Meals from a Mall

By Warren Rojas / Photography by Anastasia Chernyavsky

Chances are you’ll be heading to a local shopping complex this holiday season to pick out presents for your loved ones. Whether you’ll ever emerge from the capitalist fray remains to be seen.

We’ve cherry-picked some easily accessible eateries—including snack, lunch, dinner and cocktail havens—where weary souls can repose after a day of full-contact browsing. And don’t worry. You can owe us a gift.

Pentagon City
Arlington

Leisurely Lunch
Johnny Rockets

At the nostalgic Johnny Rockets, the jukebox is only a nickel, ground beef is still king and everything tastes better with a little chili and cheese.

Staff wears the trademark white aprons, soft cotton soda jerk caps and wide smiles of servers past, while the still-dripping burgers are served wrapped in paper on heavy duty cardboard plates. Just make sure and grab some extra napkins.

The St. Louis burger bears a tangy white sauce, loads of lettuce, tomatoes and onions, and plenty of melted cheddar. The savory Route 66 burger is stacked high with grilled mushrooms, onions and Swiss. A non-traditional patty melt (substituting turkey for ground chuck) brings juicy turkey smothered with grilled onions and cheese on grilled rye (fantastic). Chili cheese fries summon a paper tray of crispy fries smothered in meaty chili, diced onions and shredded cheese (great as finger food, but you’ll need a fork to finish).

Snack Attack
Sweet Surrender Bakery & Pastry Shop

These pastries are great at any hour of the day, with lots of fruit fillings and luscious custards to choose from.

A raspberry bomb d’amour is a crumbly cupcake hiding a raspberry payload. The fleur caramel drapes velvety cream and bands of caramel amidst spongy vanilla cake. While a striking strawberry-pistachio creation brings pistachio-encrusted cake enveloping sliced strawberries and whipped cream.

Liquid Therapy
Sine Irish Pub & Restaurant

No luck needed to enjoy bargain drinks from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., featuring $3 drafts (Miller, Amstel Light) and $3.50 premium pours (Yuengling, Siné Irish Red). Plus, dig into half-price burgers on Mondays (build-your-own style, with bonus toppings like corned beef), and half-price appetizers on Tuesdays (Irish nachos bring homemade chips buried beneath cheddar, ranch dressing and jalapeños).

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Fair Oaks Mall
Fairfax

Leisurely Lunch
Todai Japanese Sushi & Seafood Buffet

Expect at least three dozen different types of designer sushi alongside assorted salads (eggplant, imitation crab), soups (miso, spicy seafood), noodle-of-the-day dishes, a hot bar with assorted meats and poultry, and a fully stocked dessert island.

Sushi winners include the volcano roll (covered in an eruption of zesty cream), white surf clam (thick, chewy specimens), spicy scallop (piquant scallops wrapped in refreshing cucumber), octopus (briny but delicious), dynamite roll (mixed seafood baked with a dollop of special mayonnaise) and roasted fresh water eel (alluring).

Notable hot bar attractions include the vegetable gyoza (packed with diced onions and fresh corn), marinated mushroom cups (brimming with sautéed Shiitake mushrooms, soy beans and white rice), breaded Japanese pork cutlet (thin but meaty) and braised short ribs (very flavorful and tender).

Casual Dinner
Champps Americana

Popular with families and sports junkies alike (plasma screens occupy virtually every wall in the main dining room), Champps offers a little something for everyone.

Crab bread brings baguette halves slathered with shredded crab and melted cheese (even better with the chunky marinara sauce). The Shanghai steamer platter combines fried or pan-seared dumplings and fried shrimp balls, plus sides of Asian slaw, rice and a host of stir fried vegetables (it’s really two meals in one).

A tuna melt platter yields toast points buried beneath peaks of chunky tuna adorned with celery and onions, all smothered with melted cheese. The heart-stopping pepper jack bacon burger is a double-decker beast topped with melted pepper jack and crisp bacon and features a supporting cast of terrific waffle fries drenched in melted cheese sauce.

Snack Attack
Cold Stone Creamery

Cold Stone prepares frozen fare that’s both festive and fun, slapping together fanciful ice cream flavors and toppings on their namesake frozen slab. Signature creations include cherry loves cheesecake (cherry-studded ice cream with chocolate chips and bonus fudge) and birthday cake remix (cake batter ice cream, sprinkles). New smoothies like citrus sunsation (sorbet, pineapple chunks and fresh orange juice) are thirst-quenching.

Liquid Therapy
Uno Chicago Grill

Weekday specials available from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the bar, including half-price drafts of Budweiser and Bud Light ($1.50 for a 16-ounce pour, $2.50 for a 22-ounce tallboy) and half-price on appetizers like their signature pizza skins (a deep-dish pizza shell layered with creamy mashed potatoes, cheddar cheese and bacon, and then baked to a golden brown).

