Tyler Cowen's Ethnic Dining Guide

Eamonn’s--A Dublin Chipper, web site, 728 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-299-8384 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | MenuPages | City Paper]

Have I ever told you what a fish and chips fanatic I am? I scoured New Zealand for a year, looking for the best fish and chips (and found it). I had amazing fish and chips, on the street in the town’s central plaza, in Bergen, Norway. That was the highlight of my entire trip. So my standards are high. And I’m pleased to report that I really enjoyed this place. The fish is very good, enough said. The mushy peas are first-rate. No, it’s not as good as the best in Kiwiland but I remain shocked by the quality and I am happy to recommend it. NB: Tables can be hard to get, so go when the pressure is off.

Al’s Steak House, web site, 1504 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 703-836-9443, cash only (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [The Best Phlly Cheesesteaks | Hobnob Blog | WaPo]

I have friends from Philly who swear that good indeed great cheese steaks exist. I’m still waiting for an existence proof. But if five of you write and tell me to try this place, I will. In any case this is supposed to be a good place for local character.

Al's Steak House, Alexandria, VA

cheeseburger sub

great greasy onion rings

hamburger

Huntington Station is Metro accessible - it is across the street from the Huntington Metro stop, which is the last stop on the southern leg of the Yellow line. (StationMasters map).

Huntington Station is located on the west side of North Kings Highway, just north of Fort Drive (it is just outside the Beltway, south of I-495: use the Telegraph Road exit, Exit 176).

Tippy's Taco, web site, 5912 N Kings Hwy, Alexandria, VA, 703-960-1431, and New China Taste Carryout, 5910 N Kings Hwy, Alexandria, VA, 703-960-2200

La Latina Market, 5838 North Kings Highway, Alexandria, VA

El Pollo Peruano, 5834 N Kings Hwy, Alexandria, VA, 703-317-0104

Ju Mak Jib, 6531-C Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA, 703-642-0331, west of I-395 and Landmark Mall, further east on Rt. 236 than most of the Korean places, across from the Salvation Army store. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window)

Hardly anyone comes here, but this is one of the best Korean places around. The goat dishes are especially recommended, don’t forget to use the mustard sauce. You should get the bone marrow special as well.

Chirilagua, a neighborhood in Alexandria/Arlandria, at Mount Vernon Avenue and West Glebe Road.

Did you know that 350,000 Salvadoreans live in this area? I’ve decided that when it comes to El Salvadorean restaurants, there is no point in simply listing more of them. The key is to find out which dishes you like, not which restaurants you like.

Restaurants in this area include RT's and Po Siam. Also located here is the Birchmere music hall.

A little further south are Bombay Curry Company and Los Tios. A little futher north are the taco trucks at Gunston.

• "The Changing Face Of Arlandria," by Krissah Williams, The Washington Post, June 7, 2004
• "Chirilagua: 100% Salvadoreño! Washington DC Invites You Their Little El Salvador," by Phalana Tiller, Urban Mozaik

Nam-Viet, web site, 1127 N. Hudson Street, Arlington, VA, 703-522-7110 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Economist | Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Other locations:

• 3819 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 703-548-0440
  
• 3419 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202 -237-1015

Maybe the best Vietnamese place in Clarendon, currently. Clarendon, however, is no longer the area’s center for Vietnamese food, Falls Church is, especially in and around the Eden Center. My favorite here is the caramel pork in ginger sauce.

Po Siam, 3807 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 703-548-3925 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Not as good as it used to be, but a Thai place is never bad.

Thai Hut, 408 South Van Dorn Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-823-5357 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [openlist | Yelp]

Another of the Van Dorn St. entries on this list. Not fully consistent, but the peaks are high. I love the Crispy Fish in Black Bean Sauce, although the other whole fish dish is not so great. But order the fish, plus the Mee Krob and the Nam Sod, and you are in for a treat.

Cheap rents, easy parking and highway proximity have made possible places there like the Thai Hut on Van Dorn Street, where I go now to find my favorite mee krob.

"Ethnic Goes Exurban: Washington's Sprawl, As Told Through Its Migrating Restaurants," by Tyler Cowen, The Washington Post, September 3, 2006

Update: I believe this place is now closed.

Southside 815, web site, 815 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-836-6222 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp]

Biscuits, grits, mashed potatoes, etc. I have yet to go. I am told they have some New Orleans dishes as well, such as Po’ Boy with fries and slaw.

