Silver Diner in Falls Church (Arlington, Reston: homes, tax, price)

[Annemieke Roell]

Just had their crab chowder and crab cakes. Fabulous! The place is very clean, food was great and so was the service. Try them!

[adolpho]

You have got to be kidding. I had the crabcakes there about 13 years ago and there was about 10 grams of crabmeat in each one. I went because I had a coupon. I moved about 9 times since then, but I still remember The Silver Diner. I also got a big chuckle out of one of Scranbare's posts about 35 USD for a mediocre breakfast for two.

The management and staff seemed to be very Moderator cut: Not necessary, kind of seemed like 7-11 workers.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by adolpho

I also got a big chuckle out of one of Scranbare's posts about 35 USD for a mediocre breakfast for two.

I don't make a habit of patronizing the Silver Diner because I'm not impressed by the price-to-quality ratio. No, I don't expect gourmet dining from a diner, but I'd expect the pricing to reflect the diminished quality. Most people see diner and think "quick cheap eats!" The past two times I've gone there service has been very slow, and I've spent as much as I'd spend grabbing a burger at Clyde's in Reston.

[JD984]

Originally Posted by ScranBarre

I don't make a habit of patronizing the Silver Diner because I'm not impressed by the price-to-quality ratio. No, I don't expect gourmet dining from a diner, but I'd expect the pricing to reflect the diminished quality. Most people see diner and think "quick cheap eats!" The past two times I've gone there service has been very slow, and I've spent as much as I'd spend grabbing a burger at Clyde's in Reston.

Have you tried the Amphora Deluxe in Herndon instead? I don't know if it's really any cheaper, or if the food's that much better, but it's a family-owned business, as opposed to Silver Diner, which seems a bit corporate by comparison. If you're homesick for a PA/NJ diner experience, Amphora (in Vienna or Herndon) is a better bet. Or, if you're in Arlington, you should try Bob & Edith's.

My take on Silver Diner is that it's one of these businesses that got a lot of money to expand when financing was cheap, and then the owners and investors largely lost interest (with the predictable impact on the quality) when the return wasn't what they expected.

[SteelCityRising]

Originally Posted by JEB77

Have you tried the Amphora Deluxe in Herndon instead? I don't know if it's really any cheaper, or if the food's that much better, but it's a family-owned business, as opposed to Silver Diner, which seems a bit corporate by comparison. If you're homesick for a PA/NJ diner experience, Amphora (in Vienna or Herndon) is a better bet. Or, if you're in Arlington, you should try Bob & Edith's.

My take on Silver Diner is that it's one of these businesses that got a lot of money to expand when financing was cheap, and then the owners and investors largely lost interest (with the predictable impact on the quality) when the return wasn't what they expected.

Thanks for the tip on Amphora. I also agree with your analysis of Silver Diner. It wasn't awful, as I said, but it was disappointing for the price I paid. I've had better food and service for a lower price at Johnny Rocket's!

[athousandlogins]

I like Silver Diner when I want somewhere to eat with my 3 year old that isn't fast food. If we stick to kids meals for him and appetizers for me, the price doesn't get too outrageous. I do not like it for date night, though!

[Caladium]

I ate at Silver Diner once and liked it. Maybe I just got lucky and picked the right entree.

[pcity]

Maybe the ones in Springfield, Arlington, and Fair Oaks are better than the ones you guys have been frequenting, but I've never had a bad experience at Silver Diner. Yes it's a chain (albeit a small one) and it's not "authentic", but the quality of food is about the same as any other diner. It is a little on the expensive side, but only by a dollar or two. They also have the best buffalo chicken sandwich I've had anywhere.

I still don't get how anyone would end up spending $35 for breakfast. Most breakfasts are around $7-9, coffee is $2. Adds up to about $18-22 plus tax and tip, so figure around $23-$28 total.

[robbobobbo]

Originally Posted by pcity

Maybe the ones in Springfield, Arlington, and Fair Oaks are better than the ones you guys have been frequenting, but I've never had a bad experience at Silver Diner. Yes it's a chain (albeit a small one) and it's not "authentic", but the quality of food is about the same as any other diner. It is a little on the expensive side, but only by a dollar or two. They also have the best buffalo chicken sandwich I've had anywhere.

I still don't get how anyone would end up spending $35 for breakfast. Most breakfasts are around $7-9, coffee is $2. Adds up to about $18-22 plus tax and tip, so figure around $23-$28 total.

Perhaps it's better now, but my experience at the Clarendon Silver Diner over 5 years ago was dismal. Service and food were very sub-par.

[slduvall]

Originally Posted by pcity

Maybe the ones in Springfield, Arlington, and Fair Oaks are better than the ones you guys have been frequenting, but I've never had a bad experience at Silver Diner. Yes it's a chain (albeit a small one) and it's not "authentic", but the quality of food is about the same as any other diner. It is a little on the expensive side, but only by a dollar or two. They also have the best buffalo chicken sandwich I've had anywhere.

I still don't get how anyone would end up spending $35 for breakfast. Most breakfasts are around $7-9, coffee is $2. Adds up to about $18-22 plus tax and tip, so figure around $23-$28 total.

I agree on the one in Springfield. Most of the staff have been there for years. Service is very quick and friendly. My husband is a foodie/health food freak and that is about the only lower priced chain he will go to. He is big into eggs, and you can't beat them there. He won't eat the fish, but the Kicking crab chowder can't really be beat. The Chicken Salad sandwich is really good as well. Of course we take our 7 year old, and never feel out of place. Biggest mistake we made was going to the kids night there on Tuesday. the noise level even bothered her. But then again her favorite place to go is Bonefish, I don't care for it too much, but if she gets to choose that is where we go. At least it's not Mcdonalds or Taco Bell...