Cheap Eats 2008: A&J Restaurant

Reviewed by Todd Kliman , Ann Limpert , Cynthia Hacinli , Dave McIntyre , Rina Rapuano

A & J Restaurant--Annandale

4316-B Markham St.
Annandale, VA
Phone: 703.813.8181

Cuisines:
Chinese, Cantonese, Dim Sum

Opening Hours:

Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Nearby Metro Stops:
Dunn Loring-Merrifield

Price Range:
Inexpensive

Dress:
Informal

Noise Level:
Chatty

Reservations:
Not needed

Special Features:
Cash Only, Weekend Brunch, Kid Friendly

Best Dishes
Sesame biscuits with sliced pork or beef ; peanutty dan dan noodles; noodles with stewed, ground pork; fried chicken over rice; thousand-layer pancake; bean-curd-skin-and-soybean salad with mustard greens; shredded bean-curd salad with chili, cilantro, and peanuts; shao bing, a sesame-studded pork sandwich; pork dumplings; steamed spareribs; shavings of pork; smoked on-the-bone chicken; skinny noodles with shredded cucumbers, bean sprouts, and ground pork; mustard green soup; beef stew; spiced, boiled peanuts.

Price Details:
Dim sum, .95 cents to $5.95.


 

Reader's Rating:
No Reader Reviews

Why go: Northern-Chinese dim sum feels like comfort food at these busy cafes, where diners dig into thousand-layer pancakes, deep bowls of noodles, and even fried chicken alongside pots of jasmine tea.

What to get: A cooling bean-curd-skin-and-soybean salad with finely chopped mustard greens; a salad of chili-splashed shredded bean curd with cilantro and peanuts; shao bing, shavings of pork in a flaky sesame biscuit; skinny noodles with shredded cucumbers, bean sprouts, and piquant ground pork; smoked on-the-bone chicken; spiced boiled peanuts.

Best for: A many-plated meal that feels indulgent but is ultracheap.

Insider tip: Dim sum might call to mind a parade of dumplings, but the bready stuff here—the pancakes, pastries, and biscuits—is much better than the leaden potstickers and steamed, noodle-wrapped pork buns. No credit cards.

See all Cheap Eats 2008 restaurants