1 reply to this topic

[DonRocks]

This section of the Dining Guide had become unwieldy, so I decided to separate restaurants with multiple locations into categories. I have ranked the restaurants, from best-to-worst, within each category. (I did the best I could, but if you see any obvious mistakes, please write me and bring them to my attention.)

To err on the side of conservatism, I am also using the weakest location as a basis for ranking. Some of these, such as RedRocks DC and Heritage India Glover Park, have flagship locations significantly better than the others.

Remember that these are all chains. The best of them (in italics) are very good restaurants, sometimes even excellent. But the vast majority of great dining experiences will be found at the independently owned restaurants in the Dining Guides from Maryland, DC, Virginia, Baltimore City, and Baltimore Suburbs.

Cheers,
Rocks.

[DonRocks]

-------------------- Multiple Locations

Afghan
Food Corner Kabob - website (5-10 area locations)

American
Matchbox - website (Barracks Row (Review) and 2 other area locations)
Rustico - website (North Alexandria, Ballston)
Coastal Flats - website (Fairfax, Tysons Corner)
Chef Geoff's - website (3-5 area locations)
Busboys & Poets - website (City Vista (Review) and 3-5 other area locations)
Sweetwater Tavern - website (3-5 area locations)
Clyde's - website (5-10 area locations)
Daily Grill - website (Downtown (Review) and 3-5 other area locations)
Anthony's - website (Falls Church, Manassas)
Houlihan's - website (3-5 area locations)
Chadwick's - website (3-5 area locations)
Founding Farmers - website (Downtown, Potomac)
Hard Times Cafe - website (10-20 area locations)
American Tap Room - website (3-5 area locations)
M&S Grill - website (3-5 area locations)
Circa - website (3-5 area locations)
Copper Canyon Grill - website (3-5 area locations)
Cheesecake Factory - website (5-10 area locations)
The Original Pancake House - website (3-5 area locations)
Chili's - website (10-20 area locations)
Applebee's - website (10-20 area locations)
Boston Market - website (20-50 area locations)
Hooters - website (5-10 area locations)
TGIFridays - website (20-50 area locations)
Ruby Tuesday - website (20-50 area locations)
Bear Rock Cafe - website (2 Arlington locations) - Closed
Bennigan's - (5-10 area locations) - Closed

Argentine
Victor's Grill - website (2 Falls Church locations)

Bakeries (including Cupcakes and Bread)
Saint Michel Bakery - website -(3-5 area locations) - Authentic French pastries and croissants, talented pâtissier, quality ingredients
The Swiss Bakery - website (Springfield (Review), Burke) - A great bakery for Swiss, German, and French pastries, especially the Springfield location
Georgetown Cupcake - website (Georgetown, Bethesda) - Now overrated (but still good), lemmings wait in line in 95-degree heat to get ripped off
Buzz Bakery - website (Alexandria, Ballston) - The corporate bakery for Neighborhood Restaurant Group, decent desserts, good coffee
Goldberg's New York Bagels (Silver Spring (Review) and 2 other area locations) - DC's best bagels, certified Kosher
Veronica's Bakery - website (3-5 area locations)
Hot Breads - websites (Gaithersburg) (Herndon) (Chantilly), Alexandria
Le Pain Quotidien - website (5-10 area locations)
Paul Bakery - website (Penn Quarter, Georgetown)
Firehook Bakery and Coffeehouse - website (10-20 area locations)
Marvelous Market - website (10-20 area locations)
Red Velvet Cupcakery - website (3-5 area locations)
Cakelove and Love Cafe - website (Tysons Corner (Review) and 5-10 other area locations)
Corner Bakery - website (10-20 area locations)
Amphora Bakery - website (Vienna, Herndon)
Bruegger's Bagels - website (5-10 area locations)
Atlanta Bread Company - website (Greenbelt, Sterling)
Panera - website (50-100 area locations)
Cacao - (Bethesda, Cleveland Park) - Closed

