Although LaTanya is trying to cook at home more often, she can't help but find herself eating at her favorite restaurants several times per week ordering her favorite dishes.
You never know when you might "bump into her"!
The Broiler (Pizza & Subs)
3601 Columbia Pike
Arlington, VA zip code
Phone: (703) 920-5944
In existence for over 30 maybe 40 years. Anyone who grew up in South Arlington in the 60s and 70s knows about the Broiler. It has changed ownership recently, but still is pretty good.
Favorite: Large (square) pizza, pepperoni, sausage, mushroom, extra sauce. Also, try their cheese steak sandwiches.
Chipotle (Tex Mex)
www.chipotle.com
Favorite: Burrito Bowl with chicken, grilled peppers and onions, lettuce, cheese, a little of tomatillo (red chili hot), a little of tomatillo (green chili medium). No beans, no rice. Your mouth will be on fire! It's good though and inexpensive.
Morton’s the Steakhouse (steak)
www.mortons.com
Favorite: Happy Hour at the Bar. (Arlington, Bethesda or Reston)
- $7 appetizers - petite sirloin hamburgers, shrimp, crab cakes, filet mignon sandwiches
- Morton’s “Special” Cosmopolitan Martini.
- Plus, must, must get the Morton's Legendary Hot Chocolate Cake. Order cake in advance. It takes 20 minutes to prepare. Yummy! Heavenly! A special treat!
Edy's Chicken & Steak (Peruvian Rottissaire)
5240 Leesburg Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041-3101
Phone: (703) 379-3922
Favorite: Chicken sandwich with provolone and onions. You might think its healthy because it's chicken. Be warned that they give you lots of chicken; almost too much for the bun to handle and plus; the natural juices and oils are soaked up by the bun. So, it's probably high fat; but soooo good! I love the spicy green sauce. Side order of Yuca and Platanos. Don't forget the Inca Cola.
The Cheesecake Factory (variety)
www.thecheesecakefactory.com
Favorite: JAMAICAN BLACK PEPPER SHRIMP
Sauteed Shrimp with a Very Spicy Jamaican Black Pepper Sauce.
Served with Rice, Black Beans, Plantains and Cooling Mango Salsa. Pretty much, anything you order at the Cheesecake factory is good.
Jerry's Seafood (crab)
www.jerrys-seafood.com
9364 Lanham Severn Rd
Lanham, MD 20706
(301) 577-0333
Favorite: Jerry's famous Crab Bomb is made of ten ounces of fresh hand picked jumbo lump crab meat, seasoned with Maryland's own Old Bay Seasoning, lightly held together with mayonnaise, and baked to a golden perfection. Phillip's Restaurant Premium Crabcake used to be the best. But the Crab Bomb has taken it's place. It is the best crab cake I’ve tasted. No fillers. Huge size!
- Also, try Aunt Dorothy’s classic Maryland Crab Soup. With its tomato base, hearty vegetables, spicy sausage, Old Bay seasoning, and two ounces of freshly hand picked jumbo lump crab meat you will keep going back for more.
Charcoal Kabob (Afghan)
Super K-Mart Center
394 Elden St. (Herndon Pkwy.)
Herndon, VA 20170
www.charcoalkabobhouse.com
703-435-2400
This popular Herndon hangout lures locals with good, cheap Afghan food and excellent breads. Seasonings tend to be fiery, so ask about spiciness before you order. There are a number of kinds of kebabs. But if you like things hot, the best bet is the highly seasoned chapli kebab; it might bring tears to your eyes. Note: They make a great mango lassi, the famous yogurt-mango drink.
Favorite: Chicken Curry with sides of spinach, chick peas and bread. I sometimes ask for extra curry sauce to dip the bread. Fantastic!
Carrabba’s Italian Grill (Italian)
www.carrabbas.com
Favorite: Chicken Marsala – entrée, grilled chicken breast topped with mushrooms, prusciutto, and Lombardo Marsala wine sauce. Side order Cavatappi Amatriciana (pasta). Yummy! If you sit at the Kitchen Bar, the chefs sometimes give you free, small samples of the appetizers. ...although; that usually only happens when I go without a male escort/date.
Ruth Chris Steak House (steak)
www.ruthschris.com
Favorite: Happy Hour at the Bar. (Tysons Corner)
- $7 appetizers - prime burger with fries, the best melt-in-your-mouth sliders & seared Ahi Tuna.
