Oldest Restaurants in the Washington, DC Area

[DonRocks]

All known restaurants which opened before 1980 and remained opened when this website was founded (Apr 15, 2005) are included.

Restaurants opening within the same year are alphabetized - no effort has been made to increase the precision to opening month.

If a restaurant is known to be closed, it will have an asterisk ("*") by the year.

The arrow ("-->"), currently at 1957, represents how far I've gotten down the list in checking for closures. 

Please feel free to add new posts for potential new entries, and I"ll update the list as we go.

Most recent addition: Mike's Italian, thanks to Monkeyrotica.

Cheers,
Rocks.

1856 - Old Ebbitt Grill (present location since 1983)
1860 - Old Angler's Inn (the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the Washington, DC area)
1904 - Royal Restaurant (present location since 1964)
1906 - Occidental Grill (closed 1972-1986)
1914 - Harriet's Family Restaurant (Hotel Harrington, renamed as "Harriet's" in 2006)
1922*- O'Donnell's Sea Grill (originally at 1207 E Street, present location since 2001, closed Jul 27, 2013)
1923 - Iron Gate Restaurant (closed 2010-2013)
1924 - The Dairy at Turner Hall (U of MD)
1925 - Wagshal's (present location since 1939)
1926 - A. Litteri (present location since 1932)
1927*- Mike's Italian (Mount Vernon, closed Jul 30, 2011)
1929*- Cozy Restaurant (Thurmont, closed Jun 8, 2014)
1930 - Mrs. K's Toll House (Mrs. K is Mrs. Kreuzburg)
1931 - Normandie Farm (Opened by Marjorie Hendricks, Sold to James Speros in 1958, Sold (buyer unknown), closed and renovated 1979-1982, Sold to Karl Longley in 1983, Sold to James Prokos in Jun, 1994)
1933 - Billy Martin's Tavern (Opened the day after prohibition was repealed)
1935 - Blue and White Carryout (Alexandria, exact date unknown)
1935 - The Raven Grill (Mount Pleasant, currently a bar only)
1935 - Steak n' Egg
1935 - Tastee Diner (Bethesda)
1937 - Murry and Paul's (Brookland)
1937 - Quarry House Tavern
1937 - Red Fox Inn
1939 - Seibel's (renamed from Seibel's Dairy Bar in 1971)
1941 - Crystal City Restaurant (renamed from The Arlington Luncheon in 1970)
1943 - Ernie's Crab House (Alexandria)
1943*- Famous Luigi's
1944 - Florida Avenue Grill
1944 - Shrimp Boat (Benning, present location since 1953)
1945 - Crisfield Seafood
1946 - Park-n-Dine (Hancock, MD)
1946*- Payne's (Centreville)
1946 - Tastee Diner (Silver Spring)
1946 - Whitlow's (closed 1989-1995, present location since 1995)
1947 - 29 Diner (out of business and closed for several months in 2014 before new owners reopened it)
1947 - JV (Falls Church)
1947 - Tune Inn
1947 - Woodside Deli
1948 - Annie's Paramount Steakhouse
1948 - Old Europe
1949*- AV Ristorante Italiano (AV is Augusto Vasaio)
1949*- Blackie's
1950 - Trio Bistro (renamed from Trio in 2018)
1950 - Yorkshire's (Manassas)
1952 - Hershey's Restaurant (Gaithersburg)
1952 - Rip's Country Inn (Bowie)
1953 - Mama Ayesha's
1953 - Mangialardo & Sons (opened as grocery store; began focusing on subs in late 1960s)
1954 - L'Auberge Chez Francois (present location since 1976)
1954 - Jerry's Subs and Pizza (Wheaton)
1954  - Weenie Beenie (Shirlington)
1954 - Woodmoor Pastry Shop (Four Corners)
1955 - Ledo Restaurant (present location since 2010)
1955*- Roy's Place (present location since 1971)
1955*- Yenching Palace
1956 - Al's Steakhouse
1957 - Mario's Pizza House (two employees, Joe Williams and "Lefty" Lindsay, have been here for over FIFTY years)
-----> - I'm traversing this list, top-to-bottom, marking the closed restaurants with an asterisk. Anyone want to help?
1957 - The Brickskeller
1958 - Ben's Chili Bowl
1958 - Coach Stop (Middleburg)
1958 - Mike's Crab House (Annapolis)
1959 - Jiffy Shoppes (Morningside, MD location)
1959 - Loeb's Perfect New York Deli (present location since 2010)
1959 - Market Inn
1960 - Mama Ayesha's (renamed from Calvert Cafe in 1994)
1960 - The Monocle
1960 - Vienna Inn
1961 - Bethesda Crab House
1962 - 1789
1962 - Burger Delite (Alexandria)
1962 - F Scott's
1962 - German Gourmet (North Arlington)
1962 - McLean Pizza
1962 - The Tombs
1962*- Victor's Pizza Den (Springfield)
1963 - The Apple House (Linden)
1963 - Clyde's (Georgetown)
1963 - Parkway Deli (Silver Spring)
1964 - Chez Andrée
1964 - Three Pigs BBQ (McLean)
1964 - Tom Sarris' Orleans House
1965 - Bay 'n Surf (Laurel)
1965 - Chick and Ruth's Delly (Annapolis)
1965 - Taj Majal
1965 - The Virginian
1966 - Alpine
1966 - The Birchmere (Alexandria)
1966 - The Guards
1966 - Japan Inn (present location since 1971)
1967 - Chadwick's
1967 - Childe Harold
1967 - The Hitching Post
1967 - Pizza Bazzano (Springfield)
1968 - The Globe and Laurel (Quantico, moved to Triangle in 1975, moved to Stafford in 2008)
1968 - James McLaughlin's Food Cart (Howard University)
1968 - Roy Rogers (Falls Church)
1968 - Stoney's (present location since 2006)
1969 - McLean Family Restaurant
1969 - Bob & Edith's Diner
1969 - Henry's Delicatessen & Carryout (U St.)
1970 - Black Rooster Pub
1970 - Ristorante Portofino (Crystal City)
1971 - Moe's Peyton Place (Springfield)
1971 - Pines of Rome (Bethesda)
1971 - The Wharf
1972 - Anthony's (Falls Church)
1972 - B&J (LeDroit Park)
1972 - Captain White Seafood City (The Wharf)
1972 - Golden Flame
1972 - The Palm (DC)
1972 - Mayaluna
1972*- O'Brien's Pit BBQ (Rockville)
1973 - Anita's (Vienna)

