Archive for September, 2011
You could do much better by going to Big Buns (see review), but if you are looking for a place that has been made famous by the president and vp going out to lunch, then this might be the place for you.
1713 Wilson Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia 22201
(703) 841-0001
The first thing you notice as you walk through the door is that their menu is listed on several big white boards on the wall. It’s a bit confusing at first as there are a lot of choices and the line seems to move just enough forward just as you were starting to figure out what you might like and now you aren’t facing the white board. You will quickly realize that you can create your own burger — or make it easy on yourself and pick one of their specialty burgers.
Much like a lot of these places, you start with the burger (house steak seasoning), au poivre (black peppercorn crust), blackened, and diablo (spicy chipotle sauce) , add cheese, add toppings and add Ray’s Sauce (optional).
Once you’ve ordered, you’ll be given a number and that’s when the fun begins. There isn’t much seating, so on a busy day you’ll be doing the “table hunt dance” — you know what I mean, trying to quick step toward a table that looks to be leaving and hoping they do leave and that you get their first — and if not, shuffling in the opposite direction trying not to step on anyone’s toes as you move toward the next potential guest leaving.
The burgers are good, but I didn’t find them to be memorable or even outstanding. However, it may have just been a bad night or maybe I should have chosen some of their “luxery toppings” like foie gras, bone marrow or even Ray’s Heck Sauce. But, at $16 for a 10 ounce burger with foie gras (what is that anyway), I thought I’d try something more main stream for my first Ray’s experience.
We’ll give this place another try in a week or so and will update this review should we decide differently.
But, if you dine here, you can say you’ve eaten where the president has eaten. Woot! Woot! 
Roger’s Tip #1: Bring Cash, or use their free ATM in the back — they don’t take American Express (or Visa for that matter).
Roger’s Tip #2: Ray’s doesn’t know how to do “to go” orders. You’ll be given your order on a plate and you’ll have to box it to go for yourself..
We’re all trying to eat more healthy these days, but working or living near
Big Buns Gourmet Grill
4401 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22203
(703) 276-3032
makes that difficult. First, the buns are HUGE (no surprise here), the Angus beef burgers are huge and then add to that the generous portion of fries and well…
The menu is very much like a Chipotle Mexican Grill in which you pick your sandwich (burger, chicken, mahi-mahi or portobello) and then add your toppings — and toppings they have. In addition to the standard garden fare (lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles) Big Buns has five cheeses to choose from and several extra cost toppings including avocado, fried egg, bacon, and guacamole. Finally, you add a “special sauce” which include chipotle pesto, A1, mango salsa, and hot sauce to name a few.
If a burger isn’t enough — and it should be, then there are the sweet potato fries. Big Buns not only serves some of the best sweet potato fries, but is very generous in their serving size — have I mentioned that already?
Last but not least is their self-serve soda fountain. Standard coke products, but what makes Big Buns fun is their self serve flavors. Want a cherry coke, help yourself to the cherry syrup and make it a strong as you like. Vanilla more your flavor, add a dash or two of it if you like. Need some Raspberry in your Diet Coke? Make it so.
Eating healthy? Not today, I’m going to Big Buns!
Roger’s Tip: Want a change of pace? Try the lobster roll.