The steak in the salad wraps were chewy. The sandwiches are big but contain only limited toppings. Overall we were disappointed.

I am writing a review based on the three visits/meals (Dinner, Late Dinner, Brunch) Visit #1: Dinner - We order the "Summer Stimulus Package" prix fixe which is a tantalizing 3 course meal for $19.95. Appetizer, entree, dessert - hard to find a deal like this in a non-chain restaurant! My husband got the beef and barley soup and a steak sandwich (french dip style) while I decided to get the stimulus package - house salad, tamarind glazed pork tenderloin, and mango sorbet. Talk about "stimulating!" Before the meal came we got complimentary focaccia bread squares with a plate of olive oil, red pepper flakes, and freshly grated parmesan cheese. When my meal came I was first impressed by the quality of salad greens and light dressing. I confess to being a complete greens nazi/snob - I've been known to pick out greens from a salad and leaving only 30% left. Points for greens. Then the tenderloin came! I don't know why I wanted to try tamarind glazed over the-other-white-meat but I am glad I did! Subtle sweet and sour, well seasoned, perfectly cooked, moist and yummy. The portion was perfect for one person while allowing the husband a couple bites here and there (he actually hates tamarind but thought this was delicious!). The mango sorbet came in a cute martini glass with the obligatory sprig of mint and sugar cookie cigar. Light, not too sweet, great texture, vibrant orange, tasted like a real mango and not "mango flavor"; it could have been the perfect intermezzo if we were going for more courses afterwards, but alas it was the end of our meal. Visit #2: Late Dinner - It was a late Saturday last minute dinner plan; we arrived at about 8:30pm and saw a few other diners but apparently had beaten the dinner rush. Looking at the casual menu (which is offered until 1AM), there were plenty of options to choose from ranging from apps, salads, and sandwiches. I recalled from our last visit seeing one of the dinner salads being brought out to a guest and it looked phenomenal. Since they had a flawless greens record in my book I went for the Greek Steak Salad (med rare) and my husband opted for the Cuban sandwich and fries. The server was very nice, attentive and polite. The bread, drinks and meal were timed perfectly and we hardly had to ask for anything! Let me tell you about my salad *drool*... out came not one but TWO filet medallions (points!) atop a heavenly bed of arugula/baby lettuces, diced cukes, tomatoes, red onion, and feta cheese. I cut into the soft, thick, filet and I saw the crimson flesh signaling medium rare. Points! I recommend getting the balsamic vinaigrette on the side if you are finicky about thick dressings or overly dressed salads - I got it on the side and only used about 1tsp for the whole salad (the meat and greens were so good who needs dressing?!) My husband commented that he was expecting one medallion or some semblance of cut up skirt steak but he was very pleased almost jealous that I got two cuts and it was a filet! My husband's Cuban sandwich was huge along with parmesan dusted fries. The Cuban components were all there but we both spent some time in Miami and here are two things it missed - the pork and the pickles. I can forgive that though, it is hard to make lechon in NoVA if you are not dishing it out the way they do in Miami. The pickle - a purist would demand a flimsy, green/yellow pickle of the Vlasik variety but Blue Iguana seemed to have used a better quality more Kosher crunchier pickle instead. But whatever, they got the yellow mustard part right on along with the "flattened" bread. Visit #3: Brunch - The brunch lasts from 10A-2P. We went at 1PM and it was comfortably packed. The bar area had people watching the Redskins game, but not being rowdy and rude. The brunch buffet area is in a nook/enclave near the bar and entrance. It had SEVEN stations which included: 1. build your own bloody mary station: spicy and regular mix, freshly grated horseradish, all the pepper/worcestershire sauces and bottles you can imagine, generous celery stalks 2. carving station: beef prime rib and ham 3. omelette and waffle station: made to order; waffles are cute and little 4. pancakes, fresh raspberry sauce, eggs benedict, Cajun chicken breast, breakfast potatoes 5. sausage, bacon, shrimp lo mein, fried rice, mac and cheese, steamed broccoli and carrots 6. pasta salad, potato salad, fall harvest salad, greek salad, spicy pasta jambalaya, caeser salad, greek olives 7. dessert: brownie, fruit salad, lemon chess bars, blondies, cookies, etc A table next to us was seated late and we overheard the manager say "We are winding down the brunch. We want to keep the food fresh. If there is something you see and it is not there later ask us we can make it and bring it out to you." And they did! Five stars for the price and food selection. Four for the service and taste - so overall 4.5! read more

I came here on a first date once (he chose, not me) and ordered tuna. It tasted good going down, but within two hours, I was crouched on the floor of my date's bathroom puking my guts out. I am not exaggerating ONE BIT, it was possibly the worst first date I ever had...and it's certainly awkward telling your date you are going to spend half an hour puking in his bathroom. Needless to say, I am no longer dating the guy, nor will I EVER eat at this place again. Thanks Blue Iguana! read more

Really nice place to have a late snack and drink ... loud at sometimes of the night but you can opt to sit in a quieter location .

