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USA South
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VIRGINIA, USA – We were so busy exploring all the historical sites in Prince William County and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground that we didn’t get to check out as many restaurants as we usually do. That said, we did find a few picks of note, just know this list by no means even scratches the surface of great dining spots in and around Manassas.
As usual with our food round-up articles, the restaurants are in no particular order, other than the number one position which was our overall favorite.
Dixie Bones Barbecue
Looking for great tasting authentic Southern barbecue? You’ll find it in Woodbridge, Virginia where Nelson Head (pictured right) lovingly recreates the pit barbecue cuisine of his Alabama home every day. Nelson’s family has been in the food business in the South or over a century and he’s committed to continuing the tradition by serving the “World’s Best BBQ.”
Dixie Bones’ signature real pit barbeque (pictured top of this post) is just that, vigilantly slow cooked over hickory logs in their four pits. Customers can choose from four sauces to cover their barbeque, including the unique “White Barbecue Sauce,“ a vinegar based sauce that’s a regional specialty in Birmingham brought north by Nelson.
All Dixie Bones food is homemade and cooked daily using only fresh ingredients – no microwaves, canned foods or pre-packaged store bought items are found here. In addition to the meats, feast on other Southern staples like collard greens, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad. Be sure to save room for dessert. Like everything else served here, the pies and cobblers are homemade and first rate.
More than just great food, Dixie Bones offers a fun and friendly casual dining experience. Everyone is greeted like family with lots of handshakes and hugs and wide open smiles. And why not? Most of the crowd I saw were regulars, part of Nelson’s loyal family of customers. Once you taste his fabulous food, you’re likely to become one too.
Note: You don’t have to go to the restaurant, if you’re having a meeting or special event, know that the Washington Business Journal named Dixie Bones as one of the top 25 caterers in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
Okra’s
Prince William County’s only Cajun food can be found in historic downtown Manassas. It’s Mardi Gras all the time at this festive small restaurant and bar. All your Cajun favorites are well represented – gumbo, etouffe, jambalaya, etc. The gumbo was actually better than the one I had in Lake Charles, Louisiana the week before I visited Manassas.
What’s especially impressive about Okra’s is that every element of the dishes is cooked to the perfect texture. Too often Cajun dishes can devolve into a starchy, mushy mess. Not so here. Each vegetable and grain of rice retained their integrity.
Save room for some great homemade dessert. The pecan pie was excellent and the chocolate cake was some of the best we’ve ever had. The party really heats up on Friday and Saturday nights with live music.
City Square Cafe
Also in old town Manassas, the City Square Café is a great place for a hearty comfort food style lunch or bistro style dinner. The restaurant, housed in an historic building and outfitted in a homey, welcoming country décor makes everything from scratch. Choose from a creative collection of soups, salads, sandwiches and hearty entrees made fresh daily.
The end of the meal brought a tempting array of dessert choices. Absolutely not to be missed are the “Congo Bars,” a caramel and pecan pie hybrid that are out of this world.
Siam Classic Restaurant
If you’re in the mood for something a little more exotic, try the Siam Classic Restaurant (also in Old Town Manassas). The place was filled with regulars when we visited, and all of the folks we talked to raved about it being one of their favorite restaurants. It’s easy to see why. The food was excellent –perfectly seasoned to suit the diner’s individual tastes, and the service was friendly. One of my foodie traveling companions proclaimed it some of the best Thai food she had ever had. Heavy recommendation!
Be aware the restaurant is small and they get crowded. No matter, you’ll be well rewarded for your wait with an outstanding Thai meal.
Silver Diner
This old fashioned 50’s style diner has something on the menu to appeal to everyone in the family. A thrifty option that won’t break the bank, check out their hearty blue plate specials.
Of course there are great burgers, soups and sandwiches. The fries are first rate and onion rings are really something to write home about. Ditto and hand made shakes and malts.
