Washington, D.C.: non-fancy pants dining in Old Town Alexandria

One of my favorite things about living in the Old Town area of Alexandria (located about nine miles south of D.C. in Virginia) is the great number of restaurants. Fancy places. Less fancy places. Not fancy at all places. Today, I thought I’d share with you some of our favorite casual dining places. The kind of place you go when you want a good lunch on Saturday or a casual dinner on Tuesday night. I’ll be highlighting Hard Times Cafe, King Street Blues, & Red Rocks.

Hard Times Cafe has a hardcore tradition: they have never closed because of weather. During the snowpocalypse of 2010 (when the D.C. area was hit by two 3’+ snow storms), Hard Times Cafe was open & serving up hot chili. On day five of being stuck indoors, ready to kill each other & sick of eating whatever was in the house, my husband & I trekked five blocks down to Hard Times in Old Town. Snow up to our knees was no match for us & our desire for chili!

Even on days when we’re not drowning in snow, Hard Times makes for a quick, warm, friendly lunch or dinner. Their Cincinnati chili is a personal favorite – top mine with tomatoes & cheese – & their Whiskey River BBQ Bacon burger (my doctor just had a stroke reading that) ranks as one of my favorite comfort foods in the area. But it’s their fries – oh, their french fries! – that keep me coming back. They serve what may be the best french fry in the entire D.C. area. In addition, Wednesday night is half-priced wing night & their grilled wings are not only great, but relatively guilt-free.

I know I just said that Hard Times serves what may be the best french fry in the D.C. area. Why can’t I declare them the absolute winner? Because of King Street Blues. KSB makes not only a mean french fry, but also some of the best BBQ pulled pork in the area (it’s called the Elwood sandwich & it’s fanatstic). King Street Blues is BBQ, ribs, hush puppies, beer, & kitsch. If you’re not in the mood for BBQ, there are also some great entrees on the menu, including my husband’s favorite grilled margarita chicken (healthy also). Order sweet tea to go with your meal – it comes in a huge glass – & enjoy some southern hospitality.

We’ve already established that New York pizza is a personal thing. D.C. has some great pizza places, including local chain Red Rocks. I was pretty excited when they opened an Old Town location, since their pie is very close to what you’d get in Naples. The space is cozy, especially the booths that line the wall of the bar. Their wine & beer list (full of local beers) is decent & their pizza’s are the perfect “I think I’ll eat half & take the other half for lunch… oops I accidentally ate the whole thing” size. Make sure & dip your crust in the olive oil provided at each table – it really makes the meal!