Silver Diner
3200 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA, 22201
Silver Diner Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Arlington for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Arlington for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Arlington for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
3200 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA, 22201 - Phone (703) 812-8600
- Website https://www.silverdiner.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast, Brunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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M L.
I would go back to Silver Diner. The food was decent and fairly price. The space is great and the staff is friendly. I'll start with the space. Silver Diner is about as authentic as Johnny Rockets, but it has plenty of seating, booths, and some personality. It's a nice spot to hang out with friends. As for the food, it is about average, on par with a Denny's or Perkins. I got breakfast and their pancakes were rather good so I would be interested in coming back and trying an omlet or one of the other specials. One bad note, the bacon I got was definitely reheated. Kind of sad, breakfast meats are pretty easy and quick to cook but some places like preparing them in bulk and then have them sit around and dry out. Really ruins the meal. In short the setup is nice and the food was decent enough to want to try out other items, so I will be a returning customer.
(3)K S.
One word: ewwwwwwwwwwwwww. I used to visit Silver Diner occasionally when I still had my night gig at a restaurant and this was the only place open when I finished work. Even then, I'd only get a milkshake or fries or a piece of cake, and half the time the fries were battered and cold (gross) and the cake usually had a funny taste, like it had been stored uncovered in a fridge next to regular food. Plus, the service here (at least late) is horrendous, really obnoxious and slow. Granted, if I catered to a crowd that was 99% drunk, I might not bother bringing my A game either, but clearly I wasn't inebriated, just tired, and there was no reason to be so loud and surly at my table. The regular food is all greasy (even with their new 'trans-fat free' menu), bland, and wayyyy overpriced. I know Arlington is sadly lacking in late-night, post-drinking food options, but seriously - this place is the worst. If you must sober up over crap food, go down the street to IHOP.
(1)Laura P.
For diner food, the Silver Diner has lot of options, healthy and normal diner food. I've been here numerous times for breakfast and the food is pretty solid. The burgers are decent and the milkshakes are tasty. The Silver Diner is opened late, which is also a plus, beating out the greasy spoon options. If you have little ones, Tuesday night is kids night. Service is usually pretty good unless it's super packed.
(3)G W.
We were in Arlington this morning, so decided to give SD another chance for breakfast. This time the service was very good. Rohit was friendly, prompt, courteous, and everything that previous waitrons had not been. Food was good, as usual, though the coffee seemed a tad weak today. The strawberries that come with most of the breakfast offerings are a very nice touch. Nice recovery, SD...we'll be back.
(3)Pooja K.
I never thought I would be giving any diner a review of more than 3 stars given the stereotypical atmosphere and taste of those places but I was pleasantly surprised at Silver Diner! Came here late on a Saturday night and I ordered the Pesto Turkey Slider Basket and they were reaallly yummy! The pesto, basil, mozzarella, balsamic, and red peppers came together so well with a well cooked and seasoned turkey burger patty and it was a perfect portion for one person! Good fries too. I think I'll probably get this every time if I end up going there more often!
(4)Diane S.
place has some good food and open late. my buddy had a groupon yay! also the place had tons of parking and the best music with awesome working juke box my sorority loves this place because of the juck box!
(4)Jamie C.
No matter how hungover you are this place will never be good. I really didn't think there was a way to mess up grilled cheese or scrambled eggs, but apparently it is possible at this place. When I see the line outside on the weekend I want to kidnap the people in line and take them away to Metro 29. Service is unbearably slow. Milkshakes are the only thing worth noting. They are yummy. Get one to go and don't stick around for the food.
(1)Artur K.
Just a note before I get started with this review: I've been here only late night. Maybe they have a better chef during the day, I don't know. To those people that are giving this place 5 stars: I can't wait for your in depth review of Burger King. Anyway, I've eaten at Silver Dinner in Arlington 4 or 5 times, and each time it was pretty bad verging on horrible. One memorable meal involved the worst biscuits and gravy of my life. The biscuits were stale enough that I would have been better served by bludgeoning my self into oblivion with them rather then attempting to eat them. Needless to say, the gravy was nothing to shout about, but given the insanely low bar set by the biscuits, it almost tasted good. The horrible thing about Silver Diner is that it's the only thing open late night in Arlington (I'm talking 3ish or so), so I know I'll find myself back there. Blah! Oh! Recently, Silver Diner has tried to jump on the "local ingredients" band wagon. The results are expectedly comical.
(1)Mai K.
Comforting, classic diner eats, which are likely to clog arteries and cure hangovers. Sunday breakfast was an experience, because I have never had to wait on line to eat at a diner. It was packed, standing room only, with people seeking their stacked sweet pancakes, omelets, and milkshakes. Although the Clarendon location is probably uniquely crowded, the food is comparable between the Clarendon and the Fair Oaks, and quite good, especially the milkshakes. My sister's pecan pancakes were just pure dessert, and the veggie scramble with egg whites was exactly what I needed, especially with the buttermilk biscuit. This is not a healthy breakfast spot, but a solid, indulgent lazy Sunday spot.
(3)Matt L.
Great food, organic, local produce, great find!
(5)Justin W.
Quintessential diner experience. No better, no worse. But in this area, diners are rarer than in the Northeast, so I'll take it. I haven't been for lunch or dinner, so consider this a breakfast only review. Nice big breakfast menu. Go with the omeletes, not the scrambled eggs as they aren't very fluffy. The home fries are really great. They aren't deep fried but still maintain the crispiness factor. Coffee is also decent and refills are unlimited. I also should mention that there is typically a wait to eat here, especially in the morning. The host is quite a character. He has the fat Elvis look going for him.
(3)Kathleen M.
Growing up in the land of Waffle House, I never had any need for diners, unless you consider WaHo a diner... I don't know. Anyway, the Silver Diner is okay in my book, but it will never EVER stack up to the drunk food of my childhood. The service is usually decent, if not a little overbearing. I like the mini-jukeboxes at the table (grammar-nazis: beware the misspellings!) and the food is a-ok. I'm never one to suggest hitting up Silver Diner, but I'm not going to balk at a trip. I also apparently need to hit up the Challah French Toast... and see if it's any good compared to my own homemade version.
(3)Mike B.
This is the best diner in Arlington. The food is fresh and local. It gets crowded but the staff stay friendly.
(5)Ellen A.
I have been a fan of the farm to table menu for a long time and enjoy running over here on my lunch hour for the Asian chicken salad. It's a nice change of pace from all the pretentious restaurants in the area plus the free parking is a bonus! I arrived with a friend on Monday around noon and sat for fully eight minutes without anyone bringing us water or paying any attention to our booth. I finally went to the front desk and asked if someone could help us. Service was then prompt and friendly, and the manager couldn't have been more apologetic or nice. I've never had that problem before and chalk it up to an oversight. The manager certainly made it right and I look forward to returning to the Silver Diner in a few weeks.
(4)Lysandra P.
Come on, folks, give the SD some love! You know how sometimes you just need some mediocre breakfast food in a questionably clean booth served by a mildly friendly server? This usually happens in the middle of the day or the middle of the night. Well, the next time it happens, hit up the Silver Diner! The coffe is served in a really big mug, the milkshakes are old-fashioned and yummy, the interior is cheesy and the menus are usually sticky. And yet, the Silver Diner manages to charm me somehow. Go in the middle of the night, order coffee and a milkshake, and never order anything that isn't on the breakfast menu. Oh, and spend a quarter in the little jukebox at your table.
(3)Khristian V.
Oh Silver Diner, I need you in my life! Right now! Old school diner with a good staff and tasty diner fare. I love that they are open 24 hours, because it was my favourite spot to catch up with my mom over dessert or late-night dinner after work. Their muffins are absolutely to die for [I get cravings for theirs specifically], and the challah French toast is delectable. The portions are enormous otherwise I'd complain about the prices. And for all you Yelpers who get that gnawing craving for a damn good strawberry shake, I'd suggest you get down to Arlington's Silver Diner tout-de-suite.
(5)Ralph W.
We got sucked in by their new marketing, advertising "locally-sourced" meats and veggies. Our meal may or not have been "locally-sourced," but it was mediocre in the extreme. The low point was the macaroni and cheese: undercooked macaroni in a thin gruel of yellow-ish broth. Completely inedible, we chose to send it back. Patty melt was decent, though small, but the fries were overcooked and hard. Service was inattentive. With across-the-board fail it's hard to just write it off to a "bad night."
(1)Kate N.
This place is a diner - and it does fairly well in playing that role. The menu is pretty extensive. Of course they have the breakfast menu, but also seafood, burgers, salads, etc. The price is moderate - normally right around 10 for an entree with sides, so the price is right. Of course, the food is not all that impressive. The last time I went, I had a crab cake sandwich. It wasn't bad, wasn't great. The shake, was pretty yummy, but I think it is hard to go wrong there. I will say that this location is particularly kid friendly. I think they have a kid night with face painting and such. But I would not say that the wait staff was overly friendly. I like the jukeboxes at each table - they are a nice touch. You can adjust the volume, and pick a song for a quarter. If you are looking for a diner, this will be just fine! I will likely go back at some point.
(3)Elena P.
Meh. I don't quite get Silver Diner. How is this place a DINER?: Crab cakes, parmesan chicken, pot pie ... I always feel like I'm in the twilight zone when I'm here. It's like the name, the food and the vibe just can't get along. It's a 50's theme decor restaurant with a way-too-extensive menu and the items are quite complex. Call me crazy, but if I'm going to a diner, I want me some eggs or waffles. Whenever I'm here (over 6 times - all instigated by others), I look at the menu and think, "Wait. This looks and sounds too good. Did I mean to go to a nice restaurant? How did I wind up here?" - And then, to make it worse, the food is never as tasty or delicious as they make it sound. I can't recommend that anyone should waste a trip here. If you should happen to stumble upon it because of the late night hours, then make the most of it and order yourself a shake; if it's the oreo one, ask them for one or two extra oreos - they never seem to put in enough.
(2)Hyunoo P.
Time: 12:02 Agenda: First lunch on the job Overall: l2sandwich I think a million people have probably eaten at this chain. So I don't think it's important to say anything besides what I ate: crabcake sandwich. I will nickname this crapcake sandwich. Not because it was particularly bad, but because they broke my cardinal rule. Never, ever, ever serve a sandwich where the contents are smaller in diameter than the items it is served inbetween. It was more like a skimpwich than anything. I don't think crabs are expensive around here, why not fill it out? I also thought it was a little too dry for my tastes (probably because of the over-abundance of bun. Which wasn't bad in itself, but didn't make up for 20% less crabcake) The shoestring fries were good and the roulade was nice for dippunz and spreadin'. But not for high praisin'. This place is right across from where I work, but i'll take the extra effort to walk past it because I don't like really noisy restaurants that try so hard to be retro in the metro.
(2)Oliver R.
A solid two stars for the Silver Diner. A good place to goof off with friends while enjoying the kitschy faux 1950s diner atmosphere. The food at the Silver Diner is average at best. However, it remains a good place to take kids or grab an after-hour bite to eat If you're in the mood for something sweet grab a milkshake or malt to go at the bar! Free Wi-fi!
(2)Brian K.
Went here with my friends for brunch after the DC marathon and I chowed down. It is a cool diner with plenty of seating. I ordered a chocolate milkshake that came with a straw that you could suck a dime thru! I ordered 6 pieces of French toast, two eggs over hard, and two slices of bacon and my friends let me have some of their fish and chips and omelet. I would hit this place up again for brunch in DC anytime! The overall menu was extensive and served not only breakfast items but lunch, salads and dinner items.
(4)Dan G.
In the words of Mindy W, "I'm not going to be an asshole and give this place less than a perfect score just because you often have to wait. It's not their fault they rock." I remember the original Silver Diner in Rockville, and used to go there all the time. While I always thought it was decent to good, the newer menu and offerings are a huge step up. We love coming here and have yet to have a bad experience. I think the management and staff at this location do a fabulous job. While I agree that some items are a little overpriced (welcome to Clarendon), I suppose the large portions and the easy and FREE PARKING make up for it a bit. FREE PARKING.
(5)Emma D.
I heard that Silver Diner "reinvented" itself with a new menu featuring lots of special diet options and locally sourced food. I was in the mood for some diner-type food after work and went with a co-worker. I was dismayed to find out that the french fries and sweet potato fries are not vegetarian because all the meat is fried in the same fryer. Most places, when asked, will fry the potatoes separately however our waiter stated there was only one fryer for all the food. Second disappointment was that the veggie burger wasn't vegan. I'd heard the vanilla vegan milkshake at Silver Diner was fantastic, however instead of vanilla they had a seasonal vegan flavor of some chai tea milkshake thing that sounded really unappetizing. For dinner I chose a vegan pesto pasta dish with some mushy vegetables which was edible but boring. I could have cooked pasta at home. I wanted greasy diner food. The "new menu" was a major disappointment and I won't be back. The food was overpriced for what it was. Two stars for good parking considering it's in Clarendon.
(2)Vlad F.
Hmmm how do I describe this crappy diner and their doggy doo staff..it's like the morning after drinking enough beers to float a battleship and having a bad case of the beer squirts. You don't like it but you have no other choice but to deal with it. One night I parked here to get a late meal with my best friends and one hour later my car was towed by their hired car tow service. I guess you have to play Russian rullete with parking here. They have no respect for their customers and rather get their portion of the tow fee. Silver diner managers and owners I say to you...suck it! Don't eat here cause there's a 50% chance you will be towed. Eat anywhere else. There's so many delicious places in clarendon why eat at this diner sh!thole?
(1)Na L.
When I think of diners I think greasy, large portions, and warm food. Silver Diner almost seems like a high end restaurant with local ingredients, vegetarian, and vegan options, and basically too many choices. I did enjoy their food (got the shrimp scampi) and my friends got a vegetarian pesto burger (best dish of the night), fish tacos and eggs benedict. 3 stars for the good food, and JUKEBOX! but do wish they were more affordable or the portions reflected the price.
(3)Andy P.
Fried Brussel Sprouts - AWESOME! Also loved the Huevos Rancheros. I can't wait to come back. Fresh and seasonal.
(5)Steven B.
AVOID! AVOID! AVOID! Went to Silver Diner a couple weeks ago for dinner with a group of my best friends. After a bland hamburger and cold fries, we decided to walk across the street for an aperitif, a night cap if you will. Get ready because what happens next is gonna shock you... Returned to the Silver Diner parking lot to drive home and my car was missing. Long story short, my CAR WAS TOWED!!! Even though I had just finished dinner there an hour ago. The Silver Diner manager said he couldn't help. It was a nice $125 parting gift to finish off the night. And get this, there were two other Silver Diner patrons at the tow lot that had the same thing happen. Even if you like the food there, it is not worth the $125 risk. Keep Eating (not at Silver Diner). Cheers!
(1)Mo H.
Organic, local, delicious. The Silver Diner continues to be a great local chain that's consistently getting better especially the last few years. The bison heuvos rancheros and coconut French toast are killer good.
(5)Denise T.
I've been here several times and on some occasions I have asked if I could order from the kids menu, (because the portions are smaller) and I've never been told no. Yesterday my husband and I went and sat at the counter. Mama D was our waitress. I asked if I could see the kids menu, she gave me a little attitude and said I could SEE it but I can't order from it. I said ok, but I have asked before and I have been able to in the past. My husband said, she just wants smaller portions. She replied that is not supposed to happened. I said okay, no problem and she walks away. A few minutes later she said she spoke to her manager and they will let me order from the kids menu just this one time. I just said thank you and she walked away. She seemed a bit bitter I wanted to order from the kids menu. Even my husband mentioned that she had bit of an attitude. It was a busy day so I just chalked it up to maybe she was having a bad day and left her like a 70% tip.
(3)Mike M.
Classic old school diner with high quality food for a fair price. If Simon is your server be prepared to tip big!!
(5)Mae F.
This is going to be a semi-unfair review of the diner because I didn't order any food really. It was 2:30 AM, we had just left a party, and we weren't really very motivated to go home just yet. So, we drove to the Silver Diner just a half block away from the Clarendon Ballroom and ordered a Chunky Monkey milkshake, a junior banana split, and a hot tea between the three friends. I liked my milkshake quite a bit. The banana split was good too apparently and the hot tea was Lipton's. So, was everything ok? Yes. Is this a fair review? No. Will I be back? Probably since it's one of the only late-night diners close to Georgetown.
(3)Emma M.
This place is a pretty standard diner. Can't go wrong with that. Always seems to be busy. Food is good, service is decent, milkshakes are better than at most diners in the area (actually thick and with lots of flavors to choose from). Plus it's open when a lot of places in the area aren't, so it gets bonus points for that.
(4)Ray M.
We drove from the Maryland suburbs to eat at the Silver Diner and despite the rude, obnoxious people sitting around us (and no, these were not post-bar people), we enjoyed our dining fare. The chicken pot pie and chicken parmesan were good, and our service was excellent. Definitely a great place to go to if you're looking for an inexpensive, sit-down meal before going over to B&N or the Apple Store in Clarendon.
(3)Jennifer S.
Todd F - do you read minds? If I'm not there for a late-night or early morning breakfast (so good!), I'm waiting in line for the chicken cheese steak and a vanilla milkshake. Drinking one of these HUMONGOUS milkshakes out of the fatboy straws is the best! Even though it's served in a large glass, an additional amount comes in a cup on the side. And I still don't think it's enough! They are the best vanilla milkshakes I have found in the area. One of my girlfriends would kill for the Oreo. I don't dare try it. I'm prone to addiction. And one of my friend's cannot get enough of the Country Fried Steak and chocolate malt. We went to the beach this weekend and we had to get a to go order for the ride. I'm not that bad. When I'm feeling guilty and less inclined to eat poorly I also LOVE the Health Shake, made out of Breyer's (the best commercial ice cream) fat free vanilla bean ice cream, bananas, strawberries, wheat germ, honey and skim milk. Trust me, they are delish! You'll want one to go. Word to the wise though, I've never had a GOOD dessert. I'm hoping they work on that (or maybe that would be a bad thing).
(5)Patrick F.
We've enjoyed the Silver Diner in the past, but haven't been since they went to this new Farm-toTable concept. I'm not sure what farm the food came from, but it needs to go back. We're sure the food was better before it arrived at this location. First of all, our server Raj, could have cared less about our order - whether it was ordered correctly or delivered correctly. The waffle was really bad, wet on the bottom and was not hot when it arrived at the table. Also ordered a hamburger, which did not arrive correctly. But the lettuce and tomato looked left over from the day before - very sad. It was $30 wasted.
(1)Bill G.
Bit expensive for what you get, Milkshakes alone make this a viable option for breakfast. thats right i drink milkshakes for breakfast, back off.
(3)Samuel G.
You know when Jay Leno cracks about the crap that we all eat and jokes about "How FAT are Americans getting...?" Well, more than likely he's referring to places like this. Once upon a time, I had real trouble fitting into one of the less-than spacious booths at the Diner, and now I don't. Why? Because I eat here a LOT less. Much like The Front Page, it's pretty much "chain" restaurant food, only FP's is a tad healthier. The Diner does feature more healthy options than they used to, but I think it's because they count on someone who orders the Chinese Chicken Salad with Lowfat Dressing to top it off with the "Death By Chocolate" sundae....and usually, they're right. Also, like Front Page, it's pretty much just stuff to put in your gut...especially on a weekend night, if a lot of drinking is planned for later on in the evening. They have a really good wait staff, and it's great hearing all the classic tunes while you scarf down your cheese fries and ketchup. But that about sums it up. Put A LOT of extra cardio on your calendar after your visit here.
(2)Chuck C.
The Hollywood of Diners! It looks the part, but it's just playing a role! I do not know why I stopped here, I know in my soul it was a fake, but I stopped any way. The food is also a supporting actor in this movie, looks great on the menu but all fluff and no real heart! Diner food comes from the heart and soul and dose not cost an arm and a leg! The food was so so and I will never go back, I know never say never, but I WILL NEVER GO BACK! If when you think of a diner you think about Happy Days, this is you place. But if when you think about a diner you think of the movie Diner, then look around there are plenty of real diners around! Remember to eat well and live well! And please no chains!
(2)Jake S.
This is being reviewed from the standpoint of a drunkass, so bear that in mind. They always manage to hit the spot at 3:30 AM right after we catch the last train home from DC. I usually get the chicken fingers and fries (hard to screw that up), but friday night, I decided to branch out and try the surf and turf, which is a small steak and some crabcake, both of which were surprisingly decent. I don't think I'd ever eat here sober though, not because of the quality of the food, but because I don't like to sh*t where I eat.
(4)Amanda M.
One thing I very truly miss about New York: the diners! Luckily, Silver Diner makes up for it. Friendly, prompt service, great portions, and probably the most awesome banana split sundae in the DC metro area. I simply love it here. Great for a late-night meal and a beer. Plus, it's just so damn cute.
(4)shoaib a.
They've done a decent job of putting some healthy options on the menu. I'm not saying they're delicious but a person could do much worse late at night. Notice how I said late at night. If you go here and it's not 2am, you need a watch. There should be other options better than Silver Diner at normal hours.
(3)Ben L.
Silver Diner, I would like to apologize publicly to you. I avoided you for more than ten years and told everybody not to visit you. I was wrong! Some time in the past decade, you changed. You improved the menu, found a decent kitchen staff, and sourced some quality products. I like your healthy dishes. Your chicken wings are pretty good. Your buffalo products are generally very good. And some of your omelets are great. Good veggies too! You stock some nice beers (although the prices on those are too high). I love that I can get organic food, and my wife appreciates that you will cook low-salt and let her substitute almost anything for almost anything else. The setting is perfectly diner-esque, and you play some cool kitschy tunes. Here's what you can improve: your waitstaff never seems very knowledgeable about the menu, and I have yet to be served by somebody who goes at the right speed. Tonight's server threw our food on the table so fast that we didn't have time to make normal requests - a mug for the beer, some extra napkins for the wings, etc. - until he circled back around. Last visit, our waiter disappeared for the whole meal. Oh, and your desserts suck. Tonight's cobbler was a mess of undercooked sweet potatoes and overcooked pecans stuffed under a pancake. Anyway, the good outweighs the bad. You have become a neighborhood stalwart. You're really a 3.5 of a place, but I owe you some love after dissing you for so long. And I have a feeling you'll continue to improve.
(4)Jasmine N.
This place has come a long way, especially in service, but I still do not understand how anyone sober could want to eat here. The food is just bland. I like a little more flavor. The one good thing on the menu, the chicken soup, they changed. I could only imagine coming here during the day for a milkshake, those are pretty good. Gotta give the place props for being at least a cool establishment. I love the jukeboxes (although I've never heard my song actually play) and listening to oldies. If you are out in Clarendon and get hungry after, I would recommend Silver Diner for their vast menu and late hours, and much improved service.
(3)Peggy W.
Milkshakes are tasty, service is friendly, and their country fried steak is yummy. It was a positive experience, except I think I got an upset stomach from the cheeseburger here.....I think. But wow their Oreo milkshakes were tasty. Oh yeah, and their jukebox didn't work, either :(
(3)Jay S.
I love diners. I love breakfast. I did not love Silver Diner. Maybe Silver Diner is better suited from late night meals when alcohol has deadened your taste buds and any sort of calorie laden food will get you through the night. However, at 8:30 in the morning, and completely from of any intoxicants, there was nothing of interest delivered on either my wife or my plates. In fact, the only thing positive I can say about my pancakes is that they arrived. And since I was looking very forward to a delicious pancake breakfast, I was devastated. OK, not really. But I was bummed out. Our search for a decent breakfast will continue.
(1)Anthony M.
I waited a full 2 days before writing this just to make sure Silver Diner was as terrible as I thought it was. I think the owner time-machined into a 1950s IKEA and got stuck there. I get the whole vintage/retro thing but this place is more over the top than Stallone. OK for breakfast I had an omelet that was OK, nothing really special or unspecial, and the location is central with some meter parking nearby. Hash-browns are a go and the OJ glasses are ginormous which is big plus. However, the menu is unbelievably complicated for simple diner food and the food takes forever to come out. They also think it's okay to serve half of your party and make the other half wait another 10 mins before getting their food. This is also the first "diner" I've been to that doesn't come with buttered toast. They bring out cold hard butter packs that they probably buy from Costco by the boatload. Oh, why is there a flag in my food and why do you have crab cakes?? "C'monnn MAN". This place would be burnt to the ground in Jersey, but I guess in VA you can get away with it.
(2)Sam R.
A typical night in Arlington... "Last call, finish up everyone!" ... "Finish up, everyone head to the door!" ... "Seriously, get the f*ck out of here now! We're closing!" As you and your friends/date/lover/partner/random/(if you're alone and stumbling out, well AA might be a good idea...) hit the sidewalk, the question often turns to, what else -- food. Options for brefus ... Silver Diner, Bob and Edith's, or I-Hop. Scratch your head, figure out which one is closest, and go. Just be happy there are kinds folks in the world that will actually serve your drunk ass at 3:00 A.M. Oh, and order the french toast here. Mmm, mmm good. The shakes with the firehose straws make a good night cap too. Hell, everything seems to taste good at 3:00 A.M.
(4)Jimmo X.
Great food for the price. Jim gives 5 stars to the omelets. Mo thinks it's good for 3 stars. Coffee is good and large drinks are HUGE. Food quality is pretty good for the price.
(4)Kym L.
Nothing is more inviting on a cold, windy night than a bright neon Diner sign, beckoning you inside to roomy booths and comfort food. Silver Diner delivered with atmosphere, but only so-so with the food. As far as the cozy, diner environment goes, it had a good selection of milkshakes, checkerboard floors and 50's tunes on the mini table side jukeboxes, giant booths which offer a pleasant amount of privacy and adequate service. The food, however, left me underwhelmed. Admittedly, I didn't have too much of an appetite (always depressing when you are at a diner) so I ordered a cup of the 'signature veggie chili," -MISTAKE- It was 4$ for about 6oz. of bland, bland, bland slop that I didn't even finish. My friend ordered chicken fingers which were MUCH better - crisp, tender, and not too greasy! But, still a paltry amount for the price. On the way out I eyed the dessert menu to keep in mind for a possible return and the mile high chocolate cake DOES look amazing -- and like a truly HUGE portion for the price. ($4 - the same as what I paid at JukeBox Diner for only a sliver of chocolate pie....) So I will probably return for the dessert, and with the expectation of blah food but a good place to chill. Oh, and a huge plus - they serve GIANT GIANT BUCKETS of water with your food - no worrying about needing constant refills, or incessant returning waiters reaching across the table while you eat.
(3)Jackie T.
Extremely average, sometimes bland. I really don't know how this place has a legacy.
(2)Andrew K.
Nothing that great. Small portions -- side of fries weren't anything special. Prices were high. Go to Kebab Palace or Super Pollo!
(2)Matthew C.
I go to the Silver Diner every few weeks for Sunday brunch. I've never really had a bad experience here, but nothing that really blew me away either. It's a solid diner that performed its role fairly well. Prices are reasonable too. If you're looking for a breakfast fix, or need a quick lunch, this is a pretty good choice, but if you're looking for something with a WOW factor, there are plenty of better options in the DC area.
(4)Takaki K.
It's a pretty decent diner. It's a bit too clean and posh for that diner feel, but i guess that's Arlington. Having a parking lot is a plus.
(4)Kadian F.
Ah, what happened to Silver Diner? I used to go once a month but the last few times the food has been bad. How do you mess up eggs? The service is still fine but if I'm going to pay what I did I would rather go to Harry's Tap Room for brunch and get a great meal.
(1)DCer D.
soo good.. not soo good for ya. who cares. I love some Silver D!
(4)Mikkela T.
Laziness leads to Silver Diner! It's near my house, open almost all the time and I can sit in a booth, get something edible (although I wish they'd get modern America and add Mango Lassi, Smoothies, chicken kebabs etc. to the menu), play "Puff the Magic Dragon," and watch the crazies and other folks. I find it hard to resist a banana split, and I was excited that my walnuts were fresh! But my friend's "cobbler" was actually a bowl of blueberry muffin. It was okay but it's a muffin, so they should call it that. Strange. And lots of cops come here to grab a bite, so that's nice...
(3)Jon K.
It's a little overpriced for what you get, but with that stated, I've had two delightful burgers here: guacamole, pepper jack cheese, jalapenos (not fresh unfortunately -- otherwise would have been five stars), onion strings, and bacon. Delicious! Fries were good too.
(4)Kate R.
Here I am, reviewing a chain... Let's give it a try. I've been coming to this particular Silver Dinner for more than eight years (embarrassing, I know) for everything from a late-night snack to brunch to extending family outings. It's a good compromise: the good is always good, if not great, and the service is friendly, if ever-changing. I miss drinking their milkshakes and eating cheese fries. The fake meat on their brunch menu is surprisingly good?
(3)Rachel E.
I enjoy their food at all times in the day. Crab cakes are actually decent. I sometimes go in by myself and eat at the counter with my newspaper. :) Yummy shakes. Good local for all the pub crawlers
(4)C E.
I've been several times, most recently yesterday with J. Please heed my advice: DON'T GO. Just don't go. Food: Standard diner fare. The bacon is incredibly thin and brittle. My sunny-side up eggs' whites were not thoroughly cooked, which presents a serious risk for food poisoning. Service: WORST EVER. Every time we go, they screw something up. So much for the 110% guarantee they advertise on the tables. They must give away more free meals than a soup kitchen. This last time, we waited almost 45 minutes for eggs with corned beef hash and bacon (mine) and eggs with I don't even remember what for J. And it wasn't even nearly as busy as I've seen it before. They forgot J's hash browns, which were brough to him a good 10 minutes after he reminded them, and the plate for my bacon was FILTHY with food residue. It was seriously disgusting. I flagged down a manager and showed him. He brought new bacon almost immediately, took 10% off my entree (which is NOT what the 110% guarantee policy states) and gave me a coupon for a free entree. I left it on the table. Other: Nice jukebox selection. We will never, ever go back.
(1)E B.
Went there with my Boyfriend and although we enjoyed playing with the jukebox, the food was another story. I had the turkey burger sliders and they were not good. Ehh, this was a miss for me.
(2)Bob T.
Decent place for breakfast. The ambience is nicer than the IHOP in Ballston. Parking is tough so you have to park across the street. I have had the (1) corn beef hash and (2) blueberry pancakes for breakfast. Both were ok. Coffee is ok.
(3)Alexis G.
This place has basically pulled me from the edge of death several times -- once at about 7:30 in the morning on a Saturday. I am so thankful there are places in this world that will give me a huge plate of cheese fries, a milkshake and a big old Diet Coke at 7:30 in the morning. I practically slithered into this diner, praying for a miracle, and on my way out I was walking on air (but still SO ready for a long nap). I've seen how long the lines can be here, so I don't know how dedicated I am to waiting for this food. But if there isn't a line, I definitely suggest checking it out.
(4)Jackie B.
What I love the best about the Silver Diner, is the staff. Everytime I'm there the staff are so friendly and helpful.
(3)Niroj S.
Can't get enough of diner.
(4)Darren M.
Why we drove past Whitlow's on Wilson for the Silver Diner is a mystery. The restaurant was dirty (especially the men's bathroom!), the decor was cheesy, and the food was pretty bland. The whole experience was underwhelming. The only upside was the service. Sagar was a pretty good waiter, but I'm not going back. Whitlow's will get my breakfast business from now on.
(1)John R.
Open late. Incredible after drinking. It's a diner. In Clarendon. They serve beer.
(4)Todd F.
The Silver Diner chain is good for diner food. This one was the closest to my apartment in Arlington. Their chicken philly cheesesteak always hit the spot and their milkshakes & malts were always top notch.
(4)Kit S.
The Silver Diner here in Arlington is one of those normal movie type diners. You know the ones I'm talking about, I has the shiny silver exterior, the checkerboard type floor, and the red and white color scheme. This diner does have a few other things that make it a little better. For one they have each table equipped with a 1955 Seeburg Jukebox. It runs off a quarter and has tons of oldies, which play through the entire diner. They also have fast curteous service. Curteous being the key word here, they are quick and precise. Heck, I was just kind of thinking about getting some orange juice and before I could even ask it was out in front of me. I had the Country Griddle Blueplate. It was a mix of potatoes, sausage, onion, green pepper, eggs, and just smothered in cheese. There was an unbelievable amount of cheese on this thing. I was amazing. Another thing that makes them rise above the rest is their biscuits. They are not just everyday, pull out from the fridge biscuit. They are drop biscuits, and if anyone knows anything about food they will know that the drop biscuit is the best in the world. Most off all they have good coffee, strong and black, the best. So if your looking for a quick breakfast or a late night dinner, they're open till 2 am, stop by and say hello to the folks at The Silver Diner. They would be happy to have you.
(5)Felicia P.
If for nothing else, please visit this spot if you are a fan of decadence in the form of banana, chocolate, vanilla, and caramel. I stopped here the afternoon before leaving D.C. and returning to CA simply because of an Instagram post. @bestfooddc posted a picture of the banana stuffed french toast several weeks prior to my visit, and I wanted them. Then, this past Monday @bestfooddc posted another picture of the decadence; and since I was only 4 metro stops away, I stopped in. It's a bit overwhelming when it first arrives at your table, but once you cut a piece and put it in your mouth it's all good. I had a two-egg spinach omelet on the side in lieu of meat. The breakfast and brunch selections are intriguing because they offer alternative items. I'd return to check them out even though it's a chain establishment. I'm sure there's an equivalent here in CA.
(4)Brian B.
Coming from the North East, for me the diner is hallmark of the American experience. The Silver Diner takes that beloved diner experience and adds a level of quality that unquestionably surpasses its distant relatives and rivals local eateries. The Silver Diner is not so much a diner, it's a diner themed restaurant. With local farm fresh ingredients and delectable breakfast dishes, it is a favorite and a must go restaurant for breakfast lovers and food lovers alike.
(5)Hannah H.
My husband and I came here for some late-night grubbing. We were seated right away at a booth by the window - I liked the little mini jukebox on each of the tables where you pay 25c per song, and they play it for you in the order of the request. My husband had the Corned Beef Hash & Eggs, which came with eggs any style, buttermilk biscuit, corned beef hash, and homefries. My husband opted for toast instead of the biscuit, but the server forgot this and actually brought both of them out and charged for both; he wasn't a fan of the corned beef hash as it was overcooked and very very dry. The biscuit also was cold and it tasted more like a very salty scone. I did enjoy the homefries, as they were nice oven-roasted diced potatoes. I had the All-American Burger Trio Basket, which actually came on a platter - there were 3 sliders, each with a Creekstone Farms ground patty, white American cheese, a pickle, Thousand Island dressing, all on a sesame bun with a side of grilled onions, fries, and coleslaw. The burgers themselves were tasty; the coleslaw did not have any cranberries (as stated on the menu); I did enjoy the grilled onions as they added a nice sweet touch. The fries were a bit old and very cold :( I also tried one of their new shakes, the Chai Tea Soy Latte shake which was made with Oregon Chai - more on the sweeter side and there was only a slight hint of the chai spices. The diner itself is very lit-up and spruced up; there were a lot of people dining in, and they have a little lot in the back for your car. Our server was very nice and friendly and I'm glad I was able to try this place out! +homefries :D +friendly staff, but inaccurate orders T___T
(3)Shawn S.
Well let's cut straight to the point. Was a late night and I wad hungry as could be and was definitely in the mood for some breakfast. The only reason that I really found this place was because of this wonderful app. I read all the good reviews, but like everything else in life that one negative review mad me skeptical. However I went anyway... I love the fact that there is a large parking lot in the back no need to worry about where you are going to park. From the outside it looks like any other dinner that I have been to just a whole lot bigger. Now for the important stuff. I ordered the buttermilk pancakes and eggs breakfast along with the soy chai latte shake. Oh my good mother of all shakes that are delicious, that shake was WIN WIN WIN! The food came out hot and the pankcakes made me want to slap a million grandmothers at once. Especially when you use the REAL maple syrup. The thing that bothered me the most though was the smell of this place. You know that dirty mop water and dishrag bucket smell. A cross between stale seafood , ferminting fruit and dead animal. It made me question the cleanliness of my table. I could not get that smell out of my nose.. normally I'd have asked to speak with someone but hell it took 15 mins for the guy to come back to take my order. No prob though at least my food was hot, but that smell just bleh. I also think the decor could use a little bit of a makeover. The decor does not fit their menu or whatever new direction they are supposed to headed in The price is good and there are lots to choose from on the menu. I don't care much about where they get their products from, but the fact that it comes from a local farm seems to appeal to many on here. I just want it to tast good. .
(4)Katherine H.
I emailed Sergio Mendez, the Silver Diner Clarendon, in April requesting a gift certificate for a PTA fundraiser. No response. Called and left message for Mr. Mendez. No message -- even this week when I spoke to an Asst. Manager. No response. Left a message several days ago on the Guest Relations line. No response. And what did Silver Diner finally say to me about my not getting a response from Sergio Mendez? Guest Relations' Michele Young send me a 2-line email suggesting I Sergio Mendez -- the same manager who hasn't contacted me! UNCOOL customer service, Silver Diner. Spent thousands at Silver Diner with friends and family and won't be back. And, BTW, I love Silver Diner usually, but this experience with their manager and guest relations will keep me away.
(1)Paul C.
I give it 1 star. This is my 2nd visit,the 1st being when they re-opened as "Fresh and Local/ Farm to Table" thing. My 1st experience was not good. Biscuits and gravy tasted processed and out of a can. A year later and i thought i would give em another chance, not many breakfast choices in Clarendon. This 2nd visit also was not good. I ordered eggs,home fries, extra crispy, biscuit and sausage links. Eggs were barely warm, home fries were cold( frozen potatoes,deep fried) and the sausage,also cold, was flavorless. I really liked the biscuit though. I won't say much about the service,because there wasn't much(counter service). I will not be back a 3rd time.
(1)Jessica S.
Granted, I was not in sober form when I first went to the diner, I really am not the biggest fan of late night diner food from here. I prefer Ihop. I ordered the chicken tenders, which came out over cooked. My friends got the breakfast and complained about the bacon being too salty. I'm sure they have great omelettes, I just wasn't a fan of the late fat snacks from here.
(3)Cathy D.
I go here for the Sliders (mini-burgers) and chocolate milkshake. It's big enough so that 2 people can share it. Just ask them to split it in two glasses.
(4)esther o.
My most frequently ordered meal here is the "Ultimate Strawberry French Toast: Four extra-thick slices of cinnamon-battered Challah bread drizzled with caramel and topped with fresh strawberries. Served with cinnamon sour cream." Every trip here brings me closer to a heart attack, but I can't help it.
(4)cindy s.
if you're looking for comfort food, the meat loaf platter won't disappoint. good healthier fare includes the herb-grilled chicken breast platter. And the real milk shakes are great.
(4)Tatiana V.
This place was all right. My mom, boyfriend, cousin, and I walked Wilson Avenue all the way from Roslyn, where our hotel was, and found this place because we were hungry. We liked the theme, a 50's style diner. Service was okay. Our waiter was really nice. I had a veggie chili. It was very filling and delicious. I fell in love with it. We were so full that we couldn't eat dessert. We went back two days later for breakfast and I had a veggie omlette, which was really good and filling. I also had a cup of oatmeal, but didn't like it. It must've been the quick oats they used cooked with water. Gross. Their tea selection sucks. Only hot or iced tea with Lipton tea. But then again, during the 50's, that was the only kind of tea they drank. This place is good for a family. Before we left, my boyfriend, cousin, and I got cardboard cars from a stack they were making. We had fun playing race car lol I would go back when my family and I visit DC.
(4)Winnifer G.
Our waitress kept saying "Bless your heart" all the time. She was sweet, but the food wasn't so much.
(2)David S.
great bread pudding. never been disappointed. internet access but few plugs. better then dennys fo sho. and a club card! wow.