Had a great experience at this place, particularly due to our waitress who was an A+ all around. Dinner and desert were both great -- we'll be back for sure. read more

Famous cocktails found here five star bartenders you can't have just one. excellent appetizers you can get really crowded on the weekend so get there early. read more

I have been going to Iguana for the last few years and it's a solid happy hour bar. You walk in past the outdoor patio and there is a dining area to your left, and bar area to the right. For me, it's convenient (couple minutes from my house), the service is great, the food is good, and happy hour goes til 8 with $3 fireball shots all day. I stick with the bar fare when ordering food (wings, nachos, calamari, etc.) and am rarely disappointed. Ian and company are great and always takes care of me, this place is worth a stop. read more

I have been a patron of Blue Iguana for many years. It was a real local "Cheers" for the Centreville area. Great food, fun atmosphere and a steady staff that always did right by the customer. This past summer two new owners have taken over the establishment. While they made some minor cosmetic upgrades to the place, the new owners are on a crusade to fire the entire staff one by one and completely replace the menu. The classic "Blue" items that always made eating there such a reliable experience are gone, and the staff is being treated horribly. Delayed paydays, uncalled for terminations and morale that is at rock bottom. This is not the establishment I have come to know and love, and I intend to take my business elsewhere. I would recommend you do the same. read more

Do yourself a favor and check out Blue Iguana. They have really good food, and serve an AMAZING brunch! Best of all though, is the bar... Nice scene, good music, and really, really good bartenders; Ask for Bo- She's the little asian chick but dont be fooled; she makes a DAMN GOOD Margarita and can talk Redskins with the best of em'. Being an ex-bartender myself, I know a good bartender when I see one, and Bo is one of the best in the area. read more

me and my fiance have been out here for date nights this is one of our go-to's for date night when we can spend a little more. the food is always excellent and there is a variety of dishes. service is excellent and comfortable. i would definitely recommend read more

I came here the other night with a few friends to have drinks. The atmosphere started off with a few people in suits who apparently were having dinner and drinks after work. After that crowd left, it was mainly locals who were in the 23-30 range. Pretty diverse and interesting crowd. The host was great and cracked a few jokes with us upon our arrival. Even though it was stormng, we sat outside under the covered patio since we had a few smokers in our group and didn't manage to get wet. I didn't have any food but the drinks were nice and strong and the service was very attentive even on a busy Tuesday night. Their fries were a good thing to munch on if you've had one too many. I would be coming back. read more

I really wanted to love this place. Ugh. Not happening. We went for brunch on a nice sunny Sunday, at about noon. We walked in the door, and stood there waiting a bit, and finally went over to the bar. The bartender went to fetch the hostess/server from the other end of the bar where she was yakkin it up. She ambled on over, and took us to a booth in the dining room area. She didn't give us menus, or explain the brunch, or ask about drinks, she just left us there and went to the table behind us where a gentleman was seated. Over the course of the meal it became apparent that he was a regular, and by her hovering around him I would guess good tipper. After sitting there a while, we were able to get her attention and she came over with this blank what can I do for you look. ? Well, you can take our order for starters? We ordered drinks, and she said we could help ourselves to the buffet. I am not sure if there is any other option, but if there was she didn't let us know. The buffet itself looked like it would have been really good when it was fresh. By the time we were there, a number of hot foods were just overcooked, and the little bowls of salads were scraping bottom. There was plenty of bacon and sausage, and the omelet station was nice. There is also a bloody mary bar, but I didn't see it until the very end. Another detail that would have been good to know. There was one table with tiny little pastries that were adorable but not the tastiest I have had. We struggled to get drink refills. The only time she acknowledged our existence was if we flagged her down on one of her many stops at our neighbor's table. Even then, she seemed annoyed that we bothered her. If we had to wait for her for anything other than drinks we would have starved. Unfortunately, our neighbor left before we got our check, so we had to go to the bar AGAIN to ask for her. The bill was a shock - way more than I would have expected based on the offerings. But the worst part of all, the salt in the wound for me was the music. My ears are still recovering. It was an interesting choice for a restaurant - mostly 80s rock (not even the good 80's stuff!) played way too loudly. Not everyone enjoys ZZ Top, Ozzy Osborne and Led Zepplin on full blast. All in all, was not a good time and we won't be back. read more

this was my first time here and I had to make a review. The service was phenomenal! Best I've had in a very long time. Trish and Jacob were phenomenal!!! Trish our waitress was so patient with me and didn't make me feel rushed. She recommended different drinks and took her time explaining what we can add etc. She was very personal and kind! it was very welcoming. The food and drinks were good! It was also a good price for happy hour food & drinks. I will definitely come back a second time. read more

