Mike's Cafe
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Honestly, just get the Bulgogi sub because that is the best sandwich that they offer. the other sandwiches are good, but nothing is as outstanding as the Bulgogi sub sandwich. It gets really full around 12:15 on a weekday so try to leave a bit before that. They are as quick as possible, and are generally pretty nice and courteous.
Really good food at really good prices. They may have a small sitting space, but their food packs a punch while making it light on your wallet, digital or physical. Service is also top notch. Try the K-BBQ Sub. it's like a Philly cheesesteak, but Korean style. Be prepared for a slight bit of heat, though.
I ordered the KBBQ sandwich online for lunch. It was tasty and reasonably priced for this area. Essentially all the food options in Ballston Quarter are $15-20+ which is ridiculous to spend on lunch. This place has options for everyone including vegetarians. The sandwich had good flavor and texture. I might suggest a thicker sub roll as the sauce and other juices from cooking made the roll soggy pretty quickly. I'd come here again though!
So I live incredibly close to Mike's Cafe and have been in the area for almost two years. I wonder how long it would take me to try Mike's and I guess today was finally the day. I was craving a sandwich, out of groceries and on a time crunch. It was either Mike's or Potbelly's but I'm glad I chose Mike's. Mike's is literally downstairs. Potbelly's would have been a trek across Welburn Square and that was too much for me. I walk by Mike's at least once a day and have never glanced inside for more than a second. But the interior is a lot more spacious than I thought with several high tops. There's also seating outside, perfect during nice summer days. They also sell "pharmacy check-out counter distractions" aka candy bars, granola bars, and other snacks that you can think of. I also saw a few Costco muffins sold individually, lol, along with a couple vending machinese filled with drinks. Overall, lots of snacks and an extensive menu -- a large list of breakfast sandwiches, subs, melts, salads, soups, and more (very much your deli cafe basics) along with Korean bento boxes. I saw that there were a bulgogi meal and bibimbap along with other Korean options. TUNA MELT - 11.99 I saw that this was the most popular option on Yelp and the person who ordered right before me got the same thing. Now, I'm normally a cold subs kind of a person, but I'm so glad I got the tuna melt with rye bread. The rye bread was toasted to perfection and every bite had a nice crunch. The turkey was grilled nicely with the melted cheddar and Swiss cheese on top. I love that they give a generous amount of avocado here which made the sandwich extra creamy (along with a bit of mayo on both slices of bread). The lettuce and tomato really helped to make the sandwich less dry. Overall, a very balanced sandwich with lots of ingredients. I thought I was only going to eat half of it and save the other half for dinner, but I ended up eating the whole thing because it was very good. I was very satisfied with my sandwich because it was tasty and went beyond my expectations (to be fair, it was kind of low). I'm glad I was able to try Mike's after living here for awhile. Maybe I'll stop by again before I move, but the timing needs to be right.
The best chili, fast service, nice and clean and great prices for that munchie. The sushi service is no more so I opted for chili before an early movie. Yum.
Diamond in the Rough! This place has been my secret breakfast and lunch spot for years now....ever-since my office moved to this neighboorhood! Among all the glitz of the rebuilt Ballston Quarters Mall, the many new high-end condos developments, more recognizable brand name restaurants & fast food eateries now blanketing this once bleak neighborhood....there stands this little gem. Mike's is a small, unassuming "mom and pop" cafe that puts a lot of love in their eats. Don't let the "plain Jane" Mike's sign throw you...this is flat out the best little cafe in Ballston. For sure the love and pride that go into everything from the excellent coffee to the super generous omelettes of all varieties as well American fare....to Sushi is very good. All orders are made to order and the folks here are very accommodating with your request to augment their menu items to your liking. Their breakfast is delicious with the breakfast and lunch sandwiches being the highlight. My go-to is the Breakfast BST!...Trust me on this and thank me later. BST stands for a Bacon Spinach Tomato on a croissant, with a fried egg and cheddar cheese! One word....HEAVEN!! The toasted croissant and the combination of the egg and tomatoes with the crisp bacon satisfy the taste buds for sure. Although you can get the sandwich on toasted sliced bread, I suggest the croissant. When it is buttered and toasted it adds the perfect salty-chewy crunch with each bite of the moist egg, tomatoes and cheese gushing everywhere! Uggggh....my mouth is watering just thinking about it while I write this review. They fold the egg around the cheese so it's perfectly melted. They also seem to have a legit sushi, ramen and bulgogi for lunch, although I have never tried it. My coworkers on the other hand, have given these options a thumbs up tho!! In all, outstanding food and great prices.....with special touch of home cooked taste to your meal....something you can't get from the neighboring fast-food eateries around this place. Only one note of caution, the line particularly for lunch can get long but it moves quick --thanks to the many sandwich makers. You see, Mike's makes all their meals and their notable sandwiches to order; including roasting their meats for the sandwiches and making their soups from scratch. For under $10 you can whole sandwich and a cup of hot soup. They also offer daily specials: a sandwich of the day, chips & soda for $8.99! You can't beat that in this posh neighborhood where a lunch meal or even just a salad can run you $12-$15 bucks alone. The place was very clean with some eating tables within the space. Mike himself is sometimes on hand to meet and greet his guests and a few lucky souls, like me, got a free mint patty to end my lunch today! Great little place in the Ballston-Arlington area. It's been my little secret for years when looking to break away from the typical ordinary - everyday "brand name" lunch options in the area. Ssshh!!...Just don't tell everyone!