(4)Veronique L.
A cute place to check out! My friends recommended we grab lunch here yesterday following our hike at Scott's Run. Our server, Rana, was very nice and thoughtful. He kept our glasses filled, checked on us without being too obtrusive, and even split an order of milkshake in two glasses so my friends could share. I loved my chai teas soy latte milkshake. Yes, that's right. They have that. It has soy ice cream and chai tea, and it was delicious. It definitely wasn't as large as everyone said it was going to be or as I was expecting, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. My baja fish tacos, which I ordered with grilled fish, was delicious and kept the healthy meal going. The tacos come in pairs and with a fruit (strawberry and mango) and spinach salad with a light vinagarette. Speaking of which, the diner has a farm to table concept, and so many options on the menu feature local and healthy items. On top of that, they have calorie counts and symbols indicating vegan, gluten free, etc. Awesome!
(4)Steve R.
Great ambiance and great people, topped with great food and great prices. Great. Very knowledgeable and courteous staff with a fun sense of humor (even if she was a Cowboys fan). Coin operated juke boxes on the table is a fun addition to the overall feel of the diner. Very expansive gluten free choices, choose to come here!
(5)Walter W.
I have to give this place credit for being very efficient under the duress of a long line out front. Usually I just turn around when I see a long line, but today I went there for the first time when it was busy and I was really impressed with the level of service for a restaurant that had that many patrons. The food was good, no mistakes in the order--pretty much flawless service. We've been going there for years and I don't recall ever leaving wishing I had gone somewhere else.
(5)Alyssa O.
It was not the same old diner food I have had in the past. Not even the the same diner service. Greeted very promptly and taken to our booth then our server was excellent with taking our order and bringing out everything quickly and even the extra things that I had asked for. What really caught my eye on the menu is the fresh ingredients and the labels of gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan! Perfect for someone who is weary of diner food! I recommend the veggie burger! I loved the peach sauce. Oh, and the local beers! It was very pleasant.
(3)Chuck X.
Another excellent dinner at The Silver Dollar. Very fast service, great food. Vanilla shake was thick and delicious. Ribeye Philly cheese steak, excellent.
(4)Kevin S.
I LOVE the Silver Diner. I love that they promote using local fresh produce. I love that I have a hard time deciding what to eat because there are so many awesome things on the menu. I love the atmosphere and the jukeboxes at the tables. I love that my kids will eat there and won't get into a fight about where to go for dinner if we suggest Silver Diner. This location is almost as good as the others. I have only eaten here once, and the service was a little slow and inattentive. It was also VERY LOUD in here - my family had a hard time hearing each other across the table. Even so, the quality of the food made up for it and kept my rating here up to 4 stars.
(4)Danny V.
Unfashionable though it may be, Silver Diner is getting 4-stars from who? This guy. Sometimes I need a familiar, old-fashioned American breakfast that's reminiscent of the days of old. My stomach says, "A chain or not, as long as it hits the spot we're in." Judging from other reviews, I have a feeling that getting here before 10 o'clock on a Saturday morning was well worth the trouble. The parking was still a pain in my tookus, but dear baby Jeebus, the hunger pangs told my parking lot demons to simmer down nah! (Cheri Oteri SNL reference...anyone, anyone?) The staff is still fresh and friendly before 10 a.m. and before being bum rushed with the hunger game crowd. I had a lovely server, who met all aspects of their 110% Old-Fashioned service guarantee with "prompt service with a smile, food 100% right, and restaurant sparkling clean." Really, things couldn't have been better and my experience was far more pleasant than my Metro 29 encounters. The Power Breakfast was a healthy choice that packed lean meats, healthy carbs and good fats. The strawberries were perfectly ripe and came with a cinnamon dipping sauce that almost made me question it's healthiness. I was impressed that there are many dietary considerations on the menu and local produce was incorporated into some of the dishes being served. Not too shabby for a chain restaurant. The line was out the door as I made my way towards the exit. I can see how it would be hard to keep up with demands of such a crowd. With the lines go out the door, it must be a good sign if people are willing to wait. Come before 10am for the better experience and it should increase your odds for winning a parking space.
(4)Ashley B.
I'm new to the area & I was looking for a place for a goodbye breakfast for my family. I found Silver Diner through a Yelp search and decided to try it out - I love a diner. I was not disappointed!! I had the caramel french toast, chicken sausage, and eggs - everything was FANTASTIC! The mango mimosa was great too! I highly recommend and I will return!
(4)Tony W.
Very impressed with the menu. Covers traditional diner food and goes beyond to salads and more health choices. Been at this particular location 4 times and each time the service was great. No complaints. Since I am a big fan of diners, I will be back.
(4)J J.
We went here late last night and our server was Paul. He was the nicest and most helpful server we have had at any restaurant in a long while. I have never written a review for a diner but after we left I felt the need to since he was so accommodating. I do not live in Virginia but if I did I would go back just because of his customer service. The food was very good as well.
(5)C Q.
Friendly service and great food! I ordered waffle, eggs and sausages. My kids had Philly cheesecake omelet. All were delicious. The portions were pretty big. Our waitress, Joan, took good care of us. She checked in with us during the whole meal, and remembered the special coffee request (half regular and half decaf) for one of the person in our group. It's a casual family friendly place. I really enjoyed the meal there. Since the restaurant is at an odd corner. It is a little tricky to get to it from Washington Blvd. I think it's easier to get to it from Wilson.
(5)Melissa C.
Great modern diner that is farm to table with organic and locally sourced selections. Also vegetarian and gluten free options. Appreciate the flavor combos such as cinnamon chipotle veggies. This isn't your traditional old school dinner. Like that they have options under 600 calories. They pretty much have it all for all types of palettes. And you can get breakfast for dinner! Hooray! If you come for Sunday brunch expect a small wait but usually moves quickly. It's a bit on pricey side but get quality items.
(4)Lori C.
Food is absolutely wonderful. Surprisingly healthy options that rival most other restaurants we've gone to - we never would have guessed from the decor.
(5)Juanita P.
I visited this diner because my friend told me they had organic items on the menu. Where??? Besides for the organic oatmeal, I didn't see another clearly identified organic item. There were a couple of wines named "Organica ..." but that could be marketing BS as organica is not really a word. Further, local and organic was used together on the menu (printed in the center of one page and not clearly identified with anything) when these terms mean two different things. The menu has many labels for vegan, gluten-free, etc. I wondered why there were no individual labels for organic, local and pesticide free, non-GMO, etc. Could it be because the oatmeal (and ketchup) are the only truly organic items in the restaurant and clearly labeling the menu would make that glaringly clear? In the end, I feel like the organic and local claims about the diner are marketing slight of hand and more puffery than substance. One star each for the farm-to-table lip service and piddling execution but until organic, local and pesticide free, and non-GMO items are clearly identified on the menu this one will never be back.
(2)Mel S.
Great place for dinner. I Wouldn't recommend taking the family on a weekend night, as most of the club and bar goers in the area pack this place on weekend nights starting Thursday. But taking your family for breakfast lunch or dinner all other times is great. Most of the food is from local farms. You can get turkey burgers here. They are a bit pricey for a "diner" BUT they serve local farm fresh food so thats what your really paying for and its worth it. The service is average. the food selection is very broad. They have appetizers, breakfast, dinner, burgers, lunch, sandwiches, omelets, soups, subs, etc. The kids menu is bit pricey as well, but like i said before your paying for local grown food. The facility is clean and 70's retro themed. They have a bar sitting area where you can watch food be made right in front of you. very casual atmosphere.
(5)Chad H.
I parked at the back parking lot, walked across the street to Mad Rose to see if a friend was there, walked back to the Silver Diner, ate, paid, left and saw my truck was towed. I called the tow company and they said they had a spotter on site and as soon as I walked across the street, they towed my truck. Less than 1 minute on site!!! Silver Diner management responded that they wouldn't do anything about it! Fuck them and Fuck their establishment....oh and the parking lot was pretty empty!!!...at least 20 spots open,...not like they were hungry for parking spots...just hungry to feed the tow company money!!!! and hungry to fuck their patrons!!!!
(1)Chad O.
Diner food with healthy, locally sourced food spin. The family ends up there once a month. Nothing on the menu is killer good, but everything is passible. Good for young kids. Philly cheese steak and crab cakes are pretty. Wife likes waffles and eggs. Kids like pancakes and Mac&cheese. Parking in back.
(3)Nishant G.
Flexitarian menu according to the executive chef. That's good. This establishment seems to be a main-stay of the Clarendon area. They're also open 24 hours (thankfully), and their food is always consistent. Service is friendly and un-rushed. This place is like Dennys 5.0. I would come back here again. The jukeboxes don't work though. Mega lame!
(4)Joan K.
Maybe I have an old soul. The idea of a healthy diner is super appealing. I love the citrus salad with chicken. The service was OK, but the food made up for the service.
(4)Brenda L.
Healthy options and the staff is really friendly. What I really love about this place is that most of the ingredients come from LOCAL sources (awesome!) - hence, the food tastes FRESH! If you're looking for a brunch spot that will hit the spot, Silver Diner is the place to go!!
(4)Vincent V.
Love the look and feel of the place and was super impressed with their sustainable menu with all fresh items... Only there was a missing link between these items and the menu. I had the crab-cakes platter which was joined by seasoned fries, slaw and a kicking sauce. Oh, and it came with a salad too. Only it was nothing special and the staff were not as friendly as I would have hoped for. It is okay, but nothing I would go out of my way to repeat.
(3)Pablo R.
What an great place. As a native DMVer I have always know of Silver Diner, but I have never enjoyed the food as much as I did this past visit. The goat cheese bruschetta was awesome, and the new menus has tons of great locally sourced options. Definitely not the Silver Diner menu I grew up with. Great mix of options while staying true to Diner speed and comfort. The service was some of the best I've had in along time. The waitress caught a small mistake in my (that I modified from the menu) and had it corrected and back to me in no time. On top of that Ryan, the manager, stopped by and honored their 100% right order policy. I was glad to accept it, but the fact that their service was so kind, prompt, and thoughtful was enough for me.
(4)Blaise M.
The service was awful. After 10 minutes of waiting I finally had to go up and ask the waiter to come to our table and give us complimentary waters. Ten minutes later he returned with the waters and our menus. Our food took 45 minutes to come and we were some of the only people in the diner-- so this was a ridiculous wait. To top it all off, when the check finally came We tipped our waiter a generous 15% ONLY to have him grab us on our way out to strongly express his emotions about how we didn't tip him enough (despite his AWFUL service.) in order to get him to stop talking, we decided to raise the tip to 20%, but walked out offended and shocked. We really liked silver diner before but now are all left with a bad feeling and wanted to share with the community.
(2)Amanda S.
I feel like anywhere you go, there's a Silver Diner lurking in the neighborhood. I've got great friends who live walking distance from the Silver Diner and I've been years ago but didn't go back until the other weekend and nothing's changed in the sense of spectacular service, organic and locally grown vegetables and great atmosphere! There was a bit of a wait (you wait like you're in a line for a roller coaster ride...it's funny to me) but wasn't but like 10 minutes. They do a fantastic job of rotating tables and moving onto the next guest pretty swiftly. I ordered the Oaxaca (wah-haw-kah) Omelette and replaced the wheat toast with gluten free toast and it was incredible. It was the perfect compliment to my coffee. The coffee wasn't the most amazing coffee ever but did the trick assuming I just needed a little pick me up. Absolutely everything that everyone got was served quickly and fresh. It's nice to know that on the menu itself, you can learn about the lead chef and exactly where they are getting all of their produce and dairy from. Not like anything else I've ever seen before. My friend happen to have ordered an over easy egg on the side and they forgot about it, but she didn't really care because she saw how crazy busy it was in there and just figured to let it go. Some of the booths are nice and long and can handle a lot of people at one time. Most certainly will be visiting again! The thing I love the most is they have all the vintage and original jukeboxes at every table -- and best part about it is that they all still work! So your table can enjoy fun tunes while you eat (and yes you have to put money in it)
(4)Sonja H.
I like that they have gluten free options. The french toast is good and their french fries. I am changing this to 4 stars because I ordered a steak and it was tough and no flavor.
(4)Mary Kate M.
When we first initially got here we thought this was your typical run of the mill diner that you can get cheap food and get in and out quickly. This here isn't the case. In fact, quite the contrary. We were here for an hour, and prices were steep. I was quite surprised on the pricing. I truly did think we could escape under $20 before taking a look at the menu. Allow me to say this is not your standard dining fare from your typical diner. The concept here is 'farm to table'. All locally produced and it even makes a point to show you that on the listed menu items. My boyfriend and I both opted for burgers. I ordered the turkey burger with mozzarella, and teriyaki sauce with sweet potato fries and ranch for dipping. Very tasty and very light despite being a burger. That is what i wanted and all was very flavorful. Jason ordered the beef burger with the fixins' adding a fried egg, buffalo sauce and he had regular steak fries. Again, very good and filling. He was happy with it and I was glad to see he was impressed with his burger. Trust me, it is not often you find a good burger he will rave about. Congrats Silver Diner, you have a fan! We did split a strawberry malt shake. This cost us $5.99 and unfortunately I thought the shake was a bit bland and lacked flavor hence the knocked off star. Service was decent. He paid us enough attention to give him a good rating. I would come back and I recommend the burgers for sure. I don't think I could make a habit coming here since the prices are a bit steep. Think pricing at Red Lobster or Outback for what you get here.
(4)Benjamin D.
Dripping water onto our table When we entered the restaurant smelled like a wet dog. After being seated, I felt something wet. The roof was leaking! There were several spots where water had stained through the ceiling tile and was dripping on the table. The food was average at best, our mash potatos were cold. I've never had a great experience at any of these restaurants. I'll stick with Eat'nPark!
(2)Masood N.
Ive come to silver diner a few times in the past and its been pretty great service and food wise, this trip however was a complete disaster. It began with a server named dennis explaining that my group could not sit in an uncrowded section at 1 am, which is a little irritating but understandable. I ordered a vanilla shake to start which is a go to at silver diner everytime. The shakes took 20 minutes to come out, more irritation. I ordered the philly cheesesteak with the additional mushrooms, nor worth the 99 cents. The sandwhich was dry, bland and fell apart halfway through my meal. The fries were alright, although i ordered an extra side of sweet potato fries, highly recommended. The cheesteak was not worth the 14 bucks, but thats 2 am service on a Wednesday. Beware of the dirty cups and silver ware along with bugs on tables and windows. Yikes! Milkshake is one star, sweet potato fries the service honestly destroyed the experience.
(2)Alex W.
Got the crimini mushroom omelette. Seriously the best diner omelette I've ever had. And came with fruit and whole wheat toast which can often cost extra money. Really great place. Fresh and local ingredients
(5)Charlotte M.
I've come to Silver Diner since the mid-2000s & decided to write a review after this weekend's breakfast because they've undergone a menu renovation to include gluten free and vegetarian. First, they have gluten-free pancakes, french toast and bread. Second, their GF coconut french toast with agave & strawberries was really good. After the first few bites though, I realized there was just too much coconut even for me. I thought it was going to be a sprinkle not an entire coating of coconut. Second, they have a vegetarian section. I would like to say that for several years (beginning around 2004/5) I started filling out a written comment card requesting vegetarian sausage every time I came in since my options were eggs and fruit. Boring. Now, there's a whole section! Third, get there early (before 8:30) and you will likely walk in without waiting. Otherwise, there will be a wait. But it's worth it.
(4)Daniel B. O.
Good Malberry Burger and Loose Cannon IPA pairing. The burger goes well with this IPA, probably one of the best IPAs Ive had and very hard to find. The staff is great, very friendly. What is dissapointing is the smell of the diner and looks, which hasn't change in years.
(3)Brian L.
So I haven't actually been here since the late 90s when I was still in HS, but I was really in the mood for diner breakfast so I remembered this place. On a Sunday morning, there was a long line waiting to be seated, and it stretched out the door after we got in line (around 10). I debated whether it would be worth it to wait in line, but it actually moved quite fast and I am glad that we waited. (though the wait for our actual food once seated was lengthy) I was in the mood for a standard breakfast. Scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and flapjacks. Good price, and the quality of the food was actually quite good. I was surprised at how good it was, as I don't remember it being much better than a "typical diner" but this place is probably of a higher caliber than a typical diner. They seem to take pride in using organic products and farm raised ingredients, and I think it comes out in the taste of the food. Great place, I am sure their lunch and dinner items will yield similar results. Try and stop in when it's not so crowded.
(4)Suzy D.
Hello glorified Denny's! Silver Diner is trying to make this more of local place that emphasizes a healthy eating lifestyle, but let's face it, it's a normal greasy diner, it just gets some of its food (tomatoes, organic ketchup, eggs, chicken, etc) locally. They're campaigning it as "farm to table" but "healthy" in this case is more applicable to what goes on in the kitchen -- like the addition of oil or salt when cooking. As exhibit A we will look at my blue plate breakfast. Pancakes with butter (added pecans for 99 cents extra), two eggs any way you want (greasy like any diner...why don't places use Pam or just a non-stick pan?), your choice of meat (they have turkey bacon as an alternative if you want to convince yourself you're sticking to your summer beach-body resolution, but this tends to be equivalent in calories to pork bacon, with added sodium to make it taste good; it's like butter versus margarine, stick with the real thing. Think they also had a veggie meat option but I may be making that up.), nasty coffee and juice. I almost never order juice but since it was included, sure, why not. For the extra 150 calories, I should have taken a multi-vitamin for the vitamin C instead, "healthy" backfires again. All that for $8.99 is probably cheaper than what you'd get at the national chain places. The diner is a good size and I can see how it can get packed when it's the only thing open in the middle of the night. My favorite thing about the set up is the jukebox on every table that plays songs for a quarter. I was kinda feeling it when the Jackson Five were on...but the next one was the theme song to Sesame Street. Seriously made me question the Arlingtonians who frequent this place if they paid coin money to hear that. Unless that was someone's comeback to Michael Jackson. Then that's pretty funny. Well this experience is what happens when you believe your GPS when it says you can turn left on a major street in DC: you end up in Arlington. The food wasn't uneatable, but it wasn't anything special either. At least they have a parking lot! Oh the joys of living in the burbs (shout out to Brian B).
(3)E B.
Sure it's a diner so understand that baseline - the 5 stars are on the diner scale, not the restaurant scale. It gets 5 stars because they have an above average breakfast menu for a diner, more gourmet type options above and beyond normal diner eggs, bacon, toast. That and the great response from the manager when I simply noted that my pancakes were somewhat burnt when the waitress took the check. I didn't ask for anything but the problem was immediately fixed and I got an entree voucher for the next visit. Impressed.
(5)Kelly M.
Consistently top notch food, and plenty of really tasty options for vegetarians. We had an issue with being charged twice on our credit card from a previous visit, and the manager was very attentive and addressed the issue straight away. Service was excellent. We are regulars at this place, and it never disappoints.
(5)K K.
First, I've been to this Silver Diner a bunch of times. It's my favorite of the three I've been to. Second, KARVIKA!!! She's the best server I've met in a long, long time. And I like servers in general, but she was absolutely awesome. Our requests were many (my friend is really picky and indecisive at times), and she just rolled with the punches while putting up with our wacky humor. She even gave us tips on the area and where to get the best specialty coffees if we were looking for a different vibe. If you've been to Silver Diner, you know it's awesome. Food's amazing. Prices are not horrid (not great, but what can you do if it's actually food you're not frightened to know the ingredients). The jukebox would be perfect if they'd remove the Grease soundtrack. I had - biscuits and an Oreo milkshake. My friend had the bison burger special with a greek salad and dark porter ale. We both were incredibly happy with our choices. I've also had all sorts of breakfast-based options, and those were fantastic. Seriously, whatever the time, the staff is great, the food is great. Stop trying to find the "new, cool place" and go where you know it's going to be what you really want anyway.
(5)Scotti C.
I went to the Silver Diner for brunch with a friend and I'm definitely a new fan! You would be hard pressed to go wrong with their brunch menu. I had the caramel french toast and eggs and devoured it. The wait wasn't too bad for 11:30 on a Sunday, I think we stood in line for about 10 minutes. I didn't expect over the moon service at a diner type establishment during a brunch rush but our server was super flighty. He eventually got things right but not after mixing up something or forgetting something first. Loved the diner feel and jukebox at the table!
(4)Nicole S.
Service was great, food was delicious. Had the Greek Lamb burger, really very tasty. Will bring my family next time.
(5)Timothy G.
My favorite farm-table diner in the area. I have never had a bad meal here and I have eaten here quite a few times in the 12 months I have been in DC. The milkshakes and burgers are all amazing, particularly the low-fat chocolate shake and the Greek Lamb burger. This is one of the main places I bring out of town friends and family if we aren't looking to spend a tone of money and want solid delicious food.
(5)Nancy H.
Worst late night place I've been to! Food was cold and server didn't know the menu. The overall process was smooth, but our server couldn't handle it!
(1)Colin C.
Crazy new menu that is really unexpected for a chain diner. They went all out with the health food and local produce, craft beer pairings, etc. Almost too much actually for a diner as they laughed when I asked if they had scrapple. But still plenty of unhealthy options to go along with the healthy choices. Many of good sweet and savory choices such as the bison huevos rancheros and the banana French toast. Plenty of good drinks as well, the healthy smoothies are all delicious. There are going to be long lines on weekends but they move quickly so don't panic when you see the line out the door.
(4)Jonathan H.
Great breakfast food - the waffles, pancakes, and eggs are all excellent, and it has a nice and appropriate atmosphere, even if it isn't the most classic diner cuisine.
(4)Diane M.
This is my favorite local place for breakfast. My husband and I love the farm to table concept and the food is fresh and delicious. Favorites include the bison huevos rancheros and the coconut French toast. Sides are all delicious and the coffee is excellent. Service is friendly and quick. The place fills up quickly on weekend mornings. Go early to avoid a line.
(4)Dee B.
After striking out at two cafes, a friend and I ended up here. I was very excited about the menu changes. As someone who cannot eat gluten, and who generally tries to eat relatively healthy, it was great to see a wide variety of dishes that I could eat. The local roasted veggie salad was enormous, and it was delicious. Silver Diner can count on my return just based on that dish alone, but I also desperately need to try the quinoa pancakes! Service was fine - not great, but also not bad.
(4)Rachel S.
I've been here, I swear! I accidently checked into O'Sullivan's rather than the Silver Diner! Went here two weeks ago as a "chaperone" for my friend who was going on a breakfast date with some guy she met when we went out for drinks that week. I was leaving that morning to go back home to Las Vegas so breakfast it was. Although it was super awkward being a third wheel, I was pretty impressed by this choice. This place has organic, local on lock. I ordered the fish tacos and salad for breakfast (I don't like breakfast food.) Mama D was our waitress and she was cool. The tacos I had were absolutely delicious! KILLER! The salad would be better if the dressing was different. It had a weird taste. Other than that, the actual salad was excellent. I will be coming back here on my next (hopefully permanent) trip!
(4)Gloria H.
I am surprised to see such extreme reviews of this diner. Came here with a friend and had a very pleasant experience. The food was good, fast and affordable. Great place as far as diners go.
(5)Shellie D.
What is it about breakfast diners, for some reason they always seems to be a bit on the uncleanly side. If I don't think the place is clean, its hard for me to enjoy the food 100%. Well, I liked the food here. I liked the fact that they offered fresh organic choices and use produce and meat from local farmers. I order the basil salmon breakfast. I didn't care for it too much but that only due to my own taste. My friend that came with me enjoyed it. The diner itself could use some updating.
(3)Tina H.
There are plenty of great places to eat, but what really makes this place great is the customer service! I went there on a sunday morning and the line was out the door...they brought out hot chocolate to try and keep people warm...how great is that!! Once we made it inside the service continued to be phenomenal. As for the food, I had the bison huevos rancheros and they were absolutely delicious! My friend had the coconut quinoa pancakes and they were amazing as well. All the ingredients are locally sourced and they offer tons of great healthy options. And to top it all off they have mini jukeboxes at each table so you can pick your own music!! A must try for everyone!
(4)Jenna L.
The breakfast food is really good, and exactly what you'd want after a night of heavy drinking. However, about a month ago when I went here, there was a line out the door. I walked in to go to the bathroom and saw at least 10 empty tables. And yet, it took about 40 minutes to be seated. Someone's gonna have to explain this to me, as my hungover ass is generally not in the mood to wait in lines for that long, especially when there are a ton of empty tables.
(4)Eileen G.
My husband and I have put this Silver Diner on our top 3 restaurants in the NOVA area, since moving here in June 2014. It blows all the diner competition out of the water. Again, shocked with the 3.5 star rating on here. The food is absolutely excellent, the place is immaculate and the service is top-notch. The price is very fair, especially given the emphasis on using locally harvested ingredients. Our favorite picks so far have been the Spinach Feta Lamb Burger with Greek side salad - literally a moment I will remember from this year. Actually melted right in my mouth. Paired it with a terrific local brew. It was a "When Harry Met Sally" kind of moment and I really had a couple tears well up. My husband loved the Santa Cruz chicken off their healthier selections menu, as well. A tip would be that if you are a regular, to make sure you ask for one of their rewards cards. We didn't know about this until our 3rd or 4th trip, and missed out on a few points. Please go here if you haven't. Enjoy!
(5)Omar R.
All I need to say is that this is the single best restaurant between all of the Silver Diner locations.
(5)Stephanie V.
Silver Diner has come a long way. The food is always served fresh and they have many healthy options on their menu. A pleasant experience, great breakfast, 24hrs, convenient, and warm.
(5)Paulette S.
I received a call from the manager to apologize for this incident. I am impressed that he called, that he apologized and that he said he and the managers at the other locations will review the importance of washing hands. It's nice to see SD take responsibility & take measures to correct the problem. One irresponsible employee can tarnish the reputation of a good restaurant. If SD had not contacted me, we would not return.
(4)Bethany H.
Pretty good chain diner. I've always enjoyed the pancakes. I think the menus have changed to healthier options as well
(3)Refayat H.
Great food! I had the pesto burger with bison meat and it was great! All the ingredients actually feel like they are fresh/sourced locally/organic/etc. Tried my buddies pancakes, eggs and home fries and it was the best breakfast I ever had actually! Only problem is the long wait for food and seating on weekends, place was packed! Overall great experience.
(4)Yuchen Z.
Silver Diner never fails me....whether it's for the perfect breakfast to start my day or a delicious midnight dessert or a filling dinner. It's has a really great diner feel--with a juke box you can request songs at right at your table. The lights and the booth sets a very comfy and old school feel. Good for families, kids, older or a younger crowd. Food: the breakfast scramblers are all amazing....made with local grown ingredients and large portions. Burgers are delicious too. The dessert cakes are big and moist. The only thing I wasn't a big fan of was the meatloaf.
(4)Mindi W.
I'm not going to be an asshole and give this place less than a perfect score just because you often have to wait. It's not their fault they rock. Plenty of milkshakes and decadent breakfast/lunch stuff, but if you are a health-conscious person who also loves to eat, get the Power Breakfast. It's huge, and only 500 calories. Turkey bacon, egg whites, spinach, feta, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, toast, fruit, the works. Pros: Everything is locally sourced, which makes my heart sing. The menu is HUGE and diverse. Service is great, considering how busy they are. A lot of their menu items include nutritional info, which is cool. The strawberries come with a delicious dipping sauce that makes fruit fun. Cons: No liquor. But take it from someone who considers vodka and orange juice the elixer of life: You won't even notice. I marked this as cheap, because there is plenty under $10. But you could easily spend closer to $20.
(5)Flo A.
Lived in the 'hood for a year and only now trying it. It's good AND healthy. Had the Californian omelet and it hit the spot.
(4)Anna D.
You're better off finding street parking and walking several blocks, or risk getting towed even if you're a dining patron. This diner is known for its milkshakes. Ask if you can get one to-go and walk to Clarendon, where you'll find plenty of food options. Seriously. You will wait at least half an hour to get a table, only to be seated next to a family full of screaming children or a table full of rowdy college kids. If you can (and want to) brave the atmosphere and the overzealous tow truck in the back, their portions are large and satisfying after a long night of too much fun.
(3)Tiffany B.
Best breakfast!!! We had the huevos rancheros, corned beef hash, and country fried steak. All were amazing.
(5)C G.
Farm to Table!! The best hamburger I have ever eaten. Tried the hamburger on a whim for a quick lunch. Needless to say, I ate it immediately in the car and had to return within 2 days for another on and it was just as fresh and tasty as the first one. I love restaurants where the food quality is consistent regardless of the time you arrive.
(5)Jen V.
Good food. Lots if interesting and varied choices. Love the farm to table concept they incorporated. Plus old school jukeboxes!
(4)Mohamed J.
great food, all from local farms. Had the burger was very nice, the sea food soup was really good and my wife had the pasta which was a bit oily but not bad
(4)David F.
First of all, the place is super clean. Secondly, the food is fantastic with the ingredients grown locally. I ate lunch here with my wife, daughter, and son-in-law and we all really enjoyed our meals. There were no complaints at all. Being a vegetarian myself, I can appreciate the great choices on the menu. Lastly, our server, Sebli, was really attentive, friendly, and helpful with picking out the meals we ate. I would easily recommend this Diner if you find yourself in the area!
(5)Alex D.
As a recent returnee to the area, I was deeply suspicious when I heard my favorite longtime greasy spoon had gone both upscale and crunchy (locally sourced, lo-cal options, vegan stuff - how non-diner can you get?). Therefore, it was all the greater a relief to discover that the true soul of a diner shines through at the new Silver Diner, which has taken many new and fun ideas and run them through some kind of magic diner-matic, retaining the soul and feeling of an old-fashioned multi-page-menu, all-over-the-place local in the process. The milkshakes are still heaven, and now you have the option of high-fiber fruit smoothies; the burgers are absolutely first-rate, even though now some come with pesto and goat cheese. The corn and crab chowder beats most seafood places' finest offerings, and specials like eco-friendly fish and organic roast chicken are terrific. To top it all off, prices are still relatively modest, especially for the quantity and quality of what's on offer, and on our first (of what I think will be many) visits, at least, we had the best service I've seen in the DC area since we got back a month ago. That there are still tableside jukeboxes playing old favorites is the cherry on the milkshake. Yay, Silver Diner!
(5)Rachel S.
Super impressed! First time here, and I love it. Thank you Silver Diner for a great experience. The Silver Diner is open late, which is why I decided to come here to study. I had a seat that I didn't like, and I mentioned it to my server, Deepsha, and she did everything she could to accommodate me. She happily helped me take my food to another table where I could study better. The service is very nice and they ask questions to make sure everything is how you want it. The menu is diverse, I feel, for a late night diner. The music is soft rock, good background music. I'm actually sitting at the Silver Diner right now, writing this review... there is free Wi-Fi. But don't be fooled, there are no outlets to plug in your laptop!! :)
(5)Jonas F.
I like this place, 4 stars? Maybe, 3 1/2? Definitely. I'm glad there are still some retro 50's diners out there. The food was good. I get what I expect. I did dig the burger though. It's not a greasy spoon but it still serves predictable solid food. The malt was alright, not great but alright. The service is solid and if you have a large group they will always accommodate your party. The city has so many options that I would only come here if my kids asked me to bring them.
(3)Robert P.
Ordered a Pesto Burger. Could not wait to get home to write a Yelp review. This was a memorable burger. The patty looked amazingly fresh, and it was. With almost every bite I was fixated on how delicious it looked (and I had not smoked a doobie prior to visiting the diner!). Next time there is a best burger survey, I will vote for Silver Diner burgers. Coconut Cream pie for dessert. Best I have ever eaten. This place is somehow off my radar screen when I dine out. Gonna have to find a way to remember. I suspect parking could be a bit of a problema at busy times, but off hours should be fine.
(5)Matt C.
It's a diner. It has diner food, but better. I have never been here for dinner, but when I am in Arlington I make and effort to come by for breakfast or lunch. Each time I have left satisfied with the food and the service. There is a line, but it does seem to move fairly quickly. The servers are friendly and treat me like a regular even though they have no idea of who I am. There are lots of choices on the menu and everything locally obtained and fresh cooked. Even though it is in the middle of Arlington, the place still manages to capture a little of the small town feel. The biscuits are very good. Pot roast is much better than my Mom's (but don't tell her). You could probably pick something randomly off the menu and it would be good. Most of the time I have been here it was with 4 or people. No one I was with ever had anything but positive comments about their meals. It is nice to go into a place that does things the right way. I really have no complaints about the place except the parking is really tough, but it is Arlington and there are no easy parking spots anywhere most of the time.
(4)J K.
Not your father's diner. Healthy comfort food in an informal setting. Wait staff and management very dedicated. Very attentive. You will not be disappointed.
(4)Ben O.
I've been to this location a couple of time before and it was good but not great with friendly service that can sometimes be a little slow. I was going to give this 3 stars, but today I had to bump it up to five stars for a truly excellent experience I had today. There was a mistake in which another server or food runner took my meal to another table, so the gentleman sitting down the counter from me who sat down after I did got his food before I did. I didn't notice at first, but my server, Mama D, noticed right away. She went over to the window and solved the problem quickly, putting pressure on the other employees to make sure that I got my food quickly. She also went to the manager (again without my asking) and got me a coupon for a free entree next time I come in and took 10% off of my food order. She was also friendly, attentive, and prompt with things before I asked for them, such as coffee refills. In short, I had a really great experience without really even needing to ask for it. Thanks, Silver Diner.
(5)Dave S.
I ordered off the menu and got Buffalo chicken tenders because I don't care for the bone-in variety...not bad but they made them better back when they were on the menu. Coffee...Apple pie...always good.
(3)Eric T.
This is where you go after a late night in Clarendon and Goody's just won't do. I'm not sure why you would come here when the sun is still out, considering there are better options around the area, but to each his own. If you're like me and eating at the end of the night is more important than getting that last drink, then make sure to get here before the bars let out. I've seen the line go out the door. As others have said, you can't go wrong with something fried or a breakfast dish. I'm partial to the country fried steak, it's got everything that you need for a late night: fried, gravy, eggs, and potatoes. Yes, fried is a food. Service is surprisingly pretty good even though they have to deal with a bunch of drunks. And the jukeboxes at the tables is actually pretty cool, I have to admit it. Bottom line: come here at night, preferably after drinking.
(3)Sam L.
The food was delicious and the Restaurant at a good variety of choices. However the services was only so so. They were responsive but not the most friendly. They also manage to get my order wrong. I did like new focus on healthy foods.
(4)Mike K.
My new favorite diner. I have been to diners between here and Philadelphia pa, and this is my favorite!!
(5)Jon D.
If you are looking for a classic diner with a chefs touch this is it. Very reasonable, good service, good holism food!
(5)Jihad B.
If you're black out drunk from a night out in Clarendon then it really doesn't matter what you eat as long as you don't get sick. Silver Diner is good for that.
(3)Taryn L.
My high hopes here were dashed. I'd been looking and a'lookin' for a quality shake. This one did not deliver. The ice cream was lumpy and tasted like artificial vanilla. Mine was chocolate and was clearly just vanilla with some very unimpressive chocolate sauce mixed in. Granted, this was about 8-12 months ago ... so maybe they've changed?
(1)Lily M.
Do NOT PARK your car there. We Parked in the silver diner parking lot, walked around to meet our friend and then went inside. After dinner, we saw the car was towed. Apparently because we didn't walk directly into the restaurant. The manager called the tow company on our behalf but it was useless. There is a "spotter" in unmarked cars at most lots in Arlington now watching your activities and reporting to the tow company immediately.
(1)Wing K.
Went on a Thursday and wanted to get the tilapia since it was in season, but they ran out so I got a bison burger on account of not having tried bison before. I did the build your own burger and I had wanted a couple of toppings, but toppings were $1 each which seemed fairly expensive to me despite knowing the ingredients are fresh/organic, etc. Fries were ok, nothing special. Fairly pricey personally, but then again I'm not quite sure about how much bison meat costs these days. Roughly equivalent to tilapia apparently.
(3)Anna D.
Silver Diner, once just known as the land of the greasy spoon and long lines on Sunday mornings, now a favorite stop of mine! I joined their healthy eating club (a portion of your spending goes to local schools every time you eat there with the club card) so I could eat and get money off! $5 off every 5th visit (within 2 months) and with their new menu and tasty breakfast options, that isn't hard to do! I like the fact that they have organic ketchup at the table (though Monty thinks it is too sweet) and that they source from local farmers when possible. And oh boy! Those milkshakes!!! I love that you get the overflow in the mixer cup along with your actual shake! Totally awesome!!!!! I have enjoyed everything I have had there and had very good service every time. There was one visit where my table's jukebox did not work, nor did the main one up front, but I found an unoccupied table and worked my magic! AND when the big one up front didn't work, I hit the coin return, got my quarter back + 1 + a Kuwait coin of unknown denomination--all in all, pretty cool even with a broken juke. Conveniently close to the Clarendon metro and full of good eats, I recommend Silver Diner to all you freaks out there! And if you are really lucky, you'll get there when Elvis is workin' the door!!!!
(4)Ordale A.
I love this place. I literally came in out of the rain one day with my 9 month old daughter and was pleasantly surprised by this place. I expected some crappy food that I'd eat really slowly until the storm passed, but the food was actually good. The burgers and fries are delicious. They're on the "buy local, fresh food" bandwagon (a good thing) and I can taste it in their food. The service is hit or miss. I now go every weekend and sometimes the food is quick when they're busy and other times it's slow when no one is really there. I have no idea why that is, but I've never waited an absurd length of time. Its family friendly, meaning that I heard a bunch of kids screaming on the other side of the restaurant and no one threw a fit. Good place, good food...give em a shot.
(4)Mattie C.
I've always liked Silver Diner, and have had good experiences at this location. I tend to get the Farmer's Omelette when I'm there, soo good. The service has always been friendly and efficient, and the line at the door moves very fast. That said, I wish they brought out an actual pot of coffee so you wouldnt have to flag down the waiter every time you need a refill. Also, there are slightly bigger portions/better value at Metro 29. And lastly, I am very resistant to change and am suspicious of this "new generation" thing they are pushing. Is this just some kind of add campaign or are they planning on changing their name? But those are minor complaints. This is a great place!
(4)Anna S.
My boyfriend and I started lurking in this place when I lived in Arlington for two years, and even though I'm in Cleveland Park now, we still make the occasional trip. It's great if you're looking for a cheap-ish, healthy, locally sourced meal. I notice the mixed reviews on this site are all from people who've ordered divey diner food like chicken tenders, pancakes, etc. This particular branch of Silver Diner's moved away from focusing on that type of food. The dishes that really shine here are the more complex seasonal offerings, vegetables, salad, yogurt shakes, etc. Yes, it's SD's responsibility to make EVERYTHING on their menu good, and they haven't gotten there yet. But you can get great fried stuff lots of places in DC. What you can't get anywhere else is filling comfort food that tastes good and is also healthy, like SD's very berry yogurt shake, which is delicious and huge but only 300-some calories. Or the black bean quesadillas, which are light on fat but full of Mexican flavor. Or sweet potato fries. Yum.
(4)Teresa W.
Great menu. I had a hard time deciding what to get. Loved the kids meal choices too. My daughter had gluten free spaghetti and it was the perfect portion size for her. I had the lamb burger which was a great size for me. Not overwhelming with a small side salad. Service was slow after dinner was served. We waited 20 minutes for a single scope vanilla ice cream because there was one person expediting ice cream items. I would go back again.
(4)Sho S.
Great food, loved the lighter options. Kid friendly menu and little paper car for them to play with. The milkshakes live up to the hype - especially when they come with the big fat "bubble tea" straw so you can enjoy chunky fruit/candy bits! The side veg/salad, sauces etc were really fresh and flavourful.
(5)Kopi N.
