Theres almost no recent reviews of this place, considering almost nothing is left in the crystal city shops so very few people go down there… stopped in recently and asked for a hot corned beef sandwich off the grill. The girl behind the counter couldnt understand me and i got a cold sandwich with toasted white bread. Not what i asked for. Sorry i dont speak spanish. The sandwich was bland anyway and with chips and a soda was 15 dollars. Not very cheap for a small sandwich. The place was devoid of any other self serve options (hot food, grand and go items), and was generally not very clean either. Considering there was almost nobody in there, they couldve been cleaning and stocking the place but were just standing around. The atmosphere was unwelcoming, as when i walked in, i was the only non hispanic person in there and as soon as i walked in, i got the proverbial “saloon stare” where everyone stops what theyre doing and looks at you like you dont belong there. Wont be going back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Anita Aitken
Very delicious food, always warm and tasty, it’s never too sweet or too salty. Definitely my go to lunch!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Victoria S.
I was pleasantly surprised by the flavors of the food here! The food tasted delicious my first try so I came back for a second last week, and today was my third try! Still very tasty! I ended up speaking to the lovely manager, Jane, who told me a bit about the restaurant. She shared that everything is made fresh every morning from high quality ingredients. Nothing is served from the day before. She said even the meats are all fresh from a butcher and nothing comes frozen or prepared. I can certainly tell that by the textures and flavors of the food. It can be a little hard to find but is a great lunch spot if you like variety in options or are like me and like having a little of everything at every meal rather than one main meal! This place is definitely worth a try. Everyone has always been so kind and helpful and it's a clean environment. Great place for a quick breakfast or lunch spot! They have a great drink selection and I really enjoy the make your own salad options! Specifically the tomato, cucumber & avocado salad! I came back my second time just for that salad! It has a lovely light vinaigrette and I love that the produce is ripe every time. The noodles are packed with flavor and the sauces on the meats are also very good. They also have a grill area in the back for specific orders rather than the prepared options. Will be coming again!
Garland
These reviews have to be fake. Here’s an actual experience: walk in on October 11 to hear Christmas music on repeat but in a rush so I get the buffet anyways. $19 for what you see below. Taste?? Old, stale, barely warm, fake Chinese food with sauce from a can bought at food lion.
Adam Nott
A buffet by the pound with an electric assortment of foods, this has something for everyone.The place has a clean and surprisingly large sitting area, and there's Asian, American, and Hispanic cuisine all mixed and matched in the hot bar, with daily specials to add some variety to it.It's a place worth visiting whether you're hungry or just want to try something new for a change.
Leland J.
Been coming here for lunch and sometimes breakfast since mid-covid. They ran a skeleton crew and just did sandwiches for a while, but have since reopened the buffet. It's been fabulous, and I'm glad they're up and running again. Always something new and interesting in the Jane's Special section of the hot dishes, and also tasty surprises in the cold food, too. Twenty-two years in operation, as I found out when I talked with one of the managers this week.
Sushant Gulati
One of the best breakfast in the area. So many options and very friendly people. Also you cannot beat the price.
Neil Hailey
Plaza Gourmet is the best and most consistent spot for breakfast and lunch in Crystal City. The deli sandwiches and hot bar options are both great! Everyone that works there is super friendly and remembers you after you go there a few times.
John Musser
They open at 7, not 6 as listed in "Google."The staff is attentive and happy (but not *too* happy!). *Great* breakfast menu (they also have a b'fast buffet) and everything is cooked/prepared really well! Unfortunately, prices are indicative of the exorbitant rents in the area (kinda on the high side). But if you're eating here, you likely live in the area, so your rent is also too high, and you can afford overpriced food because you live here and your paycheck reflects everyone else's "imaginary local economy" that makes this area too expensive ("it's not my fault I have to raise your rent, it's 'based on the local econonmy' ...") and, in the end, just makes it not worth it to live here unless you're forced to in one way or another. ... sigh ...WITH ALL THAT SAID: This is a good place for either dine in or takeout breakfast. :)
Dave R
I was impressed by the food quality and quantity available and at reasonable prices given the location. Staff was friendly and helpful too. I'd definitely return if/when I'm in the area again.
This spot needs a lot more exposure. I hope when this area is finished being fully developed, this place reap the benefits. Buried within the plaza, lies this deli style shop. Huge space, but mostly empty as no one is sitting in their dining area. They don't do the hot foods anymore as it's not financially viable for them, so all they do is subs and sandwiches. If you're looking for breakfast sandwiches, they do those as well at a reasonable price. Friendly staff members, seems to be family run for the most part. Hoping for better time for them in the future as I really want to see what they cook up for those hot trays.
Gantsetseg Ganbaatar
They have such a nice vibe! I love them. And all of the food, breakfast, sandwiches
Jason Lam
A diamond in the rough. My fiancé and have basically given up any expectations of good food and customer service in the Arlington area but this place did not disappoint. Customer service wasn't really an issue since it's basically a grab and go place currently, but the food was fast, reasonably priced, and delicious. We had breakfast here today and the potatoes that come with the bug breakfast were awesome. Will definitely return sometime to try the lunch menu.
Arnulfo Chapa
Excellent!
Ouiam K.