+ great for lunch + great selection of sandwiches, American breakfast items, and Japanese options (rolls, ramen, rice bowls) + busy but not crowded + friendly service I came here for lunch and loved their veggie patty BB box. If I'm in the area again, this will be my go-to lunch spot. There seemed to be a lot of regulars and people on their lunch break getting food to-go. There's some seating inside too (convenient on rainy days).
Mike's Cafe is your perfect get-lunch-quick before your next meeting joint. Located below the Meridian at Ballston Commons, Mike's Cafe can't be missed with their window signs. They have everything from chips, sandwiches, sushi, iced tea, and even freshly brewed coffee. For lunch I got the Bulgogi BBQ Box and salmon roll. Bulgogi BBQ Box: I think their bbq boxes are a great value because you get rice, beef, and two refreshing sides for less than $15. The Bulgogi is pretty standard, and good enough for a quick lunch. Salmon Roll: I personally didn't like the salmon roll - despite what the other reviewers wrote about the sushi from here. The rice was on the soggy side and the salmon's cut made it a lot chewier than normal. I would order this again if I was absolutely craving sushi and couldn't go to my usual spots, but probably wouldn't order it regularly. Overall: Mike's cafe is efficient and affordable. It's a great spot to pick up a quick lunch, and dash home for your next meeting.
4 days ago
Came here to do some work on my laptop. I ordered a turkey egg and cheese croissant along with a smoothie. Both items were 10/10 I've known about this place for years and have always gotten the same thing. The staff is super friendly, very welcoming and attentive! There's a lot on the menu to choose from the variety is insane. The place itself is very clean and up-kept very well. Thank you again Mike! read more
1 month ago
Honestly, just get the Bulgogi sub because that is the best sandwich that they offer. the other sandwiches are good, but nothing is as outstanding as the Bulgogi sub sandwich. It gets really full around 12:15 on a weekday so try to leave a bit before that. They are as quick as possible, and are generally pretty nice and courteous. read more
Really good food at really good prices. They may have a small sitting space, but their food packs a punch while making it light on your wallet, digital or physical. Service is also top notch. Try the K-BBQ Sub. it's like a Philly cheesesteak, but Korean style. Be prepared for a slight bit of heat, though. read more
I ordered the KBBQ sandwich online for lunch. It was tasty and reasonably priced for this area. Essentially all the food options in Ballston Quarter are $15-20+ which is ridiculous to spend on lunch. This place has options for everyone including vegetarians. The sandwich had good flavor and texture. I might suggest a thicker sub roll as the sauce and other juices from cooking made the roll soggy pretty quickly. I'd come here again though! read more
So I live incredibly close to Mike's Cafe and have been in the area for almost two years. I wonder how long it would take me to try Mike's and I guess today was finally the day. I was craving a sandwich, out of groceries and on a time crunch. It was either Mike's or Potbelly's but I'm glad I chose Mike's. Mike's is literally downstairs. Potbelly's would have been a trek across Welburn Square and that was too much for me. I walk by Mike's at least once a day and have never glanced inside for more than a second. But the interior is a lot more spacious than I thought with several high tops. There's also seating outside, perfect during nice summer days. They also sell "pharmacy check-out counter distractions" aka candy bars, granola bars, and other snacks that you can think of. I also saw a few Costco muffins sold individually, lol, along with a couple vending machinese filled with drinks. Overall, lots of snacks and an extensive menu -- a large list of breakfast sandwiches, subs, melts, salads, soups, and more (very much your deli cafe basics) along with Korean bento boxes. I saw that there were a bulgogi meal and bibimbap along with other Korean options. TUNA MELT - 11.99 I saw that this was the most popular option on Yelp and the person who ordered right before me got the same thing. Now, I'm normally a cold subs kind of a person, but I'm so glad I got the tuna melt with rye bread. The rye bread was toasted to perfection and every bite had a nice crunch. The turkey was grilled nicely with the melted cheddar and Swiss cheese on top. I love that they give a generous amount of avocado here which made the sandwich extra creamy (along with a bit of mayo on both slices of bread). The lettuce and tomato really helped to make the sandwich less dry. Overall, a very balanced sandwich with lots of ingredients. I thought I was only going to eat half of it and save the other half for dinner, but I ended up eating the whole thing because it was very good. I was very satisfied with my sandwich because it was tasty and went beyond my expectations (to be fair, it was kind of low). I'm glad I was able to try Mike's after living here for awhile. Maybe I'll stop by again before I move, but the timing needs to be right. read more
