Arlington Restaurant Guide

I have been to the Orleans House several times,years ago and loved it everytime I came there to eat dinner,One of the finest restaurants I've ever been to. I always get the Prime Rib and it melts in your mouth. Thanks for all the great service and food. Hated to see it has closed! I wanted to bring my wife to D.C over Christmas vacation.
Thanks Much!
J.Alvin Worley
Sutherland,Virginia

Great atmosphere, wonderful prime rib, extaordinary salad bar. The prime rib is cooked for any taste rare, med., well done. We have eaten here many times my husband Jim and I. We've also dined here with frineds on special occasions as well. This restaurant is a nice place to bring friends visiting the area, you'll want to keep coming back. We liked taking friends and/or family after touring Washington, DC, it's a delightful way to end a good day. This restaurant became an "our place" to unwind after work and dine, while living in Alexandria, VA, Falls Church, VA, & Fredericksburg, VA. We miss it. Wish there was a dining experience like this one around where we live now.
Lynette & Jim Davey

I was very sad to hear about the Orleans House closing, the food was always good and the prices reasonable. Having grown up in Arlington there were very few places left that hadn't been demolished to make room for high-rises. Now even the Orleans House is gone. Very sad.

We only order the prime rib Louis cut and the scallops. We always leave happy and the value is excellent. The decor is so cheesy it is worth going for that alone. If you prefer Mortons, franchise's kitsch, doting service, or fake ambience, go someplace else. We are making a trip back before they close. My kids who are now young adults are insisting on it.

Sorry to hear that some didn't have a good experience at Tom Sarris. My family has always loved dining there.
Tom Sarris will be closing at the end of December 2007 - so to all those that enjoyed and loved the place, lets raise a toast to Auld Lang Syne.
To those that didn't enjoy it - I feel sorry for you.

On a night when we were in the city, a family member suggested the Orleans. We took a little walk out of the metro and found that its the smallest building in the area. Funny that when it was built, it was the tallest. The place is a little cheezy, but cool too. We sat upstairs and overlooked the entire area. The server was great and down to earth. We ordered prime rib and NY strip and headed to the salad bar. It was clean and simple. Nothing fancy, just simple stuff. Some of it was from a can, some fresh. Big deal. Dinner came soon and we both REALLY ENJOYED our meals. It was great to dine in a place that has had so much history. Also it has a relaxed atmosphere to it. Sure, things are outdated, but its still fun. I like that it is not a chain and the people are genuine. We plan to go back, soon. We have to go soon as they are closing for good Jan 15, 08. They were offered $35 million for the real estate and they are headed to Florida. Go while you still can. The owner told me that he will serve all meals to the highest standards untill the last minute of the last day.

Wonderful! Sorry to hear that the salad bar no longer has feta cheese available-can this currently be true?!? -that was the best part of it - that and the green goddess dressing! You never find that dressing anywhere else! I grew up in north Arlington and never went there until visiting many, many years later-choosing other Rosslyn and trendier DC restaurants when I was old enough to date-wwhat a shame not to have realized this jewel was sitting right there! Prime rib here is one our top 5 picks in our many travels!

I have never been treated this badly on a phone call to a restaurant. I had heard the Orleans House is one of the Washington DC must experience restaurants. I called to try to make a reservation. The man who answered the phone was virtually unintelligable. When I asked if I had reached the Orleans House, he became rude. When I asked if I could make reservations for three people, he said they did not take reservations for three people. I had to ask three or four questions just to find out when they started serving. Seems they serve from 11 am until 11 pm non stop. With every question, he became more rude, as though I was wasting his time.
My advice: Don't waste his time. Don't even bother to call or dine there.

Even after reading the negative reviews I still decided to call in and make a reservation at Tom Sarris Orleans House. BIG MISTAKE. The receptionist was RUDE and could hardly speak English. Not to mention, she hung up on me when I was in midsentence. I can understand... maybe she didn't hear me. So I called back - still rude! I asked to speak to a manager. Same story. Thanks for the bad reviews, and believe me - always call ahead.

We had an average prime rib with poorly cooked seafood. And for dessert we has carrot cake and a mousethat ran by our table. Orleans looked old and dirty and the mouse for dessert topped off a night that we won't forget.

