My wife and I will be staying at a hotel(haven't decided which one yet)in the Rosslyn area in June. We have the Arlington Visitor Guide that gives good restaurant information But,We also wanted to know of any good family owned diners and restaurants that we could drive to. We prefer diving to a residential area (we know Rosslyn is a bussiness district)if it's not more then 5 or 10 miles away. Nothing beats a good breakfast at a 24 hour diner(truck stop diner or not).

I doubt you will be able to find a truck stop anywhere near Rosslyn. Rosslyn is directly across the Potomac River from DC. It is a very built-up area. I would suggest not taking your car to dinner. There is a metro stop in Rosslyn, or you could walk or cab to dinner.

A neat experience is walking from Rosslyn across the Key Bridge to Georgetown. This walk is less than a mile. I suggest you do that and walk around in Georgetown window-shopping the menus there.

Another suggestion is take a cab (or walk) to Ray's the Steaks. It is a wonderfule steakhouse, where the food is comparable to Morton's or Ruth's Chris, but it is very casual and not as expensive. Ray's is on Wilson Blvd, between the Rosslyn and Courthouse Metro stops.

I'm sorry, I should have been a little more specific. We are willing to drive farther into Virginia away from the tourist areas. We have a few restaurant picked out in the DC area already. Sometimes we just like to take a drive and get away from the tourist rush and find a restaurant or diner. We have no desire to drive into the DC area. Thanks for your help and the info on Ray's, we love a good steak.

Also I apologize for spreading this on all threads. I thought I clicked on the Washington DC thread.

Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, MD have become built-up urban area, but a few diners remain. I have eaten only at the Tastee Diner in Bethesda, but include the list I found.

Bob & Edith's Diner, 2310 Columbia Pike, Arlington, 703/920-6103.

Nick's Diner, 11199 Viers Mill Rd, Wheaton, 301/933-5459.

Pete's Diner, 212 Second St, SE, 202/ 544-7335.

29 Diner, 10536 Lee Hwy, Fairfax, 703/ 591-6720. Open 24 hours.

Metro 29 Diner, 4711 Lee Hwy, Arlington, 703/528-2464.

Tastee Diner, 7731 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, 301/652-3970. Open 24 hours.

There are also the Silver Diners in Tysons Corner and Fair Lakes that are imitative of the old diners.

Gotta agree with the others that the inner suburbs of DC are higly urbanized. The area is dense with fine places to eat but the plethora of upscale and wonderful ethnic spots probably upstages the neighborhood eateries.

FWIW, I used to live in the Del Rey section of Alexandria which is a short trip (10-15 min by car) from Rosslyn. Our favorite neighborhood places were RTs (3804 Mt Vernon Ave, Alex) a tavern and restaurant with great cajun cuisine and burgers; Monroe's (1603 Commonwealth Ave) and the Calvert Grille (3110 Mount Vernon Ave). The latter two are owned by the same family. Food has an Italian leaning but there's lots of sandwich and burger stuff on the menu.

The only nearby diner-ish place that I know of is the Royal Restaurant in Alexandria proper (734 N. Asaph St.) Been there forever. Food is okay, I like breakfast the best (tho it's heart attack food).

I know there are some other places you'd like in Arlington but just can't recall their names. Hope others will chime in.

Alas you are a few year too late to enjoy the best and consumate diner experience in Alexandria, the Dixie Pig on Rt 1 South. It was raized to build an Eckherd Pharmacy. Progress I guess.

qiteq - take a look at Old Town Alexandria for a nice place to stay. Lots of variety, restaurants, and close to local transportion.

obxgirl, you are dating yourself. I grew up in that area 40 years ago. I don't think I would be recommending it now to anybody on this board.

Qiteq--Bob and Edith's, which is on Travel Fan's list of addresses and phone numbers above, is very close to Rosslyn and just the kind of great breakfast diner you're looking for. Metro 29, also on the list, is just a little further away and is good too.

Tom Sarris' Orleans House will probably be within walking distance of your hotel and has been hugely popular for many years for a fun New Orleans decor, and very reasonably priced steak and prime rib dinners which include a long, long salad bar.

There's also a Red, Hot and Blue in Rosslyn. This is a small DC area chain with very good and inexpensive Memphis barbecue.

And then there's the Arlington Theater, where you can watch movies at tables while being served beer, wine, pizza, nachos, and some great desserts. Not an extensive or gourmet menu, but you might not have a place where you can do this in your home town.

All of the places above are primarily locals' places, except for Tom Sarris', which draws everybody.