I love this place so much, the food is excellent and the man who works here is so sweet. I'll keep coming here for as long as I'm alive
Theres almost no recent reviews of this place, considering almost nothing is left in the crystal city shops so very few people go down there… stopped in recently and asked for a hot corned beef sandwich off the grill. The girl behind the counter couldnt understand me and i got a cold sandwich with toasted white bread. Not what i asked for. Sorry i dont speak spanish. The sandwich was bland anyway and with chips and a soda was 15 dollars. Not very cheap for a small sandwich. The place was devoid of any other self serve options (hot food, grand and go items), and was generally not very clean either. Considering there was almost nobody in there, they couldve been cleaning and stocking the place but were just standing around. The atmosphere was unwelcoming, as when i walked in, i was the only non hispanic person in there and as soon as i walked in, i got the proverbial “saloon stare” where everyone stops what theyre doing and looks at you like you dont belong there. Wont be going back.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 2
Very delicious food, always warm and tasty, it’s never too sweet or too salty. Definitely my go to lunch!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I was pleasantly surprised by the flavors of the food here! The food tasted delicious my first try so I came back for a second last week, and today was my third try! Still very tasty! I ended up speaking to the lovely manager, Jane, who told me a bit about the restaurant. She shared that everything is made fresh every morning from high quality ingredients. Nothing is served from the day before. She said even the meats are all fresh from a butcher and nothing comes frozen or prepared. I can certainly tell that by the textures and flavors of the food. It can be a little hard to find but is a great lunch spot if you like variety in options or are like me and like having a little of everything at every meal rather than one main meal! This place is definitely worth a try. Everyone has always been so kind and helpful and it's a clean environment. Great place for a quick breakfast or lunch spot! They have a great drink selection and I really enjoy the make your own salad options! Specifically the tomato, cucumber & avocado salad! I came back my second time just for that salad! It has a lovely light vinaigrette and I love that the produce is ripe every time. The noodles are packed with flavor and the sauces on the meats are also very good. They also have a grill area in the back for specific orders rather than the prepared options. Will be coming again!
These reviews have to be fake. Here’s an actual experience: walk in on October 11 to hear Christmas music on repeat but in a rush so I get the buffet anyways. $19 for what you see below. Taste?? Old, stale, barely warm, fake Chinese food with sauce from a can bought at food lion.
A buffet by the pound with an electric assortment of foods, this has something for everyone.The place has a clean and surprisingly large sitting area, and there's Asian, American, and Hispanic cuisine all mixed and matched in the hot bar, with daily specials to add some variety to it.It's a place worth visiting whether you're hungry or just want to try something new for a change.
Been coming here for lunch and sometimes breakfast since mid-covid. They ran a skeleton crew and just did sandwiches for a while, but have since reopened the buffet. It's been fabulous, and I'm glad they're up and running again. Always something new and interesting in the Jane's Special section of the hot dishes, and also tasty surprises in the cold food, too. Twenty-two years in operation, as I found out when I talked with one of the managers this week.
One of the best breakfast in the area. So many options and very friendly people. Also you cannot beat the price.
Plaza Gourmet is the best and most consistent spot for breakfast and lunch in Crystal City. The deli sandwiches and hot bar options are both great! Everyone that works there is super friendly and remembers you after you go there a few times.
They open at 7, not 6 as listed in "Google."The staff is attentive and happy (but not *too* happy!). *Great* breakfast menu (they also have a b'fast buffet) and everything is cooked/prepared really well! Unfortunately, prices are indicative of the exorbitant rents in the area (kinda on the high side). But if you're eating here, you likely live in the area, so your rent is also too high, and you can afford overpriced food because you live here and your paycheck reflects everyone else's "imaginary local economy" that makes this area too expensive ("it's not my fault I have to raise your rent, it's 'based on the local econonmy' ...") and, in the end, just makes it not worth it to live here unless you're forced to in one way or another. ... sigh ...WITH ALL THAT SAID: This is a good place for either dine in or takeout breakfast. :)
I was impressed by the food quality and quantity available and at reasonable prices given the location. Staff was friendly and helpful too. I'd definitely return if/when I'm in the area again.
Restaurantji Recommends
This spot needs a lot more exposure. I hope when this area is finished being fully developed, this place reap the benefits. Buried within the plaza, lies this deli style shop. Huge space, but mostly empty as no one is sitting in their dining area. They don't do the hot foods anymore as it's not financially viable for them, so all they do is subs and sandwiches. If you're looking for breakfast sandwiches, they do those as well at a reasonable price. Friendly staff members, seems to be family run for the most part. Hoping for better time for them in the future as I really want to see what they cook up for those hot trays.
They have such a nice vibe! I love them. And all of the food, breakfast, sandwiches
A diamond in the rough. My fiancé and have basically given up any expectations of good food and customer service in the Arlington area but this place did not disappoint. Customer service wasn't really an issue since it's basically a grab and go place currently, but the food was fast, reasonably priced, and delicious. We had breakfast here today and the potatoes that come with the bug breakfast were awesome. Will definitely return sometime to try the lunch menu.
Excellent!
I love this place so much, the food is excellent and the man who works here is so sweet. I'll keep coming here for as long as I'm alive