Dining in Takoma Park

[Heather]

So, we just made an offer on a money pit in Takoma Park. Where does one go to eat there? Is there any place actually in Takoma worth seeking out? I am somewhat more familiar with Silver Spring, although the version where the Quarryhouse was still a watering hole and Tastee Diner was on Georgia Ave.

I know the co-op, and farmer's market, Snider's & Whole Foods in Siver Spring, and my Thai market on Thayer. Any other good shopping destinations?

[JPW]

So, we just made an offer on a money pit in Takoma Park. Where does one go to eat there? Is there any place actually in Takoma worth seeking out? I am somewhat more familiar with Silver Spring, although the version where the Quarryhouse was still a watering hole and Tastee Diner was on Georgia Ave.

I know the co-op, and farmer's market, Snider's & Whole Foods in Siver Spring, and my Thai market on Thayer. Any other good shopping destinations?

In downtown TP there isn't much. I like Mark's. Never tried the Middle Eastern place. Would avoid Taliano's.

There are tons of Mex-Salvadoran places close by. My favorite is el Golfo at Flower and Piney Branch (they love kids). Close by on University are Samantha's and Udupi/Tiffin.

Shopping -- only place you didn't catch is Trader Joe's on Colesville just north of Univ. There's also a place I love the concept of, but have yet to try, next to 7-11 on Fenton It's an Indian/Ethiopian market.

[Banco]

So, we just made an offer on a money pit in Takoma Park. Where does one go to eat there? Is there any place actually in Takoma worth seeking out? I am somewhat more familiar with Silver Spring, although the version where the Quarryhouse was still a watering hole and Tastee Diner was on Georgia Ave.

I know the co-op, and farmer's market, Snider's & Whole Foods in Siver Spring, and my Thai market on Thayer. Any other good shopping destinations?

Heather, congratulations on your new house and best wishes for your new life in Takoma, BUT: You know how I and a few others on this board rant about the dearth of dining options on Capitol Hill? Well, Takoma Park makes Capitol Hill look like Provence! I work in that area part of the year and have never been able to find anything more than adequately palatable (Mark's, Savory Cafe) especially when it comes to something more than a quick lunch. At least Silver Spring is nearby. You have my sympathies.

[Heather]

Heather, congratulations on your new house and best wishes for your new life in Takoma, BUT: You know how I and a few others on this board rant about the dearth of dining options on Capitol Hill? Well, Takoma Park makes Capitol Hill look like Provence!

Oy, I had a feeling that was going to be my answer. I wonder why?

I guess we can look forward to the 10 minute drive to Ray's...someday. And if I recall it's not too far to Colorado Kitchen.

[bookluvingbabe]

I'm often in the area for meetings and Colorado Kitchen is my favorite dinner choice in the area.

I like Savory for coffee but haven't ordered anything beyond that.

Enjoy your money pit. Mr. BLB wasn't willing to committ to one so we're going to try life in Gaithersburg....

[MC Horoscope]

At least you will be in a nucular free zone!

Hit University Blvd from Silver Spring to Adelphi. Samantha's is good Salvadoran if you haven't tried it. I see several latin markets along that stretch.

Hit Sligo and there's Jackie's and Vicino.

[Heather]

I had forgotten about Udupi - love that place. And Mandalay shouldn't be far. And I guess I could bring myself to have a drink at the new Quarryhouse.

And thanks for all the tips Joe - I had forgotten that SS had a Trader Joe's now. Let's hope it's better than the one in Rockville. Small with terrible parking. I almost never go because the shopping center is such a PITA.

BLB, good luck in Gaithersburg. We've already renovated 2 money pits in Rockville so we are old hands at it. We're just getting more ambitious.

[DameEdna]

Will you, or will you not, cross Rock Creek Park? It is a big (and often deeply philosophical)

decision for some people.

[Joe H]

Takoma Park, eh? I grew up near Piney Branch and Flower, had a paper route down Flower (from Domer) to Carroll Avenue and remember cruising the 'Hampshire Mo at New Hampshire and East West.

In 1964.

Goldie Hawn lived on Piney Branch near Takoma Jr. High, Connie Chung and Ben Stein weren't too far away.