Been to the Silver Diner in Clarendon several times, and I continue to come back because of the good food and service. On my most recent visit, I ordered the Spinach Feta Lamb Burger (Tzatziki sauce, spinach, grilled onions, cremini mushrooms, feta cheese, tomato and red onions) It was excellent: I love lamb, but this burger was especially flavorful with the sharp feta cheese and the super fresh tasting onions, tomato and spinach that are sourced from local farms. I usually go to Silver Diner when I want a big breakfast type meal, but after having tasted the Spinach Feta Lamb Burger, it is now my favorite place to grab a burger!
(5)Nick A.
Quite a few times a late night meal here has saved my from a hangover that would likely have crushed me like the fist of an angry god, and an early morning meal here has given me the pick-me-up I needed to get the gears in my mind spinning after they had been heavily corroded in some local gin-mill the night before. The food here really is excellent - but be aware that you may be standing in line, waiting to sit down, for longer than it will take you to eat it. Also be aware that this is not priced like your regular greasy-spoon, hangover-fuel diner. You will be paying a lot more, as well as eating something a lot different, since this place buys into that "farm-to-table-local-grown" idea that is so popular; luckily, its delicious. Everything that I have ordered in the few times I have been here have been excellent, between the breakfasts, shakes, and regular meals, I have never been disappointed. Often, I go in groups, and no one ever complains about the food. The only complaint is that we were probably too drunk to try and force all of that food into our gullets. That is also awesome about Silver Diner - walking distance from the bar you are getting snokkered at, and open late enough for you to eat here before you head home. I recommend, will be back.
(4)Mike D.
There are not a lot of restaurants where you can show up with a party of 15 rowdy 20 somethings at 1 am and have them seat you quickly and all together. Silver diner is one of those places! When my friends wedding party of 15 or so showed up this past Saturday night/Sunday morning, we were promptly seated! Our server was a very nice and patient with us. I loved the Philly steak omelette that I ordered. I tried to get some of my girlfriend's bacon fries but she was very defensive of her plate. My friend has the Bison Huevos Rancheros and said they were delicious. Everything was so good! I really want to give the place 5 stars b/c as a 24 hour diner it has everything you look for: good food, friendly people, fun ambiance. But my buddy ordered a burger that came out kind of raw...I know it happens, but we were slightly taken aback by it. All in all, if you are in Arlington or DC and looking for a place to sit down and get some early morning or late night diner food, Silver Diner is your go-to!
(4)Ariel E.
I don't know what's going on with this place. I've been several times, and I love the local ingredients. Last time I went the service was not that great, but it was busy and that's expected. Today, I went during a non busy time. The hostesses were all chatting and it took about 5 minutes for them to bother greeting us. Our server greeted us promptly then disappeared. He was chatting with other workers for about 15 minutes before coming back. We ordered a salad with dressing on the side and a burger. Pretty standard. We were seated by the kitchen, so we noticed our order in the window. The expediter was flirting with the host. 10 minutes (we watched and counted) later she finally noticed our order was ready but did nothing. Our server hasn't surfaced, and about 5 minutes later a different server gave us our food (cold, old fries and dressing on the salad). The server showed up about 10 minutes later, but didn't fill our empty glasses or do too much. We won't be back.
(2)Geoff R.
Celebrating an office well moved, with another meal out. Silver diner serves comfort food at it's finest.
(3)Elizabeth S.
Here are the reasons why I think this place deserves a 1 star. This is based on a Sunday Brunch (12pm) experience. 1. Parking SUCKS! Even though they have a private lot it doesn't mean you'll find a parking space. Which means that we drove around trying to look for parking space for TWENTY minutes. We got lucky and stalked someone after deciding to go back into the private lot giving it one more chance. 2. The lines to even be seated as LONG. I waited in a line for crappy food (see below). 3. I ordered the country fried steak that came wtih potatoe, eggs, country fried steak, and a biscuit. 3.1 The eggs were overly disgusting; very runny and bland with no flavor. 3.2 The steak was way too salty and not enough gravy 3.3 The biscuit was't that bad but it felt kind of hard for a biscuit. 4. The price I got for this food, I could have went to Boulevard Woodgrill for their brunch. In conclusion, I will not be coming back here. Maybe if i was starving to death and drunk out of my mind.
(1)Randy S.
Every time I have eaten here the service has gotten progressively worse. It is as if the management has no concept of ticket times nor any awareness of restaurant operations. At any time you can see 3-5 servers standing at the counter by the checkout chit chatting while numerous table are getting up to complain. Very good diner food but make sure you have at least 90 minutes for lunch and no concern for poor service.
(1)Michael S.
Excellent. Great service - the employees seem to be in good spirits, as if they actually like their job. It's clean, unpretentious and the food is so good. It's nice to have options like grass-fed meat and gluten-free items. So far I've tried the burger, omelet and quinoa pancakes and all were great. I love this place so much.
(5)Jim H.
Service was good. Food was descent, and service was very understanding with a indecisive customer. The waiter even remembered to ask if I wanted my soup before my entree, which a lot of places forget to do.
(4)M B.
Not safe for food allergies probably fun for kids with no allergies..... we spent about an hour waiting for a table. Not a surprise as our kids' school was having a fundraiser there. PROS There was a fun kid menu, a juke box on the table and lots of kid friendly touches like a cardboard car for some food. It was a beautiful location. CONS A very limited parking lot and employees who not only did not understand food allergies but became angry when we asked questions. I tried to order food for my nut allergic child and the waiter kept saying "there's no nuts in the restaurant why do you keep asking." Well I'm looking at a menu listing peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts and so I KNOW that there are nuts in the restaurant. He became angry the third time I tried to explain that she would get sick if she had nuts in her food and when I gave up and just ordered water and juice for her got more annoyed. Then I saw black specks in her glass of water and asked for a new one. He said in a loud sarcastic tone "there's no peanuts in there" I"m thinking I don't know what kind of dirt it is but lets get a clean cup. I will never return and would highly recommend no one with food allergies go to this location. The staff seemed over stressed and possibly overwhelmed by an unexpectedly busy night but the children at the other tables seemed to be having a wonderful time.
(1)Karen H.
I've been here for breakfast a bunch and a few times for dinner and I think it's great! I'm from NJ so diners are no joke to me. At first I was super put off by the concept of a diner serving local/organic foods since to me you really shouldn't be at a diner unless you want a big fatty meal...but times change and the food is good so I got off my high horse and just learned to enjoy it. Plus, in my real life at home I like to eat local/organic so why wouldn't I eating out? Definitely worth a try- there's a line for breakfast/brunch on the weekends but it really moves so don't let that deter you!
(5)Melissa B.
My hubby and I wanted a down & dirty burger so off to Silver Diner we went. We had heard from friends that this place was cooking with fresh & locally owned produce so we thought, "Why not?". When we arrived, we are quickly seated and given menus. I often get distracted by watching others (I find human behavior fascinating!) but there wasn't much time to do that since the server quickly greeted us and asked for our order. We asked for a few minutes and she responded with a smile and a "sure thing". We finally settled on ordering the following: Sweet potato fries, as an app Sprite And a beef burger with lettuce, tomato, honey mustard, grilled onions, and mushrooms. I asked if the bun was made of potato bread (it's full of dairy and i'm, sadly, lactose intolerant) and the server happily obliged my request by making a beeline for the kitchen and coming back with an answer. I appreciated her kindness, especially since potato bread causes stomaches that can last for 6-10 hours. Yes, 6 to 10 people! We promptly got our order of sweet potato fries - they were crispy, sweet, and had some burnt edges - which we both like. The Sprite, well, it was Sprite. What else can I say? The burger was well done but still juicy and more than plenty for two people to share. The fries left a little to be desired as they were shoe string but they looked rather sad - they clumped up and were somewhat cold when we got them. But, again, I wasn't expecting anything that was too outta this world. The food & ambiance were good overall. Nothing to write home about but nothing to complain about either.
(3)John B.
Well, we are visiting and were craving diner food. Had been here before with good results. They have this 110% guarantee that everything will be perfect. Things were far from perfect today. Bad service. Our waitress Deborah was just awful. Slow doesn't begin to describe her. She got our order wrong and we sent it back, but she never followed up. She blamed "them" but it was her error. So I'm eating alone for 8 minutes while still waiting for my wife's meal to come. We had to get another person to track it down- Deborah was nowhere to be found. So, they're supposed to offer you 10% off if it's wrong. But she didn't. We waited 10 minutes for her to pick up the check, but she was missing again. We decide to leave and pay at the counter. We saw the manager and told him the story of Deborah. He did the right thing and comped the entire meal. Deborah needs training or needs to go. The food was satisfactory. Portions were not typical huge diner size but ok. I think they counted the fries on my plate when they portioned them. The place was clean. I'm still dying for some good diner food on this trip.
(2)Kathy O.
Where I come from, diners do not cater to people who are vegan , vegetarian, or gluten free, so on and so forth. THIS diner does and their produce and eggs are local!!!! I went with a group of friends and everyone's food looked great! I ordered the country scrambler which tasted amazing and was not at all greasy. Our waitress was really sweet too. There is free parking too! I love this place!
(5)Kevin C.
This is the first place I dined at when I went to D.C. last August. Silver Diner very much reminded me of the Ed Debevics Chicago chained diner and slight resemblance of Johnny Rockets burger joint. Perhaps, it was the settings that gave it out. The 50's to early 60's American culture. The rock pop tunes. Besides the somewhat visually entertainment, the food was a tad mediocre. The four of us ordered, crab cake burger, crab cakes, chicken quesadilla and jalapeno popper and I think a soup too. Crab cakes were inexceptional, maybe it was just a bad crab weekend (bad crabs from Little Viet Garden near by; Aug '07). Anyhow, to my experience, this place might be a great dive when you're drunk, but I don't see this place as the "go-to" place for great food. For those that rate this place as a 5-star restaurant, I'm in awe.
(2)Ellen E.
Yesterday, just before 6pm, I was passing the Silver Diner on my way home. I pass it a few times a week when I go to my chiropractor. I didn't feel like cooking, so I stopped in to have dinner. I had never been in this diner before. The hostess was a very young woman. I was alone - so - table for one. The diner was barely 25% full. She sat me all the way through the restaurant, all the way in the back, one booth before the last booth. Yet most of the diner was empty. It was very noisy because right across from my table was a waitress training 5 new waitstaff. I waited almost 15 minutes, but no one came by to take my order. So I left. I don't see why I was brought all the way through the restaurant, all the way to the back when most of the diner was empty. And apparently the hostess did not alert any waitstaff that they had a new customer in their area, and no waiter was present to notice. With the training session going on right next to me - being lectured about customer service - you would think someone would notice a customer not getting any service. I won't be going back. Then to come on Yelp and read about all the customers who get towed - no thank you. I'll pass.
(1)Mike B.
I've eaten at Silver Diner on multiple occasions. Some experiences are good while others are horrible. Here it goes: 1) Don't ever get the pot roast. I ordered it this week, the pot roast was 40-50% fat, the meat had a greenish / red tint to it and tasted utterly disgusting. 2) I ordered the turkey breast entree with veggies and mashed potatos instead of the pot roast. This was EVEN WORSE!!!! I literally almost puked right there in the booth. Either the turkey or the gravey tasted horrible like it had been sitting out in hot summer heat for the past two or three days. Can't believe they are allowed to serve garbage like this. 3) I have eaten on Silver Diner on multiple occasions when the bars in Clarendon close on Friday and Saturday nights. The breakfast is good. Based on my experience, any breakfast platter is the way to go. Their patty melt isn't to shabby either. If you want a great diner in the area, go to Metro 29 Diner on Lee Hwy near Lee Hwy and Glebe Road. In my opinion, it is a much better diner.
(2)Keith B.
My bicycle group has visited the Silver Diner two times this summer. A dozen or more of us show up 30 minutes after a courtesy phone call telling the staff we are coming. They have a place ready for our large group to sit together. Requests for individual checks is not a problem. The staff is very good and the food is excellent. Your burger comes with what appears to be bok choy greens rather than iceberg lettuce, French fries are hand cut and everything is fresh. A very nice dining experience overall.
(4)Florentina D.
This place got my attention because they advertised fresh local ingredients. I didn't think that 'local ingredients' and 'diner' could go together in one sentence so I decided to give it a try. And we were very pleasantly surprised! The burgers were really yummy, cooked as we asked, and the veggies were indeed fresh and tasty. The french fries could have been a little thicker and less dry but the organic ketchup made up for that a bit. We wish we had more space for dessert because the pies looked really good, almost home-made. Our waiter was friendly and helpful, and the jukebox on our table entertained us with some good 60's and 80's music. We are definitely going back because the menu looked too good (breakfast served all day? I am so there!)
(4)Spencer M.
If I could give Silver Diner 0 stars, I would...not for the food but for the management. I went to Silver Diner a little while back with my parents for an easy quick dinner. The food was fine, service was quick enough but not overly attentive. The problem came when I went outside to the parking lot after dinner. My car was no where to be found. After a quick moment of panic, I realized my car had been towed from the lot. I called the towing company on the posted sign to try and sort out the mix up. They insisted multiple times that I had parked in the Silver Diner lot and walked somewhere else (completely untrue.) After talking to multiple people with the towing company, I went inside to see what the manager could do. Surely they would be able to vouch for us to the towing company...absolutely NOT. The manager merely passed the phone to me to talk to the towing company. They were able to give us a copy of our receipt, but offered nothing in return for our trouble. No apology that my car had been wrongly towed, no discount from our bill, no offer of anything in the future to ensure we returned again. I ended up having to go to the towing company and show them the bill as proof we had eaten there. Since they had no way to prove that I had walked off as they claimed, they did end up giving me my car back at no charge. Silver Diner's management should be ashamed for how they treated us as customers. I will never go back and seriously caution anyone from parking in that lot! Advanced Towing is a predatory towing company, and Silver Diner does nothing to prevent their customers from being taken advantage of. I learned my lesson; never again.
(1)Bryan N.
It is exactly what I expect from a diner. The breakfast platter (eggs, 2 meats, potatoes, and pancakes) ran me about $11. I got this as take out and while paying, the waiter who rang me up was looking over my shoulder to see if I left a tip, which pissed me off (Tip to all wait staff: Don't do that). Aside from that, nothing to complain about, but nothing to rave about either. It's just another place to eat, but its not the worst one.
(3)Leslie C.
It's finals week, and I was lamenting to myself that there' s no 24-hour coffee shops like I'd found in San Diego, where I can camp out and get some work done. Then I remembered this place, and finally gave it a try! (Edited to note - my bad, it's not 24 hours. open till @2 on weeknights, 4@weekends.) 1. Decent enough coffee, and they're not stingy about refills. 2. At least a couple tables with plugs. 3. Music low enough that it's not annoying. 4. Salmon slider basket with a summer salad - OMG so good. So good I actually wrote OMG. Salmon + wasabi mayo + ginger slices. Side spinach salad with strawberries, mango, pecans, and some kind of tangy dressing. 5. Super bonus points for the fact that it was freezing due to some crazy cranking of the AC, and when I asked it it was possible to turn it down, they did it! 6. Yuppie bonus points for eating at a place that's all organic and local and everything. I'm here a second time, in the afternoon, and the service isn't as amazingly friendly as it was the other night, but I'm still happy to have this place in my study location rotation. They might not be happy to be known as a place to camp out and work, but I figure as long as I buy an actual meal (not just a cup of coffee), and as long as there are plenty of open tables, I'm entitled to a few hours. PS. the breakfast menu looks pretty good too.
(4)Jessica C.
Silver is not a bad place but it is not spectacular either. The staff has always been friendly and I like this establishment for breakfast. This is my experience with lunch/dinner. The Bad: - Vegetarian Blackbean Quesadilla. I thought that this would have lots of veggies and delicious cheese but instead it was a chopped up veggie burger and some cheese inside of a bland tortilla. I was really REALLY turned off to Silver Diner after this dish. The Good: -California omelette. I got this served with strawberries which came with a DELICIOUS dipping sauce. This omelette was healthy and satisfying. Basically I would recommend SIlver Diner as a good "greasy spoon" place for breakfast only.
(3)Donald P.
Silver Diner has now become the place to go when I'm taking care of my boss's 8 yr old triplets. We had just been coming for shakes, but yesterday we tried them out for lunch. I perused the kid's menu briefly...looked extensive. The order was for french toast with bacon sides. "C" is picky and first ordered only strawberries, but when he saw was his siblings were getting, he asked for the same. They followed up with brownie sundaes, that they all loved. "W" thought the brownies might be free, but I pointed out they were only "Gluten" free. Also, our waitress was charming and gracious. The chaos of iPads and coloring crayons were not a problem. Also, they held on to "W"'s prize yo-yo until I was able to come back that evening to retrieve it.
(5)M. Carolina D.
We often come here with the family. Great varied food, kid-friendly, good shakes, fun mini jukebox systems at each table. I'd give it 5 stars, but service varies.
(4)Ned W.
I can't believe I'm reviewing a chain -- but wow, this place has really come around. It used to be a pretty bad breakfast-diner in faux fifties style, but their food lately is really delicious and fresh. Great for brunch/breakfast, try the crab cake eggs hollandaise. Very good coffee in a nice big mug, comfy booths.
(4)Kat F.
I've been going to this diner on a weekly basis for a few months and the service there has always been good. Last week, however, it took an hour to get my food. I asked my waiter twice, but the place was jammed and in his defense I was with a large group and I think it would be easy for me to get lost in the crowd. It turns out there was a problem with their computer in the kitchen and my ticket got dropped from the queue. Normally reviewers take to Yelp to complain about this kind of thing (and I'll admit I was a little hangry at the time), but the way the management resolved the issue was impressive. After the second time I asked my waiter about my order the manager came out personally to explain the situation. He was very polite and apologetic. He gave me a certificate for a complimentary entree AND he comped my meal that night. My meal came out shortly thereafter. The food is always solid, tasty diner fare.
(4)Kevin H.
Nothing beats having breakfast. Especially Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and pancakes! I've frequented Many Diners over the years but one of my favorite is definitely Silver Diner. Its simple you can order anything at any time, the service is typically quick and did I mention scrambled eggs! Many diners I've been to in the past have a tendency to burn eggs. Don't ask me how you can mess up eggs but the do. This was not the case here. If I could get them to cook the salt into the eggs they'd be perfect. Anyways most diners you go to give you a little bit of a greasy or sticky feeling from all of the fried foods, drunken spillage and other funtastic events. But I must say this diner has definitely been in good shape every time I've visited after a night out or late in the morning (mid afternoon). I only wish they would give you a truly giant orange juice. I order "the largest orange juice you have" every time I go in. Sadly no luck. I've attached a picture of the drink break down. The chocolate milk glass would be awesome if it were only filled with wonderful sweet orange juice. Even with ample parking space, the restaurant is often busy so parking can be a bit of a pain (though we do usually find a spot) It is also relatively close to a Metro in the Clarendon area so access should be quite easy if you get hungry at random hours.
(4)Anjaly P.
Ah, a classy looking diner. Greasy seats? Actually, no. Healthy options and locally grown produce! Gotta love "from farm to table" options and a rotating seasonal menu with a stable standard menu. Plus, they serve basic beer and Virginia wines. Our server was friendly and helpful when we had a question about sweet potato fries (wanted to get the most quantity possible!). The food is fresh and they're not mean when you request something to be changed slightly. I've gone on weeknights only, so I can't speak for weekend or late night service. It's quiet, and casual.
(4)April D.
Delicious food with hearty-healthy options too, and of course some yummy desserts when you decide throw calories to the wind! My fiance and I were supposed to meet some people here but ended up dining alone. Glad we did! We're excited to go back and try something new on the menu. Missed the 5th star because there was a lot of fat on the chicken breast. I'm pretty picky about poultry, still loved my meal.
(4)Judy Y.
it seems like people either love or hate the Silver Diner. upfront, i will say i love the silver diner. I have had so many meals here with so many people. whenever i want a quick bite or some pie, i stop here. it's open 24 hours, cheap, and it's a casual place to just sit and talk with friends. To be clear, Silver Diner is not earning stars for being a culinary treat. Is there better food close by? Of course. But you go to down some cheap eats with your friends, late at night or after 3am. Unlike some other restaurants, it's a place I feel like I can do some work (not when it's super busy) without upsetting the restaurant. It's nice to just read and have someone refill your tea, clear away your mess, and not rush you out the door.
(3)Chris F.
Silver Diner has a lot of character, and that's worth something. I've always lamented the demise of the American Diner, but Silver Diner seems committed to the idea, at least in spirit, but evolved it to include healthier options. They even have a "600 calorie" section, which seems foreign in a diner, but don't worry: the milkshakes and desserts are delicious, and so are the burgers. They even serve the extra milkshake contents in the metal containers, just like the old days. I mean, it's a diner - so that's both good and bad. At all hours, there's a sweet, doughy smell of pancakes and waffles, but they serve local beers and wines and the service is quick and efficient. They've got the jukeboxes in the booths and you can stretch out and feel comfortable. They also have convenient free parking (crucial), but the clientele in this place does take a sharp nose dive when the Liberty Tavern and Ballroom crowds let out and swarm the place for their post-intoxication sugar carb fix. Yeah, this place is just off the Orange Line, so expect some people to have some excessively high standards for diner-quality food. By diner standards, the food is good. Not the best I've had, but good.
(4)Nicole L.
It's the perfect place for breakfast because they have almost everything you'll ever want in the morning. There was a line of people waiting to get seated, who would have thought but everyone had the same idea! I have a major weakness for the country-fried steak and they have it on the menu hehe can't help it. For some reason my friend and I were super hungry, we wanted some protein - ended up ordering the hangar steak and the cajun pork chop with eggs, what a breakfast! At first I was not digging the potato hash but after tasting it, I liked that it was cooked perfectly and ate it all. Oh no, carbs! The waiter was very attentive - he refilled my soda water. The oj was not the best it was definitely diner quality. It's really inexpensive place to have a fast and easy breakfast.
(3)Passion R.
One of my favorite places to go for brunch on a Sunday, especially after a long night of partying on Saturday. One of those things where you don't want to wake up too early but you still want breakfast, go to Silver Diner. At this one in particularly, parking is in a weird spot but its available in a lot. There is almost always a line out the door. Not the place to go for brunch if you're in a rush but the line moves pretty quickly. Food is great. Always!!! And though the menu has some intimidating looking options (like an open faced crabcake breakfast sandwhich) everything tastes wonderful. The service is OKAY. Wait staff is usually friendly but very busy. I would call this an upscale diner. And by upscale I only mean an experience here will be better than a dirty hole in the wall diner, dennys, or an IHOP....
(4)PC W.
I'm an IHOP type of girl so I've managed to avoid Silver Diner all these years. Sunday brunch seemed like as good of a time as any to go for my first time although I may only have been semi-conscious when the decision was made. Two of us got there early so we snagged a large, u-shaped corner booth way in the back. The host was the peppiest little man, grinning ear-to-ear and super jazzed to lead us to our table. Maybe a little too much pep for my bleary-eyed Sunday morning self. I'm glad they seated us even though our party wasn't all here yet. The food is edible but the corned beef hash is certainly inferior to IHOP's. Too dry and oversalted although less greasy. The seasoning on the homefries was really good. The sum of all the parts was still just ok. I won't return for their food unless it's out of necessity. However service is good and quick, they have a parking lot and the atmosphere is nicer than IHOP. They have a ridiculous dessert menu (featuring such notable items as the Oversized Shake, the Five Pound Apple Pie and the Double Chocolate Triple Layer Cake) so that combined with their late hours might warrant a return visit.
(3)Jordan C.
A friend and I were curious about the new menu. The easier was oddly pushy about alcohol and tried to convince my friend not to nix the blue cheese butter on her steak even though she hates blue cheese. When her steak came, guess what was on top? The spinach on the side had a blob of garlic under it roughly the size of a ping pong ball. She did enjoy the fried onions and the mashed potatoes. I had the fish and chips. Visibly greasy and so bland. The fries were fine, except for the one caked in garlic powder. The cole slaw had dried cranberries in it. It was less than pleasant. Also, every 10 minutes or so, the kitchen would burn toast and the burnt smell would just take over. For dessert, I had the bread pudding. Before the new menu, it had been my favorite, but tonight, it was unevenly cooked - some parts were crunchy, some parts were chewy, some parts were... Wet. One piece was just straight up raw bread. No complaints on her chocolate milkshake. The bathroom ceiling in the ladies' room is falling in. Spent the cash on a Dyson air blade hand dryer and granite counters, but not drywall. This place is just confusing now. It still looks like a diner, but the food hypes the "farm to table" organic thing, and it's gross.
(1)Suzanne M.
Ever since they changed there menu the food is just wonderful! Sometimes the service is a little questionable but everything I have gotten there in the past 6 months I would say has been great. I used to go when I was in High School and the food wasn't very good but was cheap. Now you have a cheap option with great food. They have a lot of healthy options now which is great! Very flexible if you want to change around an order and don't charge you like crazy for each individual thing.
(4)Ryan H.
No offense, but some of you are idiots. How could anyone rate this place above a 3? If I wanted someone to ruin a classic dish I would call my friend Barry because the only thing he can cook is a hot dog over a camp fire, and only that because when you are camping you will eat anything. Okay, maybe you are completely hammered drunk and stumble in, but believe me, at this point I could give you a slab of spam and you are going to be pumped. Save yourself the heartache and stomach ache and just go to bed, just go home bro. Milkshakes are decent.
(1)Barrie C.
None of the food at the Silver Diner will change your life. But at 3 AM on a weekend night when you're drunk, it may SEEM like it approaches those lofty heights. And what more could you ask for with late-night drunk food? On a weekend morning, go early because it gets crowded and the line can get long. But if you're a party of two, don't be afraid of the line because it moves quickly for small parties. Most recently I had the Challah bread French toast with eggs and sausage. Again, nothing mind-blowing, but it was exactly what I wanted at the time: normal, easy comfort food. This is not the place for a trendy brunch. I should also mention that it's a little expensive for diner food, which is why it only gets three stars. But then I recently spent three years in Alabama and therefore was spoiled by the blessing that is Waffle House, which is much cheaper. Finally, a friend of mine was really drunk one night and ordered the salmon at Silver Diner. She does NOT recommend doing that.
(3)R K.
Pros: open 24 hours, free wifi, food won't kill you Cons: the food is meh to bleh, the wifi is impossible to connect to I generally avoid Silver Diner for better late-night options nearby like O'Sullivan's and Hard Times Cafe, but if you need to eat at 3 am, I guess Silver Diner can do the trick.
(3)New to San Pedro C.
We went for the first time today and loved it! It's organic and the food tasted so good! The portions were very generous and the service was pretty good as well. The coffee was terrible but the meal made up for it!
(5)Zack C.
Typically, I really enjoy diners and greasy spoons. The Silver Diner, however, was disappointing, frustrating, and bad. The menu had all of the usual suspects, but the Silver Diner goes a step further than many diners and offers beer. Well, at least their menu does. typically that would earn them extra points in my book, but they only had half of their listed beers in stock and first served me a warm bottle before apologizing and replacing it was a chilled one. Bad start. I ordered a BLT which was not very substantial or satisfying. I probably would have been OK with the experience until we attempted to pay. Long story short, we waited 20 minutes for our check and had to ask for it a total of three times before it was produced. For the sake of the Silver Diner, I hope they read my comment card.
(1)Michael B.
Although a little pricey, this place has awesome shakes. You get what you pay for however. Food is good and priced well too. Service is ok, the one host (male) that seats you is overly happy that you are there. Kind of funny. I will return.
(4)Channing B.
Great service and even better food. It's locally sourced, lots of organic and healthy choices. Not your average greasy spoon. I highly recommend it.
(5)Deborah D.
The main reason to eat here is the convenience, not the food. It's especially good for meeting people: near Clarendon subway stop, easy to spot from the street AND there is a decent-sized parking lot (a rarity in this area). I've eaten here frequently, and I think it's expensive for average diner food. You're paying for the high rent. It aspires to offer more than the standard diner fare, but the farther one veers away from a burger or French toast, the more one will be disappointed. My two consistent complaints are that the food is too salty and rarely served hot. I now warn the waiters when ordering "if it's not hot, I'm sending it back." Even with that caveat, all or part of the meal arrives at an unsatisfactory temperature at least 50% of the time. BTW, my experiences at the Rockville, MD location of Silver Diner have been superior in every respect, so a review of one is not a review for all.
(3)Kel D.
To steal my daughter's favorite word ~ "Meh" Silver Diner is neither bad nor good in my book. It's a place to get food. Basic every day food. Not necessarily a place I want to go to "eat out". It's not bad for a Sunday Breakfast where you just want to dine with the Sunday funnies, or for a late night coffee date. It's cheap and convenient. I won't seek it out, but won't say no if there are worse options.
(3)Eli B.
A nice diner overall. Ate there late night after work, the food was good. Would definatly go back. I had the bacon cheese buger.
(4)Andrew C.
It satisfied my carnal needs at 3.30 am.
(3)Laura H.
Solid brunch option when you are short on time or not dressed up. I hiked it over to silver diner for brunch after I had initially passed it on my way home from a long run... the smell of bacon and breakfast goodness was overwhelming after a hilly 12 mile run. I settled on blueberry stuffed french toast with a side of chicken sausage. Everything was very tasty and more than I could hope to eat. I especially like that they offer healthier substitutions such as egg white omelets, chicken sausage, fruit instead of hash browns, etc. As I was finishing up at the counter, the head chef even came over to chat and see how I liked the new summer menu. No, I wasn't wearing my yelp t-shirt. :) The only real downside is the price. It's pretty expensive for diner food, but hey, it is DC.
(4)reuben j.
My time in Virginia (living there, that is) was not one of my life's happier chapters (Not that you asked). But I considered my time in this incarnation of the Silver Diner one of the higher points. Friendly staff, and more than decent breakfast fare is the norm. As a result, earlier is better. Though the lines move fairly quickly... I was the one who kept playing Sam Cooke's "You Send Me" and "Since I Dont Have You" by The Skyliners. Maybe I drove you crazy.But I hope not..
(4)Lindsay V.
Went here for breakfast for the first time in 8 years and I was so ecstatic that they now have a vegan/vegetarian menu! The vegan mango milkshake was delicious and so were the quinoa coconut pancakes! All they need is a tofu scramble and their vegan menu would be complete! I will definitely return.
(5)SuperJisan Z.
The service was great. The server was so nice, he checked on us twice and just seemed so friendly. I got the country scrambler which came with scrambled eggs, sausage with cheese melted on top. Stuff to die for. Also had the pancakes, nothing special but superbly done still. Also, the fruit bowl was gotten just to make me feel healthy. It was a typical diner vibe, but I love their neon lights at night. That gets the extra star and I consider it might comfort food station. Next time, I'll get the chocolate milk
(5)Zara C.
My friend and I were looking for a brunch place that opens up later than usual and not packed. Silver Diner was definitely the spot. The staff were very nice and the service was pretty fast. Drinks: I had a silver diner mimosa and my friend had the Nutella banana milkshake!! Yum yum! I loved the shake. So delicious. The mimosa was good too. Food: I ordered the veggie rancheros based on the yelp reviews. I didn't like it that much. It had a strong oily smell to it, and most of the veggies in there I didn't eat. It's mainly my fault, I should have read the menu more carefully. My friend ordered the French toast banana. So good!!!! I would definitely go back just to get it (and all of its calories). But it's totally worth it. Would definitely go back.
(3)Ann H.
When I have a hankering for classic American eats, Silver Diner is the first place that comes to mind. However, this place isn't just an average cafe with basic food to satisfy your "All American" craving, or desire for a "Mom and pop" atmosphere. It's a very deliberate restaurant with interesting and unique food combinations. For instance, I was craving a euro and a burger, and chose their lamb burger with a side of Greek salad. Another thing that struck me was not only the quality of the food, but also the reasonable food portions, which were not too big or small. The juke boxes on the tables were charming, even though they didn't play my song. The staff was also very friendly and attentive. So much so, I actually got the impression they genuinely liked working there, which can be difficult for jobs in food service. It seems Silver Diner has cracked the code and created a well rounded modern American diner.
(5)Lucas B.
Where can I start with Silver Diner? I've been here probably 10 times in the 2 years I've lived in Arlington because a few of my friends are freaks over the place. I admit I was definitely not a fan the first couple times going there but I've warmed up to the place a bit going so many times. First off, the food isn't great. It's a little better than average. Some things are good and some things are not so good. It all depends on what you get to be honest because a few of the dishes are hit or miss. I've gotten rave reviews from Silver Diner's Honey Mustard (Yes, honey mustard) which honestly keeps them coming back for their chicken tenders. I usually go with steak and eggs. Pretty hard to mess up and they do a pretty good job with it. The caesar salad is pretty spot on too. Service at SD is also really good most of the time. There are a few servers in there who are exceptional - especially having to deal with a large group which is most of the time with my group. One of my favorite things there is the milkshakes. Most notable for me is the chunky monkey. They just feel like old timey milkshakes and not liquidy ice cream you can drink. You can get these to go as well! All in all the place has its charm and is a fun atmosphere with 50's/60's music on the personal table jukeboxes. It's an enjoyable experience and it's worth the trip over if you're in the mood for some diner eats.
(3)Pegah Y.
I'd never ordered an entree salad at a diner before, but I suppose there's a first time for everything! I visited Silver Diner for dinner with a friend recently and we were really impressed with this eclectic and homey establishment. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the Grilled Cajun Salmon Caesar salad I ordered. It came with sustainable fresh Atlantic salmon, romaine, kale, romano, tomatoes, croutons, and was tossed with caesar dressing. SO GOOD. OMG, I was in heaven. The salmon was perfectly crusted on the outside, but was melt-in-your-mouth good on the inside! My friend also ordered a salad and a side of fries. There are so many great options here - from soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and other entrees. It really depends on your mood! Please note that it gets PACKED, even for dinner at 7pm on a weeknight (a Tuesday at that). We luckily arrived before a throng of people came for the dinner rush, so thankfully we were seated fairly quickly, but I'm sure some people had to wait 20+ minutes for a table. As for parking - I don't think there is any... as far as I could tell. But it's silly to expect there to be any parking in Clarendon generally. I actually didn't know until recently that this place is a chain. It really does seem like a unique one-off diner in the Clarendon area. I would love to visit one of their other locations (in the DMV area and other states as well). Bottom Line - amazingly eclectic, great service, and an entree salad that was to die for! So so so good! I will definitely want to visit again.
(5)Dani P.
This place is convenient for it's late hours, and tries to be a more upscale version of an American diner. I say try because the last time we came here, they seemed out of everything my colleague tried to order. I had the pesto pasta made with quinoa flour pasta. At first I was dubious because gluten free options can be hit or miss, but it was a delicious meal. Typically though I'll come here for their milkshakes. They're delicious, and easy to order to go.
(3)Jen F.
I ordered their banana stuffed french-toast and it was delicious. Order a milkshake while you are here because they are fantastic. The reason for 3 stars are around their very uncooked mini sliders (it was pretty much raw) and my boyfriend finding a piece of plastic within his corn hash beef breakfast.
(3)Alan R.
I've been a late night supporter of this establishment for years. Whenever I go here, I can always expect friendly service, tasty food and classic tunes. It's always packed, but I'm usually seated quickly if I'm with a small group. The menu is expansive including breakfast staples, burgers, sandwiches and wraps. I usually opt for something relatively light like an appetizer so I don't feel bad when I indulge in one of their heavenly milkshakes. The Oreo one is my jam. I'm usually hesitant to get burgers from places that don't specialize in them, but this time I was craving red meat and had to order the Bacon Bleu burger. All my expectations were exceeded! It was cooked perfectly medium, with just the right amount of pink on the inside. While it was super juicy, the bun held its own and didn't fall apart. The cheese crumbles were strong, but didn't overpower the flavors coming from the other players. This diner has definitely earned a loyal fan for many more years to come.
(4)William F.
Growing up in NY I was in need of a diner in DC/VA area. The Silver Diner certainly fills that void AND some. This place has the classic diner choices (e.g., eggs, meat, homefries, tuna melt, club sandwich, etc.), but it also offers more inventive choices. The only meal I typically eat at diners is breakfast, but I've also had a cobb salad, turkey platter, and burger here for dinner. Bottom line, you can't really go wrong. Breakfast- I highly recommend the Bison Huevos Rancheros. Runny eggs and avocado mash on top of salty spiced ground beef, beans, pico de gallo, and some crispy tortilla chips to scoop with. I also get the Lumberjack breakfast a lot because it's under $10 and comes with coffee, 2 breakfast meats = more pig in my belly. Always get a biscuit with your breakfast because they're really good; fresh, buttery, and crumbly. The whole grain toast is tasty too. I don't recommend any fruit sides because they were probably sitting in a fruit cocktail bowl in a fridge and aren't freshly cut. Coffee is usually run of the mill, but at least refills are free. They also carry Tazo Teas which is pleasantly surprising and refills are free on those too. Service is consistently attentive and I love that they guarantee every meal to be served with a smile (corny but catchy). If you dine here frequently I highly recommend the Silver Diner Rewards Card. It's not a credit card or anything. It tracks how many meals you eat there and for every 5 meals you get $5 off your next meal. Also, they offer free entree AND dessert on your birthday. I'm a sucker for rewards cards, but hey, gotta love the perks! Overall: If your hungry and in the need for a pleasant diner experience, this place has got you covered. I promise you will leave happy... or should I say, pleasantly plump.
(4)Shreyas V.
Quick and friendly service.. Very clean. Had the omlette and the veggie rancheros. Both were delicious. The shakes are pretty good too and are huge! The place has a very retro look, with even a jukebox at every table. Definitely recommend trying it out if you're in the area looking for a quick reasonably priced meal.
(5)David T.
To be fair there is not a lot of diner competition in the DC area, but this place is still great. Amazing creative vegetarian options and an ever evolving menu. Latest is a Kale blue cheese salad and mushroom teriyaki. Lots of locally sourced veggies, which all the hype tells me is a good thing. Service is always warm and friendly and the price range is reasonable. Not dirt-diner cheap, but you can get a nice meal for two for $25. They also have beer/wine and a great dessert menu. Jukeboxes on the table for $0.25/song are a nice touch, and the place maintains a nice 50's vibe. And honestly, sometimes you just need breakfast at 11pm.
(4)Curtis K.
Fruit bowl had what seemed to be thawed fruit. I shared to breakfasts with my friends. One was a Mexican type breakfast was large tortilla chips and ground beef. It had a good flavor and wasn't too bad. The other was a veggie tomato cheese omelette. It was decent and flavorful. Nothing really stood out here. It's a fun simple diner. I was given a spoon with a dried up green vegetable speck on it, so I question how sanitary this place is. Also the bathroom was pretty dirty. The service was decent. Our waiter was professional, friendly and attentive.
(3)Christine S.
In short, Silver Diner is an old time diner with tabletop jukeboxes (so cool!) and home styled food. This restaurant partnered with local farmers and producers so they could use the freshest ingredients. I'm all about that health kick! - California Omelet ($11.99): pretty typical omelet with eggs, chicken, tomato, jack cheddar, scallions, black beans, and sour cream. It also comes with a cup of fresh fruit and whole wheat toast. - Banana Stuffed French Toast ($10.99): french toast layered with vanilla bean creme, bananas, chocolate chips, and caramel and vanilla drizzle. Pretty sweet and hearty! - Very Berry Yogurt Smoothie ($6.99): pretty healthy tasting smoothie. They have whole blueberries mixed in, so don't be too surprised when you get some fruit in your sip! You can ask them to split this in however many cups you'd like. Service is attentive and very fast. This is definitely a pretty standard diner with the typical diner-like food!
(3)Rachael B.