Duke Kabab, 6301 Little River Turnpike, Suite 140, Alexandria, VA, 703-256-0009, across from the street from the Alexandria Tower Records. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [zabihah | City Paper | openlist | Yelp]

Above average kebabs. More truly ethnic than Moby Dick, and a more Persian atmosphere.

One of Northern Virginia's premier strip malls for food is Van Dorn Station (the Comcast Alexandria office is here). It has Thai (Thai Lemon Grass), Japanese (Akasaka), Kabobs (Kabul Kabob House), Pho (Pho Viet Flare), Mexican and Salvadoran (El Paraiso), Italian (Savios), and some good ethnic groceries (Norma's Latin Market). Just south of Edsall, and a bit north of the Beltway ramps on Van Dorn.

Note that the Giant parking lot, which is at the corner of Edsall Road and South Van Dorn Street, does not connect to the Van Dorn Station parking lot, and most online maps show Van Dorn Station addresses as much closer to Edsall Road than they are. The entrance to Van Dorn Station is between South Pickett Street and Edsall Road, and closer to South Pickett Street. (The address marker on this map, 548 S Van Doren Street, is on Savios.)

Van Dorn Station

Savios Italian

Satay Sarinah

El Paraiso, 516-A-B South Van Dorn Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-212-9200 [openlist]

Kabul Kabob House, 514-A South Van Dorn Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-751-1833 [openlist]
Pho Viet Flare, 514 S Van Dorn Street, Suite B, Alexandria, VA, 703-370-9279
Akasaka, 514 South Van Dorn Street, Suite C, Alexandria, VA, 703-751-3133 [Openlist | Washingtonian]

Thai Lemon Grass, 506-C South Van Dorn Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-751-4627 [openlist]

Los Amigos, 1905 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 703-549-7008. Opens for dinner at 6:00 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp]

Not as popular as it once was, time is passing it by. The Chile Rellenos are OK, but I don’t go here any more.

Casablanca, web site, 1504 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-549-6464, closed Sunday, dinner starts at 6:00 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp]

I haven't yet been, and I wonder why I should ever visit somewhere in or near Old Town.

Chipotle, web site, numerous area locations. [Washingtonian | WaPo | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

OK, let’s get the bad news out of the way up front. This is a chain. Even worse, it is a chain owned by McDonald’s corporation, the fount of culinary evil. That being said, it is pretty good. Fresh and relatively authentic Mexican food, you tell them how to put together your meal. The salsa is genuinely spicy. The carnitas are the best meat. Not much choice, but you don’t need it. I’d rather eat here than almost any other Mexican place on this list.

Los Tios Grill, web site, 2615 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 703-299-9290, just down Mount Vernon Avenue, from Taqueria Poblano, across from the Del Ray Artisans. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [City Paper | Don Rockwell]

A credible-sounding reader says this is very good. It is run by Salvadoreans, but I would not rule out a visit on that basis. That is what culinary globalization is all about, no?

Mandarin Inn, 3045 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA (across the street from Bombay Curry Company), 703-548-4052, 703-836-2300, usually open. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Chowhound | City Paper | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Mostly a Chinese place, but they have some Malay specialties as well. Across the street from Bombay Curry Club. Much more of a Mom and Pop than Straits of Malaya. I went once, with mixed results. I had a very good appetizer of chicken wrapped in bean curd, dipped into a sweet sauce. The Beef Rendang had a good sauce, but the beef itself was dry and tasteless. I am intrigued enough to go back, but the final verdict is not yet in.

Pita House, web site, 407 Cameron Street, Old Town, Alexandria, VA, 703-684-1118 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp]

One of my favorite places in Old Town, and one of the best Lebanese places around. Very reliable, and will prove outstanding comfort food for many. Get the dishes with the yogurt sauce, most of all, but you can’t go wrong here.

Cafe Salsa, web site, 808 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-684-4100, near Columbus Street (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Old Town Crier | WaPo (bar) | City Paper | Yelp]

Supposed to be best for tapas, not the main courses.

Hee Been, 6231 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA, 703-941-3737, near Beauregard Street (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Korean DC | Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp] Lots of pictures at "my felicity corner".

Recently expanded and refurbished, I have yet to revisit. You can’t go wrong here, though.

Sun-dal Chung (Chung Sen Dal; Jung Sun Dal Restaurant), 6499 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA, 703-642-1444, a bit west of the I-395 ramp, across from the Salvation Army (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Korean DC | Yelp]

Number one for atmosphere, and open 24 hours. A gem, if you can spot the sign. Look for Korean symbols, not the English name. Good food, great soups, limited menu, which is a good thing. The sort of place Korean truck drivers would go to, if we had them around here. My favorite is the pork soup - superb - plus the seafood pancake is first-rate as well, very juicy.

