When I watch Diners Drive-ins and Dives, I wonder what local mom and pop places or small local chains are good to eat at? It seems a lot of places that were good 10 years ago have gone downhill. I always heard Anita's was awesome and I was thoroughly underwhelmed, even the person who took me there said it was terrible from how it used to be.

If you like Thai, I highly reccomend Panisa's on Burke Center Pkwy.

recommend that is...

-smh

Actually Thai is the one cuisine I won't eat, before I moved to FFX county I never really saw Thai places, they are everywhere here. I have never met a Thai person in this area either.

If you're looking for a decent, no-frills diner, I'd try Anthony's on Route 7 in Falls Church.

For 'mom' try eating out at her crotch. For 'dad' try going around back and eating his asshole.

==================================================================================
"Why don't you LOSERS just pack your flower print DOUCHE BAGS
and get your stoopid @$$#$ THE FUCK OFF MY INTERNETZ!"

- 'philscamms' (the YT Watchdog) ; internet & YouTube® extraordinaire.

Aw shucks Troll you made me giggle

it is strange about the multitude of Thai joints in te area
I didn't think there was a big Thai population in the area

maybe it has something to do with the same reason there's so many effing nail salons around here. sort of an underground railroad for illegals and other not so nice activity
Is the Virginian in Vienna considered a Mom and Pop place? I said place!
And ain't the Mom and Pop place! at Pan Am shopping center half way decent?
use to be nice place! at Oakton shopping center but progress got it fuck progress

And Anita's starting going downhill when the son took over from mamacita anita
who i believe has gone to the big taco stand in the sky

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Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/2013 05:21PM by chuckhoffmann.

My vote would be Cosmopolitan on Rt. 1 in Hybla Valley, it is owned by a husband/wife who are also the ones running it.

How about the Vienna Inn, not sure who owns it but it's definately not a chain and the chili dogs are legendary

I'd also second Milano's in Springfield

There's a place on the North end of Vienna, on Maple Ave, going North, right hand side, in a small strip mall between a 7/11 and Wendy's. Damn, can't remember the name, been there a few times and thought it was good. More of a Greek type place.

slubdawg Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> There's a place on the North end of Vienna, on Maple Ave, going North, right hand side, in a small strip mall between a 7/11 and Wendy's.

You're referring to Skorpio's, and yes, it's Greek.

Another person mentioned The Virginian (also in Vienna). It definitely belongs on the Mom & Pop list. So does McLean Family Restaurant.

Skorpios, yeah that's it

Milanos is pretty good - huge portions. Delias on Backlick in the strip mall by the Outback Steakhouse has some of everything including Peruvian chicken, pizza, subs, pastas, Greek entres, specials, soups, and so on. The only thing there I don't like is their Gyro sauce.

Villa Bella in Burke is not a chain and has fabulous Italian food, Old Cairo Grill in the same shopping center just opened and is a family owned place with a small but cheap lunch buffet.

For Mexican skip Anitas! Las Toltecas off of Ox Rd by the Golds in Fairfax Station is out of this world good. They have 5 or so places around the area, but are still small. The sangria is also mmm mm good.

I consider myself somewhat of an expert on food considering how much I shove in my mouth. :)

As for Thai places Panisa is OK, but Bangkok Golden at University Mall is a better value (more food for the money) and really tasty. Tara Thai in the Tysons area is also delicious - we order out from there at work at least once a week. For the above poster not eating Thai food: There are lots of Thais around here! I know several from my job and suspect that you probably see many but assume they are from another Southeast Asian country - with so many people of Asian ancestry it isn't easy to peg the nationality at a glance.

Ristorante Bonaroti.

fourleaf Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Villa Bella in Burke is not a chain and has
> fabulous Italian food, Old Cairo Grill in the same
> shopping center just opened and is a family owned
> place with a small but cheap lunch buffet.
>
> For Mexican skip Anitas! Las Toltecas off of Ox Rd
> by the Golds in Fairfax Station is out of this
> world good. They have 5 or so places around the
> area, but are still small. The sangria is also mmm
> mm good.