I love this place. The menu is huge, and everything we've tried from it has been delicious. For breakfast, the bison huevos rancheros is outstanding. For lunch, one of my favorites is the chicken pot pie made with fresh vegetables and topped with two half circles of flakey, layered phyllo-type crust. They have vegetarian, gluten-free and low-calorie options as well. Service is always excellent. One time our waiter accidentally put in the wrong entree, so my order was late. The manager came by to apologize and gave us a coupon for a free entree. Even when the line to be seated is long, I've never waited more than 15 minutes. The place is huge, and they keep the line moving.
(5)Josh L.
So I don't understand the tagline of 'the diner of the future' since it seems like a diner to me, but whatever let's not get bogged down here. Breakfast. All. Day. Generally I get the pancakes when I come here. I love pancakes and they are so fluffy, really a treat. Also, it's a great place to bring indecisive groups because they have so many different items, including the above mentioned Breakfast. All. Day. Also, they have a parking lot! In and of itself that's amazing for this area.
(5)Damon B.
Me'thinks, YES! Silver Diner is everything I want in a diner! With excellent food, a plentiful menu that is rehashed by a real chef, and incredible service, you really cannot go wrong here. It's exactly what you should be eating for breakfast...if you go to diners. We visited on a Sunday at 1030am and it was crowded but no line had formed yet. A line did form during our meal and was about 10 people long by 1130am. We breezed right in and grabbed a table, coffees, and waters. The coffee wasn't bad and the refills were on point. Our waiter was really good, very nice and completed the experience for us. I ordered chicken fried steak and biscuit and my wife ordered eggs over medium with toast. Everything was stellar, from the biscuits to the steak to the hashbrowns. Seriously they could not have done it any better. My wife is incredibly picky about eggs and even she was pleased. All in all, it was a pleasant experience and you can bet we'll be back! One last thing, the chef has designed the menu to provide numerous healthy options. While I didn't go for them, they looked really good and actually healthy. Did I mention that they have a chef? Not just a line cook but a real deal chef? This is a place you can take the whole family for a serious "diner" experience!
(5)Antonio C.
Diners beware!!!!! I am a yelp regular here. I used to love this place. Unfortunately i can no longer support this establishment. My car was towed accidentally from their lot and Silver Diner could do nothing to aid me. This makes me very disappointed. How can a patron feel safe that their car will not get towed as they dine? The employees at Advanced Towing are even less sympathetic. My check at Silver diner started at 12:44am and was closed at 1:26am. The tow ticket shows my car towed at 1:05am. This was clearly a mistake on their part. Their policy is that the only way to release your car is to pay the fine, and follow up with them later if you want to attempt to get a refund. If this is the kind of business the Silver Diner condones, I want no part of it. Update: I spoke with another manager at Silver Diner and hope to have this issue resolved. To be continued...
(1)Jeremy B.
This is hands down one of our best breakfast meals ever! We've been striving to eat less wheat products, so we gave the vegan coconut quinoa pancakes a try and we fell in love with them. They were amazbombs! This restaurant can accommodate just about any type of taste bud! I also enjoyed my veggie omelet and the turkey sausage also. Everything we were served was delicioso! We'll be back for sure. Can we get a location in Atlanta or Birmingham!
(5)Nick M.
Haven't actually sat here to eat yet but did have take out a few times. Late night cravings or when my friend had her wild cravings, we would get desserts from here. So as far take out, the service was fast and friendly. I would usually go there and order and wait maybe about 10 minutes and my order is ready to go. The taste of the food is pretty good, their desserts are very yummy. Someday i would like go there to sit in and eat. Since they are open till 4am, it's perfect to go there after a good night of partying and getting some grub.
(4)Kate S.
If you're an indecisive person like me, the menu at this place will make you go crazy - there are numerous pages of tons of delicious-looking dishes. There are also a lot of great options for vegetarians, which is a plus! It was so hard to choose, but I finally decided to order their fish tacos. The flavor was delicious but there was significantly less fish than the picture in the menu led me to believe. I also think their dishes are a little overpriced for the portion-size. Despite that, I still want to go back to Silver Diner to try a couple more dishes (like the brussels sprouts) and some of the desserts from the massive menu. Inside, the restaurant is a big diner with mini jukeboxes at every table where you can choose what song to play for 25 cents. I thought this feature was really cool and convenient. Additionally, the service was great!
(4)Steve S.
This place is about 2 1/2 blocks from home, so convenience is a plus. Solid diner/cafe type food. Reasonable prices, decent portions, attentive service, good quality food. The place is clean and well maintained and the counter seating is comfortable and spacious. It is much less greasy than an average old school diner, which is a plus to me. Its not that I'm that health conscious, I just don't like grease. I asked the manager what time they started serving entrees. He said "you can get anything you want at any time." I probably won't have meatloaf and mashed potatoes for breakfast anytime soon, but it is nice to know that I could.
(4)DON C.
I really like this place and the grub here is amazing Diner food; with a twenty-first century panache! I left out of this place so full, content and 4lbs heavier!.....I know because I weighed myself when I got home after needing a nap from my awesome glutton experience. LOL One meal here will convince even the most skeptical that this isn't your typical Granny's Diner. This place offers up everything under the sun that's edible! From Quinoa bowls...to certified Angus Beef, Buffalo Sliders, huge Cobb Salads that easily serves two....to Steaks, Amish Eggs, Pomegranate Yogurt Shakes, Homemade Deserts, Hand-Spun Super Thick Ice Cream Shakes....AND then there is last....but not least, an extensive menu list of Breakfast entrees and sides served all day. Ahhhhh.....Breakfast...my favorite kind of eats! On this particular day, I had one of the best Breakfast moments I have had in a long time. The Silver Diner served me up proper! I ordered the Lumberjack Breakfast. This meal is truly fit for a king. The food serving and portion was huge...I almost could not eat it all! Three eggs, two meats, home fries and toast. I substituted biscuits for the toast. The biscuit was buttery, soft, crisp-flaky and oh...so good. For the meats I choose turkey sausage and something very rare to find these days in a Diner....Ham steak! If you've never had Ham Steak, try it once and you would be hooked! Both meats were cooked to perfection. But the Ham Steak, in particular, knocked my socks off in flavor. It was thick, juicy, and had great seared--crispy edges of fat that made each bite put me in a trance. The eggs were okay, nothing remarkable. The home fries, on the other hand, were seasoned and on point. On top of all this, I had the audacity to order a side of Corned-Beef Hash!....You could have rolled me out of there because I was so full and couldn't move. The CB Hash was cooked to perfection--crispy potatoes and tender corned-beef. Seriously, everything...in all honesty was delicious about my meal. Great service too. The server was attentive and kept the hot coffee coming. In all, I am a fan and will be back. This Silver Diner location 4.5 Stars from me. Only a 1/2 star deduction because of the wait time. This location is so popular that it can get crowded for sure on weekends and early mornings; but hey....that's what happens when good food --at a great value-- is in town! Forget IHOP....this will be my new "all-inclusive" Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner spot for sure! You can get just about anything prepared for you to eat at this place....in "Good Ol' Diner Fashion!"...with a bit of nostalgia too. I just wish there was a location in DC. * Tip/Honorable Mention: Get the Silver Diner Rewards Card! Earn $5, every 5 visits within 3 calendar months!
(4)Alicia D.
Always good eats here, but have to come to Northern VA to eat Silver Diner. I miss Silver Diner in Virginia Beach. Food is fresh and hot! Staff are friendly. Thanks Mama D for your excellent service!!
(4)Jeff S.
I have become a big fan of the Silver Diner! Service is always good. The food is pretty decent - I love their sourdough BLT, it's my favorite! They have an interesting menu with ingredients fresh from local farms. And who can say no to a Nutella-banana-salted caramel milkshake?! Nice place to go when you're in a hurry and want to grab a quick bite to eat!
(4)Claire B.
I've been to Silver Diner 3-4 times now. It is becoming one of our regular breakfast/brunch spots! Love the alternative ingredient options. Love the effort towards local and organic. Wait staff has always been great! A lovely spot to have some yummy grub and sip some coffee. I have seen a line form, but have never waited in line here. Best to go early if going for weekend breakfast/brunch if you don't want to wait.
(5)Alex R.
The service here is great! The lumberjack breakfast is awesome. The people and music here is one of a kind .
(4)S. G.
Great diner spot with a variety of meals and party platters for meetings or for meal preps. The manager, Ryan is very helpful and makes it apparent that he loves his job. Great customer service for sure. Definitely recommend!!
(5)Jessica D.
Literally my favorite place in the world. I wish the owners would open one in the District somewhere. Classic diner food with an organic, farm-to-table twist. There is nothing better than inexpensive, good, but healthy and quality food. Silver Diner, you win.
(5)Steph M.
Despite appearing like an alcohol-serving Friendly's, Silver Diner is a cross between a homestyle diner and commercial chain restaurant. To put it plainly, your experience at Silver Diner could be scrumptiously delicious (if you order one of their massively buttered and perfectly grilled burgers), or disappointingly blase (all-day breakfast omelettes....ahem. My dog could probably prepare a better breakfast. Dogs don't even have hands.) Anyway, I'm a jersey girl, and if there is anything in Jersey besides strip malls, sewage, and the Jersey Shore--it's DINERS. So take my word for it, I know my diners, and Silver Diner fits the bill if you order grilled ground beef patties-----but not so much if you order dry, pasty, scrambled eggs assorted in a semi-circular pancake. I had the burger so no harm done Can't say my dining partner was as lucky. ;)
(3)Peter V.
Silver Diner gets a solid three stars. I really enjoy the vegetarian options and overall vegetarian friendliness. They have one of the better veggie burgers around, and, once, when I was there for breakfast, the waitress inferred from conversation that I am a vegetarian and went out of her way to offer faux sausage with my omelette. During the day, service is usually pleasant and efficient. Prices are fair.
(3)Sophie S.
i am uber obssessed with diners. had hit and miss experience at this place. their smoothie is good in general and sizes are decent. the salad is enough for two people to split... but it just losing the vibes
(3)Bro H.
No idea why people are describing this place as inexpensive. Everything on the menu costs 3-5 bucks more than it should, with the exception of the cheese fries, which are actually pretty good.
(2)Sean C.
Move over IHOP and Pancake House, step up to serious Pannenkoeken (Dutch for pancakes)! Pecan and Sweet Potato Pancakes with slices of banana on top and fresh strawberries (not strawberry jelly), nuff sed! Chocolate chip pancakes for the kids. My wife had French Toast with coconut, pecan and raspberries (on Challah bread), also fabulous. It is a kitschy 50's style place, but has a variety of food, including non-greasy healthy choices, even for breakfast. Very kid friendly. There is a kid's club with a special deal on Tuesday nights and a free entree on their birthday. We'll be back often.
(5)Terry S.
The food here is okay, but what's outrageous is the number of jukeboxes that are busted. It's gotten worse and worse over the years. Being able to play your own music at your table is the only reason to come here.
(2)Mary K.
The Silver Diner's menu has had a face lift & everyone should go check it out! They have standard diner fare, but they are using local produce, have a huge selection of healthy options (complete with calorie/fat/etc printed on the menu), and for a diner an amazing assortment of vegetarian options. I went for brunch and had a black bean & egg burrito complete with egg beaters and a side of local strawberries. My husband enjoyed a crab cake omelette with home fries and a biscuit. I live in DC, but will be making the trip back soon.
(4)Ben W.
Perfect neighborhood diner. It never disappoints. Best of all, it's not all greasy meals... They have a farm fresh menu now which has some great options.
(5)Neysa B.
Always a pleasant experience. I have never been disappointed with a meal. Farm fresh, great staff, accommodating, what else could you ask for? I come to this location with my young daughter, alone, with co workers you name it. We've been to Silver Diner. They have meet expectations on each different occasion.
(5)Ash H.
Had the best takeout breakfast I have had in awhile. Great service and fast. Will be going back asap. Biscuits and gravy was awesome as well as the Philly cheese steak omelette.
(5)Melinda Y.
We went to the Clarendon location, which is a short walk from the Metro station. I heard there are several around the area. It's a cute '60s diner. It's a pretty large place, but the sign was small and its font hard to read. It's in one of those weird intersections with 6-7 directions of traffic. I loved the little tabletop jukeboxes. The song selection was mostly oldies: 50s, 60s, Motown, 80s, MJ, and a little bit of 90s (wish there were more). They took a quarter to operate. What's a better way to entertain yourself while waiting for your food? Silver Diner is atypical of your usual diners, with more contemporary fare, with lamb sliders, organic chai soy latte milkshakes, lump crab cakes, and salmon burgers. We had the flat top steak, lump crab cakes, and chai soy latte milk shake. Everything were above expectations. Yelpers were pretty stingy with their reviews. My milk shake tasted more like horchata than a chai latte, but luckily I love horchata. The steak was cooked to medium perfection. The fries were remarkably crisp, like McDonald's fries. The crabcake came as a pair, with tartar sauce, cole slaw and fries. Both entrees came with soup or salad. Everything was outstanding. One of our favorite meals on the trip. Because we came during lunch, the diner was quiet and pleasant since we avoided the breakfast crowd on a Monday.
(5)Lexi S.
Farm to table that isn't fancy and open late?! Right up my alley. I have driven pasted the Tyson's location and also wondered. I tried the clarion location and fell in love. Whats it like? A cool old diner that isn't crappy... You have the classics such as french toast, fries, shakes, BLT and hip new stuff Bison Huevos Rancheros, Quieoa pancakes, Healthy-ish shakes, Tofu scramble, etc. I love than you can change your side for whatever you like with plenty of options. The staff is always friendly, restaurant itself is always clean. Think you experience could be a little better? They have comment cards on the tables that you fill out and drop in a little box. I do love that idea. My favorite things- Bison Huevos Rancheros French Fries Chocolate Cake Chicken Noodle Soup
(5)Jam C.
I've been back a few times (late night and brunch) since my very first visit and they are getting an upgrade because I'm now a fan. :) The quality of the food is great and service is always so friendly. Another thing to love is that they open at 7 am so I don't have to wait till 11 am (when most restaurants open) to get me some awesome brunch. :) The huevos rancheros didn't disappoint although it wasn't as spicy as I thought it would be which is fine with me.The breakfast platters were also pretty good, especially the biscuit(!) that comes with it. I love the coconut quinoa pancakes but you can't really go wrong with any of their classic buttermilk pancakes and french toast either. You get 2 pancakes with some of the breakfast platters but they are huge. But if you're still hungry you can always get an extra stack of more pancakes. For non-breakfast items I def recommend the Cajun Salmon sandwich. It's so easy to overcook salmon but this place cooks it perfectly! The price is a little more than your average diner but it's justifiable in my opinion.
(4)Heather M.
You would not expect a diner like this was a farm to table place. It looks like a 50's diner and even has little juke boxes at your table that you can play. The meal was a little above average than what you expect at an actual diner and the prices a a little above too. But it's nice to know that the ingredients are fresh and that you're supporting local farmers. The fruit was amazingly sweet. Our server was nice but forgot a few things even after asking for them again.
(4)Bobby M.
This is my spot when I want to eat healthy and eat breakfast for dinner! This is a farm to table restaurant so the ingredients are fresh and good. I normally get pancakes, an omelette or the cajun chicken. I believe the cajun chicken is one of the entrees they have that is under 600 calories. All flexitarians should check this place out! Also, there are old style jukebox's at every table. So bring your quarters!
(4)Elizabeth W.
This has always been one of my stable go-to all day breakfast locations. I absolutely love the goat cheese and tomato omelette. I went today though and noticed they took it off the menu, but they still gave it to me anyways which was nice. I suggest they put it back on the menu though, its one of their best omelette selections and I know other people who go there just for that dish as well. The milkshakes are also amazing, I suggest the Peppermint Patty one or the Brownie Latte. Two suggestions for ways to improve: 1. Get Chulula hot sauce and 2. Offer at least one menu per restaurant that is in Spanish. You guys have a strong Spanish/Latino clientele base and it really wouldn't be that much effort to offer them one menu in Spanish. I went with someone today who doesn't speak English very well and I was happy to translate for him but there is no way he will be back without there being a menu offered in Spanish.
(4)Fiana Sachi E.
Love the fact that this restaurant highlights local farmers that support sustainable agriculture. Tons of flexitarian and healthy/low fat options throughout the menu. I have been here twice and both times ordered the Baja fish tacos with summer citrus salad -- yum! Also for those that love desert but not the calories (like me), there are a couple of yummy options to choose from.
(4)Clint R.
Cool-looking 50s themed diner. Free parking behind restaraunt. Claim to be fresh and locally bought food. Very reasonable prices with a wide variety of food. Service can be hit or miss but not too bad. Been here quite a few times in the past couple months.
(4)Adam P.
We had hair in our food and the manager brushed us off and was rude. The manager then refused to give us his name. Food was similar to Denny's, but the management was worst. Update: As I left the manager was under the impression that I had come in a couple weeks earlier and caused a similar commotion. Which is funny considering I reside in Seattle and had never visited the restaurant before.
(1)Annie C.
My boyfriend and I come here almost every Saturday morning and we love it! The food is great (especially for the prices) and the service is always fast and very friendly. I'm not a big breakfast person so I usually opt for a sandwich and fries, and my boyfriend gets sausage biscuits and gravy. They're not on the menu, but we highly recommend! We were at the diner this morning, and I ordered the trio sliders without cheese. When the sliders came out, there was cheese on them that was melted to the point that I couldn't just scrape it off. Our waiter apologized several times and had new sliders made for me. They came out hot so I knew they didn't just take the cheese off and give me a fresh bun, and they were delicious! On top of that, our waiter had told the manager about what had happened and he came over to personally apologize and give us a free meal! The cheese wasn't a big issue and was easily fixed, but they still took great care of us and made sure we walked out of there happy. We are super impressed and can't wait to come next weekend!
(5)Silvia L.
Chefs that think about your health, management that thinks about service, and service that thinks about your comfort. How could this not be a great combo? Yes, please, anytime!!!
(4)Heather R.
During this visit we sat at the counter. We had a perfect view of the expo. The women running the expo line did an amazing job. She was quick to pull tickets and call for runners. What they didn't do well was the biscuits. While we sat there they didn't sell any, but they added two dozen to the warming draw right on top of the old ones. Always sell the first ones, first! Our server, Shiva, was warm and friendly! The food was as good as ever. I tried the new house made hibiscus lemonade and it was yummy!
(4)James S.
I came in on a busy Sunday afternoon and got seated relatively quickly at the counter. I got the bison huevos rancheros, which was really fantastic and filling. My waiter was quick on the coffee refills and gave me a free biscuit as I waited. I'm really looking forward to coming back and trying out the rest of the menu.
(5)Caleb B.
Well it never claimed to be a gold diner. The food is decent if unremarkable but typically pretty greasy although they have some decent options for the health conscious. The service is good and it's open 24/7 so I can't complain and the food is allot more tolerable drunk. If you want to go somewhere special or interesting this isn't the place.
(2)J P.
Came here for the first time the other day. I generally like diners -- there is just something about their atmosphere and baked goods ;). Unfortunately, this is not one I loved. I will probably give this place another chance but I might need some convincing. I ordered the lamb burger which had good flavor, but there was so much juice from the burger and spinach that the bread was soaked! It was so mushy. I eventually took it off the bun and just ate the burger and toppings separately. The Greek side salad was my favorite part of the meal. My friend ordered a grilled cheese with fries and it was completely cold -- probably because it was sitting on the counter while my burger finished cooking. Timing issues? Anyway, she sent it back and they brought her a new one. Couldn't help but notice that at least two other tables around us had to send their food back too -- one customer order a particular salad and got a completely different one and the waiter argued with her... ouch.. We also ordered a shake (peanut butter, bananas and oreos, forgot the name) -- it was good and was big enough to share. The food itself wasn't so bad, but I felt like some simple cooking/serving techniques were missed and if you can't get those right...
(3)Samnang S.
The best diner in the DMV area! I love that it's local and fresh. The Arlington location is a lot busier then the one in fairfax but the quality of food and staff are the same. I think they offer the best omelettes and the black bean salsa is amazing! Always had really friendly service and even with a long line, they seem to go really fast!
(5)Augie B.
Definitely not your typical diner food. I had the turkey club it was very good. Service was excellent as well as the portion size. If you're in the area give it a try.
(4)Mojdeh S.
How I heard of this place: We were hesitant to try it, but our friends wouldn't let up. Type of cuisine: A healthy diner. The normal diner experience accented with menu items such as a Mango Vegetarian Stir Fry, and other 600-calorie entrees. "Silver Diner is about good, fresh food, Healthy and Hearty, the choice is yours. To deliver you the best products, we buy fresh & local whenever we can. We have partnered with award winning local farms that support sustainable agriculture." Ambiance: From the outside, one questions whether or not to enter the kitch-style, mirrored facade with strips of neon lighting framing the building. Especially when, just across the street and continuing for several blocks, one can easily enjoy the calm of trendy bistros, bars, and restaurants. The large, single function establishment (restaurant set apart, not in a strip mall setting) is just as bright and tacky inside. Asbestos-looking rectangles make up the ceiling, framed by strips of red light coloring the areas immediately attached to the windows on three full sides of the space. Booth seating is available at each available spot next to a window, and along the mural-ed walls depicting another diner in blue and white, with the word "EAT" prominently placed. The floors are intricately tiled in hues of blue and grey, and sort of clash with the faux leahter, oxblood booth cushions and dark wooden backed chairs, set against the marble-textured laminate tabletops. Each table comes with its very own miniature jukebox beside a white, plastic container of sweeteners, a bottle of Heinz Tomato Ketchup, and a flip-chart menu of desserts and cocktails available at the Silver Diner. What I ordered: All natural, hand-dipped shake: Peppermint Patty ($5.99) made with vanilla ice cream, mint syrup, and Oreo cookies, and an order for Cheese Fries ($7.99): Old Bay, jack cheddar, nitrate-free bacon and scallians served with a side of southwest ranch for dipping. One of our dining companions chose a more healthy option: Summer Citrus ($9.99) salad with baby spinach, mangos, strawberries, dried cranberries, pecans, and carrots, tossed with fat free citrus vinaigrette. I went with the Guacamole Pepper Jack Burger ($10.99): BBQ basted, guacamole, pepper jack, two long strips of criss-crossed nitrate-free bacon, southwest ranch, half of which fed my husband, and a side of crispy fries. Anoher in our party ordered the Crispy Chicken Tender Platter ($12.99) made with antiobiotic and hormone free chicken served with honey mustard, crispy fries, and vegan slaw with cranberries. My husband enjoyed the Country Scrambler ($9.99) made with farm fresh scrambled eggs, sausage, home fries, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, jack cheddar, and sausage gravy served in its own baking dish alongside two silver dollar pancakes served with maple flavored syrup and a small bowl of fresh strawberries. The four of us shared the Brownie Decadence ($5.99) home made chewy fudge brownie topped with all natural Breyers vanilla and chocolate ice creams, hot fudge, caramel sauce, whipped cream and walnuts. What I loved: The shake was an extraordinary combination of our favoirtes: mint and Oreo, the burger juicy, tender and flavorful. The crisp, thick-cut bacon adding crunch and salty goodness to the soft guacamole. I truly enjoyed the warm brownie topped with chocolate ice cream and fudge. Why I loved it: The entire meal, from start to finger-lickin' finish was tasty, satisfying and all in the presence of delightful company. What could be better? Cost: Low to average ($6.99 - $13.99 per sandwich, burger, breakfast or lunch/dinner entree)
(4)Sara S.
I so wanted to like this place, but I have to say I was sorely disappointed. I'd never been to this place before, but had my parents visiting in town, and we were going to meet two of my aunts as well. We showed up around 8:30 on Saturday morning, and got a table for 5 without delay. That was good. The server was either extremely busy, inexperienced, or both, however. She had to come back 3 times to bring enough glasses of water (for 5 people, it really shouldn't take more then one visit to get right), and the same with the coffees. Trying to track her down to get a refill of coffee was a challenge as well--cup was totally done and cold by the time she returned to refill. Two members of our group got pancakes, I got banana french toast, and the other two got regular french toast. Not a single dish was brought out hot. The pancakes were fully cold for both diners, and the french toasts were as well. Not like "slightly cooled from the griddle", but totally cold, not at all hot anymore. You'd have thought it impossible to screw up pancakes, but they did. The server seemed...unconcerned, when notified of this. Just sort of blank stare and a "Oh, uh....well, I guess i can take them back if you want?", which would have taken even more time (this was already a long wait). The manager on duty did come around about 10 minutes later, to apologize and offer vouchers for two free entrees in the future, but I should have just pushed to get the meals comped or discounted that day--I doubt very much I'll be back to use the vouchers ever. All in all, the food was disappointing (would have been pretty good I think if any of it was hot), the service was akin or worse to Denny's, and the experience with out of town guests was just mortifying. I expected a good, reasonably priced diner-style breakfast before the guests left, and instead was left with what ended up being a pretty overpriced, very disappointing and embarrassing experience. Don't know if we just had an unusually bad experience, but I cannot fathom how this place is as busy as it was if this is the norm. I'd definitely suggest looking elsewhere for breakfast--or honestly, just go to an IHOP, where they generally manage to get pancakes to the table while still hot.
(1)Mimi C.
i love love silver diner!! they are going to survive this new wave of diners because they put in the effort to know their customer base. they have shifted from traditional american classic diner meals to partnering with farm to table chefs to bring new and interesting flavors. every order here has been a hit from their adult milkshakes to their power salads and... mmm... their bacon burger w/ caramelized onions (my favorite in the DC/ NoVA area). i especially love their attention to service and detail. plus having little jukeboxes at each table that play your selected song with a quarter deposit is a super cute and personal touch!
(4)Kate J.
Great service and good fast food! I had the Philly cheese steak omelet and i am Addicted now! The deserts look massive never had one
(4)Sally M.
There's nothing better than going to Silver Diner with all your friends after leaving the bars. What could be better than a big, greasy breakfast at 2am on a Friday night? Nothing, I tell you. Oh, and they really do play all the good oldie songs! (I have lots of fond memories of this place late night...)
(3)Yizhou E.
Solid food, albeit a little on the pricey side for a diner. Great for those mornings after you've been partying in Clarendon. I like that they have organic stuff too. It makes me feel healthier to be eating "organic" sausage. Also if you can, get something that comes with strawberries...because they give you a flavored butter that ROCKS.
(3)Linda C.
I appreciate this diner's focus on fresh local produce. I had a very good Greek salad and my husband enjoyed his club sandwich. The service was friendly and it is nice to have an affordable place that has something for everyone.
(4)Arick S.
If you like natural food with a diner twist, this is the BEST in the land. The atmosphere is fantastic. It is seemingly a little pricey but that is because all their produce and meats come from local and regional farmers. I had the classic burger and fries, but with a beer. But if you want to be more traditional, get the Cookies & Cream milkshake. It's the best milkshake in the DC metro region, hands down.
(4)D R.
Authentically kind service. Fair prices. And good food, made-to-order. To truly appreciate why this place is great, sit at the bar on a busy weekend and behold the beehive of activity between the wait and kitchen staff. Management trains new employees on the job while ensuring that the orders placed are the orders that are actually made. Short-order staff verifies and clarifies orders with servers. Spin around in your seat and you'll see that the host or hostess (the fellow with the mutton chops is great to chat with) coordinating with bussers to manage table availability. It's really an amazing operation, and their emphasis on local, fresh food is commendable both for its sustainability and deliciousness.
(4)Les D.
Scanning the reviews, I feel compelled to write a contentious one of my own. Silver Diner is a diner in the Clarendon area, which already means it should build a moat to prevent invasion by the neighborhood hipster barbarians who might catapult hatorade reviews onto its yelp page, expecting gourmet food and high maintenance service from a franchise diner. Here's what some people don't quite get. SD serves locally sourced, quality ingredients, many of them organic, in a traditional diner which are typically known for horrible, horrible food. That's quite unique for a diner franchise. They even have their own ketchup. Add to that a number of gluten free and vegetarian dishes at diner prices, and this is a joint pushing the envelope. The place is packed on weekends. There was a substantial line, but it moved quickly. I arrived on Sat. with a group of seven, including two wild crazy tots. Server was attentive and accommodating of the kids. Food was not mind blowing, but it held its own as diner food. If you're looking for a circus of the palate, I'm not sure you're going to get that at any diner franchise. If you want some warm, buttery stuff in your belly, well I think SD can please you. i thought the value was very good. I'd be happy to go back. I will echo what others have said, the broken jukeboxes are no fun. I think they could at least block the coin slots of the broken machines.
(5)Steph K.
I ended up at this place twice in one week, and both times I walked out wondering why I walked in. I mean, if you proudly announce on your menu that you have "healthy, low-calorie options" but your idea of healthy starts at 600 calories of fried food, you're crazy. I know, I'm at a diner. If I want healthy food, I need to go elsewhere.... but I went to this place because they freaking advertise that they offer healthy, fresh food! Yes, I managed to order something at a more reasonable caloric level, after being a pain in the ass to my waiter (sorry dude) and asking for no sour cream, cheese, or meat in my omelet... but I could not help the fact that everything tasted like butter. Butter is not healthy. Butter is gross. Seriously, even my coffee tasted like butter, which I really don't understand. Also confusingly, they say they get their food local, but I was in Virginia and my eggs apparently came from Pennsylvania, so I don't think they're trying very hard on the sustainability front. And what's up with the waitstaff that clearly hate their lives? Ya'll are freaking me out.
(1)Jerry C.
We are often apprehensive about restos that have huge menus. More often than not, they just can't do all that stuff well. I suspect that is the case here. Service: Nice kid. Came around often. Seemed well trained. We were seated on the morning of the 4th with no delays. Overall a the service was pretty good considering that they were busy as hell. It was an added bonus that the Silver Diner serves wine and beer so you can get a mimosa with your brunch. Food: I had the Cajun scrambler. It is supposed to be a mess and it was. I was not unhappy but the dish could have benefited from some additional heat. If you are going to sell a hot breakfast dish, then serve one. I had really fresh strawberry's on my plate that were quite good. My girlfriend's banana pancakes, on the other hand, were disgusting. She complained about the lack of sweetness and that it just didn't work well. I was off put by the dark center of the bananas that were sitting in the batter. They seemed to be a bit past what should have been their expiration date. Another person in our party complained that her bacon had been sitting around too long before served and had become a bit gummy. Another in our party ordered the Country Fried Steak and loved it. I didn't try it but damn it looked as good as he said it was. A small chain that is trying hard but has bitten off more than it can chew, we might give it another chance when we are back in town.
(2)Kevin T.
The food doesn't re-invent the wheel but it's good, classic diner food. If you want a diner that's open late, serves breakfast and can make you a good Burger or meat loaf this is your type of place. And honestly this place is worth a quick stop for the milkshakes as well. Service can get slow when the place is busy but is otherwise good.
(4)sandra C.
Our first time here! I was pretty happy with the menu, offered plenty of options. Servings were generous, the food was very flavorful, service was good and fast and parking in back of the restaurant was an added us.
(4)Tri J.
My previous review was for their brunch, and while that may still stand true, my recent outing for dinner was a disaster. 1) We ordered an appetizer sampler. Instead of getting mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders, and onion rings, we only received the latter. Not really much of a sampler....... 2) It took us 20 minutes to flag down our waiter, even though the place was so dead you could hear crickets. He then politely informed us that they were out of mozzarella sticks and he had forgotten to tell us. He tried to make it better by offering more onion rings, but for some odd reason they were making me really nauseous, and so we declined. I ended up eating just the chicken tenders...which weren't even that good. 4) Dessert was awful. I don't know what I was thinking but it was probably: 'hey, all I've eaten are 2 frigging chicken tenders, I might as well have dessert. ' I ordered the seasonal cobbler. Instead of the granola-y topping I'm accustomed to it was some Aunt Jemimah dough topping. I'm sorry but it was gross. Still I ate it. I know. Dumb. 3) The place smelled really really bad. I mean, somebody vomited, bad. I couldn't figure out if it was the trash that needed to be taken out or what, but I was desperate to get out of there. My husband didn't or couldn't smell it, but I was ready to bolt as soon as he was done with his food. Moral of the story kids, don't go there for dinner. Only go for brunch. Or if you do go for dinner, bring some clothes pins for your nose and expect little.
(2)Willow N.
Alas, the nearest WaHo is 25 miles away. So, we went to the Silver Diner, against the advice of everyone with tastebuds not preferring Soylent Green. Warning Sign No. 1: The place has no furniture patronage. No homebodies shooting the shit with the cross-eyed pregnant waitress. Overwhelmingly Arlington-ish. They serve Egg Beaters to cut cholesterol. Chocolate pie is a NEW! menu item. Since when is it anything other than a diner staple? WIthout the complimentary flies in the cake case, what's your diner worth? I ordered a Country Griddle (biscuit, sausage, sausage gravy, onion, peppers, home fries, mushrooms). The biscuit tasted like those things you get at Red Lobster. I wanted the customary crusty, hard, gravy-soaked monstrosities that are so plentiful down South. I didn't see any sausage gravy in the pile (what happened to smothered biscuits a la WaHo?) To refill my coffee, the waiter kidnapped my artfully offbrand Irish Cream-ed cup of joe and whisked it off to the kitchen! Who knows what happened there, though it returned with the Irish Cream taste intact. I long to eat real food again. Silver Diner serves plastic. Our bacon had this strange smokey flavor to it. I asked my man, charbroiled? Spray-on, he replied. It's likely.
(1)John A.
Been here a number of times, always hoping I'd find something on the menu better than what I ate last time. Sadly, it never happens. I'm always disappointed with the food and shocked by the price. Metro 29 on Lee Hwy is considerably better.
(2)James S.
-Don't eat the sausage here. It made my fried really really sick. - prices are high for diner food.
(2)Dirk J.
I have eaten at this Silver Diner off and on for the last 10 years. The area has grown up around it. This is, as others have stated, a diner, and as a diner it employs fast fry cooks (not Chefs) who do a solid average job with what they have. They use a blend of fresh local ingredients and pre-prepared foods to serve up basic American diner type food using basic meats, eggs, potatoes, and seafood with butter, salt and pepper spices. I like the place, but it is what it is and it doesn't pretend to be a gourmet restaurant.
(3)Allison A.
I, also, feel the need to defend the Silver Diner of Arlington. If you want just a plain old franchise dining experience, go to the one in Springfield. THIS one is actually a good restaurant. Like Les said, they locally source everything, and look out for your health; unlike most franchises which offer "healthy" meals (meaning they're under 2,000 calories), Silver Diner has actually healthy meals. You can get an egg breakfast that won't break your calorie bank. And I've always had good coffee here. The service in this place is fantastic. I've been here a million times (my dad comes every Sunday morning after church) and I've never had anything but great service and hot meals (unless I ordered ice cream, which I am wont to do in the a.m.). Really, out of all the Silver Diner's, this one is the best.
(5)Izzat A.
Ate here late night one night and I thought it was okay. Nothing really stood out. Food was good, service was decent. It's a typical diner.
(3)Carol M.
I sat at the bar and the waitress was so nice and polite. The meal was well priced. I got a mimosa that was great and a omelette that was well cooked. I would go back here
(4)R K.
Met some friends here the other night, the food was pretty good. I ordered the pork chops and was pleasantly surprised at how good the seasoning was. The side of sweet potato fries were better then your average fries as well. I did think it was odd that the even though the "Healthier Shakes" listed a lot of their nutrition information, they conveniently left out how many grams of sugar each one had... My friends had some of their shakes and the pecan pancakes which were decent. I would have probably given the place four stars but the service was pretty bad. The only saving grace was the shift manager who was johnny on the spot when the two different waiters who were in our area couldn't cut it. Granted this was an early week night so I wasn't expecting the A-Squad of waiters but still...
(3)Jacob B.
Great late night spot to get some grub or perfect for a late morning brunch. I've never had a problem with the staff and their booths have old school radios in them. Very classic.
(4)Ali Z.
I regularly go here, and always end up with a great experience. Good food, with many healthier options. Also, you can drop a quarter and select some American classics for music. Lots of fun!
(5)Bernadette C.
Vegetarian yumminess! A place to eat after 10pm (the diner is open until 2am), and with a selection of unique vegetarian fare, I'm a big fan! The Silver Diner has veggie chilli, veggie sliders, and a citrus salad (spinach, strawberries, pecans, yum!), along with quite a few other veggie options. For years I've watched the carnivores around me gulp down their sliders, wishing I could enjoy stuffing my mouth in the same obscene manner. Silver Diner gave me that chance, and it's yummier than I dreamed, with an Aloha slider burger than goes beyond the usual veggie-burger taste. A sure cure for the slider-envy that so many vegetarians endure. The prices are on the higher side ($9 for the sliders with fries) but I refuse to dock a star for it. The fact that I can get a decent vegetarian meal after 10 pm that consists of something other than a veggie burger is completely worth the few extra dollars. Especially if I get to curl up in a comfy booth and bop to goofy songs from the 60s.
(5)Sean R.
After trying a few diners in Arlington (including the famed Bob and Edith's) and usually leaving disappointed - I seem to have finally found the one worth going back to. A nice, large parking lot behind the restaurant makes parking a breeze. The atmosphere inside is what you would expect for a diner, although it seems maybe a little more well cared for than some. The breakfast I had consisted of pancakes with eggs and a choice of two meats (bacon and sausage). I was impressed by their 'farm-to-table' concept for much of the food they served, including the eggs. I was also impressed by their offering if nitrate-free bacon. The food tasted less processed and greasy than many diners I've been to. The service was quick and friendly, no complaints there. I will definitely be going back.
(4)Kelley M.
I love love this place! Everything is delicious and a great price. They buy locally. This is more than just a diner. Everyone can go for any occasions. If ever I need to stop for a quick bite or sit and have dinner, this is where I go.
(5)Peter K.
Grilled flounder with mango chutney - wow. Was this really a Silver Diner? The new healthy/local menu is no joke. I'm going back more often now that I can eat healthy items.
(3)Kelly K.
My favorite breakfast place in Arlington at least if your in the mood for a huge omelet! I always get the Cremini mushroom omelet with wheat toast and strawberries. So good! They also have large cups of coffee and are quick on the re-fill which is important for coffee lovers like me. I can only comment on breakfast, but would like to try lunch or dinner here one day.
(5)Sean M.
Ate here with the family on 7/11/13. Service was ok but the food was definitely substandard. I ordered chicken tenders and fries (thinking you can't screw that up) but the chicken tenders were small, overcooked and tasted like they'd come out of a cheap grocery store bag. The fries were both lukewarm and bland. Son had a hamburger and fries that looked ok but he seemed to like. Daughter had french toast, eggs and bacon which were ok. Wife had a vegan pasta dish which she seemed to like. Had wings as an appetizer and they weren't bad. Can't overstate how bad the chicken tenders tasted. Just about any Clarendon/Courthouse restaurant is a better option.
(1)Bhumika K.
A solid 3.5 because my pancakes tasted like cake and not pancakes. Super fluffy and not too crazy sweet. the 1/2 star is for the 32 oz milk you can get on the menu - talk about big gulp! Standard diner food, served with a smile. Good enough.
(3)Scott S.
This review goes against much of what I normally base my reviews on. I overspend on food and usually am a bit of a dick about places I eat. For what this is, its great! I don't think you can really complain about it; true, its nothing extraordinary or special, but it doesn't have to be... its just good food in a nice, friendly, and importantly, clean place. During the snow storms, the lady friend and I needed some place to eat and we found the Silver Diner open at around midnight and they were friendly and active in serving us. I had an above-average Reuben, and the lady friend had breakfast with a beer. That's one thing I think is great about this place, you go out to the bars, leave around midnight, get some late night breakfast from the Diner with a last beer or two, and then get home and sleep it off. How cool would that be? I'll have to get my old bones out to do that some time. Just as a note on some exceptional choices, I like the Acai shake... its Acai berries, pomegranate juice, wheat germ, low fat vanilla ice cream and skim milk. Its great, and fills you full of antioxidants whether you're just unhealthy, just out of the bar, or recovering from the night before. That's a win, win, win.