Barbecue
Rockland's Barbecue and Grilling Company - website (3-5 area locations)
Uncle Fred's BBQ Smoke Shack - Facebook (5-10 Virginia Farmer's Markets, Is Willing To Come To Maryland)
Urban Bar-B-Que Company - website (3-5 Montgomery County locations)
Famous Dave's - website (5-10 area locations)
Black Hog BBQ - website (Frederick, Ijamsville)
Red Hot & Blue - website (10-20 area locations)
Bill's Barbecue (3-5 Richmond locations) - Closed
 
Belgian
St. Arnold's Mussel Bar - website (Dupont Circle, Cleveland Park)

Breakfast and Lunch
Pret a Manger - website (3-5 DC locations)
Devon and Blakely - website (3-5 DC locations)
Market To Market - website (3-5 DC locations)
First Watch - website (Fairfax, Rockville)

Burritos
Pedro and Vinny's Burritos - website (McPherson Square (cart), South Arlington) - Massive, inexpensive burritos, some completely vegetarian
Boloco - website (Bethesda, Downtown)
Qdoba Mexican Grill - website (Bailey's Crossroads (Review) and 10-20 other area locations)
Chipotle Grill - website (50-100 area locations)
California Tortilla - website (20-50 area locations)

Caribbean
Island Pride (301) 929-9795 (Rockville) (301) 315-2668 (Rockville) (301) 990-1871 (Gaithersburg)

Cheese
Cheesetique Wine Bar - website (Del Ray, Shirlington) - Cheesetique itself is one of our city's treasures, a truly great cheese store

Cheesesteaks
South Street Steaks - website (Gaithersburg, Bethesda)

Chicken
Nando's - website (10-20 area locations)
Chick-fil-A - website (20-50 area locations)
El Pollo Campero - website (5-10 area locations)
Bojangles - website (5-10 Maryland locations)
Glopeye's - website (100+ area locations)
Buffalo Wild Wings - website (10-20 area locations)
KFC - website (15,000+ units worldwide)
Cluck-U Chicken - website (5-10 Maryland locations)

Chinese
A&J (301) 251-7878 (Rockville), (703) 813-8181 (Annandale) - Interesting small plates, many from Shandong province
Peter Chang China Cafe - website (Richmond, Opening in Fredericksburg) - The great Szechuan master is now branching out
Great Wall - website (Merrifield, Rockville)
Mama Wok - website (Reston) website (North Potomac) website (Rockville)
Hunan Cafe - (5-10 area locations) each with their own websites, use Google to find them
City Lights of China - website (Bethesda) website (Dupont Circle)
Chalin's (formerly Charlie Chiang's) - website (Downtown, Van Ness)
Meiwah - website (Downtown, Chevy Chase)
Kenny's Subs - website (3-5 Maryland locations)
Blue Pearl Buffet - website (3-5 area locations)
Wok & Roll - website (Chinatown, Adams Morgan)

Coffee
Peregrine Espresso - website (Capitol Hill, U Street Corridor) - A fantastic, independently owned coffee shop, owner came from Murky Coffee, well-worth supporting
Sidamo Coffee and Tea - website (Atlas District, Fulton) - Ethiopian coffee house, independently owned, free WiFi
Mayorga Coffee Roasters - website (3-5 area locations plus airports and kiosks)
Tynan Coffee and Tea - website (3-5 area locations)
Greenberry's - website (3-5 Virginia locations)
Caribou Coffee - website (20-50 area locations)
Starbucks - website (300+ area locations)
Mocha Hut - (U Street, Petworth) - Closed
MadCap Coffee - website (Opening in DC)

Convenience Stores (and Gas Stations)
Sheetz - website (20-50 area locations)
Wawa - website (5-10 area locations)
7-11 - website (100+ area locations)

