# Washington DC questions **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 25, 2002, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471 "2002-04-25T00:57:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2002, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/21 "2002-04-25T22:39:16Z")
> [@](#): > > and if you can get access to a car, go to Meridian Hill Park (called Malcolm X) off of 16th during the day or at sunset. This is a new one to me. What’s going on? I’m pretty sure I know what happens there AFTER sunset… > [@](#): > > …but I would go so far as to say to avoid Armand’s too. Raw dough with some ketchup slapped on it. 🙂 I’ve noticed that the pies I’ve gotten from the take-out are really different from the dine-in, but even the mediocre takeout pizza’s better than most of the alternatives. DC seems to have a lot of take-out/delivery places that offer a crazy variety of foodstuffs (fried chicken&subs&chinese food&pizza), all of which suck. ---
**Author:** ![trishdish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d2c977/32.png) [@trishdish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trishdish)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/22 "2002-04-26T01:53:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mojo \* > \*\* > > This is a new one to me. What’s going on? I’m pretty sure I know what happens there AFTER sunset… > > I’ve noticed that the pies I’ve gotten from the take-out are really different from the dine-in, but even the mediocre takeout pizza’s better than most of the alternatives. DC seems to have a lot of take-out/delivery places that offer a crazy variety of foodstuffs (fried chicken&subs&chinese food&pizza), all of which suck. \*\* I think I’m extremely biased. Armand’s is “supposed” to be Chicago-style deep dish pizza and I grew up in the midwest where everything was deep dish. And Armand’s ain’t Chicago style. I wish we could just get some decent NY style pizza around here, though. My husband is from NJ and loves to take me to the pizza places on the boardwalk on the shore and say “hell ya, that’s the way pizza is supposed to taste!”. He’s right! ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/23 "2002-04-26T03:20:22Z")
Besides Bethesda, if you want to drive to somewhere just outside of the city (or perhaps take the Metro, but I’m not an expert in that), you can go either to the Wheaton Triangle (the area between University Boulevard, Georgia Avenue, and Viers Mill Road in Wheaton, Maryland or else to University Boulevard as it passes through College Park, Hyattsville, Adelphi, Takoma Park, and Langley Park. The Wheaton Triangle and University Boulevard have many cheap but fairly good restaurants (distinctly cheaper than the ones in Bethesda and uncrowded), many of them Latin American or Asian places. Somebody who knows Virginia can recommend some places there. The city has many movie theaters. Just check the movie listings in _The Washington Post_ when you get here. Union Station is a long way from American University and isn’t the place I would recommend you go to. Perhaps 4000 Wisconsin Avenue and the Outer Circle are the closest to A. U. And be sure to tell us when you hit town so we can do a Dopefest. ---
**Author:** ![Soup\_du\_jour](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@Soup\_du\_jour](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soup_du_jour)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/24 "2002-04-26T04:56:45Z")
Shoot, I’m gonna start going to George Washington University in the fall! Thanks for opening the thread. Maybe I’ll see you in Foggy Bottom… Speaking of which, what good is there to eat/do/see in Foggy Bottom? ---
**Author:** ![False\_God](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ee7513/32.png) [@False\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/False_God)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/25 "2002-04-26T12:30:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mojo \* > \*\* > > This is a new one to me. What’s going on? I’m pretty sure I know what happens there AFTER sunset… > \*\* Nope, it just looks cool at sunset. After sunset, people either try to mug you, sell you crack, and there’s lots of “arboreal cottaging”; i.e., gay men having sex in the bushes. Not that there’s anything wrong with that; it’s just not some people’s cup of tea. ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/26 "2002-04-26T14:23:16Z")
> [@](#): > > After sunset, people either try to mug you, sell you crack, and there’s lots of “arboreal cottaging”; i.e., gay men having sex in the bushes. That’s what I thought goes on there after dark. Any former or current DC dopers got recommendations for **good** DC pizza? The only places I know of are: -Pizzmart in Adams Morgan (not great pizza, but decent) -Pomodoro’s in Fairfax (not convenient) -Georgetown Bagel Bakery (not very convenient) -Pizza Paradisio in Dupont (tastes good but stretches the def’n of “pizza”) Any others? ---