A pretty nice spot to go to for happy hour if you live or work in the area. The service and the food I've had here during their happy hours have been great. Their sliders in particular are great. Location is sort of hidden from the main road, so you need to know that it is here. Having plentiful parking is always a plus too. Overall, a very fairly priced bar to grab a drink and some quick eats with co-workers. read more

Excellent food . Great customer service , will definitely comeback. Appetizers were good .

Where do I start.....1) The food, especially the Sunday Brunch, is FABULOUS !! The selection is always a great variety, tastes fantastic, fabulous omelette and steamship bar , etc.... 2) The service....Is UNBELIEVABLE !!! I don't care how good a establishments food is, the service can make or break a place and in this situation....IT MAKES IT !!! Emily is by far our favorite server !! Miles, is fabulous and seems to be SUPERMAN at times (you will see him pitch in where ever help is needed !! Unfortunately, for the employees, I have heard that Miles is leaving and that is one person that NO ONE WILL FILL HIS SHOES !!! 3) The atmosphere and overall vibes are untouchable here !! Every time we go here, we are always treated like we are special and have always left there extremely pleased !! So, if you haven;t been here yet....you must put it on your bucket list, because your life is missing fantastic food and fabulous people !!! read more

Are you kidding me? Went here for drinks with friends, mainly because it was a nice night and withing walking distance. We ended up with a waitress who was not at all helpful or knowledgeable about cocktails and a bartender who was also lackluster in mixing drinks. After we were done we split the bill, leaving a decent, but not outstanding tip for the waitress (who in my opinion should not have been a waitress). A few days later upon checking my credit card statement there was an EXTRA $8 added onto my card, not including the tab and tip that I had signed for. My friends also experienced the same thing...$8 extra charge. DO NOT GO HERE...unless you want bad services and to get stolen from. read more

So this review might seemed biased because its a caps bar and im the worlds hugest caps fan, but with my experience in competitive bartending all over the world. This place is a gold mind if your in the industry. Matt the door guy is a fantastic guy keep us safe from two idiots that were having a issue, and handled it well. Noticed the bartenders taking care of the guest passing out water and cutting people off, this allows the business to be protected as well as the guest(s). as far as service it was top notch my drinks were made right and was delicious and fairly priced. Will be visiting this establishment more and more. well done!!!!! read more

I have been wanting to come here for a long time, but just never did. Today we made it. The lighting was strange, it was very dark inside so it was hard to read the menus. The service was really friendly and nice. I had the veggie botanas and the fried calamari. The calamari was delicious accompanied by a ponzu sauce instead of the typical marinara or tartar. The botana was extremely spicy and temperature hot. It was in a cajun cream sauce - just not my style. My husband shrimp poor boy was good. He said the bread was good but really there weren't too many shrimp. The fires were good as well. read more

In my travels I always try local hangouts. This is a local hangout on steroids. Great atmosphere. Met part owner Ian and he introduced me to the distillery he also owns. Highly recommend the Better Botanas. How can one go wrong with andouille sausage, chicken, steak, & shrimp over tater tots, a Cajun cream sauce, and fried egg. I am in the minority as about 75% of the bar patrons are local. A really cool spot. Oh, Carly knows how to make a drink. Just make sure you bring her a Snickers. read more

have always had a good experience here but never rated on y-e-l-p today, friends had the lunch special 1/2 soup 1/2 sandwich that looked excellent, I enjoyed the Sesame Crusted Tuna Wrap, anything sesame is already good in my proverbial book. Add ginger, miso dressing, sun dried tomato wrap and a side salad and it's just awesome. In the past I've had burgers which I recall to be good. Service was A+. Literally I touched my glass of near empty water and waitress came by to refill, sans ice as I ordered(not usually the case, usually its sometimes, even if asked, sans ice to begin, and more often with ice on refills). Great time had by all, with lots of sunshine coming in the window to make for a pleasant dining experience. read more

If your having a bad day MUST come by and stop here, always fun and the music is up to beat makes you want to dance!