This place is awesome. The salad bar has a great selection and the prime rib is one of the best I have ever had. My family is in the restaurant business so I know great food, and this is pretty damn good!

I was shocked to read the first couple of reviews for this childhood memory restaurant. A faithful patron since the age of 5 my experience has always been a positive one. Whenever I have an excuse to go to a nice restaurant I go to New Orleans. As a Front Desk Agent at a popular business hotel, I love being able to send my guests over with confidence that they will have a good meal.

YUCK YUCK YUCK. This place is horrible. The so called "amazing salad bar" is full of canned foods. The kale is canned, all the beans are canned, and do not be amazed if you find a couple of worms on your lettuce. I am sure this is not the kind of protein you like. Furthermore, if you order the roasted chicken it is served "rare" or worse yet raw - where the leg meets the thigh do not be surprised to see a bloody mess. Also, if you order the "prime rib" you will be served a messy, bloody, tasteless, watery cold slice of beef. Rather disgusting. The desserts are nothing special and beware of extra charges for things that you did not order - eg. a cup of tea, or coffee, an extra salad etc. Things you might not notice. Overall this place deserves nothing but Horrible Ratings.. I give it a ZERO.. and would never recommend it even to my worst enemy. Eat at your own risk since the silverware is not the cleanest either. The bathrooms are old, and smelly, and who knows when it was the last time they cleaned the sticky dirty carpets. Good Luck if you eat at this place.

Regards,
Jennifer Johnson

Lousy service, uninspired menu, cheesy decor, adequate - ADEQUATE - food. I don't know where the other reviewers ate, but it wasn't the same Orleans Steakhouse I was at tonight! I'm not going back there anytime soon.

Every time I visit Washingto D. C., I make sure I have dinner at the Orleans. The food is great and the restuarant has great service. I, will there again very soon.

I first went to this restaurant in the early 1970's when a lady name Connie was our wait person. She was from the "old school" of waitressing, when Staff used to genuinely give good service. She has since retired. The present Staff is just as fine. The Prime Rib is the best deal. The sides are also worth the price, which is very inexpensive. The wine is good. The mixed drinks are nice. The salad bar was world-famous. It has since been downgraded since cheese in no longer on the menu and their variety is somewhat limited compared to 20 or so years ago. The Staff says the price of cheese and other accoutrements have skyrocketed and the place does the best if can without jacking up the prices. I have a menu from the 80's and believe me, the prices have not gone up that much, compared to some steakhouses in the Dupont Circle area where I have lived for 28 years. One area steakhouse famous for their food (here since 1948) has increased their prices an average of twice a year. I have a joke that the printers must make a bundle off this place since they increase their prices with such frequency. Tom's place at Rosslyn in the much better bet. I highly recommend it after more than 3 decades.

In DC on business. Wanted a good prime rib, but didn't want the hassle of a stiff downtown DC restaurant--especially dining alone. Took the Metro Orange line to Rosslyn exit. Up the steepest escalator I've ever ridden and walked across the street. Had the King Cut of Prime Rib and salad bar and spent less than $35.00!! Salad was fresh. Prime Rib was flavorful and a very generous cut. Came with oven roasted potato and fresh breads on the salad bar. Neat place--reminds me of 1970's Las Vegas--really a throwback to the dinner/supper club type restaurants of the past.

Outstanding Place!! Love the atmosphere.
Have been going to this place for over twenty years when I visit the DC area and when I am working there for long periods of time. Best prime rib in the area and stands side by side to any Restaurants in Texas.
Worth your time and wallet going to this place.
Carry your appetite with you or carry a doogy bag home. You definately get more than what you pay for. Belive me on the Mammoth Cut!

We live in the local area and we always take our tourist friends/relatives for a meal at the Orleans House. It has never failed to impress them and we are always pleased with the food, service, and value. Parking is the only drawback.

My favorite order is the Regular cut steak, which comes with free access to their excellent salad bar. The salad is almost always fresh and appealing. Their half-roasted chicken is also very good, but I would go for the Regular Cut Steak, which is, listed the first thing on their menu. Parking is a problem as the parking lot fills up quickly, but it’s free, you just have to tip the person in-charge of the parking.