**Author:** ![Amidar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Amidar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amidar)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/27 "2002-04-26T15:33:06Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Mojo \* > \*\* > Any former or current DC dopers got recommendations for **good** DC pizza?_\* I’m drawing a blank here. I can only think of two places that I remember serving decent pizza (well, three if you count Shakey’s, a childhood favorite). The first is way out on Democracy Boulevard in Maryland, near the Sutton Place Gourmet. I believe it’s also next to the Wiz. Unfortunately, I can’t remember exactly where. It did have great pizza, lots of toppings, thin crust, checkered tablecloths, soda in styrofoam cups–that sort of place. The second place is an Eritrean (!) place, on or near Florida avenue near Dupont Circle. Doubt it’s still in business though-it was always hanging on by a thread. And Malcolm X Park is just sketchy. Re: movie theaters, is the MacArthur (on Macarthur Boulevard) still open? That was a good one, and not too far from A.U… I’ve got to say, though, one of the best things about DC is the thrift stores. Especially if you can get a car and go out to Greenbelt, or Tacoma Park, or even Silver Spring. My record collection would be about one-third the size it is today if not for DC-area thrift stores and used-record stores. ---
**Author:** ![GrizzRich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7ba0ec/32.png) [@GrizzRich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrizzRich)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/28 "2002-04-26T16:15:59Z")
ooooOOOOooo! I just remembered two more … and I hope they’re still there… The Cinema and Draughthouse in Arlington (one in Bethesda too, I think). No one under 18 admitted. Not beacause they show porn, but because they serve wine and beer. They’ve renovatied the seating in a theatre so that you can now sit at a table or bar. Can also order nachos, pasta, burgers, etc. Also, Generous Georges Positive Pizza and Pasta Place. Locations in Falls Church and Arlington, as well as some others, as I recall. HUGE portions and reasonable prices! ---
**Author:** ![Sofa\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/58956e/32.png) [@Sofa\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sofa_King)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/29 "2002-04-26T16:18:30Z")
My favorite pizza joint is way out in Herndon, VA. Sylvana’s. Way good. ---
**Author:** ![Neidhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Neidhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neidhart)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/30 "2002-04-26T16:39:17Z")
What’s wrong with Bertucci’s? Their Tysons Corner restaurant has the best pizza I’ve ever eaten. But, mind you, I’ve lived here all my life and have never been to NYC. Avoid their Pennsylvania Avenue location, however; they _always_ overcook _everything._ I hate black, crunchy crust and toppings. And don’t miss [Filmfest DC](http://www.filmfestdc.org) every April! ---
**Author:** ![Mojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Mojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/31 "2002-04-26T18:01:58Z")
Well, Bertucci’s is very pricey and upscale chain-ey. I’m talking about the type of place where you can get a slice to go. I was in NYC last weekend and all I ate was pizza, with the occasional Stromboli for variety. Amidar, are you talking about Gepetto’s? It is good, but falls in the “fancy” category and isn’t very convenient. Eritrean pizza?😕 ---
**Author:** ![Amidar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/48db29/32.png) [@Amidar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amidar)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2002, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/32 "2002-04-26T19:54:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mojo \* > \*\*Eritrean pizza?😕 \*\* I know, very odd. I always wanted to ask–I figured it had something to do with Italy’s occupation of Eritrea, but the owners didn’t speak much English, so I never did ask. But they made a mean pizza, with lots of garlic. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/33 "2002-04-27T04:01:15Z")
Amidar writes: \> Re: movie theaters, is the MacArthur (on Macarthur Boulevard) \> still open? No, it closed several years ago. This is why it’s really not that a good an idea for us to make a lot of specific recommendations about restaurants and movie theaters. Restaurants are always opening and closing. Even theaters occasionally open or close. When you get here, Big Kahuna Burger, we can tell you about what’s open at that point, and you can have fun discovering D.C. on your own. Please, please don’t be offended by this, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for people who don’t live in the D.C. area to recommend restaurants, theaters, and such in D.C. I like the pizza at Pizzeria Paradiso. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/34 "2002-04-27T12:13:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by GrizzRich \* > Also, Generous Georges Positive Pizza and Pasta Place. Locations in Falls Church and Arlington, as well as some others, as I recall. HUGE portions and reasonable prices! I can’t speak for the other locations, but the Generous George’s on Duke Street in Alexandria is quite definitely still there, and the pizza’s still as good as ever. I’d guess it’s about a 10-12 minute walk from the King Street Metro. ---