Watching your waist? No problem, the Silver Diner has a nice selection of creative salads and lots of lighter fare on the menu too. Of course they have even more pies, cakes and other decadent desserts to tempt you, so it will take will power. But if you want to be “good” they have you will find a selection of healthy fare.
Desiderio Italian American Grill
Tucked away in a suburban shopping center, it would be easy to miss this sleek upscale contemporary Italian grill. The stylish interior provides a surprising change of pace from the shops and condominium complex outside its doors. Inside is a calm oasis that provides great food in a serene atmosphere.
You’ll find some nice touches here like roasted veggies accompanying the entrees, and flavored olive oil for dipping fresh hot bread. The lasagna and ravioli pasta is made fresh in house.
The cuisine is a mixture of New York style Italian American favorites along with a nice selection of grilled meats. The food is simple and clean. While you probably won’t be surprised at the chef’s creativity you will get quality ingredients well prepared. To finish your meal, choose from a selection of decadent pastries. While many are made in house, the management says they can’t beat the quality of Artuso’s cannoli so they fly them in fresh each day from the Bronx, New York City.
Dixie Bones is located at 13440 Occoquan Rd. in Woodbridge, Virginia 22191. Click to www.dixiebones.com or call 703-492-2205.
Okra’s is located in Old Town Manassas at 9110 Center Street, 20110. Visit their website at www.okras.com or phone them at 703-330-2729.
Find the City Square Café at 9428 Battle St in Old Town Manassas, Virginia 20108. Visit their website at www.citysquarecafe.com or phone 703-369-6022.
The Siam Classic restaurant is located at 9403 East Street in Manassas, VA 20171. Phone 703-368-5647 or click to www.siam-classic.com.
The Silver Diner can be found at 14375 Smoketown Road in Woodbridge, Virginia 22192. Phone them at 703-643-2363 or visit their website at www.SilverDiner.com. Note this is a small regional chain so they may have other locations along your travels in this area.
Desiderio Italian American Grill is located at 7960 Crescent Park Dr. in Gainesville, Virginia 20155. Visit their website at www.desideriorestaurant.com or phone 571-248-0660.
For more information about visiting this area, contact the Prince William County/Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.VisitPWC.com or call toll free 800-432-1792.
USA South
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As usual with our food round-up articles, the restaurants are in no particular order, other than the number one position which was our overall favorite.
Dixie Bones Barbecue Looking for great tasting authentic Southern barbecue? You’ll find it in Woodbridge, Virginia where Nelson Head (pictured right) lovingly recreates the pit barbecue cuisine of his Alabama home every day. Nelson’s family has been in the food business in the South or over a century and he’s committed to continuing the tradition by serving the “World’s Best BBQ.”
Dixie Bones’ signature real pit barbeque (pictured top of this post) is just that, vigilantly slow cooked over hickory logs in their four pits. Customers can choose from four sauces to cover their barbeque, including the unique “White Barbecue Sauce,“ a vinegar based sauce that’s a regional specialty in Birmingham brought north by Nelson.
All Dixie Bones food is homemade and cooked daily using only fresh ingredients – no microwaves, canned foods or pre-packaged store bought items are found here. In addition to the meats, feast on other Southern staples like collard greens, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, and potato salad. Be sure to save room for dessert. Like everything else served here, the pies and cobblers are homemade and first rate.
More than just great food, Dixie Bones offers a fun and friendly casual dining experience. Everyone is greeted like family with lots of handshakes and hugs and wide open smiles. And why not? Most of the crowd I saw were regulars, part of Nelson’s loyal family of customers. Once you taste his fabulous food, you’re likely to become one too.
Note: You don’t have to go to the restaurant, if you’re having a meeting or special event, know that the Washington Business Journal named Dixie Bones as one of the top 25 caterers in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
Okra’s
Prince William County’s only Cajun food can be found in historic downtown Manassas. It’s Mardi Gras all the time at this festive small restaurant and bar. All your Cajun favorites are well represented – gumbo, etouffe, jambalaya, etc. The gumbo was actually better than the one I had in Lake Charles, Louisiana the week before I visited Manassas.