(4)Anthony M.
I waited a full 2 days before writing this just to make sure Silver Diner was as terrible as I thought it was. I think the owner time-machined into a 1950s IKEA and got stuck there. I get the whole vintage/retro thing but this place is more over the top than Stallone. OK for breakfast I had an omelet that was OK, nothing really special or unspecial, and the location is central with some meter parking nearby. Hash-browns are a go and the OJ glasses are ginormous which is big plus. However, the menu is unbelievably complicated for simple diner food and the food takes forever to come out. They also think it's okay to serve half of your party and make the other half wait another 10 mins before getting their food. This is also the first "diner" I've been to that doesn't come with buttered toast. They bring out cold hard butter packs that they probably buy from Costco by the boatload. Oh, why is there a flag in my food and why do you have crab cakes?? "C'monnn MAN". This place would be burnt to the ground in Jersey, but I guess in VA you can get away with it.
(2)Sam R.
A typical night in Arlington... "Last call, finish up everyone!" ... "Finish up, everyone head to the door!" ... "Seriously, get the f*ck out of here now! We're closing!" As you and your friends/date/lover/partner/random/(if you're alone and stumbling out, well AA might be a good idea...) hit the sidewalk, the question often turns to, what else -- food. Options for brefus ... Silver Diner, Bob and Edith's, or I-Hop. Scratch your head, figure out which one is closest, and go. Just be happy there are kinds folks in the world that will actually serve your drunk ass at 3:00 A.M. Oh, and order the french toast here. Mmm, mmm good. The shakes with the firehose straws make a good night cap too. Hell, everything seems to taste good at 3:00 A.M.
(4)Jimmo X.
Great food for the price. Jim gives 5 stars to the omelets. Mo thinks it's good for 3 stars. Coffee is good and large drinks are HUGE. Food quality is pretty good for the price.
(4)Kym L.
Nothing is more inviting on a cold, windy night than a bright neon Diner sign, beckoning you inside to roomy booths and comfort food. Silver Diner delivered with atmosphere, but only so-so with the food. As far as the cozy, diner environment goes, it had a good selection of milkshakes, checkerboard floors and 50's tunes on the mini table side jukeboxes, giant booths which offer a pleasant amount of privacy and adequate service. The food, however, left me underwhelmed. Admittedly, I didn't have too much of an appetite (always depressing when you are at a diner) so I ordered a cup of the 'signature veggie chili," -MISTAKE- It was 4$ for about 6oz. of bland, bland, bland slop that I didn't even finish. My friend ordered chicken fingers which were MUCH better - crisp, tender, and not too greasy! But, still a paltry amount for the price. On the way out I eyed the dessert menu to keep in mind for a possible return and the mile high chocolate cake DOES look amazing -- and like a truly HUGE portion for the price. ($4 - the same as what I paid at JukeBox Diner for only a sliver of chocolate pie....) So I will probably return for the dessert, and with the expectation of blah food but a good place to chill. Oh, and a huge plus - they serve GIANT GIANT BUCKETS of water with your food - no worrying about needing constant refills, or incessant returning waiters reaching across the table while you eat.
(3)Jackie T.
Extremely average, sometimes bland. I really don't know how this place has a legacy.
(2)Andrew K.
Nothing that great. Small portions -- side of fries weren't anything special. Prices were high. Go to Kebab Palace or Super Pollo!
(2)Matthew C.
I go to the Silver Diner every few weeks for Sunday brunch. I've never really had a bad experience here, but nothing that really blew me away either. It's a solid diner that performed its role fairly well. Prices are reasonable too. If you're looking for a breakfast fix, or need a quick lunch, this is a pretty good choice, but if you're looking for something with a WOW factor, there are plenty of better options in the DC area.
(4)Takaki K.
It's a pretty decent diner. It's a bit too clean and posh for that diner feel, but i guess that's Arlington. Having a parking lot is a plus.
(4)Kadian F.
Ah, what happened to Silver Diner? I used to go once a month but the last few times the food has been bad. How do you mess up eggs? The service is still fine but if I'm going to pay what I did I would rather go to Harry's Tap Room for brunch and get a great meal.
(1)DCer D.
soo good.. not soo good for ya. who cares. I love some Silver D!
(4)Mikkela T.
Laziness leads to Silver Diner! It's near my house, open almost all the time and I can sit in a booth, get something edible (although I wish they'd get modern America and add Mango Lassi, Smoothies, chicken kebabs etc. to the menu), play "Puff the Magic Dragon," and watch the crazies and other folks. I find it hard to resist a banana split, and I was excited that my walnuts were fresh! But my friend's "cobbler" was actually a bowl of blueberry muffin. It was okay but it's a muffin, so they should call it that. Strange. And lots of cops come here to grab a bite, so that's nice...
(3)Jon K.
It's a little overpriced for what you get, but with that stated, I've had two delightful burgers here: guacamole, pepper jack cheese, jalapenos (not fresh unfortunately -- otherwise would have been five stars), onion strings, and bacon. Delicious! Fries were good too.
(4)Kate R.
Here I am, reviewing a chain... Let's give it a try. I've been coming to this particular Silver Dinner for more than eight years (embarrassing, I know) for everything from a late-night snack to brunch to extending family outings. It's a good compromise: the good is always good, if not great, and the service is friendly, if ever-changing. I miss drinking their milkshakes and eating cheese fries. The fake meat on their brunch menu is surprisingly good?
(3)Rachel E.
I enjoy their food at all times in the day. Crab cakes are actually decent. I sometimes go in by myself and eat at the counter with my newspaper. :) Yummy shakes. Good local for all the pub crawlers
(4)C E.
I've been several times, most recently yesterday with J. Please heed my advice: DON'T GO. Just don't go. Food: Standard diner fare. The bacon is incredibly thin and brittle. My sunny-side up eggs' whites were not thoroughly cooked, which presents a serious risk for food poisoning. Service: WORST EVER. Every time we go, they screw something up. So much for the 110% guarantee they advertise on the tables. They must give away more free meals than a soup kitchen. This last time, we waited almost 45 minutes for eggs with corned beef hash and bacon (mine) and eggs with I don't even remember what for J. And it wasn't even nearly as busy as I've seen it before. They forgot J's hash browns, which were brough to him a good 10 minutes after he reminded them, and the plate for my bacon was FILTHY with food residue. It was seriously disgusting. I flagged down a manager and showed him. He brought new bacon almost immediately, took 10% off my entree (which is NOT what the 110% guarantee policy states) and gave me a coupon for a free entree. I left it on the table. Other: Nice jukebox selection. We will never, ever go back.
(1)E B.
Went there with my Boyfriend and although we enjoyed playing with the jukebox, the food was another story. I had the turkey burger sliders and they were not good. Ehh, this was a miss for me.
(2)Bob T.
Decent place for breakfast. The ambience is nicer than the IHOP in Ballston. Parking is tough so you have to park across the street. I have had the (1) corn beef hash and (2) blueberry pancakes for breakfast. Both were ok. Coffee is ok.
(3)Alexis G.
This place has basically pulled me from the edge of death several times -- once at about 7:30 in the morning on a Saturday. I am so thankful there are places in this world that will give me a huge plate of cheese fries, a milkshake and a big old Diet Coke at 7:30 in the morning. I practically slithered into this diner, praying for a miracle, and on my way out I was walking on air (but still SO ready for a long nap). I've seen how long the lines can be here, so I don't know how dedicated I am to waiting for this food. But if there isn't a line, I definitely suggest checking it out.
(4)Jackie B.
What I love the best about the Silver Diner, is the staff. Everytime I'm there the staff are so friendly and helpful.
(3)Niroj S.
Can't get enough of diner.
(4)Darren M.
Why we drove past Whitlow's on Wilson for the Silver Diner is a mystery. The restaurant was dirty (especially the men's bathroom!), the decor was cheesy, and the food was pretty bland. The whole experience was underwhelming. The only upside was the service. Sagar was a pretty good waiter, but I'm not going back. Whitlow's will get my breakfast business from now on.
(1)John R.
Open late. Incredible after drinking. It's a diner. In Clarendon. They serve beer.
(4)Todd F.
The Silver Diner chain is good for diner food. This one was the closest to my apartment in Arlington. Their chicken philly cheesesteak always hit the spot and their milkshakes & malts were always top notch.
(4)Kit S.
The Silver Diner here in Arlington is one of those normal movie type diners. You know the ones I'm talking about, I has the shiny silver exterior, the checkerboard type floor, and the red and white color scheme. This diner does have a few other things that make it a little better. For one they have each table equipped with a 1955 Seeburg Jukebox. It runs off a quarter and has tons of oldies, which play through the entire diner. They also have fast curteous service. Curteous being the key word here, they are quick and precise. Heck, I was just kind of thinking about getting some orange juice and before I could even ask it was out in front of me. I had the Country Griddle Blueplate. It was a mix of potatoes, sausage, onion, green pepper, eggs, and just smothered in cheese. There was an unbelievable amount of cheese on this thing. I was amazing. Another thing that makes them rise above the rest is their biscuits. They are not just everyday, pull out from the fridge biscuit. They are drop biscuits, and if anyone knows anything about food they will know that the drop biscuit is the best in the world. Most off all they have good coffee, strong and black, the best. So if your looking for a quick breakfast or a late night dinner, they're open till 2 am, stop by and say hello to the folks at The Silver Diner. They would be happy to have you.
(5)Jessica S.
Granted, I was not in sober form when I first went to the diner, I really am not the biggest fan of late night diner food from here. I prefer Ihop. I ordered the chicken tenders, which came out over cooked. My friends got the breakfast and complained about the bacon being too salty. I'm sure they have great omelettes, I just wasn't a fan of the late fat snacks from here.
(3)Cathy D.
I go here for the Sliders (mini-burgers) and chocolate milkshake. It's big enough so that 2 people can share it. Just ask them to split it in two glasses.
(4)esther o.
My most frequently ordered meal here is the "Ultimate Strawberry French Toast: Four extra-thick slices of cinnamon-battered Challah bread drizzled with caramel and topped with fresh strawberries. Served with cinnamon sour cream." Every trip here brings me closer to a heart attack, but I can't help it.
(4)cindy s.
if you're looking for comfort food, the meat loaf platter won't disappoint. good healthier fare includes the herb-grilled chicken breast platter. And the real milk shakes are great.
(4)Tatiana V.
This place was all right. My mom, boyfriend, cousin, and I walked Wilson Avenue all the way from Roslyn, where our hotel was, and found this place because we were hungry. We liked the theme, a 50's style diner. Service was okay. Our waiter was really nice. I had a veggie chili. It was very filling and delicious. I fell in love with it. We were so full that we couldn't eat dessert. We went back two days later for breakfast and I had a veggie omlette, which was really good and filling. I also had a cup of oatmeal, but didn't like it. It must've been the quick oats they used cooked with water. Gross. Their tea selection sucks. Only hot or iced tea with Lipton tea. But then again, during the 50's, that was the only kind of tea they drank. This place is good for a family. Before we left, my boyfriend, cousin, and I got cardboard cars from a stack they were making. We had fun playing race car lol I would go back when my family and I visit DC.
(4)Winnifer G.
Our waitress kept saying "Bless your heart" all the time. She was sweet, but the food wasn't so much.
(2)David S.
great bread pudding. never been disappointed. internet access but few plugs. better then dennys fo sho. and a club card! wow.
(4)Vlad F.
Hmmm how do I describe this crappy diner and their doggy doo staff..it's like the morning after drinking enough beers to float a battleship and having a bad case of the beer squirts. You don't like it but you have no other choice but to deal with it. One night I parked here to get a late meal with my best friends and one hour later my car was towed by their hired car tow service. I guess you have to play Russian rullete with parking here. They have no respect for their customers and rather get their portion of the tow fee. Silver diner managers and owners I say to you...suck it! Don't eat here cause there's a 50% chance you will be towed. Eat anywhere else. There's so many delicious places in clarendon why eat at this diner sh!thole?
(1)Na L.
When I think of diners I think greasy, large portions, and warm food. Silver Diner almost seems like a high end restaurant with local ingredients, vegetarian, and vegan options, and basically too many choices. I did enjoy their food (got the shrimp scampi) and my friends got a vegetarian pesto burger (best dish of the night), fish tacos and eggs benedict. 3 stars for the good food, and JUKEBOX! but do wish they were more affordable or the portions reflected the price.
(3)Andy P.
Fried Brussel Sprouts - AWESOME! Also loved the Huevos Rancheros. I can't wait to come back. Fresh and seasonal.
(5)Steven B.
AVOID! AVOID! AVOID! Went to Silver Diner a couple weeks ago for dinner with a group of my best friends. After a bland hamburger and cold fries, we decided to walk across the street for an aperitif, a night cap if you will. Get ready because what happens next is gonna shock you... Returned to the Silver Diner parking lot to drive home and my car was missing. Long story short, my CAR WAS TOWED!!! Even though I had just finished dinner there an hour ago. The Silver Diner manager said he couldn't help. It was a nice $125 parting gift to finish off the night. And get this, there were two other Silver Diner patrons at the tow lot that had the same thing happen. Even if you like the food there, it is not worth the $125 risk. Keep Eating (not at Silver Diner). Cheers!
(1)Mo H.
Organic, local, delicious. The Silver Diner continues to be a great local chain that's consistently getting better especially the last few years. The bison heuvos rancheros and coconut French toast are killer good.
(5)Sam L.
The food was delicious and the Restaurant at a good variety of choices. However the services was only so so. They were responsive but not the most friendly. They also manage to get my order wrong. I did like new focus on healthy foods.
(4)Mike K.
My new favorite diner. I have been to diners between here and Philadelphia pa, and this is my favorite!!
(5)Jon D.
If you are looking for a classic diner with a chefs touch this is it. Very reasonable, good service, good holism food!
(5)Denise T.
I've been here several times and on some occasions I have asked if I could order from the kids menu, (because the portions are smaller) and I've never been told no. Yesterday my husband and I went and sat at the counter. Mama D was our waitress. I asked if I could see the kids menu, she gave me a little attitude and said I could SEE it but I can't order from it. I said ok, but I have asked before and I have been able to in the past. My husband said, she just wants smaller portions. She replied that is not supposed to happened. I said okay, no problem and she walks away. A few minutes later she said she spoke to her manager and they will let me order from the kids menu just this one time. I just said thank you and she walked away. She seemed a bit bitter I wanted to order from the kids menu. Even my husband mentioned that she had bit of an attitude. It was a busy day so I just chalked it up to maybe she was having a bad day and left her like a 70% tip.
(3)Mike M.
Classic old school diner with high quality food for a fair price. If Simon is your server be prepared to tip big!!
(5)Anna D.
You're better off finding street parking and walking several blocks, or risk getting towed even if you're a dining patron. This diner is known for its milkshakes. Ask if you can get one to-go and walk to Clarendon, where you'll find plenty of food options. Seriously. You will wait at least half an hour to get a table, only to be seated next to a family full of screaming children or a table full of rowdy college kids. If you can (and want to) brave the atmosphere and the overzealous tow truck in the back, their portions are large and satisfying after a long night of too much fun.
(3)Tiffany B.
Best breakfast!!! We had the huevos rancheros, corned beef hash, and country fried steak. All were amazing.
(5)C G.
Farm to Table!! The best hamburger I have ever eaten. Tried the hamburger on a whim for a quick lunch. Needless to say, I ate it immediately in the car and had to return within 2 days for another on and it was just as fresh and tasty as the first one. I love restaurants where the food quality is consistent regardless of the time you arrive.
(5)Jen V.
Good food. Lots if interesting and varied choices. Love the farm to table concept they incorporated. Plus old school jukeboxes!
(4)Mohamed J.
great food, all from local farms. Had the burger was very nice, the sea food soup was really good and my wife had the pasta which was a bit oily but not bad
(4)David F.
First of all, the place is super clean. Secondly, the food is fantastic with the ingredients grown locally. I ate lunch here with my wife, daughter, and son-in-law and we all really enjoyed our meals. There were no complaints at all. Being a vegetarian myself, I can appreciate the great choices on the menu. Lastly, our server, Sebli, was really attentive, friendly, and helpful with picking out the meals we ate. I would easily recommend this Diner if you find yourself in the area!
(5)Alex D.
As a recent returnee to the area, I was deeply suspicious when I heard my favorite longtime greasy spoon had gone both upscale and crunchy (locally sourced, lo-cal options, vegan stuff - how non-diner can you get?). Therefore, it was all the greater a relief to discover that the true soul of a diner shines through at the new Silver Diner, which has taken many new and fun ideas and run them through some kind of magic diner-matic, retaining the soul and feeling of an old-fashioned multi-page-menu, all-over-the-place local in the process. The milkshakes are still heaven, and now you have the option of high-fiber fruit smoothies; the burgers are absolutely first-rate, even though now some come with pesto and goat cheese. The corn and crab chowder beats most seafood places' finest offerings, and specials like eco-friendly fish and organic roast chicken are terrific. To top it all off, prices are still relatively modest, especially for the quantity and quality of what's on offer, and on our first (of what I think will be many) visits, at least, we had the best service I've seen in the DC area since we got back a month ago. That there are still tableside jukeboxes playing old favorites is the cherry on the milkshake. Yay, Silver Diner!
(5)Rachel S.
Super impressed! First time here, and I love it. Thank you Silver Diner for a great experience. The Silver Diner is open late, which is why I decided to come here to study. I had a seat that I didn't like, and I mentioned it to my server, Deepsha, and she did everything she could to accommodate me. She happily helped me take my food to another table where I could study better. The service is very nice and they ask questions to make sure everything is how you want it. The menu is diverse, I feel, for a late night diner. The music is soft rock, good background music. I'm actually sitting at the Silver Diner right now, writing this review... there is free Wi-Fi. But don't be fooled, there are no outlets to plug in your laptop!! :)
(5)Jonas F.
I like this place, 4 stars? Maybe, 3 1/2? Definitely. I'm glad there are still some retro 50's diners out there. The food was good. I get what I expect. I did dig the burger though. It's not a greasy spoon but it still serves predictable solid food. The malt was alright, not great but alright. The service is solid and if you have a large group they will always accommodate your party. The city has so many options that I would only come here if my kids asked me to bring them.
(3)Robert P.
Ordered a Pesto Burger. Could not wait to get home to write a Yelp review. This was a memorable burger. The patty looked amazingly fresh, and it was. With almost every bite I was fixated on how delicious it looked (and I had not smoked a doobie prior to visiting the diner!). Next time there is a best burger survey, I will vote for Silver Diner burgers. Coconut Cream pie for dessert. Best I have ever eaten. This place is somehow off my radar screen when I dine out. Gonna have to find a way to remember. I suspect parking could be a bit of a problema at busy times, but off hours should be fine.
(5)Matt C.
It's a diner. It has diner food, but better. I have never been here for dinner, but when I am in Arlington I make and effort to come by for breakfast or lunch. Each time I have left satisfied with the food and the service. There is a line, but it does seem to move fairly quickly. The servers are friendly and treat me like a regular even though they have no idea of who I am. There are lots of choices on the menu and everything locally obtained and fresh cooked. Even though it is in the middle of Arlington, the place still manages to capture a little of the small town feel. The biscuits are very good. Pot roast is much better than my Mom's (but don't tell her). You could probably pick something randomly off the menu and it would be good. Most of the time I have been here it was with 4 or people. No one I was with ever had anything but positive comments about their meals. It is nice to go into a place that does things the right way. I really have no complaints about the place except the parking is really tough, but it is Arlington and there are no easy parking spots anywhere most of the time.
(4)J K.
Not your father's diner. Healthy comfort food in an informal setting. Wait staff and management very dedicated. Very attentive. You will not be disappointed.
(4)Ben O.
I've been to this location a couple of time before and it was good but not great with friendly service that can sometimes be a little slow. I was going to give this 3 stars, but today I had to bump it up to five stars for a truly excellent experience I had today. There was a mistake in which another server or food runner took my meal to another table, so the gentleman sitting down the counter from me who sat down after I did got his food before I did. I didn't notice at first, but my server, Mama D, noticed right away. She went over to the window and solved the problem quickly, putting pressure on the other employees to make sure that I got my food quickly. She also went to the manager (again without my asking) and got me a coupon for a free entree next time I come in and took 10% off of my food order. She was also friendly, attentive, and prompt with things before I asked for them, such as coffee refills. In short, I had a really great experience without really even needing to ask for it. Thanks, Silver Diner.
(5)Dave S.
I ordered off the menu and got Buffalo chicken tenders because I don't care for the bone-in variety...not bad but they made them better back when they were on the menu. Coffee...Apple pie...always good.
(3)Eric T.
This is where you go after a late night in Clarendon and Goody's just won't do. I'm not sure why you would come here when the sun is still out, considering there are better options around the area, but to each his own. If you're like me and eating at the end of the night is more important than getting that last drink, then make sure to get here before the bars let out. I've seen the line go out the door. As others have said, you can't go wrong with something fried or a breakfast dish. I'm partial to the country fried steak, it's got everything that you need for a late night: fried, gravy, eggs, and potatoes. Yes, fried is a food. Service is surprisingly pretty good even though they have to deal with a bunch of drunks. And the jukeboxes at the tables is actually pretty cool, I have to admit it. Bottom line: come here at night, preferably after drinking.
(3)Jihad B.
If you're black out drunk from a night out in Clarendon then it really doesn't matter what you eat as long as you don't get sick. Silver Diner is good for that.
(3)Taryn L.
My high hopes here were dashed. I'd been looking and a'lookin' for a quality shake. This one did not deliver. The ice cream was lumpy and tasted like artificial vanilla. Mine was chocolate and was clearly just vanilla with some very unimpressive chocolate sauce mixed in. Granted, this was about 8-12 months ago ... so maybe they've changed?
(1)Lily M.
Do NOT PARK your car there. We Parked in the silver diner parking lot, walked around to meet our friend and then went inside. After dinner, we saw the car was towed. Apparently because we didn't walk directly into the restaurant. The manager called the tow company on our behalf but it was useless. There is a "spotter" in unmarked cars at most lots in Arlington now watching your activities and reporting to the tow company immediately.
(1)Wing K.
Went on a Thursday and wanted to get the tilapia since it was in season, but they ran out so I got a bison burger on account of not having tried bison before. I did the build your own burger and I had wanted a couple of toppings, but toppings were $1 each which seemed fairly expensive to me despite knowing the ingredients are fresh/organic, etc. Fries were ok, nothing special. Fairly pricey personally, but then again I'm not quite sure about how much bison meat costs these days. Roughly equivalent to tilapia apparently.
(3)Anna D.
Silver Diner, once just known as the land of the greasy spoon and long lines on Sunday mornings, now a favorite stop of mine! I joined their healthy eating club (a portion of your spending goes to local schools every time you eat there with the club card) so I could eat and get money off! $5 off every 5th visit (within 2 months) and with their new menu and tasty breakfast options, that isn't hard to do! I like the fact that they have organic ketchup at the table (though Monty thinks it is too sweet) and that they source from local farmers when possible. And oh boy! Those milkshakes!!! I love that you get the overflow in the mixer cup along with your actual shake! Totally awesome!!!!! I have enjoyed everything I have had there and had very good service every time. There was one visit where my table's jukebox did not work, nor did the main one up front, but I found an unoccupied table and worked my magic! AND when the big one up front didn't work, I hit the coin return, got my quarter back + 1 + a Kuwait coin of unknown denomination--all in all, pretty cool even with a broken juke. Conveniently close to the Clarendon metro and full of good eats, I recommend Silver Diner to all you freaks out there! And if you are really lucky, you'll get there when Elvis is workin' the door!!!!
(4)Ordale A.
I love this place. I literally came in out of the rain one day with my 9 month old daughter and was pleasantly surprised by this place. I expected some crappy food that I'd eat really slowly until the storm passed, but the food was actually good. The burgers and fries are delicious. They're on the "buy local, fresh food" bandwagon (a good thing) and I can taste it in their food. The service is hit or miss. I now go every weekend and sometimes the food is quick when they're busy and other times it's slow when no one is really there. I have no idea why that is, but I've never waited an absurd length of time. Its family friendly, meaning that I heard a bunch of kids screaming on the other side of the restaurant and no one threw a fit. Good place, good food...give em a shot.
(4)Mattie C.
I've always liked Silver Diner, and have had good experiences at this location. I tend to get the Farmer's Omelette when I'm there, soo good. The service has always been friendly and efficient, and the line at the door moves very fast. That said, I wish they brought out an actual pot of coffee so you wouldnt have to flag down the waiter every time you need a refill. Also, there are slightly bigger portions/better value at Metro 29. And lastly, I am very resistant to change and am suspicious of this "new generation" thing they are pushing. Is this just some kind of add campaign or are they planning on changing their name? But those are minor complaints. This is a great place!
(4)Anna S.
My boyfriend and I started lurking in this place when I lived in Arlington for two years, and even though I'm in Cleveland Park now, we still make the occasional trip. It's great if you're looking for a cheap-ish, healthy, locally sourced meal. I notice the mixed reviews on this site are all from people who've ordered divey diner food like chicken tenders, pancakes, etc. This particular branch of Silver Diner's moved away from focusing on that type of food. The dishes that really shine here are the more complex seasonal offerings, vegetables, salad, yogurt shakes, etc. Yes, it's SD's responsibility to make EVERYTHING on their menu good, and they haven't gotten there yet. But you can get great fried stuff lots of places in DC. What you can't get anywhere else is filling comfort food that tastes good and is also healthy, like SD's very berry yogurt shake, which is delicious and huge but only 300-some calories. Or the black bean quesadillas, which are light on fat but full of Mexican flavor. Or sweet potato fries. Yum.
(4)Teresa W.
Great menu. I had a hard time deciding what to get. Loved the kids meal choices too. My daughter had gluten free spaghetti and it was the perfect portion size for her. I had the lamb burger which was a great size for me. Not overwhelming with a small side salad. Service was slow after dinner was served. We waited 20 minutes for a single scope vanilla ice cream because there was one person expediting ice cream items. I would go back again.
(4)Sho S.
Great food, loved the lighter options. Kid friendly menu and little paper car for them to play with. The milkshakes live up to the hype - especially when they come with the big fat "bubble tea" straw so you can enjoy chunky fruit/candy bits! The side veg/salad, sauces etc were really fresh and flavourful.
(5)M B.
Not safe for food allergies probably fun for kids with no allergies..... we spent about an hour waiting for a table. Not a surprise as our kids' school was having a fundraiser there. PROS There was a fun kid menu, a juke box on the table and lots of kid friendly touches like a cardboard car for some food. It was a beautiful location. CONS A very limited parking lot and employees who not only did not understand food allergies but became angry when we asked questions. I tried to order food for my nut allergic child and the waiter kept saying "there's no nuts in the restaurant why do you keep asking." Well I'm looking at a menu listing peanuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, pine nuts and so I KNOW that there are nuts in the restaurant. He became angry the third time I tried to explain that she would get sick if she had nuts in her food and when I gave up and just ordered water and juice for her got more annoyed. Then I saw black specks in her glass of water and asked for a new one. He said in a loud sarcastic tone "there's no peanuts in there" I"m thinking I don't know what kind of dirt it is but lets get a clean cup. I will never return and would highly recommend no one with food allergies go to this location. The staff seemed over stressed and possibly overwhelmed by an unexpectedly busy night but the children at the other tables seemed to be having a wonderful time.
(1)Karen H.
I've been here for breakfast a bunch and a few times for dinner and I think it's great! I'm from NJ so diners are no joke to me. At first I was super put off by the concept of a diner serving local/organic foods since to me you really shouldn't be at a diner unless you want a big fatty meal...but times change and the food is good so I got off my high horse and just learned to enjoy it. Plus, in my real life at home I like to eat local/organic so why wouldn't I eating out? Definitely worth a try- there's a line for breakfast/brunch on the weekends but it really moves so don't let that deter you!
(5)Melissa B.
My hubby and I wanted a down & dirty burger so off to Silver Diner we went. We had heard from friends that this place was cooking with fresh & locally owned produce so we thought, "Why not?". When we arrived, we are quickly seated and given menus. I often get distracted by watching others (I find human behavior fascinating!) but there wasn't much time to do that since the server quickly greeted us and asked for our order. We asked for a few minutes and she responded with a smile and a "sure thing". We finally settled on ordering the following: Sweet potato fries, as an app Sprite And a beef burger with lettuce, tomato, honey mustard, grilled onions, and mushrooms. I asked if the bun was made of potato bread (it's full of dairy and i'm, sadly, lactose intolerant) and the server happily obliged my request by making a beeline for the kitchen and coming back with an answer. I appreciated her kindness, especially since potato bread causes stomaches that can last for 6-10 hours. Yes, 6 to 10 people! We promptly got our order of sweet potato fries - they were crispy, sweet, and had some burnt edges - which we both like. The Sprite, well, it was Sprite. What else can I say? The burger was well done but still juicy and more than plenty for two people to share. The fries left a little to be desired as they were shoe string but they looked rather sad - they clumped up and were somewhat cold when we got them. But, again, I wasn't expecting anything that was too outta this world. The food & ambiance were good overall. Nothing to write home about but nothing to complain about either.
(3)John B.
Well, we are visiting and were craving diner food. Had been here before with good results. They have this 110% guarantee that everything will be perfect. Things were far from perfect today. Bad service. Our waitress Deborah was just awful. Slow doesn't begin to describe her. She got our order wrong and we sent it back, but she never followed up. She blamed "them" but it was her error. So I'm eating alone for 8 minutes while still waiting for my wife's meal to come. We had to get another person to track it down- Deborah was nowhere to be found. So, they're supposed to offer you 10% off if it's wrong. But she didn't. We waited 10 minutes for her to pick up the check, but she was missing again. We decide to leave and pay at the counter. We saw the manager and told him the story of Deborah. He did the right thing and comped the entire meal. Deborah needs training or needs to go. The food was satisfactory. Portions were not typical huge diner size but ok. I think they counted the fries on my plate when they portioned them. The place was clean. I'm still dying for some good diner food on this trip.
(2)Kathy O.
Where I come from, diners do not cater to people who are vegan , vegetarian, or gluten free, so on and so forth. THIS diner does and their produce and eggs are local!!!! I went with a group of friends and everyone's food looked great! I ordered the country scrambler which tasted amazing and was not at all greasy. Our waitress was really sweet too. There is free parking too! I love this place!
(5)Kevin C.
This is the first place I dined at when I went to D.C. last August. Silver Diner very much reminded me of the Ed Debevics Chicago chained diner and slight resemblance of Johnny Rockets burger joint. Perhaps, it was the settings that gave it out. The 50's to early 60's American culture. The rock pop tunes. Besides the somewhat visually entertainment, the food was a tad mediocre. The four of us ordered, crab cake burger, crab cakes, chicken quesadilla and jalapeno popper and I think a soup too. Crab cakes were inexceptional, maybe it was just a bad crab weekend (bad crabs from Little Viet Garden near by; Aug '07). Anyhow, to my experience, this place might be a great dive when you're drunk, but I don't see this place as the "go-to" place for great food. For those that rate this place as a 5-star restaurant, I'm in awe.
(2)Ellen E.
Yesterday, just before 6pm, I was passing the Silver Diner on my way home. I pass it a few times a week when I go to my chiropractor. I didn't feel like cooking, so I stopped in to have dinner. I had never been in this diner before. The hostess was a very young woman. I was alone - so - table for one. The diner was barely 25% full. She sat me all the way through the restaurant, all the way in the back, one booth before the last booth. Yet most of the diner was empty. It was very noisy because right across from my table was a waitress training 5 new waitstaff. I waited almost 15 minutes, but no one came by to take my order. So I left. I don't see why I was brought all the way through the restaurant, all the way to the back when most of the diner was empty. And apparently the hostess did not alert any waitstaff that they had a new customer in their area, and no waiter was present to notice. With the training session going on right next to me - being lectured about customer service - you would think someone would notice a customer not getting any service. I won't be going back. Then to come on Yelp and read about all the customers who get towed - no thank you. I'll pass.
(1)Mike B.
I've eaten at Silver Diner on multiple occasions. Some experiences are good while others are horrible. Here it goes: 1) Don't ever get the pot roast. I ordered it this week, the pot roast was 40-50% fat, the meat had a greenish / red tint to it and tasted utterly disgusting. 2) I ordered the turkey breast entree with veggies and mashed potatos instead of the pot roast. This was EVEN WORSE!!!! I literally almost puked right there in the booth. Either the turkey or the gravey tasted horrible like it had been sitting out in hot summer heat for the past two or three days. Can't believe they are allowed to serve garbage like this. 3) I have eaten on Silver Diner on multiple occasions when the bars in Clarendon close on Friday and Saturday nights. The breakfast is good. Based on my experience, any breakfast platter is the way to go. Their patty melt isn't to shabby either. If you want a great diner in the area, go to Metro 29 Diner on Lee Hwy near Lee Hwy and Glebe Road. In my opinion, it is a much better diner.
(2)Keith B.
My bicycle group has visited the Silver Diner two times this summer. A dozen or more of us show up 30 minutes after a courtesy phone call telling the staff we are coming. They have a place ready for our large group to sit together. Requests for individual checks is not a problem. The staff is very good and the food is excellent. Your burger comes with what appears to be bok choy greens rather than iceberg lettuce, French fries are hand cut and everything is fresh. A very nice dining experience overall.
(4)Florentina D.
This place got my attention because they advertised fresh local ingredients. I didn't think that 'local ingredients' and 'diner' could go together in one sentence so I decided to give it a try. And we were very pleasantly surprised! The burgers were really yummy, cooked as we asked, and the veggies were indeed fresh and tasty. The french fries could have been a little thicker and less dry but the organic ketchup made up for that a bit. We wish we had more space for dessert because the pies looked really good, almost home-made. Our waiter was friendly and helpful, and the jukebox on our table entertained us with some good 60's and 80's music. We are definitely going back because the menu looked too good (breakfast served all day? I am so there!)
(4)Yizhou E.
Solid food, albeit a little on the pricey side for a diner. Great for those mornings after you've been partying in Clarendon. I like that they have organic stuff too. It makes me feel healthier to be eating "organic" sausage. Also if you can, get something that comes with strawberries...because they give you a flavored butter that ROCKS.
(3)Linda C.
I appreciate this diner's focus on fresh local produce. I had a very good Greek salad and my husband enjoyed his club sandwich. The service was friendly and it is nice to have an affordable place that has something for everyone.
(4)Arick S.
If you like natural food with a diner twist, this is the BEST in the land. The atmosphere is fantastic. It is seemingly a little pricey but that is because all their produce and meats come from local and regional farmers. I had the classic burger and fries, but with a beer. But if you want to be more traditional, get the Cookies & Cream milkshake. It's the best milkshake in the DC metro region, hands down.
(4)Spencer M.
If I could give Silver Diner 0 stars, I would...not for the food but for the management. I went to Silver Diner a little while back with my parents for an easy quick dinner. The food was fine, service was quick enough but not overly attentive. The problem came when I went outside to the parking lot after dinner. My car was no where to be found. After a quick moment of panic, I realized my car had been towed from the lot. I called the towing company on the posted sign to try and sort out the mix up. They insisted multiple times that I had parked in the Silver Diner lot and walked somewhere else (completely untrue.) After talking to multiple people with the towing company, I went inside to see what the manager could do. Surely they would be able to vouch for us to the towing company...absolutely NOT. The manager merely passed the phone to me to talk to the towing company. They were able to give us a copy of our receipt, but offered nothing in return for our trouble. No apology that my car had been wrongly towed, no discount from our bill, no offer of anything in the future to ensure we returned again. I ended up having to go to the towing company and show them the bill as proof we had eaten there. Since they had no way to prove that I had walked off as they claimed, they did end up giving me my car back at no charge. Silver Diner's management should be ashamed for how they treated us as customers. I will never go back and seriously caution anyone from parking in that lot! Advanced Towing is a predatory towing company, and Silver Diner does nothing to prevent their customers from being taken advantage of. I learned my lesson; never again.
(1)Bryan N.
It is exactly what I expect from a diner. The breakfast platter (eggs, 2 meats, potatoes, and pancakes) ran me about $11. I got this as take out and while paying, the waiter who rang me up was looking over my shoulder to see if I left a tip, which pissed me off (Tip to all wait staff: Don't do that). Aside from that, nothing to complain about, but nothing to rave about either. It's just another place to eat, but its not the worst one.
(3)Leslie C.
It's finals week, and I was lamenting to myself that there' s no 24-hour coffee shops like I'd found in San Diego, where I can camp out and get some work done. Then I remembered this place, and finally gave it a try! (Edited to note - my bad, it's not 24 hours. open till @2 on weeknights, 4@weekends.) 1. Decent enough coffee, and they're not stingy about refills. 2. At least a couple tables with plugs. 3. Music low enough that it's not annoying. 4. Salmon slider basket with a summer salad - OMG so good. So good I actually wrote OMG. Salmon + wasabi mayo + ginger slices. Side spinach salad with strawberries, mango, pecans, and some kind of tangy dressing. 5. Super bonus points for the fact that it was freezing due to some crazy cranking of the AC, and when I asked it it was possible to turn it down, they did it! 6. Yuppie bonus points for eating at a place that's all organic and local and everything. I'm here a second time, in the afternoon, and the service isn't as amazingly friendly as it was the other night, but I'm still happy to have this place in my study location rotation. They might not be happy to be known as a place to camp out and work, but I figure as long as I buy an actual meal (not just a cup of coffee), and as long as there are plenty of open tables, I'm entitled to a few hours. PS. the breakfast menu looks pretty good too.
(4)Jessica C.
Silver is not a bad place but it is not spectacular either. The staff has always been friendly and I like this establishment for breakfast. This is my experience with lunch/dinner. The Bad: - Vegetarian Blackbean Quesadilla. I thought that this would have lots of veggies and delicious cheese but instead it was a chopped up veggie burger and some cheese inside of a bland tortilla. I was really REALLY turned off to Silver Diner after this dish. The Good: -California omelette. I got this served with strawberries which came with a DELICIOUS dipping sauce. This omelette was healthy and satisfying. Basically I would recommend SIlver Diner as a good "greasy spoon" place for breakfast only.
(3)Donald P.
Silver Diner has now become the place to go when I'm taking care of my boss's 8 yr old triplets. We had just been coming for shakes, but yesterday we tried them out for lunch. I perused the kid's menu briefly...looked extensive. The order was for french toast with bacon sides. "C" is picky and first ordered only strawberries, but when he saw was his siblings were getting, he asked for the same. They followed up with brownie sundaes, that they all loved. "W" thought the brownies might be free, but I pointed out they were only "Gluten" free. Also, our waitress was charming and gracious. The chaos of iPads and coloring crayons were not a problem. Also, they held on to "W"'s prize yo-yo until I was able to come back that evening to retrieve it.
(5)M. Carolina D.
We often come here with the family. Great varied food, kid-friendly, good shakes, fun mini jukebox systems at each table. I'd give it 5 stars, but service varies.
(4)Ned W.
I can't believe I'm reviewing a chain -- but wow, this place has really come around. It used to be a pretty bad breakfast-diner in faux fifties style, but their food lately is really delicious and fresh. Great for brunch/breakfast, try the crab cake eggs hollandaise. Very good coffee in a nice big mug, comfy booths.
(4)Kat F.
I've been going to this diner on a weekly basis for a few months and the service there has always been good. Last week, however, it took an hour to get my food. I asked my waiter twice, but the place was jammed and in his defense I was with a large group and I think it would be easy for me to get lost in the crowd. It turns out there was a problem with their computer in the kitchen and my ticket got dropped from the queue. Normally reviewers take to Yelp to complain about this kind of thing (and I'll admit I was a little hangry at the time), but the way the management resolved the issue was impressive. After the second time I asked my waiter about my order the manager came out personally to explain the situation. He was very polite and apologetic. He gave me a certificate for a complimentary entree AND he comped my meal that night. My meal came out shortly thereafter. The food is always solid, tasty diner fare.
