Very casual place with decent food and nice servers. 1. You can simply go in. Never seen them full. 2. Food: decent. Remember this place is NOT a fine fining restaurant. calamari - not good soups- good 3. Drinks: okay. Takes them about 30 mins to bring a drink or comes back after 30 mins to let you know they don't have the ingredient. This part was truly annoying. mojito when it was made - was good 4. Nice big tables to meet in groups and you can actually do work here. 5. Big advantage here is you can really get some work done with not just drinks but with food. I guess it is their biggest advantage. read more

I've lived in walking distance from this place for years and never been. I always saw the rave reviews and just scratched my head since I never actually saw it- until yesterday, that is. So I took my entire family and the doggoes for brunch this beautiful Sunday morning, grabbed an outdoor seat and went in to giddily make our order. The menu is pretty limited but we all found something to have and was happy with the friendly service. My heuvos rancheros was delicious. My mom enjoyed her shrimp and grits (said the grits was a bit spicy for her taste and my brother said it was one of the softest waffles he's ever had. Looks like we found a new place to stick into our weekend brunch rotation! read more

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Came in to town on a work trip with my coworker and needed a quick, healthy bite to eat so stopped here after seeing how good the food looked. We each got the Union Cobb (5/5), me with chicken and my coworker with steak and split an order of sesame wings (5/5). The food was honestly delicious! The salad was incredibly fresh and flavorful with the perfect amount of dressing while the wings were meaty and crispy. The service was great, with the staff incredibly friendly. If I was ever in town again I would definitely stop back here! read more

The Union is the ideal neighborhood spot and a great place to have brunch or lunch anytime of the week. The staff is friendly and the interior is big and warm. I came in on Sunday looking for a burger and was very pleased with what I got. I ordered at the counter and sat myself right before a sizable rush of families and groups came in for lunch. I waited around 10 minutes after ordering before getting my food. For $16, you get a good sized burger and some really well done fries. I ordered my burger cooked medium and the patty was juicy without being undercooked; the burger was moist and benefited from the fresh onion, lettuce, and pickle. I expected pickle slices but was pleased that they served a pickle spear itself. The texture of the Union's fries are special; they prioritize crispness which I definitely appreciated. The burger sauce, served on the side, was pretty good as well. read more

The Union - Burger and fries - New American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Came here today for a drink and bite to eat. It was empty when I came but the bartender and server were extremely nice and accommodating. Has a deli/ sports bar feel. Terrific music. Old Fashioned- really good! Boozy and balanced. Cobb salad - fantastic. One of the most delicious Cobb salads I've ever had. I substituted the Ranch for Blue Cheese. Perfect late lunch/early dinner spot. read more

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Fast service , standard American food. Pretty much what you expect at this price point. Friendly to kids. read more

From the reviews of this place I had high hopes. My experience of the place however did not match the reviews. This place seems like a lunch place or a sandwich shop with alcohol options. It's a sterile environment that has a small number of tables and the food was also so so. My partner and I both ordered burgers. I ordered medium and it was more on the well done side. It was a thick burger. Appeared to be a pre-made patty based on the size and thickness. The burger was large; however, that's about all it had going for it. They do have alcohol options and you order your food at the counter. It is counter service. The fries were ok however the taste made me think that it was just food service seasoned fries. Nothing exciting about it. Portion size was generous. The taste and atmosphere were just average. read more

The Union - burger and fries - New American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

We recently went to a shop for a quick lunch. What we discovered was a wonderful restaurant in McLean. I enjoyed the Cobb salad with shrimp added. It had bacon, hard boiled eggs, blue cheese crumbs, cucumbers, lettuce and tomatoes. It was wonderful. My husband enjoyed the hot honey sandwich with sweet potato fries. The service was quick and the staff was friendly. It had music and people coming in to enjoy the food. I will be back to enjoy the vibes and many more meals with my husband. read more

The Union - Hot honey chicken sandwich with sweet potato fries - New American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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I got their chicken milanese, fish and chips, and their housemade iced tea. when I asked for everything to go, they were very nice and packed it up for me, along with utensils and napkins. Their fish and chips and iced tea was delicious; their chicken milanese was too dry and tough for me. If i went back it would be for their fish and chips, both my brother and I enjoyed it. read more