Crepes
Snap - website - (Georgetown, Adams Morgan)
Crepes A-Go-Go and Crepes On The Walk - website (Gaithersburg, Verizon Center)

Delis
Red Apron - website (3-5 area locations)
G Street Food - website (17th and G St., 19th and L St.)
Taylor Gourmet Deli - website (5-10 area locations)
Lost Dog Cafe - website (North Arlington (Review) and 3-5 other Virginia locations)
Booeymonger - website (3-5 area locations)
Jason's Deli - website (3-5 area locations)

Delivery Services
Takeout Taxi - website (Serving Montgomery County and DC)

Dessert (Non-Ice Cream)
Artfully Chocolate / Kingsbury Confections - website (Alexandria, Del Ray)
Dangerously Delicious Pies - website (H Street Corridor, Union Station)
Cheesecake Heaven - website (Warrenton, Richmond)
Rita's Water Ice - website (20-50 area locations)

Diners
Silver Diner - website (10-20 area locations)
Cafe Deluxe - website (3-5 area locations)

Empanadas
Panas - website (West Dupont, Bethesda)
Julia's Empanadas - website (3-5 DC locations)
.
Fondue
The Melting Pot - website (5-10 area locations)

Food Trucks and Carts
Red Hook Lobster Pound Truck - website - @Redhooklobster (DC lobster roll truck)
Pepe - website - @pepefoodtruck (DC and VA flauta truck)
Willie's Po Boy - website - @WilliesPoBoy (Arlington Po Boy truck)
Feelin' Crabby - website - @FeelinCrabby (DC crabwich truck)
Fasika - @Fasikacuisin (DC Ethiopian truck)
Fojol Brothers - website - @fojolbros (2 DC Indian and Ethiopian trucks)
The Big Cheese - website - @bigcheesetruck (DC and VA Cowgirl Creamery cheese-sandwich truck)
Bada Bing - website - @badabingdc (Arlington sandwich and salt-potato truck)
Seoul Food DC - website - @SeoulFoodDC (DC and VA Korean-Latino food truck)
Metro Halal Food Cart (3-5 Arlington Pakistani kabob carts)
DC Empanadas - website - @DCEmpanadas (DC empanada truck)
TaKorean - website - @TaKorean (DC Korean-BBQ taco truck)
Pho Junkies - website - @phojunkies (DC Vietnamese pho truck)
PORC (Purveyors of Rolling Cuisine) - website - @porcmobile (DC pork sandwich truck)
Korean Food Truck (Yellow) - @1styellowvendor (DC Korean truck)
Pars Kabob (DC Persian kabob and stew truck)
70's Frankfurter (was Krazy Koshary) - website - @70sfrankfurter (DC hot dog truck)
Curbside Cupcakes - website - @CurbsideCupcake (3 DC cupcake trucks)
DC Slices - website - @DCSlices (DC pizza truck)
Snowie Cool Bus - website (VA shaved ice truck)
Rebel Heroes (Arlington sandwich truck) - Closed
On The Fly (3-5 DC organic food carts) - Closed
Sixth and Rye (DC Kosher food truck) - Closed
Eat Wonky - (DC hot dog and poutine truck) - Closed
Capital Empanadas - (Arlington empanada truck) - Closed
.
French
Mon Ami Gabi - website (4 locations, nationwide)

German
German Gourmet - website (2 Falls Church locations)
Döner Bistro - website (Leesburg, Adams Morgan)

Greek
Cava - website (3 area locations)
Delia's - website (3 area locations)
Amphora - website (Vienna and Herndon)
Zoe's- website (3 area locations)