Sambo Restaurant, 6669 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA, 703-750-6846 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | Yelp]

Above average Korean food and sushi, I like the eel here, and it is my favorite place for Bul-Gogi. Cute Korean waitresses as well. Recommended.

Update June 25, 2007: This place has reopened under new management and is a completely different place. The new review is here.

Akasaka, 514-C Van Dorn Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-751-3133, hard to see from the street, in the same mall as Savio’s, the Italian place. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | City Paper | openlist | Yelp]

Very solid Japanese, especially useful in an area that doesn’t have much first-rate Japanese food.

A La Lucia, web site, 315 Madison Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-836-5123 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | Washington Times | City Paper | Don Rockwell]

Highly recommended by Washingtonian magazine, I have yet to go.

Savio's, web site, 516 E & F Van Dorn Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-212-9651, slightly funny hours, I think. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [City Paper | openlist | Yelp]

Savio's is in one of Northern Virginia's premier strip malls for food: Van Dorn Station. Has excellent Thai, Japanese, Peruvian, Italian, and some good ethnic groceries. Just south of Edsall, and a bit north of the Beltway ramps on van Dorn. Despite the competition, Savio's will sometimes win out when I am in this mall. I like the pastas here, especially the Rigatoni Carbonara, or the ones with spicy sausage. The cook is from Tunisia, and does everything just a bit differently.

Savio's Italian

Rigatoni Carbonara

Pizza Margherita

Calamari Fritti

Tiramisu

Sarinah Satay House, web site, 512A S. Van Dorn Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-370-4313, in the same strip mall, Van Dorn Station, which also has Savio’s. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

The same place that once was in Georgetown. The former incarnation was good, not great. Now it’s worse.

Five Guys, web site, 4626 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-671-1606, many other branches too, including on 107 N. Fayette Street, Alexandria, VA, 6541 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA, and 2960 Gallows Road, Falls Church, VA, right by the Multiplex and the Szechuan place set back in the strip mall. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

See web site for locations in DC, Virginia and Maryland.

Formerly the definitive local hamburger, now it is a huge chain with varying quality. It can still hit the spot, however. Great albeit greasy french fries, makes you realize that most people’s french fries taste like nothing. No spa cuisine here. Not for all tastes, but if you think you might like it, try it. And dirt cheap.

Bombay Curry Company, web site, 3102 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 703-836-6363 , in the Calvert Buidling next to Del Merei Grille, (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp]

The food is excellent, the prices are cheap, and the menu is innovative. I like the Kandai Chicken best, and then perhaps the lamb in spinach. But it is hard to go wrong here. Unlike most other Indian restaurants, they offer a unique product. Go, and go often.

Le Gaulois, 1106 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-739-9494 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | CuisineNet | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Good classic French food, at reasonable, if not cheap, prices. I always expect this place to be declining, but it never is. Many will find this very satisfying.

Restaurant Eve, web site, 110 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-706-0450 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | The Hill | bourrezvisage | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp | Gayot] ... [Chef Cathal Armstrong: Alexandria Times | Food & Wine | Don Rockwell | Meredith Stanton | Gayot]

Right now everybody loves this place. I went once. Every course was excellent, but somehow the whole seemed less than the sum of the parts. I was in the "tasting menu" room. The "Bacon, Cheese, and Egg" course was first-rate. But for what I paid, I didn't come away with the same feeling of satisfaction I get from CityZen. This is certainly a restaurant to be reckoned with, but I am not yet sure if I will go back.

Cairo Cafe and Restaurant, 6244-H Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA, 703-750-3551 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Yelp]

Genuinely good Egyptian food, cooked for area Muslims, if not always Egyptians. The place to go if you wish to see people, including women, smoking hookahs (Middle Eastern water pipe, with your preferential flavored tobacco). Nineteen flavors of hookah, including “Cola.” Small menu, authentic, and tasty. Worth a visit. They have a non-smoking section as well.

Hard Times Cafe, web site, 1404 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-837-0050; 3028 Wilson Blvd., Clarendon, Arlington, VA, 703-528-2233; 1117 Nelson Street, Rockville, MD, 301-294-9720; 394 Elden Street, Herndon, VA, 703-318-8941; and others; usually open. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Gayot]

Chili up to five different ways, Texas and Cincinnati style, tasty and cheap. That being said, the tastes are blander than they used to be. Not up to the quality level in southern Ohio, but then again what is? Purists will never be happy here.