**Author:** ![trishdish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d2c977/32.png) [@trishdish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trishdish)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/35 "2002-04-27T12:48:40Z")
> [@](#): > > Please, please don’t be offended by this, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for people who don’t live in the D.C. area to recommend restaurants, theaters, and such in D.C. Yes, better that someone in Iowa make suggestions of places to go eat and hang out in Washington, DC. Sheesh, it’s not like we’re suggesting places to go score some crack. If the places close between now and when Big Kahuna gets here, so what? I always asks for recommendations from the locales whenever I visit someplace. Why? Because they know what good and they can recommend places that might not be listed in the tourist guides. We’re a resource. And every place I mentioned to Big Kahuna has been open for at least 5 years. The Uptown probably isn’t going to close between now and September. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/36 "2002-04-27T13:27:10Z")
If you live in Silver Spring, you count as a DC Doper, IMHO, as opposed to Hong Kong or Cleveland (no ofense, guys) As far as recommending restaurants and theaters, I really doubt that there’s much danger that any of the places I go to in Dupont or Adams Morgan are going to go belly up any time soon. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2002, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/37 "2002-04-27T13:40:00Z")
As strange as this is going to seem, there are a fair number of fun things to do in the GMU area, which is like a 20-30 (depending on the bus) minute ride from Vienna Metro, the westernmost metro stop (orange line). Domino’s is the best pizza, IMHO (though my working there ATM may sway things slightly;)), and there are cheap movies at UMall, along with cheap groceries at Giant. There’s also a really nice restaurant, “Brion’s Grille”, at UMall. Solid food, decent-but-not-cheap prices. GMU’s movie theater people get sneak previews once or twice a year (Joyride and Gladiator are two I can remember seeing before most anyone else did). Other than that, they try to get movies that will cater to your average college student’s desires (except for porn. No porn flicks there). I saw LOTR there on Thursday night. It has been my experience that it is a LOT easier to get around in DC and surrounding areas if you have a method of transportation better than your own two feet. I have a car, but a bicycle (unless we’re talking double-digit miles in the dark) is also quite useful. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/38 "2002-04-28T07:56:21Z")
trishdish writes: \> Yes, better that someone in Iowa make suggestions of places \> to go eat and hang out in Washington, DC. Excuse me, did you bother to read what I wrote? I said that it’s a good idea that people that _don’t_ live in the Washington area shouldn’t post recommendations. There have been several posts by people who visited D.C. five years ago and are posting based on their rather vague recollections. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/39 "2002-04-28T08:10:26Z")
I dunno, Leonard Hall isn’t a bad dorm. Anderson is cool, but it’s kind of loud. As far as food, check out BD’s Mongolian BBQ in Bethesda. It’s not too expensive, and it is all you can eat. If you like seafood, go to the Legal Seafood at the airport…don’t go the one downtown…it’s weird, but I think it’s cheaper and the food is of better quality. There’s also L&N’s Seafood at Pentagon City. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471/40 "2002-04-28T14:37:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by iampunha \* > Domino’s is the best pizza, IMHO OK, that settles it: we’ve _got_ to have a Dopefest at Generous George’s, and educate this poor boy. 🙂 > [@](#): > > It has been my experience that it is a LOT easier to get around in DC and surrounding areas if you have a method of transportation better than your own two feet. I have a car, but a bicycle (unless we’re talking double-digit miles in the dark) is also quite useful. With Metro and a bicycle, you can easily get to pretty much anywhere within the Beltway, and to a goodly number of places outside it. It’s a little-known fact that [you can take bicycles on the Metro](http://www.wmata.com/metrorail/bikeonrails.cfm), except during rush hour. Which means that you can bike from your dorm to the Metro, take the train to the nearest stop to where you’re going, then bike the rest of the way to your destination. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-questions/105471.md?page=3)