Hamburgers
Burger Joint - website (Bethesda, Alexandria) - The best hamburger chain in the area by far, very good fries, beer and milkshakes are available
Bobby's Burger Palace - website (Downtown, College Park)
Burger 7 - website (Falls Church (Review), North Arlington)
Elevation Burger - website (3 area locations)
Black & Orange (formerly Rogue States) - website (South Dupont, 14 UP)
The Counter - website (Reston, Coming to DC)
Good Stuff Eatery - website (Capitol Hill, Crystal City, Coming to Georgetown)
Five Guys - website (40+ area locations)
Fosters Grill - website (8 area locations with 2 More Opening soon)
Z-Burger - website (Tenleytown, Glover Park (Review) , White Marsh)
Cheeburger Cheeburger - website (10 area locations)
Wendy's - website
McDonald's - website
Burger 21 - website - Opening

Healthy (and Vegetarian)
Sunflower Vegetarian Restaurant - website (Vienna, Seven Corners) - Healthy as can be, mostly vegan, food is one-dimensional with too much thickener
Nourish Market - website (McLean, Falls Church) - Healthy organic markets, good and interesting sandwiches made on premises
Seasons 52 - website (White Flint, Tysons Corner)
Sweetgreen - website (10-20 area locations)
Protein Bar - website (3-5 area locations)
Jamba Juice - website - Closed
Mixt Greens - website - Closed

Hot Dogs
Haute Dogs & Fries - website (Purcellville, Alexandria)
Windy City Red Hots - website (Leesburg, Ashburn)
ChiDogo's - website (College Park, National Harbor)
Nathan's Famous - website (4 area locations)

Ice Cream (and Frozen Yogurt)
Dolcezza - website (3-5 area locations) - Argentine gelato, as good as any ice cream in the area, Dolcezza deserves all the praise it gets
Boccato Gelato - website (Clarendon, Alexandria)
Pitango Gelato - website (Baltimore, Logan Circle, Reston)
Pinkberry - website (3 area locations)
Milwaukee Frozen Custard - website (5-10 area Virginia locations)
Tangysweet - website (Dupont Circle, Penn Quarter)
Serenberry (301) 231-0133 (Rockville and Bethesda)
Gifford's Ice Cream - website - (4 area locations)
Iceberry Frozen Yogurt - website (4 area locations)
Yogiberry - website (4 area locations with more to come)
Cali Yogurt - website (Gaithersburg, Adams Morgan (Review))
Froyo - website (Friendship Heights, Metro Center)
Fruity Yogurt - website unknown
Red Mango - website (2+ area locations)
Yogun Fruz - website - (3 area locations)
Ben & Jerry's - website (15 area locations)
Cold Stone Creamery - website (9 area locations)
Baskin Robbins - website (50+ area locations)

Indian
Rasika (Penn Quarter) and Rasika West End (West End) - website - Modern Indian cuisine served in vibrant, modern settings; ambitious recipes, a recent meal was superb, even the paratha and raita, get the tandoori trout. The new location is a tough reservation, but you can often find a seat at the bar
Curry Mantra (1, 2, and 3) - website (3-5 area locations) - Extremely expensive, but the best Virginia Indian restaurants by far
Indique (Cleveland Park) and Indique Heights (Review) (Friendship Heights) - website - Modern interpretations of Indian classics, the best Chicken Chettinad I've ever eaten
Woodlands - website (Langley Park, Fairfax) - The "Special Onion Rava Masala Dosa" is the best dosa in the Washington, DC area by far, good lunch buffet also
Karaikudi - website (Chantilly, Richmond) - Aachi Samayal Cooking from Chettinad, $10 lunch buffet (vegetarian on Wednesdays)
Angeethi - website (4 area locations)
Bombay Bistro - website (Rockville, Fairfax)
Aditi (Kingstowne (website), Vienna (website))
Minerva - website (4 area locations)
Heritage India - website - (Glover Park, Dupont Circle) - Glover Park remains excellent, Dupont Circle is lousy, closed, and supposedly moving elsewhere in the city
Naan and Beyond (3 area locations)
Mem Sahib - website (Rockville, Baltimore)
Preet Palace - website (Centreville, Ashburn)
Aroma (202) 833-4700 (19th and I), (703) 575-8800 (Shirlington)
Bombay Cafe (Fairfax) and Aaoji (Herndon) - website
Tandoori Nights - website (Gaithersburg, Bethesda)

