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Best Bargain Dining
Meals 2 Share 4 Under $25
By Warren Rojas / Photography by Hana Jung and Jonathan Timmes
Short of your being an oil magnate or an OPEC board member, chances are money’s a little tight these days.
Record gas prices, plunging stock values and illusory lending practices have hit home hard this year. And if history is any kind of guide, most people are probably already doing some serious belt-tightening in case things get worse before they get better.
We feel your pain.
That’s why for this year’s bargain dining, we curbed our own freewheeling ways and instead sought out cost-conscious, two- and three-course meals for under $25 to share between friends, spouses or whoever else you can convince to step out for a bite during these lean times.
Need some added incentive to open that wallet? Sample our off-beat treats (Off the Eaten Path), cheer-worthy chicken dishes (Pollo on Parade), mid-day bargains (Da Lunch Bunch) and myriad vegetarian creations (Meatless Marvels), and you’ll see that full flavor can still be had on a shoestring budget.
Anita’s
Blindside your hunger with the Mr. T platter ($9.95), a workmanlike serving of red chile-soaked pork strips (signature marinade is fantastic) served with home fries, refried beans and warm tortillas. For a lighter touch, try a machaca burrito ($7.59), plump with chicken, eggs, cheese and the milder green chile sauce (full flavor, less fire). Multiple NoVA locations; www.anitascorp.com. Average entree: Under $12 ($). Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Total meal: $17.54
Anthony’s
An eponymous salad ($8.95) brings mixed greens topped with savory, shaved lamb slices (juicy gyro meat can do no wrong). Continue the protein carnival with a build-your-own baked spaghetti ($13.95) challenge that outfits about a pound of noodles with whatever you like (sliced pepperoni, thick, Italian sausage rings, fist-sized meatballs, mushrooms) and then bakes everything beneath a mozzarella shell. Multiple NoVA locations; www.anthonysrestaurantva.com. Average entree: $12 to $20 ($$). Check locations for times.
Total meal: $22.90
Llajtaymanta
Assemble a weekend feast by heading to Llajtaymanta’s for a trio of spicy puka capas ($5), sweet pastries filled with egg, spices and cheese, homemade peanut soup ($6) and a generous portion of stewed rabbit ($13)—so bony, but so good—accompanied by rice, pasta and a starchy salad of boiled potatoes, sugary beets and crisp onions. 7236 Arlington
Blvd., Falls Church; 703-204-0593. Average
entree: Under $12 ($). Open for lunch and
dinner daily. Total meal: $24.00
Aburi Gardens
Prepare for an ethnic surf-and-turf succession like no other by sampling spiced beef kebabs ($3) featuring grilled beef and scorched vegetables brushed with a traditional Ghanaian spice rub (suya), tender goat nuggets ($6) accompanied by a mesmerizing homemade hot sauce and a croaker (firm but flavorful fish) rice dish ($9.95) steeped in oil and spices. 14830 Build America Drive, Woodbridge; 703-490-1100. Average entreeUnder $12 ($). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $24.00
Hong Kong Palace
All the authentic Szechuan fare is reserved for the “traditional menu,” home to such delicacies as a platter of fried pig intestines ($10.95), which brings cuminy nuggets of chewy offal tossed with incendiary peppers and chopped spring onions, and a tea-smoked half duck ($11.95) that is refreshingly moist, herby and delicious. 6387 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church; 703-532-0940; www.hongkongpalacerestaurant.com. Average entree:
Under $12 ($). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $22.90
Abay Market
Photography by Jonathan Timmes Abay Market
