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Stop-In Food Store is a chain grocery store. We stopped in Waynesboro on the way from Charlottenville to Staunton. We were looking for some food to buy at low price. That store didn't look attractive to be honest.
We didn't buy anything there except home-made, thick, vegetable soup which cost only $0.99. Believe or not, it was probably the best soup I ever had in the USA. So, I took the second bowl and I noticed that two other local customers did the same thing. Leave a Comment Theme: Grocery Store/MarketPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveAddress: 301 E Broad St., Waynesboro, VAPhone: +1 (540) 942-3930Directions: In western Virginia. Waynesboro is 95 miles northwest of Richmond and 140 miles southwest of Washington, DC. Stop-In Food Store is along US-250, corner N. Charlotte Ave.
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 BROOKSIDE RESTAURANT, LURAY by matcrazy1
To my surprise it worked quite differently in buffet style Brookside restaurant which offers homestyle cooking and a friendly family atmosphere. Well, it wasn't my best restaurant in Virginia but very good. There were very few visitors that cloudy October day, so we were seated immediatelly. The service was fast and good. As for the interior design, the building looks better from the outside, in my opinion.
I had Virginia ham steak which was a bit salty but very good. Urszula had delicious beef steak and salad bar. The only bad thing was Urszula's American beer. She should have ordered local wine or water as I did. The portions were not that large as in some other restaurants but enough.
To my surprise, the prices were reasonable despite the touristy location. As I remember, we paid about $25 for two including tax and tip.
Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: 2978 US Highway 211 East, Luray, VA 22835Phone: +1 (540) 743-5698Directions: In the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, 15 min. east of I-81: take exit 264 to US-211 East and follow the direction signs to Luray Caverns. The restaurant is in front of the Luray Caverns parking lot.Website: http://www.lifeservant.com/christie/Restaurant.lsp Other Contact: Brookside@rica.net
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Nat (b1bob) chose this restaurant for our last meal on American soil in the end of our fantastic southern odyssey just before flight back to Poland from nearby Dulles Airport. And it was a perfect choice, thanks Nat.
The building is a preserved streamline modern diner and quite popular place as I noticed. The smoking section, with tabletop jukeboxes in small booths, however, has an old-fashioned feel. The menu is far larger - and far more eclectic - than you might find in a typical diner. Inexpensive breakfast is served 24 hours a day and 29 Diner is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. They are closed on Christmas Eve for about 12 hours and that's all. The only thing noteworthy about the breakfast is that it's the South, so you can get grits (a type of maize porridge).
According to the official website, the 29 Diner building was delivered to its location in 1947 and is registered Virginia Historical Landmark. Let me explain.
A diner is a prefabricated restaurant building typical for the Northeastern United States especially New Jersey. Diners developed from mobile lunch wagons and are a favorite pop culture memory for many. In many areas, diners were superceded in the 1970s by fast food restaurants. I am suprised that this one in Fairfax survived. Today it's surrounded by development area of strip malls and car dealerships. The number 29 derives from the Route 29 by which it's located. In 1947, Route 29 was a rural place and the diner was in the middle of nowhere. It was basically a truck stop.
I and Urszula ordered omelettes which were huge and tasted great. They were served with delicious West Creek Grape Jelly packed in little paper bags like tea-bags. Additionally, what's important, we didn't pay much.
Leave a Comment Theme: DinerPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveAddress: 10536 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22030Phone: +1 (703) 591-6720Directions: Northern part of Fairfax, 19 miles west of Washington, DC downtown. Take exit 60 off I-66 to Route 123 South (direction Woodbridge), drive about half a mile and turn on lights right to Route 29 and 50, Diner 29 is on your right, a parking lot in front.Website: http://www.29diner.com Other Contact: Fax:+1 (703) 937-4731
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 GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST,
BASHIR'S TAVERNA by matcrazy1, 4 more photos
We had grilled chicken breast with honey mustard and spicy lamb sausages with mint sauce.
Well, it tasted very good, especially lamb sausages, although I am not a dedicated fan of lamb meat. One, large dish with assorted salads and bread (enough for two) cost only $9.00 including tax. If you don't mind plastic cutlery, dishes and glasses Bashir's Taverna is a very good choice.
Leave a Comment Theme: Eclectic/InternationalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: 507 E. Main St., Charlottesville VA 22902Phone: +1 (434) 923-0927Directions: Charlottesville is 70 miles northwest of Richmond and 120 miles southwest of Washington, DC. Bashir's Taverna is in downtown, at eastern end of the Downtown Mall next to the Post Office.Website: http://www.bashirs.com Other Contact: bashir@bashirs.com
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I was advised many times to ignore the national restaurant chains in the USA. And mostly, during my second US trip, I followed this suggestion. However my visit to Mexican chain restaurant - the Chili's in Crystal City (part of Arlington) proved to be the exception to that rule. This restaurant was more than only a good surprise, it was just great experience.
