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by ARLnow.com — November 16, 2011 at 9:26 am 3,203 55 Comments

Bullet Hit White House — Two bullets have been discovered on the White House grounds after Friday night’s shooting incident. Oscar Ramiro Ortega is wanted in connection with the shooting. The 21-year-old was stopped by Arlington County Police on the morning of the shooting for suspicious behavior, but ultimately he was photographed and released. Ortega might have been squatting in a vacant home in North Arlington. [NBC Washington]

County Board to Vote on Massage Regulation — The Arlington County Board is expected to vote over the weekend on whether to effectively deregulate the massage industry in Arlington. The industry was first regulated in the mid-20th century due to the use of massage parlors as a front for prostitution.

Police to Teach Teachers About Bullying — An Arlington County Police Department School Resource Officer will be educating teachers and staff at Yorktown High School about bullying today. Cpl. Jim Tuomey has developed a presentation on bullying and cyber-bullying that he hopes to eventually give at other schools around the county. [Arlington County Police]

Guas’ Favorite Cheap Eats — For its November issue, Southern Living magazine asked Bayou Bakery (1515 N. Courthouse Road) owner and chef David Guas what some of his favorite “cheap eats” are in and around Arlington. Guas picked Lebanese Taverna (4400 Old Dominion Drive), Uncle Julios’s (4301 N. Fairfax Drive), Lost Dog Cafe (5876 N. Washington Blvd), and Fortune Chinese Seafood Restaurant (6249 Seven Corners Center, Falls Church). [Southern Living]

Flickr pool photo by Mennyj

E-Ross

There’s the food star I always wondered about, but the shopping center always looks sketchy to the point that I live nearby it, but have never been inside… anyone frequent it?
- MC 703
  
  It’s fine for a quick run in for milk, bread cold cuts and guajillo chiles
- abc
  
  Nothing sketchy about Food Star- Great for international foods.
- G
  
  I’ve shopped there a few times. I’ve found their meat to be almost half the price of Giant or Harris Teeter and of the same quality. Their produce is also typically much larger than what you would find at another grocery store. Some friends of mine from N. Arlington regularly come to Food Star for the produce. They also have a great selection of Latin American foods. The only reason I don’t shop here regularly is because they don’t have a few things that I like to get. One time I spent more than $100 at checkout and the manager just handed me a free 2 liter bottle of soda. I’m not sure if they still do that or not.
  - Clarendon
    
    I spent a $100 at checkout at Whole Foods and they gave me a nice double layered paper bag to put it all in !
- novasteve
  
  Coincidence, I was on Columbia Pike for the first time in about 2 years and saw that place.
- NewsyMom
  
  Great fruits & vegetables – and lower priced than Giant/Harris Teeter.
- slumming
  
  cheap lamb shanks and beef tongue. Many, many choices for Yerba Matte. And agree that the produce is cheaper, and often, pretty good. Doesn’t always smell great though. It will be interesting to see what happens to this place as the pike gentrifies. It definitely serves the low-income community in the apartments across the street.
- Arlingtonian
  
  Food Star ROCKS! It is an Arlington institution that has stocked the best international food in the area. Giant and the other gorcers adding international foods to compete with the Arlington gem. You can’t beat their prices. Their produce is comparable to Whole Foods for half the price. If you are in the mood for Spanish food, this is the place where all the Hispanics go to get their ingredients. Their sour cream is amazing!
Juanita de Talmas

Uncle Julio’s ain’t cheap.
- FrenchyB
  
  It’s not that good either.
- MC 703
  
  It’s also a giant chain with locations from Texas to Florida
  - Quoth the Raven
    
    I think it used to be pretty good (at least, I remember it being better) but now it’s just overpriced and pretty mediocre. I don’t understand how it gets on a “Cheap Eats” list!
    
    And I know a lot of people like it, but I’ve never had a decent meal at Lost Dog.
  - John Fontain
    
    What does that have to do with anything?
    - Quoth the Raven
      
      What does what have to do with what?
      - John Fontain
        
        The comment is in response to MC 703’s comment.
    - MC 703
      
      The article is titled “Arlington’s Best Cheap Eats.” The title makes me think “quality food, low prices, hidden gems that I as a local or a visitor to the area should know about.
      
      Uncle Julios’s isn’t something unique to Arlington. I looked at a few of the other Cheap Eats guides on the site and Atlanta, Raleigh, etc and those lists made me want to make some special trips.
      - John Fontain
        
        Ok, got it.
  - ArlingtonChick
    
    Yeah, it’s pretty sad when a local, small business owner is touting horrible, overpriced national chains as the best cheap eats. I mean, I get that we don’t have the best Mexican/Tex Mex food in the nation, but he could have at least said Taquiera Poblano, or something similar that’s local, cheaper than Uncle Julio’s, and better. Ugh.
    
