Shawn H.'s Profile

Quick, easy sushi carryout from good sushi chefs is right here in Bannockburn / Glen Echo Park area. If you're coming into MD from McLean and need to get to Bethesda (or going toward McLean from MD), you may not know about this spot, but it's an awesome stop for pizza (next door) or really good sushi!

I usually get the yellow tail and unagi nigiri, but I've had quite a few of the rolls and some other sushi that has always been great. They are always fast and the price is good, but you're eating it in your car or in the park nearby--there's no dining area inside!

It's a literal hole in the wall, where the pizza place next door and Sushi Kanpai have divided one already small space, so don't expect any breathing room... but do expect good, fast sushi to go.

Oh, and it's been there for about 20 years and I've just written the first review. This is because I've been here for about 40 (39.96 as of this writing), so I am sort of an oracle of knowledge... like the old Magic 8-Ball, only real.

:-)

A step up from Five Guys and Elevation Burger. Ahi Tuna, shakes AND floats, plus a variety of seasonings for your really thick fries (and they have onion rings) give high marks for variety. The food is GOOD.

I was there during a slow hour, so my food was up quickly and everyone was very personable, but I've heard from close friends that it's not so quick during lunch. The place is small, so it may not be the best choice during those busy hours (unless you enjoy dining with wall-to-wall people) but for a later dinner in Bethesda, this place is a winner.

This was my first visit and they did not ask me if I wanted toppings or the available seasonings for my fries. This was a little disappointing considering how friendly everyone working behind the counter was... a little coaching would have been nice, but maybe this was because I exude confidence in my every move! ;-)

I was also disappointed that the "Cuban" burger (a cheeseburger with ham) had "Canadian" bacon instead the ham you'd expect on a "Cuban" (of course, you'd expect pulled pork, but in many cases it's sliced ham... but certainly not Canadian Bacon!!!)

They made up for any disappointments with a really good burger and very interesting (and very good) fries, which was what I came for, but 4 stars? No way! Oh, and the place also smelled like they had a sewage problem. Something like this is unlikely to cause any problem with the food, but it STINKS! The manager was sitting in the back at a computer when I went to the restroom and I momentarily thought of mentioning this, but he looked pretty busy (probably on Facebook).

MGR: Clean the place up (sewage or whatever), train your people (and customers) a little more on the menu, etc. and this place will rock.

BGR: Not bad at all, but a little expensive for burgers.

If SweetGreen opens next door, you'll lose me though! ;-)

Real food, fast.

What I like about this place is that the line was out the door and in about 4 minutes, I had a fresh, custom made, hearty, healthy salad to go and all the people inside had more than just a seemingly great attitude during my visit.

Along with the speedy and smiling service and fantastic food, they're green. SweetGreen encourages re-usable containers and asks that you bring your own bag. They also have bio friendly plastic ware for those of us who just don't have it together enough to bring our own utensils (I may never be that organized).

Pricing is not out of line at all. The location is not extremely convenient unless you happen to be in Georgetown and for me, this will now be a very regular stop when I'm over that way.

I'm very interested in the frozen yogurt as everyone else in the place was when I was there, so SweetGreen has me coming and going. Now, if only they'd open one in Bethesda!

I've been to a lot of diners. This place is not bad at all. If you want good pancakes, you're in the right place. The sausage was not so great and the bacon was just average. The service? Great!

I'd go again.

If you like good gelato, you'll be happy at Starfruit Hawaiian. I'm an ex, very heavy coffee drinker, so I can't really comment on the coffee other than to say it smelled VERY good.

Starfruit Hawaiian makes their own gelato. It's the best I've had lately. I had the hazelnut which literally tastes like you're eating fresh hazelnut (without the whole crunchy, nutty, need something to wash it down experience) and I'm tempted to go get more now and skip dinner!

This is near the Apple Store at Montgomery Mall as you leave the food court, walking toward the Apple Store. Service is fast and friendly.

WARNING: Samples-a-plenty may make the decision very difficult!

If you're in Montgomery Mall and you don't go to Starfruit Hawaiian, you've missed out completely, so you'll need to go shopping all over again for an optimal experience. Don't miss it!

Originally Nancy's and now Hannah's, style meets quick, easy convenience, making this my only haircut choice in Bethesda. I've been going here for for a few years after after a friend's suggestion. I've never gone anywhere else since my first visit.

After living on the west coast, where I always got my hair cut in the same place on 101 in Solana Beach, I could never find a good place that gives a good straight razor cut back east and Hannah's now fits the bill very well.

Amazing pastry from Vaccaro's with authentic Italian deli and specialty grocery is a winner. I've been hearing great things for a while and finally made it in for lunch. I got the "Carnevele" (a classic Italian cold cut sub) and I'm ready to eat lunch there tomorrow.

There are a few tables, so think of this for carry-out or at least, not a big lunch group. Also, they close early, so GO EARLY if you want something to take home for dinner!

Five stars on a one time visit may be jumping the gun, but the people who have told me about this and my experience today put Cornucopia on my very short list of top favorites.

This is a great farm fresh (right at the farm) produce stand that sells seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables. It's a short drive from I-81 at Exit 5 on Route 16 and you get a great value for your money.

Come early in the day, they sell out!

Macs do rock and this store is really small, but I've never noticed the smell. I have noticed that it's difficult to even walk around because so many people are squirming between the display tables in the store. They really need a larger space. I'm sure the mall would be glad to lease Apple a larger space.

I've heard horror stories about Jiffy Lube, but never had a bad experience with them myself until today. I think (really hope) the oil change was OK, but the usual "jiffy" customer service just wasn't happening at this location (Ocean City, MD). I've been to this one and others on Maryland's Eastern Shore in the past and always been very impressed with the professionalism and courtesy of the folks working inside.

This one was out of my oil weight and tried (successfully) to sell me on using a different weight and, as you can see in the picture, this all happened after considerable wait time. The convenience factor of Jiffy Lube is the only thing that makes me risk going there. One friend of mine had to get a new engine thanks to a Jiffy Lube mistake!

There's another place I prefer near home that is:

  1. Faster
  2. Less Expensive
  3. Extremely Service Oriented

Jiffy Lube in Ocean City, MD won't see me again!