Seriously, I live in Clarendon and while there are a lot of restaurants, there aren't a whole lot of hidden gems that I've managed to find.

I'm kinda confused by how you drew the line. I mean, Langston is just a few minutes from Ballston / Clarendon. So yes, people go out to eat there. Where, by the way, there's a much higher proportion of high rises and people

Not exactly on point, but I was also really surprised when the new Bob and Edith's went from 24 hour to just 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. I guess we are really mostly a bedroom community of families with kids who go to sleep early, and don't need such a diner like the neighborhoods with young folks looking for a late night french fry after the club or concert or bar before going home.

Maya Bistro is a nice sit-down place, a few blocks past Lee-Harrison shopping center.

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That area has never had any nice higher-end spots. The strip has always been somewhat run-down and sad.

Cafe Colline is probably the best restaurant there. And you have Pastries by Randolph there too for desserts.

Ballston / Clarendon are like a 5 minute drive away, and I’m guessing that’s where most of those folks go to.

My theory is that it’s because the retail locations aren’t large enough or new enough to bring in those types of restaurants. Much of them are old looking kind of strip malls.

Just go to DC if you want something that fancy tbh

That’s fair. I guess I don’t really want fancy. DC is a bunch of “fancy” where the food isn’t that good anyway and you pay double (read: triple) for a cute ambiance.

If I want that, somewhat rarely, I’ll hit up 14th street, DuPont, or Capitol Hill.

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Imma give you a life pro tip. The best restaurants are hole in the wall. Not flashy spots where you pay for the ambiance.

You’ve got some good options over that way off Langston Blvd. arguably some of the best diversity of cuisines in the dmv

Bostan Uyghur (best Uyghur in the dmv)

Cafe Colline (just on Washingtonian best 100)

Philippine market (solid Filipino food at a good price)

Charga grill (just featured in WashPo - Pakistani and Peruvian combo)

Minerva express - cheap and tasty Indian food

Peter Chang - some of the best Chinese lunch special around

Lebanese Taverna - duh

Italian Store - also duh

This is really on scratching the surface (my gf just moved to the area.) but you actually have better bang for your buck here than in dc or in the ballston / Clarendon area.

Limited parking, little to no foot traffic. There are plenty of great places to eat in Arlington, but they’re in the R-B corridor and in Crystal City for a reason. Westover is probably the one exception to this.

This is the way

Who go to a restaurant when The Italian Store does the trick??

The best around ever since Steak & Egg disappeared.

Here to echo this as well..as someone who frequently is in Southern NJ/Philly this is the place that hits the spot. Also, they don't skimp on the fries..it is about the same as Five Guys!

I like the pizza too. Sometimes you just want a super greasy square pizza

I’ve been dying to find a good cheesesteak place. Thanks for the recommendation

been going to the broiler since i was a kid. my parents would go often when they were in high school.

just down the street from the very first five guys.

Damn good cheesesteak. Will echo OP, best I’ve had in the area

Thanks for the recommendation, will check it out this weekend

Gotcha, thanks so much!

Interesting. I guess a lot of these hotels near DC actually charge for parking. That's unfortunate.

I wouldn't count on this. Sometimes they are up in the evenings, sometimes they aren't.

on the other hand, Crowe Plaza in crystal city charges $40/night. Parked on the street right around the corner in front for free.