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Tysons Corner Center
McLean

Leisurely Lunch
Coastal Flats

Worried a trip to the mall is no day at the beach? The abundant seafood and effusive good cheer you’ll get at Coastal Flats should brighten up even the most brutal shopping adventure.

Blue crab and rock shrimp fritters are crispy boulders of pulverized shellfish plopped atop an intriguing corn salsa (creamy sauce is a slam dunk). A platter of roasted mussels brings grilled sourdough spears towering above an island of steamed mussels propped atop a fragrant tomato-herb broth. The grouper fingers summons an arsenal of crispy filets of flaky fish (all meat, no filler), accompanied by shoestring fries and homemade coleslaw (extra chunky). Meanwhile, a fresh attempt at traditional shrimp and grits yields a clutch of butterflied shrimp scattered about triangular grit cakes soaking in a spicy cream sauce loaded with country ham and green beans.

Snack Attack
Dairy Queen

Hot or cold, this classic American carry-out has got you covered.

A foot-long chili cheese dog measures up, delivering 12 inches (and then some) of tube steak slathered with chili and melted cheddar. Meanwhile, the signature Buster bar produces a sundae-on-a-stick featuring reduced fat vanilla ice cream embedded with peanuts and fudge, all encased in a hard chocolate shell.

Liquid Therapy
Slade’s American Grill & Bar

Escape the madness by exploiting weekly bar deals from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., including half-price rail drinks, draft beers (12 or 24 ounces), by-the-glass wines, and appetizers like their signature egg rolls (chicken-filled tortillas accompanied by some fabulously creamy guacamole) or the fiery nachos (chips loaded with onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, and cheese, and topped with more of the chunky guacamole).

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Dulles Towne Center
Sterling

Leisurely Lunch
Red Robin

Granted, gourmet burgers are becoming the rule rather than the exception. But the family-friendly Red Robin keeps things interesting by constantly updating its roster of monster burgers and Southwestern-style creations.

Chili nachos bring hefty chips layered with meat chili, jalapeños, tomatoes and loads of melted cheddar, flanked by generous helpings of salsa, guacamole and sour cream.  The chicken chimidilla features chunks of chicken smothered in a zesty ancho-poblano pepper sauce and molten pepper jack cheese, all sealed within a savory jalapeño-cheese tortilla. A whopper of a chicken sandwich plies a char-grilled slab o’ bird with fried onion straws, cheddar and their signature Whiskey River barbecue sauce, while the melt-in-your-mouth pot roast burger (awesome) stacks slices of gravy-laden beef atop warm ciabatta bread outfitted with an enticing horseradish sauce.

Casual Dinner
Romano’s Macaroni Grill

There’s no denying it’s chain Italian. But Romano’s works in enough homestyle-touches to appease even diehard paisans.

Mushroom ravioli are pillowy squares of mushrooms and cheese, all doused in a Marsala cream sauce punctuated by caramelized onions and torn basil. A bowl of shrimp and artichoke dip is an ideal foil for the butter-brushed rustic bread presented to every table.

A seared scallop salad delivers a rainbow of browned scallops, mixed greens, red cabbage and golden Parmesan crisps that all work well together. A plate of sausage and peppers does not disappoint, tossing ample amounts of spicy meat and multi-colored peppers amidst a mountain of rigatoni.  Likewise, the penne rustica unites shrimp, chicken and Parmesan in a baked embrace (the plate arrives with a golden brown crust).

Snack Attack
Nestle Toll House Cafe

This confectionary haven is every kid’s dream come true. Brownie buttons reveal über-fudgey brownies wearing chocolate chip chapeaus. A peanut butter cookie cup yields a chewy peanut butter bowl surrounding a pool of rich, milk chocolate. Meanwhile, the monolithic double trouble sandwich delivers a mass of sugary frosting wedged between saucer-sized cookies (chocolate chip and rainbow sprinkles).

Liquid Therapy
Chevy’s

Sidle up to the bar between 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays to take advantage of deep discounts on import bottles and domestic drafts, cut-rate margaritas and half-price appetizers like the chicken flautas (stuffed with roast chicken, cheese and chipotle mayo) or spicy wings (jumbo bird bits brushed with a smokey barbecue blend and escorted by a frothy ranch dipping sauce).

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Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets
Leesburg

Leisurely Lunch
City Deli

It’s all about variety and volume at City Deli, a custom sandwich stand that does not skimp when it comes to its well-made meals.