Agree with you regarding Villa Bella, but have yet to try Old Cairo Grill - we typically go to Aladdin's in Burke which is a chain, but has a local feel to it. Maybe I am missing something with Las (Los?) Toltecas, but the food there does nothing to excite me. The portions are fine, the food is adequate and the prices seem reasonable. It just not strike me as being much more than a slightly upscale version of Tippy's Taco House (are they still around?). I have never tried the sangria, preferring to make it at home with brandy and triple sec.

There's this other mexican joint over on Main St. that has a nice "mom and pop" feel. They have a big menu, great drinks, decent dining room. They call it "Carlos O'Kelly's", so it must be like a Irish-Mexican guy or family run place.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/23/2010 01:44PM by Ralph Pootawn.

Carlos O' Kelly's is a pretty big chain, it's mostly out in the midwest though.

Vespucci's in Fairfax.

Used to be a family catering company. LOVE their food and the atmosphere. It's like you are in some big Italian family's home.

Yorkshire Restaurant in Manasas

Some of the best country stlye food and inexpensive that you will ever try.

i love kabob restaurants. i go to mazadar kabob in fairfax, it's not typical hole in the wall shop and it has lots of middle eastern dishes on top of ur beef/chicken/lamb stuff.

Carlos O'Kellys is unfortunately located near Coyote Grill, which is 100 times better. I am pretty sure thatm the Coyote Grill is locally owned, I don't know of any others in the area. Carlos O'Kellys is definitely a chain.
It is kind of like a Mexican Bennigans but I would eat there any day over Fridays.

jennie5693 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Vespucci's in Fairfax.
>
> Used to be a family catering company. LOVE their
> food and the atmosphere. It's like you are in
> some big Italian family's home.

I could probably look this up on Yelp, but what are the prices like at Vespucci? I drive past there all the time and tell my wife that we should go, but it never makes our list when we are going to dinner with friends.

What about Guapos?

Tippys Taco. best mexican lunch place hands down.

Angies in Burke. It is at TwenBroke shoping center.
Elsies magic skillet in richmond hwy. Hybla valley

Dolce Vita in Fairfax City. Excellent Italian!

­



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/2013 05:21PM by chuckhoffmann.

I always go to tippys for a good case of the shits

http://www.vespuccirestaurant.com/index.htm

10 - 15 for dinner, less for lunch, more for seafood.

They always give you fresh bread and a whole garlic bulb that has been roasted.

Yummy

There's a bar inside and outdoor seating. Live music later in the evening.

Some of the best mom & pop PLACES in Fairfax County are as follows:
1) Virginia Kitchen in Herndon
2) The Vienna Inn
3) Anthony's in Falls Church
4) Omia's in Sterling
5) The Greek Grill in Vienna

Sorry, Vespucci's sucks! Could not believe how bad that place was.

Dolce Vita 2 blocks up the road blows it away. Not that it's excellent Italian either but much better.



Somebody asked about Guapos up there....place gave me a stomach ache for 2 days afterwards...

What are the best food spots in Chantilly?

I have not been there but I heard the mexican place (also locally owned) called Picante is good, supposed to be authentic.

How is Rosemary's & Thyme cafe in Centreville/Clifton? I've lived across the street for 7 years and Ive never tried it.

I know its not the type of place you're talking about, but the Manhattan Bagel in the same shopping center (the Colonade) is great! Its owned by a Korean couple who seem to work everyday. They are very pleasant and friendly and they take pride in the food they make. I know its a chain, but there is a mom & pop feel to it.

Pho Bac in Chantilly next to Shoppers is really good!!!

Buon Appetito in Chantilly has amazing pizzas and subs!

Picante! The Real Taco is good. Food is fresh tasting and portions are large.

We've also been going to Rosemary's Thyme for many years. Definitely worth a try. Good salads, Turkish wraps, etc.

Hav-A-Bite Eatery in Fairfax City

Nickell's & Scheffler in Alexandria. Little sandwich shop right on King Street

I live next to Picante, i def need to try it out.

Anitas sucks!!!!

La Tolteca
Ristorante Bonaroti
Villa Bella Italian Restaurant
Dolce Vita Fairfax
Vienna Inn
The Greek Grill
Rosemary's Thyme Bistro
Havabite Eatery
Picante
Buon Appetito

­



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/2013 05:22PM by chuckhoffmann.