1973*- The Booeymonger (Georgetown)
1973 - China Garden (Rockville, Closed in Rosslyn and moved in 2019)
1973 - Old Town Grill (renamed from The Green Tree in 2011 (Leesburg))
1973 - Marco Polo
1973 - Stained Glass Pub
1973 - Taverna Cretekou
1973 - Vietnam Georgetown
1973 - Virginia Kitchen (renamed from Waffle King (Herndon))
1974 - Cafe La Ruche
1974 - Cantler's (Annapolis)
1974 - The Dubliner (Capitol Hill)
1974 - Far East (present location since 1980s)
1974 - JR's Stockyards Inn 
1974 - La Bergerie
1974 - Shanghai Garden (Van Ness)
1974 - Wu's Garden
1975 - Armand's Chicago Pizzeria (Tenley Circle)
1975*- Bistro Francais (Georgetown)
1975 - Celebrity Delly (Falls Church(?))
1975 - The Cracked Claw at Peter Pan (present location since 1989)
1975 - Duck Chang's
1975 - Essy's Carriage House
1975 - Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe (present location since 1988)
1975 - Ruffino's
1975 - The Tabard Inn (the oldest continuously operating hotel in DC, tea service offered since 1922)
1975 - Joe Theismann's (Alexandria)
1976 - Afterwords (at Kramerbooks)
1976 - Booeymonger (Georgetown)
1976 - Cafe Italia (S. Arlington)
1976 - La Chaumiere
1976 - Gadsby's Tavern
1976 - The Prime Rib (Baltimore location opened in 1965)
1976 - Silverado (renamed from Fantastic Fritzbe's Flying Food Factory)
1976 - Sushi-Ko
1976 - Table Talk
1976 - Vace (Cleveland Park)
1977 - 3 Brothers (Greenbelt)
1977 - Amphora (Vienna)
1977 - La Casa (Alexandria - Owned by the Monis family)
1977 - Mr. Day's (Dupont Circle)
1977 - Generous George's Positive Pizza Place (Alexandria)
1977 - Geppetto
1977 - Geranio (Alexandria)
1977 - Nizam's
1977 - Positano Ristorante Italiano
1977 - Rocco's Italian Restaurant 
1977 - Tia Queta
1978 - Artie's (Fairfax)
1978 - Bozzelli's Italian Deli (Fort Belvoir)
1978 - Havabite Eatery (Fairfax)
1978 - Joe's Pizza & Pasta (Woodbridge)
1978 - King's Court (Leesburg)
1978 - Market Lunch (Eastern Market)
1978*- Mixtec 
1978 - Peking Gourmet Inn
1978 - PJ Skidoo's
1978 - Pistone's Italian Inn
1978 - Potomac Pizza
1978 - Potomac Village Deli (Potomac Village location closed 2006 (catering remained open through 2016), moved to Kentlands 2016)
1978 - Three Brothers (Greenbelt)
1978 - Zio's
1979 - 219
1979 - Blue Ridge Seafood (Gainesville)
1979 - Booeymonger (Georgetown)
1979 - The Deli (Fairfax or Herndon)
1979 - Deli City (Langdon Park)
1979 - Floriana (East Dupont)
1979*- Grevey's (Merrifield)
1979 - Ice House Cafe (Herndon)
1979 - Lebanese Taverna (North Arlington)
1979*- Matuba (South Arlington)
1979 - Nora
1979 - Shooter McGee's (Alexandria)
1979*- Wolftrap Cafe and Catering

[Jacques Gastreaux]

Has it been decided that Gadsby's Tavern in Old Town Alexandria does not qualify for the list, as of it's original opening in the early 1790's?

Edited May 25, 2005 by Jacques Gastreaux

[DonRocks]

Has it been decided that Gadsby's Tavern in Old Town Alexandria does not qualify for the list, as of it's original opening in the early 1790's?

Nothing has been decided - there was some good reason I listed it as 1976; now I just need to figure out what it was.

[Sthitch]

Nothing has been decided - there was some good reason I listed it as 1976; now I just need to figure out what it was.

If I remember correctly, it was reopened in 1976. There has not been a restaurant continuously operating at that location.

[The Hersch]

What about the Trio, at 17th and Q? I haven't been able to find its original opening date, but I have found out that it has been operated by its current owner since 1950. It was supposedly operating in the same location under the same name when he bought it, though. Anyone have more info?

[TedE]

What about the Trio, at 17th and Q? I haven't been able to find its original opening date, but I have found out that it has been operated by its current owner since 1950. It was supposedly operating in the same location under the same name when he bought it, though. Anyone have more info?

I was flipping through one of those "History of Dupont" picture books one day (they have them for a number of D.C. neighborhoods) and remember seeing one of Trio's. At the time I was surprised at the date on the photo, but can't remember what it was. What is Fox and Hounds wasn't there, but the main storefront was. I seem to remember it was from the 30s. An article in the CP last week on the neon sign that now sits above Hank's has this little tidbit:

"As to the provenance of the sign, Mallios, who owns the complex that houses Trio, Trio’s Fox & Hounds, and now Hank’s, says that it’s been posted for 60 or 70 years."

So, there's that.

[Lydia R]

Thanks, this chronology was a real trip down memory lane.

Just in case this list made you hungry too, I'm tossing in a link I've been holding onto for a while. I realize there's more than one Post-Toastie lurking here - please don't spike this link - it's oddly soothing.

NOTE: my intent here is to share this virtual stroll - visiting tenured favorites, glimpsing early glimmers of promising things to come, and remembering those gone over to "that big kitchen in the sky." I'd thought about posting the link on C'hound, but didn't want the discussion pulled by the Team who'd anticipate critic critiques - miss Phyllis, but don't want anyone beating on Tom-Tom.

Phyllis Richman's 1997 Top 50

Edited May 27, 2005 by Lydia R

[Barbara]

I wouldn't overlook the expertise in the Washingtoniana section of the MLK library downtown, or the DC Historical Society. Somebody in either or both of those places can most likely settle this issue once and for all.

Those of you who are interested in the history of the city are advised to look at the City Directories at the Library. (Yes, there were directories BEFORE the telephone.) You can find restaurants and see where they were. I don't know how long it took for restaurant critics to come along and sort things out for us.

[JPW]

Thanks, this chronology was a real trip down memory lane.

Just in case this list made you hungry too, I'm tossing in a link I've been holding onto for a while. I realize there's more than one Post-Toastie lurking here - please don't spike this link - it's oddly soothing.

NOTE: my intent here is to share this virtual stroll - visiting tenured favorites, glimpsing early glimmers of promising things to come, and remembering those gone over to "that big kitchen in the sky." I'd thought about posting the link on C'hound, but didn't want the discussion pulled by the Team who'd anticipate critic critiques - miss Phyllis, but don't want anyone beating on Tom-Tom.