(4)Kevin H.
Nothing beats having breakfast. Especially Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage and pancakes! I've frequented Many Diners over the years but one of my favorite is definitely Silver Diner. Its simple you can order anything at any time, the service is typically quick and did I mention scrambled eggs! Many diners I've been to in the past have a tendency to burn eggs. Don't ask me how you can mess up eggs but the do. This was not the case here. If I could get them to cook the salt into the eggs they'd be perfect. Anyways most diners you go to give you a little bit of a greasy or sticky feeling from all of the fried foods, drunken spillage and other funtastic events. But I must say this diner has definitely been in good shape every time I've visited after a night out or late in the morning (mid afternoon). I only wish they would give you a truly giant orange juice. I order "the largest orange juice you have" every time I go in. Sadly no luck. I've attached a picture of the drink break down. The chocolate milk glass would be awesome if it were only filled with wonderful sweet orange juice. Even with ample parking space, the restaurant is often busy so parking can be a bit of a pain (though we do usually find a spot) It is also relatively close to a Metro in the Clarendon area so access should be quite easy if you get hungry at random hours.
(4)Anjaly P.
Ah, a classy looking diner. Greasy seats? Actually, no. Healthy options and locally grown produce! Gotta love "from farm to table" options and a rotating seasonal menu with a stable standard menu. Plus, they serve basic beer and Virginia wines. Our server was friendly and helpful when we had a question about sweet potato fries (wanted to get the most quantity possible!). The food is fresh and they're not mean when you request something to be changed slightly. I've gone on weeknights only, so I can't speak for weekend or late night service. It's quiet, and casual.
(4)April D.
Delicious food with hearty-healthy options too, and of course some yummy desserts when you decide throw calories to the wind! My fiance and I were supposed to meet some people here but ended up dining alone. Glad we did! We're excited to go back and try something new on the menu. Missed the 5th star because there was a lot of fat on the chicken breast. I'm pretty picky about poultry, still loved my meal.
(4)Judy Y.
it seems like people either love or hate the Silver Diner. upfront, i will say i love the silver diner. I have had so many meals here with so many people. whenever i want a quick bite or some pie, i stop here. it's open 24 hours, cheap, and it's a casual place to just sit and talk with friends. To be clear, Silver Diner is not earning stars for being a culinary treat. Is there better food close by? Of course. But you go to down some cheap eats with your friends, late at night or after 3am. Unlike some other restaurants, it's a place I feel like I can do some work (not when it's super busy) without upsetting the restaurant. It's nice to just read and have someone refill your tea, clear away your mess, and not rush you out the door.
(3)Chris F.
Silver Diner has a lot of character, and that's worth something. I've always lamented the demise of the American Diner, but Silver Diner seems committed to the idea, at least in spirit, but evolved it to include healthier options. They even have a "600 calorie" section, which seems foreign in a diner, but don't worry: the milkshakes and desserts are delicious, and so are the burgers. They even serve the extra milkshake contents in the metal containers, just like the old days. I mean, it's a diner - so that's both good and bad. At all hours, there's a sweet, doughy smell of pancakes and waffles, but they serve local beers and wines and the service is quick and efficient. They've got the jukeboxes in the booths and you can stretch out and feel comfortable. They also have convenient free parking (crucial), but the clientele in this place does take a sharp nose dive when the Liberty Tavern and Ballroom crowds let out and swarm the place for their post-intoxication sugar carb fix. Yeah, this place is just off the Orange Line, so expect some people to have some excessively high standards for diner-quality food. By diner standards, the food is good. Not the best I've had, but good.
(4)Nicole L.
It's the perfect place for breakfast because they have almost everything you'll ever want in the morning. There was a line of people waiting to get seated, who would have thought but everyone had the same idea! I have a major weakness for the country-fried steak and they have it on the menu hehe can't help it. For some reason my friend and I were super hungry, we wanted some protein - ended up ordering the hangar steak and the cajun pork chop with eggs, what a breakfast! At first I was not digging the potato hash but after tasting it, I liked that it was cooked perfectly and ate it all. Oh no, carbs! The waiter was very attentive - he refilled my soda water. The oj was not the best it was definitely diner quality. It's really inexpensive place to have a fast and easy breakfast.
(3)Passion R.
One of my favorite places to go for brunch on a Sunday, especially after a long night of partying on Saturday. One of those things where you don't want to wake up too early but you still want breakfast, go to Silver Diner. At this one in particularly, parking is in a weird spot but its available in a lot. There is almost always a line out the door. Not the place to go for brunch if you're in a rush but the line moves pretty quickly. Food is great. Always!!! And though the menu has some intimidating looking options (like an open faced crabcake breakfast sandwhich) everything tastes wonderful. The service is OKAY. Wait staff is usually friendly but very busy. I would call this an upscale diner. And by upscale I only mean an experience here will be better than a dirty hole in the wall diner, dennys, or an IHOP....
(4)Sally M.
There's nothing better than going to Silver Diner with all your friends after leaving the bars. What could be better than a big, greasy breakfast at 2am on a Friday night? Nothing, I tell you. Oh, and they really do play all the good oldie songs! (I have lots of fond memories of this place late night...)
(3)D R.
Authentically kind service. Fair prices. And good food, made-to-order. To truly appreciate why this place is great, sit at the bar on a busy weekend and behold the beehive of activity between the wait and kitchen staff. Management trains new employees on the job while ensuring that the orders placed are the orders that are actually made. Short-order staff verifies and clarifies orders with servers. Spin around in your seat and you'll see that the host or hostess (the fellow with the mutton chops is great to chat with) coordinating with bussers to manage table availability. It's really an amazing operation, and their emphasis on local, fresh food is commendable both for its sustainability and deliciousness.
(4)Les D.
Scanning the reviews, I feel compelled to write a contentious one of my own. Silver Diner is a diner in the Clarendon area, which already means it should build a moat to prevent invasion by the neighborhood hipster barbarians who might catapult hatorade reviews onto its yelp page, expecting gourmet food and high maintenance service from a franchise diner. Here's what some people don't quite get. SD serves locally sourced, quality ingredients, many of them organic, in a traditional diner which are typically known for horrible, horrible food. That's quite unique for a diner franchise. They even have their own ketchup. Add to that a number of gluten free and vegetarian dishes at diner prices, and this is a joint pushing the envelope. The place is packed on weekends. There was a substantial line, but it moved quickly. I arrived on Sat. with a group of seven, including two wild crazy tots. Server was attentive and accommodating of the kids. Food was not mind blowing, but it held its own as diner food. If you're looking for a circus of the palate, I'm not sure you're going to get that at any diner franchise. If you want some warm, buttery stuff in your belly, well I think SD can please you. i thought the value was very good. I'd be happy to go back. I will echo what others have said, the broken jukeboxes are no fun. I think they could at least block the coin slots of the broken machines.
(5)Steph K.
I ended up at this place twice in one week, and both times I walked out wondering why I walked in. I mean, if you proudly announce on your menu that you have "healthy, low-calorie options" but your idea of healthy starts at 600 calories of fried food, you're crazy. I know, I'm at a diner. If I want healthy food, I need to go elsewhere.... but I went to this place because they freaking advertise that they offer healthy, fresh food! Yes, I managed to order something at a more reasonable caloric level, after being a pain in the ass to my waiter (sorry dude) and asking for no sour cream, cheese, or meat in my omelet... but I could not help the fact that everything tasted like butter. Butter is not healthy. Butter is gross. Seriously, even my coffee tasted like butter, which I really don't understand. Also confusingly, they say they get their food local, but I was in Virginia and my eggs apparently came from Pennsylvania, so I don't think they're trying very hard on the sustainability front. And what's up with the waitstaff that clearly hate their lives? Ya'll are freaking me out.
(1)Jerry C.
We are often apprehensive about restos that have huge menus. More often than not, they just can't do all that stuff well. I suspect that is the case here. Service: Nice kid. Came around often. Seemed well trained. We were seated on the morning of the 4th with no delays. Overall a the service was pretty good considering that they were busy as hell. It was an added bonus that the Silver Diner serves wine and beer so you can get a mimosa with your brunch. Food: I had the Cajun scrambler. It is supposed to be a mess and it was. I was not unhappy but the dish could have benefited from some additional heat. If you are going to sell a hot breakfast dish, then serve one. I had really fresh strawberry's on my plate that were quite good. My girlfriend's banana pancakes, on the other hand, were disgusting. She complained about the lack of sweetness and that it just didn't work well. I was off put by the dark center of the bananas that were sitting in the batter. They seemed to be a bit past what should have been their expiration date. Another person in our party complained that her bacon had been sitting around too long before served and had become a bit gummy. Another in our party ordered the Country Fried Steak and loved it. I didn't try it but damn it looked as good as he said it was. A small chain that is trying hard but has bitten off more than it can chew, we might give it another chance when we are back in town.
(2)Kevin T.
The food doesn't re-invent the wheel but it's good, classic diner food. If you want a diner that's open late, serves breakfast and can make you a good Burger or meat loaf this is your type of place. And honestly this place is worth a quick stop for the milkshakes as well. Service can get slow when the place is busy but is otherwise good.
(4)sandra C.
Our first time here! I was pretty happy with the menu, offered plenty of options. Servings were generous, the food was very flavorful, service was good and fast and parking in back of the restaurant was an added us.
(4)Tri J.
My previous review was for their brunch, and while that may still stand true, my recent outing for dinner was a disaster. 1) We ordered an appetizer sampler. Instead of getting mozzarella sticks, chicken tenders, and onion rings, we only received the latter. Not really much of a sampler....... 2) It took us 20 minutes to flag down our waiter, even though the place was so dead you could hear crickets. He then politely informed us that they were out of mozzarella sticks and he had forgotten to tell us. He tried to make it better by offering more onion rings, but for some odd reason they were making me really nauseous, and so we declined. I ended up eating just the chicken tenders...which weren't even that good. 4) Dessert was awful. I don't know what I was thinking but it was probably: 'hey, all I've eaten are 2 frigging chicken tenders, I might as well have dessert. ' I ordered the seasonal cobbler. Instead of the granola-y topping I'm accustomed to it was some Aunt Jemimah dough topping. I'm sorry but it was gross. Still I ate it. I know. Dumb. 3) The place smelled really really bad. I mean, somebody vomited, bad. I couldn't figure out if it was the trash that needed to be taken out or what, but I was desperate to get out of there. My husband didn't or couldn't smell it, but I was ready to bolt as soon as he was done with his food. Moral of the story kids, don't go there for dinner. Only go for brunch. Or if you do go for dinner, bring some clothes pins for your nose and expect little.
(2)Willow N.
Alas, the nearest WaHo is 25 miles away. So, we went to the Silver Diner, against the advice of everyone with tastebuds not preferring Soylent Green. Warning Sign No. 1: The place has no furniture patronage. No homebodies shooting the shit with the cross-eyed pregnant waitress. Overwhelmingly Arlington-ish. They serve Egg Beaters to cut cholesterol. Chocolate pie is a NEW! menu item. Since when is it anything other than a diner staple? WIthout the complimentary flies in the cake case, what's your diner worth? I ordered a Country Griddle (biscuit, sausage, sausage gravy, onion, peppers, home fries, mushrooms). The biscuit tasted like those things you get at Red Lobster. I wanted the customary crusty, hard, gravy-soaked monstrosities that are so plentiful down South. I didn't see any sausage gravy in the pile (what happened to smothered biscuits a la WaHo?) To refill my coffee, the waiter kidnapped my artfully offbrand Irish Cream-ed cup of joe and whisked it off to the kitchen! Who knows what happened there, though it returned with the Irish Cream taste intact. I long to eat real food again. Silver Diner serves plastic. Our bacon had this strange smokey flavor to it. I asked my man, charbroiled? Spray-on, he replied. It's likely.
(1)John A.
Been here a number of times, always hoping I'd find something on the menu better than what I ate last time. Sadly, it never happens. I'm always disappointed with the food and shocked by the price. Metro 29 on Lee Hwy is considerably better.
(2)James S.
-Don't eat the sausage here. It made my fried really really sick. - prices are high for diner food.
(2)Dirk J.
I have eaten at this Silver Diner off and on for the last 10 years. The area has grown up around it. This is, as others have stated, a diner, and as a diner it employs fast fry cooks (not Chefs) who do a solid average job with what they have. They use a blend of fresh local ingredients and pre-prepared foods to serve up basic American diner type food using basic meats, eggs, potatoes, and seafood with butter, salt and pepper spices. I like the place, but it is what it is and it doesn't pretend to be a gourmet restaurant.
(3)Allison A.
I, also, feel the need to defend the Silver Diner of Arlington. If you want just a plain old franchise dining experience, go to the one in Springfield. THIS one is actually a good restaurant. Like Les said, they locally source everything, and look out for your health; unlike most franchises which offer "healthy" meals (meaning they're under 2,000 calories), Silver Diner has actually healthy meals. You can get an egg breakfast that won't break your calorie bank. And I've always had good coffee here. The service in this place is fantastic. I've been here a million times (my dad comes every Sunday morning after church) and I've never had anything but great service and hot meals (unless I ordered ice cream, which I am wont to do in the a.m.). Really, out of all the Silver Diner's, this one is the best.
(5)Izzat A.
Ate here late night one night and I thought it was okay. Nothing really stood out. Food was good, service was decent. It's a typical diner.
(3)Carol M.
I sat at the bar and the waitress was so nice and polite. The meal was well priced. I got a mimosa that was great and a omelette that was well cooked. I would go back here
(4)R K.
Met some friends here the other night, the food was pretty good. I ordered the pork chops and was pleasantly surprised at how good the seasoning was. The side of sweet potato fries were better then your average fries as well. I did think it was odd that the even though the "Healthier Shakes" listed a lot of their nutrition information, they conveniently left out how many grams of sugar each one had... My friends had some of their shakes and the pecan pancakes which were decent. I would have probably given the place four stars but the service was pretty bad. The only saving grace was the shift manager who was johnny on the spot when the two different waiters who were in our area couldn't cut it. Granted this was an early week night so I wasn't expecting the A-Squad of waiters but still...
(3)Jacob B.
Great late night spot to get some grub or perfect for a late morning brunch. I've never had a problem with the staff and their booths have old school radios in them. Very classic.
(4)Ali Z.
I regularly go here, and always end up with a great experience. Good food, with many healthier options. Also, you can drop a quarter and select some American classics for music. Lots of fun!
(5)Bernadette C.
Vegetarian yumminess! A place to eat after 10pm (the diner is open until 2am), and with a selection of unique vegetarian fare, I'm a big fan! The Silver Diner has veggie chilli, veggie sliders, and a citrus salad (spinach, strawberries, pecans, yum!), along with quite a few other veggie options. For years I've watched the carnivores around me gulp down their sliders, wishing I could enjoy stuffing my mouth in the same obscene manner. Silver Diner gave me that chance, and it's yummier than I dreamed, with an Aloha slider burger than goes beyond the usual veggie-burger taste. A sure cure for the slider-envy that so many vegetarians endure. The prices are on the higher side ($9 for the sliders with fries) but I refuse to dock a star for it. The fact that I can get a decent vegetarian meal after 10 pm that consists of something other than a veggie burger is completely worth the few extra dollars. Especially if I get to curl up in a comfy booth and bop to goofy songs from the 60s.
(5)Sean R.
After trying a few diners in Arlington (including the famed Bob and Edith's) and usually leaving disappointed - I seem to have finally found the one worth going back to. A nice, large parking lot behind the restaurant makes parking a breeze. The atmosphere inside is what you would expect for a diner, although it seems maybe a little more well cared for than some. The breakfast I had consisted of pancakes with eggs and a choice of two meats (bacon and sausage). I was impressed by their 'farm-to-table' concept for much of the food they served, including the eggs. I was also impressed by their offering if nitrate-free bacon. The food tasted less processed and greasy than many diners I've been to. The service was quick and friendly, no complaints there. I will definitely be going back.
(4)Kelley M.
I love love this place! Everything is delicious and a great price. They buy locally. This is more than just a diner. Everyone can go for any occasions. If ever I need to stop for a quick bite or sit and have dinner, this is where I go.
(5)Peter K.
Grilled flounder with mango chutney - wow. Was this really a Silver Diner? The new healthy/local menu is no joke. I'm going back more often now that I can eat healthy items.
(3)Kelly K.
My favorite breakfast place in Arlington at least if your in the mood for a huge omelet! I always get the Cremini mushroom omelet with wheat toast and strawberries. So good! They also have large cups of coffee and are quick on the re-fill which is important for coffee lovers like me. I can only comment on breakfast, but would like to try lunch or dinner here one day.
(5)Sean M.
Ate here with the family on 7/11/13. Service was ok but the food was definitely substandard. I ordered chicken tenders and fries (thinking you can't screw that up) but the chicken tenders were small, overcooked and tasted like they'd come out of a cheap grocery store bag. The fries were both lukewarm and bland. Son had a hamburger and fries that looked ok but he seemed to like. Daughter had french toast, eggs and bacon which were ok. Wife had a vegan pasta dish which she seemed to like. Had wings as an appetizer and they weren't bad. Can't overstate how bad the chicken tenders tasted. Just about any Clarendon/Courthouse restaurant is a better option.
(1)Bhumika K.
A solid 3.5 because my pancakes tasted like cake and not pancakes. Super fluffy and not too crazy sweet. the 1/2 star is for the 32 oz milk you can get on the menu - talk about big gulp! Standard diner food, served with a smile. Good enough.
(3)Scott S.
This review goes against much of what I normally base my reviews on. I overspend on food and usually am a bit of a dick about places I eat. For what this is, its great! I don't think you can really complain about it; true, its nothing extraordinary or special, but it doesn't have to be... its just good food in a nice, friendly, and importantly, clean place. During the snow storms, the lady friend and I needed some place to eat and we found the Silver Diner open at around midnight and they were friendly and active in serving us. I had an above-average Reuben, and the lady friend had breakfast with a beer. That's one thing I think is great about this place, you go out to the bars, leave around midnight, get some late night breakfast from the Diner with a last beer or two, and then get home and sleep it off. How cool would that be? I'll have to get my old bones out to do that some time. Just as a note on some exceptional choices, I like the Acai shake... its Acai berries, pomegranate juice, wheat germ, low fat vanilla ice cream and skim milk. Its great, and fills you full of antioxidants whether you're just unhealthy, just out of the bar, or recovering from the night before. That's a win, win, win.
(4)M L.
I would go back to Silver Diner. The food was decent and fairly price. The space is great and the staff is friendly. I'll start with the space. Silver Diner is about as authentic as Johnny Rockets, but it has plenty of seating, booths, and some personality. It's a nice spot to hang out with friends. As for the food, it is about average, on par with a Denny's or Perkins. I got breakfast and their pancakes were rather good so I would be interested in coming back and trying an omlet or one of the other specials. One bad note, the bacon I got was definitely reheated. Kind of sad, breakfast meats are pretty easy and quick to cook but some places like preparing them in bulk and then have them sit around and dry out. Really ruins the meal. In short the setup is nice and the food was decent enough to want to try out other items, so I will be a returning customer.
(3)K S.
One word: ewwwwwwwwwwwwww. I used to visit Silver Diner occasionally when I still had my night gig at a restaurant and this was the only place open when I finished work. Even then, I'd only get a milkshake or fries or a piece of cake, and half the time the fries were battered and cold (gross) and the cake usually had a funny taste, like it had been stored uncovered in a fridge next to regular food. Plus, the service here (at least late) is horrendous, really obnoxious and slow. Granted, if I catered to a crowd that was 99% drunk, I might not bother bringing my A game either, but clearly I wasn't inebriated, just tired, and there was no reason to be so loud and surly at my table. The regular food is all greasy (even with their new 'trans-fat free' menu), bland, and wayyyy overpriced. I know Arlington is sadly lacking in late-night, post-drinking food options, but seriously - this place is the worst. If you must sober up over crap food, go down the street to IHOP.
(1)Laura P.
For diner food, the Silver Diner has lot of options, healthy and normal diner food. I've been here numerous times for breakfast and the food is pretty solid. The burgers are decent and the milkshakes are tasty. The Silver Diner is opened late, which is also a plus, beating out the greasy spoon options. If you have little ones, Tuesday night is kids night. Service is usually pretty good unless it's super packed.
(3)G W.
We were in Arlington this morning, so decided to give SD another chance for breakfast. This time the service was very good. Rohit was friendly, prompt, courteous, and everything that previous waitrons had not been. Food was good, as usual, though the coffee seemed a tad weak today. The strawberries that come with most of the breakfast offerings are a very nice touch. Nice recovery, SD...we'll be back.
(3)Pooja K.
I never thought I would be giving any diner a review of more than 3 stars given the stereotypical atmosphere and taste of those places but I was pleasantly surprised at Silver Diner! Came here late on a Saturday night and I ordered the Pesto Turkey Slider Basket and they were reaallly yummy! The pesto, basil, mozzarella, balsamic, and red peppers came together so well with a well cooked and seasoned turkey burger patty and it was a perfect portion for one person! Good fries too. I think I'll probably get this every time if I end up going there more often!
(4)Diane S.
place has some good food and open late. my buddy had a groupon yay! also the place had tons of parking and the best music with awesome working juke box my sorority loves this place because of the juck box!
(4)Jamie C.
No matter how hungover you are this place will never be good. I really didn't think there was a way to mess up grilled cheese or scrambled eggs, but apparently it is possible at this place. When I see the line outside on the weekend I want to kidnap the people in line and take them away to Metro 29. Service is unbearably slow. Milkshakes are the only thing worth noting. They are yummy. Get one to go and don't stick around for the food.
(1)Artur K.
Just a note before I get started with this review: I've been here only late night. Maybe they have a better chef during the day, I don't know. To those people that are giving this place 5 stars: I can't wait for your in depth review of Burger King. Anyway, I've eaten at Silver Dinner in Arlington 4 or 5 times, and each time it was pretty bad verging on horrible. One memorable meal involved the worst biscuits and gravy of my life. The biscuits were stale enough that I would have been better served by bludgeoning my self into oblivion with them rather then attempting to eat them. Needless to say, the gravy was nothing to shout about, but given the insanely low bar set by the biscuits, it almost tasted good. The horrible thing about Silver Diner is that it's the only thing open late night in Arlington (I'm talking 3ish or so), so I know I'll find myself back there. Blah! Oh! Recently, Silver Diner has tried to jump on the "local ingredients" band wagon. The results are expectedly comical.
(1)Mai K.
Comforting, classic diner eats, which are likely to clog arteries and cure hangovers. Sunday breakfast was an experience, because I have never had to wait on line to eat at a diner. It was packed, standing room only, with people seeking their stacked sweet pancakes, omelets, and milkshakes. Although the Clarendon location is probably uniquely crowded, the food is comparable between the Clarendon and the Fair Oaks, and quite good, especially the milkshakes. My sister's pecan pancakes were just pure dessert, and the veggie scramble with egg whites was exactly what I needed, especially with the buttermilk biscuit. This is not a healthy breakfast spot, but a solid, indulgent lazy Sunday spot.
(3)Matt L.
Great food, organic, local produce, great find!
(5)Justin W.
Quintessential diner experience. No better, no worse. But in this area, diners are rarer than in the Northeast, so I'll take it. I haven't been for lunch or dinner, so consider this a breakfast only review. Nice big breakfast menu. Go with the omeletes, not the scrambled eggs as they aren't very fluffy. The home fries are really great. They aren't deep fried but still maintain the crispiness factor. Coffee is also decent and refills are unlimited. I also should mention that there is typically a wait to eat here, especially in the morning. The host is quite a character. He has the fat Elvis look going for him.
(3)Kathleen M.
Growing up in the land of Waffle House, I never had any need for diners, unless you consider WaHo a diner... I don't know. Anyway, the Silver Diner is okay in my book, but it will never EVER stack up to the drunk food of my childhood. The service is usually decent, if not a little overbearing. I like the mini-jukeboxes at the table (grammar-nazis: beware the misspellings!) and the food is a-ok. I'm never one to suggest hitting up Silver Diner, but I'm not going to balk at a trip. I also apparently need to hit up the Challah French Toast... and see if it's any good compared to my own homemade version.
(3)Mike B.
This is the best diner in Arlington. The food is fresh and local. It gets crowded but the staff stay friendly.
(5)Ellen A.
I have been a fan of the farm to table menu for a long time and enjoy running over here on my lunch hour for the Asian chicken salad. It's a nice change of pace from all the pretentious restaurants in the area plus the free parking is a bonus! I arrived with a friend on Monday around noon and sat for fully eight minutes without anyone bringing us water or paying any attention to our booth. I finally went to the front desk and asked if someone could help us. Service was then prompt and friendly, and the manager couldn't have been more apologetic or nice. I've never had that problem before and chalk it up to an oversight. The manager certainly made it right and I look forward to returning to the Silver Diner in a few weeks.
(4)Lysandra P.
Come on, folks, give the SD some love! You know how sometimes you just need some mediocre breakfast food in a questionably clean booth served by a mildly friendly server? This usually happens in the middle of the day or the middle of the night. Well, the next time it happens, hit up the Silver Diner! The coffe is served in a really big mug, the milkshakes are old-fashioned and yummy, the interior is cheesy and the menus are usually sticky. And yet, the Silver Diner manages to charm me somehow. Go in the middle of the night, order coffee and a milkshake, and never order anything that isn't on the breakfast menu. Oh, and spend a quarter in the little jukebox at your table.
(3)Khristian V.
Oh Silver Diner, I need you in my life! Right now! Old school diner with a good staff and tasty diner fare. I love that they are open 24 hours, because it was my favourite spot to catch up with my mom over dessert or late-night dinner after work. Their muffins are absolutely to die for [I get cravings for theirs specifically], and the challah French toast is delectable. The portions are enormous otherwise I'd complain about the prices. And for all you Yelpers who get that gnawing craving for a damn good strawberry shake, I'd suggest you get down to Arlington's Silver Diner tout-de-suite.
(5)Ralph W.
We got sucked in by their new marketing, advertising "locally-sourced" meats and veggies. Our meal may or not have been "locally-sourced," but it was mediocre in the extreme. The low point was the macaroni and cheese: undercooked macaroni in a thin gruel of yellow-ish broth. Completely inedible, we chose to send it back. Patty melt was decent, though small, but the fries were overcooked and hard. Service was inattentive. With across-the-board fail it's hard to just write it off to a "bad night."
(1)Kate N.
This place is a diner - and it does fairly well in playing that role. The menu is pretty extensive. Of course they have the breakfast menu, but also seafood, burgers, salads, etc. The price is moderate - normally right around 10 for an entree with sides, so the price is right. Of course, the food is not all that impressive. The last time I went, I had a crab cake sandwich. It wasn't bad, wasn't great. The shake, was pretty yummy, but I think it is hard to go wrong there. I will say that this location is particularly kid friendly. I think they have a kid night with face painting and such. But I would not say that the wait staff was overly friendly. I like the jukeboxes at each table - they are a nice touch. You can adjust the volume, and pick a song for a quarter. If you are looking for a diner, this will be just fine! I will likely go back at some point.
(3)Elena P.
Meh. I don't quite get Silver Diner. How is this place a DINER?: Crab cakes, parmesan chicken, pot pie ... I always feel like I'm in the twilight zone when I'm here. It's like the name, the food and the vibe just can't get along. It's a 50's theme decor restaurant with a way-too-extensive menu and the items are quite complex. Call me crazy, but if I'm going to a diner, I want me some eggs or waffles. Whenever I'm here (over 6 times - all instigated by others), I look at the menu and think, "Wait. This looks and sounds too good. Did I mean to go to a nice restaurant? How did I wind up here?" - And then, to make it worse, the food is never as tasty or delicious as they make it sound. I can't recommend that anyone should waste a trip here. If you should happen to stumble upon it because of the late night hours, then make the most of it and order yourself a shake; if it's the oreo one, ask them for one or two extra oreos - they never seem to put in enough.
(2)Hyunoo P.
Time: 12:02 Agenda: First lunch on the job Overall: l2sandwich I think a million people have probably eaten at this chain. So I don't think it's important to say anything besides what I ate: crabcake sandwich. I will nickname this crapcake sandwich. Not because it was particularly bad, but because they broke my cardinal rule. Never, ever, ever serve a sandwich where the contents are smaller in diameter than the items it is served inbetween. It was more like a skimpwich than anything. I don't think crabs are expensive around here, why not fill it out? I also thought it was a little too dry for my tastes (probably because of the over-abundance of bun. Which wasn't bad in itself, but didn't make up for 20% less crabcake) The shoestring fries were good and the roulade was nice for dippunz and spreadin'. But not for high praisin'. This place is right across from where I work, but i'll take the extra effort to walk past it because I don't like really noisy restaurants that try so hard to be retro in the metro.
(2)Oliver R.
A solid two stars for the Silver Diner. A good place to goof off with friends while enjoying the kitschy faux 1950s diner atmosphere. The food at the Silver Diner is average at best. However, it remains a good place to take kids or grab an after-hour bite to eat If you're in the mood for something sweet grab a milkshake or malt to go at the bar! Free Wi-fi!
(2)Mae F.
This is going to be a semi-unfair review of the diner because I didn't order any food really. It was 2:30 AM, we had just left a party, and we weren't really very motivated to go home just yet. So, we drove to the Silver Diner just a half block away from the Clarendon Ballroom and ordered a Chunky Monkey milkshake, a junior banana split, and a hot tea between the three friends. I liked my milkshake quite a bit. The banana split was good too apparently and the hot tea was Lipton's. So, was everything ok? Yes. Is this a fair review? No. Will I be back? Probably since it's one of the only late-night diners close to Georgetown.
(3)Emma M.
This place is a pretty standard diner. Can't go wrong with that. Always seems to be busy. Food is good, service is decent, milkshakes are better than at most diners in the area (actually thick and with lots of flavors to choose from). Plus it's open when a lot of places in the area aren't, so it gets bonus points for that.
(4)Ray M.
We drove from the Maryland suburbs to eat at the Silver Diner and despite the rude, obnoxious people sitting around us (and no, these were not post-bar people), we enjoyed our dining fare. The chicken pot pie and chicken parmesan were good, and our service was excellent. Definitely a great place to go to if you're looking for an inexpensive, sit-down meal before going over to B&N or the Apple Store in Clarendon.
(3)Jennifer S.
Todd F - do you read minds? If I'm not there for a late-night or early morning breakfast (so good!), I'm waiting in line for the chicken cheese steak and a vanilla milkshake. Drinking one of these HUMONGOUS milkshakes out of the fatboy straws is the best! Even though it's served in a large glass, an additional amount comes in a cup on the side. And I still don't think it's enough! They are the best vanilla milkshakes I have found in the area. One of my girlfriends would kill for the Oreo. I don't dare try it. I'm prone to addiction. And one of my friend's cannot get enough of the Country Fried Steak and chocolate malt. We went to the beach this weekend and we had to get a to go order for the ride. I'm not that bad. When I'm feeling guilty and less inclined to eat poorly I also LOVE the Health Shake, made out of Breyer's (the best commercial ice cream) fat free vanilla bean ice cream, bananas, strawberries, wheat germ, honey and skim milk. Trust me, they are delish! You'll want one to go. Word to the wise though, I've never had a GOOD dessert. I'm hoping they work on that (or maybe that would be a bad thing).
(5)Amanda M.
One thing I very truly miss about New York: the diners! Luckily, Silver Diner makes up for it. Friendly, prompt service, great portions, and probably the most awesome banana split sundae in the DC metro area. I simply love it here. Great for a late-night meal and a beer. Plus, it's just so damn cute.
(4)shoaib a.
They've done a decent job of putting some healthy options on the menu. I'm not saying they're delicious but a person could do much worse late at night. Notice how I said late at night. If you go here and it's not 2am, you need a watch. There should be other options better than Silver Diner at normal hours.
(3)Samuel G.
You know when Jay Leno cracks about the crap that we all eat and jokes about "How FAT are Americans getting...?" Well, more than likely he's referring to places like this. Once upon a time, I had real trouble fitting into one of the less-than spacious booths at the Diner, and now I don't. Why? Because I eat here a LOT less. Much like The Front Page, it's pretty much "chain" restaurant food, only FP's is a tad healthier. The Diner does feature more healthy options than they used to, but I think it's because they count on someone who orders the Chinese Chicken Salad with Lowfat Dressing to top it off with the "Death By Chocolate" sundae....and usually, they're right. Also, like Front Page, it's pretty much just stuff to put in your gut...especially on a weekend night, if a lot of drinking is planned for later on in the evening. They have a really good wait staff, and it's great hearing all the classic tunes while you scarf down your cheese fries and ketchup. But that about sums it up. Put A LOT of extra cardio on your calendar after your visit here.
(2)Chuck C.
The Hollywood of Diners! It looks the part, but it's just playing a role! I do not know why I stopped here, I know in my soul it was a fake, but I stopped any way. The food is also a supporting actor in this movie, looks great on the menu but all fluff and no real heart! Diner food comes from the heart and soul and dose not cost an arm and a leg! The food was so so and I will never go back, I know never say never, but I WILL NEVER GO BACK! If when you think of a diner you think about Happy Days, this is you place. But if when you think about a diner you think of the movie Diner, then look around there are plenty of real diners around! Remember to eat well and live well! And please no chains!
(2)Jake S.
This is being reviewed from the standpoint of a drunkass, so bear that in mind. They always manage to hit the spot at 3:30 AM right after we catch the last train home from DC. I usually get the chicken fingers and fries (hard to screw that up), but friday night, I decided to branch out and try the surf and turf, which is a small steak and some crabcake, both of which were surprisingly decent. I don't think I'd ever eat here sober though, not because of the quality of the food, but because I don't like to sh*t where I eat.
(4)Jay S.
I love diners. I love breakfast. I did not love Silver Diner. Maybe Silver Diner is better suited from late night meals when alcohol has deadened your taste buds and any sort of calorie laden food will get you through the night. However, at 8:30 in the morning, and completely from of any intoxicants, there was nothing of interest delivered on either my wife or my plates. In fact, the only thing positive I can say about my pancakes is that they arrived. And since I was looking very forward to a delicious pancake breakfast, I was devastated. OK, not really. But I was bummed out. Our search for a decent breakfast will continue.
(1)Ben L.
Silver Diner, I would like to apologize publicly to you. I avoided you for more than ten years and told everybody not to visit you. I was wrong! Some time in the past decade, you changed. You improved the menu, found a decent kitchen staff, and sourced some quality products. I like your healthy dishes. Your chicken wings are pretty good. Your buffalo products are generally very good. And some of your omelets are great. Good veggies too! You stock some nice beers (although the prices on those are too high). I love that I can get organic food, and my wife appreciates that you will cook low-salt and let her substitute almost anything for almost anything else. The setting is perfectly diner-esque, and you play some cool kitschy tunes. Here's what you can improve: your waitstaff never seems very knowledgeable about the menu, and I have yet to be served by somebody who goes at the right speed. Tonight's server threw our food on the table so fast that we didn't have time to make normal requests - a mug for the beer, some extra napkins for the wings, etc. - until he circled back around. Last visit, our waiter disappeared for the whole meal. Oh, and your desserts suck. Tonight's cobbler was a mess of undercooked sweet potatoes and overcooked pecans stuffed under a pancake. Anyway, the good outweighs the bad. You have become a neighborhood stalwart. You're really a 3.5 of a place, but I owe you some love after dissing you for so long. And I have a feeling you'll continue to improve.
(4)Jasmine N.
This place has come a long way, especially in service, but I still do not understand how anyone sober could want to eat here. The food is just bland. I like a little more flavor. The one good thing on the menu, the chicken soup, they changed. I could only imagine coming here during the day for a milkshake, those are pretty good. Gotta give the place props for being at least a cool establishment. I love the jukeboxes (although I've never heard my song actually play) and listening to oldies. If you are out in Clarendon and get hungry after, I would recommend Silver Diner for their vast menu and late hours, and much improved service.
(3)Peggy W.
Milkshakes are tasty, service is friendly, and their country fried steak is yummy. It was a positive experience, except I think I got an upset stomach from the cheeseburger here.....I think. But wow their Oreo milkshakes were tasty. Oh yeah, and their jukebox didn't work, either :(
(3)Patrick F.
We've enjoyed the Silver Diner in the past, but haven't been since they went to this new Farm-toTable concept. I'm not sure what farm the food came from, but it needs to go back. We're sure the food was better before it arrived at this location. First of all, our server Raj, could have cared less about our order - whether it was ordered correctly or delivered correctly. The waffle was really bad, wet on the bottom and was not hot when it arrived at the table. Also ordered a hamburger, which did not arrive correctly. But the lettuce and tomato looked left over from the day before - very sad. It was $30 wasted.
(1)Bill G.
Bit expensive for what you get, Milkshakes alone make this a viable option for breakfast. thats right i drink milkshakes for breakfast, back off.
(3)PC W.
I'm an IHOP type of girl so I've managed to avoid Silver Diner all these years. Sunday brunch seemed like as good of a time as any to go for my first time although I may only have been semi-conscious when the decision was made. Two of us got there early so we snagged a large, u-shaped corner booth way in the back. The host was the peppiest little man, grinning ear-to-ear and super jazzed to lead us to our table. Maybe a little too much pep for my bleary-eyed Sunday morning self. I'm glad they seated us even though our party wasn't all here yet. The food is edible but the corned beef hash is certainly inferior to IHOP's. Too dry and oversalted although less greasy. The seasoning on the homefries was really good. The sum of all the parts was still just ok. I won't return for their food unless it's out of necessity. However service is good and quick, they have a parking lot and the atmosphere is nicer than IHOP. They have a ridiculous dessert menu (featuring such notable items as the Oversized Shake, the Five Pound Apple Pie and the Double Chocolate Triple Layer Cake) so that combined with their late hours might warrant a return visit.
(3)Jordan C.
A friend and I were curious about the new menu. The easier was oddly pushy about alcohol and tried to convince my friend not to nix the blue cheese butter on her steak even though she hates blue cheese. When her steak came, guess what was on top? The spinach on the side had a blob of garlic under it roughly the size of a ping pong ball. She did enjoy the fried onions and the mashed potatoes. I had the fish and chips. Visibly greasy and so bland. The fries were fine, except for the one caked in garlic powder. The cole slaw had dried cranberries in it. It was less than pleasant. Also, every 10 minutes or so, the kitchen would burn toast and the burnt smell would just take over. For dessert, I had the bread pudding. Before the new menu, it had been my favorite, but tonight, it was unevenly cooked - some parts were crunchy, some parts were chewy, some parts were... Wet. One piece was just straight up raw bread. No complaints on her chocolate milkshake. The bathroom ceiling in the ladies' room is falling in. Spent the cash on a Dyson air blade hand dryer and granite counters, but not drywall. This place is just confusing now. It still looks like a diner, but the food hypes the "farm to table" organic thing, and it's gross.
(1)Suzanne M.
Ever since they changed there menu the food is just wonderful! Sometimes the service is a little questionable but everything I have gotten there in the past 6 months I would say has been great. I used to go when I was in High School and the food wasn't very good but was cheap. Now you have a cheap option with great food. They have a lot of healthy options now which is great! Very flexible if you want to change around an order and don't charge you like crazy for each individual thing.
(4)Ryan H.
No offense, but some of you are idiots. How could anyone rate this place above a 3? If I wanted someone to ruin a classic dish I would call my friend Barry because the only thing he can cook is a hot dog over a camp fire, and only that because when you are camping you will eat anything. Okay, maybe you are completely hammered drunk and stumble in, but believe me, at this point I could give you a slab of spam and you are going to be pumped. Save yourself the heartache and stomach ache and just go to bed, just go home bro. Milkshakes are decent.