SURPRISE!!!! Came in here 2 o clock on a saturday bar was packed, restaurant was empty. I expected usual bar menu, wings, dips, nachos, burgers etc... I didnt expect impressive menu featuring many dishes bordering on fine dining and very appetizing.... I ordered the Jambalaya... generous portions of spicy sausage, fresh shrimp and grilled chicken with assorted peppers tossed in a spicy tomato based sauce over your choice penne or rice ( I reccomend the penne)... dish was fantastic, just the right amount of spicy, plenty of good protein (shrimp chicken sausage) I was impressed... perfect service and a decent atmosphere (for a sports bar) earned the Blue Iguana a 5 star read more

I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the staff at this restaurant especially a waitress named Star. We went here for the first time about a month and a half ago looking for a new brunch place and were greeted by almost every staff member there. We were then seated in Star's section. Our son has food allergies and we have never allowed him to eat food at a restaurant, until that day! She worked with us to ensure that the food he was eating was safe. Then she went above and beyond making sure that our needs were met and that we were well taken care of. It was a great experience!!! Fast forward to a few weeks later we went back again and were promptly greeted by Star who not only remembered us but remembered our son's needs and pointed us in the direction of safe food for him. We have been one more time and once again she did not disappoint! Although the kitchen was out of the foods that were safe she apologized and again spent her time making sure we were well cared for and that our needs were met. She is an amazing waitress who you can tell absolutely loves her job and her customers! The food is good with a great selection of both breakfast and lunch items but it is because of her and the rest of the super amazing staff that we will continue to make this our "regular" place! read more

I love coming here. You can't find anything like this around our area for buffet brunch. $13.95, plus $3 mimosas & make-your-own-bloody marys?! The food is pretty good...not always fantastic but the french toast comes with an amazing raspberry topping, the omelettes and waffles are made fresh...my favorite is the home fries and their bacon. Salads are great too! Try the sunrise mimosa, it's delicious! read more

I went to Blue Iguana for a friend's birthday recently. It wasn't a bad time at all. Music selection was good, they had a DJ who was super friendly and willing to take requests. They had a good beer selection and the bar tender was nice enough to comp me a few drinks. I was a BIG fan of the heating on the outdoor patio. That was a major plus for smokers. read more

Just re-visited Blue Iguana tonight, and figured I'd post my reactions. First, I've never been to the bar side of this bar-restaurant. I can see why some reviewers noted the mixed message sent, as it's strange to see such a dual-personality in a restaurant, but so be it. It is what it is. My wife and I dropped in for an early dinner on a Saturday night. Overall, we were pleased, but I agree that the result wasn't worth the price we paid. I started with a mai tai, which was a well-executed tropical cooler on a warm summer evening. We split the calamari appetizer. The calamari was quite tasty - not chewy at all, and with some pepper in the batter to give it a little kick. The dipping sauces could have been better, though, as the tomato basil doesn't have quite the punch that the typical marinara sauce does. The other dip was a sweet-and-sour like you might find at a Thai place. I found it to be a little too powerful a taste, and it overwhelmed the calamari. My wife had the seafood penne - a very generously portioned dish in a cheesy cream sauce. I tried it and found it a little bland, but my bite was missing the sun-dried tomatoes scattered throughout the dish, which my wife said added a little more oomph to the taste. I had the shrimp and grits. The portions here were a little more realistic, but the dish itself wasn't well executed. Classic shrimp and grits would be served with a gravy - especially red-eye gravy - but mine was served over a chunky tomato sauce. In my opinion, this did not blend well with the cheesy grits spiked with andouille and jalapeno. The fried scallions also seemed to just get in the way. The presentation made for a crowded mess on my plate, and the taste didn't get there either. Our dishes were both in the $20 range - typical for the menu. You can go a few dollars cheaper or a few dollars more if you stick to the regular menu. The back of the menu, though, had a "casual dining" listing of sandwiches and other more typical bar fare that would let you eat for $8-15. As for the service, I was very pleased. Our waiter was friendly, competent, and engaging. His support was prompt and courteous. As for the decor, I found it just fine - certainly not a distraction or a mess, as others have implied. I was comfortable in our table and chair set up as well. Still, for what they're charging (with one drink and no desserts, we still paid $70), Blue Iguana is putting itself in pretty tough territory for this area. I can't really recommend it all that highly, as I feel you can get better food for the money, or pay less for the same. read more

I wrote this place off as a small bar years ago & recently revisited a few times with a girlfriend. Pretty good food & a Sunday brunch.

