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    Mike's Cafe

    4.0 (206 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    MIKE'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Kbbq Sub
    Sharon H.

    Honestly, just get the Bulgogi sub because that is the best sandwich that they offer. the other sandwiches are good, but nothing is as outstanding as the Bulgogi sub sandwich. It gets really full around 12:15 on a weekday so try to leave a bit before that. They are as quick as possible, and are generally pretty nice and courteous.

    tip jar
    Liyang S.

    Really good food at really good prices. They may have a small sitting space, but their food packs a punch while making it light on your wallet, digital or physical. Service is also top notch. Try the K-BBQ Sub. it's like a Philly cheesesteak, but Korean style. Be prepared for a slight bit of heat, though.

    Becca H.

    I ordered the KBBQ sandwich online for lunch. It was tasty and reasonably priced for this area. Essentially all the food options in Ballston Quarter are $15-20+ which is ridiculous to spend on lunch. This place has options for everyone including vegetarians. The sandwich had good flavor and texture. I might suggest a thicker sub roll as the sauce and other juices from cooking made the roll soggy pretty quickly. I'd come here again though!

    Tuna Melt
    Ailun H.

    So I live incredibly close to Mike's Cafe and have been in the area for almost two years. I wonder how long it would take me to try Mike's and I guess today was finally the day. I was craving a sandwich, out of groceries and on a time crunch. It was either Mike's or Potbelly's but I'm glad I chose Mike's. Mike's is literally downstairs. Potbelly's would have been a trek across Welburn Square and that was too much for me. I walk by Mike's at least once a day and have never glanced inside for more than a second. But the interior is a lot more spacious than I thought with several high tops. There's also seating outside, perfect during nice summer days. They also sell "pharmacy check-out counter distractions" aka candy bars, granola bars, and other snacks that you can think of. I also saw a few Costco muffins sold individually, lol, along with a couple vending machinese filled with drinks. Overall, lots of snacks and an extensive menu -- a large list of breakfast sandwiches, subs, melts, salads, soups, and more (very much your deli cafe basics) along with Korean bento boxes. I saw that there were a bulgogi meal and bibimbap along with other Korean options. TUNA MELT - 11.99 I saw that this was the most popular option on Yelp and the person who ordered right before me got the same thing. Now, I'm normally a cold subs kind of a person, but I'm so glad I got the tuna melt with rye bread. The rye bread was toasted to perfection and every bite had a nice crunch. The turkey was grilled nicely with the melted cheddar and Swiss cheese on top. I love that they give a generous amount of avocado here which made the sandwich extra creamy (along with a bit of mayo on both slices of bread). The lettuce and tomato really helped to make the sandwich less dry. Overall, a very balanced sandwich with lots of ingredients. I thought I was only going to eat half of it and save the other half for dinner, but I ended up eating the whole thing because it was very good. I was very satisfied with my sandwich because it was tasty and went beyond my expectations (to be fair, it was kind of low). I'm glad I was able to try Mike's after living here for awhile. Maybe I'll stop by again before I move, but the timing needs to be right.

    Small chili is large in flavor.
    Russ I.

    The best chili, fast service, nice and clean and great prices for that munchie. The sushi service is no more so I opted for chili before an early movie. Yum.

    Breakfast BST! -- Bacon, Spinach Tomato w/ Egg over Easy...on a Crossiant!  Pure Love!!
    DON C.