Indo-Chinese
Masala Wok - website (Herndon, Fairfax)

Irish
Eamonn's - A Dublin Chipper (Review) (Alexandria, South Arlington) - website - Unabashedly heavy fried fish with batter that's worth the calories, serious (and expensive) cocktail program in Arlington location

Italian
Il Porto - website (Gaithersburg, Frederick)
Piero's Corner - website (Herndon, Fairfax)
Paolo's Ristorante - website (4 area locations)
Zeffirelli Ristorante - website (Herndon, Leesburg)
Olazzo - website (Bethesda, Silver Spring)
Listrani's - website (3 area locations)
Deli Italiano - website (Great Falls, North Arlington)
Mama Lucia's - website (7 area locations)
Carrabba's Italian Grill - website (10 area locations)
Olive Garden - website (10 area locations)
Buca di Beppo - website (Dupont Circle, Gaithersburg)

Jamaican
Negril - website (Howard U. (Review) and 4 other area locations) - Dirt cheap, T-shirt casual, down-home Jamaican, try anything baked (patties, cakes) or curried chicken

Japanese (and Sushi)
Sushi-Ko - Sushi Bar with Koji - website (Glover Park (Review), Chevy Chase) - Koji Terano remains in Glover Park, but the Chevy Chase location is under fine leadership
Yirasai Sushi (301) 654-5599 (Bethesda), (703) 319-1300 (Vienna)
Matsutake - website (Herndon) (2 area locations + Reagan Airport)
Taipei Tokyo - website (3 area locations)
Sushi Jin (703) 323-0061 (Burke) (301) 608-0990 (Silver Spring)
Wasabi - Wasabi To Go (Do these still exist?) - website (Tysons Corner, Opening in Montgomery Mall)
Sake Club - (Woodley Park, Herndon) - Closed

Korean
Cheogajip (703) 815-8744 (Centreville), (703) 941-1506 (Annandale)
Honey Pig Gooldaegee Korean BBQ - website (4 area locations) Annandale has a boisterous 24/7 scene with metallic tables and decent barbecue, often a young crowd late at night
Lighthouse Tofu & BBQ (or Vit Goel Tofu House) - website (3 area locations)
Gom Tang E (703) 830-1131 (Centreville), (703) 256-0096 (Annandale (Review)) - The Annandale location has remarkable Seol Leong Tang, my favorite in the area, unlimited refills on broth!
Bon Chon Chicken - website (3-5 suburban locations) - Tasty Korean-style fried chicken that retains its crispiness (and sodium) seemingly forever
Arirang (301) 279-0023 (Rockville), (301) 515-0057 (Germantown)
Il Mee Buffet (703) 642-2100 (Annandale), (703) 631-3400 (Chantilly)
H Mart and Super H Mart - website - (6 area locations)
Mandu - website (Adams Morgan, City Vista)

Lebanese
Lebanese Taverna - website (6 area locations)
Aladdin's Eatery - website (Shirlington, Burke)
Alf Laylah - website (Tysons Corner, Chantilly)
The Perfect Pita - website (10-20 area locations)

Mediterranean
Astor Mediterranean - website (Adams Morgan, Arlington) - Vegetarian-friendly, good dips and kabobs, Egyptian koshari, shockingly good pizzas (try the "Egyptian").
Cava Mezze Grill (Review) - website (3-5 area locations)
Roti Mediterranean Grill - website (10-20 area locations)
Sorrento Grill - website (Herndon, Ashburn)
Rosemary's Thyme Bistro - website (Adams Morgan, Clifton)
Pita Pit - website (Univ. MD, GWU)