(1)Barrie C.
None of the food at the Silver Diner will change your life. But at 3 AM on a weekend night when you're drunk, it may SEEM like it approaches those lofty heights. And what more could you ask for with late-night drunk food? On a weekend morning, go early because it gets crowded and the line can get long. But if you're a party of two, don't be afraid of the line because it moves quickly for small parties. Most recently I had the Challah bread French toast with eggs and sausage. Again, nothing mind-blowing, but it was exactly what I wanted at the time: normal, easy comfort food. This is not the place for a trendy brunch. I should also mention that it's a little expensive for diner food, which is why it only gets three stars. But then I recently spent three years in Alabama and therefore was spoiled by the blessing that is Waffle House, which is much cheaper. Finally, a friend of mine was really drunk one night and ordered the salmon at Silver Diner. She does NOT recommend doing that.
(3)R K.
Pros: open 24 hours, free wifi, food won't kill you Cons: the food is meh to bleh, the wifi is impossible to connect to I generally avoid Silver Diner for better late-night options nearby like O'Sullivan's and Hard Times Cafe, but if you need to eat at 3 am, I guess Silver Diner can do the trick.
(3)New to San Pedro C.
We went for the first time today and loved it! It's organic and the food tasted so good! The portions were very generous and the service was pretty good as well. The coffee was terrible but the meal made up for it!
(5)Zack C.
Typically, I really enjoy diners and greasy spoons. The Silver Diner, however, was disappointing, frustrating, and bad. The menu had all of the usual suspects, but the Silver Diner goes a step further than many diners and offers beer. Well, at least their menu does. typically that would earn them extra points in my book, but they only had half of their listed beers in stock and first served me a warm bottle before apologizing and replacing it was a chilled one. Bad start. I ordered a BLT which was not very substantial or satisfying. I probably would have been OK with the experience until we attempted to pay. Long story short, we waited 20 minutes for our check and had to ask for it a total of three times before it was produced. For the sake of the Silver Diner, I hope they read my comment card.
(1)Michael B.
Although a little pricey, this place has awesome shakes. You get what you pay for however. Food is good and priced well too. Service is ok, the one host (male) that seats you is overly happy that you are there. Kind of funny. I will return.
(4)Channing B.
Great service and even better food. It's locally sourced, lots of organic and healthy choices. Not your average greasy spoon. I highly recommend it.
(5)Deborah D.
The main reason to eat here is the convenience, not the food. It's especially good for meeting people: near Clarendon subway stop, easy to spot from the street AND there is a decent-sized parking lot (a rarity in this area). I've eaten here frequently, and I think it's expensive for average diner food. You're paying for the high rent. It aspires to offer more than the standard diner fare, but the farther one veers away from a burger or French toast, the more one will be disappointed. My two consistent complaints are that the food is too salty and rarely served hot. I now warn the waiters when ordering "if it's not hot, I'm sending it back." Even with that caveat, all or part of the meal arrives at an unsatisfactory temperature at least 50% of the time. BTW, my experiences at the Rockville, MD location of Silver Diner have been superior in every respect, so a review of one is not a review for all.
(3)Kel D.
To steal my daughter's favorite word ~ "Meh" Silver Diner is neither bad nor good in my book. It's a place to get food. Basic every day food. Not necessarily a place I want to go to "eat out". It's not bad for a Sunday Breakfast where you just want to dine with the Sunday funnies, or for a late night coffee date. It's cheap and convenient. I won't seek it out, but won't say no if there are worse options.
(3)Eli B.
A nice diner overall. Ate there late night after work, the food was good. Would definatly go back. I had the bacon cheese buger.
(4)Andrew C.
It satisfied my carnal needs at 3.30 am.
(3)Laura H.
Solid brunch option when you are short on time or not dressed up. I hiked it over to silver diner for brunch after I had initially passed it on my way home from a long run... the smell of bacon and breakfast goodness was overwhelming after a hilly 12 mile run. I settled on blueberry stuffed french toast with a side of chicken sausage. Everything was very tasty and more than I could hope to eat. I especially like that they offer healthier substitutions such as egg white omelets, chicken sausage, fruit instead of hash browns, etc. As I was finishing up at the counter, the head chef even came over to chat and see how I liked the new summer menu. No, I wasn't wearing my yelp t-shirt. :) The only real downside is the price. It's pretty expensive for diner food, but hey, it is DC.
(4)reuben j.
My time in Virginia (living there, that is) was not one of my life's happier chapters (Not that you asked). But I considered my time in this incarnation of the Silver Diner one of the higher points. Friendly staff, and more than decent breakfast fare is the norm. As a result, earlier is better. Though the lines move fairly quickly... I was the one who kept playing Sam Cooke's "You Send Me" and "Since I Dont Have You" by The Skyliners. Maybe I drove you crazy.But I hope not..
(4)Steph M.
Despite appearing like an alcohol-serving Friendly's, Silver Diner is a cross between a homestyle diner and commercial chain restaurant. To put it plainly, your experience at Silver Diner could be scrumptiously delicious (if you order one of their massively buttered and perfectly grilled burgers), or disappointingly blase (all-day breakfast omelettes....ahem. My dog could probably prepare a better breakfast. Dogs don't even have hands.) Anyway, I'm a jersey girl, and if there is anything in Jersey besides strip malls, sewage, and the Jersey Shore--it's DINERS. So take my word for it, I know my diners, and Silver Diner fits the bill if you order grilled ground beef patties-----but not so much if you order dry, pasty, scrambled eggs assorted in a semi-circular pancake. I had the burger so no harm done Can't say my dining partner was as lucky. ;)
(3)Peter V.
Silver Diner gets a solid three stars. I really enjoy the vegetarian options and overall vegetarian friendliness. They have one of the better veggie burgers around, and, once, when I was there for breakfast, the waitress inferred from conversation that I am a vegetarian and went out of her way to offer faux sausage with my omelette. During the day, service is usually pleasant and efficient. Prices are fair.
(3)Sophie S.
i am uber obssessed with diners. had hit and miss experience at this place. their smoothie is good in general and sizes are decent. the salad is enough for two people to split... but it just losing the vibes
(3)Bro H.
No idea why people are describing this place as inexpensive. Everything on the menu costs 3-5 bucks more than it should, with the exception of the cheese fries, which are actually pretty good.
(2)Sean C.
Move over IHOP and Pancake House, step up to serious Pannenkoeken (Dutch for pancakes)! Pecan and Sweet Potato Pancakes with slices of banana on top and fresh strawberries (not strawberry jelly), nuff sed! Chocolate chip pancakes for the kids. My wife had French Toast with coconut, pecan and raspberries (on Challah bread), also fabulous. It is a kitschy 50's style place, but has a variety of food, including non-greasy healthy choices, even for breakfast. Very kid friendly. There is a kid's club with a special deal on Tuesday nights and a free entree on their birthday. We'll be back often.
(5)Terry S.
The food here is okay, but what's outrageous is the number of jukeboxes that are busted. It's gotten worse and worse over the years. Being able to play your own music at your table is the only reason to come here.
(2)Mary K.
The Silver Diner's menu has had a face lift & everyone should go check it out! They have standard diner fare, but they are using local produce, have a huge selection of healthy options (complete with calorie/fat/etc printed on the menu), and for a diner an amazing assortment of vegetarian options. I went for brunch and had a black bean & egg burrito complete with egg beaters and a side of local strawberries. My husband enjoyed a crab cake omelette with home fries and a biscuit. I live in DC, but will be making the trip back soon.
(4)SuperJisan Z.
The service was great. The server was so nice, he checked on us twice and just seemed so friendly. I got the country scrambler which came with scrambled eggs, sausage with cheese melted on top. Stuff to die for. Also had the pancakes, nothing special but superbly done still. Also, the fruit bowl was gotten just to make me feel healthy. It was a typical diner vibe, but I love their neon lights at night. That gets the extra star and I consider it might comfort food station. Next time, I'll get the chocolate milk
(5)Zara C.
My friend and I were looking for a brunch place that opens up later than usual and not packed. Silver Diner was definitely the spot. The staff were very nice and the service was pretty fast. Drinks: I had a silver diner mimosa and my friend had the Nutella banana milkshake!! Yum yum! I loved the shake. So delicious. The mimosa was good too. Food: I ordered the veggie rancheros based on the yelp reviews. I didn't like it that much. It had a strong oily smell to it, and most of the veggies in there I didn't eat. It's mainly my fault, I should have read the menu more carefully. My friend ordered the French toast banana. So good!!!! I would definitely go back just to get it (and all of its calories). But it's totally worth it. Would definitely go back.
(3)Ann H.
When I have a hankering for classic American eats, Silver Diner is the first place that comes to mind. However, this place isn't just an average cafe with basic food to satisfy your "All American" craving, or desire for a "Mom and pop" atmosphere. It's a very deliberate restaurant with interesting and unique food combinations. For instance, I was craving a euro and a burger, and chose their lamb burger with a side of Greek salad. Another thing that struck me was not only the quality of the food, but also the reasonable food portions, which were not too big or small. The juke boxes on the tables were charming, even though they didn't play my song. The staff was also very friendly and attentive. So much so, I actually got the impression they genuinely liked working there, which can be difficult for jobs in food service. It seems Silver Diner has cracked the code and created a well rounded modern American diner.
(5)Lucas B.
Where can I start with Silver Diner? I've been here probably 10 times in the 2 years I've lived in Arlington because a few of my friends are freaks over the place. I admit I was definitely not a fan the first couple times going there but I've warmed up to the place a bit going so many times. First off, the food isn't great. It's a little better than average. Some things are good and some things are not so good. It all depends on what you get to be honest because a few of the dishes are hit or miss. I've gotten rave reviews from Silver Diner's Honey Mustard (Yes, honey mustard) which honestly keeps them coming back for their chicken tenders. I usually go with steak and eggs. Pretty hard to mess up and they do a pretty good job with it. The caesar salad is pretty spot on too. Service at SD is also really good most of the time. There are a few servers in there who are exceptional - especially having to deal with a large group which is most of the time with my group. One of my favorite things there is the milkshakes. Most notable for me is the chunky monkey. They just feel like old timey milkshakes and not liquidy ice cream you can drink. You can get these to go as well! All in all the place has its charm and is a fun atmosphere with 50's/60's music on the personal table jukeboxes. It's an enjoyable experience and it's worth the trip over if you're in the mood for some diner eats.
(3)Pegah Y.
I'd never ordered an entree salad at a diner before, but I suppose there's a first time for everything! I visited Silver Diner for dinner with a friend recently and we were really impressed with this eclectic and homey establishment. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the Grilled Cajun Salmon Caesar salad I ordered. It came with sustainable fresh Atlantic salmon, romaine, kale, romano, tomatoes, croutons, and was tossed with caesar dressing. SO GOOD. OMG, I was in heaven. The salmon was perfectly crusted on the outside, but was melt-in-your-mouth good on the inside! My friend also ordered a salad and a side of fries. There are so many great options here - from soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, and other entrees. It really depends on your mood! Please note that it gets PACKED, even for dinner at 7pm on a weeknight (a Tuesday at that). We luckily arrived before a throng of people came for the dinner rush, so thankfully we were seated fairly quickly, but I'm sure some people had to wait 20+ minutes for a table. As for parking - I don't think there is any... as far as I could tell. But it's silly to expect there to be any parking in Clarendon generally. I actually didn't know until recently that this place is a chain. It really does seem like a unique one-off diner in the Clarendon area. I would love to visit one of their other locations (in the DMV area and other states as well). Bottom Line - amazingly eclectic, great service, and an entree salad that was to die for! So so so good! I will definitely want to visit again.
(5)Dani P.
This place is convenient for it's late hours, and tries to be a more upscale version of an American diner. I say try because the last time we came here, they seemed out of everything my colleague tried to order. I had the pesto pasta made with quinoa flour pasta. At first I was dubious because gluten free options can be hit or miss, but it was a delicious meal. Typically though I'll come here for their milkshakes. They're delicious, and easy to order to go.
(3)William F.
Growing up in NY I was in need of a diner in DC/VA area. The Silver Diner certainly fills that void AND some. This place has the classic diner choices (e.g., eggs, meat, homefries, tuna melt, club sandwich, etc.), but it also offers more inventive choices. The only meal I typically eat at diners is breakfast, but I've also had a cobb salad, turkey platter, and burger here for dinner. Bottom line, you can't really go wrong. Breakfast- I highly recommend the Bison Huevos Rancheros. Runny eggs and avocado mash on top of salty spiced ground beef, beans, pico de gallo, and some crispy tortilla chips to scoop with. I also get the Lumberjack breakfast a lot because it's under $10 and comes with coffee, 2 breakfast meats = more pig in my belly. Always get a biscuit with your breakfast because they're really good; fresh, buttery, and crumbly. The whole grain toast is tasty too. I don't recommend any fruit sides because they were probably sitting in a fruit cocktail bowl in a fridge and aren't freshly cut. Coffee is usually run of the mill, but at least refills are free. They also carry Tazo Teas which is pleasantly surprising and refills are free on those too. Service is consistently attentive and I love that they guarantee every meal to be served with a smile (corny but catchy). If you dine here frequently I highly recommend the Silver Diner Rewards Card. It's not a credit card or anything. It tracks how many meals you eat there and for every 5 meals you get $5 off your next meal. Also, they offer free entree AND dessert on your birthday. I'm a sucker for rewards cards, but hey, gotta love the perks! Overall: If your hungry and in the need for a pleasant diner experience, this place has got you covered. I promise you will leave happy... or should I say, pleasantly plump.
(4)Shreyas V.
Quick and friendly service.. Very clean. Had the omlette and the veggie rancheros. Both were delicious. The shakes are pretty good too and are huge! The place has a very retro look, with even a jukebox at every table. Definitely recommend trying it out if you're in the area looking for a quick reasonably priced meal.
(5)David T.
To be fair there is not a lot of diner competition in the DC area, but this place is still great. Amazing creative vegetarian options and an ever evolving menu. Latest is a Kale blue cheese salad and mushroom teriyaki. Lots of locally sourced veggies, which all the hype tells me is a good thing. Service is always warm and friendly and the price range is reasonable. Not dirt-diner cheap, but you can get a nice meal for two for $25. They also have beer/wine and a great dessert menu. Jukeboxes on the table for $0.25/song are a nice touch, and the place maintains a nice 50's vibe. And honestly, sometimes you just need breakfast at 11pm.
(4)Lindsay V.
Went here for breakfast for the first time in 8 years and I was so ecstatic that they now have a vegan/vegetarian menu! The vegan mango milkshake was delicious and so were the quinoa coconut pancakes! All they need is a tofu scramble and their vegan menu would be complete! I will definitely return.
(5)Christine S.
In short, Silver Diner is an old time diner with tabletop jukeboxes (so cool!) and home styled food. This restaurant partnered with local farmers and producers so they could use the freshest ingredients. I'm all about that health kick! - California Omelet ($11.99): pretty typical omelet with eggs, chicken, tomato, jack cheddar, scallions, black beans, and sour cream. It also comes with a cup of fresh fruit and whole wheat toast. - Banana Stuffed French Toast ($10.99): french toast layered with vanilla bean creme, bananas, chocolate chips, and caramel and vanilla drizzle. Pretty sweet and hearty! - Very Berry Yogurt Smoothie ($6.99): pretty healthy tasting smoothie. They have whole blueberries mixed in, so don't be too surprised when you get some fruit in your sip! You can ask them to split this in however many cups you'd like. Service is attentive and very fast. This is definitely a pretty standard diner with the typical diner-like food!
(3)Rachael B.
I love this place. The menu is huge, and everything we've tried from it has been delicious. For breakfast, the bison huevos rancheros is outstanding. For lunch, one of my favorites is the chicken pot pie made with fresh vegetables and topped with two half circles of flakey, layered phyllo-type crust. They have vegetarian, gluten-free and low-calorie options as well. Service is always excellent. One time our waiter accidentally put in the wrong entree, so my order was late. The manager came by to apologize and gave us a coupon for a free entree. Even when the line to be seated is long, I've never waited more than 15 minutes. The place is huge, and they keep the line moving.
(5)Josh L.
So I don't understand the tagline of 'the diner of the future' since it seems like a diner to me, but whatever let's not get bogged down here. Breakfast. All. Day. Generally I get the pancakes when I come here. I love pancakes and they are so fluffy, really a treat. Also, it's a great place to bring indecisive groups because they have so many different items, including the above mentioned Breakfast. All. Day. Also, they have a parking lot! In and of itself that's amazing for this area.
(5)Damon B.
Me'thinks, YES! Silver Diner is everything I want in a diner! With excellent food, a plentiful menu that is rehashed by a real chef, and incredible service, you really cannot go wrong here. It's exactly what you should be eating for breakfast...if you go to diners. We visited on a Sunday at 1030am and it was crowded but no line had formed yet. A line did form during our meal and was about 10 people long by 1130am. We breezed right in and grabbed a table, coffees, and waters. The coffee wasn't bad and the refills were on point. Our waiter was really good, very nice and completed the experience for us. I ordered chicken fried steak and biscuit and my wife ordered eggs over medium with toast. Everything was stellar, from the biscuits to the steak to the hashbrowns. Seriously they could not have done it any better. My wife is incredibly picky about eggs and even she was pleased. All in all, it was a pleasant experience and you can bet we'll be back! One last thing, the chef has designed the menu to provide numerous healthy options. While I didn't go for them, they looked really good and actually healthy. Did I mention that they have a chef? Not just a line cook but a real deal chef? This is a place you can take the whole family for a serious "diner" experience!
(5)Antonio C.
Diners beware!!!!! I am a yelp regular here. I used to love this place. Unfortunately i can no longer support this establishment. My car was towed accidentally from their lot and Silver Diner could do nothing to aid me. This makes me very disappointed. How can a patron feel safe that their car will not get towed as they dine? The employees at Advanced Towing are even less sympathetic. My check at Silver diner started at 12:44am and was closed at 1:26am. The tow ticket shows my car towed at 1:05am. This was clearly a mistake on their part. Their policy is that the only way to release your car is to pay the fine, and follow up with them later if you want to attempt to get a refund. If this is the kind of business the Silver Diner condones, I want no part of it. Update: I spoke with another manager at Silver Diner and hope to have this issue resolved. To be continued...
(1)Jeremy B.
This is hands down one of our best breakfast meals ever! We've been striving to eat less wheat products, so we gave the vegan coconut quinoa pancakes a try and we fell in love with them. They were amazbombs! This restaurant can accommodate just about any type of taste bud! I also enjoyed my veggie omelet and the turkey sausage also. Everything we were served was delicioso! We'll be back for sure. Can we get a location in Atlanta or Birmingham!
(5)Nick M.
Haven't actually sat here to eat yet but did have take out a few times. Late night cravings or when my friend had her wild cravings, we would get desserts from here. So as far take out, the service was fast and friendly. I would usually go there and order and wait maybe about 10 minutes and my order is ready to go. The taste of the food is pretty good, their desserts are very yummy. Someday i would like go there to sit in and eat. Since they are open till 4am, it's perfect to go there after a good night of partying and getting some grub.
(4)Kate S.
If you're an indecisive person like me, the menu at this place will make you go crazy - there are numerous pages of tons of delicious-looking dishes. There are also a lot of great options for vegetarians, which is a plus! It was so hard to choose, but I finally decided to order their fish tacos. The flavor was delicious but there was significantly less fish than the picture in the menu led me to believe. I also think their dishes are a little overpriced for the portion-size. Despite that, I still want to go back to Silver Diner to try a couple more dishes (like the brussels sprouts) and some of the desserts from the massive menu. Inside, the restaurant is a big diner with mini jukeboxes at every table where you can choose what song to play for 25 cents. I thought this feature was really cool and convenient. Additionally, the service was great!
(4)Steve S.
This place is about 2 1/2 blocks from home, so convenience is a plus. Solid diner/cafe type food. Reasonable prices, decent portions, attentive service, good quality food. The place is clean and well maintained and the counter seating is comfortable and spacious. It is much less greasy than an average old school diner, which is a plus to me. Its not that I'm that health conscious, I just don't like grease. I asked the manager what time they started serving entrees. He said "you can get anything you want at any time." I probably won't have meatloaf and mashed potatoes for breakfast anytime soon, but it is nice to know that I could.
(4)DON C.
I really like this place and the grub here is amazing Diner food; with a twenty-first century panache! I left out of this place so full, content and 4lbs heavier!.....I know because I weighed myself when I got home after needing a nap from my awesome glutton experience. LOL One meal here will convince even the most skeptical that this isn't your typical Granny's Diner. This place offers up everything under the sun that's edible! From Quinoa bowls...to certified Angus Beef, Buffalo Sliders, huge Cobb Salads that easily serves two....to Steaks, Amish Eggs, Pomegranate Yogurt Shakes, Homemade Deserts, Hand-Spun Super Thick Ice Cream Shakes....AND then there is last....but not least, an extensive menu list of Breakfast entrees and sides served all day. Ahhhhh.....Breakfast...my favorite kind of eats! On this particular day, I had one of the best Breakfast moments I have had in a long time. The Silver Diner served me up proper! I ordered the Lumberjack Breakfast. This meal is truly fit for a king. The food serving and portion was huge...I almost could not eat it all! Three eggs, two meats, home fries and toast. I substituted biscuits for the toast. The biscuit was buttery, soft, crisp-flaky and oh...so good. For the meats I choose turkey sausage and something very rare to find these days in a Diner....Ham steak! If you've never had Ham Steak, try it once and you would be hooked! Both meats were cooked to perfection. But the Ham Steak, in particular, knocked my socks off in flavor. It was thick, juicy, and had great seared--crispy edges of fat that made each bite put me in a trance. The eggs were okay, nothing remarkable. The home fries, on the other hand, were seasoned and on point. On top of all this, I had the audacity to order a side of Corned-Beef Hash!....You could have rolled me out of there because I was so full and couldn't move. The CB Hash was cooked to perfection--crispy potatoes and tender corned-beef. Seriously, everything...in all honesty was delicious about my meal. Great service too. The server was attentive and kept the hot coffee coming. In all, I am a fan and will be back. This Silver Diner location 4.5 Stars from me. Only a 1/2 star deduction because of the wait time. This location is so popular that it can get crowded for sure on weekends and early mornings; but hey....that's what happens when good food --at a great value-- is in town! Forget IHOP....this will be my new "all-inclusive" Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner spot for sure! You can get just about anything prepared for you to eat at this place....in "Good Ol' Diner Fashion!"...with a bit of nostalgia too. I just wish there was a location in DC. * Tip/Honorable Mention: Get the Silver Diner Rewards Card! Earn $5, every 5 visits within 3 calendar months!
(4)Alicia D.
Always good eats here, but have to come to Northern VA to eat Silver Diner. I miss Silver Diner in Virginia Beach. Food is fresh and hot! Staff are friendly. Thanks Mama D for your excellent service!!
(4)Jeff S.
I have become a big fan of the Silver Diner! Service is always good. The food is pretty decent - I love their sourdough BLT, it's my favorite! They have an interesting menu with ingredients fresh from local farms. And who can say no to a Nutella-banana-salted caramel milkshake?! Nice place to go when you're in a hurry and want to grab a quick bite to eat!
(4)Curtis K.
Fruit bowl had what seemed to be thawed fruit. I shared to breakfasts with my friends. One was a Mexican type breakfast was large tortilla chips and ground beef. It had a good flavor and wasn't too bad. The other was a veggie tomato cheese omelette. It was decent and flavorful. Nothing really stood out here. It's a fun simple diner. I was given a spoon with a dried up green vegetable speck on it, so I question how sanitary this place is. Also the bathroom was pretty dirty. The service was decent. Our waiter was professional, friendly and attentive.
(3)Jen F.
I ordered their banana stuffed french-toast and it was delicious. Order a milkshake while you are here because they are fantastic. The reason for 3 stars are around their very uncooked mini sliders (it was pretty much raw) and my boyfriend finding a piece of plastic within his corn hash beef breakfast.
(3)Alan R.
I've been a late night supporter of this establishment for years. Whenever I go here, I can always expect friendly service, tasty food and classic tunes. It's always packed, but I'm usually seated quickly if I'm with a small group. The menu is expansive including breakfast staples, burgers, sandwiches and wraps. I usually opt for something relatively light like an appetizer so I don't feel bad when I indulge in one of their heavenly milkshakes. The Oreo one is my jam. I'm usually hesitant to get burgers from places that don't specialize in them, but this time I was craving red meat and had to order the Bacon Bleu burger. All my expectations were exceeded! It was cooked perfectly medium, with just the right amount of pink on the inside. While it was super juicy, the bun held its own and didn't fall apart. The cheese crumbles were strong, but didn't overpower the flavors coming from the other players. This diner has definitely earned a loyal fan for many more years to come.
(4)Claire B.
I've been to Silver Diner 3-4 times now. It is becoming one of our regular breakfast/brunch spots! Love the alternative ingredient options. Love the effort towards local and organic. Wait staff has always been great! A lovely spot to have some yummy grub and sip some coffee. I have seen a line form, but have never waited in line here. Best to go early if going for weekend breakfast/brunch if you don't want to wait.
(5)Alex R.
The service here is great! The lumberjack breakfast is awesome. The people and music here is one of a kind .
(4)S. G.
Great diner spot with a variety of meals and party platters for meetings or for meal preps. The manager, Ryan is very helpful and makes it apparent that he loves his job. Great customer service for sure. Definitely recommend!!
(5)Jessica D.
Literally my favorite place in the world. I wish the owners would open one in the District somewhere. Classic diner food with an organic, farm-to-table twist. There is nothing better than inexpensive, good, but healthy and quality food. Silver Diner, you win.
(5)Ben W.
Perfect neighborhood diner. It never disappoints. Best of all, it's not all greasy meals... They have a farm fresh menu now which has some great options.
(5)Neysa B.
Always a pleasant experience. I have never been disappointed with a meal. Farm fresh, great staff, accommodating, what else could you ask for? I come to this location with my young daughter, alone, with co workers you name it. We've been to Silver Diner. They have meet expectations on each different occasion.
(5)Ash H.
Had the best takeout breakfast I have had in awhile. Great service and fast. Will be going back asap. Biscuits and gravy was awesome as well as the Philly cheese steak omelette.
(5)Melinda Y.
We went to the Clarendon location, which is a short walk from the Metro station. I heard there are several around the area. It's a cute '60s diner. It's a pretty large place, but the sign was small and its font hard to read. It's in one of those weird intersections with 6-7 directions of traffic. I loved the little tabletop jukeboxes. The song selection was mostly oldies: 50s, 60s, Motown, 80s, MJ, and a little bit of 90s (wish there were more). They took a quarter to operate. What's a better way to entertain yourself while waiting for your food? Silver Diner is atypical of your usual diners, with more contemporary fare, with lamb sliders, organic chai soy latte milkshakes, lump crab cakes, and salmon burgers. We had the flat top steak, lump crab cakes, and chai soy latte milk shake. Everything were above expectations. Yelpers were pretty stingy with their reviews. My milk shake tasted more like horchata than a chai latte, but luckily I love horchata. The steak was cooked to medium perfection. The fries were remarkably crisp, like McDonald's fries. The crabcake came as a pair, with tartar sauce, cole slaw and fries. Both entrees came with soup or salad. Everything was outstanding. One of our favorite meals on the trip. Because we came during lunch, the diner was quiet and pleasant since we avoided the breakfast crowd on a Monday.
(5)Lexi S.
Farm to table that isn't fancy and open late?! Right up my alley. I have driven pasted the Tyson's location and also wondered. I tried the clarion location and fell in love. Whats it like? A cool old diner that isn't crappy... You have the classics such as french toast, fries, shakes, BLT and hip new stuff Bison Huevos Rancheros, Quieoa pancakes, Healthy-ish shakes, Tofu scramble, etc. I love than you can change your side for whatever you like with plenty of options. The staff is always friendly, restaurant itself is always clean. Think you experience could be a little better? They have comment cards on the tables that you fill out and drop in a little box. I do love that idea. My favorite things- Bison Huevos Rancheros French Fries Chocolate Cake Chicken Noodle Soup
(5)Clint R.
Cool-looking 50s themed diner. Free parking behind restaraunt. Claim to be fresh and locally bought food. Very reasonable prices with a wide variety of food. Service can be hit or miss but not too bad. Been here quite a few times in the past couple months.
(4)Adam P.
We had hair in our food and the manager brushed us off and was rude. The manager then refused to give us his name. Food was similar to Denny's, but the management was worst. Update: As I left the manager was under the impression that I had come in a couple weeks earlier and caused a similar commotion. Which is funny considering I reside in Seattle and had never visited the restaurant before.
(1)Jam C.
I've been back a few times (late night and brunch) since my very first visit and they are getting an upgrade because I'm now a fan. :) The quality of the food is great and service is always so friendly. Another thing to love is that they open at 7 am so I don't have to wait till 11 am (when most restaurants open) to get me some awesome brunch. :) The huevos rancheros didn't disappoint although it wasn't as spicy as I thought it would be which is fine with me.The breakfast platters were also pretty good, especially the biscuit(!) that comes with it. I love the coconut quinoa pancakes but you can't really go wrong with any of their classic buttermilk pancakes and french toast either. You get 2 pancakes with some of the breakfast platters but they are huge. But if you're still hungry you can always get an extra stack of more pancakes. For non-breakfast items I def recommend the Cajun Salmon sandwich. It's so easy to overcook salmon but this place cooks it perfectly! The price is a little more than your average diner but it's justifiable in my opinion.
(4)Heather M.
You would not expect a diner like this was a farm to table place. It looks like a 50's diner and even has little juke boxes at your table that you can play. The meal was a little above average than what you expect at an actual diner and the prices a a little above too. But it's nice to know that the ingredients are fresh and that you're supporting local farmers. The fruit was amazingly sweet. Our server was nice but forgot a few things even after asking for them again.
(4)Bobby M.
This is my spot when I want to eat healthy and eat breakfast for dinner! This is a farm to table restaurant so the ingredients are fresh and good. I normally get pancakes, an omelette or the cajun chicken. I believe the cajun chicken is one of the entrees they have that is under 600 calories. All flexitarians should check this place out! Also, there are old style jukebox's at every table. So bring your quarters!
(4)Elizabeth W.
This has always been one of my stable go-to all day breakfast locations. I absolutely love the goat cheese and tomato omelette. I went today though and noticed they took it off the menu, but they still gave it to me anyways which was nice. I suggest they put it back on the menu though, its one of their best omelette selections and I know other people who go there just for that dish as well. The milkshakes are also amazing, I suggest the Peppermint Patty one or the Brownie Latte. Two suggestions for ways to improve: 1. Get Chulula hot sauce and 2. Offer at least one menu per restaurant that is in Spanish. You guys have a strong Spanish/Latino clientele base and it really wouldn't be that much effort to offer them one menu in Spanish. I went with someone today who doesn't speak English very well and I was happy to translate for him but there is no way he will be back without there being a menu offered in Spanish.
(4)Fiana Sachi E.
Love the fact that this restaurant highlights local farmers that support sustainable agriculture. Tons of flexitarian and healthy/low fat options throughout the menu. I have been here twice and both times ordered the Baja fish tacos with summer citrus salad -- yum! Also for those that love desert but not the calories (like me), there are a couple of yummy options to choose from.
(4)Annie C.
My boyfriend and I come here almost every Saturday morning and we love it! The food is great (especially for the prices) and the service is always fast and very friendly. I'm not a big breakfast person so I usually opt for a sandwich and fries, and my boyfriend gets sausage biscuits and gravy. They're not on the menu, but we highly recommend! We were at the diner this morning, and I ordered the trio sliders without cheese. When the sliders came out, there was cheese on them that was melted to the point that I couldn't just scrape it off. Our waiter apologized several times and had new sliders made for me. They came out hot so I knew they didn't just take the cheese off and give me a fresh bun, and they were delicious! On top of that, our waiter had told the manager about what had happened and he came over to personally apologize and give us a free meal! The cheese wasn't a big issue and was easily fixed, but they still took great care of us and made sure we walked out of there happy. We are super impressed and can't wait to come next weekend!
(5)Silvia L.
Chefs that think about your health, management that thinks about service, and service that thinks about your comfort. How could this not be a great combo? Yes, please, anytime!!!
(4)Heather R.
During this visit we sat at the counter. We had a perfect view of the expo. The women running the expo line did an amazing job. She was quick to pull tickets and call for runners. What they didn't do well was the biscuits. While we sat there they didn't sell any, but they added two dozen to the warming draw right on top of the old ones. Always sell the first ones, first! Our server, Shiva, was warm and friendly! The food was as good as ever. I tried the new house made hibiscus lemonade and it was yummy!
(4)James S.
I came in on a busy Sunday afternoon and got seated relatively quickly at the counter. I got the bison huevos rancheros, which was really fantastic and filling. My waiter was quick on the coffee refills and gave me a free biscuit as I waited. I'm really looking forward to coming back and trying out the rest of the menu.
(5)Caleb B.
Well it never claimed to be a gold diner. The food is decent if unremarkable but typically pretty greasy although they have some decent options for the health conscious. The service is good and it's open 24/7 so I can't complain and the food is allot more tolerable drunk. If you want to go somewhere special or interesting this isn't the place.
(2)Kate J.
Great service and good fast food! I had the Philly cheese steak omelet and i am Addicted now! The deserts look massive never had one
(4)J P.
Came here for the first time the other day. I generally like diners -- there is just something about their atmosphere and baked goods ;). Unfortunately, this is not one I loved. I will probably give this place another chance but I might need some convincing. I ordered the lamb burger which had good flavor, but there was so much juice from the burger and spinach that the bread was soaked! It was so mushy. I eventually took it off the bun and just ate the burger and toppings separately. The Greek side salad was my favorite part of the meal. My friend ordered a grilled cheese with fries and it was completely cold -- probably because it was sitting on the counter while my burger finished cooking. Timing issues? Anyway, she sent it back and they brought her a new one. Couldn't help but notice that at least two other tables around us had to send their food back too -- one customer order a particular salad and got a completely different one and the waiter argued with her... ouch.. We also ordered a shake (peanut butter, bananas and oreos, forgot the name) -- it was good and was big enough to share. The food itself wasn't so bad, but I felt like some simple cooking/serving techniques were missed and if you can't get those right...
(3)Samnang S.
The best diner in the DMV area! I love that it's local and fresh. The Arlington location is a lot busier then the one in fairfax but the quality of food and staff are the same. I think they offer the best omelettes and the black bean salsa is amazing! Always had really friendly service and even with a long line, they seem to go really fast!
(5)Augie B.
Definitely not your typical diner food. I had the turkey club it was very good. Service was excellent as well as the portion size. If you're in the area give it a try.
(4)Melissa C.
Great modern diner that is farm to table with organic and locally sourced selections. Also vegetarian and gluten free options. Appreciate the flavor combos such as cinnamon chipotle veggies. This isn't your traditional old school dinner. Like that they have options under 600 calories. They pretty much have it all for all types of palettes. And you can get breakfast for dinner! Hooray! If you come for Sunday brunch expect a small wait but usually moves quickly. It's a bit on pricey side but get quality items.
(4)Lori C.
Food is absolutely wonderful. Surprisingly healthy options that rival most other restaurants we've gone to - we never would have guessed from the decor.
(5)Joan K.
Maybe I have an old soul. The idea of a healthy diner is super appealing. I love the citrus salad with chicken. The service was OK, but the food made up for the service.
(4)Brenda L.
Healthy options and the staff is really friendly. What I really love about this place is that most of the ingredients come from LOCAL sources (awesome!) - hence, the food tastes FRESH! If you're looking for a brunch spot that will hit the spot, Silver Diner is the place to go!!
(4)Mojdeh S.
How I heard of this place: We were hesitant to try it, but our friends wouldn't let up. Type of cuisine: A healthy diner. The normal diner experience accented with menu items such as a Mango Vegetarian Stir Fry, and other 600-calorie entrees. "Silver Diner is about good, fresh food, Healthy and Hearty, the choice is yours. To deliver you the best products, we buy fresh & local whenever we can. We have partnered with award winning local farms that support sustainable agriculture." Ambiance: From the outside, one questions whether or not to enter the kitch-style, mirrored facade with strips of neon lighting framing the building. Especially when, just across the street and continuing for several blocks, one can easily enjoy the calm of trendy bistros, bars, and restaurants. The large, single function establishment (restaurant set apart, not in a strip mall setting) is just as bright and tacky inside. Asbestos-looking rectangles make up the ceiling, framed by strips of red light coloring the areas immediately attached to the windows on three full sides of the space. Booth seating is available at each available spot next to a window, and along the mural-ed walls depicting another diner in blue and white, with the word "EAT" prominently placed. The floors are intricately tiled in hues of blue and grey, and sort of clash with the faux leahter, oxblood booth cushions and dark wooden backed chairs, set against the marble-textured laminate tabletops. Each table comes with its very own miniature jukebox beside a white, plastic container of sweeteners, a bottle of Heinz Tomato Ketchup, and a flip-chart menu of desserts and cocktails available at the Silver Diner. What I ordered: All natural, hand-dipped shake: Peppermint Patty ($5.99) made with vanilla ice cream, mint syrup, and Oreo cookies, and an order for Cheese Fries ($7.99): Old Bay, jack cheddar, nitrate-free bacon and scallians served with a side of southwest ranch for dipping. One of our dining companions chose a more healthy option: Summer Citrus ($9.99) salad with baby spinach, mangos, strawberries, dried cranberries, pecans, and carrots, tossed with fat free citrus vinaigrette. I went with the Guacamole Pepper Jack Burger ($10.99): BBQ basted, guacamole, pepper jack, two long strips of criss-crossed nitrate-free bacon, southwest ranch, half of which fed my husband, and a side of crispy fries. Anoher in our party ordered the Crispy Chicken Tender Platter ($12.99) made with antiobiotic and hormone free chicken served with honey mustard, crispy fries, and vegan slaw with cranberries. My husband enjoyed the Country Scrambler ($9.99) made with farm fresh scrambled eggs, sausage, home fries, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, jack cheddar, and sausage gravy served in its own baking dish alongside two silver dollar pancakes served with maple flavored syrup and a small bowl of fresh strawberries. The four of us shared the Brownie Decadence ($5.99) home made chewy fudge brownie topped with all natural Breyers vanilla and chocolate ice creams, hot fudge, caramel sauce, whipped cream and walnuts. What I loved: The shake was an extraordinary combination of our favoirtes: mint and Oreo, the burger juicy, tender and flavorful. The crisp, thick-cut bacon adding crunch and salty goodness to the soft guacamole. I truly enjoyed the warm brownie topped with chocolate ice cream and fudge. Why I loved it: The entire meal, from start to finger-lickin' finish was tasty, satisfying and all in the presence of delightful company. What could be better? Cost: Low to average ($6.99 - $13.99 per sandwich, burger, breakfast or lunch/dinner entree)
(4)Sara S.
I so wanted to like this place, but I have to say I was sorely disappointed. I'd never been to this place before, but had my parents visiting in town, and we were going to meet two of my aunts as well. We showed up around 8:30 on Saturday morning, and got a table for 5 without delay. That was good. The server was either extremely busy, inexperienced, or both, however. She had to come back 3 times to bring enough glasses of water (for 5 people, it really shouldn't take more then one visit to get right), and the same with the coffees. Trying to track her down to get a refill of coffee was a challenge as well--cup was totally done and cold by the time she returned to refill. Two members of our group got pancakes, I got banana french toast, and the other two got regular french toast. Not a single dish was brought out hot. The pancakes were fully cold for both diners, and the french toasts were as well. Not like "slightly cooled from the griddle", but totally cold, not at all hot anymore. You'd have thought it impossible to screw up pancakes, but they did. The server seemed...unconcerned, when notified of this. Just sort of blank stare and a "Oh, uh....well, I guess i can take them back if you want?", which would have taken even more time (this was already a long wait). The manager on duty did come around about 10 minutes later, to apologize and offer vouchers for two free entrees in the future, but I should have just pushed to get the meals comped or discounted that day--I doubt very much I'll be back to use the vouchers ever. All in all, the food was disappointing (would have been pretty good I think if any of it was hot), the service was akin or worse to Denny's, and the experience with out of town guests was just mortifying. I expected a good, reasonably priced diner-style breakfast before the guests left, and instead was left with what ended up being a pretty overpriced, very disappointing and embarrassing experience. Don't know if we just had an unusually bad experience, but I cannot fathom how this place is as busy as it was if this is the norm. I'd definitely suggest looking elsewhere for breakfast--or honestly, just go to an IHOP, where they generally manage to get pancakes to the table while still hot.