LOCATION
At southern edge of the center of Crystal City just off main Jefferson Davis Hwy (US-1) but a little bit far from Crystal City metro station, maybe 10 min. on foot. Shortage of parking space forces to look for paid garage nearby.
WHAT A MEETING!
When we entered the Chili's, as usual in the USA, we had to wait to be seated. Thin, Asian waitress welcomed us with charming smile and asked us wether we prefer to be seated by the window. The restaurant was elmost empty, only a few guys were sitting at the bar. Kathy, as usual, started to talk very fast with the waitress, and suddenly she told us that she had a surprice for us. What surprice, I asked. The waitress came away and Kathy replied: wait a moment. In a minute we saw a young guy who came to us and said: "Dobry wieczor" which means good evening in Polish language. It was really great surprice. We met a Pole and could speak in Polish! The waitress found a table for us. While Kathy who didn't understand Polish sat alone at the table, we were talking with the Polish guy.
INTEROR
A little bit dark, nothing fancy, but nicely designed bar desk and confortable seperated boxes, each for four people.
SERVICE
Great, fast, competetive and costumary very nice. Our Asian, thin waitress had hard work about us as we changed our order 3 times :-).
Kathy ordered delicious CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA ($10.99): sliced Cajun chicken breast on penne pasta with creamy Alfredo sauce, seasoned tomatoes, Parmesan cheese and garlic toast.
Urszula and I had FAJITA QUESADILLAS ($9.99): "fajita steak or chicken with grilled onions and Jack cheese in buttery toasted tortillas. Served with rice, black beans, sour cream & pico de gallo ". I added guacamole ($0.99). I didn't understand part of my order: guacamole, Jack cheese and pico de gallo, silly me.
Let me explain now:
Jack cheese, or Monterey Jack cheese is a skim milk cheese added to many Mexican dishes I ate in the USA. This one in my fajita dish was similar to the one I had in Tijuana, Mexico and softer than those which I tasted in the West (say, California) where it tasted similar to Cheddar.
Pico de gallo is a garnish made from chopped onion, tomato, and chiles (typically jalapenos or serranos). Other ingredients can also be added. In Chili's cucumber was added (others include lemon, lime, raddish). Chiles (the chile peppers) were cultivated since prehistoric times in Peru and Mexico. They were discovered in the Caribbean by Columbus.
Guacamole is a thick mixture (green in color) of ripe avocado, tomato, onion and spices which is usually eaten cold with bread. There was no bread in Chili's but fajitas.
We chose fajita steak which tasted over-average. Maybe it should be served a little bit warmer or just we were talking too lot before eating, that's easy with Kathy, believe me :-). The rice, guacamole and black beans were top class (we say in Polisk: "a sky in a mouth". Sour cream was more decoration of my plate than a thing to eat. I don't like and didn't eat it. Pico de gallo was mild which was great for me as I hate dishes made so spicy you can't taste anything else.
Leave a Comment Theme: MexicanPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 320 23rd Street, Suite 250; Arlington, VA 22202Phone: +1 (703) 413-8181Directions: Northern Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. Approx. 10 min. walk southwards from Crystal City Metro station, just off main Jefferson Davis Hwy (US-1), approx. 15 min. walk northwards from Hyatt-Regency Crystal City.Website: http://www.chilis.com/menu/default.asp?Unit_ID=701%2E010%2E0019&tierID=29&menuType=Dine+In&menu=1
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 MY AMERICAN BREAKFAST AT
RUDY'S BAR & GRILL by matcrazy1, 4 more photos
HOURS
Breakfast:
6.30 am - 10.30 am on Monday - Friday
7.00 am to 11.00 am on Saturday & Sunday.
Dinner: 6.00 pm to 9.30 pm on Monday - Saturday.
INTERIOR
The design was nice, the seats were very comfortable, the tables were large enough. There was not enough light to read small fonts in my travel leaflets at my table but there were tables located by windows.
SERVICE
The service was friendly and prompt although the waiter should offer free coffee to every hotel guest.
COFFEE
I didn't know that coffee is complimentary for hotel guests and I paid for it. Well, shortly I recognised that I am in the USA, they asked me whether I want more coffee. In US restaurants usually you pay for unlimited amount of coffee, great custom never seen in my country, Poland.
PRICE
After short night's sleep, we wanted very good breakfast and didn't look at prices in the menu :-). Well, we paid relatively much as for breakfast and us: $22.51 with tax and a 15% tip (added on the bill which I personally don't like).
Check up-to-date Rudy's menu here.
We ordered a cup of coffee and two orange juices.
Urszula ordered ham & cheese omelet (filled with Cheddar cheese and sliced ham) made with grade A eggs and served with toast, jelly and home fries - on the picture ($6.50 + tax and tip) - it tasted very good.