Mexican (including Tacquerias and Tex-Mex)
Taqueria Distrito Federal - website (3-5 area locations) - Perhaps the best tacos in the DC area, lengua, barbacoa de chivo, chorizo, chicharron, friendly and caring ownership
La Fondita (301) 699-0785 (Hyattsville), (410) 766-6388 (Glen Burnie) - Tacos only, but apparently better than their full-service sister restaurants, La Sirenita
La Sirenita (301) 864-0188 (Riverdale), (410) 768-5446 (Glen Burnie)
District Taco (Review) - website (North Arlington, Downtown, Food Truck)
Ricos Tacos Moya (3-5 Northern Virginia locations)
La Lomita (202) 546-3109 and La Lomita II (202) 544-0616 (2 Capitol Hill locations)
El Paso Mexican Restaurant - website (3-5 area locations)
Uncle Julio’s Rio Grande Cafe - website (5 area locations)
Pica Taco (202) 518-0076 (Lanier Heights), (202) 518-6820 (Columbia Heights)
Lime Fresh Mexican Grill - website (3-5 area locations)
Tippy's Taco House - website (3 Virginia locations)
Alero - website (Dupont Circle, Cleveland Park, U Street)
Los Toltecos - website (4 area locations)
Taqueria Poblano - website (Del Ray, North Arlington (Review), South Arlington)
Tortilla Coast - website (Capitol Hill, Logan Circle)
Haydee's - website (Mount Pleasant, Brightwood)
Mi Rancho - website (3 Montgomery County locations)
Anita's - website
Austin Grill - website (6 area locations)
Rosa Mexicano - website (Penn Quarter, National Harbor)
On The Border - website (5 area locations)
Moe's Southwest Grille - website (12 area locations and more “coming soon”)
Taco Bell - website (locations North, South, East, & West of the Border)

Nepalese
Himalayan Heritage - website (Adams Morgan (Review), Bethesda) - The Nepalese dishes here aren't found anywhere else in town, friendly staff, civilized dining rooms

Noodles
Noodles & Company - website (20-50 area locations)

Pakistan
Ravi Kabob House I (Review) and II - website (Arlington (two locations)) - Get anything with lamb (chops and karahi), or the chicken karahi (ask which is fresher), Ravi uses a great Halal butcher

Pan-Asian
Raku - website (Dupont Circle, Bethesda)
Nooshi - website (Dupont Circle, Barracks Row)
Shophouse Southeast Asian Kitchen - website (Dupont Circle, Opening in Georgetown)
Cafe Asia - website (Downtown, Arlington)
East Moon - website (Kingstowne, Bowie)
Sticky Rice - website (H Street NE, Baltimore, Richmond)

Pan-Everything
Not Your Average Joe's - website (Leesburg, Gaithersburg)

Pan-Latino
San Antonio Bar and Grill - website

Persian
Moby Dick House of Kabob - website (14 area locations) - McLean location has great lunch specials
Kabob Bazaar - website (Clarendon, Bethesda)

Peruvian (and Pollo a la Brasa)
Crisp & Juicy - website (Rockville (Review), Arlington (Minibite) and 5-10 other area locations) - The Arlington location has arguably the best-tasting Peruvian chicken in the DC area
Super Pollo - website (Arlington (Review), Alexandria) - Lots of cumin in this fine roasted chicken, the Arlington location is open until 1 AM 7 days a week
Don Pollo (3 Maryland locations)
El Pollo Rico (3 area locations)
Que Rico (443) 394-6363 (Owings Mills), (410) 526-1234 (Reisterstown)
Wild Chicken - website (2 Fairfax locations (Pickett Street (Review))
Super Chicken (301) 933-5200 (Wheaton), (301) 277-3522 (Hyattsville), (703) 538-5550 (Falls Church)
Pollo Brasero (301) 438-2800 (Silver Spring), (Waldorf)

Pit Beef (and Roast Beef)
The Canopy (3 MD locations) - The e"pit"ome of medium-rare pit beef sandwiches
Arby's - website
Roy Rogers - website (10 area-ish locations)