Zap your senses back to life via fried lamb nuggets ($11) served with a puddle of fiery awaze, a homemade combustible composed of select Ethiopian peppers, ginger, garlic, hot mustard oil and a splash of Coke, and the not-to-be-missed tere sega ($11)—raw cow round slabs accompanied by spongy injera bread and more native spices. 3811-A S. George Mason Drive, Falls Church; 703-998-5322. Average entree: Under $12 ($). Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $22.00
Cassatt’s
Consume like a Kiwi as you nibble on a savory-sweet New Zealand panini ($8.50) composed of grilled chicken, warm brie and apple chutney or a toothsome pie ($9.50) shielding a gravy-laden payload of stewed lamb, mixed vegetables and fresh herbs. Complete your epicurean trek with a billowy pavlova ($5.50) replete with fluffy meringue, fresh fruit and whipped cream. 4536 Lee Highway, Arlington; 703-527-3330; www.cassatts.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday, weekend brunch. Total meal: $23.50
Catfish Lewie’s
A delightful soft-shell crab sandwich ($10.95) reveals a golden brown critter splayed out across a sesame-seed bun awaiting your choice of toppings. The oyster po’boy ($9.75) looses an utter avalanche of fried oysters (crunchy on the outside, buttery rich flesh) onto a sub roll. Wash the whole thing down with a made-to-order signature slushy ($3.25). 15125 Washington St., #100, Haymarket; 571-261-2525; www.catfishlewies.com. Average entree: Under $12 ($). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $23.95
Chutzpah
Photography by Hana JungChutzpah
An order of homemade latkes ($4.95) reveals lacey rounds of shredded spuds and diced onions bronzed till they crunch (Oy vey!). It’s all poised to go sweet (add applesauce) or savory (sour cream) at your command. The Romanian steak ($17.95) brings a bear of a tenderloin smothered in caramelized onions and topped with golden onion rings, plus sides (so much food). Multiple NoVa locations; www.chutzpahdeli.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Check locations for times. Total meal: $22.90
Clare & Don’s Beach Shack
Holy Mackerel dip ($6.50) summons a tower of toasted baguette slices radiating from a ball of cream cheese, herbs and smoked fish (fantastic). Fried oysters ($7) are less brazen, but no less flavorful beneath their crunchy cornmeal coating. A trio of buffalo fish tacos ($7.50) reveals spicy grouper nuggets cushioned by shredded cheese, lettuce and diced tomatoes. 130 N. Washington St., Falls Church; 703-532-9283; www.clareanddons.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $21.00
Dixie Bones
Pay homage to all that is pork by ordering a starch bomb of a stuffed potato ($6.95) brimming with pulled pork (inhale the smoke, savor the supple swine), shredded cheddar, cool sour cream and diced onions, then tear into a half-rack of terribly juicy spareribs ($14.95) caked in sticky-sweet barbecue sauce. 13440 Occoquan Road, Woodbridge; 703-492-2205; www.dixiebones.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily, Sunday brunch. Total meal: $21.90
Dolce Vita
Sate your need for starch with a double helping of potato goodness, beginning with a Cristoforo Colombo pie ($11.95) neatly dressed with turkey, thinly sliced potatoes and a liberal sprinkling of gorgonzola, and ending with gnocchi Romagnola (12.95), an ample serving of tender potato dumplings bolstered by a light tomato cream sauce, mushrooms and a scattering of pine nuts. 10824 Lee Highway, Fairfax; 703-385-1530; www.dolcevitafairfax.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch, Monday through Saturday, dinner daily. Total meal: $24.90
Vaso’s Kitchen
Bask in Hellenic splendor as you navigate Vaso’s crab-filled avocado halves ($8.95), a superlative seafood salad surrounded by lettuce, red onions, radishes, green peppers, black olives, herb-infused olive oil and zesty pepperoncinis. Then feast on Athenian chicken ($11.95), gloriously juicy fowl escorted by oniony peas and stout, herb-encrusted potato spears. 1225 Powhatan St., Alexandria; 703-548-2747. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for breakfast, Saturday, lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday; closed Sunday. Total meal: $20.90