Atop the Holiday Inn in Rosslyn there's a not all that expensive restaurant open for three meals a day, I think, with a great view of the Potomac, Georgetown and all the monuments, if that interests you.

Obxgirl--sorry to see you slammed by Budman for just trying to be helpful. Some people just seem to be able to do nothing else except sit on the sidelines and make nasty cracks about those trying to contribute something positive.

At least, unlike Budman, you were speaking to qitec's question--he told us he had decided what area he wanted to stay in, all he's looking for are good places to eat.

Budman, I'm confused by your comment that I've dated myself by recommending neighborhood restaurants in Del Ray. 40 years ago (tho I'd have been too young at the time) I would have suggested accelerating through Del Ray on the way to someplace decent to eat. I've lived there in the recent past. It's a great little neighborhood with an urban/arty renaissance going on. Lots of good family owned eateries which HELLO is what the poster asked about.

Prior to Del Ray I lived in Old Town Alexandria and am one of those posters who frequently recommends it to those looking for alternatives to staying in downtown. Again, not what the OP was asking.

johncharles, please don't be upset when I joked about your 20-page cut & paste post.

obxgirl, no intention to slam, but I grew up in Arlandra, went to GW HS, and can remember when it was the vines holding up the walls. When I left in the early 70's the whole DelRay area was going steadily downhill.

Maybe they've had some urban redevelopment in the past few years. It was certainly sorely needed.

Since they haven't decided on a hotel in the Rosslyn area, I was trying to recommend a great alternative since Rosslyn is more of a "business" district whereas Old Town is more of a walking and strolling city.

Budman - In the early 70s, $25K would still get you an unrefurbished 19th C townhouse on the east side of King Street! Lots has changed since then.

Del Ray is fine, although a confusing drive from Rosslyn. It is actually fairly getrified these days and not especially reasonable food wise.

I think Bob & Ediths is exactly what the poster is looking for. Greasy spoon with the emphasis on greasy. Mornings see a mix of Marines, business men, moms, and bikers. It's a Washington, D.C., institution and easy to find from Rosslyn.

The Clarendon area is also very hot, restuarant-wise, and just two Metro stops from Rosslyn. While no diners (besides the Silver Diner, which is really an upscale "faux" diner), there's lot of other restaurants in the area.

(off-topic) Hey obxgirl -

when the USN stationed me in NNews in the 70's (hence my Wbg visits), I moonlighted for a hotel chain that opened the Old Town Holiday Inn. When discharged (12/76) I was offered a job there, but declined as DC area seemed SO expensive, and being (at that time) from a small town seemed too big & scary, and silly images of being knifed sooner or later kept me away. What a nice area it is now; back then is just seemed sorta old & rundown.

Slightly off topic, but an update on Del Ray. It's done a complete turnaround. Definitely check it out if you're in the Alexandria area, because it's one of the few places where you can walk on sidewalks and take in the town-like feel in the DC suburbs without being inundated with Banana Republics and chain restaurants.

And on a side note to Budman - nobody can afford Del Ray real estate anymore because it's such a hot neighborhood! Housing prices have tripled there in the past 10 years. My, how times change

amyvt98, thanks for the update. I'll be down this weekend to see my kids, and if I get the chance, I'll check it out.

I left the area in '73, and everytime I came back, it seemed to go more & more downhill, especially the portions East from Mt. Vernon Avenue to Jeff Davis Highway.

I was really shocked in '96 to drive by the duplex that I grew up in to see corn growing in the side yard??? Maybe it was a science project? I don't think so.

If the area has turned around, I applaud.

Hi

I also grew up in this area. Seem to remember some mom and pop restaurant/diners on Wilson Blvd (which just happens to go into Rosslyn)

Tom Sarris' New Orleans house has been, not only a landmark, but one of the best places for prime rib or steaks.

But I loved hearing abou the ole Dixie Pig - seems we all remember that place fondly OBXgirl and Budman - DH and I used to gather with friends for breakfast after a night of partying. Kind of sad that it was razed. And yes we all could have picked up some bargains in Arlandria, Del Ray, or Shirlington and didn't.

Well - thanks for bringing back the memories folks - this was a good thread.

LN, I was down last December and I needed a printer cable for the printer/fax/copier I bought for my son & his wife for Christmas. I forgot and left it at home.

As we were heading South on I-95, approaching Shirlington, I told my wife that there must be some sort of computer store/staples, or the like in Shirlington. so we pulled in, and to my amazement, they converted the place into an "all restaurant" shopping strip mall.

The place is continuing to change.