I haven't been back in thirty years.

In part because when I was in high school at Blair I once hit a ball about 400 feet from the jungle gym on Garland Avenue (near Domer) and broke the third floor window in an apartment at the far end of the field. Sort of a legendary achievment for the time but it took three weeks of my paper route to pay for the damned window which I proudly admitted breaking!

Then, we would go to Ledo's (still there) for pizza, Crisfield's (for crab stuffed flounder, Norfolk style and Chincoteaque oysters ((still there)) ((Crisfield was a "cheap" alternative to O'Donnell's in downtown which had just opened an outpost in Bethesda; of course both are long gone)), Gifford's (closed but the exact same ice cream is in Montgomery Hills at the Caribbean outpost whose owner once made ALL of Gifford's ice cream. Ask for a Swiss sundae-it's the exact same!) and, today, Mr. Landrum's outpost in Silver Spring.

Takoma Park, eh? Brings back memories...

[johnb]

I had forgotten about Udupi

In addition to Udupi, don't forget Tiffin, the meat version of Udupi, just a few doors down. Good Indian food and not as high on the radar screen as it should be.

If you're in the mood for a sandwich, drop in on South Street Steaks on Rt. 1 in College Park. Best cheesteak in the DC metro area.

It's a short drive up University to Wheaton, where there are many possibilities.

[Heather]

I lived in Wheaton, and used to know it pretty well but lots has changed in six years. Marchones is still open, as is Dusit, Ruan Thai, and the chicken place in the Triangle - but that's about all remaining since we lived there. The last time we drove through I noticed that the old Anchor Inn had been completely torn down. Mediocre seafood but it was a landmark.

Joe, we'll be about two blocks from Takoma Jr. High, now Takoma Middle School. What's the name of the ice cream place? I know where it is but the names escapes me.

[MC Horoscope]

Hey Joe, did you know John Fahey, legendary acoustic guitarist who founded Takoma Records? He used to give a lot of local place names to his compositions, so it was like I already had a map when I moved here!

[Joe H]

Heather, it's York Castle which gets a lot of play on here and on Chowhound. But the owner/founder was THE ice cream maker for Gifford's (I was their best customer from the mid '60's to their closing about 1979 or so) and opened York Castle in Montgomery Hills two weeks or so after the doors to the plant were closed in Silver Spring. Later, the original owner of Gifford's sold the name to the group that owns it today but the ice cream is different. York Castle IS the orignal Gifford's; the only difference is that Gifford's didn't ahve tropical flavors. But pumpkin, coconut, strawberry, oreo, etc. and the Swiss sundae (the legendary Swiss sundae) are all exactly the same as they were twenty five years ago on Georgia Avenue at Sligo.

The sub place in Wheaton Triangle-despite its reputation-was never as good as memories claim it was. When Italia opened on Colesville Road (in the mid 70's) near Fenton it was a revelation. They used bread from Catania Bakery on North Capital street. (Mangione's (sp?) used Ottenberg's) The original owners of Vace (yes, Vace) were the original owners of Colesville Road's Italia. Later they opened the place in Bethesda near Wisconsin and Leland and, of course, the Connecticut avenue location across from the Uptown. Still, I would argue that the original Vace on Colesville road was the best of all. In part because they were the first place in the D. C. area to regularly use Catania bread. And to scoop it out with the middle finger and fore finger similar to what a lot of places in Jersey...and Italy do.

But I'm going back into the mid '70's in saying this and Vace today is still really good....but not as good as Italia was then.

I don't know John Fahey. But I did know Lester Moscowitz who opened Roadhouse Oldies on Thayer Avenue. I once saw Lester at the Howard....when James Brown was there in the mid '60's. The influence rubbed off and now he's some type of national figure having made a name with nostalgia for '50's and '60's rock and roll. Does anyone on here remember Barry Richards on WDON/WINX/WUST?

Forgive me, but Takoma Park brings back a lot of memories from...when....

Edited August 1, 2006 by Joe H

[JeffC]

A few other options near Takoma....

