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Categories: Bars, Breakfast & Brunch, American (Traditional) [Edit]
2854 Wilson BlvdMon-Fri. 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Sat-Sun. 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
Don't Just Wish Someone A Good Holiday, Give Them One With Chili's.
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First bar I've been to in the DC area. I was only here briefly for drinks, I so I can only attest to the atmosphere and service.
The service was good, the staff was very polite and quick.
As for the space, very large and open (so great for groups) and no loud obnoxious music, which is always a plus. The only negative is that Arlington still allows smokers in bars.
Impression? I would go here again if someone else suggested it, but there was nothing particularly special about Whitlows that would pull me back.
WOW to WOW. Just kidding. I just like calling it WOW. First time I was at Whitlows was probably in my early 20's living in ARL. It's one step above a dive bar and it is an ARL institution just like Carpool and Galaxy Hut. They have numerous bars to choose from. I prefer the bar in the back - it's more cozy. Typical crowd youfind in the area post-college to early-30s is the range. Casual and brown flip flops is the norm attire. It's a got a slight retro feel - and they have bands sometimes but never empty.
Went to meet a friend for brunch and was surprised to find it pretty decent. Not what I expected from a local watering hole. $15 and you get all you can eat smoked salmon, made to order omelettes and tons of pasta dishes and even crab legs. Pretty good I'd say. Was very crowded and all young people. I would def come here every weekend if I was still single and in my 20s. Seems like a good place to get over a hangover from the Sat night before at Mister Days.
You definitely get what you paid for at Whitlow's on Wilson. With a pub atmosphere and a large space you'll be able to enjoy a drink, some chatter and good ol' fashioned American pub food here.
With a somewhat large menu, including sandwiches, wraps, salads, and the traditional burger you'll have something tasty to accompany that big beer in your hand. Go exotic and get a mixed drink and a fancy salad and you might forget that you're in a pub at all. They also have a rather large childrens menu, with crayons to color with, so that you can enjoy your happy hour along with your totting toddlers.
With a large space for eating, partying or just plain hanging, as well as a bar to peruse for those nights you want to be social, you can find comfort and cocktails. The wait staff is amiable and willing to accommodate changes you may have to their dishes, such as changing what may or may not be included in their wraps (as I did). With happy hour everyday you'll be able to have a few drinks for the price of one.
While the decor isn't much, you won't feel over crowded with chatter or too much ambiance as some pubs have been known to. There's just enough of almost nothing at this joint.
After eating here again this past weekend, I was pleasantly reminded of how much I like this place. The food was delicious, service was good and the price is reasonable. I'll be putting Whitlow in the "rotation" for dinner and drink spots.
Ok I have to admit, the one time I ate there, when I first moved into the area, it wasnt that bad at all. Also, if you want to go play pool during the middle of the day, and you dont want one of those "upscale" pool hall "experiences" then its ok for that too. Actually I have no beef with whitlows itself, its the clientel. Yes, I am being hypocritical to some degree since I live in Arlington. But, if you like hanging out with brown-flip-flop wearing meatheads who still wear their frat letters and openly talk about banging druk girls when they think nobody is paying attention, then I suggest you go for a visit.
There's nothing quite as serene as brunch at Whitlow's with my favorite sweetie after a night of drunken debauchery. They serve up quite a surprisingly tasty, satisfying brunch. The buffet looks fabulous, too. Waffles, sausage, bacon, eggs, corned beef hash, fresh fruit, a dessert station. Get there before the 11:00am rush.
I like their coffee too. Is it my hangover talking?
Sunday brunch at Witlow's on Wilson was good, but not amazing. The prices were very reasonable, $15 including tip for an omelette breakfast. The omelette itself was fine, as were the sides that came with it, but if I hadn't been meeting a friend who lives in the city, I wouldn't bother going all the way into Clarendon from Vienna.
I used to frequent WoW when I was a kid... for their Chocolate Malts (they may very well be the highlight of my childhood).
I hadn't been back in about 10-15 years until this past weekend... and honestly, I probably shouldn't have gone back as it ruined the nostalgic warm fuzziness for me.
The ambiance is cool... it was PACKED, lots of young people (that's pretty much all the Clarendon area is anymore), and we got seated fairly quickly (others weren't so lucky).