2 years ago
The best chili, fast service, nice and clean and great prices for that munchie. The sushi service is no more so I opted for chili before an early movie. Yum. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
4 years ago
Diamond in the Rough! This place has been my secret breakfast and lunch spot for years now....ever-since my office moved to this neighboorhood! Among all the glitz of the rebuilt Ballston Quarters Mall, the many new high-end condos developments, more recognizable brand name restaurants & fast food eateries now blanketing this once bleak neighborhood....there stands this little gem. Mike's is a small, unassuming "mom and pop" cafe that puts a lot of love in their eats. Don't let the "plain Jane" Mike's sign throw you...this is flat out the best little cafe in Ballston. For sure the love and pride that go into everything from the excellent coffee to the super generous omelettes of all varieties as well American fare....to Sushi is very good. All orders are made to order and the folks here are very accommodating with your request to augment their menu items to your liking. Their breakfast is delicious with the breakfast and lunch sandwiches being the highlight. My go-to is the Breakfast BST!...Trust me on this and thank me later. BST stands for a Bacon Spinach Tomato on a croissant, with a fried egg and cheddar cheese! One word....HEAVEN!! The toasted croissant and the combination of the egg and tomatoes with the crisp bacon satisfy the taste buds for sure. Although you can get the sandwich on toasted sliced bread, I suggest the croissant. When it is buttered and toasted it adds the perfect salty-chewy crunch with each bite of the moist egg, tomatoes and cheese gushing everywhere! Uggggh....my mouth is watering just thinking about it while I write this review. They fold the egg around the cheese so it's perfectly melted. They also seem to have a legit sushi, ramen and bulgogi for lunch, although I have never tried it. My coworkers on the other hand, have given these options a thumbs up tho!! In all, outstanding food and great prices.....with special touch of home cooked taste to your meal....something you can't get from the neighboring fast-food eateries around this place. Only one note of caution, the line particularly for lunch can get long but it moves quick --thanks to the many sandwich makers. You see, Mike's makes all their meals and their notable sandwiches to order; including roasting their meats for the sandwiches and making their soups from scratch. For under $10 you can whole sandwich and a cup of hot soup. They also offer daily specials: a sandwich of the day, chips & soda for $8.99! You can't beat that in this posh neighborhood where a lunch meal or even just a salad can run you $12-$15 bucks alone. The place was very clean with some eating tables within the space. Mike himself is sometimes on hand to meet and greet his guests and a few lucky souls, like me, got a free mint patty to end my lunch today! Great little place in the Ballston-Arlington area. It's been my little secret for years when looking to break away from the typical ordinary - everyday "brand name" lunch options in the area. Ssshh!!...Just don't tell everyone! read more
+ great for lunch + great selection of sandwiches, American breakfast items, and Japanese options (rolls, ramen, rice bowls) + busy but not crowded + friendly service I came here for lunch and loved their veggie patty BB box. If I'm in the area again, this will be my go-to lunch spot. There seemed to be a lot of regulars and people on their lunch break getting food to-go. There's some seating inside too (convenient on rainy days). read more
2 years ago
4 years ago
2 years ago
Mike's Cafe is your perfect get-lunch-quick before your next meeting joint. Located below the Meridian at Ballston Commons, Mike's Cafe can't be missed with their window signs. They have everything from chips, sandwiches, sushi, iced tea, and even freshly brewed coffee. For lunch I got the Bulgogi BBQ Box and salmon roll. Bulgogi BBQ Box: I think their bbq boxes are a great value because you get rice, beef, and two refreshing sides for less than $15. The Bulgogi is pretty standard, and good enough for a quick lunch. Salmon Roll: I personally didn't like the salmon roll - despite what the other reviewers wrote about the sushi from here. The rice was on the soggy side and the salmon's cut made it a lot chewier than normal. I would order this again if I was absolutely craving sushi and couldn't go to my usual spots, but probably wouldn't order it regularly. Overall: Mike's cafe is efficient and affordable. It's a great spot to pick up a quick lunch, and dash home for your next meeting. read more