What’s especially impressive about Okra’s is that every element of the dishes is cooked to the perfect texture. Too often Cajun dishes can devolve into a starchy, mushy mess. Not so here. Each vegetable and grain of rice retained their integrity.
Save room for some great homemade dessert. The pecan pie was excellent and the chocolate cake was some of the best we’ve ever had. The party really heats up on Friday and Saturday nights with live music.
City Square Cafe
Also in old town Manassas, the City Square Café is a great place for a hearty comfort food style lunch or bistro style dinner. The restaurant, housed in an historic building and outfitted in a homey, welcoming country décor makes everything from scratch. Choose from a creative collection of soups, salads, sandwiches and hearty entrees made fresh daily.
The end of the meal brought a tempting array of dessert choices. Absolutely not to be missed are the “Congo Bars,” a caramel and pecan pie hybrid that are out of this world.
Siam Classic Restaurant
If you’re in the mood for something a little more exotic, try the Siam Classic Restaurant (also in Old Town Manassas). The place was filled with regulars when we visited, and all of the folks we talked to raved about it being one of their favorite restaurants. It’s easy to see why. The food was excellent –perfectly seasoned to suit the diner’s individual tastes, and the service was friendly. One of my foodie traveling companions proclaimed it some of the best Thai food she had ever had. Heavy recommendation!
Be aware the restaurant is small and they get crowded. No matter, you’ll be well rewarded for your wait with an outstanding Thai meal.
Silver Diner This old fashioned 50’s style diner has something on the menu to appeal to everyone in the family. A thrifty option that won’t break the bank, check out their hearty blue plate specials.
Of course there are great burgers, soups and sandwiches. The fries are first rate and onion rings are really something to write home about. Ditto and hand made shakes and malts.
Watching your waist? No problem, the Silver Diner has a nice selection of creative salads and lots of lighter fare on the menu too. Of course they have even more pies, cakes and other decadent desserts to tempt you, so it will take will power. But if you want to be “good” they have you will find a selection of healthy fare.
Desiderio Italian American Grill
Tucked away in a suburban shopping center, it would be easy to miss this sleek upscale contemporary Italian grill. The stylish interior provides a surprising change of pace from the shops and condominium complex outside its doors. Inside is a calm oasis that provides great food in a serene atmosphere.
You’ll find some nice touches here like roasted veggies accompanying the entrees, and flavored olive oil for dipping fresh hot bread. The lasagna and ravioli pasta is made fresh in house.
The cuisine is a mixture of New York style Italian American favorites along with a nice selection of grilled meats. The food is simple and clean. While you probably won’t be surprised at the chef’s creativity you will get quality ingredients well prepared. To finish your meal, choose from a selection of decadent pastries. While many are made in house, the management says they can’t beat the quality of Artuso’s cannoli so they fly them in fresh each day from the Bronx, New York City.
Practicalities
Dixie Bones is located at 13440 Occoquan Rd. in Woodbridge, Virginia 22191. Click to www.dixiebones.com or call 703-492-2205.
Okra’s is located in Old Town Manassas at 9110 Center Street, 20110. Visit their website at www.okras.com or phone them at 703-330-2729.
Find the City Square Café at 9428 Battle St in Old Town Manassas, Virginia 20108. Visit their website at www.citysquarecafe.com or phone 703-369-6022.
The Siam Classic restaurant is located at 9403 East Street in Manassas, VA 20171. Phone 703-368-5647 or click to www.siam-classic.com.
The Silver Diner can be found at 14375 Smoketown Road in Woodbridge, Virginia 22192. Phone them at 703-643-2363 or visit their website at www.SilverDiner.com. Note this is a small regional chain so they may have other locations along your travels in this area.
Desiderio Italian American Grill is located at 7960 Crescent Park Dr. in Gainesville, Virginia 20155. Visit their website at www.desideriorestaurant.com or phone 571-248-0660.
For more information about visiting this area, contact the Prince William County/Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureau at www.VisitPWC.com or call toll free 800-432-1792.
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