We went because a friend was in town and was carless in Arlington... mistake. I'd rather have picked her up, driven her to somewhere worthwhile and then back to Arlington... oh well.
I was the only one out of the 5 of us that didn't get breakfast - I got the Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich. It was decent. Definitely nothing to write home about - the roll it was on sucked. The fries however, were a home run... I dipped them in Ranch, which was also quite tasty.
My roommate got the Bacon/Cheddar Omelette and didn't even eat it she said it was so bad... I tasted her home fries and they were pretty awesome, as was the sausage (dipped them both in syrup - yum).
Everyone else seemed content.
Service was pretty great, food was mediocre, and there was a creepy dude at the next table that kept staring at us (read: the tables are about 6 inches apart from each other)... a little too close for comfort.
I haven't gone to experience the night life (too much of a drive), but if I ever make it back out there, I'll update - as I hear it's better as a bar than a restaurant.
I was very impressed. Went there on a Friday night, and I am definately going back.
I loved the crowd. While there was the usual collared shirt douchebaggery -and the snooty over-complicated hairstyle glitter makeup, that was maybe 10% (low for the DC area). The vast majority were a bunch of well well intentioned people casually dressed and wasted out of their minds, and that is SO my kind of place. I had a great time bounding from room to room and rocking out to a band that appartently plays there a lot, Hyjinx. They played several crowd pleasing sets that were fun as hell (Journey AND the Killers?holy shit that ruled).
Very friendly folk! I just moved here and I don't know anyone at all, but I effortlessly was able to have rewarding conversation with friendly strangers regardless of the fact that I was at the bar alone.
Can't review the food because I didn't eat there. Awsome party. I will be back.
I had brunch here at ~10 am on a Saturday. It was pretty dead - maybe 10 other tables full in the place. Prices were pretty reasonable for the DC area. I had the standard 2 egg special - those are some big eggs! The biscuit was kind of dry, but everything else was good. Homefries were tasty...bacon crispy. My husband's omelet was very good...my friend's french toast was huge (and I assume tasty).
Brunch for three for less than $30...I think that's a bargain for the area.
i got the crabs!
the mate and i went here yesterday for brunch... both of us were strugglin sometin fierce on the hangover tip. we wanted two things. coffee and food. and we weren't about to make that shit on our own. plus, my jeep was still in Arlington, so... it was a simple choice of where in Arlington are we gonna get our brunch on?
honestly, i never had any desire to come here. something bout this joint screams middle-America uber bland whitey McWhitey food. but, their brunch prices are quite reasonable ($16 for all you can eat)... and what really sold us were the snow crab legs which was part of their brunch. ooooh hayell yeah you best belee dat we be up for some crabs!
we were seated outside... which was fantastic since it was an absolute lovely day. i ordered an iced coffee and headed straight for the buffet. got some eggs, threw some cheese on it.... then grabbed four crab legs. round 1... ding!
the eggs were decent. fluffy and even better w/ cheese melted in it, of course. the crabs, on the other hand... well... i didn't find them all that. salty and overdone. then again, for that price, quality def is not something one should expect. the mate had the mac-n-chee and a number of other items. i tried his and found everything just as i thought it would taste. bland.
all in all, i'd prob come back here again for brunch. the food may not be great, but it's not bad, the price is very reasonable, they have crab legs (even if i didn't love them, they were edible), and great seating w/ plenty of eye candy to view.
Honestly, the only reason it got 3 stars is due to the crab legs.
Today I ventured to "the other side of the river" to meet friends for Sunday Brunch. It seemed like a decent price, so why not check it out. It was fairly heavy on the lunch-side, with only a few options for breakfast foods that didn't gross me out (sorry, biscuits and gravy nor corned beef hash do it for me). One of my breakfast companions said the eggs were pretty bad too. The redeeming dishes are the crab legs, mac and cheese and the salmon. Service was average, maybe slightly above because they kept my coffee from going empty. It was kind of annoying to me that they only accepted 2 cards, so it took a bit for my group of 4 to sort things out. Overall, a decent experience but nothing to write home about.
On any given evening you can find me at the bar, throwing back a yuengling and laughing with my friends. I'm an easy to please lady, so the cheap happy hour specials, Thursday night "mug night" and come as you are atmosphere keep me happy. It's certainly not a place to dance, but if you like a little cover band action it's the place for you after happy hour.
