A Selective Guide to Dining at or near George Mason University On

A Selective Guide to Dining at or near George Mason University
If you have access to the internet, you can do no better than to consult Mason economist Tyler
Cowen’s searchable online guide to ethnic dining in the DC metro area:
http://www.tylercowensethnicdiningguide.com
Another useful online resource to Fairfax dining can be found here:
http://www.visitfairfax.com/dine.php?st=ST0b8b0&sub=SB3a72a
For a more localized guide, we’ve prevailed on colleagues and students to help compile this
idiosyncratic list of places that we like to eat. Please feel free to double-check our information
via your own online searches!
On the George Mason University Campus
At The Mason Inn: The in-house restaurant, Boxwoods, uses locally sourced food whenever
possible, and has a wide-ranging buffet at breakfast and lunch. The Well is GMU’s new go-to
place for after-work gatherings.
The Johnson Center has a food court, located near most of the conference presentation sites,
which includes stations for Taco Bell, SubConnection, Burger King, La Vincita Pizza, and a
make-your own-salad site, among others. (Slightly fewer options will be available Saturday and
Sunday.) If you’re looking for a step up from usual food-court quality, you might consider one of
the following:
Sangam’s (in the Johnson Center food court): Sangam offers a daily sampling of menu
items from its full-scale restaurant in Arlington. Good Indian food, and one of the
featured dishes is always vegetarian. Open on Saturday and Sunday.
La Patisserie (in the Johnson Center): Hot and cold sandwiches, fruit, bagels, and soup.
La Pat has pretty good breakfast pastries, too. Quick-service window open on Saturday
and Sunday.
Jazzman’s Cafe (in the basement of the Johnson Center): Right across from Dewberry
North, Jazzman’s serves Seattle’s Best Coffee. If the lines are too long, we also have a
Starbuck’s one floor up in the JC, Both are closed on Saturday and Sunday.
Rathskeller (in Student Union Building I): Basically a loud sports bar with decent
burgers, chicken sandwiches, nachos, etc., and TVs. Lots of TVs. If you want drinks on
campus, go here. Opens at 4:00 on Saturday and Sunday.
Southside (in the Southside Building): Upscale food-court has a bistro, a grill, a pasta
station, and a multi-ethnic restaurant. Opens at 10:30 on Saturday and Sunday.
In Fairfax
GMU is not located “just around the corner” from many good restaurants. That said, if you’re
willing to do a little walking, the University Mall area has some options; if you’re willing to try
out the local “CUE” bus (see attached information) or walk or taxi the 1.5 mile jaunt into
downtown Fairfax, a few more options open up; if you have a car or are willing to taxi around
some more, we’ve noted a few destinations worth setting up an expedition.
The numbers below correspond to the attached maps.
1. Fairfax City Parking Garage: Free Parking
a. Enter from Chain Bridge Rd. (Hwy. 123) or from University Drive.
b. A few other small, free parking lots are scattered around downtown; keep an eye
out for signs.
2. Old Town Plaza, Downtown Fairfax: Green or Gold CUE Bus
a. Bollywood Bistro: Indian (a current favorite—try the fried spinach appetizer!)
3955 Chain Bridge Rd # 101 (703) 273-0031
b. The Wine House: Wine (wide selection) and small plates
3950 University Dr (703) 352-2211
c. Also here: Potbelly Sandwiches and Panera Bread
3. Chain Bridge Road, Downtown Fairfax: Green or Gold CUE Bus
a. Auld Shebeen: Irish Pub and Restaurant (pretty close to the real thing, for all you
Anglo/Irish-o-philes)
3971 Chain Bridge Road, (703) 293-9600
b. Courtside Thai (good food, quiet atmosphere)
3981 Chain Bridge Road, (703) 934-8880
c. Villa Mozart: Italian
4009 Chain Bridge Road, (703) 691-4747
d. La Rue 123 at The Bailiwick: French, a bit more expensive
4023 Chain Bridge Rd., 703-691-2266,
e. Red Hot and Blue Barbeque
4150 Chain Bridge Road (703) 218-6989
Not really walkable from the bus route; you’ll need a car
4. Central Downtown Fairfax: Green or Gold CUE Bus
a. Bellissimo: Italian
10403 Main Street, (703) 293-2367
b. Best of Thai
4004 University Drive, (703) 267-9619
c. Firehouse Grill: Inexpensive burgers and grilled food
3988 University Drive, (703) 383-1030
d. Havabite Eatery: Inexpensive Greek & Italian cafe
10416 Main St., 703-591-2244 (closed Sunday)
5. A bit further out, but good enough to be worth a drive (you’ll need a car)
a. Temel: Amazing Turkish and Mediterranean food
3232 Old Pickett Road, (703) 352-5477
From downtown, take Old Lee Hwy almost to Hwy 50, turn right just past
Home Depot and turn left into the bland-looking shopping center
b. Bombay Bistro: A Fairfax staple
3570 Chain Bridge Road, (703) 359-5810
Just north of the intersection of Hwy 123 (Chain Bridge) and Hwy 50 (Lee
Jackson/Fairfax Blvd.)
c. Artie’s: New American Cuisine (not a place for a quiet conversation, but good
food and attentive service; try the crabcakes!)
3260 Old Lee Highway, (703) 273-7600
Take Old Lee Hwy almost to Hwy 50; it’s on the left/northish side of Old Lee
d. Coyote Grille: Mexican food (and decent margaritas)
10266 Main Street, (703) 591-0006
University Ave. to Main Street; head westish a few blocks; far end of the
shopping center on your left
e. Anita’s: New Mexico-style food (and decent mojitos)
10880 Lee Jackson Highway/Fairfax Blvd. (Hwy 50) (703) 385-2965
f. La Dolce Vita: Excellent Italian food, somewhat more expensive
10824 Lee Jackson Highway/Fairfax Boulevard (Hwy 50) (703) 385-1530
6. University Mall (about 20 minutes’ walk from central campus)
a. Tong Thai: Several of our students recommend this. Online reviews suggest that
the Pad Thai is especially good. (703) 691-0700
b. Brion’s Grille: Good burgers and solid American cuisine, with bit of a sports-bar
feel. 703-352-7272,
c. Fat Tuesday’s (around the back of University Mall): According to the
Washington Post, “this schizophrenic little bar” is “a New Orleans bar trying to be
a college bar that’s trying to be a New Orleans bar.” (703) 385-5717.
181A
PROVIDENCE
ELEMENTARY
STAFFORD
PARK
DANIELS
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Downtown Fairfax
GEOR
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BLVD
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Effective February 1, 2010
GMU CUE Stop
www.cuebus.org
www.nextbus.com
(TTY 711) h
Exact fare is required; drivers do not carry change.
Metro SmarTrip® Cards are accepted.
AM