Callaloo Cuisine
Send your taste buds to the Caribbean as you sop up the slow-roasted chicken and gravy-laden root vegetables (sugary carrots shine) in the Barbican chicken stew ($12.75) with Calalloo’s deliciously sweet corn biscuits (Don’t worry - staff will bring more). Wrap up your visit with some mango pie ($5), featuring cheesecake-like fruit filling in a moist, graham cracker crust. 43170 Southern Walk Plaza, #100, Broadlands; 571-223-2330; www.callaloocuisine.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Sunday and Sunday brunch; closed Monday. Total meal: $17.75
Guajillo
Dive into a homemade ceviche salad ($11) of raw shrimp, diced tomatoes, onions and chopped cilantro swimming in citrus juice. Warm back up with a bowlful of bubbling queso fundido ($10), boasting peppers, onions, tomatoes and chicken (beef and chorizo also available) buried beneath a mass of melted cheese, all surrounded by fresh-baked tortillas. 1727 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-807-0840; www.waheeyo.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch, Sunday through Friday,
dinner daily. Total meal: $21.00
Pane e Vino
For molto mozzarella bliss, begin with Pane’s inventive fried mozzarella appetizer ($8), which summons mini Monte Cristos of egg-brushed bread stuffed with mozzarella and deep-fried till golden brown. Then attack the pollo Florentine pie ($14), a brick-oven beauty heaping grilled chicken, spinach, broccoli and a generous layer of more mozzarella atop an ultra-crispy crust. 9020-E Lorton Station Blvd., Lorton; 571-642-0605; www.paneevino-ristorante.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total Meal: $22.00
Eamonn's
Photography by Hana JungEamonn’s
Spare your wallet, but loosen your belt. The large cod ($6.99) brings flaky fish in a crunchy coating while the battered sausage ($3.50) packs a tasty banger into a deep-fried shell. Lincoln Log-like chips ($3.50) only improve with a squirt of malt vinegar. Meanwhile, fried Milky Ways ($2.50) yield cinnamon sugar-dusted confections hiding a vein of warmed caramel (sinfully rich). 728 King St., Alexandria; 703-299-8384; www.eamonnsdublinchipper.com. Average entree: Under $12 ($). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $16.49
EatBar
Relish bacon wrapped-figs ($5) awash in frothy mascarpone (the sweet! the salty! the sheer ecstasy!). Savor homemade pastrami ($12) bearing a peppery crust, succulent meat (tugs back with each pull of your fork) and ethereally whipped potatoes. Enjoy an ice cream sandwich ($7) split into golden quarters studded with butterscotch chips, vanilla ice cream and drops of chocolate sauce. 2761 Washington Blvd., Arlington; 703-778-9951; www.tallularestaurant.com/barandlounge.htm. Average entree: Under $12 ($). Open for dinner and late-night dining daily. Total meal: $24.00
Espresso Cafe and Restaurant
An opening salvo of chourica assada ($8.75) reveals charcoal-grilled sausage rounds accompanied by vinegary black olives, carrots and cauliflower. The traditional alentejana ($13.75) brings a citrusy symphony of stewed pork (each bite releases another lemon-lime gush), diced potatoes, clams and more mesmerizing vegetables (pickle rings, chopped celery, black olives, sliced peppers). 9002 Centreville Road, Manassas; 703-361-8244; www.portuguesegrill.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $22.50
Food Matters
Photography by Hana JungFood Matters Cafe
A currywurst platter ($5) reveals a split link piled high with tangy condiments (ketchup, Worcestershire, curry and paprika), whereas the quiche of the day ($8) wraps everything in an eggy embrace (three-cheese blend of Swiss, mozzarella and Chihuahua is great). Custom salads ($10.90, with select proteins) are a natural crowd pleaser (full broccoli stalks, creamy goat cheese mounds are favorites). 4906 Brenman Park Drive, Alexandria; 703-461-3663; www.foodmattersva.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Sunday and weekend brunch; closed Monday. Total meal: $23.90
