CarrotStick

Krystal has had the Krystal Chikfor years. Sometimes they have the spicy Chik. Those Chick-Fil-A thingies look tasty, though!

Check out the soccer field in Arlington at Gunston Middle School (2700 S. Lang St) on weekends and nice weekday evenings. I have seen up to three taco trucks at a time if there is a good soccer match going on. Haven't tried any of them yet...

Oh! Do tell! I love Fat Burger!

This just in....Ray's the Steaks kicks the Caucus Room's ass. This weekend involved back-to-back steak dinners. Exhibit A: The Caucus Room. Service haughty, atmoshpere/decor nice. Filet Mignon (medium) overcooked, dry and tasteless. Creamed spinach watery, mashed potatoes adequate. Steak was rated a grudging 6/10 and we felt (party of three late-20s folks) like we were sitting at the kiddie table at Thanksgiving. Exhibit B: Ray's the Steaks. Service friendly, welcoming. Decor- ok, Caucus Room wins this one. Crab bisque: moan-inducingly good. Filet Mignon (medium) au poivre with sauteed garlic. Fabulous- tender, tasty, perfectly cooked. Creamed spinach and mashed potatoes delish. Steak was rated a 9/10. Want to go back now!! Ya'll already know Ray's rocks the house. Thanks, Michael and team for such a great place.

Is Fanta a southern thing? I used to loooove getting a grape Fanta out of the old-style cooler at the hardware store when I went with my dad.

They used to have greens, at least where I grew up. I think macaroni/pasta salad would be a good one. It could be made in mass quantities and kept cold in miniature buckets.

I used to eat cream cheese and dill pickle sandwiches on white bread. Also paste and dog biscuits.

I like the Crystal City Sports Pub's hot wings. Moghul Grill (Pakistani) is good. I noticed that Thai Smile is under renovation and soon to re-open as Urban Thai. Nothing on that strip to make it a destination, but it is pretty decent neighborhood grub.

Also frozen custard, but I had a nice cone at the Del Ray Dreamery in Alexandria last weekend.

This is my favorite dish from Lotus of Siam restaurant in Las Vegas. Does anyone know how to make it? The menu description (which is pretty accurate on how it tastes) is: "Minced sour sausage mixed with green onion, fresh chili, ginger, peanuts, crispy rice and lime juice." I dream of this dish but can't find it anywhere else! Thanks!

Not downtown, but "anonymous sources" have told me that both the CIA and NSA cafeterias rock!

Closer to your home, try the 23d Street "restaurant row" in Crystal City. There's no Indian, but we've got Pakistani, two Thai choices (I prefer Thai Smile to Top Thai), Vietnamese, several Italian places, and the Crystal City Sports Pub. Get the Wayne's wings at the Sports Pub if ya like spicy. None of these are chains, none are pricy- and welcome to DC!

I love me some Chick Fil A. I actually like the sandwiches better when they've been in the bag under the heat lamp for a while. It kind of steams the bun, and the pickle juice permeates the bun and chicken. Mmmmmmm..... I also love Krystal but think White Castle is better and wish we had either in DC.

I drive a Mini Cooper. It is great for hauling goat cheese and wine. And it gets 40 miles to the gallon- but my name's not Muffy

Man, this is some good stuff! Finally made it to Ray's last night and feasted on NY Strip, ribeye, mashed potatoes, spinach- and took half of it home! Next time I go, I won't eat that day. Excellent- the only negative is the noise.

I, too, like Chipotle. Barbacoa Burrito Rice Pintos Hot salsa and the one with corn guacamole cheese lots o' napkins. Now, thinking about it, the Chipotle in Rosslyn has a patio. I wonder if I can take my dog there to eat

In Lake City, FL: the Fu King Chinese Restaurant.

Even in an outdoor setting? I can understand people not wanting dogs inside a restaurant, but what about out on a patio or sidewalk? Obviously, I'm a dog lover, but I don't see the harm in that. Think about all the hygeine issues with outdoor dining anyway- pigeons, leaves, cicadas....

I wonder how doggie happy hour and cicadas will mix ?

There is a doggie happy hour at the Holiday Inn Old Town Alexandria. They have a website at Doggie Happy Hour I have not yet taken my dog, but hope to soon!

Popeye's has chicken fingers.

Add me to the group that doesn't think the grocery stores here suck too bad. I live in Arlington and shop at the Shopper's Food Warehouse in Potomac Yard for most things, the Harris Teeter Pentagon Row for meats and Slavin and Sons for seafood. I am currently in exile in south Georgia and had to go to four different stores to get the ingredients for Thai curry. Now that sucks!

Lambert's is definitely cool. And there are outlet malls in Foley to work off the chicken fried steak.

I've only tried Korean food once, at Sorak Garden. Here's a question- all those little dishes of food that they bring you- are you supposed to eat them by themselves or use them as condiments with the barbecue? My friends and I did the latter. I think the waiter was already laughing at us anyway so if this is a faux pas, it wasn't pointed out. I think Korean barbecue is fun!

The China Garden love never fails to amaze me. I work in that building, and China Garden is where people eat when it is too nasty to go outside and get something else! Their food has always been greasy and underseasoned , their service brusque. The only good thing to me is that you get free hot tea. I do like Village Bistro in the same shopping center as Ray's, and can't wait to try Ray's when I can get a reservation before 9:30pm!