“Ballston Local is not just a restaurant; it's a beacon of culinary delight, casting a warm and welcoming glow over the neighborhood. With its super friendly service and an atmosphere as inviting as a family gathering, this spot is a testament to the joy of shared plates and hearty conversations.Our culinary journey at Ballston Local was nothing short of a gastronomic festival, celebrating the finest in casual dining with a twist of sophistication. The Mama's Meatballs, nestled in herbed ricotta and accompanied by perfectly grilled garlic bread, were so tender and flavorful as if every bite whispers a secret recipe passed down through generations, served with a dollop of love.The Caprese Crostini was a symphony of flavors, harmonizing the saltiness of prosciutto with the freshness of tomato and arugula, all elevated by a drizzle of balsamic reduction that danced on the palate. It wasn't just an appetizer; it was an aria, sung by the ingredients in perfect pitch.Pizza lovers, rejoice, for the Sausage & Roni Pizza is a masterpiece of dough, cheese, and cured meats. The blend of pepperoni, Italian sausage, mozzarella, parmesan, and basil was a testament to the power of simple ingredients coming together to create something magical. Each slice was a ticket to an Italian countryside.The Italian Pork Store Special sandwich was a hearty homage to the classic Italian deli experience, with layers of prosciutto, sopressatta, ham, and fresh mozzarella, accented by roasted peppers and arugula, then kissed with vinaigrette. It was a hearty handheld feast that transported us straight to the streets of Rome, one savory bite at a time.And then, there was the Blumont Burger, a burger behemoth that stood tall and proud. The caramelized onions, gorgonzola, arugula, and bacon came together in a beautiful, messy, glorious union, all slathered in burger sauce that could only be described as "nectar of the gods." It was the kind of burger that demands your attention, commanding the stage with the poise of a seasoned actor. I'm not usually a fan of blue cheeses, but I would come back for this.The beverage menu at Ballston Local was a parade of liquid joy. From a beer and wine list that is both satisfying and inviting to a fun and tasty cocktail menu that sparked conversation and laughter like the "Spa Day" made with gin, lavender simple syrup, and lime juice sparkling with gold flakes, every sip was a celebration of good taste and great company.Overall, Ballston Local, in essence, is more than a restaurant--It's a place where every dish is a discovery, every drink a delight, and every visit a return to a place where you're always welcome.“
“I came to DC from Utah in the fall 2023 semester for a Senate internship. I lived in Crystal City and am a massive sports fan. I was at this place a minimum of three times a week for NFL football games, sometimes more for college games. The staff was amazing and very helpful. They brought my food out quickly each time. The staff even put on my favorite college basketball team when I asked (Utah Valley University Wolverines). Amazing staff, good food, and the best atmosphere at a bar I've ever seen. This place is one of the things I miss about my time in DC the most, and I will definitely be coming back here for more games when I return to DC.“
“At least based on my lunch experience, I'm surprised WJ's Tavern is rated so lowly. I loved the salmon wrap...and they even asked how we wanted our salmon done (and mine was perfect medium-rare which is my usual test of the kitchen's attention to detail). It's a great wrap with wasabi slaw poised against the strong salmon flavor with other delicious bits thrown in...but lunch also includes a wide choice of excellent sides (mine was the fine side salad and my companion's elote corn was great, too, served on two short corn cobs). Service was friendly, if a tad slow (it was an off-hour lunch) and the tavern is a cozy place to hang out. There's a great central TV bar with some hunky slinging drinks and working hard. The sour cherry pie and ice cream for dessert was also delicious. Cheap, no; but I'd go back for that salmon wrap ASAP.“
“A fun happy hour spot in a prime spot in Arlington. Decent seating area to pair with the various arcade games you can play (requires $), primarily pool/billiards and pinball.The whole staff was superb from top down. There’s few who you’ll find are more kind than Mel in the service industry.The only caveat I’ll say is it’s essentially self-serve — you have to order your food/drink by the bar. But the swift service more than makes up for it, as I never had to wait more than a minute for my drink.Parking: There’s a paid parking garage right by the restaurant. There’s also streetside parking during certain hours, not sure if it costs money.“
