Ray's Hell Burger, Arlington, VA

1725 Wilson Blvd

Arlington, VA, 22209

(703) 841-0001

If it’s good enough for Obama and Medvedev, then it’s good enough for us.  The only catch is finding a parking spot and a free table, which, if luck is not on your side, can be quite time-consuming and frustrating.  It didn’t help that we were there on a Saturday evening.   The parking lot was full and street parking in this Arlington location is impossible to find.  Tables are few and crowded.  On a cold February evening, people were even sitting at the patio tables, which did not appeal to us.  

The line to order at the counter went pretty fast.  The menu is up on the wall in huge letters to the right of the line, making it difficult to read, as you have to get out of the line, stand back (if you can find space to stand back) craning your neck to see it, and most people in line let others pass in front while figuring out what to order.  Not the best configuration, but otherwise the ordering process was relatively efficient.  We were given a number to stick onto a metal circle on a table (if we get lucky to find one), so that a staff person can find us.  If you can actually see an inch past the people surrounding you, the place is relatively grungy, although wait staff does its best to collect trays and wipe down tables.  When we finally got a table and shortly thereafter received our burgers and fries, we were unsure of whether it was all worth the trouble.  

The burgers were OK, but certainly did not live up to expectations (the hype of this place is pretty serious).  Telling sign: Bill really liked the bun!  The burgers fell apart, were messy to eat, but even so, did not make up for this in taste, with or without the toppings (which, incidentally, were different from what we ordered, but by this time, we were just plain hungry and switched the toppings on our own with each other).   The fries, Cajun and regular, had little taste.  I am not even sure that it’s worthwhile to continue describing the experience, as by now it is probably pretty obvious that the whole thing was underwhelming.  No fountain sodas are available, only bottled drinks.  You can ask for a cup with ice when you’re ordering.  Unfortunately, we did not have a chance to try the milk shakes, which would have probably made us like the place more.  

 It is unlikely that we will be returning, and, for our money, Burger 7 in Falls Church (check out the blog entry) is unquestionably a better investment of time, money, and certainly appetite.