(1)Mimi C.
i love love silver diner!! they are going to survive this new wave of diners because they put in the effort to know their customer base. they have shifted from traditional american classic diner meals to partnering with farm to table chefs to bring new and interesting flavors. every order here has been a hit from their adult milkshakes to their power salads and... mmm... their bacon burger w/ caramelized onions (my favorite in the DC/ NoVA area). i especially love their attention to service and detail. plus having little jukeboxes at each table that play your selected song with a quarter deposit is a super cute and personal touch!
(4)Vincent V.
Love the look and feel of the place and was super impressed with their sustainable menu with all fresh items... Only there was a missing link between these items and the menu. I had the crab-cakes platter which was joined by seasoned fries, slaw and a kicking sauce. Oh, and it came with a salad too. Only it was nothing special and the staff were not as friendly as I would have hoped for. It is okay, but nothing I would go out of my way to repeat.
(3)Felicia P.
If for nothing else, please visit this spot if you are a fan of decadence in the form of banana, chocolate, vanilla, and caramel. I stopped here the afternoon before leaving D.C. and returning to CA simply because of an Instagram post. @bestfooddc posted a picture of the banana stuffed french toast several weeks prior to my visit, and I wanted them. Then, this past Monday @bestfooddc posted another picture of the decadence; and since I was only 4 metro stops away, I stopped in. It's a bit overwhelming when it first arrives at your table, but once you cut a piece and put it in your mouth it's all good. I had a two-egg spinach omelet on the side in lieu of meat. The breakfast and brunch selections are intriguing because they offer alternative items. I'd return to check them out even though it's a chain establishment. I'm sure there's an equivalent here in CA.
(4)Brian B.
Coming from the North East, for me the diner is hallmark of the American experience. The Silver Diner takes that beloved diner experience and adds a level of quality that unquestionably surpasses its distant relatives and rivals local eateries. The Silver Diner is not so much a diner, it's a diner themed restaurant. With local farm fresh ingredients and delectable breakfast dishes, it is a favorite and a must go restaurant for breakfast lovers and food lovers alike.
(5)Hannah H.
My husband and I came here for some late-night grubbing. We were seated right away at a booth by the window - I liked the little mini jukebox on each of the tables where you pay 25c per song, and they play it for you in the order of the request. My husband had the Corned Beef Hash & Eggs, which came with eggs any style, buttermilk biscuit, corned beef hash, and homefries. My husband opted for toast instead of the biscuit, but the server forgot this and actually brought both of them out and charged for both; he wasn't a fan of the corned beef hash as it was overcooked and very very dry. The biscuit also was cold and it tasted more like a very salty scone. I did enjoy the homefries, as they were nice oven-roasted diced potatoes. I had the All-American Burger Trio Basket, which actually came on a platter - there were 3 sliders, each with a Creekstone Farms ground patty, white American cheese, a pickle, Thousand Island dressing, all on a sesame bun with a side of grilled onions, fries, and coleslaw. The burgers themselves were tasty; the coleslaw did not have any cranberries (as stated on the menu); I did enjoy the grilled onions as they added a nice sweet touch. The fries were a bit old and very cold :( I also tried one of their new shakes, the Chai Tea Soy Latte shake which was made with Oregon Chai - more on the sweeter side and there was only a slight hint of the chai spices. The diner itself is very lit-up and spruced up; there were a lot of people dining in, and they have a little lot in the back for your car. Our server was very nice and friendly and I'm glad I was able to try this place out! +homefries :D +friendly staff, but inaccurate orders T___T
(3)Shawn S.
Well let's cut straight to the point. Was a late night and I wad hungry as could be and was definitely in the mood for some breakfast. The only reason that I really found this place was because of this wonderful app. I read all the good reviews, but like everything else in life that one negative review mad me skeptical. However I went anyway... I love the fact that there is a large parking lot in the back no need to worry about where you are going to park. From the outside it looks like any other dinner that I have been to just a whole lot bigger. Now for the important stuff. I ordered the buttermilk pancakes and eggs breakfast along with the soy chai latte shake. Oh my good mother of all shakes that are delicious, that shake was WIN WIN WIN! The food came out hot and the pankcakes made me want to slap a million grandmothers at once. Especially when you use the REAL maple syrup. The thing that bothered me the most though was the smell of this place. You know that dirty mop water and dishrag bucket smell. A cross between stale seafood , ferminting fruit and dead animal. It made me question the cleanliness of my table. I could not get that smell out of my nose.. normally I'd have asked to speak with someone but hell it took 15 mins for the guy to come back to take my order. No prob though at least my food was hot, but that smell just bleh. I also think the decor could use a little bit of a makeover. The decor does not fit their menu or whatever new direction they are supposed to headed in The price is good and there are lots to choose from on the menu. I don't care much about where they get their products from, but the fact that it comes from a local farm seems to appeal to many on here. I just want it to tast good. .
(4)Katherine H.
I emailed Sergio Mendez, the Silver Diner Clarendon, in April requesting a gift certificate for a PTA fundraiser. No response. Called and left message for Mr. Mendez. No message -- even this week when I spoke to an Asst. Manager. No response. Left a message several days ago on the Guest Relations line. No response. And what did Silver Diner finally say to me about my not getting a response from Sergio Mendez? Guest Relations' Michele Young send me a 2-line email suggesting I Sergio Mendez -- the same manager who hasn't contacted me! UNCOOL customer service, Silver Diner. Spent thousands at Silver Diner with friends and family and won't be back. And, BTW, I love Silver Diner usually, but this experience with their manager and guest relations will keep me away.
(1)Paul C.
I give it 1 star. This is my 2nd visit,the 1st being when they re-opened as "Fresh and Local/ Farm to Table" thing. My 1st experience was not good. Biscuits and gravy tasted processed and out of a can. A year later and i thought i would give em another chance, not many breakfast choices in Clarendon. This 2nd visit also was not good. I ordered eggs,home fries, extra crispy, biscuit and sausage links. Eggs were barely warm, home fries were cold( frozen potatoes,deep fried) and the sausage,also cold, was flavorless. I really liked the biscuit though. I won't say much about the service,because there wasn't much(counter service). I will not be back a 3rd time.
(1)Veronique L.
A cute place to check out! My friends recommended we grab lunch here yesterday following our hike at Scott's Run. Our server, Rana, was very nice and thoughtful. He kept our glasses filled, checked on us without being too obtrusive, and even split an order of milkshake in two glasses so my friends could share. I loved my chai teas soy latte milkshake. Yes, that's right. They have that. It has soy ice cream and chai tea, and it was delicious. It definitely wasn't as large as everyone said it was going to be or as I was expecting, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. My baja fish tacos, which I ordered with grilled fish, was delicious and kept the healthy meal going. The tacos come in pairs and with a fruit (strawberry and mango) and spinach salad with a light vinagarette. Speaking of which, the diner has a farm to table concept, and so many options on the menu feature local and healthy items. On top of that, they have calorie counts and symbols indicating vegan, gluten free, etc. Awesome!
(4)Steve R.
Great ambiance and great people, topped with great food and great prices. Great. Very knowledgeable and courteous staff with a fun sense of humor (even if she was a Cowboys fan). Coin operated juke boxes on the table is a fun addition to the overall feel of the diner. Very expansive gluten free choices, choose to come here!
(5)Walter W.
I have to give this place credit for being very efficient under the duress of a long line out front. Usually I just turn around when I see a long line, but today I went there for the first time when it was busy and I was really impressed with the level of service for a restaurant that had that many patrons. The food was good, no mistakes in the order--pretty much flawless service. We've been going there for years and I don't recall ever leaving wishing I had gone somewhere else.
(5)Alyssa O.
It was not the same old diner food I have had in the past. Not even the the same diner service. Greeted very promptly and taken to our booth then our server was excellent with taking our order and bringing out everything quickly and even the extra things that I had asked for. What really caught my eye on the menu is the fresh ingredients and the labels of gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan! Perfect for someone who is weary of diner food! I recommend the veggie burger! I loved the peach sauce. Oh, and the local beers! It was very pleasant.
(3)Chuck X.
Another excellent dinner at The Silver Dollar. Very fast service, great food. Vanilla shake was thick and delicious. Ribeye Philly cheese steak, excellent.
(4)Kevin S.
I LOVE the Silver Diner. I love that they promote using local fresh produce. I love that I have a hard time deciding what to eat because there are so many awesome things on the menu. I love the atmosphere and the jukeboxes at the tables. I love that my kids will eat there and won't get into a fight about where to go for dinner if we suggest Silver Diner. This location is almost as good as the others. I have only eaten here once, and the service was a little slow and inattentive. It was also VERY LOUD in here - my family had a hard time hearing each other across the table. Even so, the quality of the food made up for it and kept my rating here up to 4 stars.
(4)Danny V.
Unfashionable though it may be, Silver Diner is getting 4-stars from who? This guy. Sometimes I need a familiar, old-fashioned American breakfast that's reminiscent of the days of old. My stomach says, "A chain or not, as long as it hits the spot we're in." Judging from other reviews, I have a feeling that getting here before 10 o'clock on a Saturday morning was well worth the trouble. The parking was still a pain in my tookus, but dear baby Jeebus, the hunger pangs told my parking lot demons to simmer down nah! (Cheri Oteri SNL reference...anyone, anyone?) The staff is still fresh and friendly before 10 a.m. and before being bum rushed with the hunger game crowd. I had a lovely server, who met all aspects of their 110% Old-Fashioned service guarantee with "prompt service with a smile, food 100% right, and restaurant sparkling clean." Really, things couldn't have been better and my experience was far more pleasant than my Metro 29 encounters. The Power Breakfast was a healthy choice that packed lean meats, healthy carbs and good fats. The strawberries were perfectly ripe and came with a cinnamon dipping sauce that almost made me question it's healthiness. I was impressed that there are many dietary considerations on the menu and local produce was incorporated into some of the dishes being served. Not too shabby for a chain restaurant. The line was out the door as I made my way towards the exit. I can see how it would be hard to keep up with demands of such a crowd. With the lines go out the door, it must be a good sign if people are willing to wait. Come before 10am for the better experience and it should increase your odds for winning a parking space.
(4)Ashley B.
I'm new to the area & I was looking for a place for a goodbye breakfast for my family. I found Silver Diner through a Yelp search and decided to try it out - I love a diner. I was not disappointed!! I had the caramel french toast, chicken sausage, and eggs - everything was FANTASTIC! The mango mimosa was great too! I highly recommend and I will return!
(4)Tony W.
Very impressed with the menu. Covers traditional diner food and goes beyond to salads and more health choices. Been at this particular location 4 times and each time the service was great. No complaints. Since I am a big fan of diners, I will be back.
(4)J J.
We went here late last night and our server was Paul. He was the nicest and most helpful server we have had at any restaurant in a long while. I have never written a review for a diner but after we left I felt the need to since he was so accommodating. I do not live in Virginia but if I did I would go back just because of his customer service. The food was very good as well.
(5)C Q.
Friendly service and great food! I ordered waffle, eggs and sausages. My kids had Philly cheesecake omelet. All were delicious. The portions were pretty big. Our waitress, Joan, took good care of us. She checked in with us during the whole meal, and remembered the special coffee request (half regular and half decaf) for one of the person in our group. It's a casual family friendly place. I really enjoyed the meal there. Since the restaurant is at an odd corner. It is a little tricky to get to it from Washington Blvd. I think it's easier to get to it from Wilson.
(5)Juanita P.
I visited this diner because my friend told me they had organic items on the menu. Where??? Besides for the organic oatmeal, I didn't see another clearly identified organic item. There were a couple of wines named "Organica ..." but that could be marketing BS as organica is not really a word. Further, local and organic was used together on the menu (printed in the center of one page and not clearly identified with anything) when these terms mean two different things. The menu has many labels for vegan, gluten-free, etc. I wondered why there were no individual labels for organic, local and pesticide free, non-GMO, etc. Could it be because the oatmeal (and ketchup) are the only truly organic items in the restaurant and clearly labeling the menu would make that glaringly clear? In the end, I feel like the organic and local claims about the diner are marketing slight of hand and more puffery than substance. One star each for the farm-to-table lip service and piddling execution but until organic, local and pesticide free, and non-GMO items are clearly identified on the menu this one will never be back.
(2)Mel S.
Great place for dinner. I Wouldn't recommend taking the family on a weekend night, as most of the club and bar goers in the area pack this place on weekend nights starting Thursday. But taking your family for breakfast lunch or dinner all other times is great. Most of the food is from local farms. You can get turkey burgers here. They are a bit pricey for a "diner" BUT they serve local farm fresh food so thats what your really paying for and its worth it. The service is average. the food selection is very broad. They have appetizers, breakfast, dinner, burgers, lunch, sandwiches, omelets, soups, subs, etc. The kids menu is bit pricey as well, but like i said before your paying for local grown food. The facility is clean and 70's retro themed. They have a bar sitting area where you can watch food be made right in front of you. very casual atmosphere.
(5)Chad H.
I parked at the back parking lot, walked across the street to Mad Rose to see if a friend was there, walked back to the Silver Diner, ate, paid, left and saw my truck was towed. I called the tow company and they said they had a spotter on site and as soon as I walked across the street, they towed my truck. Less than 1 minute on site!!! Silver Diner management responded that they wouldn't do anything about it! Fuck them and Fuck their establishment....oh and the parking lot was pretty empty!!!...at least 20 spots open,...not like they were hungry for parking spots...just hungry to feed the tow company money!!!! and hungry to fuck their patrons!!!!
(1)Chad O.
Diner food with healthy, locally sourced food spin. The family ends up there once a month. Nothing on the menu is killer good, but everything is passible. Good for young kids. Philly cheese steak and crab cakes are pretty. Wife likes waffles and eggs. Kids like pancakes and Mac&cheese. Parking in back.
(3)Nishant G.
Flexitarian menu according to the executive chef. That's good. This establishment seems to be a main-stay of the Clarendon area. They're also open 24 hours (thankfully), and their food is always consistent. Service is friendly and un-rushed. This place is like Dennys 5.0. I would come back here again. The jukeboxes don't work though. Mega lame!
(4)Pablo R.
What an great place. As a native DMVer I have always know of Silver Diner, but I have never enjoyed the food as much as I did this past visit. The goat cheese bruschetta was awesome, and the new menus has tons of great locally sourced options. Definitely not the Silver Diner menu I grew up with. Great mix of options while staying true to Diner speed and comfort. The service was some of the best I've had in along time. The waitress caught a small mistake in my (that I modified from the menu) and had it corrected and back to me in no time. On top of that Ryan, the manager, stopped by and honored their 100% right order policy. I was glad to accept it, but the fact that their service was so kind, prompt, and thoughtful was enough for me.
(4)Blaise M.
The service was awful. After 10 minutes of waiting I finally had to go up and ask the waiter to come to our table and give us complimentary waters. Ten minutes later he returned with the waters and our menus. Our food took 45 minutes to come and we were some of the only people in the diner-- so this was a ridiculous wait. To top it all off, when the check finally came We tipped our waiter a generous 15% ONLY to have him grab us on our way out to strongly express his emotions about how we didn't tip him enough (despite his AWFUL service.) in order to get him to stop talking, we decided to raise the tip to 20%, but walked out offended and shocked. We really liked silver diner before but now are all left with a bad feeling and wanted to share with the community.
(2)Amanda S.
I feel like anywhere you go, there's a Silver Diner lurking in the neighborhood. I've got great friends who live walking distance from the Silver Diner and I've been years ago but didn't go back until the other weekend and nothing's changed in the sense of spectacular service, organic and locally grown vegetables and great atmosphere! There was a bit of a wait (you wait like you're in a line for a roller coaster ride...it's funny to me) but wasn't but like 10 minutes. They do a fantastic job of rotating tables and moving onto the next guest pretty swiftly. I ordered the Oaxaca (wah-haw-kah) Omelette and replaced the wheat toast with gluten free toast and it was incredible. It was the perfect compliment to my coffee. The coffee wasn't the most amazing coffee ever but did the trick assuming I just needed a little pick me up. Absolutely everything that everyone got was served quickly and fresh. It's nice to know that on the menu itself, you can learn about the lead chef and exactly where they are getting all of their produce and dairy from. Not like anything else I've ever seen before. My friend happen to have ordered an over easy egg on the side and they forgot about it, but she didn't really care because she saw how crazy busy it was in there and just figured to let it go. Some of the booths are nice and long and can handle a lot of people at one time. Most certainly will be visiting again! The thing I love the most is they have all the vintage and original jukeboxes at every table -- and best part about it is that they all still work! So your table can enjoy fun tunes while you eat (and yes you have to put money in it)
(4)Sonja H.
I like that they have gluten free options. The french toast is good and their french fries. I am changing this to 4 stars because I ordered a steak and it was tough and no flavor.
(4)Mary Kate M.
When we first initially got here we thought this was your typical run of the mill diner that you can get cheap food and get in and out quickly. This here isn't the case. In fact, quite the contrary. We were here for an hour, and prices were steep. I was quite surprised on the pricing. I truly did think we could escape under $20 before taking a look at the menu. Allow me to say this is not your standard dining fare from your typical diner. The concept here is 'farm to table'. All locally produced and it even makes a point to show you that on the listed menu items. My boyfriend and I both opted for burgers. I ordered the turkey burger with mozzarella, and teriyaki sauce with sweet potato fries and ranch for dipping. Very tasty and very light despite being a burger. That is what i wanted and all was very flavorful. Jason ordered the beef burger with the fixins' adding a fried egg, buffalo sauce and he had regular steak fries. Again, very good and filling. He was happy with it and I was glad to see he was impressed with his burger. Trust me, it is not often you find a good burger he will rave about. Congrats Silver Diner, you have a fan! We did split a strawberry malt shake. This cost us $5.99 and unfortunately I thought the shake was a bit bland and lacked flavor hence the knocked off star. Service was decent. He paid us enough attention to give him a good rating. I would come back and I recommend the burgers for sure. I don't think I could make a habit coming here since the prices are a bit steep. Think pricing at Red Lobster or Outback for what you get here.
(4)Benjamin D.
Dripping water onto our table When we entered the restaurant smelled like a wet dog. After being seated, I felt something wet. The roof was leaking! There were several spots where water had stained through the ceiling tile and was dripping on the table. The food was average at best, our mash potatos were cold. I've never had a great experience at any of these restaurants. I'll stick with Eat'nPark!
(2)Masood N.
Ive come to silver diner a few times in the past and its been pretty great service and food wise, this trip however was a complete disaster. It began with a server named dennis explaining that my group could not sit in an uncrowded section at 1 am, which is a little irritating but understandable. I ordered a vanilla shake to start which is a go to at silver diner everytime. The shakes took 20 minutes to come out, more irritation. I ordered the philly cheesesteak with the additional mushrooms, nor worth the 99 cents. The sandwhich was dry, bland and fell apart halfway through my meal. The fries were alright, although i ordered an extra side of sweet potato fries, highly recommended. The cheesteak was not worth the 14 bucks, but thats 2 am service on a Wednesday. Beware of the dirty cups and silver ware along with bugs on tables and windows. Yikes! Milkshake is one star, sweet potato fries the service honestly destroyed the experience.
(2)Alex W.
Got the crimini mushroom omelette. Seriously the best diner omelette I've ever had. And came with fruit and whole wheat toast which can often cost extra money. Really great place. Fresh and local ingredients
(5)Charlotte M.
I've come to Silver Diner since the mid-2000s & decided to write a review after this weekend's breakfast because they've undergone a menu renovation to include gluten free and vegetarian. First, they have gluten-free pancakes, french toast and bread. Second, their GF coconut french toast with agave & strawberries was really good. After the first few bites though, I realized there was just too much coconut even for me. I thought it was going to be a sprinkle not an entire coating of coconut. Second, they have a vegetarian section. I would like to say that for several years (beginning around 2004/5) I started filling out a written comment card requesting vegetarian sausage every time I came in since my options were eggs and fruit. Boring. Now, there's a whole section! Third, get there early (before 8:30) and you will likely walk in without waiting. Otherwise, there will be a wait. But it's worth it.
(4)Daniel B. O.
Good Malberry Burger and Loose Cannon IPA pairing. The burger goes well with this IPA, probably one of the best IPAs Ive had and very hard to find. The staff is great, very friendly. What is dissapointing is the smell of the diner and looks, which hasn't change in years.
(3)Brian L.
So I haven't actually been here since the late 90s when I was still in HS, but I was really in the mood for diner breakfast so I remembered this place. On a Sunday morning, there was a long line waiting to be seated, and it stretched out the door after we got in line (around 10). I debated whether it would be worth it to wait in line, but it actually moved quite fast and I am glad that we waited. (though the wait for our actual food once seated was lengthy) I was in the mood for a standard breakfast. Scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and flapjacks. Good price, and the quality of the food was actually quite good. I was surprised at how good it was, as I don't remember it being much better than a "typical diner" but this place is probably of a higher caliber than a typical diner. They seem to take pride in using organic products and farm raised ingredients, and I think it comes out in the taste of the food. Great place, I am sure their lunch and dinner items will yield similar results. Try and stop in when it's not so crowded.
(4)Jonathan H.
Great breakfast food - the waffles, pancakes, and eggs are all excellent, and it has a nice and appropriate atmosphere, even if it isn't the most classic diner cuisine.
(4)Diane M.
This is my favorite local place for breakfast. My husband and I love the farm to table concept and the food is fresh and delicious. Favorites include the bison huevos rancheros and the coconut French toast. Sides are all delicious and the coffee is excellent. Service is friendly and quick. The place fills up quickly on weekend mornings. Go early to avoid a line.
(4)Dee B.
After striking out at two cafes, a friend and I ended up here. I was very excited about the menu changes. As someone who cannot eat gluten, and who generally tries to eat relatively healthy, it was great to see a wide variety of dishes that I could eat. The local roasted veggie salad was enormous, and it was delicious. Silver Diner can count on my return just based on that dish alone, but I also desperately need to try the quinoa pancakes! Service was fine - not great, but also not bad.
(4)Suzy D.
Hello glorified Denny's! Silver Diner is trying to make this more of local place that emphasizes a healthy eating lifestyle, but let's face it, it's a normal greasy diner, it just gets some of its food (tomatoes, organic ketchup, eggs, chicken, etc) locally. They're campaigning it as "farm to table" but "healthy" in this case is more applicable to what goes on in the kitchen -- like the addition of oil or salt when cooking. As exhibit A we will look at my blue plate breakfast. Pancakes with butter (added pecans for 99 cents extra), two eggs any way you want (greasy like any diner...why don't places use Pam or just a non-stick pan?), your choice of meat (they have turkey bacon as an alternative if you want to convince yourself you're sticking to your summer beach-body resolution, but this tends to be equivalent in calories to pork bacon, with added sodium to make it taste good; it's like butter versus margarine, stick with the real thing. Think they also had a veggie meat option but I may be making that up.), nasty coffee and juice. I almost never order juice but since it was included, sure, why not. For the extra 150 calories, I should have taken a multi-vitamin for the vitamin C instead, "healthy" backfires again. All that for $8.99 is probably cheaper than what you'd get at the national chain places. The diner is a good size and I can see how it can get packed when it's the only thing open in the middle of the night. My favorite thing about the set up is the jukebox on every table that plays songs for a quarter. I was kinda feeling it when the Jackson Five were on...but the next one was the theme song to Sesame Street. Seriously made me question the Arlingtonians who frequent this place if they paid coin money to hear that. Unless that was someone's comeback to Michael Jackson. Then that's pretty funny. Well this experience is what happens when you believe your GPS when it says you can turn left on a major street in DC: you end up in Arlington. The food wasn't uneatable, but it wasn't anything special either. At least they have a parking lot! Oh the joys of living in the burbs (shout out to Brian B).
(3)E B.
Sure it's a diner so understand that baseline - the 5 stars are on the diner scale, not the restaurant scale. It gets 5 stars because they have an above average breakfast menu for a diner, more gourmet type options above and beyond normal diner eggs, bacon, toast. That and the great response from the manager when I simply noted that my pancakes were somewhat burnt when the waitress took the check. I didn't ask for anything but the problem was immediately fixed and I got an entree voucher for the next visit. Impressed.
(5)Kelly M.
Consistently top notch food, and plenty of really tasty options for vegetarians. We had an issue with being charged twice on our credit card from a previous visit, and the manager was very attentive and addressed the issue straight away. Service was excellent. We are regulars at this place, and it never disappoints.
(5)K K.
First, I've been to this Silver Diner a bunch of times. It's my favorite of the three I've been to. Second, KARVIKA!!! She's the best server I've met in a long, long time. And I like servers in general, but she was absolutely awesome. Our requests were many (my friend is really picky and indecisive at times), and she just rolled with the punches while putting up with our wacky humor. She even gave us tips on the area and where to get the best specialty coffees if we were looking for a different vibe. If you've been to Silver Diner, you know it's awesome. Food's amazing. Prices are not horrid (not great, but what can you do if it's actually food you're not frightened to know the ingredients). The jukebox would be perfect if they'd remove the Grease soundtrack. I had - biscuits and an Oreo milkshake. My friend had the bison burger special with a greek salad and dark porter ale. We both were incredibly happy with our choices. I've also had all sorts of breakfast-based options, and those were fantastic. Seriously, whatever the time, the staff is great, the food is great. Stop trying to find the "new, cool place" and go where you know it's going to be what you really want anyway.
(5)Scotti C.
I went to the Silver Diner for brunch with a friend and I'm definitely a new fan! You would be hard pressed to go wrong with their brunch menu. I had the caramel french toast and eggs and devoured it. The wait wasn't too bad for 11:30 on a Sunday, I think we stood in line for about 10 minutes. I didn't expect over the moon service at a diner type establishment during a brunch rush but our server was super flighty. He eventually got things right but not after mixing up something or forgetting something first. Loved the diner feel and jukebox at the table!
(4)Nicole S.
Service was great, food was delicious. Had the Greek Lamb burger, really very tasty. Will bring my family next time.
(5)Timothy G.
My favorite farm-table diner in the area. I have never had a bad meal here and I have eaten here quite a few times in the 12 months I have been in DC. The milkshakes and burgers are all amazing, particularly the low-fat chocolate shake and the Greek Lamb burger. This is one of the main places I bring out of town friends and family if we aren't looking to spend a tone of money and want solid delicious food.
(5)Nancy H.
Worst late night place I've been to! Food was cold and server didn't know the menu. The overall process was smooth, but our server couldn't handle it!
(1)Colin C.
Crazy new menu that is really unexpected for a chain diner. They went all out with the health food and local produce, craft beer pairings, etc. Almost too much actually for a diner as they laughed when I asked if they had scrapple. But still plenty of unhealthy options to go along with the healthy choices. Many of good sweet and savory choices such as the bison huevos rancheros and the banana French toast. Plenty of good drinks as well, the healthy smoothies are all delicious. There are going to be long lines on weekends but they move quickly so don't panic when you see the line out the door.
(4)Rachel S.
I've been here, I swear! I accidently checked into O'Sullivan's rather than the Silver Diner! Went here two weeks ago as a "chaperone" for my friend who was going on a breakfast date with some guy she met when we went out for drinks that week. I was leaving that morning to go back home to Las Vegas so breakfast it was. Although it was super awkward being a third wheel, I was pretty impressed by this choice. This place has organic, local on lock. I ordered the fish tacos and salad for breakfast (I don't like breakfast food.) Mama D was our waitress and she was cool. The tacos I had were absolutely delicious! KILLER! The salad would be better if the dressing was different. It had a weird taste. Other than that, the actual salad was excellent. I will be coming back here on my next (hopefully permanent) trip!
(4)Gloria H.
I am surprised to see such extreme reviews of this diner. Came here with a friend and had a very pleasant experience. The food was good, fast and affordable. Great place as far as diners go.
(5)Shellie D.
What is it about breakfast diners, for some reason they always seems to be a bit on the uncleanly side. If I don't think the place is clean, its hard for me to enjoy the food 100%. Well, I liked the food here. I liked the fact that they offered fresh organic choices and use produce and meat from local farmers. I order the basil salmon breakfast. I didn't care for it too much but that only due to my own taste. My friend that came with me enjoyed it. The diner itself could use some updating.
(3)Tina H.
There are plenty of great places to eat, but what really makes this place great is the customer service! I went there on a sunday morning and the line was out the door...they brought out hot chocolate to try and keep people warm...how great is that!! Once we made it inside the service continued to be phenomenal. As for the food, I had the bison huevos rancheros and they were absolutely delicious! My friend had the coconut quinoa pancakes and they were amazing as well. All the ingredients are locally sourced and they offer tons of great healthy options. And to top it all off they have mini jukeboxes at each table so you can pick your own music!! A must try for everyone!
(4)Jenna L.
The breakfast food is really good, and exactly what you'd want after a night of heavy drinking. However, about a month ago when I went here, there was a line out the door. I walked in to go to the bathroom and saw at least 10 empty tables. And yet, it took about 40 minutes to be seated. Someone's gonna have to explain this to me, as my hungover ass is generally not in the mood to wait in lines for that long, especially when there are a ton of empty tables.
(4)Eileen G.
My husband and I have put this Silver Diner on our top 3 restaurants in the NOVA area, since moving here in June 2014. It blows all the diner competition out of the water. Again, shocked with the 3.5 star rating on here. The food is absolutely excellent, the place is immaculate and the service is top-notch. The price is very fair, especially given the emphasis on using locally harvested ingredients. Our favorite picks so far have been the Spinach Feta Lamb Burger with Greek side salad - literally a moment I will remember from this year. Actually melted right in my mouth. Paired it with a terrific local brew. It was a "When Harry Met Sally" kind of moment and I really had a couple tears well up. My husband loved the Santa Cruz chicken off their healthier selections menu, as well. A tip would be that if you are a regular, to make sure you ask for one of their rewards cards. We didn't know about this until our 3rd or 4th trip, and missed out on a few points. Please go here if you haven't. Enjoy!
(5)Omar R.
All I need to say is that this is the single best restaurant between all of the Silver Diner locations.
(5)Stephanie V.
Silver Diner has come a long way. The food is always served fresh and they have many healthy options on their menu. A pleasant experience, great breakfast, 24hrs, convenient, and warm.
(5)Paulette S.
I received a call from the manager to apologize for this incident. I am impressed that he called, that he apologized and that he said he and the managers at the other locations will review the importance of washing hands. It's nice to see SD take responsibility & take measures to correct the problem. One irresponsible employee can tarnish the reputation of a good restaurant. If SD had not contacted me, we would not return.
(4)Bethany H.
Pretty good chain diner. I've always enjoyed the pancakes. I think the menus have changed to healthier options as well
(3)Refayat H.
Great food! I had the pesto burger with bison meat and it was great! All the ingredients actually feel like they are fresh/sourced locally/organic/etc. Tried my buddies pancakes, eggs and home fries and it was the best breakfast I ever had actually! Only problem is the long wait for food and seating on weekends, place was packed! Overall great experience.
(4)Yuchen Z.
Silver Diner never fails me....whether it's for the perfect breakfast to start my day or a delicious midnight dessert or a filling dinner. It's has a really great diner feel--with a juke box you can request songs at right at your table. The lights and the booth sets a very comfy and old school feel. Good for families, kids, older or a younger crowd. Food: the breakfast scramblers are all amazing....made with local grown ingredients and large portions. Burgers are delicious too. The dessert cakes are big and moist. The only thing I wasn't a big fan of was the meatloaf.
(4)Mindi W.
I'm not going to be an asshole and give this place less than a perfect score just because you often have to wait. It's not their fault they rock. Plenty of milkshakes and decadent breakfast/lunch stuff, but if you are a health-conscious person who also loves to eat, get the Power Breakfast. It's huge, and only 500 calories. Turkey bacon, egg whites, spinach, feta, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, toast, fruit, the works. Pros: Everything is locally sourced, which makes my heart sing. The menu is HUGE and diverse. Service is great, considering how busy they are. A lot of their menu items include nutritional info, which is cool. The strawberries come with a delicious dipping sauce that makes fruit fun. Cons: No liquor. But take it from someone who considers vodka and orange juice the elixer of life: You won't even notice. I marked this as cheap, because there is plenty under $10. But you could easily spend closer to $20.
(5)Flo A.
Lived in the 'hood for a year and only now trying it. It's good AND healthy. Had the Californian omelet and it hit the spot.
(4)Kopi N.
Been to the Silver Diner in Clarendon several times, and I continue to come back because of the good food and service. On my most recent visit, I ordered the Spinach Feta Lamb Burger (Tzatziki sauce, spinach, grilled onions, cremini mushrooms, feta cheese, tomato and red onions) It was excellent: I love lamb, but this burger was especially flavorful with the sharp feta cheese and the super fresh tasting onions, tomato and spinach that are sourced from local farms. I usually go to Silver Diner when I want a big breakfast type meal, but after having tasted the Spinach Feta Lamb Burger, it is now my favorite place to grab a burger!
(5)Nick A.
Quite a few times a late night meal here has saved my from a hangover that would likely have crushed me like the fist of an angry god, and an early morning meal here has given me the pick-me-up I needed to get the gears in my mind spinning after they had been heavily corroded in some local gin-mill the night before. The food here really is excellent - but be aware that you may be standing in line, waiting to sit down, for longer than it will take you to eat it. Also be aware that this is not priced like your regular greasy-spoon, hangover-fuel diner. You will be paying a lot more, as well as eating something a lot different, since this place buys into that "farm-to-table-local-grown" idea that is so popular; luckily, its delicious. Everything that I have ordered in the few times I have been here have been excellent, between the breakfasts, shakes, and regular meals, I have never been disappointed. Often, I go in groups, and no one ever complains about the food. The only complaint is that we were probably too drunk to try and force all of that food into our gullets. That is also awesome about Silver Diner - walking distance from the bar you are getting snokkered at, and open late enough for you to eat here before you head home. I recommend, will be back.
(4)Mike D.
There are not a lot of restaurants where you can show up with a party of 15 rowdy 20 somethings at 1 am and have them seat you quickly and all together. Silver diner is one of those places! When my friends wedding party of 15 or so showed up this past Saturday night/Sunday morning, we were promptly seated! Our server was a very nice and patient with us. I loved the Philly steak omelette that I ordered. I tried to get some of my girlfriend's bacon fries but she was very defensive of her plate. My friend has the Bison Huevos Rancheros and said they were delicious. Everything was so good! I really want to give the place 5 stars b/c as a 24 hour diner it has everything you look for: good food, friendly people, fun ambiance. But my buddy ordered a burger that came out kind of raw...I know it happens, but we were slightly taken aback by it. All in all, if you are in Arlington or DC and looking for a place to sit down and get some early morning or late night diner food, Silver Diner is your go-to!
(4)Ariel E.
I don't know what's going on with this place. I've been several times, and I love the local ingredients. Last time I went the service was not that great, but it was busy and that's expected. Today, I went during a non busy time. The hostesses were all chatting and it took about 5 minutes for them to bother greeting us. Our server greeted us promptly then disappeared. He was chatting with other workers for about 15 minutes before coming back. We ordered a salad with dressing on the side and a burger. Pretty standard. We were seated by the kitchen, so we noticed our order in the window. The expediter was flirting with the host. 10 minutes (we watched and counted) later she finally noticed our order was ready but did nothing. Our server hasn't surfaced, and about 5 minutes later a different server gave us our food (cold, old fries and dressing on the salad). The server showed up about 10 minutes later, but didn't fill our empty glasses or do too much. We won't be back.
(2)Geoff R.
Celebrating an office well moved, with another meal out. Silver diner serves comfort food at it's finest.
(3)Elizabeth S.
Here are the reasons why I think this place deserves a 1 star. This is based on a Sunday Brunch (12pm) experience. 1. Parking SUCKS! Even though they have a private lot it doesn't mean you'll find a parking space. Which means that we drove around trying to look for parking space for TWENTY minutes. We got lucky and stalked someone after deciding to go back into the private lot giving it one more chance. 2. The lines to even be seated as LONG. I waited in a line for crappy food (see below). 3. I ordered the country fried steak that came wtih potatoe, eggs, country fried steak, and a biscuit. 3.1 The eggs were overly disgusting; very runny and bland with no flavor. 3.2 The steak was way too salty and not enough gravy 3.3 The biscuit was't that bad but it felt kind of hard for a biscuit. 4. The price I got for this food, I could have went to Boulevard Woodgrill for their brunch. In conclusion, I will not be coming back here. Maybe if i was starving to death and drunk out of my mind.
(1)Randy S.
Every time I have eaten here the service has gotten progressively worse. It is as if the management has no concept of ticket times nor any awareness of restaurant operations. At any time you can see 3-5 servers standing at the counter by the checkout chit chatting while numerous table are getting up to complain. Very good diner food but make sure you have at least 90 minutes for lunch and no concern for poor service.
(1)Michael S.
Excellent. Great service - the employees seem to be in good spirits, as if they actually like their job. It's clean, unpretentious and the food is so good. It's nice to have options like grass-fed meat and gluten-free items. So far I've tried the burger, omelet and quinoa pancakes and all were great. I love this place so much.
(5)Jim H.
Service was good. Food was descent, and service was very understanding with a indecisive customer. The waiter even remembered to ask if I wanted my soup before my entree, which a lot of places forget to do.
(4)Brian K.
Went here with my friends for brunch after the DC marathon and I chowed down. It is a cool diner with plenty of seating. I ordered a chocolate milkshake that came with a straw that you could suck a dime thru! I ordered 6 pieces of French toast, two eggs over hard, and two slices of bacon and my friends let me have some of their fish and chips and omelet. I would hit this place up again for brunch in DC anytime! The overall menu was extensive and served not only breakfast items but lunch, salads and dinner items.
(4)Dan G.
In the words of Mindy W, "I'm not going to be an asshole and give this place less than a perfect score just because you often have to wait. It's not their fault they rock." I remember the original Silver Diner in Rockville, and used to go there all the time. While I always thought it was decent to good, the newer menu and offerings are a huge step up. We love coming here and have yet to have a bad experience. I think the management and staff at this location do a fabulous job. While I agree that some items are a little overpriced (welcome to Clarendon), I suppose the large portions and the easy and FREE PARKING make up for it a bit. FREE PARKING.
(5)Emma D.
I heard that Silver Diner "reinvented" itself with a new menu featuring lots of special diet options and locally sourced food. I was in the mood for some diner-type food after work and went with a co-worker. I was dismayed to find out that the french fries and sweet potato fries are not vegetarian because all the meat is fried in the same fryer. Most places, when asked, will fry the potatoes separately however our waiter stated there was only one fryer for all the food. Second disappointment was that the veggie burger wasn't vegan. I'd heard the vanilla vegan milkshake at Silver Diner was fantastic, however instead of vanilla they had a seasonal vegan flavor of some chai tea milkshake thing that sounded really unappetizing. For dinner I chose a vegan pesto pasta dish with some mushy vegetables which was edible but boring. I could have cooked pasta at home. I wanted greasy diner food. The "new menu" was a major disappointment and I won't be back. The food was overpriced for what it was. Two stars for good parking considering it's in Clarendon.
(2)