I went there with my friends tonight for dinner. I wanted to get dinner, it was 7pm and did not want to be seated in the bar area. My friends were already seated, and I got IDed walking into the resturant. I did not have my ID on me, as I don't drive or smoke so I often just leave it at home unless I know I'll need it.I had to spend a good 10 minutes, trying to convince them I was just getting food. After all they had babies seated outside. Finally he allows me in. Then he let a couple with a baby sit practically next to the bar? Okay?
The chicken fingers were pretty bad. The fries were average. The prices were high. I give it two stars, just to give them benefit of the doubt and because the waitress was nice.
This review was previously preceded by a long and convoluted rambling which I later deemed to be unnecessary...
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Went there today for half price burgers and to see what all the fuss was about. At about 6 there was not much of a crowd: a few families and the expected professional happy hour types. More than enough seating at tables and in the bar. A little hot for outside, so we stayed in, though they could have stood to crank the AC up a few notches regardless.
I ordered the Diablo burger (must be new, it's not on their online menu), which has fried onions, chorizo, and pepper jack cheese. They were not afraid to go with a true medium when I asked for it. My companion ordered the Yodeler, which was also cooked to correct specifications.
I can't really say much more...everything was executed upon flawlessly. The food was as described, properly cooked, and came very, very quickly. The waiter was attentive and didn't mess up. I don't know what more anybody could want out of a burger night, especially getting table service on a big juicy one loaded with toppings for the price of a Big Mac. I hope people don't take me the wrong way if I compare it to Chili's. But that's what I experienced: a well-oiled, no-frills burger-making machine.
So there you have it, half-price burger mondays at Whitlow's. You get what you ask for, and it tastes good. No surprises. However, as I said before, this place clearly has a lot more to offer. My next trip is definitely going to be for mug night, which I am sure will prove to be a different beast altogether...
I come for half-price burger night on Mondays. The burgers are great for the price. Get the Avalanche with onions, mushrooms and bacon. Service is quick and reasonable even with big groups and the activity at busy times.
On weekends they have cover bands. Not my usual cup of tea but good to fill out the neighborhood menu of social spots.
This place is decent, but it's not a must-go destination for me. I'll go if my co-workers band is playing or if other people are already there...other than that, pass.
Not really a whole lot to say about Whitlows, but it may be a little known fact that the desserts here are astronomical in stature. No joke it's pretty much a requirement to split it with someone.
Besides that, my only comments are that the beer selection is poor, the bar area is small and cramped but they do have a lot of additional rooms that are often very open. Also it's a good place to see a band play, since they have a small stage and pretty decent house sound system. Sunday trivia is fun, but not really as intense as other places in the area. If you're at the bar on a Sunday evening it's fun to play but it's not really something I'd go out of my way for.
This is my first write-up since moving to DC, so I'm easing in with a middle-of-the-road review. I met an old high school friend here on her recommendation since she lives in Arlington, and, having just arrived, I didn't know 9:30 from Nellie's.
It was a Friday after work, and the place seemed happening enough, although not packed when I arrived. Unfortunately, things didn't start too well on the beer front, which is my barometer for a new bar. The best options were Sierra Nevada and Guinness -- nothing against 'em -- but both tasted a bit funky, like Whitlow's never cleans their tap lines or has been saving these kegs since 1999 for a special occasion (my arrival?).
The food wasn't bad, but not so life-altering I dream about it now, either. I had a steak sandwich, and the fries were good. My friend had a BBQ pork sandwich that he enjoyed.
We were debating staying longer when the cover band of the night started warming up. The lead singer chose to complete one of the most aggravating 10-minute mic checks of my life. "check 1, 2... 1, 2... 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, check 1, 1, 2, 2, 1, 2, 2, 1... turn up the flapper dial to VZQ... 1, 2, check 1, 1, 2 plus 1 is 1, 2, give me a little more hair gel feedback."
Between the eponymous cover band and the lackluster suds, we left and went to Ri Ra Irish Pub. (Cougar season, FYI.)
I'll go back to Whitlow's but it will be on a Monday when I hear they have half-price burgers. Then my disappointing beer will essentially be free!
