10 replies to this topic

[monavano]

Lunch was a "Carnitas verde" burrito from California Tortilla. Dude. People who bitch about Chipotle would take it all back after trying this place. Tasteless meat, soggy rice, no discernible salsa (verde or otherwise), tomatoes that tasted like preservatives, and wan iceberg lettuce instead of the advertised romaine. Never, ever again.

I feel your pain. Last week, Mr. MV and I were in Vienna and I mentioned the Amphora Diner and Anitas for dinner options. Unfortunately, we went to the latter. In a word-disgusting. Stale chips, gross salsa (tasted of ketchup), slimy verde sauce drowning a burrito that was smothered in a "cheese" sauce reminiscent of some processed cheese product brought out of a nuclear bomb shelter from the 1950's. Yes, we ate, we paid, we tipped well. Never. EVER. again.

[DrXmus]

No replies in over a year to an old stand-by like Anita's? Either it's because everyone knows what to expect there, or it's not on anyone's list any more. Mrs. DrX and I usually hit Anita's 1-2 times a year, but only for breakfast. Is there anything better than chips and salsa for a breakfast appetitizer? I'm gonna say "no". I had the Chorizo Huevos this morning. The menus says it's made with house made chorizo. I enjoyed the flavor, but it was hardly spicy or exciting. It was quite edible, though, but that's hardly high praise. At least the chips and salsa were good. I didn't get any "ketchup" flavor in the salsa, and never have, but maybe it's just me. My primary complaint was that the "home fries" were deep fried! They've always been cooked on the griddle creating some crispy edges, but generally consist of soft and tasty cubes of potato. Today, they were cubed french fries! At least it helped me limit my portion, but I would've enjoyed the old standby much better.

[Joe H]

No replies in over a year to an old stand-by like Anita's? Either it's because everyone knows what to expect there, or it's not on anyone's list any more. Mrs. DrX and I usually hit Anita's 1-2 times a year, but only for breakfast. Is there anything better than chips and salsa for a breakfast appetitizer? I'm gonna say "no". I had the Chorizo Huevos this morning. The menus says it's made with house made chorizo. I enjoyed the flavor, but it was hardly spicy or exciting. It was quite edible, though, but that's hardly high praise. At least the chips and salsa were good. I didn't get any "ketchup" flavor in the salsa, and never have, but maybe it's just me. My primary complaint was that the "home fries" were deep fried! They've always been cooked on the griddle creating some crispy edges, but generally consist of soft and tasty cubes of potato. Today, they were cubed french fries! At least it helped me limit my portion, but I would've enjoyed the old standby much better.

It's been two years or so but I've always loved Anita's green chili breakfast burrito. I should also mention that the original Anita's (once a "Donut Dinette?" from the early '70's) always seemed better than any of the others especially when she set up chairs and tables in the parking lot. It had a lot of "character" that her other Vienna place never captured. Sometimes food tastes better eaten in a dump. Especially when the owners drive a Cadillac with steer horns mounted on the hood. And a Rolls Royce.

She had good carne adovada, too. At least then.

[Twinsdaddy]

It's been two years or so but I've always loved Anita's green chili breakfast burrito. I should also mention that the original Anita's (once a "Donut Dinette?" from the early '70's) always seemed better than any of the others especially when she set up chairs and tables in the parking lot. It had a lot of "character" that her other Vienna place never captured. Sometimes food tastes better eaten in a dump. Especially when the owners drive a Cadillac with steer horns mounted on the hood. And a Rolls Royce.

She had good carne adovada, too. At least then.

We're fans of the breakfast burritos too, and I've never had a problem with the chips and salsa (and I've had some BAD chips and salsa in this area).

[SeanMike]

I'll be honest: the biggest reason I avoid the one in Ashburn is the cheap cutlery. I feel like I'm going to bend/break the silverware every time I use it. I can't concentrate on my meal or on anything else other than the stupid forks.

[DonRocks]

I'll be honest: the biggest reason I avoid the one in Ashburn is the cheap cutlery. I feel like I'm going to bend/break the silverware every time I use it. I can't concentrate on my meal or on anything else other than the stupid forks.

No but you can do a hell of a Kreskin imitation.

[brian robinson]

I worked at Anita's in high school as a dishwasher. Sure, the salsa is a bit watery, but i have an addiction to the #2 Bugerito smothered with Green Chile.
Haven't been there in a while, but even months ago, it was the same as it was back then.

[SeanMike]

No but you can do a hell of a Kreskin imitation.

It's my magnetic personality. It pulls the cutlery to me, and often sticks it to me.

No, wait, that's me spilling stuff on myself.

[lggl]

Common conversation in the high school parking lot in the late 80s -
"old or new?"
"stupid question - old"
"front or back?"
"back's ok if front too crowded"

Everyone new you were talking about Anita's and whether to go to the shiny new one or the original. And whether sit in the crowded front or in the tent out back. It was reliable and relatively decent back then - for our tastes and wallets. Now, I would only go for the breakfast burritos. And probably only to the Herndon location. I was in Tyson's a few months back and jonesing for the chicken and cheese crisp (no longer on the menu BTW). Got a number 3 in a basket instead and my god, did I pay for it the next day. I think I will stick with El Paso Cafe or El Ranchero for my old school mexican from now on.

Fond memories of that place in our formative years though. And the rolls royce fitting in the tiny back lot!

[B.A.R.]

Cara and I had our rehearsal dinner in the "old" Anita's in Vienna. We wanted the complete antithesis of the over the top wedding the next day. On a cold, damp night in February, they wanted $800 Food and Beverage minimum to rent the place. I remember the catering manager somewhat perplexed why we wanted to have the dinner in the "old" when the new was just up the street and "so much nicer". The new just had no soul. Whereas the "old" was the perfect mix of dumpy and cool!

With $50 worth of sombreros, pinatas, and various other crap we wrestled up at the Party City, we had a kick-ass party. And although the wedding at the Ritz the next day was very nice, everyone remembers how much fun the rehearsal dinner was, and how you had to walk through the kitchen to get to the bathroom.

Although I live within 15 minutes of 3 Anita's current locations, I really miss the "old" and haven't been back since it closed.

[DonRocks]

Cara and I had our rehearsal dinner in the "old" Anita's in Vienna. We wanted the complete antithesis of the over the top wedding the next day. On a cold, damp night in February, they wanted $800 Food and Beverage minimum to rent the place. I remember the catering manager somewhat perplexed why we wanted to have the dinner in the "old" when the new was just up the street and "so much nicer". The new just had no soul. Whereas the "old" was the perfect mix of dumpy and cool!

With $50 worth of sombreros, pinatas, and various other crap we wrestled up at the Party City, we had a kick-ass party. And although the wedding at the Ritz the next day was very nice, everyone remembers how much fun the rehearsal dinner was, and how you had to walk through the kitchen to get to the bathroom.

Although I live within 15 minutes of 3 Anita's current locations, I really miss the "old" and haven't been back since it closed.

The old 24-hour Anita's drive-thru was awesome at 4 AM for their late-night specials (and if I recall, their breakfast burrito was, tragically, not included as one of them); it's been downhill ever since.