I ordered surely American Breakfast ($6.45 + tax and tip). Well, is it really American: two eggs served with hash brown potatoes, toasts and your choice of sausage or bacon. I chose scrambled eggs and sausages. It tasted very, very good.
Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: more expensive than averageAddress: 2201 Arlington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201Phone: +1 (703) 525-0300Directions: Rudy's is located on western side of RT-50 (Arlington Blvd), opposite to Fort Myer. Turn at the traffic light of RT 50 and North Pershing Drive then take an immediate left into the Days Inn parking lot. More in my Arlington transportation tips.Website: http://arlingtondaysinn.com/menu Other Contact: Fax: +1 (703) 525-5671
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 VT-GANG AT JALEO, ARLINGTON
(CRYSTAL CITY) by matcrazy1, 4 more photos
Since we (Urszula, Chris, Kathy, Kristine, Nat, and myself) were all staying in Arlington, we chose restaurant in Crystal City for our VT-meeting. Jaleo is only 10 min. walk from Crystal City metro station, in safe area. But we 5 drove my hired car and met Kristi wating very long time for us. Luckily they have a valet parking ($4.00) for consumers :-).
RESTAURANT
It was a huge, busy, loud and colorful restaurant. Although it was busy Friday, they were able to seat us right away. We all had great time in Jaleo in the night on 15th October 2004. We enjoyed both our company and food. The food and service were great. The place was right loud on Friday night which forced us to shout and made more difficult for me to understand English of whomever was sitting next to me. Haha, it was good training for both my ears and my English knowledge. I enjoyed those loud conversations a lot. Let's meet there again!
TAPAS
I am not very familiar with tapas, they are not popular in Poland. I surely tasted them in Spain where they were included in the price of drinks served in bars; it's customary to share them. Those in Jaleo where larger ones and in larger variety of both cold, hot and seasonal tapas (over 50 kinds).
Tapas are Spanish snacks, the simplest ones are something like a meat put on crackers :-). Tapa means "a cover" in Spanish. The name originates from the card which was used as a covering on top of a drink to protect it from flies; then it became a habit to top this cover with a snack.
THE BILL
A lot of food, soft drinks and beers for 6 persons and $120.23 on the receive (add customary 15% tip).
All tapas and other dishes I tried in Jaleo were delicious - just a great experience.
I enjoyed especially:
- bechamel fritters of ham & chicken (croquetas de Jamón y pollo): simple snack but very good;
- fritters of dates and bacon (Dátiles con tocino como hace todo el mundo): strange combination but extraordinarily good, I almost had to fight Nat so he wouldn't eat them all;
- fried squid with alioli (calamares a la romana): I must admit that it tasted great in Jaleo although I am not a fan of squid and never order it.
We ordered and tried a bunch of different tapas as each of us tasted a little bit and passed a plate around to the next which was my favourite way of eating :-) But I was more concentrated on what we were talking about than remembering what I ate :-). The other dishes included rabbit, fish and crabs. Well, I almost forgot, next time I would follow Nat and order rabbit in a dried fruit sauce (Conejo con frutas secos). Leave a Comment Theme: OtherPrice: US$21-30 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 2250 Crystal Lane, Arlington, VA 22202Phone: +1 (703) 413-8181Directions: Northern Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. Corner of Crystal Dr. 10 min. walk from Crystal City metro stattion. Details in my transportation tip To Jaleo Crystal City.Website: http://www.jaleo.com Other Contact: Fax: +1 (703) 413-5566
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 BAKED VIRGINIA HAM, INDIAN
FIELDS TAVERN by matcrazy1, 4 more photos
The restaurant was placed in nice looking 2-store southern style house, mostly hidden by numerous decorative trees and bushes. The interior design was simple but nice and decorated with pictures depicting southern life in the past.
The service was good. The meals were not that overly large like in many U.S. restaurants but delicious.
The menu was relatively short with exact explanations on each served dish. Their menu change with seasonal availability of fresh ingredients. It includes 2 appetizers, a few salads and sandwiches and four main courses:
1. Jumbo lump crabcakes with Old Bay scallion remoulade sauce ($14.95),
2. Deep fried Chesapeake oysters with Old Bay scallion remoulade sauce ($11.95),
3. Tricolor cheese tortellini in a garlic and chardonnay cream sauce with grilled chicken bread ($8.25)
4. James river chicken Saltimboca - chicken breast served with fresh sage leaves and Smithfield ham, finished with an oyster cream accented with bourboun ($9.95).
HOURS
Daily 11.00 am - 3.30 pm for lunch
Sun - Thu: 5.00 pm - 9.00 pm for dinner
Fri & Sat: 5.00 pm - 10.00 pm for dinner
Sunday Brunch served 11.00 am - 3.30 pm.
