Virginia Kitchen

[Waffle King's] Virginia Kitchen is an old school greasy spoon and keeping it real. It is hilarious to see this type of place in a Virginia suburb strip mall. By the time you leave, you'll feel like you should be walking out into the main street of a small town.

The ladies with the hair parlor doos, fake nails, and aprons are priceless. There are pictures of friends and family on the menu. The only thing that makes you realize that you are still in Northern Virginia and not Podunk, Middle-of-Nowhere is that these pictures include almost every ethnicity!

As for food...

The home fries were shredded and crispy. The scrambled eggs were typical diner eggs. I've heard that their biscuits are not to miss (I missed them though) and they squeeze their own OJ.

One of my friends ordered the Cinnamon French Toast, a clear winner in her book. She loved them and, I have to say, they made me wish I had ordered them rather than my waffles.

The fresh fruit selection was surprisingly diverse and yummy. They do offer cereal which many places leave off the menu.

Steer clear of the regular waffles. I ate with two friends and two of us ordered the waffles. They were disappointingly thin and rubbery rather than thick and fluffy. And, worst part, the squares were small. I don't know about you but I like my squares big. And if they are going to be small, the crispy edges and fluffy insides better make up for their smallness. They didn't. They do offer a Belgian style which may be better.

Also steer clear of the turkey sausage. I didn't finish mine. It was dry and a little gross.

Seating is available at booths, tables, or the little bar. We ate on a weekday morning and had no trouble getting a seat. I've heard it gets a little packed on weekends... must be that suburban craving for that small town feel. It's here.

450 Elden St.
Herndon, VA 20170
(Be sure to note the picture at the top left. Though it is right on the road, it can be hard to see)

Anita's

Anita's is a local chain of authentic Mexican food. "Anita" was the owner's wife. Every single time I've been at Anita's, I've had a great meal and efficient service. They get it done.

Their breakfast menu is full of yummy choices. There are Mexican style favorites, some fun new Mexican options, and some American classics. I was happy with quality of something as simple as a two egg classic and equally as happy with the Santa Barbara Omelet, stuffed with guacamole. Their salsa is fresh and spicy. Listen to other options:

Machaca Burrito

Shredded beef or fresh pulled chicken and scrambled eggs wrapped in a flour tortilla. Served with refried beans, homefries and "New Mexico Style" red or green chile.

Mr. T Special

Sizzling strips of pork marinated in "New Mexico Style" red chile, grilled and served with two eggs any style, refried beans smothered with red chile, homefries and hot flour tortillas.

There is something about sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and refried beans that compliments breakfast food quite nicely. Piping hot and fast, Anita's breakfasts are just scrumptious. Their coffee is nothing to write home about but it isn't bad. They offer free chips and salsa with your meal which I declined. It was just a little too early to eat chips and salsa.

Anita's home fries are shredded potato, loose, and fried to a golden crisp. Sometimes this style of home fry lends itself to a disappointing uncooked potato under the crisp outer layer but Anita's has never failed to give a satisfyingly crisp serving through and through each time.

The Fairfax location opens at a painfully early 5 AM! Each location has different hours, so check before heading out.