Phyllis Richman's 1997 Top 50

Welcome Lydia!

Just a note to tell you that if it's about food in DC it won't get "spiked".

There are no agendas here.

Interesting list.

[DameEdna]

Footnote Department:

I realize hotel eats are a different category. The Mayflower Hotel (built in 1925)

served lunch to J. Edgar Hoover (hotel claims "every working day", but that is

hard to believe) for twenty years.

Menu for JEH (always the same):

Chicken Soup

Salad (iceburg lettuce, grapefruit, cottage cheese)

(JEH provides own diet dressing)

Buttered White Toast

I have found menus for J. Edgar Hoover several times in my reading. Maybe

I need to re-evaluate my choices in reading material.

(I think the Mayflower Hotel will still dish up the JEH special if you would like to

try it)

--- Craig

[Jacques Gastreaux]

Reeves needs to be added to this list.

[Josh Radigan]

The Alpine restaurant located at the devils crossroads in arlington, that would be glebe road and lee highway. It was the original Evans Farm Inn, and actually called Evans Tea House, I think 1937.

[Al Dente]

If they dig through their guest book from 1937 (or thereabouts), they'll find a note that says "Salty as hell." 

Guess who from? 

Don Rockwell?

[goldenticket]

How about Tom Sarris' Orleans House in Rosslyn, opened in 1964.

(My grandmother's restaurant of choice for her 90th birthday dinner....I'd rather go to Ray's!)

Might want to get in there soon, for old time's sake, it might not around too much longer according to this article Battle to buy Orleans House

[goldenticket]

Table Talk in Alexandria - 1976 or so

(also soon to be a victim of development)

[goldenticket]

and another Alexandria spot:

Taverna Cretekou - 1973

[oliveDC]

Great list! The Tune Inn was first known as that in 1947, according to the Nardelli family. Joe Nardelli took it over in 1955...

[The Hersch]

How about Tom Sarris' Orleans House in Rosslyn, opened in 1964.

I'm not entirely convinced that this is the correct date. My family moved to Arlington in the summer of 1963, and I seem to remember that Tom Sarris' Orleans House was already well-established by then. I could be misremembering; I was quite young. Does anyone remember the other Tom Sarris establishment, up Wilson Blvd? I think it was called Tom Sarris' Chuckwagon, or something very similar. It was either in the shape of a covered wagon, or had a big covered wagon out front; I think it was the former, and it was really silly looking. I'm not sure that place made it out of the 1960s. It's been gone a long time.

[goldenticket]

I'm not entirely convinced that this is the correct date.

I found the date in the article that is linked in my original post about Orleans House.

Not sure about the other location.

[DonRocks]

I thought I'd bump this for new members - still looking for verification on Table Talk, Reeves, Trio and Alpine (can anyone confirm the years and let me know?)

Any new members have any additions? I just thought of Roy Rogers and Generous George's today, so I'm sure there are plenty more.

Cheers,

Rocks.

[Sthitch]

How long has JR's Stockyards been in Tyson's? For some reason I was under the impression that it even predates the mall.

[qwertyy]

When I worked at the Iron Gate Inn (N Street, between 17th and 18th), the owner told that it was the oldest restaurant in Washington. I can't remember the year it was established (early 20th century), but it's been continuously operating in the same location ever since. Its garden is also trellised by what are said to be the oldest grape vines in Washington.

[The Hersch]

The Iron Gate Inn has certainly been there for a very long time, but I've googled in vain trying to find a date.

As for the Trio, perhaps we should adopt 1950 as its opening date, as the eatery that was there before then was a "luncheonette" rather than a restaurant per se. You can read some of its history HERE. (I can't vouch for the accuracy of this.) That article also gives us 1967 as the opening date of the Fox and Hounds, which shares Trio's kitchen.

Another addition is: Mario's Pizza in Arlington, which opened in 1957.

I was going to suggest two others in Arlington, the Broiler on Columbia Pike and Pizza Pantry on Walter Reed Drive, which both date (I think) to the mid-1950s, but I can't find dates for either and I gather that Pizza Pantry finally closed recently.

[ScotteeM]

Another addition is: Mario's Pizza in Arlington, which opened in 1957.

Wow! When I worked in Rosslyn in the early 1980s, I remember getting takeout from Mario's for lunch and looking forward to it. In the 1990s, I worked in Arlandria and tried the Marino's on Jeff Davis Hwy, which was a franchise of Mario's, and while the menu was the same, the taste just wasn't.

[bioesq]

I thought I'd bump this for new members - still looking for verification on Table Talk, Reeves, Trio and Alpine (can anyone confirm the years and let me know?)

Any new members have any additions? I just thought of Roy Rogers and Generous George's today, so I'm sure there are plenty more.

Cheers,
Rocks.

There's the Normandie Farm Restaurant on Falls Road in Potomac, established in 1931. The original owners bought land at the Water Gate a few years later and opened an "in-town" version. Interesting history.

[Joe H]

The Iron Gate Inn has certainly been there for a very long time, but I've googled in vain trying to find a date.

As for the Trio, perhaps we should adopt 1950 as its opening date, as the eatery that was there before then was a "luncheonette" rather than a restaurant per se. You can read some of its history HERE. (I can't vouch for the accuracy of this.) That article also gives us 1967 as the opening date of the Fox and Hounds, which shares Trio's kitchen.

Another addition is: Mario's Pizza in Arlington, which opened in 1957.

I was going to suggest two others in Arlington, the Broiler on Columbia Pike and Pizza Pantry on Walter Reed Drive, which both date (I think) to the mid-1950s, but I can't find dates for either and I gather that Pizza Pantry finally closed recently.

The pizza pantry closed? My wife, who grew up eating there, is going to be devastated. First Tops, then Brenner's, now the Pizza Pantry....

[Giancarlo Buonarotti]

I thought I'd bump this for new members - still looking for verification on Table Talk, Reeves, Trio and Alpine (can anyone confirm the years and let me know?)

Any new members have any additions? I just thought of Roy Rogers and Generous George's today, so I'm sure there are plenty more.

Cheers,
Rocks.

The Blue and White on Wythe and Henry in "Old Town" has been there for over 60 years and has been in the same family, as has Hovermales in Oxon Hill. The blue and White is likely the best soul food shack in the area and boast lines longer than the Cheesecake factory-with far superior food and service. Hovermales soft serve ice cream reciepe changed about 20 years ago when the children took over from the parents, it's no longer worth the trip.