Its sunday night and the place is moderately busy, but definitely not too bad. We politely ask where trivia takes place and the woman kind of stares us down and asks if we were eating, which we say no, goes and asks someone and then comes back and takes us to a table. Now i dont know if it was because i was on crutches or what, but as we sit she said "Now normally we only let people sit here if they are eating". Already starting off on a bad foot.
We order a pitcher of beer, ben comes, we then order dessert and ben gets chili fries. Yet still, we feel guilty for not ordering enough food.
Anyway, Jeff's bread pudding comes and its pretty big... for $6 its a steal. Then come the chilli fries, also gigantic and a good deal. Then comes my brownie sundae. This thing is absolutely gigantic! There should be a disclaimer on it saying "should not be attempted with less than two people!" it was so big. i felt like i was eating and eating, but only made a dent. Thank goodness Cadence was there to finish it up for me.
Prices are decent for the amount of food! Drinks are slightly expensive, but thats what you get at a bar!
Trivia was fun, but the host was very enthusiastic.... There was a singing round, which was just awkward. however the movie quote round was fun. Just not that they had two answers with anchorman! So not fair.
overall it was a fun ngiht and i would definitely be back for trivia... but wont eat dinner beforehand :)
Just a summary:
+ $2 cans of High Life.
- Too damned much light for a bar.
-- Clarendon crowd.
Busy in most rooms.
+ Pool tables.
+ Decent quesadilla.
+ Decent food prices.
- Shitty wine "special."
+ Likes to host charity events.
- Odd bathroom arrangement.
+ Brunch.
+ Bartenders quickly remembering you.
Whitlows is clean, loud, and has average food. The half-priced burgers on Mondays? AWESOME. Other than that, I really wouldn't choose to go here. In fact I'd say the normal food prices are too high.
So come here on Mondays, skip the rest of the week.
A club bar and a family restaurant. Who knew the two classifications were compatible. The facility sits on the corner of Wilson and N Filmore. The decor is typical college club with some odd segregation. The bar/club area is in the middle of 2 well-lit dining areas. Further past is a pool hall and past that, another bar area. The bartenders are fast and they provide good service. The food was decent enough. They have a decent selection of domestic and microbrews. The hefewiezen was pretty good.
It seems they do quite a few charity events and I came here for the Babes for Boobs UYE setup by AndrewW. I'm not quite sure this is the best venue for this sort of fund raising, but the event was enjoyable nonetheless.
A disclaimer: this review is based solely on my brunch experiences at Whitlow's. All other experiences have been of the late night, bar crawl variety where nothing noteworthy stands out in memory (if it has been remembered at all).
Anyway...brunch is that magical event that is not quite breakfast, not quite lunch, and not quite happy hour (although I've been saying that brunch is the new happy hour for years). All you can eat buffets, as well as all you can drink bloody Marys and mimosas bring together friends and loved ones in all social circles. Whitlow's is perhaps one of the area's best. First off, they have the elusive Saturday brunch as well as the standard Sunday--earning high points in my book. The atmosphere is so casual, which is great for certain weekend morning reversions back to the college dining hall where one would gossip about the previous night's events while nursing one's hangover with french toast, followed by some sliced ham, pasta salad, a made-to-order omelet, and finally a plate of greasy fries. This experience is welcomed at Whitlow's (for those 21 and over, of course). Plus it is a mere two blocks from where I live.
All of those lovely things established, let's move on to the food. The $14.95 All-u-can eat "buffet" is actually a giant room of food. Literally. Four stations set up for whatever your little heart desires that late morning / early afternoon. There are crab claws, shrimp, meat balls, kick a** baked mac n cheese, smoked salmon, bagels, cream cheese and even capers (always my first stop). There is an omelet master ready to take your order. Plenty of fresh fruit and, of course, multiple heavenly cakes and pies individually sliced. Seriously, I have never brought someone there who was not #1 in awe, and #2 did not share in my excitement of all the wonderful possibilities! I once watched an entire NFL game there, returning multiple times to the buffet "room" without any judgement whatsoever. Gotta love a place that smiles upon shameless binge eating and alcohol consumption all before noon!