Negril--good Jamaican food--on Thayer. La Bamba, a Guatemalan place on Georgia, is right around the corner from Negril. I had dinner at La Bamba tonight--carne guisada (beef stew), simple but rich and good. I'm in love with their salsa verde, which I dump on almost everything. La Bamba is a classic hole-in-the-wall, with a loud jukebox and a largely Latino clientele. Nothing on the menu is over $10.00, maybe the best QPR around.

Woodlands, near Udupi Palace, is on the other side of University in a strip mall that borders New Hampshire. Udupi used to be my go-to for Indian vegetarian, but Woodlands has won my heart, with their incredible dosas and an excellent lunch buffet.

And Pho 75--my favorite pho-ateria--has a branch a few blocks across the PG county line, on University.

[JLK]

W Domku is close too, innit? Congrats Heather and Family!

[johnb]

A few other options near Takoma....

Negril--good Jamaican food--on Thayer. La Bamba, a Guatemalan place on Georgia, is right around the corner from Negril. I had dinner at La Bamba tonight--carne guisada (beef stew), simple but rich and good. I'm in love with their salsa verde, which I dump on almost everything. La Bamba is a classic hole-in-the-wall, with a loud jukebox and a largely Latino clientele. Nothing on the menu is over $10.00, maybe the best QPR around.

Woodlands, near Udupi Palace, is on the other side of University in a strip mall that borders New Hampshire. Udupi used to be my go-to for Indian vegetarian, but Woodlands has won my heart, with their incredible dosas and an excellent lunch buffet.

And Pho 75--my favorite pho-ateria--has a branch a few blocks across the PG county line, on University.

La Bamba is a hidden jewel. Good food and a good vibe. Very Latino crowd.

I tried Woodlands lunch buffet last week for the first time, and was not impressed. I got there a bit late which may have had something to do with it, since many of the dishes seemed to be mostly a soup, as if previous clients had skimmed out the good stuff and left the juice--they should keep the trays better supplied??

The old Italia on Colesville is now called Da Marco or something like that, and the current owner claims he is the son of the founders, which I took him to mean the old Italia/Vace folks. It is terrible.

[Heather]

W Domku is close too, innit? Congrats Heather and Family!

Thanks! And Domku should be pretty close - a good thing because I've been wanting to give it a try.

I had forgotten about Negril. I took some classes at Montgomery College in Takoma Park and sometimes would stop by Negril for a patty on my way to the Silver Spring Metro. It's on the same block as the Thai market.

[wahoooob]

Personally, I'm a fan of Parkway Deli. Always a good solid breakfast, but you can make your own call on the Reuben.

Red Dog cafe next door is worth a try too.

I've heard decent things about Tiffin (http://www.tiffinrestaurant.com/) but havent' made it out there yet.

[africanist]

Congrats on the new house! At Georgia and Quakenbos (best DC street name ever!) is Chez Auntie Libe. Really interesting and fairly-priced Senegalese food, and Auntie Libe herself is a friendly and welcoming lady. She also does carry-out if you call ahead.

It's not a place to stop in for a quick bite though, she cooks everything to order, and sometimes you wait a bit for your food. I find its best for everyone in your party to order the same thing, that way she can just cook a big pot of it. If she has bissap in stock you should definitely drink some.

[Malawry]

Takoma is not that bad. The farmer's market is a real jewel, as is the TPSS co-op. Heather, your family will almost certainly enjoy Mark's Kitchen with its mix of Korean and American diner food--where else can you get ginger tea and "healthy salad" with seaweed and tofu while your companion knocks back a burger and a milkshake? The middle eastern place next door is not very good, but I'd go back there before I'd hit Taliano's. There are a few interesting items available in the market behind the middle eastern place, which I think is run by the same people--nice if you need something like rosewater or sumac. Everyday Gourmet is not very good for meals, but their baked goods are alright. You're very close to El Golfo, Samantha's, Tiffin, Udupi Palace, Woodlands and Pollo Campero. Plus of course all of Silver Spring's offerings--including Whole Paycheck and TJ's. The Giant on Arliss occasionally came through for me in surprising ways, allowing me to feed my Ting (Jamaican grapefruit soda) and Herdez salsa habits.

