Name some of your favorite Northern Virginia Flavor (Chesapeake, Arlington: closing, live)

[LoveLivinNCities]

Okay, so me and my dad were both born in Philly, he lived there the majority of his life and i have lived in Northern VA for the majority of mine. I have also lived in West Virginia, and North East Florida...it seems like everywhere i go there is a special kind of food. For philly its obvious, the american classic cheese steak (and if they try to sell it as steak and cheese, it aint the real thing) Down in Florida they had of course seafood and seafood and seafood, gulf and ocean side. and in west virginia it was pepperoni rolls and nonstop mom and pop diners. But in Nova, of course i can go to outback or red lobster, but where are all the mom and pop places? So i want to hear some good local eats. Ones that are not franchised and everywhere. So if ya can, help me out to figure out some local favorites and flavors. I know we have our blue crabs, but those are always referred to as marylands, and i have yet to find a good place to get crabs around NOVA in a lonnnnng time.

Only one i got in mind is the steadily growing and still amazing L&B's pizzeria in Dale City, and of course Philly Tavern in Old Town Massasas.

[Stephen 81]

Around here, if people want a taste of Northern Virginia, I tend to steer them towards Korean, Vietnamese, or Persian/Afghan spots. I feel like if we have a local "dish", it's as likely to be pho or a kabob as anything else. If you want suggestions for those cuisines, I've got plenty!

Really, though, I don't think this area has a lot of mom and pop joints that aren't immigrant-owned. DC isn't really a place people move to if they're particularly entrepreneurial.

Do you have particular towns in mind? I could give you recommendations for northern Fairfax and Arlington counties, but when you mentioned places in Prince William, I have no idea what you're talking about because they're 30 miles from where I grew up.

[Bigfoot424]

Philly Tavern lost my business due to the heavy cig smoke. When the smoking laws go into effect I may go back.

[LoveLivinNCities]

anywhere within PWC and FFX. I just really dont know where to grab some friends and go out and have a good bite to eat that you wouldnt get anywhere else. Everyone vouches for Tims River Shore, but its way overpriced for horrible food on small area right next to a loud train track. Just not my idea of fun right there.

[JEB77]

Originally Posted by Stephen 81

Around here, if people want a taste of Northern Virginia, I tend to steer them towards Korean, Vietnamese, or Persian/Afghan spots. I feel like if we have a local "dish", it's as likely to be pho or a kabob as anything else. If you want suggestions for those cuisines, I've got plenty!

You're not the only one - my first thought was to recommend one of the Vietnamese places in Falls Church that sells "Banh Mi" sandwiches - they are tasty, an incredible bargain, and a good representative of the variety of great ethnic restaurants in the area.

[irvine]

Historically, there is a regional cuisine that Virginia, DC and Maryland share that, for the most part, has it's roots in the Old South plantation culture and the Chesapeake bay. (You could argue that it WAS a regional cuisine, because I doubt that most people in the area are in the know) Here are some dishes and other ideas:

Spoonbread (a favorite of Geo Washington) can be found at Gatsby's Tavern (Alexandria), Christina Campbell's Tavern (Williamsburg), The Majestic (Old Town Alexandria), The now closed Evans Farm Inn of McLean (which had the best recipe).
The Washington brand spoonbread and cornbread mixes, which could be found at most Safeways and Giants throughouth DC MD and VA, are no longer made by the Maryland-based company, but their website does publish the recipes.
--Also, I haven't been at Colvin Mill since I was 4, but I remember that they made some pretty good cornmeal pancakes, or something like that.

Blue crabs can also be claimed by Virginia (and DC), because of the Bay. It's a regional food. Check out the The Warf (aka the Maine Avenue fish Market) in DC on Maine Ave.

Smithfield Ham (from Smithfield VA). Unfortunately, since the closing of Evans Farm Inn in
McLean, I have not found a restaurant that serves this local favorite. It's a salt cured ham. The Cheese Shop in Williamsburg makes sandwiches with the this local variety, and I believe more Smithfield ham outlets are opening up across the state.

Maryland is also famous for its pit beef, and Maryland Beaten Biscuits.

Soul Food, a few good options throughout the DC area.

Hard Times Cafe (a local chili chain) has the best cornbread in the area in my opinion.

Check out Ben's Chili Bowl in DC.

The Dixie Pig BBQ in Alexandria is long gone, but there might be other good bbq places out there.

The reopened Eastern Market in DC is worth a visit.

And, most importantly, Apples. I haven't been to western Loudon county since I was a kid, but I remember as recently in the 90s, there were still plenty of places to go apple picking.
A visit to Hill High farm was a a tradition for my family every fall: really good pies, especially the apple pie. Virginia Apple Candy is another local favorite that they sold.

[oneasterisk]

If you like Pizza/Italian food, there is Mama Mia on Sudley in Manassas. In Woodbridge, there is Astoria Pizza on Route 1.

Dixie Bones BBQ is great BBQ. It's in Woodbridge, off Occoquan road.

Five Guys is good, but since they've been franchised the food doesn't taste the same to me.

[beatlecrazy]

I'm from the Philly area too! Just moved here last April, my husband had already lived down here so when we got married I moved. I do enjoy it here, it's close enough that I can go back to PA once a month or so.

Anyway, one really good place we found is in Manassas Park, called Tony's NY Pizza. It's right off of Mathis Ave and they have the BEST pizza I've tasted in a while! Yum, I could go for some right now.

Logan's in Manassas is pretty good also...hmm.

[oneasterisk]

Beatlecrazy, if you like Tony's you'll like Mama Mias better. It's only about 5-10 miles further on Sudley Rd, pretty much right across Logans. MM actually cook your pizza fresh to order, unlike Tonys who just reheat their pizzas. It's more of a wait, but worth it IMO.

Nathans Dairy bar is also off Mathis. They've got a lot of great cold treats. Welcome to Milwaukee Frozen Custard (703)263-1920 is another option.

[LoveLivinNCities]

oh god i love milwaukees! and i have never heard of those pizza places, i will definitely have to try it out. I saw there is a new place called Potbellys in Manassas as well...anyone eat there?