My only issue with the Whitlow's brunch is that there are no bottom-less mimosas or even one included in the price of the brunch. Same with the bloody Marys. Could we maybe get a discount? Currently they are, I believe, $6.50 each. Ouch! Great, now my headache is back. Guess I'll be needing another mimosa...
OK, alright, after popular demand, I've decided to weigh in with the definitive review of Whitlows on Wilson.
This isn't a franchise, it's independently owned & operated and popular with the young professionals in the area.
Go here for the food, beverage and patio dining.
The bar is loud & popular, you will be carded by the bouncer at the door.
The ladies look fine in their summer dresses and tan lines
Don't expect to have a quiet conversation on a busy evening, Fri & Sat are busy especially if there's a band. If your in the bar it's a shoutfest...hope your good at reading lips or can yell louder than the UVa cheerleader.
The have an excellent menu and daily specials. I'm not going to comment on the ubiqutious claim of 1/2 price Monday burgers being a great deal....duh.
You will find some great food specials. Try the broiled flounder stuffed w/crab meat or the hungry man king crab claws.
It's easy walk of 4 blocks from Clarendon Metro, if your driving, don't park on the street, try a surface pay lot and save the $50 fine, you can find parking in easy walking distance for $5.
They have a good selection of draft beers, the Guinness is just OK.
Try the Blue Moon draft, very fresh.
They don't have sweet tea but they do sever the Arnold Palmer, mix of sweet lemondade and tea.
The have a professional staff, quick service and a well staffed host desk designed to get you to your table PDQ.
I liked the outside patio dining, coverd with an awning, well staffed and a great view of the busy neighborhood lively with all the goings on of this upscale area.
I went here for a casual dinner on a recommendation from a friend, and it did not disappoint. The burgers, as it has been said below, are great and come with a decent selection of toppings, as well as delicious fries on the side. It was a Wednesday night, so we had no problem getting a table outside - what a great way to enjoy a beautiful evening!
Because we were quickly escorted outside, I didn't get to see much of the bar area, but it looked fun if a little quiet (again, this wasn't really a crowded night for them).
The best part? Between my burger and $2 Bud Light Limes, I had a great dinner for less than $15! Definitely a good place to go for a great, laid-back meal.
Good brunch option, choosing from either the gluttonous brunch buffet or off the menu. Lox in my bagels and lox platter was on the mushy side but overall my brunch was tasty. Quality overall average, but at least it's reasonably priced and plentiful in quantity. Half price burger Mondays also a good deal. Be careful when coming in a group - they'll only accept 2 credit cards for a given party, so bring cash! Nothing spectacular but no need to count this place out for food options in the area.
The deals look pretty good. I never got a chance to check out their half-price burger Mondays or… Read more »
For Sat/Sun brunch, this place is SO WORTH IT. Endless crablegs, great stuffed cabbage, and lots of fruit. All other times? I wouldn't touch this place w/ a 10 ft pole for fear of contracting herpes or getting arrested for getting into a fight because some dude has territorial claim over some drunk girl and mistakenly thought I was checking her out. The crablegs come out at 11am.
First things first - as a bar, this is not my first choice in Clarendon. In fact, it's probably not even in my top five. I definitely don't think it's worth a cover...EVER...and I hate the fact that they won't let you have an outside table unless you are ordering a meal.
As a restaurant, eh, it's OK. I've been for brunch a few times both with family and friends, and about the best I can say is that there's something for everyone. A lot of my friends are *obssesed* with the all-you-can-eat brunch buffet, but I just don't see the appeal when you can have something cooked fresh-to-order (I like the french toast) for half the price. I think it has to do with the crab legs - I see lots of people loading up plate after plate with the gigantic steamed king crab legs, and that might be worth the $15 if crab legs are what you're into. The bloody marys are just OK. I haven't tried the make-your-own bloody mary bar (it's positioned right next to the actual bar, which is generally really crowded with people waiting for a table), but that might be the way to go if, like me, you prefer a spicy bloody. I do have to point out that the coffee here is quite good.
Monday nights are half-price burger nights, and are almost as crowded as brunch. As an extended happy hour option, it's an okay deal, but otherwise Whitlow's wouldn't my first choice for a burger and fries. The restaurant and bar service is always quick, if not particularly personable, and wait times have generally never been as long as the hostess' quote.