[Giancarlo Buonarotti]

I thought I'd bump this for new members - still looking for verification on Table Talk, Reeves, Trio and Alpine (can anyone confirm the years and let me know?)

Any new members have any additions? I just thought of Roy Rogers and Generous George's today, so I'm sure there are plenty more.

Cheers,

Rocks.

THe Blue and White on Wythe and Henry in "Old Town" is over 60 years old and still owned by the same family. THey serve soul food and have a line out the door that rivals the Cheesecake Factory

[clchurch]

Churreria Madrid (in Adams Morgan) 1973

[Jacques Gastreaux]

I thought I'd bump this for new members - still looking for verification on Table Talk, Reeves, Trio and Alpine (can anyone confirm the years and let me know?)

Any new members have any additions?  I just thought of Roy Rogers and Generous George's today, so I'm sure there are plenty more.

Cheers,

Rocks.

Information on the history of Reeves can be found here.. It appears to have opened as a grocery store in 1886 but it is not altogether clear when it morphed into a restuarant. It has been at its current location since 1992.

[Meaghan]

Does anyone know how long the Inn at Glen Echo (Irish Inn) has been standing? It was Trav's for a long time (I only know because I grew up at Glen Echo Park) and I'm sure the space has a sprawling history. Crazy bikers, chili, carving on the wooden tables...

Know what I'm talking about?

It used to be a morgue for Clara Barton, I think.

Okay, I'm lying.

[crackers]

You can add Chick and Ruth's Delly in Annapolis to the list. The Levitt family has been there since August, 1965.

[johnb]

There is a sandwich shop called Hodges, at 616 NY Ave., directly across the street from Marrakesh and AV, which claims to have been around since 1893 or thereabouts (yes, the second number is 8). A true dive--it looks as if the decor has not been upgraded since opening day, but they serve one helluva good roast beef sandwich, with juice and all. Also turkey, almost as good it is said but I haven't tried myself. $5.

Clientele seems to be mostly construction guys and cops, with a bit of everything else thrown in. Worth a visit.

I'll further investigate the age claim next chance I get.

Edited November 3, 2005 by johnb

[Bob Wells]

I thought I'd bump this for new members - still looking for verification on Table Talk, Reeves, Trio and Alpine (can anyone confirm the years and let me know?)

Any new members have any additions? I just thought of Roy Rogers and Generous George's today, so I'm sure there are plenty more.

Cheers,
Rocks.

Coach Stop in Middleburg has been around since 1958. The Red Fox Inn has been around for a long, long time -- they certainly deserve to be on the list but someone will have to determine what year they should be credited as opening in.

THe Leesburg Restaurant in Leesburg, according to their sign, opened in 1865. A few doors down, the Green Tree has been there at least since 1976 -- they have a Washingtonian Best Restaurants article from that year and Green Tree is the only survivor.

[ScotteeM]

The Red Fox Inn has been around for a long, long time -- they certainly deserve to be on the list but someone will have to determine what year they should be credited as opening in.

The historical info on the Red Fox Inn website dates the original building to 1728, as the first structure in what is now Middleburg (halfway between Alexandria and Winchester). The site claims that the building has had a few name changes over the year but has been in continuous operation since then. The inn changed hands in 1937, when the name was changed to Red Fox Inn. Guess that qualifies it as pretty old.

Edited November 10, 2005 by ScotteeM

[Mark Slater]

I thought I'd bump this for new members - still looking for verification on Table Talk, Reeves, Trio and Alpine (can anyone confirm the years and let me know?)

Any new members have any additions?  I just thought of Roy Rogers and Generous George's today, so I'm sure there are plenty more.

Cheers,

Rocks.

The Alpine started in DC on (I think) 19th St. in the late 70's/early 80's. They moved to VA a few years after that.

[Bob Wells]

The Alpine started in DC on (I think) 19th St. in the late 70's/early 80's. They moved to VA a few years after that.

One more: The Virginian, a diner in Vienna, opened in 1965. They are known for having only a pay phone -- if you want to call this place, you have to call the pay phone.

Now I find that to be very cool. Pay phones are oh so '65.

[Meaghan]

1967-Childe Harold

edited for fun

Edited January 19, 2006 by Meaghan

[Escoffier]

I thought I'd bump this for new members - still looking for verification on Table Talk, Reeves, Trio and Alpine (can anyone confirm the years and let me know?)

Any new members have any additions?  I just thought of Roy Rogers and Generous George's today, so I'm sure there are plenty more.

Cheers,

Rocks.

Pho 75 in Arlington, been around since 1975 (hence the name)...

[Escoffier]

Royal Restaurant

734 N. St. Asaph St., 703/548-1616

An Alexandria institution - celebrating 100 years in 2004! - famous for breakfast served all day, plus family favorites.

So it's 102 and still going....

[Jacques Gastreaux]

Royal Restaurant

734 N. St. Asaph St., 703/548-1616

An Alexandria institution - celebrating 100 years in 2004! - famous for breakfast served all day, plus family favorites.

So it's 102 and still going....

This should already be on the list.

[Escoffier]

This should already be on the list.

'Tis..someone was inquiring about age if I remember correctly.

[Escoffier]

Does anyone know how long the "cafeteria/lunchroom/dining hall" in the church meeting hall basement at Daddy Grace's Church (1800 6th St. NW) has been in existence? For soul food, it's hard to find a better place to eat. The fried trout at Flavors is a pale imitation (even though it's great).

Edited to add address and official name of the church: United House of Prayer for All People.

Edited January 20, 2006 by Escoffier

[DonRocks]

Does anyone know how long the "cafeteria/lunchroom/dining hall" in the church meeting hall basement at Daddy Grace's Church (1800 6th St. NW) has been in existence?  For soul food, it's hard to find a better place to eat.  The fried trout at Flavors is a pale imitation (even though it's great).

Edited to add address and official name of the church: United House of Prayer for All People.

Click!

[Escoffier]

Click!

well, I already knew a lot of that, but it didn't really answer how long the nice ladies have been serving that great soul food...I think it might also qualify as one of the older "dining rooms" in the area.

[rbh]

Duck Chang's (Annandale) - 1975 according to its web site.

Mike's Crab House (Annapolis) - 1958

Cantler's (Annapolis) - 1974

not sure how old Middleton's in Annapolis is.

[DonRocks]

Does some bold entrepreneur want to summarize the changes that need to go on the original list in the first posting? I don't think everything is slam-dunk sure, so err on the side of discretion if you wish to attempt it!

[Heather]

John Kelly's column today is about Mrs. K's Toll House, and features an interview with a former employee who worked there for over 50 years.

Things started to change in 1996 when Theo and Konstantina Margas bought the restaurant. Theo had run the King's Court in Rockville and the Cactus Grill.

