Metro Silver Diner

Took what, maybe a year for this place to go tits up?
Jason

Some of the best sliders I’ve had to date. Granted, they were consumed after a couple of barley pops at the pub across the street, but they were fantastic. And the fries were the thin and crispy type, a perfect accent to mini burgers.
The ordering system there is pretty keen too. You don’t have to rely on waiters who may or may not give two shakes about you. Food is ordered at the counter, fast-​food style, then they just bring it to you and you leave when you’re done. No need to wait for a bill, which is nice when you’re in a hurry.

Fix the take-​out computer! The staff seems oblivious to the fact the computer menu dosent match the one on the wall. A manager had to come out and show us how to put special instructions into the machine. While the manager was very helpfull, the other staff has always seemed out of it everytime I have come into this place (such as having to ask more than once to get the cup for my beverage etc.)
The food is good, the breakfast better than the lunch items (sandwiches, salads etc.). Nothing has been bad. I found the turkey sandwich to be a little bland, but it wasn’t bad by any means (and probably much healthier than other fast-​food).
Its a really innovative idea where you can order your food and not really have to interact with anyone… however I always do.
I am subtracting one start since this place has been open MONTHS and still cant seem to get it together.

I hadn’t been to Metro in a while but recently returned and noticed some modifications. For starters, the menu is more extensive and they now offer fries, which should satisfy several previous reviewers that complained about a lack of fries. They also have more options for the sliders, such as adding salmon sliders, or getting your sliders served on greens. It seems like they’ve received some comments and have taken feedback into consideration which is nice to see.
And while they previously offered mini cupcakes, they now offer giant ones. No word on their quality, however.

I ate here again the other day for lunch and my food this time was even better than my first visit! I can see myself getting hooked on this place. Still a tad bit pricey but I do understand it’s all healthy, fresh food which costs more than greasy fried stuff.

After a stop in at Salon Mint for a much needed de-​shaggifying, I opted to head across the street to scope out the much-​ballyhooed Metro Silver Diner for a quick lunch (and because of their advertised free wi-​fi).
So here I sit, with my laptop open and my big bowl of fresh greens tossed with mysterious Five Spice Thai Salad dressing, sipping on a cup of water, and all this with a total of perhaps fifteen seconds of human interaction. I feel like I’ve just had a glimpse of what the future of fast food service. It’s awesomely geektastic and kind of scary in its removal of face-​to-​face contact.
As far as the food goes, I’m pretty pleased with my salad. There’s a generous serving of tender chicken breast for an added fee of $ 1.99 on top of the base salad price at $ 5.99. All this is served up with two pieces of fluffy herbed flatbread. Satisfyingly tasty and delivered in under five minutes!
The experience was only marginally marred by the sketchy guy with the roller suitcase, purportedly from Prepaid Legal, that wandered up to my table out of the blue to say, «You look like someone who would like to make a lot of money…» and proceeded to ask if he could leave me an audio clip… on a home-​made CD with a sticker on it. Hm.
Even the diner denizens here are more technologically advanced than the riff-​raff you might otherwise find at a Waffle House! Amazing…

Great place to get breakfast at almost any time day or night. I have eaten here a few times and the food has always been excellent. It’s nice that the place is open till 3am on weekends and the food is super cheap.

I’ve been a fan of Metro Diner since the start. I love this place and I’m always excited about bringing friends there for the first time.
I’ll echo pretty much what anyone who’s posted a good review has already said:
–good, somewhat healthy food
–quick service
–many organic products
–wide selection
–great location/​free parking
–wi-​fi
–Oreo Milkshakes are the bomb.
Recent down-​sides:
I would gripe that they are beginning to change their menu around a bit. Apparently they’re getting fries and expanding their breakfast. That’s cool, but the prices should not suffer because of this.
Last night I stopped in for dinner and ordered the Crunch Munchy Chicken Tenders. 99.99% of the time, this is what I order. The breading is a little different than your normal fast food chicken tenders, and I think that’s what makes it unique.
When the server brought my order, I was a little astonished: 2 chicken tenders and a bowl full of chips. When we asked what the deal was, they responded, «We’re trying new chicken tenders that are bigger.»
Well, in this case, bigger is not better. They were sub-​par, noting special. I preferred the other chicken tenders because they had a better texture, were crunchier, seemed less greasy, and four of them came in a meal.
I paid $ 5.44 for 2 chicken tenders and a bowl full of fires. Couldn’t I get this same meal at Wendy’s for under 2 bucks?
Change is good, but not when you’re changing something we already like.