Mango Mike’s, web site, 4580 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-370-3800 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Yelp]

I went once and was very disappointed. Seemed more like a yuppie drinks place, for the sort of people who go on grisly Caribbean cruises.

RT's Restaurant, web site, 3804 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 703-684-6010 (across the street from Birchmere) Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | Falls Church News-Press | 10Best | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist]

Good Cajun food. Messy and relatively authentic, not as cheap as you might think. I like the peppered shrimp here.

Taqueria Poblano, web site, 2400-B Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 703-548-8226, closed Tuesdays. Plus a branch at 2503A N. Harrison Street, Arlington, VA, 703-237-8250, right off of Rt. 29 by the Harris Teeter, this branch open every day but closed 3-5 weekdays. (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Falls Church News-Press | Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Yelp]

Taquerias have some of the best Mexican food in Houston, parts of L.A., or the southwestern side of Chicago. This place was quite good when it opened but now it is in decline. It is too commercial and the branch is content to serve reheated, not totally freshly cooked food. It is not moving in a promising direction.

Cosmopolitan Bakery, Carry Out & Catering, formerly Restaurant Cosmopolitan, web site, 5902A N. Kings Highway, Alexandria, VA, between T-Nails and Euro Foods, across from the Huntington Metro Station in Huntington Square, 703-329-3303 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Hobnob Blog | Suburban Tasteland]

I don’t yet have exact information. Food in Bosnia is excellent, I am told this leans closer to the Austro-Hungarian direction (dollop of sour cream on the top) than to Turkish.

I am also told you can find Bosnian food in Washington Grill, on Vermont Avenue NW, just north of K Street NW. They have fried veal sausages wrapped in bread and eaten with raw onions and a sauce called ivar, consisting of peppers and eggplant.

Cosmopolitan Bakery, Carry Out & Catering

Enes, one of the owners of Cosmopolitan. The other owner is Ivica.

Burek - home made fillo pastry dough stuffed with beef, cheese, spinach, or zucchini.

Pljeskavica, the Bosnia Burger, before grilling.

Cevapcici, homemade sausages, before grilling.

Fresh bread, baked there.

Pljeskavica and Cevapcici on the grill.

Enes grilling the Pljeskavica and Cevapcici.

Pljeskavica ready to eat, with a dollop of sour cream. Note the white onion slices under the bread.

Cevapcici ready to eat. Note the white onion slices under the bread.

Veal Schnitzel being prepared.

Veal Schnitzel being fried.

Veal Schnitzel with fries, ready to eat.

Continue reading "Restaurant Cosmopolitan" »

Annette’s BBQ Heaven, 279 S. van Dorn Street, Alexandria, VA

Kenny’s Pit Bar-B-Que, 3060 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-823-3330. Also open for breakfast, closed Sunday (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp | Citysearch]

Quite good, tasty. It’s run by Koreans though no Korean barbecue food here.

Rocklands, web site, 2418 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-333-2558, plus a branch in Alexandria at 25 S. Quaker Lane, 703-778-9663 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | openlist | Citysearch | Yelp | Gayot]

If you are thinking of bringing your friend from Kansas City or Texas, don’t.

Majestic Cafe, web site, 911 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 703-837-9117, closed Monday (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | Don Rockwell | openlist | Gayot]

The place has a fun Art Deco feel, circa the 1940s, plus the seafood is surprisingly good. One of your better options in Old Town Alexandria.

Halal Kabab House, 6245 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA, 703-354-1848 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window)

Afghan kababs, in the mall with Tempt Asian Café, across from Tower, near Landmark Plaza. And for that reason I will, sadly, never go here.

Kabul Kabob House, 514A South Van Dorn Street, West Alexandria, VA, 703-751-1833 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [zabihah | openlist | Citysearch]

Excellent Afghan food. The kabobs are very good but I like the stews and mixed dishes best. Fresh salads and good use of vegetables. The best Afghan place, apart from Panjshir, for vegetables. They don’t always have pumpkin, though, which is the best Afghan dish. Worth trying in any case.

Afghan Restaurant, 2700 Jefferson Davis Highway, Alexandria, VA, 703-548-0022 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [zabihah | Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist]

Smaller menu, less fine, grittier, and more authentic. A bit out of the way for me, but worth having in the repertoire.

See also Paradise Restaurant of Bethesda, under Persian.