    Diamond in the Rough! This place has been my secret breakfast and lunch spot for years now....ever-since my office moved to this neighboorhood! Among all the glitz of the rebuilt Ballston Quarters Mall, the many new high-end condos developments, more recognizable brand name restaurants & fast food eateries now blanketing this once bleak neighborhood....there stands this little gem. Mike's is a small, unassuming "mom and pop" cafe that puts a lot of love in their eats. Don't let the "plain Jane" Mike's sign throw you...this is flat out the best little cafe in Ballston. For sure the love and pride that go into everything from the excellent coffee to the super generous omelettes of all varieties as well American fare....to Sushi is very good. All orders are made to order and the folks here are very accommodating with your request to augment their menu items to your liking. Their breakfast is delicious with the breakfast and lunch sandwiches being the highlight. My go-to is the Breakfast BST!...Trust me on this and thank me later. BST stands for a Bacon Spinach Tomato on a croissant, with a fried egg and cheddar cheese! One word....HEAVEN!! The toasted croissant and the combination of the egg and tomatoes with the crisp bacon satisfy the taste buds for sure. Although you can get the sandwich on toasted sliced bread, I suggest the croissant. When it is buttered and toasted it adds the perfect salty-chewy crunch with each bite of the moist egg, tomatoes and cheese gushing everywhere! Uggggh....my mouth is watering just thinking about it while I write this review. They fold the egg around the cheese so it's perfectly melted. They also seem to have a legit sushi, ramen and bulgogi for lunch, although I have never tried it. My coworkers on the other hand, have given these options a thumbs up tho!! In all, outstanding food and great prices.....with special touch of home cooked taste to your meal....something you can't get from the neighboring fast-food eateries around this place. Only one note of caution, the line particularly for lunch can get long but it moves quick --thanks to the many sandwich makers. You see, Mike's makes all their meals and their notable sandwiches to order; including roasting their meats for the sandwiches and making their soups from scratch. For under $10 you can whole sandwich and a cup of hot soup. They also offer daily specials: a sandwich of the day, chips & soda for $8.99! You can't beat that in this posh neighborhood where a lunch meal or even just a salad can run you $12-$15 bucks alone. The place was very clean with some eating tables within the space. Mike himself is sometimes on hand to meet and greet his guests and a few lucky souls, like me, got a free mint patty to end my lunch today! Great little place in the Ballston-Arlington area. It's been my little secret for years when looking to break away from the typical ordinary - everyday "brand name" lunch options in the area. Ssshh!!...Just don't tell everyone!

    Veggie Patty BB Box
    Monica C.

    + great for lunch + great selection of sandwiches, American breakfast items, and Japanese options (rolls, ramen, rice bowls) + busy but not crowded + friendly service I came here for lunch and loved their veggie patty BB box. If I'm in the area again, this will be my go-to lunch spot. There seemed to be a lot of regulars and people on their lunch break getting food to-go. There's some seating inside too (convenient on rainy days).

    Menu
    Anh N.

    Mike's Cafe is your perfect get-lunch-quick before your next meeting joint. Located below the Meridian at Ballston Commons, Mike's Cafe can't be missed with their window signs. They have everything from chips, sandwiches, sushi, iced tea, and even freshly brewed coffee. For lunch I got the Bulgogi BBQ Box and salmon roll. Bulgogi BBQ Box: I think their bbq boxes are a great value because you get rice, beef, and two refreshing sides for less than $15. The Bulgogi is pretty standard, and good enough for a quick lunch. Salmon Roll: I personally didn't like the salmon roll - despite what the other reviewers wrote about the sushi from here. The rice was on the soggy side and the salmon's cut made it a lot chewier than normal. I would order this again if I was absolutely craving sushi and couldn't go to my usual spots, but probably wouldn't order it regularly. Overall: Mike's cafe is efficient and affordable. It's a great spot to pick up a quick lunch, and dash home for your next meeting.

    Chicken & cheese

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    Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

    Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

    3.9(2.7k reviews)
    1.8 miCourt House, Rosslyn
    $$
    Full bar
    Takes reservations

    I just had a wonderful lunch with some coworkers and the service was outstanding. I got the chicken…read moreBLT sandwich with the Brussels sprouts and they were delicious. The sprouts were nice and crispy and the sandwich was really moist. Our server was wonderful and the manager even brought us ice cold towels because it was 97 degrees outside. I will definitely be back and I look forward to trying everything on the menu.