2 years ago
I recently relocated to Arlington for work. Came to Mike's for lunch and ordered the chicken and cheese sub ($8.79 with tax). I got my lunch and walked back to my office (building across the street). Opened up the foil, the bread is entirely drenched in the watery mixture of chicken grease, mayo, and lettuce water. The sandwich was bland and you mainly taste mayo. The cafe offers other variety of dishes including sushi, ramen, and "B-b-bowl". Sandwich, chips, and a drink, my colleague paid close to $13 for his lunch. (No french fries here). After being in the cafe for ~10 mins, my work clothes smell like restaurant grease. The ventilation system was not turned on. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
This is a perfect little breakfast-lunch-coffee spot tucked underneath a Ballston condo near the Metro. The service is fast and gracious, the menu amazingly varied for such a compact restaurant, including bibimbop and bulgogi. Somewhat limited seating, so get there before the crowds. Why didn't I realize before that this is a superior alternative to IHOP? read more
4 years ago
5 years ago
So I'm working here in Arlington and figured I would try a different spot for lunch. It's a small cafe in the area and with all the work going on around them, they are very busy. I noticed they had lamb gyro on the menu so I decided to give it a go. The wait wasn't long at all, as my food was being prepared as I ordered it. Pricing was fair I think for lamb but there are cheaper options nearby. The gyro was underwhelming though. They don't give a nice amount of meat like I'm used to receiving at gyro stands I've been to. I'll give them another try as there are other menu items, so this doesn't deter me at all. read more
Idk if it was because I was still a little drunk and craving it or if it was just that good. The sausage egg and cheese breakfast sandwich on an everything bagel is straight GAS! Absolutely delish. I will say it was a little over priced I ended up paying 7 dollars and some change. The service is friendly! I would highly recommend morning after a nice night out. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
This place was great. Open on a snow day and full of the trades workers. Which told us right away we made a good choice. Like most places in God's area not a lot of seating but enough and we sat down. You order at the counter pay and take it back to your table. Everything is packaged to go. I had a quality western omelette with avocado and my companion had a SOMA chicken breast sandwich which was a real chicken breast not a patty. Very fresh on all accounts. Diverse staff so we mixed Spanish and English to get our order in and all was good. If I had a place like this near my house in Miami I would be a regular. Large enough menu for variety but small enough to excel. read more
I love Mike's Cafe! I come here about twice a week for breakfast sandwiches. I love getting either a sausage, egg, and cheese on a croissant/bagel or the breakfast burrito. They have a bunch of other sandwiches on their menu as well that I definitely want to try. They also sell sushi here and honestly it's pretty good! The prices are reasonable and the staff is so friendly. This is my favorite grab-and-go breakfast place! read more
3 years ago
8 years ago
Mike's spicy pork lunch special was amazing! For less than nine bucks I got a hearty portion of spicy Korean-style pork, chap-chae (pan fried) style sweet potato noodles with carrots, rice, salad, and steamed/seasoned veggies like zucchini. I lived in Korea for years and the flavor from Mike's is legit. (They'll give you kimchi upon request.) The staff was helpful and friendly, the interior was spotless, and the food was especially delicious. What a great find, just across from ther Ballston Metro. I saw they also have an array of sandwiches and the regular deli fare, but I'll definitely be back for the tasty Korean and Japanese offerings. Pro tip: order your Korean or Japanese selections at the Deli cashier, pick up your foods at the corner counter where they make the sushi/ korean food. read more
7 years ago
3 years ago
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More info about Mike's Cafe
900 N Stuart St
Ste 102
Arlington, VA 22203
Ballston
Directions
(703) 312-7371
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http://www.ballstonmikescafe.com
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