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Yes, it's pretty authentic. It's always filled with who I assume are Salvadoreans or Mexicans/Central Americans. There can be a bit of a language barrier depending on who takes your order but most of the younger women speak at least enough English to explain what things are. There is a saltena place on Columbia Pike and a few Middle Eastern places out in Bailey's Crossroads. There are some Kabob spots on Glebe north of Dona Azulcena but they aren't all that cheap. I miss Halal carts when it comes to that sort of food.
I think part of my problem was that I went to the counter to order and I'd never had the food before. There wasn't any English on the board, so I probably just sounded like an idiot. (I could have ordered in Spanish, but I think I would have sounded dumber).
There are Halal carts that gather near the Ballston metro. I couldn't tell you if they're any good, though.
I think part of my problem was that I went to the counter to order and I'd never had the food before. There wasn't any English on the board, so I probably just sounded like an idiot. (I could have ordered in Spanish, but I think I would have sounded dumber).
There are Halal carts that gather near the Ballston metro. I couldn't tell you if they're any good, though.
Yeah, usually you can flag down one of the girls that work there and they can explain what stuff is. Of course the majority of central American food seems to just be variations on fried cornmeal, beans, and cheese with meat thrown in occasionally. The really distinctive thing I've had as far as Salvadorean food goes is that vinegar-based slaw they serve with just about everything. They make no pretentions of being fancy by just throwing it and the red sauce into a big baggie with a knot tied in it.
I saw a cart this morning at Ballston station. I think it might have been a pretzel/hotdog cart. I have seen a couple Halal carts in Rosslyn but they close by 5pm or earlier. They also seem a little more expensive than the ones I frequented in NYC. I'm surprised some don't set up shop on weekend nights in Clarendon. They'd probably make some decent money.
Yeah, usually you can flag down one of the girls that work there and they can explain what stuff is. Of course the majority of central American food seems to just be variations on fried cornmeal, beans, and cheese with meat thrown in occasionally. The really distinctive thing I've had as far as Salvadorean food goes is that vinegar-based slaw they serve with just about everything. They make no pretentions of being fancy by just throwing it and the red sauce into a big baggie with a knot tied in it.
I saw a cart this morning at Ballston station. I think it might have been a pretzel/hotdog cart. I have seen a couple Halal carts in Rosslyn but they close by 5pm or earlier. They also seem a little more expensive than the ones I frequented in NYC. I'm surprised some don't set up shop on weekend nights in Clarendon. They'd probably make some decent money.
Yeah, I liked the baggie of slaw and baggie of sauce.
The Halal carts in Ballston tend to be down a block (around 9th). They're gone by 5 p.m., though.
Adam Express in Mount Pleasant is an amazing Korean restaurant. The only two people who work there are an old Korean couple. I love the chicken bulgogi. I could honestly eat there every day. They are so sweet and polite and always trying to please their customers.
Not sure if it's open but I also liked Haydee's in Mount Pleasant. This is a Mexican restaurant that has mariachi bands playing at night. May have closed since I left the area though.
Funny how 80%+ of the responses given are still in the suburbs -- although it's true that Arlington does have better ethnic dining than DC.
Some of the Latin American chicken places around Columbia Heights are solid, and even my grandmother (who owned a restaurant in Hong Kong) thinks there are some adequate Chinese options: Full Kee and China Boy in Chinatown, and Great Wall Szechuan in Logan Circle.
Among unconventionally "ethnic" restaurants, European guests are always charmed by Leopold's, Montmartre, or Bistro du Coin. I really like the nouvelle stuff at Rasika, The Source, etc., as well.
Everlasting Life on Georgia and Columbia - Best Vegan food in the world.
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