    This was my second visit to Tupelo Honey after about a year or two…read more When asked about a good brunch spot in the DMV, Tupelo Honey is mentioned from time to time so I was very curious about it. PARKING: Tupelo Honey has several parking garages nearby. -- Tupelo Honey can be a very busy place so reservations are a must depending on the day. The layout has a very nice homey and country vibe that seems pretty that seems very comforting. The service definitely matched the vibe because both times we had a very friendly and engaging server. I love a good chicken and waffles so I was eager to try them out. I got to try the regular classic, peach ,and sample the Mac and cheese waffle. They were decent and I enjoyed what I had but it didn't move me to chorus. The fried green tomatoes were delicious. The biscuits for a cause were incredible. Hands down my favorite. Warm, fluffy, and paired perfectly with the jam and butter. The roasted half bird dish was a item on the special menu. They had a special on mimosas and had a few different dishes that weren't on the regular menu. The chicken was juicy and seasoned well. The green beans were nice and savory. Though the Mac and cheese left a bit to be desired. They complemented the dish but the green beans were definitely the standout. All in all, I'm not disappointed that I went but I can't say that I would return on my own accord. It's a very popular restaurant but I found the food to be a bit mid unfortunately.

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    Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
    Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar
    Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar

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    The Liberty Tavern - Liberty Tavern Burger - excellent fries

    The Liberty Tavern

    3.9(1.6k reviews)
    0.9 miClarendon
    $$

    What a gem of a place to go to on a really hot July 3rd. The A/C was working fabulous I came as…read morepart of a party of 10. We made our reservation a day or two in advance and when we got there the hostess led us to the second floor. The brunch menu has a myriad of pizza and salad and classic breakfast menu items to choose from. I remember when I was there there was a lunch special offer where you could have a half order of a salad with a side of your choice for a discounted rate so that was cool. I ordered the Tavern salad with a side of creamy potato salad and liked it.

    TLDR happy hour is only at the bar and the food is good but service isn't…read more Came on mother's day and came early, before they were busy. When we made the reservation in advance, we called to ask if happy hour was everywhere or just at the bar; they said everywhere, so we booked a table. Plot twist, it's only at the bar / downstairs :))) We arrived 15 minutes early, so while they got our table ready, we ordered at the bar. 5 stars for the bartender. If I could review her, the host, and the happy hour prices in isolation, I would! They moved us upstairs, we sat down, and immediately saw the menus were different. We asked the gentleman bringing waters about happy hour and he sent the waiter over. The waiter, with about 2% helpfulness, shared that happy hour is only downstairs. I mentioned that we had called in advance to ask. We asked if it would be possible to have that menu or perhaps move. The conversation felt like pulling teeth. He said, with much dismissiveness, it was up to the host downstairs to move and if they had availability and left. (Fair, we move, he doesn't get his tip. An alternative? Give us the happy hour menu, still get your tip. Better yet, just be slightly helpful?) The host downstairs found us a table but shared it was booked at 6:15 so we needed to be in and out. It was no problem because we had arrived before 5 (early, remember?). Although, it took 15 minutes (I timed it!) for anyone to come bring waters or address us as their table. A little hard to operate with urgency when no one takes your order!! I got up, told the host stand, and they sent a server over, and he proceeded to come back all of three times. We also had to flag him down to get our check, while we sat with empty waters that were never once refilled. We had pizza, cod sliders, and half orders of aglio e olio pasta. The cod sliders were more breadding than fish, but the flavor was decent. The pasta was delicious. No five star Italian meal, but it hit the spot and the portion was plentiful. I didn't try the pizza but it was 12 inches, piping hot, and the two eating it couldn't finish it. The food came out quickly and hot. I think we spent under or just about $100 for four folks to have dinner + drinks, so the prices are really solid. Perhaps you get what you pay for though? Both of our male servers seemed annoyed to be dealing with us and mostly unhelpful. Noteworthy mention: there was a female server who was kind enough to bring us a brown paper bag for our to go box. She was running around and her tables seemed well cared for. Disappointed in my experience and the customer service.

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    The Liberty Tavern
    The Liberty Tavern - Salmon & risotto; delish!

    Salmon & risotto; delish!

