DC MetroMommy - cheap eats

Great pizza, fun atmosphere. A little tight for space on a crowded night. While this is a family friendly establishment, I wouldn't expect a stroller or toddler rich environment. Set in Cleveland Park, save this spot for a date night or an older child outing. Noteworthy, great brick oven pizza that is a perennial favorite of Washingtonian Magazine.

Quick, great and child friendly. This chain has really differentiated itself from competition. What started as a small private establishment in CO has blossomed under corporate parent McDonald's. Large dining rooms, fresh food, kid's menu and even cold beer!

This chain never fails. They have multiple locations in the DC Metro area. While Junior is welcome, I consider this venue a wonderful respite from home! They have Wi-Fi for web surfing, a yummy selection of food to enjoy and, if requested, they will also offer up a spiked coffee. I had an apple cider with Amaretto. Fun stop that is great for a breakfast, lunch or light dinner. Noteworthy, grab a girlfriend and go have some much needed coffee talk!

This is a perfect Northern VA night out. The food is great, the staff is inviting and they can handle older children. If you are on a budget or only have a sitter for 3 hours, this is your suburban VA destination. It has an eclectic mix for your palette. Feeling causal, go for the brick-oven pizza. In a date night mood, check out the lobster ravioli. Whatever you choose, you won't be disappointed. The food, atmosphere and price are always right. Noteworthy, Dolce Vita has opened a charming cafe and shop in an adjacent store front. This is a fun stop to enjoy a cappuccino and cannoli either indoors or on the new outdoor patio. Beware, don't go for the view. You will be staring at Rt. 50. Still the store and the authentic Italian offering make it a worthwhile stop.

They came, they saw, they conquered! Five Guys has taken over the Metro DC area and beyond. The burgers are simply the best! And with a new Five Guys opening every month (slight exaggeration) you are sure to find a location near you. You and the kids will love the simple digs, great burgers and awesome fries! Noteworthy, Five Guys has picked up top honors by Washingtonian Magazine for 6 years. Yum!

Four Sisters

6769 Wilson Blvd

Falls Church VA 22044

703-538-6717

http://www.foursistersrestaurant.com/home.html

With a new location in the Merrifield Town Center this spot has received a serious make-over. What has not changed is the wonderful authentic Vietnamese food. Now, if you have been in the Metro DC area for any length of time you will know that true Asian cuisine is not difficult to come by. With that in mind, I still say that Four Sisters is one of the best in the area and the price is definitely right. While the new location is still casual, reservations are recommended on weekends. Very causal, very good and very inexpensive. Enjoy!

Tasty Mexican food and delicious margaritas welcome you at any one of the Guapo's chains in Metro DC area. Brunch is also available on the weekends. Kids are welcome. The Shirlington location has the most stroller friendly space for younger kidlets.

Forget the pizza and go for the cheesesteaks. Trust me, I hail from Philadelphia and I even worked at a hoagie (no not "Sub") shop during my high school years. I know the real deal and Ledo has found it. They have a great roll, wonderful melted cheese and just the right amount of toppings to make it one of the best cheesesteaks in the area! Noteworthy, the restaurant offers a family friendly environment. Ledo is often staffed with peppy high school students that bring a hometown feel to the locations. A great kid's menu is available for little ones.

If you blink you might miss this charming Vietnamese restaurant. Tucked away in a Clarendon office building on the first level. Minh's is a hidden gem. The Five Spice Chicken, pho soup, and scrumptious spring rolls have made believers out of local who have a plethora of Asian cuisine options in the trendy Clarendon area. A gracious staff plays host to busy lunch and dinner crowd. Minh's food isn't the only thing that keeps its customers coming back, check out the prices. The price points definitely rank Minh's in the "Cheap Eats" category. The great part is you would never know it from the interior and exceptional service. I really enjoyed this spot during a recent date night.

Even with the absence of a kid's menu, I would still classify this chain as a kid-friendly kabob location. There are lots of fresh veggies, basmati rice and pitas that accompany most meals. With an array of chicken, meat, fish and veggie options this is a healthy and quick eat that is also inexpensive. Moby Dick has done incredibly well in the DC Metro area. There is sure to be a location near you.

Incredible barbeque and a gritty bar atmosphere in the heart of Georgetown make this a perfect destination to watch the game or hang with a group of friends. I wouldn't bring Junior this is more of an adult vibe.