Anyone know if these are the same people who own Theo's in Rockville? It's been recommended to us but not by anyone whose palates (correct, CrescentFresh? ) we trust.

[Bean]

I noticed Japan Inn was on the list. Is this the one on Wisconsin that recently shut its doors? Ah... the memories, I had many sake and sushi exploits there while in college. They did open a new restaurant in G. Town, but I haven't had a chance to check it out (strange hours).

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...5121500434.html

I couldn't find a thread either...

[DanielK]

Anyone know if these are the same people who own Theo's in Rockville?  It's been recommended to us but not by anyone whose palates (correct, CrescentFresh?  ) we trust.

Theo's has been recommended, or Mrs. K's?

Theo's is adequate Greek-American, but there are far better choices in the area (Mykonos, for example). Mrs. K's wasn't even worth it when I went last year and someone else paid...

[bioesq]

Does anyone know how long the Inn at Glen Echo (Irish Inn) has been standing?  It was Trav's for a long time (I only know because I grew up at Glen Echo Park) and I'm sure the space has a sprawling history.  Crazy bikers, chili, carving on the wooden tables...

Know what I'm talking about?

It used to be a morgue for Clara Barton, I think. 

Okay, I'm lying.

Before it was Trav's sometime in the 1970s, it was called Otto's. I think it's been a beer joint going back to at least the 50s, and probably before then.

[dinwiddie]

I believe The Alamo in Riverdale opened in 1954.

[KOK]

The Railroad Inn in Bowie, Md has been around since 1950, and started offering their "famous" pizza in 1961.

Thanks,

Kevin

[KOK]

Calvert House in Riverdale, Md and the Golden Bull in Adelphi, Md (the one in Rockville/Gaithursburg is probably long in the tooth as well).

Thanks,

Kevin

[Waitman]

Hank Dietle's Tavern seems to have been ignored...last outpost of "old" Rockville....great hamburgers, interesting clientele. Gone but not forgotten.

From the AOL guide:

Just across the Pike from White Flint shopping, Dietle's little bar charges less for a beer than most people pay to tip the valets in Rockville's most upscale mall. Though it's "Cold Beer" sign and country house style look a little quirky among the fast food joints and neon lights on Rockville Pike, Hank Dietle's Tavern is Montgomery County's last true roadhouse. It's a welcome retreat -- a no-nonsense neighborhood bar with cheap beer and cheap eats.

The old wooden floors still creak when you walk across the room, but nobody inside seems to care about the history. The tavern is rumored to have once been a schoolhouse or maybe a country store that dates back to the early 1900s. There's no chance you'll be wowed, but 8 wooden booths (whittled with old names), a jukebox (country and classic) and a couple of pinball machines give the place character. It's a great place to catch a game or chat with a friend. -- Denise Iacangelo

and then there's this:

One Rockville restaurant, Dietle's Tavern, contends it has closed because Montgomery County's smoking ban caused them to lose substantial business.

There used to be a Kidz Zone or some such hellhole in White Flint whee my son's presence was required for the occasional birthday party. My wife and I would dump him off and head across the street to Hank's for a couple of hours of quiet time in the kind of place we weren't getting to very often. Once Mrs. B asked for glass of wine (knowing that it would be swill, but preferring it to long-necked Budweiser). Must have taken the guy 15 minutes ti find the corkscrew -- whe may have been the only one effete enough to order wine at Hank's that year.

It is missed.

[SrtaJRosa]

Searching for a thread about Bob & Edith's or just diners in general...

Growing up in Philadelphia, I have always loved the diner experience. There is something genuinely American about diners...

I loved the Melrose diner in South Philly (they had the best hot apple pie with warm vanilla sauce!), and now I live for Bob & Edith's in Arlington. It is literally two steps from my doorstep...it's where to eat in VA at all hours of the night. And it's also a great neighborhood hangout. Sometimes it's a little crazy, and most weekend late-night hours it's a free-for-all.

My standard order? Cheeseburger everything no pickle with french fries, side of mayo, and a hot tea with cream and honey. Whenever I'm jonesin (did I just make up a word?) for a bite to eat, Bob and Edith are always there for me.

[Roger Troutman]

THe Leesburg Restaurant in Leesburg, according to their sign, opened in 1865. A few doors down, the Green Tree has been there at least since 1976 -- they have a Washingtonian Best Restaurants article from that year and Green Tree is the only survivor.

Leesburg Restaurant was a great place for breakfast when I lived there. The booths and the bar look to be at least 60 years old.

Also in Leesburg, Johnson's Charcoal Beef House opened the day that JFK was assassinated. Very little appears to have changed on the inside.

[Jacques Gastreaux]

My standard order? Cheeseburger everything no pickle with french fries, side of mayo, and a hot tea with cream and honey.

My standard order used to be an order of corned beef hash, a couple of eggs over easy and an order of home fries. At 3 Am after the bars have closed down, it sure filled the bill.

[grover]

The Wharf opened in 1971.

http://www.rtsrestaurant.net/Wharf.htm

[MC Horoscope]

Vienna Inn, 1960

[SrtaJRosa]

My standard order used to be an order of corned beef hash, a couple of eggs over easy and an order of home fries. At 3 Am after the bars have closed down, it sure filled the bill.

Speaking of miscellaneous sides...Oh, yeah...did I mention they have SCRAPPLE? That's right, scrapple! Maybe it's a regional thing, but I love it!!! Yeah, very good with pancakes and syrup!! Yummy!

Could this be the only place near the district that serves such a delight?

PS edited to replace "in" the district with "near" the district. Clearly, as an arlingtonian I still think of DC as home turf, but my favorite diner is in VA. Still close enough to call DC my hometown, specially bein a city girl and all.

[The Hersch]

1970 - Ristorante Portofino (Alexandria)

By the way, Portofino is in Arlington, not Alexandria. I didn't realize at the time how recently opened the restaurant was when the parents of one of my best friends in high school took a bunch of us there for a graduation celebration. I haven't eaten there since. Has anyone else ever eaten there? Is it any good? I remember it as a fairly solid Italo-American restaurant of the old school, but then, I was only 17 when I ate there.

[Escoffier]

By the way, Portofino is in Arlington, not Alexandria. I didn't realize at the time how recently opened the restaurant was when the parents of one of my best friends in high school took a bunch of us there for a graduation celebration. I haven't eaten there since. Has anyone else ever eaten there? Is it any good? I remember it as a fairly solid Italo-American restaurant of the old school, but then, I was only 17 when I ate there.

