizza-- a big hell yeah on the buffet, the white pizza rocks!

Anita's--another big hell yeah, even though it's not really "Mexican". And their best is the takeout breakfast burritos for like $1.25 or something crazy.

TO DOs: Four Sisters, since they opened in Merrifield, and Rays, just to see what all the fuss is about.

I'm gonna say though...in Fairfax, its just plain hard to beat Arties.

______________________________________________
I have had to change the addresses to my retaliatory blogs over half a dozen times.

Arcul Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Umm I am getting hungry now.
>
> I wana try all these Greek places u guys
> mentioned.
>
> Have anyone been to Spartans in Burke? I like that
> place, but I wonder if those two places U
> mentioned are better. I knoW my boyfriend
> everYtime he eats there, his stomach hurts him,
> but for me nothing.
>
> Anyways my fav places:
>
> * Arigatos Sushi- rt 29
> * Pho Today- rt 29
> * Pei Wei
> * Mobby Dick
>
Rose Kabob in Vienna

Is the Joe's Pizza in Fairfax City the only location that closed? Not the greatest food, but the buffet was decent at a reasonable price.

Arigato Sushi *** (one of those places I always forget about)
Moby Dick *** (a sleeper - but glad that it is not too popular)
Amphora *** (not quite a NJ diner, but not bad)

Ray's Hell Burger and Ray's the Steaks are not Fairfax, but both are awesome with the steak restaurant a bit nicer now that it is in a more spacious location. The food is still outstanding at a great price.

I heard some guy named Inkahootz likes to dine at a place called Bob's. In the rear though, he said he likes to dine in the rear...of Bob's.

grokamok Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Konami (Tyson's Corner across Rt. 7 from the BB&B)
> - good sushi/Japanese

Normally they only give you 3 sushi rolls, but if you tell your waiter "up up down down left right left right B A start" they'll give you 30.