Grabbing a bite along Columbia Pike has always been about pushing boundaries.
This part of Arlington has long played host to cuisines from the all around the globe, boasting restaurants determined to share authentic tastes of Thailand, Ethiopia, Honduras, and beyond. From hand-braided saltenas to crispy basil-covered spicy duck dishes, all one has to do to enjoy a crash-course in worldly dining is stroll into one of the constantly rotating mom-and-pop establishments that dot the main drag, chat up the server for a little guidance and then dig into the freshly-made feasts spun out by the respective kitchens.
Some well-respected spots are still doing their thing. Bob & Edith's outlasted Bob's Big Boy (now a Rite Aid) in the battle for breakfast dominance. Attila's has been plying folks with doner kebab and sucuk sandwiches for over a quarter century. Cecilia's, since renamed The Salsa Room, continues to get people grooving. But newcomers like William Jeffrey's Tavern, Mazagan, 1000 Degrees Pizza, and Boru Ramen add craft cocktails, modern Moroccan, fast-casual pies, and noodle soup to the mix. The neighborhood even has a movie theater that serves food and beer, the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse.
Here's a guide to the dining highlights of this Arlington neighborhood.
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