The massive Southwestern chicken and bacon wrap shoehorns ample amounts of grilled chicken, crunchy bacon, melted cheddar and black olives into a bulging tortilla shell (so much food). A solid roast beef offering tops piles of tender beef with piquant red onions, sharp cheddar and a snappy horseradish dressing, all nestled between halves of Gorgonzola-ciabatta bread. One holiday-themed offering ties together generous helpings of turkey and ham, warm stuffing (sometimes mushy, sometimes great) and cranberry mayonnaise (a tart addition) beneath a crunchy baguette. Meanwhile, the honey-smoked ham panini does a little salty-sweet jig in your mouth thanks to the addition of some crispy, Granny Smith apple slices.

Casual Dinner
Bob Evans

Life moves a little slower at these faux country cottages oozing folksy charm. But after a hectic day at the mall, you’re sure to appreciate the blissful calm of the main dining room and the familiar parade of home-style cooking.

Breakfast is, of course, always available at this sanctuary that country sausage built. But explore some of the updated fare. A Wildfire salad weaves crispy chicken strips brushed with barbecue sauce, amidst fresh corn, grape tomatoes, crunchy tortilla strips and a zesty ranch dressing. The innovative BLT&E summons a brunchy conglomerate of crisp bacon, fluffy eggs, cheese and ripe tomatoes (a hearty treat). Chicken pot pie supplies a hearty helping of creamy broth containing carrots, peas, onions and tender chicken, all tucked beneath a flaky crust that releases a wisp of steam when first pierced by your fork.

Snack Attack
Daily Grind

No mere coffee shop, Daily Grind is the keeper of some hard to beat sweets.

Fresh chocolate spoon cake is layered with thick-as-fudge frosting and crowned with chocolate shavings. Warm cinnamon rolls are epic eye-openers pairing cinnamontastic dough with sticky-sweet frosting (unbelievably rich). Or cool down with hand-crafted gelato flavors like dulce de leche or cantaloupe (fruity and refreshing).

Liquid Therapy
T.G.I. Friday’s

Jumpstart your weekend with happy hour deals that run from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, including $3 margaritas and specialty drinks, $3 premium drafts (Sam Adams, Blue Moon), $2 domestic drafts, and a slew of new appetizers like fried macaroni and cheese (starchy squares of gooey goodness) or crispy fried green beans (flash-fried greens served with a spicy wasabi-ranch dipping sauce).

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Potomac Mills
Woodbridge

Leisurely Lunch
Bamboo Buffet

Skip the skimpy sushi selection and head straight for the Mongolian grill or the various steam tables at this relative newcomer.

Pork dim sum is delightful; shark and pork dumplings are better. Chicken-stuffed green peppers secure a hearty protein load. Standard dumplings are a squishy hit. Pork and chive pancakes are curiously herby and quite tasty. Strips of roast duck are terribly boney, but hit the spot if you score a fatty enough piece. Marinated beef back ribs are delicious, while five-spice grilled pork chops seem to try too hard. Grilled chicken skewers provide bite-sized snippets of dutifully seared poultry (quite tasty). Asian staples like fried crab claws, shrimp balls and sweet and sour chicken are all represented, while steam trays full of macaroni and cheese, assorted pizzas and chicken wings cover standard American fare.

Casual Dinner
Silver Diner

This faux ’50s diner boasts mini jukeboxes at every table and giant portions all around.

A baby burger basket brings a trio of mini beef bombs covered with melted American cheese, a smidge of French dressing and a jumbo sliced pickle (snacktacular). The crab cake melt delivers a hefty patty of fibrous crab buoyed by a thick tomato slice, a layer of melted cheese and buttery slices of toasted rye. Likewise, the meatloaf sandwich delivers twin slabs of mom-grade meatloaf soaked in vegetable-rich gravy (lots of carrots and onions). Chocolate cake literally bleeds fudge, delivering chocolate cake filled with chocolate frosting and rolled in chocolate chips, while the so-called “five-pound apple pie” hides an orchard’s worth of crisp, cinnamon-dusted apples steeped in their own caramelized sugars, beneath a thin, handmade crust.

Snack Attack
Nordstrom Espresso Bar

Myriad coffees notwithstanding, this upscale stand boasts plenty of snack-worthy delights.

The double chocolate muffin is a chocolate sponge with a cream cheese core (so rich, it should be in the top tax bracket). Grandma’s walnut coffee cake is a mass of coffee-tinged fun sprinkled with plenty of crunchy walnuts. Meanwhile, the pomegranate lemonade blasts your taste buds with an oh-so-sweet sensation.

Liquid Therapy
Chili’s

Check in early for weekday deals that stretch from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., including $2.29 domestic drafts and cocktails (rail liquor plus one mixer), $3.29 import drafts, $2 beer-of-the-month specials, and up to one free basket of buffalo wings (10 pieces) per customer. Still hungry? Attack the Southwestern egg rolls (tasty tortillas filled with chicken, spinach, black beans and cheese).

(November 2006)

Tags: food court, mall food