Odd discovery? They make a really good frozen strawberry daquiri. Why yes, I am a girl...what gave it away?!
Bleh. I thought we'd be daring and just walk into a restaurant without reading it up first. Missstake. My pulled pork sandwich was more like a pork sloppy joe. The french fries weren't worth the fat, so for what must have been the first time in my life, I didn't even finish one-fourth of them. Husband's sandwich was so greasy wet he had to use a fork and knife.
Bassey E. and I- each holding two plates a round, ransacked this buffet. When I say ransacked - I mean pillaged and plundered. Or wait - was that just me?
What was not my imagination, however, were the people staring.
What...? I like to accessorize my butter with crab legs. Clearly, they have never seen an asian person at a buffet with seafood. Whitlow's hold's a brunch buffet fit for even the pickiest of asians. Sure, there's other brunch items there, but who really cares - all you really need to know about are the three main food groups - popcorn shrimp, steamed mussels, crab legs w/ drawn butter all for the very low price of $15.95. Even without the seafood - overall, this is one of the better brunch buffets in the DC metro - it's not gourmet but it's a great value.
Tip: Go for the beer specials that they don't tell you about, but are etched into a hard-to-see chalkboard near the bar. It could save you...oh I dunno...90 dollars! Not bitter...just saying.
P.S. -1 additional star because I hate hate hate hate hate this place for a nightlife bar...the crowd stinks of boring.
I don't think there is anyone in all of Arlington who dislikes this place more than me. I call it $hitlows.
I have tried the brunch. It's grease-laden, bland and weak.
I have tried to go during the week for some of the Uh-MAZING drink and wine specials. It's WAY too overcrowded.
I have tried to go to a live-band event on Friday nights. 8 out of 10 times, I feel like they have stolen my $10 cover-charge.
Seriously. I NEVER have a good time when I go here. You always have to push your way to the bar. There are girls with 'tudes every which way your turn (last time, I almost got into a fight with some chick while I was waiting to order a drink - she kept hitting me in my back with her swivel chair (sitauted at the bar) because she was too busy 'laughing' - uncontrollably - at some guy's joke which I'm convinced was really her way of trying to get him to buy her ONE drink) and I have to wash my hair THE SAME NIGHT that I get home from the bar, lest my whole bed and bedroom smell like cigarettes. Yuck.
Save yourself. If you really want a 'bar' scene with good music and good crowd, go around the corner to the Clarendon Grill. Even the brunch food there is better.
Smithwicks on tap, gets me every time. We come here most for select local bands, but when we have eaten dinner beforehand it has always been good. Desserts are required to be split, but everything is offered at a good price. They have some decent pool tables and plenty of tv's if you need to see a game.
My wife and I are waiting for the right excuse to visit their Sunday brunch as we have heard nothing but good things about it from friends.
I have a love/hate relationship with Whitlow's. Honestly, if it wasn't for their brunch buffet I'd probably have burned this place to the ground by now. For $15 you can have an all you can eat buffet anchored by king crab legs and all the butter sauce you can bathe in. For a few more bones you may partake in the Bloody Mary Bar where you can make your own said bevarage. I love their brunch so much that I have gone by myself on at least 5 occassions (I know, it makes me sad just typing it).
Nightlife at Whitlow's is another occassion. This place gets so packed that you might as well BYOB. I mean, don't do it--but I'm just sayin'. And what is Arlington's obsession with playing pool? Every bar in this town has pool tables and frankly it's trite. Why not a peanuckle table, or air hockey, anything else!?!
Perfect for cheap, filling eats. We decided to check this place out for Sunday brunch rather than going into the district.
There was not a wait to be seated, which was probably due to our perfect timing. I always see a line when I walk by.
Very quick service. I ordered french toast from the menu instead of doing the buffet. I expected it to be on par with diner food, so I was surprised that it was fairly good. It's good brunch if you are in a crunch.
Whitlows is an OK place. It doesn't do anything great. It is crowded all the time, they have live music, the food is OK, and they have lots of space. It could be considered a victim of it's own success, as it is SO crowded on weekends. So crowded that Arlington county sees the need to station a cop there at all times on weekend nights. It only feeds the fear that some yahoo from Herndon, in Arlington for their "big night out", will bump into me and start a fight.