It's also pretty easy to get from Takoma to areas like Penn Quarter, Wheaton, or even Georgetown. Those places will be much more accessible to you than they were in Rockville. I'm sure you'll miss some of the great Chinese food in Rockville, but there are benefits to living closer in to the city and I know it won't take you long to unearth them. Congratulations on your move! (I hope you're done moving for a while after that...)

[JPW]

The Giant on Arliss occasionally came through for me in surprising ways, allowing me to feed my Ting (Jamaican grapefruit soda) and Herdez salsa habits.

That is indeed very true. I'm not a huge fan of the store, but they do a good job catering to the large local Latino community with products that you are unlikely to find in most megamarts (for example -- tongue).

[goldenticket]

Does anyone know if that falafel cart still shows up there near the co-op? It's been YEARS since I was up there, but they did have really good falafel. Seems like they were there on Sundays, not Saturdays, and Israeli couple, IIRC.

Just wondering....

[Malawry]

No, that cart has been gone for years. Too bad, they made great lemonade and some nice vegan corn tamales which were my preferred post-coop snack. Those people also used to run the concession at a municipal pool in Hyattsville--they used the kitchen there to prep all the food for the truck too. Perhaps they are still there?

[Heather]

For the love of all that's holy...someone please tell me that there is decent pizza nearby. One more PizzaBoli flyer and there might be trouble round here.

[Lydia R]

please tell me that there is decent pizza nearby.

Not sure whether you're looking for delivery or eat-in. For eat-in/carry-out try Vicino across the street from Jackie's. It's kid-friendly in an old school way (well-mannered families, not take 'em to a noisy place so nobody'll notice). Not DOC pie, but real in its own way.

If looking for delivery, you may need to resort to TJ's imported, frozen pie with some minor "modifications."

[johnb]

Not sure whether you're looking for delivery or eat-in. For eat-in/carry-out try Vicino across the street from Jackie's. It's kid-friendly in an old school way (well-mannered families, not take 'em to a noisy place so nobody'll notice). Not DOC pie, but real in its own way.

If looking for delivery, you may need to resort to TJ's imported, frozen pie with some minor "modifications."

FWIW, there's always the Mama Lucia location in Silver Spring for a fallback position. It's only Mama Lucia, not great but........... Eat in or carry out only, unless Takeout Taxi is in the loop, but I don't think they are. It's in the Blair Plaza shopping center at East-West and Colesville, close to the Giant. Oriental East is across the "street" (indeed, ML is in the old OE space).

[Heather]

Living in Rockville sure spoiled me for Chinese food. The "regular" (not dim sum) menu at Oriental East is baaaaad. We've tried four places and so far have not found anything in Takoma or SS worth ordering from more than once.

I did get a tip for some decent Vietnamese in Silver Spring, but no replacement for my bahn mi shop.

[JPW]

Living in Rockville sure spoiled me for Chinese food. The "regular" (not dim sum) menu at Oriental East is baaaaad. We've tried four places and so far have not found anything in Takoma or SS worth ordering from more than once.

I did get a tip for some decent Vietnamese in Silver Spring, but no replacement for my bahn mi shop.

Names? I, myself, have never even thought of looking for Chinese food around us.

I got a good review on the little divey Vietnamese place behind Jackie's. I can never remember the name. The service was reported to be - let's say -- interesting.

PS - What the heck are you doing posting at 3 AM?

[Heather]

I will dig out the flyers, but really, you're better off just taking a drive over to Rockville.

The place behind Jackie's is the one I got the tip for. She was talking about carryout so service didn't come into the conversation.

(3 AM? Insomnia. Live it, love it. Or not.)

[Malawry]

I always drove to Rockville when I lived in Takoma and wanted Chinese food. Now I live in West Virginia, and I STILL drive to Rockville when I want Chinese food! :laugh:

Once, somebody found out I lived in Takoma and they got all excited and asked me if I loved Beijing Delight as much as they did. (BD is at the intersection of Flower and Piney Branch.) I looked at them like they were drunk or something. She confirmed my expression when she said, "We used to get their fried rice whenever we were drinking on Saturday nights." She must have been drinking Colt 45 or something to make Beijing Delight's food palatable...