    The Liberty Tavern - The Liberty Tavern Burger with side of fries, very tasty

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    The Liberty Tavern Burger with side of fries, very tasty

    Kaldi’s Social House - Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich

    Kaldi’s Social House

    4.3(339 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    I gotta give it up for Kaldi's. My first time visiting and while the prices are a little steep…read more(especially for food - $23 for a chicken Caesar salad), I'd def come back. About that $23 salad: The portion is a little skeet (that's an STL term - look it up) but the chicken was honestly juicy and flavorful as hell. And, the salad was full of very fresh spinach, and maybe other greens, as well as a good dressing. They provided a healthy amount of shaved Parmesan, which is my favorite. I would definitely order this again if I knew I was going to be around for a while and really wanted a salad. The vibe inside is so cute. This particular location is huge and there are various types of seating available. They have Wi-Fi, which is helpful., and some of their furniture is super comfy. It is the perfect place to connect or reconnect with a friend. I have never been much of a coffee shop, girl, but I could definitely see myself coming here multiple times a week. Service was good. I didn't interact with them much because all I did was order from a little QR code at my table and they dropped it off, but when observing them interacting with other customers, they seemed nice For the size of this place and people coming in and out, it was surprisingly clean, too. I didn't check the bathrooms out, but parking outside was paid but easy.

    Friend told me to have low expectations for coffee in Virginia lol…read more The vanilla latte ($0.60 charge for flavored syrup) did not taste like vanilla for some reason. The corn waffles were really soft and flavorless, I was hoping for crispier or chewier waffles but what I got was mushy and flat? The plus is they gave ample seating inside for working and hanging out.

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    Kaldi’s Social House - Interior

    Interior

    Kaldi’s Social House - Greek Yogurt Bowl

    Greek Yogurt Bowl

    Kaldi’s Social House - Iced caramel latte

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    Iced caramel latte

    AMBAR Restaurant, Clarendon - croquette

    AMBAR Restaurant, Clarendon

    4.3(2.2k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$$

    My husband surprised me with brunch at Ambar because he always researches menus before making…read morereservations to make sure there are enough options for my food intolerances. That thoughtfulness is one of the many reasons I was excited to try it. When we arrived, I was initially concerned after learning that the "G" on the menu indicated dishes **containing** gluten rather than being gluten-free. Since many menu items were marked with a "G," I worried my options would be very limited, especially for the unlimited brunch experience. Thankfully, our server, Emma, immediately put me at ease. She brought me the food allergy menu, answered my questions with patience, and made sure I understood what was safe for me to enjoy. While my husband and I were deciding whether to stay, the manager, Antonio, came to our table after Emma shared my dietary concerns. His kindness completely changed the experience. He took the time to explain my options, offered to have the kitchen modify several dishes, and reassured me that their goal was for me to feel safe and enjoy my meal. Thanks to Emma and Antonio, what started with uncertainty became one of the most enjoyable brunch experiences I've had. I was able to enjoy a variety of delicious dishes, the mimosas were a great value, and the restaurant itself is absolutely beautiful, with floor-to-ceiling windows that fill the space with natural light. What I'll remember most, though, is how genuinely cared for I felt. Before we left, Antonio stopped by one last time to make sure I was happy with my meal and that all of my needs had been met. My husband had put so much love and intention into choosing this restaurant, and thanks to Emma and Antonio, we both left with happy hearts and full bellies. If you have food intolerances or dietary restrictions, I hope this review gives you confidence to visit Ambar. Their team didn't just accommodate my needs. They made me feel welcome, respected, and cared for. That's the kind of hospitality that earns five stars from me.

    New: TG corn ribs. Delicious and creative (see my picture). It's a new interpretation of corn on…read morethe cob. Mixed grill is now more expensive (as part of the Ambar Experience at Home set: grill). Though now you can choose individual ingredients (chicken, lamb and so on as opposed to mixed grill which is no + $4) Baklava shrunk! In the past the portion was generous. Now: only 3 tiny pieces.