We ate there a while ago. Okay, but not memorable. The most memorable thing about the room was the gold flocked wallpaper. The worst was the (lack of) parking.

[Piradical]

Iron Gtae Inn. I believe we might be the oldest restaurant (NOT RESTAURANT NAME) in continuos operation in DC. Parts of the kitchen structure show it .

Opened in 1923. I have heard that there may be an older place in NE, a fish shack.

[legant]

Going, going, gone...

1955 - Yenching Palace

I'm waiting for confirmation but rumor has it that Walgreen's has bought the building.

[TSE]

Going, going, gone... I'm waiting for confirmation but rumor has it that Walgreen's has bought the building.

Great. That's just what Cleveland Park needs. Say what you will about the place, but Yenching Palace has some interesting history and (being right across the park from my house) was always a reliable delivery option.

Color me disappointed.

[NotQuickDraw]

Great. That's just what Cleveland Park needs. Say what you will about the place, but Yenching Palace has some interesting history and (being right across the park from my house) was always a reliable delivery option.

Color me disappointed.

That is a tragedy. Not because the food was all that great (it wasn't) but because I always loved the funky look of the place. Of course, I haven't eaten there in years, since I don't live near it anymore. I'm getting really tired of the cool local "one-offs" being replaced with chain stores. MacArthur CVS, anyone? And don't get me started on Times Square. Yes - I actually in some ways preferred the peep shows! Thus ends my rant for the day.

[hillvalley]

Chef Ruta should talk to the owners and open up Yenching Cafe-an old school hamburger joint using only the finest ground meat, homemade brioche and truffle cheese. It'll stay open 24 hours a day so they will be available at 2am, when you really need your Palena burger fix.

Stupid Walgreens

[The Hersch]

I remember getting a bizarre flyer from Yenching Palace, some time around 1994 or 1995. I wish I'd saved it. I guess it was a menu too, but it had all these blurbs from the press about how wonderful a place it was. I have to give it to them for being honest, because every one of the quotes was dated, and I believe the date range was from the Johnson administration all the way to the Nixon administration. It was quite odd. I never ate at Yenching Palace, but have always loved their façade, which I will hate to see go if it goes.

[Meaghan]

Stupid Walgreens

The only answer is to steal narcotics from Walgreens, CVS and Rite-Aid as much as possible. That's the only choice now. The only choice.

[Waitman]

I can't honestly admit that I'll miss Yenching Palace for second. The one time I ever ate there the food was alarmingly bad for any Chinese restaurant that didn't take your order from behind bulletproof glass. And if we had to save every restaurant where some political hack was a regular, there's be a lot of bad restaurants still hanging around town.

I'm always up for stealing narcotics, though.

[cheezepowder]

At a friend's request, I had dinner at Yenching Palace tonight. So it's still open, though I didn't ask if/when they're closing. This was my second time; I had been there once a long time ago. I had the twice cooked pork, which was decent. I've had much worse elsewhere. They had quite a few takeout customers while I was there.

I remember getting a bizarre flyer from Yenching Palace, some time around 1994 or 1995. I wish I'd saved it. I guess it was a menu too, but it had all these blurbs from the press about how wonderful a place it was. I have to give it to them for being honest, because every one of the quotes was dated, and I believe the date range was from the Johnson administration all the way to the Nixon administration. It was quite odd. I never ate at Yenching Palace, but have always loved their faí§ade, which I will hate to see go if it goes.

I took a copy of their takeout menu, and inside the front page, it still has the quotes you mentioned. All the quotes are from the 60's and 70's and nothing more recent. The quotes are also here on their website.

[Barbara]

I took a copy of their takeout menu, and inside the front page, it still has the quotes you mentioned. All the quotes are from the 60's and 70's and nothing more recent. The quotes are also here on their website.

I can see that the food they were/are turning out might have received those kinds of accolades in that time period. I can remember going to a Chinese restaurant (I don't remember which one) with a group of non-Chinese people in the early 1970's and listening to a comment that "Chinese food in America is getting blander and blander." After all, "Peter" Chang probably wasn't even a gleam in his Daddy's eye when those reviews were written. Plus, there was ZERO contact with the "real" Chinese back in those days. Still . . .

[MeMc]

There used to be a Kidz Zone or some such hellhole in White Flint whee my son's presence was required for the occasional birthday party. My wife and I would dump him off and head across the street to Hank's for a couple of hours of quiet time in the kind of place we weren't getting to very often. Once Mrs. B asked for glass of wine (knowing that it would be swill, but preferring it to long-necked Budweiser). Must have taken the guy 15 minutes ti find the corkscrew -- whe may have been the only one effete enough to order wine at Hank's that year.

It is missed.

I just realized this is the place that used to be owned by one of my students' families. They really miss it! I get to hear some great stories from her.

[legant]

Did I scoop DR on this one?

[cheezepowder]

Did I scoop DR on this one?

Does that mean Yenching Palace is now closed?

[legant]

Landmark restaurant to become drug store

[JLK]

Feeling somehow nostalgic for a place we'd never been (!), two friends and I had dinner at Yenching last night. Although it would have been sad to come out of there saying "damn! That was so good, I regret not going there for the five years I have lived nearby. And now it's closing!"

Well, it's sadder to have had dinner there and walk out saying "bleah, that food was truly awful." From tough spare ribs to dumplings with skins as thick as...well, I don't know what to inedibly sweet orange beef which had been noted as a spicy dish. The sauce was so gluey and sticky that the spoon would stick to the sauce rather than resting on the side of the plate. We also had the triple delight (meh) and chesnut chicken which had OK flavor, but featured chicken of dubious quality. All of us left a minimum of half of each dish on the plate; I managed just three bites of the two-sweet, gristly beef dish.

All in all, pretty gross, which made us sad. We actually didn't acknowledge it to each other until we were in the car driving away.

Dinner pre-tip was $81. This included three drinks and the aforementioned food.

[dcs]

opps on Hershey's facts, sorry.

how about the Quarterdeck in Arlington, Virginia. go to page 15 of the following link. it says it dates from the early 1930s.

http://www.rossren.com/rosslyn/content/fil...ws-2004Fall.pdf

if you've ever been there, you'll have to agree that it does look that old. great for crabs.

[bennybig1]

Marios in Va is legendary- my boss grew up in NoVa and took me there- 2 of the cooks have been there I believe over 30 years each. amazing.

[Anna Blume]

Does that mean Yenching Palace is now closed?

I guess the deal fell through.

I walk by Yenching Palace countless times a week and always wonder who goes there. Recently, I saw an SUV pull up and a bunch of young girls pile out with a few moms or Girl Scout leader. However, I haven't been there since the Reagan administration which postdates the reviews on the restaurant's Web site as several DR-members observe.