Great food. Horrible atmosphere. We were kinda shocked at the food prices, but ordered anyway and were extremely surprised. Everything tasted amazing. The atmosphere however does not match the prices or food. It's basically a dive bar that managed to hire a good chef. Now trust me... I love a good dive bar. But I typically go to a dive to get cheap food and beer. This place really didn't have that. read more

This review is for the Sunday Brunch only. The food tastes more like a roadside diner. The pancakes were too thin and crisp, the waffles too soft, the French toast thin and wobbly, the omelettes.. I can make better ones.. fried chicken stale and tasteless. The only thing actually tasty as always is the Chicken Pillard but if I wanted that, I'd go there for dinner. The dinner is always good.. I'd give 4 stars for that but I'm sorry this brunch is horrible and not worth the $20 it really ends up costing. The coffee and juice is not included. They also charged me for my 2yo.. all she did was smell the pancakes! So disappointed. read more

This place only had average written all over it. From the average size, average waitstaff, to the average food. I swear I could prepare all of the things we ordered with minimal supervision. It was boring and I'd never come back unless I was forced. THe only good note was that my friend new one of the waitstaff and he gave us a free chocolatey dessert. read more

Came here for drinks. Drinks were tasty 'n' cheap so as the 3 stars goes, this place is a-okay. Heard the food is pretty good here, looking forward to trying it. I liked the low-key atmosphere, not quite dive bar-esq but close. Placed seemed to be filled with locals and regulars who come to watch the Caps games. Usually establishments that are super low-key and filled with locals tend to be the best spots around. read more

Had typical bar seafood. I got the bacon wrapped scallops (scallops were dry) and the fried oysters which were actually pretty good! Not somewhere I would seek out to eat, but it was a good place to drop by to grab a fast meal! read more

Speaking from only bar experience. I really like this place. It's never too packed, but it is kinda small. Even if crowded they have wall ledges you can stand and put your drink on. And almost every time I have been here finding a seat never was hard. On weekends, I think they have a DJ, At Least the times I went they did. Good place to hang out have some drinks and the bar food is delicious. Maybe because there an actual restaurant during the day. Drinks are good, and service was great. Nice outdoor seating for the summer too, and patio is always open. It's always a mix of a young crowd and older crowd too so it is a nice mix of age groups. You won't feel like you don't belong. Always had a good time here. And it's good to watch a game! read more

If you're single and on the make this is the place to hang out. Typical of bars geared towards the 20-something set (of which I am not) it's overly loud and everybody is doing their best to look cool. Food's not bad, but I wouldn't go out of my way, and subject my over-35 ears to all that noise again, just to eat there. Lisa reviewed the place and said it was quiet, I guess maybe at lunch time that's true, but I didn't have the same experience at night. read more

A few steps from work, Blue Iguana has been our choice a few times for a quick business lunch or a happy hour. The staff is friendly and the food is average-above average. I mostly get their nachos or their cobb salad. Everything tastes fresh - decor is where I have an issue here. The restaurant can't decide between neighborhood bar or upscale restaurant - so it lands flat somewhere in between. read more

Went here for lunch and it was very gpod. Service was great and very friendly. I had the Jambalaya and it was a good size portian. Not really spicy nut had a great flavor. I will return when I am back in this area. read more

This is one of our favorites. We've been going there since 1997 where we happened on to it with my in laws. I thought the name was catchy. The "grumpy old man" referred to in an earllier review is a skilled waiter and we try to get him every time. But all their staff is good. I have had venison there that was first rate. We've gone there for special occasion celebrations and wine tastings. Going back soon. read more

Blue Iguana is a great place to usually avoid a college crowd for going out at night. The bartenders are very friendly and entertaining, and the crowd is a hodgepodge of everyone from the man going through his midlife crisis to that kid you've known since kindergarden. It always makes for a good time. They also have karaoke, and you can usually persuade the DJs to play whatever music you want. read more

Went there this evening for dinner and what started as a lackluster night quickly improved. We were the only ones there and our food took 40 mins to come out. It was a little irritating, but when it came out it was well worth it. I had the Banh Mi which wasn't spectacular, but better than average. My lady ordered the chicken and waffles. Neither of us are fans of places that slop thick country gravy over the chicken and waffles. This place only serves it with maple syrup which is a breath of fresh air. It was simple, and very well done. While I'm not in a hurry to go back, they won me over by meals end. They were extremely apologetic for the wait and even offered us a free app and dessert next time we dine there. Amazing how good customer service can leave the longest impression. read more