Restaurants at the Safeway Plaza

Since I've noticed the discussions have started again about the restaurants at our local plaza, I thought it might be most helpful to have a generic thread to cover all the comments coming up about the various restaurants and their location in the plaza.

It's too bad that parking is becoming an issue over the weekends and even during weeknights! It definitely indicates that Broadlands residents enjoy coming out to our local restaurants.

A few threads made comments (generic) about the Sports Bar and Steak House. This one is also among our favorites and probably where we actually go to most.

We have found that we enjoy sitting at the bar (usually the end closest to the exit to avoid the flow of smoke!) and find it to be such a friendly place. The wait staff at the bar are friendly and competent. Rob is an amazing bartender and such a warm individual as well as an avid golfer...in case anyone decides to engage him in discussions!

We have always been pleased with the food as well as the staff's willingness to modify their menu to meet special requests when possible.

If you choose to sit at the bar or in the bar area, just be prepared for the smoke as it is a smoking area. We've not eaten as often in the dining area so I really cannot comment specifically to the service or reception there.

All in all, I think we're fortunate to have a broad variety of differing eateries in the Safeway plaza.

 

Do they have call ahead seating or reservations? What are the wait times like there?

 

Last time I was there, I saw signs that they just started the call ahead seating.

 

Anyone tried the fajitas at the Steakhouse? I was greatly disappointed, and I'm not sure if that was the norm, or if they were having a bad day. Basically, I could have chopped some onions/peppers/steak and cooked it as well- didn't appear to be grilled or seasoned one bit.

Now that I have that out of my system, everything else I've had there is wonderful, the rolls are great, and the staff has always been helpful/courteous. It's always on the list of places my wife and I consider when we feel like going out...

DcD

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As mentioned, they've started call-ahead seating. Due to the heavy waits on weekends and evenings, this is part of the reason why we tend to just go sit at the bar. I know my spouse really appreciates the fact by just nodding to Rob as he enters, his drink is waiting for him by the time he sits down -- now that is service!

I can't comment on the fajitas but if they are not on the menu yet...go ahead and ask them to prepare nachos for you. They are wonderful!!!!

Last but not least, if you enjoy a sweet drink, Rob prepares the best mai tais as well as pina colada with a shot of chamborde! <g>

 

It would be much more enjoyable if there were no smoking in the bar area.

 

yes, we have been to the steakhouse 3 or 4 times and it was dissapointing. the fajitas were unremarkable and we've had service issues as well. if only the food was as cool as the projectors

 

We would LOVE to enjoy a local family restaurant, but everytime we walk in there, the waves of smoke push us out. Just too small to escape the smoke...and that makes it unfriendly for families...and so we've never stayed. Very unfortunate.

 

the smoke was too much for me as well, and we were in the back corner by the restrooms. They didn't plan the airflow.

 

Somebody, please open a family run, sit-down Mexican restaurant!!!

 

There's always Casa Gonzales in Leesburg ...

Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Until one opens here in Broadlands, try Picante on Route 50, just off Route 28 heading west towards Winchester. (Basically, on the south side of Dulles Airport.) We love it whenever we're in the mood for Mexican food. It's not too big, the quality is excellent, and the portions generous.

 

I had not been to the McDonalds at the Giant plaza for two years as it seemed the staff were consistent in not understanding English and getting orders wrong. Yesterday I decided to try again to see if the service had improved any and yet again, my order was incorrect.

 

I am sort of amazed. My wife and I are new to Southern Walk and we ended up one day at the Steakhouse and Sports Theater by default. I am not a sportsbar type and usually won't go to one. Too loud and too smoky.

However.....

We had such a good meal and in the restaurant area, didn't encounter any smoke, so we have ended up coming back there more than just about anywhere else in the Safeway Plaza. And amazingly, I do not usualy like faitas at most restaurants, but at this one, I did. Now I tried the combo with chicken and steak and found it quite good. Good enough to go back several times and get the same dish. My wife has found the New York strip to be consistently good as well. On occasion, we force ourselves to try other dishes and have always been pleasantly surprised.

So, our experience has been consistently a good one. I do get put off sometimes by the loudness of the place but have had such good, friendly service and good food that we find ourselves going back. And the call-ahead seating has worked out pretty well so far for us.

Just my two cents.

 

The Steakhouse definitely has the best burgers in Ashburn (I know that's not saying a whole lot).

 

Picante is a BIG hit with a lot of folks here--many who have lived in/come from the southwest say it is the best. Easy to miss: second light west of 28 on 50--the little center with the 7-11 opposite Avion. My neighbors swear by Anita's in Chantilly, but they have a love affair with it dating back to their undergrad days at GMU.

Barbara Munsey, from South Riding.

 

Barbara - is it right off RT 50? Past South Riding? We have yet to find a decent Mexican restaurant in this area other than my own. [8D]

 

Tyger31, Picante is on the south side of 50, between Route 28 and South Riding. It is in Fairfax County, east of the Dulles Auto Park at Stonecroft Blvd.. There is a small center (allright, strip mall) opposite the Avion industrial park. A stoplight leads into it at a 7-11, and the center contains a Merchant Tire, Sully's (good barbecue and great live music), a music store, the Phil-Asian Market, a Halal meat market, and lots of other interesting things. Picante is near the elbow of the ell-shaped mall. Give it a go, and I hope you like it!

Barbara Munsey, from South Riding.