Clearly its heyday was in an era when Chinese restaurants represented the only kind of Asian cuisine familiar to many Americans and catered largely to those who did not speak Chinese. I imagine there were neither standards nor competition.

It's easy to use the place--or restaurants like this--for cheap shots. However, I am wondering just how Yenching Palace manages to stay in business, especially since it is located north of the metro stop that savvy tourists use when visiting the National Zoo.

I was actually planning to start a thread just on this one place and the issue of survival but noticed how many comments have been made about it in this thread.

[Anna Blume]

The closing of Yenching Palace is mentioned in passing today in The Washington Post.

[marmotte]

Majestic in Old Town Alexandria has some lovely evocative old pictures opposite its bar in the front of the restaurant showing the restaurant and staff over the years with captions -- nice images from the 20s and 30s. I think the captions said it was originally further down King Street and opened as the "New Majestic" after it moved to the current location around 1930(?). Maybe the new owners have more information. The pictures are worth a look.

I vaguely recall some clipping or article I read at Reeves that said Helen Hayes visited when she was young around 1912 or 1916(?) They had to move from the original location around 1988 when the building was torn down.

Wasn't Yenching Palace the place where there were secret meetings with the Russians during the Cuban missile crisis?

[Juventino]

The Alpine started in DC on (I think) 19th St. in the late 70's/early 80's. They moved to VA a few years after that.

I know it is an old post but this information is so not true. The Alpine started in 1965 in its current location, with the original owner/chef. Before this restaurant, it was the Evans Farm Inn which was opened in 1927. I verified this with Mr. Evans himself.

[DonRocks]

Feel free to add and/or correct and I"ll update the list as we go.

Cheers,

Rocks.

1856 - Old Ebbitt Grill (present location since 1983)

1860 - Old Angler's Inn

1904 - Royal Restaurant (present location since 1964)

1906 - Occidental Grill (closed 1972-1986)

1930 - Mrs. K's Toll House (Mrs. K is Mrs. Kreuzburg)

1931 - Normandie Farm

1933 - Billy Martin's Tavern (Opened the day after prohibition was repealed)

1937 - Quarry House Tavern

1937 - Red Fox Inn

1941 - O'Donnell's Seafood (present location since 2001)

1943 - Famous Luigi's

1945 - Crisfield Seafood

1946 - Tastee Diner (Silver Spring)

1947 - 29 Diner

1947 - Tune Inn

1947 - Woodside Deli

1948 - Old Europe

1949 - AV Ristorante Italiano (AV is Augusto Vasaio)

1949 - Blackie's

1950 - Trio

1952 - Hershey's Restaurant (Gaithersburg)

1954 - L'Auberge Chez Francois (present location since 1976)

1954 - Jerry's Subs and Pizza (Wheaton)

1955 - Ledo Restaurant (Adelphi)

1955 - Yenching Palace

1957 - The Brickskeller

1958 - Ben's Chili Bowl

1958 - Coach Stop (Middleburg)

1958 - Mike's Crab House (Annapolis)

1959 - Market Inn

1960 - Vienna Inn

1961 - Loeb's Perfect New York Deli (present location since 1979)

1962 - 1789

1963 - Clyde's (Georgetown)

1964 - Tom Sarris' Orleans House

1965 - Bay 'n Surf (Laurel)

1965 - Chick and Ruth's Delly (Annapolis)

1965 - The Virginian

1966 - Alpine

1966 - The Guards

1966 - Japan Inn (present location since 1971)

1967 - Chadwick's

1967 - Childe Harold

1967 - Pizza Bazzano (Springfield)

1968 - Roy Rogers (Falls Church)

1969 - Bob & Edith's Diner

1970 - Ristorante Portofino

1970 - Roy's Place

1971 - The Wharf

1973 - Anita's (Vienna)

1973 - Stained Glass Pub

1973 - Taverna Cretekou

1973 - Vietnam Georgetown

1974 - Cafe La Ruche

1974 - Cantler's (Annapolis)

1974 - La Bergerie

1975 - Armand's Chicago Pizzeria (Tenley Circle)

1975 - Bistro Francais

1975 - Celebrity Delly (Falls Church(?))

1975 - The Cracked Claw at Peter Pan (present location since 1989)

1975 - Duck Chang's

1976 - La Chaumiere

1976 - Gadsby's Tavern

1976 - The Prime Rib

1976 - Sushi-Ko

1976 - Table Talk

1977 - Generous George's Positive Pizza Place (Alexandria)

1977 - Geranio (Alexandria)

1978 - Peking Gourmet Inn

1978 - Pistone's Italian Inn

1979 - 219

1979 - Nora

I'm still looking for confirmation about Reeve's, JR's Stockyard Inn (their website says "over 25 years"), Iron Gate Inn, The Broiler, Pizza Pantry, Blue and White, Hovermales, Churreria Madrid, Hodges, Leesburg Restaurant, Green Tree, Red Fox Inn, Pho 75, United House of Prayer for All People, Middleton's, The Alamo, The Railroad Inn, Calvert House, Golden Bull, Johnson's Charcoal Beef House, Iron Gate Inn (when did it change names?), Quarterdeck, Marlo's, Majestic Cafe.

A lot of new members have never seen this thread - would anyone like to research the establishments listed in the previous paragraph, or maybe chime in with some new ones?

Cheers,

Rocks.

[cjsadler]

A lot of new members have never seen this thread - would anyone like to research the establishments listed in the previous paragraph, or maybe chime in with some new ones?

1953 - Mama Ayesha's

[kturkey88]

Might be slightly off-topic, but I saw Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) for the first time the other day...is the oyster bar in the movie supposed to be Old Ebbitt? I couldn't help but think so...

Any movie buffs out there?

[johnb]

I'm still looking for confirmation about Reeve's, JR's Stockyard Inn (their website says "over 25 years"), Iron Gate Inn, The Broiler, Pizza Pantry, Blue and White, Hovermales, Churreria Madrid, Hodges, Leesburg Restaurant, Green Tree, Red Fox Inn, Pho 75, United House of Prayer for All People, Middleton's, The Alamo, The Railroad Inn, Calvert House, Golden Bull, Johnson's Charcoal Beef House, Iron Gate Inn (when did it change names?), Quarterdeck, Marlo's, Majestic Cafe.

A lot of new members have never seen this thread - would anyone like to research the establishments listed in the previous paragraph, or maybe chime in with some new ones?

Cheers,

Rocks.

