El Pike (Pike Pizza)

Address: 4111 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22044

Phone: 703-521-3010

Neighborhood: Falls Church

Cuisines: South American

Opening Hours: Monday through Wednesday 8:30 to 11, Thursday through Sunday 8:30 to 2.

Price Range: Inexpensive

Dress: Informal

Noise Level: Chatty

Reservations: Not Needed

Best Dishes Chicken or beef saltenas; huminitas; sopa de mani; lomo.

Price Details: Appetizers $1.35 to $6.95; entrées $5.15 to $11.50

Why go: This small, bright cafe is filled with Latinos who know a good deal. Portions are big, with steaks sometimes covering the plate. But don’t come for pizza—despite the sign out front, the place doesn’t sell any.

What to get: Chicken or beef salteñas, eggy dough encasing semisweet stews; humintas, a sweet version of tamales; lomo, a stick-to-your-ribs dish of steak and eggs plus fries and mashed potatoes; sopa de mani, a restorative soup flavored with beef broth and peanuts.

Best for: Hearty appetites.

Insider tip: The menu says salteñas are available weekends only, but they’re sometimes offered during the week as a special.

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