Pizza
Pete's Apizza - website (3 area locations) - Quality-driven pizzas, best ordered by the slice, good ingredients and caring owners
Pizzeria Paradiso - website (3 area locations) Incredible beer selection, overrated pizza, the Dupont location is almost always crowded
RedRocks - website (Columbia Heights, Alexandria (Review))
Cafe Pizzaiolo and Pizzaiolo Cafe - website (Crystal City, Fairlington, Del Ray) - Good pizzas and wines at the Crystal City location, child-friendly
Fire Works Pizza - website (Leesburg Arlington)
Alberto's - website (Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan) - Dupont Circle location has good late-night pizza by-the-slice
Tony's NY Pizza (703) 502-0808 (Fairfax), (703) 257-7877 (Bristow)
Faccia Luna - website (Arlington, Alexandria)
Pie-Tanza - website (Arlington, Falls Church) - Consistently good crusts in these wood-burning oven pizzas, toppings are incredibly bland, 
Jiffy Shoppes - website (Morningside, MD, Bethesda)
Italian Pizza Kitchen - website (Van Ness, U Street)
Naked Pizza - website (3-5 area locations)
Flippin' Pizza - website (Reston, Annandale, and more on the way)
Giuseppi's Pizza Plus - website (Rockville, Kentlands)
HomeMade Pizza Co. - website (5 DC and VA locations)
zpizza - website (15 area locations and more on the way)
Ledo - website (60+ area locations)
Vapiano - website (Ballston, Downtown, Dulles Town Center and opening in Chinatown, Sept '08)
Pizza Autentica (Downtown, Penn Quarter, Ballston)
Three Brothers - website (15 area locations)
Angelico Pizzeria - website (5-10 area locations)
Extreme Pizza - website (Opening in Arlington and Vienna)

Pubs (and Bars)
Bourbon - website (Glover Park (Review), Adams Morgan (Review)) - The food is mediocre, but the Bourbon selection is incredible (and that's why you're here)
Dogfish Head Alehouse - website (3-5 area locations)
Tonic - website (Mt. Pleasant, Foggy Bottom)
The Wharf Rat (410) 276-9034 (Fell's Point), (410) 244-8900 (Pratt Street)
Capitol City Brewing Company - website (3 area locations)
Elephant and Castle - website (Federal Triangle, Downtown)
Stained Glass Pub - website (Glenmont, Elkridge)
Gordon Biersch - website (MCI Center, Tysons Corner)

Salvadoran (and Pupusas)
Pupuseria Doña Azucena (4 area locations) - Heavily filled, inexpensive pupusas that some feel are the best in the entire DC area
La Union and La Union Market - website (Both in Arlington)
Irene's and Irene's Pupusas (301) 431-1550 (Hyattsville), (301) 933-4800 (Wheaton), (301) 362-3371 (Laurel)
El Rinconcito Cafe (202) 789-4110 (11th St. NW), (202) 299-1076 (Park Rd. NW)

Seafood
Oceanaire - website (Downtown, Baltimore)
Hank's Oyster Bar - website (3-5 area locations)
Rappahannock River Oysters - website (3-5 area locations) - $2 oysters at Union Market with 3 different salinity levels (try the lowest - you'll actually taste the oyster)
Ford's Fish Shack - website (Ashburn, South Riding)
Legal Sea Foods - website (7 area locations)
Jerry's Seafood (301) 577-0333 (Lanham), (410) 268-7733 (Annapolis), (Bowie - Opening Soon)
McCormick and Schmick's - website (8 area locations)
Luke's Lobster (Minibite) - website (Penn Quarter, Bethesda)
Finn & Porter - website (Alexandria, Downtown)
Bonefish Grill - website (10 area locations)
Phillip's Crab House - website (6 area locations)

Soup
Original SoupMan - website (Tysons Corner)