It was I who posted about Hodges in this thread (Nov 2005???). I believe they have (had?) some clippings on the wall stating the 1893 opening date. If true they would be the third oldest on the list. Are they still open? Real estate in that area would seem to make it somewhat unlikely. Unfortunately it's a bit difficult for me to check things out these days from my perch in NC.

One suggested tweek to the list--the restaurant in United House of Prayer for All People is called "Saints' Paradise Cafeteria."

[Hannah]

I'm still looking for confirmation about Reeve's, JR's Stockyard Inn (their website says "over 25 years"), Iron Gate Inn, The Broiler, Pizza Pantry, Blue and White, Hovermales, Churreria Madrid, Hodges, Leesburg Restaurant, Green Tree, Red Fox Inn, Pho 75, United House of Prayer for All People, Middleton's, The Alamo, The Railroad Inn, Calvert House, Golden Bull, Johnson's Charcoal Beef House, Iron Gate Inn (when did it change names?), Quarterdeck, Marlo's, Majestic Cafe.

A lot of new members have never seen this thread - would anyone like to research the establishments listed in the previous paragraph, or maybe chime in with some new ones?

Cheers,

Rocks.

Johnson's Charcoal Beef House closed May 15th, soon to be replaced by yet another cookie-cutter Chevy Chase Bank. Feh.

Red Fox Inn's current building has been in use as a tavern since 1830, but there's been a tavern on that site since 1728 or so. National Register of Historic Places confirms the dates.

[ol_ironstomach]

...Golden Bull...

Gaithersburg website also says "over 25 years" but I'm pretty sure that the last time I attended a Boy Sprout father/son dinner was 30 years ago now. Wasn't there another location at Riggs and Adelphi?

ETA: the WaPo archives contain an 1971 obit for "Thomas J. (Dutch) Connors, 70, co-owner of the Golden Bull Restaurant here", under the title "...co-owner since 1967".

[sparkycom]

Tabard Inn --197?

According to this http://www.tabardinn.com/UWarticle.pdf , Nora started here before opening her first restaurant.

[sparkycom]

The Monocle --1960

Hawk n' Dove --1967

[Mark Slater]

Gaithersburg website also says "over 25 years" but I'm pretty sure that the last time I attended a Boy Sprout father/son dinner was 30 years ago now. Wasn't there another location at Riggs and Adelphi?

I recall the original location at 16th and L in DC. It was my favorite place at the time.

[dgreen]

Johnson's Charcoal Beef House closed May 15th, soon to be replaced by yet another cookie-cutter Chevy Chase Bank. Feh.

Red Fox Inn's current building has been in use as a tavern since 1830, but there's been a tavern on that site since 1728 or so. National Register of Historic Places confirms the dates.

Their web site has this for it's history:

In 1728, Joseph Chinn built a tavern out of the local fieldstone at the half-way point between Alexandria and the frontier town of Winchester, Virginia, along what is today known as the John Mosby Highway. The territory around Mr. Chinn's Ordinary, as it came to be called, was part of the vast estate of Thomas, sixth Lord Fairfax and Baron Cameron, an eccentric bachelor who preferred his log cabin on the Shenandoah to the celebrated social responsibilities of his London palace on the Thames. Chinn's Ordinary soon became a popular stopping-point for traveling colonists, and around 1748 was visited by an enthusiastic young surveyor named George Washington.

In 1787, Chinn's Crossroads and fifty acres were sold to the newly chartered town of Middleburg for $2.50 an acre. Middleburg was so named because it lay a day's ride by coach or on horseback from Alexandria and another day's ride from Winchester in the Shenandoah Valley. Thus being in the "middle," the village provided the overnight resting stop for travelers making the 70-mile overland journey. While Middleburg prospered and grew in reputation as the nation's foremost area for fox hunting, thoroughbred breeding, and horse racing, Chinn's Ordinary remained the focal point for the area's social and economic activities. In 1812, Chinn's Ordinary was christened the Beveridge House. It was enlarged to 35 rooms and an extensive new wine cellar was added.

During the Civil War, the Beveridge House was often used by the Confederates. Most notably, it was where General Jeb Stuart met with Colonel John Mosby and his famous Mounted Rangers. And at the beginning of the Gettysburg campaign, as fierce cavalry battles raged around Middleburg, the inn served as both headquarters and as a hospital for the Confederates. While strategy was planned upstairs in what today is the Jeb Stuart Room, wounded soldiers were cared for in the tavern rooms below. The pine service bar, which is in use today in the Tap Room, was made from the field operating table used by an Army surgeon who served with General Stuart's cavalry.

In 1887, the Beveridge House was renamed the Middleburg Inn, and continued to offer fine food and accommodations in the best Virginia tradition.

In 1937, a local citizen saved the venerable building from the wrecking ball and renamed it the Red Fox Inn, as it is known today. The historic structure was remodeled with the help of a then young local architect, William Dew, who still lives and works in the village.

Throughout the years, the Inn has been used for many notable events and by many well-known people and has remained a popular destination for anyone who seeks a romantic hideaway in the heart of the hunt country. The Jeb Stuart Room, for example, served as the stage for a rare press conference by President Kennedy and as a meeting room for hopeful Democrats hosted by Ambassador Pamela Harriman, a local fox-hunting resident; Elizabeth Taylor often graced the Tap Room both during the courtship and after her marriage to a local gentleman, Senator John Warner; and the lovely and kind Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis frequently stayed at the Inn during fox-hunting holidays each fall. Today, film and music celebrities are often seen in the hotel and dining rooms.

The Red Fox Inn is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.

[Pete]

According to this strange "Company Resume", JR's Stockyard Inn opened in 1978.

[bioesq]

Roy's Place has been in Gaithersburg since 1970, but has been in business since 1955. It moved from Rockville when they knocked down the central business district and built that ill-fated mall that resembled a rodent maze.

[dgreen]

What about The Fish Market in Oldtown?

[DanielK]

Gaithersburg website also says "over 25 years" but I'm pretty sure that the last time I attended a Boy Sprout father/son dinner was 30 years ago now. Wasn't there another location at Riggs and Adelphi?

The two Golden Bull locations have different ownership now; they've been separate for at least 10-15 years, but clearly that wasn't always the case.

[dgreen]

Havabite in Oldtown Fairfax since 1978.

[goldenticket]

I'm still looking for confirmation about Blue and White....

From this 2006 Post article it looks like the Blue and White (corner of Wythe and Henry in Alexandria) has been there since at least 1972. Apparently, that's debatable

As one regular said, "The Blue and White has been there and been there and been there."

Like a comfortable, worn shoe or an old friend, the Blue and White has occupied this corner of north Old Town for as long as anyone can remember, and no one, including the owner, is exactly sure when it opened.