This place is pretty cool, but it undermines everything that I think is wonderful about diners: no old-​school, 50s-​era building; no small-​town feel chatting with the regulars who have been going to it for generations; no butter waffles and home-​made smoked bacon…
Instead, this is a «future-​esque» diner where the only advantage is that you can order from a screen. Still, your food is brought out slowly by waiters and waitresses (and so — having worked at a restaurant — I think it’s appropriate to tip), and the food is fine, but nothing special. I guess it’s nice to have the option of ordering «healthy» (though I’m sure it’s all relative). The only real advantage I can discern is that you can get dinner food at any time, which I love since I’m not a huge fan of breakfast food, even for breakfast. Oh, and there’s a free parking garage next door. Also nice.

(sung to the tune of guns n’ roses’ ‘welcome to the jungle’)
welcome to the future
we got healthy food
we got everything you want
come in anytime we’ll put you in a good mood
in the future
welcome to the future
most of its organiiccc, c, c, c, c, c, c, c, crispy, salads
i wanna eat fresh
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
alright thats enough, if someone wants to finish the song, «be my guest, be my guest,» oh boy, beauty and the beast, what is it music night in my head?
anyways, my friend kept talking about this place she called «the future.» i had to go. i went after the gym yesterday and was a little nervous because i was about to blow my calorie intake on, well, diner food. BUT i was very and pleasantly surprised!
the concept and menu (fresh, many organic and healthy items) are really what the future will be like. you may order food sheetz-​style with a kiosk or a real person (which i did because i paid with cash). the manager came over right away as we were standing at the electronic menu — again, very futuristic.
breakfast is served all day as it should be at a diner, or i would probably never return, okay im kidding. i ordered the vegetarian egg bean flatbread. i took of some of the bread because it wasnt whole wheat and it came with some potatoes, onions and peppers which i picked at. i thought the iced tea had a little funny taste to it but i mixed it with lemonade to make an AP. (arnold palmer)
i ended up with a salad to go because it was superbowl sunday and i really didnt feel like cooking. the salad was fresh and organic but i was NOT a fan of one of the two dressings they gave me. my roommate tried to explain the concept and i wasn’t buying it. it just looked like motor oil to me with a consistency of, well, goop. i used my own but it was very good.
i will be back for many reasons. first, they are open until 3 a.m. and are within walking distance to/​from auld shebeens where i frequent. second, id rather eat healthy after drinking one too many cocktails. third, i want a cupcake. maybe after the gym next time so i can really blow all my calories. finally, they also do take out.
the food came out sort of fast, oh yeah, and no tipping necessary. there’s actually a sign.

Gotta echo Andrew.
It’s interesting and kind of cool that they want to create a new kind of diner, healthier, etc. But… if you’re going to be related to Silver Diner, and you’re going to look like a retro diner… you better have cheese fries.
I will say that the mac & cheese is awesome, and so are the milkshakes. I will also say that I cannot stand the chips.
I think the menu or the concept needs adjustment– not opposed to a late night place with healthy options, but maybe the look & feel needs to change, or maybe there needs to be a balance of good and bad foods?

Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!
Recently gave the Metro Diner a shot for a late-​night meal after a night of healthy drinking. I was, umm, disappointed or horrified, not sure which. Other Unilocal commented on the food, which I can’t comment about due to my inability to comprehend why there were no french fries on the menu, nothing to satisfy a hungry beer-​filled belly. Let’s all get real here. Metro is located near several bars, George Mason and has college kids roaming the street late-​night. Why the hell doesn’t this place get a grip?!? Serve me some fried food dammit!!!
oh and the cupcake was totally weak.

I set out to have lunch at this new Metro Silver Diner not expecting much, but wow– this location really blew me off my feet! Fairfax has put out a wide variety of attempts ranging from the unfortunately futile (Mamma Lucia’s) to the mediocre (Austin Grill Custom Burrito Shop), but Metro Silver Diner Fairfax is a clear winner.
Why do I love Metro Silver Diner? Allow me to enumerate:
1. The atmosphere. It’s a great, clean restaurant with a wide variety of seating options sure to cater to your every whim. It’s bright inside, featuring two walls of huge windows, and the outside seating area seems attractive as well. The number-​based order delivery process (hard to explain, visit in person to see what I’m talking about) is fascinating if not a little bit high-​tech.
2. The menu choices. Metro Silver Diner serves breakfast all day, but they feature a solid number of lunch and dinner options too, of course. A big seller seems to be their Angus Burgers, tiny slider-​like delicacies with soft, puffy bread and a delicious tang. I enjoyed a killer cookies and crème shake, too.
3. The price ranges of the menu selections. You could eat well here for under $ 8.00. Seriously. Why Unilocalers are giving this restaurant two dollar signs is beyond me.
At any rate, it’s good clean eating in a wonderful environment with a fresh feel. Only negative: the coffee situation. They’ve got to get on-​hand cream, coffee cup sleeves, and more pots brewing pronto. Other than that, though, I highly recommend. Looking forward to returning within the next three days.