Southern (and Soul Food)
Henry's Soul Cafe - website (3 area locations)
King Street Blues - website (4 area locations)
Carolina Kitchen - website (Largo, Hyattsville)

Spanish (and Tapas)
Jaleo - website (Downtown (Review), Bethesda, Crystal City) - My most recent meal downtown was poor; in Crystal City very good
Panache - website (Dupont Circle, Tysons Corner)
La Tasca - website (3-5 area locations)

Sports Bars
Velocity Five - website (Sterling, Merrifield)
Buffalo Wings and Beer - website (10 MD locations)
Public Bar and Public Tenley - website (Dupont (Review), Tenleytown)
The Greene Turtle - website (12 area locations)
ESPN Zone - website (Downtown, Inner Harbor) - Closing both locations

Steak
Capital Grille - website (5 area locations)
Ray's The Steaks - website (3-5 area locations) - By far the best tasting steaks in the DC area for the money - on the low end, high end, and everywhere in between
The Palm - website (Downtown, Tysons Corner)
Morton's - website (8 area locations)
Ted's Montana Grill - website (3-5 Virginia locations)
Ruth's Chris Steakhouse - website (10 area locations)
Outback Steakhouse - website (33 area locations)
Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse - website (Gaithersburg, Upper Marlboro)

Shula's Steakhouse (West End, Bethesda) - Closed

Subs and Sandwiches
Earl's Sandwiches - website (Courthouse, Ballston) - Freshly roasted and sliced meats distinguish this from its compeitors, our best sandwich chain
Jetties - website (3-5 DC and MD locations)
Potbelly Sandwich Works - website (23 area locations)
Firehouse Subs - website (Kingstowne, Richmond)
Steak n' Things - website (Burke, Lorton)
Jimmy John's Gourmet Subs - website (College Park, Alexandria, coming soon to Columbia)
Subway - website (Who Cares)
Zero's Subs - website (Coming to the DC area)

Supermarkets and Stores
H Mart and Super H - website (6 Maryland and Virginia locations)
Wegmans - website (Sterling, Fairfax, Hunt Valley)
Whole Foods - website (10-20 area locations)
Home Depot

Swedish
IKEA Cafe - website (Potomac Mills, College Park)

Tea
Teaism - website (3-5 area locations) These tea houses are treasures, the food is simple and good, try the salted oat cookie with your tea
Teavana - (Minibite) website (3-5 area mall locations)
Ten Ren - website (College Park, Rockville)

Thai
Thai by Thai - website (Sterling, Fairfax)
Sala Thai - website (6 area locations)
Neisha Thai - website (Tenleytown, Tysons Corner)
Lemongrass (410) 327-7835 (Fells Point), Annapolis
Pilin Thai - website (Tysons Corner, Falls Church)
Anothai - website (Ashburn, Gainsville)
Bangkok Garden - website (Bethesda, Columbia)
Pasara Thai (703) 921-5220 (Alexandria), (202) 223-3777 (Dupont)
Tara Thai - website - (6 area locations)
Busara - website (Glover Park, Tysons Corner, Reston)
Thai Pavillion - website (National Harbor, Rockville)

Vietnamese (and Pho)
Phố 75 (Langley Park (Review) and 3 other area locations) Surely the best chain Pho in the DC area
Pho Bistro – website (Centreville, Ashburn)
Pho Hiep Hoa (Wheaton, Silver Spring)
Pho 14 - website (3-5 area locations)
A Taste of Saigon - website (McLean, Rockville)
Viet House - website (Fairfax (2), Alexandria)
Nam-Viet Pho 79 - website - (Clarendon, Cleveland Park)
Ba Le Vietnamese Deli (703) 876-9062 (Falls Church) (301) 434-5470 (Langley Park)

Wine Bars
The Wine Kitchen - website (3-5 area locations)
Vintage 50 and Vintage 51 - website (Leesburg, South Riding)