The weekend brunch is much bally hooed. I find it to consist of food similar to paste in consistency. The eggs are clearly powdered and not very tasty, the omelets amateurishly prepared with questionable ingredients. The only plus is the biscuits and gravy, due to the obvious use of Chefmate canned gravy which I've been partial to. It will make you feel awful for a full day afterwards. Avoid at all costs and just order off the brunch menu if you are forced to come here to meet up with friends.
Be wary of weekends, as the horrible layout becomes apparent. You cannot get to the bar without poking some kid in a Virginia Tech t-shirt and square toed shoes out of the way.
This review is based singularly on Monday half price burgers, which is the only time I ever go to WoW. go on Mondays, it's a really good deal. The burgers are tasty & cheap, the service is usually very speedy. If you go with a big group, bring cash, most of the waiters don't like splitting bills, not even a little bit
This place is a bland as they get. First of all the color of the entire interior is a gross mildew green. The set up for the main bar is terrible, they have a partition that leaves a five foot wide alley way where everyone crams in to get beers. The service is often not friendly. I once asked for a drink suggestion for my friend on his birthday and the bartender just rolled her eyes and said "as you can see we have a full bar." I have never had a good time at Whitlows. It seems to me the kind of place Arlingtonians think is great because they have never gone into DC. In this case, believe me as a born and raised Arlingtonian, the grass is greener on the other side of the Potomac when it comes to nightlife.
4 stars for the brunch, 2 stars for the weekend bar scene, and 3 stars for half-price burger night.
If you like crab legs, and plan on eating a lot, the brunch is a great value at 15 bucks or so. You just have to be careful that you aren't so hungover that your first bite of morning seafood makes you feel sick and then you have to switch to the non-seafood items. Unless you're going to eat a ton of crabs and shrimp, don't bother with the buffet, as you'd probably be better off ordering two breakfasts if you're really hungry (although that'd be pretty ridiculous). I've gotten undercooked crab legs once or twice, though, and every time I do, I'm done with crab legs for the day.
This place is crowded and not all that fun on weekends. It's Clarendon, what do you expect?
I tend to tip 30-40% on half-priced nights if I get good service, so including tip, the half-priced burger ends up being about the cost of Hell Burger. If the music at the bar hadn't included 2004-era Gwen Stefani, Fall Out Boy AND Evanescence, I would say the value of having a waiter and a pleasant place to sit would bump the value above Hell Burger on Mondays, but, man. Whitlow's is a lame place to be on a Monday night. The burger was cooked quite well, and the toppings on the burger were all decent, but compared to Hell Burger, there's no contest. The onion rings might have literally been the worst I've ever had - just grabbing one off my girlfriend's plate made me feel sick from the amount of grease, and she felt sick for almost an hour, and the fries were cold. That's what we get for trying to get food at a bar at 9 o'clock on a Monday, I suppose, but still.
Ah Whitlows, how I miss living closer to you. When I think of Whitlows, I think of three different things: mug night, weekend brunch, and cheese fries.
Mug night is every Thursday night from some time while I'm still in work until 9pm. I haven't been in awhile, but when I was last there, you buy a plastic mug (or bring in your old WOW mug), and get Michelob Ultra or some other beer for $1.50. It is definitely a crowded happy hour, and a lot of work groups go there, but if you tip your bartender well, they won't leave you hanging.
The weekend brunch is absolutely excessive, but awesome for when you are starving or hungover and need lots of food. If you go after 11:00am, you will wait, sometimes for quite awhile. Highlights from the brunch buffet are the mac and cheese, the crab legs (which I take full advantage of), and the made to order omlette station. It was fun bringing family there because they were just shocked at the amount of food you can get for $16. Just don't expect anything fancy or gourmet.
Finally, the cheese fries. The cheese fries are covered with the requisite cheese and bacon, and served with a side of ranch. The serving size is big, but the whole thing is delicious. I think these cheese fries get a little more soggy than the Carpool fries, but they are still very good.
Redskins Special
Arlington, VA
Happy Hour Every Day
Arlington, VA
Arlington, VA
Category: Restaurants
Arlington, VA
Category: Bars
Arlington, VA
Category: Breakfast & Brunch
Arlington, VA
Category: American (New)
Arlington, VA
Category: American (Traditional)
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