Glory Days Grill
Travel from North to South in one sitting with an order of Rhode Island-style shrimp ($7.99), which brings nearly a dozen breaded shrimp splashed with garlic butter and accompanied by a zesty mustard remoulade, followed by a smoked brisket dinner ($11.99) stocked with mouthwatering strips of fatty brisket slathered in tangy-smoky-sweet Glory glaze. Multiple NoVa locations; www.glorydaysgrill.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for weekend lunch, dinner daily. Total meal: $19.98
Hard Times Cafe
Hard Times wings ($8.29) soar after a brief visit to the grill, where they develop an attractive sear on top of their tantalizing sauces (lip-smacking chili-lime rocks; honey barbecue brings the sweet). A bowl of Terlingua Red five-way chili mac ($8.19) beats back hunger with a mountain of noodles, spicy chili, beans, cheese and onions. Multiple NoVA locations; www.hardtimes.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Check locations for times. Total meal: $16.48
Hunter’s Head Tavern
A bangers starter ($8.95) reveals properly blistered pork links escorted by a scorching homemade mustard (like nasal napalm). An organic burger ($9.95) boasts juicy meat, fresh fixings and some well-done fries. But the highest praise is reserved for the Guinness float ($5.95), a super fun nightcap combining vanilla ice cream, Guinness and cherry brandy (worth the drive, in and of itself). 9048 John Mosby Highway, Upperville; 540-592-9020; www.huntersheadtavern.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch, Tuesday through Sunday, dinner daily, Sunday brunch. Total meal: $24.85
King Street Blues
Photography by Hana JungJaipur
Inundate your senses with the earthen spices and competing textures of Indian cooking via fragrant spoonfuls of dal makhni ($9.95), slow-cooked lentils steeped with cream and butter. If you need a little more substance, peshawari biryani ($14.95) delivers fragrant ground lamb and mint dumplings surrounded by wonderfully herby saffron rice (a welcome companion for any leftover lentils). 9401 Lee Highway, Fairfax; 703-766-1111; www.jaipurcuisine.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $24.90
King Street Blues
Cardiologists, beware. A basket of beer cheese fries ($4.99) summons spuds accompanied by chunky, brew-laced cheese (hearty and irresistible). The Cowboy Reuben ($8.99) trades smoked brisket for traditional corned beef, adds melted provolone and coleslaw, then presses everything between Texas toast. The Memphis King Burger ($9.99) piles fried onions and more beer cheese atop a barbecue pork-and-ground beef patty. Multiple NoVa locations; www.kingstreetblues.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $23.97
La Granja de Oro
Party Peruvian-style with bulbous cornmeal tamales ($9.95) chock-full of crunchy chicharrones (charred but charming roast pork nuggets). Continue feasting on lomo saltado ($14.95), a treasure trove of seasoned steak, sauteed tomatoes, French-fried potatoes, piquant red onions, herbs and white rice (generously coat in the homemade green chile sauce to prove your machismo). 2920 Annandale Road, Falls Church; 703-534-5511; www.granjadeoro.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $24.90
Lebanese Taverna
Photography by Hana JungLebanese Taverna
Mount a multi-sensory mezze tour via the herb-encrusted manakish bel zaatar ($7), a veggie flatbread studded with roasted sesame seeds, thyme, marjoram and onions, followed by the subtle charms of chicken shawarma ($7) dipped in homemade garlic sauce and concluded by kibbeh nayeh ($9), spiced lamb mixed with crushed wheat and accompanied by yogurt sauce and bright pink pomegranate seeds. Multiple NoVa locations; www.lebanesetaverna.com.
Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Check locations for times. Total meal: $23.00
Fontaine Caffe & Creperie
Enjoy some very adult crepes via a hearty Tuscan ($9.95), stuffed with crumbled sausage, pert cannellini beans and sauteed vegetables, or noble Alexandrian ($7.95), uniting salty ham, melted Swiss and sauteed mushrooms. Then, plunge headlong back into childhood with the Bella ($5.95), a sugar-dusted beauty concealing a devil-may-care purse of peanut butter and Nutella (so chocolaty). 119 S. Royal St., Alexandria; 703-535-8151; www.fontainecaffe.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch, Tuesday through Friday, dinner, Tuesday through Saturday and weekend brunch; closed Monday. Total meal: $23.85
RT’s Restaurant
Revel in the fiercely flavorful oysters Nezpique ($14.95), a Cajun feast of chubby, deep-fried oysters, shredded crab and tasso ham matchsticks in a zesty roux. Switch from heat to sweet with a slice of homemade chess pie ($5.95) bearing warm lemon custard streaked with raspberry sauce and dusted with powdered sugar. 3804 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria; 703-684-6010; www.rtsrestaurant.net. Average entree: $21 to $30 ($$$). Open for lunch, Monday through Saturday, dinner daily. Total meal: $20.90
Yorktown Bistro
Whet your appetite with a shrimp and avocado salad ($13) featuring seasoned and seared crustaceans, firm yet buttery avocado slices and stuffed grape leaves amidst vinaigrette-doused mesclun greens, cucumbers and tomatoes. The Tuscan chicken pesto ($11) completes the deal, combining grilled chicken chunks and al dente angel hair bound by a creamy marriage of alfredo and pesto. 5171 Lee Highway, Arlington; 703-532-6060; www.yorktownbistro.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily; Sunday brunch. Total meal: $24.00
Iron Bridge Wine Company
Iron Bridge’s menu changes almost monthly, but the spirit of the cuisine is always exciting. A duck confit pizza ($9) delivers braised cabbage, tender brocollini, rich duck and melted gruyere, whereas a three-cheese variety arrives blanketed in mozzarella, gorgonzola and fresh leeks. The knuckle sandwich ($14) brings poached lobster and sauteed spinach on homemade brioche in a knockout vanilla butter bath. 29 Main St., Warrenton; 540-349-9339; www.ironbridgewine.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $23.00
The Dock at Lansdowne
Head out to sea with a bowl of tender mollusks ($8) swimming in a savory tomato-herb sauce decorated with grilled ciabatta quarters. Press on with a lightly charred-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside salmon steak ($13) propped up by a lush spinach-and-peppers risotto and tomato ragout (they call it tomato fondue). 19286 Promenade Drive, #P-101, Leesburg; 571-333-4747; www.thedockatlansdowne.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch, dinner and late-night dining daily. Total meal: $21.00
Mikaku
Photography by Hana JungMei’s Asian Bistro
An all-sushi spread of mackerel ginger roll ($4.95), offering a smoky-sweet snap that stays with you for a while, and the Mei maki roll ($14.95), featuring a bright pink seaweed roll surrounding slivers of eel, avocado, cream cheese, rich lobster salad and crunchy shrimp tempura (dig the pop of the battered shrimp, the reassuring warmth of the lobster salad), always satisfies. 3434 Washington Blvd., Arlington; 703-516-0123; www.meisasianbistro.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily, late-night dining on weekends. Total meal: $19.90
Mikaku
Yes, this requires a minor splurge. But this trifecta of Japanese-style tapas is worth the extra buck. Wasabi gyoza ($6.25) are killer dumplings embedded with nasal-clearing spices and juicy pork. Ankimo ($8.75) reveals lobes of chilled monkfish liver flanked by sweet vinegar and a zesty radish-hot pepper blend. Beef tataki ($10.95) brings flash-seared meat decked out with a captivating ginger-garlic-onion garnish. 3065–J Centreville Road, Herndon; 703-467-0220. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch, Tuesday through Friday, dinner, Tuesday through Sunday; closed Monday. Total meal: $25.95
Minh’s