“Well “The Hood” is out and about as Spring is getting officially closer. Had lunch here and it was ok. Good bar atmosphere loud and exciting. Food: good had a la Cubana (possible spelling error). The gang with me had various food. Sorry for no pictures the hood was hungry. Service: good people checking on you as you go. We apparently threw the server off when she asked at the end if it was separate checks and we said yes. She had some difficulty with it 1/2 hr later she finally got the bills right. Atmosphere: if you like the bar type scene a great place to go. Well as the weather gets better The Hood will be out and about again. I’m not here to judge just looking for great food awesome service and a great atmosphere. Remember to be good to each other because you never know when The Hood will be in. Be kind to each other and keep adventuring!“
“Listennnnnnn, I've had Astro Doughnuts before and they are amazing. But the one in VA is the only one that gives you a doughnut with espresso in it! They cut a hole in the doughnut put Nutella in there and that keeps it from soaking the doughnut.....whoever invited this is a genius. Chicken sandwiches was one of the best I've had in the DMV. The service was fantastic. She informed me on the specials and how the coffee doughnut was made.“
“Do you like wings? Of course you do. Otherwise why the hell are you looking at eating at a place that basically is a wing place? Are the wings good? Yes. They are good. But the sauces and rubs are freaking delicious and has something for everyone. If you can't find a wing sauce that you like it probably says more about your mental stability than it does about these wings. Maybe you should take some stock of your own well being?Order some sauces. Some beers. Enjoy wings. Be a better human.Also? It's a dive bar atmosphere with people that love what they do. Enjoy that too.You're welcome.“
“This place is very spacious/open and is great for kids/babies! I came with a group of 5-10 for brunch on a Saturday and there was plenty of space for all of us. Food was great and lots of drink options. Service was nothing to write home about, but I wouldn’t expect super quick/attentive service for a beer hall and it wasn’t too bad.“
Bar • $$
“Had a work event here. They roped off a quieter corner for us despite having a tournament going on that night. Their appetizers were tasty, and the beverages were great. We all had a great evening, and really appreciated the venue's willingness to accommodate us.“
“Stayed at the Holiday Inn so we ate here and were pleasantly surprised! The yuca fries and crab dip were so good! The fries are really crispy and the sauce is creamy and a little spicy. The house red on the happy hour menu was also good for $6. Wasn't busy at all on a Monday during happy hour, but the service was great and prompt.“
“I'm glad to hear that you've had consistently positive experiences at this burger joint! The diverse selection of delicious burgers, generous portions of onion rings, and flavorful milkshakes make it a top choice in the Courthouse area. It's always comforting to have a reliable go-to spot for satisfying burger cravings. If you ever need more dining recommendations or tips, feel free to ask!“
“Great local dive bar. There's no table service anymore but bartenders are friendly and helpful. Karaoke night on Friday and Saturday is always fun. If you arrive on the early side there's not many people signed to sing which can be a fun opportunity. Customers always seem pretty chill and friendly too.Vegetarian options: They have a few vegan options, mostly sides like yucca fries or sweet potato fries though“
“Chill local spot that I've been coming to for a couple years since moving to CC. There's a a lot of space and the bartenders are awesome. They do trivia on Mondays and it's pretty fun. They literally just added pizza to the menu - get the pepperoni“
“We had a blast here last night at trivia! It was five rounds of 11 questions and I loved how they covered many different topics. I also appreciated using a phone app to play, which definitely helped with hearing questions when the restaurant was packed and quite lively. For food, I got the blackened mahi-mahi and brussels sprouts. The mahi-mahi was scrumptious, tender and smoky from the grill. It was served over yummy cilantro rice and creamy/zesty lemon butter sauce. Needless to say, I wiped my plate clean! The brussels sprouts was also stellar - everything crispy in it from bacon to shallots to the actual brussel sprouts. It was served with bleu cheese, which rounded out the crispy heartiness with just the right amount of funk! We also sampled through a few of the delicious beers on tap from kolsches to sours. Service was prompt and great, too. What a fun time - hope to come back soon!“