Rosemary and Thyme- went there once and liked it, have friends who swear by it, I just don't live close enough to warrant the drive. It is a pain to drive anywhere and rush hour never ends, but that is another thread.

Bob and Edith's in Arlington?!

I'm kinda surprised no one has mentioned it. My Mom has been going there since she was young and then started taking me. Best Greasy Spoon breakfast/ Drunk food around!

I also like The Fish Market in Old Town. It's been owned by the same local family for ages. My favorite Clam Chowder ever and I love their crabcakes.

Paisanos is good

Celebrity Deli, in Loehman's Plaza, has always been one of my favorites.

http://www.celebritydeliva.com/home/

7263-A Arlington Blvd. Falls Church, VA 22042

Amphora in Herndon and Vienna is open around the clock. I usually don't eat at such places during the day except in emergencies. I make an exception for Amphora.
http://www.amphoragroup.com/

www.clareanddons.com

Has anybody eaten a good meal at this place in DC called Good Guys I heard the bever tail sandwich is delicious...

I used to eat at Amphora, but a year or two ago they raised prices and the quality of their food seemed to decline. I always wonder about the sushi place across from Home Depot on Old Lee in Fairfax.

metro 29 in Arlington. Best. Fucking. Souvlaki. Ever.

They shot an episode of Diners, Drive-Thrus and Dives back in April, it's supposed to go on the air sometime this winter.

Bubba's Bar-B-Q in falls church/merrifled off 29.

best pulled pork/bbq/steak n cheese outside the south and philly you can find.

I am such a mexican food whore, that I love Tippy's Taco (chicken enchiladas and queso!), Carlos O'Kelly's (great salsa) AND Las Toltecas (enchiladas poblanos and tamales). Mmmmmm

Now I'm craving Rosemary's Thyme Bistro. I love their tortilla soup; it has a thick tomato base unlike the more common creamy chicken base you see at most places. Their rollas, pides, and pastas are good as well. The only thing I tried that I didn't enjoy was the chicken shish... but I am really picky about chicken.

If we are looking at restaurants in that vein, I'd have to suggest the Idylwood Grill in Falls Church. Nice wine selection and great service.

The one thing i hate about mexican food outside of san diego is the misuse of the word "california burrito"

such shit from tippys is far from what a real cali burrito consists of.

I wish i could get one, but alas i will when i go to SD

Virginian in Vienna, great for breakfast. Been there forever.

I'm a fan of Chutzpah. There are two locations, one in Tyson's (not as good) and one in Fairfax Town Center (by Fair Oaks Mall, the original one). The tout themselves as a 'REAL New York Deli', and while that's debatable (given they're not actually in NY), I give them full credit for excellent Jewish soul food. I know the owner, and he really is Jewish, so he knows what he's doing! They ship their bagels from NY, which I suppose is a selling point for some people, but the fact that they ship means the bagels aren't as fresh and it causes higher overheads meaning they're also more expensive... generally I wouldn't go there for food you could find elsewhere, i.e. bagels, salads, pancakes, etc.

Go there for the awesome matzoh ball soup, the chopped liver (which I think is gross, but my family loves it - they make it in house), the latkes, knishes, borscht, kreplach, bialys, kugel, great brisket, etc. I love their blintzes and matzoh brei for breakfast (the only thing I remember my grandma being able to cook!). Their menu is pretty fun as well, lots of anecdotes. Instead of bread they bring you pickles to start the meal! And the desserts are generally good as well, although if you don't get the babka fresh it can be dry and crumbly... the classic Jewish cookies rugalach and hamantaschen are house made and delicious though.

And if you're not Jewish, don't worry - not everything's Kosher, they do sell pork and pork products (so yes, you can get bacon and cheese on your burgers!)

Are they still actually in business? For some reason I thought they closed.

Chutzpah is pretty good, which for this area is good enough.

I don't like the chopped liver, but then again I used to help Aunt Pearl make hers, so my standards are high.

The best breakfast is "The Oops," which is matzoh brei mixed with lox, eggs, and onions. You won't have to eat for the rest of the day. Also, the french fries are pretty good (along the steak fries line) and I always get them with breakfast instead of the home fries.