Stuffed escargot ($9.25) summons broiled gastropods brimming with alluring snail-ginger-onion dumplings, steeped in a seafood broth and served with a sweet chili dipping sauce. The hands-on sizzling catfish platter ($13.95) deposits flavorful fish marinated in turmeric amidst vermicelli, peanuts, scallions, fresh basil and a chillified shrimp paste. Scoop the ingredients into the provided lettuce and enjoy. 2500 Wilson Blvd., Arlington; 703-525-2828; www.minhrestaurant.com. Average entree: Under $12 ($). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $23.20
Mojitos & Tapas
Photography by Jonathan Timmes Mojitos & Tapas
Float from Madrid to Havana as you sample a generous manchego and jamon serrano plate ($8.50) stocked with savory bundles of mellow sheep’s milk cheese enveloped by cured Spanish ham, then attempt to polish off a monstrous ropa vieja sandwich ($10.95) packing shredded beef drenched in a robust tomato sauce into large, triangular flatbreads. 251 W. Lee Highway, #157, Warrenton; 540-349-8833; www.mojitosandtapas.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $19.45
Sunflower
Get grilling with Japanese kebabs ($7) showcasing mixed vegetables like zucchini, meaty shiitakes, chewy white mushrooms and soy protein bites brushed with a tasty barbecue sauce. Continue powering up with Popeye’s Favorite ($12), yielding potato and spinach patties and bits of faux bacon nestled in a piquant black pepper sauce. 6304 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church; 703-237-3888; www.crystalsunflower.com. Average entree: Under $12 ($). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $19.00
Pie-tanza
A skewer of fried olives ($6.79) delivers briny orbs stuffed with sweet tomatoes and chunky fontina, all breaded and fried to a crisp. Meanwhile, the voluminous baked ziti platter ($8.99) summons a bevy of slender noodles fattened up with ripe tomatoes, diced onions and marinara residing in a calcium-rich net of mozzarella, Parmesan and more fontina. Multiple NoVa locations; www.pie-tanza.com. Average entree: Under $12 ($). Check locations for times. Total meal: $15.78
Busboys and Poets
The ginormous vegan calzone ($12.65) brings a half-moon filled with peppers, onions, tomatoes, sliced portabellos, vegan cheese and semi-spicy vegetable pepperoni, all accompanied by a roasted-tomato marinara. Lounge a bit longer whilst nibbling on a spicy carrot cake ($4.95) propped up by ample cinnamon and ginger flavors, cream cheese frosting, shaved carrots and sweet berry squiggles. 4251 S. Campbell Ave., Arlington; 703-379-9756; www.busboysandpoets.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch, dinner and late-night dining daily, weekend brunch. Total meal: $17.60
Kasha’s Kitchen
Split-pea soup ($4.99) hits the spot. An egg salad sandwich ($6.59) carefully constructed of free-range eggs, soy mayonnaise, sea salt and green onions is ideal for lighter appetites, while the sprouted lentil burger ($7.64, with your choice of cheese) reveals a hearty burger smothered in a veritable garden of toppings (carrots, tomatoes, sprouts, lettuce, onions, cucumbers). 1053 W. Broad St., Falls Church; 703-533-8484. Average entree: Under $12 ($). Open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday; closed Sunday. Total meal: $19.22
Sammy T’s
The Camper’s Special ($9.25) is an overstuffed overture encasing a bean burger topped with homemade hummus and assorted sauteed vegetables within a cocoon of melted cheddar and mozzarella. The Adventurer ($8.20) summons an almost equally imposing tortilla filled with Sammy’s signature black-bean cakes (tasty mounds of fried bean goodness), onions and cheddar cheese, flanked by homemade salsa. 801 Caroline St., Fredericksburg; 540-371-2008; www.sammyts.com. Average entree: Under $12 ($). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $17.45
Okra’s Louisiana Bistro
Bring the best of the bayou to you with a hearty crawfish salad ($10) populated with chopped bacon, grape tomatoes, scores of fried crawfish tails and a semi-sweet Creole mustard dressing. Amp up the heat with some spicetacular red beans and rice ($13) loaded with diced andouille and boasting a bonus grilled link draped across the already combustible dish. 9110 Center St., Manassas; 703-330-2729; www.okras.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch, dinner and late-night dining daily. Total meal: $23.00
Pacific
