Menu Weaknesses

[Steve]

When I was in college, friends and I would go to restaurants to find their 'menu weakness': the one dish that is way underpriced and provided a great value to eat well for very little money.

Sometimes this would be an appetizer that ate like a main dish. They are getting harder and harder to find these days, especially in DC.

Lyon Hall in Arlington has my favorite at the moment. Listed as a side dish, their 'kraut garnie' is an Alsatian classic and is as good as food gets. Such a glorious mixture of flavors. There may be no such thing as the 'ideal version' of this dish - with saurkraut, potato, bacon, and sausage- but this might come under consideration. Add the warm pretzels (they serve enough for two people) and you have an entire, filling meal.

IF you are dining for two, all you'd have to do is add the ridiculously delicious pickled vegetables. This is a hearty, copious dish of crunchy vegetables at the perfect texture. Astonishing stuff.

Prices:
Kraut Garnie, $8
Pickled Vegetables, $6 ($3 happy hour, until 7pm)
Soft Pretzels, $9 ($5 happy hour, until 7pm)

So dinner for 2, before 7pm, $16 to eat some really fantastic food.

Do you have any others 'menu weaknesses' that you'd like to share?

[ChristinaMason]

Pearl Dive's 1 lb. of mussels for $8 during happy hour comes to mind. They used to serve a gigantic shrimp po'boy with tons of fries as well, but I think they realized they were losing money on that one and have since scaled the size down by half. Waah.

[ChristinaMason]

Two tacos for $2.50 or $3.00 at El Chucho is another good one. I also like the grilled corn (elote) for $2.50.

[ktmoomau]

The charcuterie plate at Society Fair during happy hour.

I know I know it's a chain, but the lettuce wraps at P.F. Changs are both good IMHO and a good deal.

[DCDOLL]

PF's has a good happy hour w the lettuce wraps, several dumplings and maybe some other stuff on HH. I am always satisfied w/ that and don't need dinner!

[alkapal]

these ideas here are more along the line of "good deals" --->

leek american bistro -- happy hour. half priced beer and wine, and:

Pulled Pork Biscuits Leek’s own Carolina pulled pork, green chili biscuits, homemade apple jam (reduced price from regular $9, i don't recall exact amount),

Ahi Tuna Tartare -- ginger-chili mayo, spring onion, seaweed salad $7 (my favorite).

http://www.leekbistro.com/Menu.html

we like leek…good food, nice people.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

union jack's AYCE fish fry fridays… fried fish (haddock) $11. or planked salmon (similar price). we went to one in ballston mall.
got a crisp-fried fish craving? go…
eat! almost everyone in our area was having the fish.
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cowboy cafe in arlington has a very good burger -- and it is half-priced on tuesdays.

$3 happy hour menu (i like the nachos) at mister day's in arlington on wednesdays. $3 drafts. on mondays, their special is prime rib for $16. well worth it.

[VaPaula]

OK, so if we're doing "good deals," I have to throw out a mention to Cava Mezze's happy hour (I've only been to the Capitol Hill location). Between the food & drink specials, we walked away very happy & satisfied for about $40 for 2. Might not sound great, but we did have 3 glasses of wine each, so....

[alkapal]

the cava in clarendon seems popular. i haven't tried it yet, but was intrigued and attracted seeing the fresh bread delivery on their doorstep before they opened for the day.

just checked their happy hour menu! i am SO THERE! http://www.cavamezze.com/menus/happy-...

[Steve]

Sure, try it, but I was very disappointed in Cava. I think they have over-expanded and all quality control has sunk.

[Mulan]

I'm a big fan of Willow in Ballston, but their entrees are too pricey(many in the $30+ range). However, if you sit in the bar area which has regular tables/chairs, they have a Nosh menu where each of the small plates, excluding the flatbreads, costs from $4 to $14. I can stuff myself on the nosh menu for $25. This is compared with getting a pricy appetizer/entree combo in the main dining room where I am out $45-$50.
http://www.willowva.com/menu/nosh-menu/

[DCDOLL]

The cheese plates at Screwtop wine bar in Arlington are the most generous i've seen in the area and really tasty w/ good accoutrements.

[Steve]

The baked goat cheese at Screwtop is a winner.

[braver]

the pupusas at Judy Restaurant on 14th St. NW are only $2 each and I think two make a filling meal, since it comes with chips, salsa, and curtido. Tamales are only $2.50 each, and if you want to splurge the guacamole or the platanos fritos are each $5.

[Bob W]

Steve, this is a great idea for a thread. I suspect some people might keep their favorites hidden, but I hope some will be shared.

Down in Rehoboth Beach, there's a very popular place called Big Fish Grill on Route 1. Always packed. Food is good, plentiful, fairly priced. We go there every summer, and I have not ordered an entree in years. The reason is their salads are huge. For example, the "Wedge" with tomato, bacon, and gorgonzola is all of $5.95, and is absolutely meal sized. If you weren't sure you'd get filled up, you could splurge on a side for $3.

I love that place!

[allicam]

Yes, awesome place!
It's our go to place when we're out that way,

[shake N baik]

Proof's Plate of House Made Pates & Terrines for $14 felt like a steal compared to their entree prices.

[Steve]

Awesome, that sounds sooo good.