I'd like to co-sign Yorkshire restaurant off Rt. 28 shortly after crossing Bull Run River and leaving Fairfax County (on the left hand side). Somewhat easy to miss. I don't know why I'd never been there until yesterday, but it was just what I was looking for - a greasy breakfast and a decent cup of drip coffee.

The crowd was all regulars. Older folks. Everyone knew each other by name. I am a country ham lover so went with that - "The Farmer's Special". Slice of country ham, 2 eggs over medium, home fries, and 2 biscuits. The waitress warned me that the ham was "salty". I told her that despite my urban-chic appearance this wasn't my first rodeo and that I of course knew that country ham was a salty variation of pork (just kidding, didn't say that).

My friend had a waffle, and corned beef hash, and toast. They were satisfied. I very much enjoyed mine as well. I could have done without the home-fries (as I keep close tabs on my carb intake). I do prefer this to the former "Payne's Restaurant" in Centreville, Virginia Kitchen in Herndon, etc. One of the better greasy spoon type establishments. Pics below - they will speak more than words.
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I love the Corner Deli in Remington.

Expensive Jeans Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'd like to co-sign Yorkshire restaurant off Rt.
> 28 shortly after crossing Bull Run River and
> leaving Fairfax County (on the left hand side).
> Somewhat easy to miss. I don't know why I'd never
> been there until yesterday, but it was just what I
> was looking for - a greasy breakfast and a decent
> cup of drip coffee.
>
> The crowd was all regulars. Older folks. Everyone
> knew each other by name. I am a country ham lover
> so went with that - "The Farmer's Special". Slice
> of country ham, 2 eggs over medium, home fries,
> and 2 biscuits. The waitress warned me that the
> ham was "salty". I told her that despite my
> urban-chic appearance this wasn't my first rodeo
> and that I of course knew that country ham was a
> salty variation of pork (just kidding, didn't say
> that).
>
> My friend had a waffle, and corned beef hash, and
> toast. They were satisfied. I very much enjoyed
> mine as well. I could have done without the
> home-fries (as I keep close tabs on my carb
> intake). I do prefer this to the former "Payne's
> Restaurant" in Centreville, Virginia Kitchen in
> Herndon, etc. One of the better greasy spoon type
> establishments. Pics below - they will speak more
> than words.


Are you sure you're not Mr. Misery?

If you had tits the open shirt would be acceptable...........

Been there once and was just as described.

Hmmm... Wrote:
----------------------------

> Are you sure you're not Mr. Misery?

^Absolutely certain I am not Mr. Misery.

Regarding the half buttoned shirt...

I was on my way to the pool (I don't have a community pool and while I do have friends that have pools - friend's parents, actually - none of those people were available. So I went to Bull Run Pool). Hence me being out in the Manassas area and visiting Yorkshire Restaurant. But I did the little half-unbuttoned thing, I know. It was pushing it, but I can pull off the look. I wouldn't have done it if I couldn't.

I hadn't been to the Bull Run public pool (now called "Atlantis Water Park") in quite some time (15+ years), but it wasn't too bad. They've done some minor renovations. I tried to just find a quiet corner and read my book and block out the constant whistle blows by life guards asking parents to give their young one's life jackets ("if they couldn't swim on their own") and whistling at what were mostly Hispanic folks who I learned try and go into the pool without county sanctioned bathing suits (people would try and get in wearing a tank top, shorts, t shirts, etc), while you must be in a "real" bathing suit. It led to a lot of conflict between the county staff working the pool and the pool-goers (who were mostly Hispanic based on my observations). I have nothing against the Hispanics and quite enjoy their company in Fairfax and neighboring counties.

I did hardly get inside the water other than a few times out of necessity in order to cool down because there were a lot of people in there. Children doing cannon balls, splashing, things the like. That causes me stress so I preferred to just sit in the sun and watch and observe who was being whistled at and why. I am/was reading Jonathan Safran Foer's "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" in addition to jotting down some thoughts and notes of my own in my trusty journal which has served me faithfully throughout the years as a refuge for internet posting ideas.
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