Work on your hibachi skills as you finish the pork satay skewers ($6.95) to your liking, then plunge the crackling meat into the house peanut sauce (chopped peanuts on top are nice). The hot passion chicken ($12.95) is more of a self-contained fire-starter, yielding breaded chicken coated in a ruddy sauce surrounded by julienned carrots, onions and peppers. 46240 Potomac Run Plaza, Sterling; 703-404-5500; www.chengspacific.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily, Sunday brunch. Total meal: $19.90
Pho Bistro
Photography by Jonathan TimmesPho Bistro
Warm your belly with a cauldron of the Saigon pho ($6.75), a sublime soup custom tailored with your favorite proteins—brisket, tripe, fatty brisket, ribeye or traditional meatball—fresh limes, herbs and as much srichacha hot sauce as you can handle. Complete your beef-laden adventure with a Vietnamese stir-fry ($9.95) of marinated steak surrounded by jumbo peppers, onions and rice. Ashburn and Centreville locations. Average entree: Under $12 ($). Check locations for times. Total meal: $16.70
Rabieng
The barbecue sausage-and-cucumber salad ($6.75) deposits barbecue sausage slices amongst assorted aromatics and julienned cucumbers, carrots and red onions, all doused with an arousing chili-lime dressing. The herb parade marches on with a plate of roasted cod ($15.95) reclining in a spicy, homemade gravy punctuated by asparagus and fresh basil leaves. 5892 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church; 703-671-4222; www.duangrats.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $22.70
Rangoli
A bhel puri starter ($3.95) reveals puffed rice, onions, tomatoes and fried lentils tossed with tamarind and mint sauces (a flavor eruption). The chubby Bombay Burger ($3.95) delivers a potato and lentil sandwich smothered with native spices and piquant onions. Chilly chicken ($12.95) is an Indo-Chinese medley of batter-fried poultry sauteed in a striking soy sauce (Thai peppers add pop). 24995 Riding Plaza, #120, South Riding; 703-957-4900; www.rangolirestaurant.us. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $20.85
Rosemary’s Thyme Bistro
Lamb lovers, rejoice! The curiously spicy lahmacun pide ($8.95) brings a Turkish pizza sporting minced lamb, tomatoes, peppers and herbs spread across a paper-thin crust. A pulled lamb dinner ($13.95) melds more succulent lamb meat with sauteed eggplant and supplies rice, peas and pine nuts to round out the meal. 5762 Union Mill Road, Clifton; 703-502-1084; www.rosemarysthyme.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch and dinner daily, weekend brunch. Total meal: $22.90
Shamshiry
This Persian kabob haven absolutely skewers the competition. Chelo Kabob Kubideh ($8.74) wants not for spiced beef, egg-soaked rice—the burnt sections are best—or potent homemade hot sauce (dig that stinging heat). The mahi kabob ($12.99) unleashes roast salmon medallions surrounded by saffron- and dill-laced rice and enough piquant onions to keep curious co-workers at bay till quitting time. 8607 Westwood Center Drive, Vienna; 703-448-8883; www.shamshiry.com. Average entree: Under $12 ($). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $21.73
Union Street
Photography by Hana JungTara Thai
The heavenly wings ($5.95) weave together seasoned crabmeat and lightly fried chicken, delicious bedfellows that become only dreamier with a touch of sweet and sour sauce. A clay pot meal of poo-goong ob woonsen ($14.45) delivers earthly delights of jumbo shrimp, stir-fried cabbage, tender mushrooms, glassy noodles and more shredded crab drizzled with sweet chili-lime sauce. Arlington, Falls Church, Vienna locations. Average entree: Under $12 ($). Open for lunch and dinner daily. Total meal: $20.40
Union Street
For a soup and sandwich combo like no other, dive first into the East Coast chowda ($13.95), a seafood-rich brew boasting abundant oysters, cod, scallops, potatoes, onions and corn. Once you’ve come back up for air, tackle the surf-and-turf club ($10.95), offering alternating layers of thinly sliced sirloin, jumbo shrimp, bacon, lettuce, tomato and a zippy dressing. 121 S. Union St., Alexandria; 703-548-1785; www.usphalexandria.com. Average entree: $13 to $20 ($$). Open for lunch, dinner and late-night dining daily, Sunday brunch. Total meal: $24.90
(May 2008)
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