This child of the popular P.F. Chang chain has it all. This is a great "Food on the go" option for the Metro DC area! The menu is almost a mirror imagine to P.F. Chang's, lettuce wraps included. Here is how it works, place your order, receive a number, select a table from the well appointed dining area replete with table tops, booths and outdoor dining. The courteous staff will deliver your meal to you. All the necessities are available. Silverware, china, chopsticks, fortune cookies and even large pitchers of lemon water help you make the perfect table. Wine and beer are available at the time you place your order. The best part, you don't have to pay a tip and you don't have a waiter rushing you out the door to make way for his next party of 5. Final note, dine-in or to-go are both available.

As a Philly transplant, I can attest to the authenticity of this Georgetown haunt. The shop comes complete with cheesesteaks, chicken cheesesteak hoagies (my favorite) and TastyKakes. Noteworthy, if you are a true Philly fan don't expect to bond with your brethren at the locale. While the staff has the right culinary idea, most folks aren't from Philly. One man even admitted he was a NY Giants fan. YUCK, YUCK and YUCK!!! Fly Eagles fly!!!!

Potbelly's is an inviting little sandwich shop that seems to anticipate just want customers want before we even know what we are hankering for on the menu. The shop has just the right amount of options of fresh sandwiches that are built to your specifications. That also have incredible shakes complete with a cookie on the straw. The staff is comprised of a gleeful bunch of teenagers that don't seem phased by the screaming kids and aggravated adults in the line. While the queue may seem long, it moves quickly. There are deceivingly more spots than you would expect with both indoor and outdoor seating at most shops. Noteworthy, the toasted bread makes the sandwich absolutely wonderful!

Southside is always a crowd pleaser. Located on the edge of Old Town Alexandria, it is very much a "Cheers" kind of bar. Lots of locals mix with strays that have found their way to Southside for the great food and lively atmosphere. In addition to being a great "cheap eats" spot, you also will have a great time watching a game with Southside's choice of 12 TVs. Noteworthy, try the fried green tomatoes. Yum!

I love, love, love this restaurant. The food, atmosphere and staff are wonderful. Did we mention the price? The mini-chain, with locations in Del Ray version of the "Mt. Vernon Ave Miracle Mile" and North Arlington, boast consistent top honors in Washingtonian Mag and AOL City Guide for great "cheap eats". The Arlington location has a fun Mexican brunch on Sundays complete with live music. Noteworthy, these folks truly have a “kid-friendly” staff that makes it a pleasure to keep coming back. Both locations make for an ideal date night with wonderful margaritas. Ole!!

Simply the best pizza I have found in the DC Metro area. This is the real deal. Noteworthy, I thought this was my little Fair Lakes secret, I was wrong. Tony's was recently voted one of the top pizza joints in all of the Metro DC area. Noteworthy, this is very "kid-friendly" spot that is normally brimming with activity. Grab an Italian beer and sit outside while you wait for your pie. Enjoy!

Villa Bella Italian Restaurant

6050 Burke Commons Road, #C

Burke, VA 22015

703-239-3580

Great little Italian restaurant in Burke Commons Shopping Center. This cozy spot offers a fun wait staff made up of local high schoolers. It is a family friendly destination that has a tasty menu, a nice wine selection and even a brick oven offering! Junior even gets dough to play with. Mom gets the Cannoli

Wegman's is simply the best! I fell in love with the store when it opened a mile from my house. Think high end, gourmet restaurant meets everyday needs. They have an amazing wine cellar, incredible prepared foods, a sinful bakery and a lush floral section. Plus, the decor and kitchen items are always unique one-of -kind finds. From the specialty cheese department to the extensive offering of organic food and products, I adore everything this store offers. The folks at Wegman's are warm and friendly. They have always been so nice to my little one. From the extra slice of cheese they offer Junior to the overhead train located at the back of the store, Wegman's makes shopping with a critter a lot easier.

Attention please, you have reached "Organic Heaven". Let's face it; no one can touch Whole Food Markets for its unwavering organic offering. If you are going green and have the wallet for it, this is your grocery store. In addition to it unrivaled selection of organic goods, they also boast an amazing prepared food section. The store also has a love for wine. In the new Fairfax store, there is a wine tasting room with 80 wines on tap. Naturally an extensive selections of competitively priced wines are available to purchase. Noteworthy, my only issue is the absence of mainstream items and the high prices. It is quality, but you are most definitely paying for it!