    (I also agree that BB isn’t really that great, and is overpriced for what it is.)
    - Lou
      
      I actually appreciate that he was honest. That’s better than shilling for local business just for the sake of them being local. He gave a really good description of why he likes Uncle Julio’s. Why would you call that sad?
      - Clarendude
        
        I agree, honesty is good. I used to work in the Rio Grande building and ate there a lot. Fortune isn’t even in Arlington though. Seems like he could have named another restaurant in Arlington for “Arlington’s Cheap Eats”.
      - Lou
        
        I have no problem with the food at Uncle Julio’s. They make a pretty decent stuffed poblano. Actually the things I don’t care for there are what Guas likes, namely the loud room, kids running around and the general fast pace of the dining experience. Too each his own.
        
        I think you hit on the more valid criticism from all of his choices, namely going outside of the geographic restriction posed in the original question.
    - drax
      
      Perhaps – just perhaps – he simply likes Julio’s better and said so. How dare he!
      - Vicente Fox
        
        But why would he call something overpriced “cheap eats” just because he likes it?
  - drax
    
    Oh no, a chain!
- DarkHeart
  
  Neither is Lebanese Taverna, and LDC is borderline cheap eats. Pedro and Vinny’s burritos and District Taco are solid good eatin’ cheap food. And for anyone who has spent time in Ann Arbor– Blimpy Burger is cheaper than food.
  - yequalsy
    
    From the address he meant the Lebanese Taverna market, not the restaurant.
- Smoke_Jaguar4
  
  Neither is Lebanese Taverna, nor is Bayou Bakery. My wife is from NOLA and she wasn’t impressed with BB; we have yet to find a decent Cajun place in NoVA. Any suggestions?
  - yequalsy
    
    It’s not cheap and not in NoVA but Acadiana in the District is fine as long as you face up to the reality that you’re not (or she’s not) in Louisiana anymore. (Same problem I have with Tex-Mex and Texas-style BBQ; I ain’t in Texas anymore.)
    - Also a Texan
      
      Check out Guapo’s in Shirlington. Very good Tex-Mex. Be warned, though: There are waits during peak times.
      
      My only complaint is that with fajitas, they skimp on the onions and peppers, and they don’t cook either one long enough. But otherwise, pretty good.
      - DarkHeart
        
        El Paso Cafe on Glebe
    - Smoke_Jaguar4
      
      The best BBQ I’ve had in this area is at the Famous Dave’s in Woodbridge (don’t laugh…) Yes, I know it’s a chain but with BBQ you always get a lot of variation. We ate there last week, the quality is good and the prices were reasonable.
      
      Lord, what I wouldn’t do for a Rudy’s anywhere east of the Mississippi…
      - Famous D
        
        Did you know Famous Dave’s recently opened in Falls Church?
        
        In the space the Pancake House use to be in, in the Black ‘n Decker.. er.. Chipotle/Starbucks strip on 7.
  - drax
    
    Try RT’s Restaurant in Alexandria.
  - ArlingtonNative
    
    For some decent NOLA food, try Bayou (2519 Penn Ave NW).
    Again, not in NoVa, but its only about 10-min walk from Foggy Bottom metro. Good Gumbo, catfish, alligator, Abita’s …
    Best I’ve found in the area so far and reasonably priced. They also do lots of specials and show the Saints on TV whenever they’re playing.
    - drax
      
      You misspelled “Aints.”
  - damian
    
    Have you tried RT’s in Alexandria?
MC 703

I love Food & stuff. It’s where I buy all of my food. And most of my stuff
johnQpublic

Its good to see the police and schools working together on bullying before a problem comes up.
TGEoA

I hope the board doesn’t deregulate massage. We don’t need a bunch of handjob joints popping up staffed by slaves.
- AllenB
  
  Afraid it will draw business away from you?
- Punster
  
  glad to see the board is going to reach around the old regulations to achieve a happy ending.
  - GC
    
    I see what you did there!
    - Punster
      
      Thanks!
      
      I support the effort to lift the veil of bureaucracy from the throbbing heart of entrepreneurship.
Clarendude

Has the Earls Fish and Chip addition been reported on here ?

Clarendon culture has a link to the WP article
http://www.clarendonculture.com/post/12842668331/things-you-should-know

This is a very nice development 🙂
- DarkHeart
  
  That location has been at least two different sandwich shops in the last 5-7 years.
  - Clarendude
    
    Earl’s opened in 2005. I like the pork sandwich with the fries on top and I think I’ll like the Fish & Chips.
- John Fontain
  
  Thanks for the info. I’ll be checking it out soon.
Brittany

Seeing the Food Star pic i was hoping there was news of it being demolished! One can only wish…
- bringmetheyuppies
  
  Me too! Wondered in there once and all I can say is ew! Place was filthy and meat was rancid. Ideal location for a trader joes except for the clientel of course.
novasteve

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15759566

Interesting how it goes from a Arlnow story, maybe also WTOP to being international headlines.
PikerGirl

Food Star does have lower prices on produce, but several times i have gone there especially for advertised sale items and then the store did not have the items. Also my peeve is that they close at 9 pm- too early for this late night shopper.
novasteve

Breaking: They caught the suspect.
charlie

totally digging the picture.
at first I didn’t even think it was Arlington.
but it is my favorite store on Columbia Pike.
I against I

Food Star, good place to get products from Peru and all over latin america.

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