[Heather]

Once, somebody found out I lived in Takoma and they got all excited and asked me if I loved Beijing Delight as much as they did. (BD is at the intersection of Flower and Piney Branch.) I looked at them like they were drunk or something. She confirmed my expression when she said, "We used to get their fried rice whenever we were drinking on Saturday nights." She must have been drinking Colt 45 or something to make Beijing Delight's food palatable...

I will remember that next time I'm drinking Colt 45.

[demandalicious]

For the love of all that's holy...someone please tell me that there is decent pizza nearby.

Not from Pizza Movers, as I've just found out. It's terrible

On the subject of the middle eastern spot next to Mark's, it's okay. Nothing to write home about but the schwarma is aiiiight in a pinch.

[Heather]

Maybe some Colt 45 will make Pizza Movers taste better? They say it works every time.

Seriously, thanks for saving me the disappointment.

[DinerGirl]

For the love of all that's holy...someone please tell me that there is decent pizza nearby. One more PizzaBoli flyer and there might be trouble round here.

I live in Takoma (in Sligo) and can tell you that the pizza from Pizza Palace on Carroll (in the strip of shops where the vet clinic is) is actually not bad... if you order the thin-crust. The regular crust tastes like ass, but the thin crust is good.

[Banco]

I live in Takoma (in Sligo) and can tell you that the pizza from Pizza Palace on Carroll (in the strip of shops where the vet clinic is) is actually not bad... if you order the thin-crust. The regular crust tastes like ass, but the thin crust is good.

I second that. William Friedkin (of Exorcist fame) bought us all lunch once during a rehearsal, and the pizza was from there. It was really good! (Though I did have heartburn worthy of Linda Blair for the rest of the day.)

ETA: Sorry, but I looked upthread and realized the pizza I had was from Pizza Movers, which, depsite the condemnations here, I thought was pretty good for delivery pizza. I have not tried Pizza Palace.

[ol_ironstomach]

I don't suppose Machu Picchu is still around, is it? In the mid-80s they were pretty much the only Peruvian chicken joint on the Maryland radar, before a flurry of other roast chicken shops started opening up in Langley Park. Mmmmm, Inca Cola - "like washing down a watermelon Now-and-Later with Sprite".

[blakegwinn]

Names? I, myself, have never even thought of looking for Chinese food around us.

I got a good review on the little divey Vietnamese place behind Jackie's. I can never remember the name. The service was reported to be - let's say -- interesting.

PS - What the heck are you doing posting at 3 AM?

You know I really have like spring garden. Ordered from there about 3-4 times since I moved and find it far superior to Oriental East or whatever the name is in the Blair complex. I believe most if not all the dishes are not made with MSG. I love that because I seem to not get that weird crappy stomach feeling I usually get from MSG overload when I eat chinese take out.

[Heather]

OK, does Oriental East have some secret Chinese menu that you only get if you ask for it? Because we have given them several chances now and everything we have ordered has been bland, bland, bland. Even the chopped chilies on the salty and spicy pork chops had been stripped of all discernable flavor. The service kind of sucks too.

[DanielK]

OK, does Oriental East have some secret Chinese menu that you only get if you ask for it? Because we have given them several chances now and everything we have ordered has been bland, bland, bland. Even the chopped chilies on the salty and spicy pork chops had been stripped of all discernable flavor. The service kind of sucks too.

I'm not sure I've ever heard a report from other than weekend dim sum...

[soapy]

I live in Takoma and I share your laments for lack of places to eat around here. However if you like Indian cuisine then try Tiffins and Updupi Palace on University Blvd. They are owned by the same people, Tiffin's is for ominvores, Upupi Palace is strictly vegetarian. Both serve really delicous food, especially vegetables.

They both do a very very very nice buffet for lunch (my fiancee and I go there about once a month and stuff ourselves silly) The service is very nice there, very attentive and polite.

http://www.tiffinrestaurant.com/

http://www.udupipalace.com/

[silentbob]

I had forgotten about Negril. I took some classes at Montgomery College in Takoma Park and sometimes would stop by Negril for a patty on my way to the Silver Spring Metro. It's on the same block as the Thai market.