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    AMBAR Restaurant, Clarendon - Interior

    Interior

    AMBAR Restaurant, Clarendon - Cheese pie

    Cheese pie

    AMBAR Restaurant, Clarendon - TG-Sudzuk Flatbread

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    TG-Sudzuk Flatbread

    Ted's Bulletin Ballston

    Ted's Bulletin Ballston

    4.0(734 reviews)
    0.1 miBallston
    $$
    Large group friendly
    Happy hour specials

    Had a nice dinner at Ted's Bulletin my first night in DC recently. My friend lives nearby so we…read morepopped in and were seated immediately. We both decided to have the Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad and share a bottle of wine. Good was good, service was attentive, and the restaurant is lovely. Great option if you're in the Ballston area!

    Prices have risen lately with many places so the happy our discount was a good reason to visit…read moreTed's. I've been to other locations but this was my first. I was surprised by how empty it was for a holiday evening, actually just as strange by how vacant and empty the whole area was. This used to be a very busy area. I started with a White Russian milkshake and it was quite good. Again, that happy hour pricing really made it worth it. My meal was the chicken and biscuits. Large biscuits, fresh, with a little honey and hot drizzle. The hash browns were a tad dry and didn't quite fit the meal I thought, but the chicken biscuits were good. Enjoyed those. BUT one point that was quite annoying: THE GRAVY COST EXTRA! The server tried to upsell me with the sausage gravy (+$3) but when I asked if that cost extra he demurred and said it was just something they asked. He wouldn't actually confirm that. Not cool. I don't like being upsold like it's McDonalds. Eating off my friend's plate I also liked the french fries that came with his steak and cheese sandwich. We also had the cornbread appetizer. Again, if not for that happy hour pricing.. Cornbread is uber cheap so getting four fingers of cornbread felt.. well.. not quite a value match. Service was a little hit or miss. We had a lot of people helping us it seemed, kind of a divided table. Everything is there but I'm just not used to the inflation pricing. Milkshake, cornbread, and the chicken and biscuits, with 20% tip, came out to over $40. This kind of food, at this level of service, .. I feel like I was overcharged or not given the happy hour pricing on something. This just didn't feel like $40 for one person. And they want to do everything on the machine and you don't actually get a paper receipt or a bill unless you ask for one. Which you should. I guess bottom line: Ted's is expensive for it's class and offerings, so it makes a good date spot, but for regular eating out I think there are places better priced.

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    Ted's Bulletin Ballston
    Ted's Bulletin Ballston
    Ted's Bulletin Ballston

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    Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe - Ballston - The curious case of the missing donut

    Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe - Ballston

    4.4(536 reviews)
    0.1 miBallston
    $$

    Delicious yeast (filled too!) and cake donuts, big and mini size! There are 20 types of donuts with…read more1/2 dozen new monthly special flavors. The donuts tend to get sold out later in the day. The small cafe is tucked on the street behind the Quarter Market (it's NOT inside the market) and just a few blocks from the metro. I've been to the D.C. Penn Quarter location many times and glad I made my way to the original location in Ballston. The cozy cafe has indoor seating with a few tables (no outdoor seating). The mini Cookie Dough donut, Sept monthly special) was delicious! The regular size was sold out! The Cookie Dough donut was so good that I returned for the regular size in D.C. the next day! My kids enjoyed the mini Triple Chocolate donut and I wasn't a big fan of the stuffed blueberry jam donut. Looking forward to coming back and trying out the new batch of monthly donut flavors!

    This is a great breakfast spot in Ballston! I really appreciate that they have both sweet and…read moresavory options - and do both well. My husband had a chocolate cake donut and bagel with lox, while I had a turkey sausage breakfast sandwich and mini maple donut. We'd both order the same thing again - but would be happy to try something new as well. There is indoor and outdoor seating. Outdoor seating is a bit noisy at the moment due to construction across the street. My only complaint is that $3.50 for a very small drip coffee felt a bit steep - the small felt smaller than usual.

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    Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe - Ballston
    Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe - Ballston - Turkey Sausage & Bell Pepper Sandwich

    Turkey Sausage & Bell Pepper Sandwich

    Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe - Ballston - Blueberry yuzu donut, Vietnamese Coffee

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    Blueberry yuzu donut, Vietnamese Coffee

    Mike's Cafe - delis - Updated September 2026

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