Northern Virginia Restaurant Blog: King Street Blues - Southern Comfort Food in Crystal City (Arlington), VA

Thursday, March 3, 2016

King Street Blues - Southern Comfort Food in Crystal City (Arlington), VA

1648 Crystal Square Arcade,
Arlington, VA 22202
Tel: (703) 415-2583

“Comfort Food with a Southern Accent” – the King Street Blues way. Darn tootin’!

During a Saturday afternoon attending the Northern Virginia Magazine’s Chicken Wings Battle, we were fortunate to win a $25 gift certificate to King Street Blues. Our unfortunate turn occurred when we showed up to redeem it, and—ugh—King Street Blues was gone!!! I lived in the Kingstowne area for quite a few years, so returning there to find KSB shut down left a hole that no wing can replace. Fortunately, two other KSB dining halls still exist; the original one off King St. in Old Town Alexandria and in the Crystal City Underground in Arlington.

Having spent nearly 5 years working just above the Crystal City Underground, returning to one of my lunchtime faves only showed that the food, service, and ambiance of King Street Blues not only did not change, but even got better.

KSB's "southern accent" hits hard upon arrival. Papier-mâché figurines adorn the restaurant in an almost surreal manner conveying the New Orleans inspired jazz theme. Sports games emanating from the bar area, and a slight bustle of activity circulating around the dining room added to the surreal nature of the figurines. We realize the location of this restaurant is geared towards the weekday business lunch crowd, showing up on a Sunday afternoon we knew that there would be no crowd. Heck, even underground parking in Crystal City is free on weekends. We sat at a bar table just off the bar area and were provided with outstanding service by Daniel. He was attentive and responsive even if serving a dozen or so sports fans sitting at the bar (as the football playoffs were in full swing).

King Street Blues is really good southern comfort food, bringing a bit of the Deep South to the not-so-deep south of Northern Virginia. We started with their famous Smoked Chipotle Chicken wings, which are probably reason alone to come here often. They were coated in an amazingly tangy and “finger-lickin’” sauce with a side of blue-cheese dip. So good, we could have easily ordered another round of wings.

We really enjoyed their Mushroom-Swiss Burger and the “Sister Mary” – a House-smoked shredded chicken BBQ with coleslaw and really fresh house-made potato chips.

I really miss working just above KSB and miss having the KSB experience as a lunch option.

Would we go back? In a heartbeat!