I was originally skeptical about Metro Silver Diner. Luckily, I was pleasantly wrong, and the convenience of Metro’s location (and Downtown Fairfax’s newly finished public parking garage) makes my life a little easier.
The food has the convince of fast food, while tasting much healthier, and in nutritionally friendly portions. There is a good variety in the food, and I wouldn’t say it is a water-​in-​your mouth crazy delicious (although the Angus burgers are very close), but the price is right, the people are friendly, and the service is great. I also love how you order: choose and pay at the cashier, swipe your numbered card at any table you’d like, and your order is cooked and served to you with no fuss.
There is free wireless, the setting is very casual, and the restaurant closes after midnight (3AM!). What more could you ask for? The service is very friendly and accommodating. I have not had a bad experience here yet.
I really hope this isn’t the Honeymoon period for a new restaurant! Metro Silver Diner, please don’t change!

Being that I work 2 blocks away from this place in the newly restored City of Fairfax, I just had to see what the fuss was about.
I had the pleasure of having lunch here today for the first time and I have to say the food was better than I expected of a franchise commonly associated with feeding drunks on Saturday nights. I got the Southewestern Roasted Turkey which came served on a foccacia flat-​bread along with veggie chips… let me say that again, I had a side of veggie chips. Apparently Silver Diner is repenting for several years of committing sins, specifically GLUTTONY, by now offering healthy side options which also include yogurt parfait, fruit cups and Swiss oatmeal (because American oatmeal just doesn’t cut it any more).
Aside from the food, the staff was friendly, helpful and fast (very rarely do you get all 3). In order to describe the actual layout of the restaurant, it now looks less like an old-​fashioned diner and more like a cafeteria from the Jetsons, complete with touch-​screen ordering menus for carry-​out and tables equipped with sensors that tell the servers what table you are sitting at (pretty sweet). Overall, I had a good experience and will try the chicken pot pie next time.
I took away 1 star for the price, they really should look at reduced pricing for the lunch time crowd, I can’t justify a $ 9.75 lunch every day.
On a complete side note, I don’t agree with the location of this place. If they still want to attract the drunken 2am weekend crowd (which I believe they do since they close at 3am), then WHY would you put it 100 yards away from the Fairfax County courthouse/​detention center??? So, what’s next? Drive-​thru Denny’s? IHOP Express?

Every time i come here i expect to be disapointed, like i’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. How can be this place be so awesome? Well i keep coming back. and it keeps being awesome!
Went here for a late night snack after the Nat’s game, expecting it to be like the rest of NoVA and closed early. But its not! Its open until 3am! I got the angus miniburgers and i love that you could order 2 or 3 depending on your mood. They had lots of fresh veggies and a really good «special Sauce». I also got to try the turkey burgers that came with cranberry orange chutney that was fantastic. I also loved that they didn’t come with fries, but with chips, either Kettle or veggie! My first veggie chip experience and it was at a diner!
I loved that they had the full assortment of silver diner milkshakes including the low fat mocha… yum! They were slightly thin though, but i am chocking that up to the new employees.
Basically this place is awesome and i will keep coming back!

Carlos, you work there bro?
It is just ok. So long as you don’t go in expecting Silver Diner, and keep Silver Diner out of ANY train of thought, it is ok. Nothing AMAZING, but not bad.
I like the American grill, nice sammich. Cupcakes, shit, who am I kidding, I like me some cupcakes. Can not vouch for the shakes, I was too hungover to think about a heavy ol dairy shake, maybe next time.
They just opened so I am sure things will improve. For as slow as it was this past Saturday morning, «service» was a little slow. And the manager needs to get that food runner with the giant ol afro a hairnet. Now, I appreciate a freedom Fro, but not around my food. At least the ladies all had their hair all nice and neat, and pulled back off the shoulders… sounds silly, but I work in the industry, and I would make that dude rock a hat, no biggie…
One thing I AM EXCITED ABOUT: They are open LATE! So instead of a stomach full of sub par wings from Buffalo Wing University, I can mosey on over for perhaps a basket of sliders, and hell, maybe even that milkshake! And, they are ridiculously close to my house on University, so it is just a late night stumble, or Morning leisurely walk away.
Like I said, it is ok. I wasn’t expecting a mind blowing experience, and it was honestly better then I was planing on, but it isn’t a true greasy spoon diner… not as cheap as McD’s, but it is a fast casual, no just fast place.