Nat and I ordered baked Virginia ham (not mentioned in the menu) with traditional pineapple-raisin sauce served with spoon bread and a medley of zucchini and red peppers.
Urszula had James River Chicken Saltimboca - chicken breast layered with fresh sage leaves and Smithfield ham, finished with an oyster cream accented with Maker's Mark bourbon served with the aforementioned side dishes.
Both dishes tasted delicious. Virginia ham is a bit salty. It's my recommendation. More pictures of the restaurant, the meals and the menu are put in my Charles City travelogue Indian Fields Tavern.
Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: more expensive than averageAddress: 9220 John Tyler Mem. Hwy., Charles City, VA 23030Phone: +1 (804) 829-5004Directions: In Charles City, central-east Virginia on scenic Route 5 (SR-5), 37 miles east of Richmond, 25 miles west of Williamsburg,140 miles south of Washington D.C. Details in my Charles City Transportation Tips.Website: http://www.indianfields.com Other Contact: Fax: +1 (804) 829-5411
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 BIFE ACEBOLADO, BLACK BEANS,
RICE; BRASILIAN CAFE by matcrazy1, 4 more photos
For awhile, we were the only consumers on that particular Wednesday night. A couple of students turned up as we were finishing our meal. A waiter was very nice although we had to wait maybe a little bit too long for our meals. But I can't complain. Nat enjoyed talking with the waiter and owner (a native Brazilian) in Portuguese.
Bife Acebolado and Guaraná drink.
First we followed the suggestion of Nat and ordered Guarana to drink. It tasted very good, a bit like Cream Soda.
What is Guaraná?
It is a tropical plant with small red fruit with a high caffeine content. Folks in Amazon region used to chew guaraná seeds as a source of energy or drink the powder dissolved in water. Nat told us that guaraná is also a very popular soft drink in Brazil. Guaraná is available in cans in Brazil and Latin stores in the USA but probably not in my country, Poland.
Nat and I ordered a meal called the Bife Acebolado. What's that?
It is a loin steak topped with caramelized onions and served with a side of black beans and rice. The steak was grilled as it should be (I prefer well done). Black beans are not popular in Poland, I can't remember whether I ate them before. Anyway, I liked them a lot.
Urszula had some beef with either white cheese or sauce served with tortillas and rice with vegetables. We shared our meals, and I must admit that this, unique for me beef, tasted great.
We paid $39.07 (with tax, add a tip) for 3 meals and drinks.
Leave a Comment Theme: OtherPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 1600 Monument Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220Phone: +1 (804) 359-0543Directions: Cattywampus from the J.E.B. Stuart statue on Monument Avenue underneath Stuart Apartments.Website: http://rain-tree.com/guarana.htm
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It was out-of-the-way place I would never find if Nat hadn't showed us the way to this favourite of many Richmonders. There were right many folks inside on a Thursday night. As usual in the USA we had to wait to be seated by the restaurant staff, all of whom know Nat.
The first thing I noticed were thousands of Christmas lights put both outside and inside (under the ceiling). They were shining and blinking and made the festive atmosphere.
There are typical Mexican meals available:
- Carne Asada
- Pollo
- Taco Dinner
- Fajitas Dinner
- Enchilada Dinner
- Burrito
Menu here: 1, 2.
La Casita offers also combination plates for those who can't decide. They include basic Mexican dishes like taco, tostada, enchilada, burrito. All dinners include La Casita's homemade Mexican Rice and Beans - made fresh daily. All meals are served with three homemade Mexican sauces:
- red medium,
- white hot,
- green very hot (warning: it's terribly hot!!!).
Nat and Urszula had the combination. I had a beef fajita - my recommendation.
Beef fajita served with sauteed onions, red and poblano peppers, guacamole, sour cream, rice and beans (recipe here) tasted great and cost only $9.00 (add 4.5% Virginia sales tax and 15% tip = almost $11.00).
If you don't like beef there is chicken ($8.50), shrimp ($11.50) and Porta Bello ($8.50) fajita dinner.
The combination Dinner of Urszula included one taco, one tostada and one enchilada, topped with lettuce, tomatoes and cheese. Everything tasted delicious, believe me, and cost only $7.00 (add 4.5% Virginia Sales Tax and 15% tip = almost $8.5).
Leave a Comment Theme: MexicanPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 5204 Brook Rd., Richmond, VA 23227Phone: +1 (804) 264-9896Directions: I-95N & I-64W: exit 78, turn: left to Hermittage Rd under the freeway (0.3 mi), second left (Sherwood Ave. 0.6 mi) and right to Brook Rd, restaurant 0.3 mi on the left (U-turn necessary). I-95S & I-64E in the next tip.Website: http://www.lacasitarestaurant.com Other Contact: LaCasitaVA@aol.com
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