My friend and I stopped by Negril for dinner before the D.C. United game last Saturday. It was the first time I had been in over 15 years -- we used to have open lunch in high school and would run here for a quick beef patty before making it back in time for 6th period! The patty was as flaky and satisfying as I remembered. I also ordered the goat roti. Decent taste, although the meat required picking out too many bones. I definitely won't wait another 15 years to return, glad to see that it's still going strong (and survived the Silver Spring facelift).

[Heather]

I've now given Mark's Kitchen several tries now. Food is just OK - the American menu items are more successful than the Korean - and the service can be tragic. The people-watching is choice though.

[soapy]

I still haven't tried Negril or Tropicana but the other day my Fiancee got takeout Roti from Caribbean Palace (, 7680 New Hampshire Avenue, Takoma Park, MD, Takoma Park Shopping Center) the roti was 8 dollars and it was huge, the size of a child's head.

[gibmrm]

Like the forum user who started this thread, I will be moving to Takoma Park. The place seems to lack any particularly interesting places to eat, and the fact that no one has updated this thread since 2007 seems to confirm my perception, or am i wrong? Any suggestions?

[DonRocks]

Like the forum user who started this thread, I will be moving to Takoma Park. The place seems to lack any particularly interesting places to eat, and the fact that no one has updated this thread since 2007 seems to confirm my perception, or am i wrong? Any suggestions?

Just last Thursday, I received this text message:

"Here is an under the radar restaurant gem for you: Senbeb Cafe - 100% vegan restaurant in Takoma Park, Washington, DC"

[Joe H]

Like the forum user who started this thread, I will be moving to Takoma Park. The place seems to lack any particularly interesting places to eat, and the fact that no one has updated this thread since 2007 seems to confirm my perception, or am i wrong? Any suggestions?

Interesting, especially since Don keeps threads literally forever-for whatever reason. I am not sure that a thread started nine years or so ago (and dormant since) has any relevance to today...

I grew up in Takoma Park and graduated from Blair 52 years ago.  No idea what it is like today but when I left it had a number of "particularly interesting places to eat."  At least in 2007 when I still visited.  In fact Jeff Black hadn't opened his restaurant yet-it wasn't even on his or anyone's radar.

Serious:  Don, why don't you retire some threads and allow relevant new ones?  Dredging something up from 2006 (first post in this thread) and 2007 does not have any value to 2016.

[DonRocks]

Interesting, especially since Don keeps threads literally forever-for whatever reason. I am not sure that a thread started nine years or so ago (and dormant since) has any relevance to today...

I grew up in Takoma Park and graduated from Blair 52 years ago.  No idea what it is like today but when I left it had a number of "particularly interesting places to eat."  At least in 2007 when I still visited.  In fact Jeff Black hadn't opened his restaurant yet-it wasn't even on his or anyone's radar.

Serious:  Don, why don't you retire some threads and allow relevant new ones?  Dredging something up from 2006 (first post in this thread) and 2007 does not have any value to 2016.

Good thing you aren't going to be around 100 years from now - then you'd *really* be complaining!

[gibmrm]

Interesting, especially since Don keeps threads literally forever-for whatever reason. I am not sure that a thread started nine years or so ago (and dormant since) has any relevance to today...

I grew up in Takoma Park and graduated from Blair 52 years ago.  No idea what it is like today but when I left it had a number of "particularly interesting places to eat."  At least in 2007 when I still visited.  In fact Jeff Black hadn't opened his restaurant yet-it wasn't even on his or anyone's radar.

Serious:  Don, why don't you retire some threads and allow relevant new ones?  Dredging something up from 2006 (first post in this thread) and 2007 does not have any value to 2016.

I get your point. Since I am new to the forum, I am still unsure as to what the proper 'etiquette' in these situations is. I suppose a 'master' thread might make sense, that is why I decided to 'resuscitate' it, instead of creating a new one with the exact same title.

[bookluvingbabe]

I love the history that you see in these old threads.

[dracisk]

I love the history that you see in these old threads.

Me, too. I just read through this whole thread even though most of the posts are many years old.