I've been coming to The Union since spring 2020 and the food and service are consistently amazing! My go tos are the salmon plate, burger, and fattoush salad -- the summer menu is my favorite as soon as it is available. I wish every restaurant learned how to cook both salmon and polenta this consistently great with fresh ingredients every time Although I rave about the summer menu, the winter menu is also great, with my go tos being one of the soups or the cod. The burger thankfully stays around all year, so I double back to that as well. Giri is an extremely nice owner who remembers his customers and greets me every single time I come in or ensures to come to my table to say hello if I am dining in. I really miss living only a few minutes away, but I definitely will continue making the drive a few times a week for my salmon plate or fattoush salad craving to be fulfilled. read more

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The union continues to amaze. For good reason they have long been McLean, most popular dining spot for families, couples, and everything in between. I ordered the union burger and it was a symphony of soft deliciously cooked medium rare beef patty, brioche style bun, and came all dressed with bacon, cheese, lettuce and condiments. A giant burger to die for with A huge serving of delectable fries, and a spear of pickle. My wife ordered the pan seared cod. Soft succulent fish cooked to perfection. The pictures don't do it justice. The ambience with lots of families and young couples from the neighborhood was completely unique and a remarkable throwback to a different era. The service from Kristi, Amir, and Esteban was as though we were sitting at home. This place is a real gem, Long may it reign! read more

The Union - The union burger - New American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Good place to watch football matches. Beer was good. Food was fresh. Service good. I don't like outdoor dining place, tables was dusty. But overall everything is good. read more

Fine. Nothing special. Hummus was good. Burger ok. Little pricey for what you get. Lots of better options in mclean.

This place is cozy. Walked in for lunch and also happen to catch happy hour. We were greeted as we walked in and catered to the entire duration. The entire staff is super friendly and that comfort alone was enough to have me coming back to support the business. Our order consisted of the calamari, a beyond burger w/fries, shrimp po boy w/side salad, an old fashioned & 2 margaritas. The calamari came w/a white sauce, maybe mayo based but I didn't try it. I'd prefer a marinara. However, they were crispy golden and still delicious. The shrimp po boy has grilled/sautéed like shrimp on a soft bun. All it needed was a remoulade sauce or a chipotle type mayo. The beyond burger was good, but my partner said the bun was larger than the burger itself. Other than that, they enjoyed their food and we both said we would return. The drinks were on point too. The margarita had more sour mix than I would like but the drinks did sneak up for a nice buzz. All in all, I'd return and I encourage others to check this place out and support them as well. read more

The Union - Shrimp po boy w/side salad & margarita. - New American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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As much as it is possible in the toney suburb of McLean, The Union has a cozy neighborhood feel to it; which is saying something since the McLean culinary landscape is usually inhabited by chichi or national chain restaurants. What really sets this place apart from the other eateries in the area, especially in this lingering era of COVID, is the spacious outdoor patio. I met up with some work buddies for a HH get together, which was the first time in over 18 months (BTW - we were all fully vaccinated) we did so in-person. We thought it was time to actually enjoy a beverage and meal IRL as opposed to staring at a screen over ZOOM or MS TEAMS. I would describe the concept of The Union as part fast-casual and part upscale cuisine, with a dash of bistro thrown in. The ordering process is you walk into the main dining area and select your food and drink from the counter. After placing your order, you receive a number where your food and drinks get delivered once ready. This system is preferred since it ensures that each diner only pays for his/her share of a meal. What I sampled was tasty and prepared well. The calamari arrived at the table still sizzling and was not overly breaded but still had a crispy exterior. The accompanying Lebanese style garlic Toum dipping sauce was good, but IMHO could've used a bit more salt and even more garlic flavor. Sliders were good - nothing exceptional, but good. Thick cut bacon strips topped mini-Angus beef patties, with the usual toppings of lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and house aioli. The patties could've been cooked a minute or so less, since it was bordering on the well-done side, but was still moist enough. Battered fries were good and enough for folks at the table to share. The Union Happy Hour prices are good for McLean, but comparable to what you'd pay in DC. $1 off small plates, and $1 off beers on tap and certain house wines. The Union is not the cheapest option since my tab for 2 HH beers and two appetizers came to roughly $41 (with tax and tip). But I like this place and it was definitely nice to sit outdoors catching up with old friends while enjoying the cool September evening breeze. read more

The Union - New American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Very small food portions. Ordered the lamb. $20 for four lamb pieces. Each lamb piece is half a bit maybe up to 1 bite. So 2.5 full bites for $20. I guess it's good if you're on a keto diet. Not super tasty. Not worth the price!!! read more

The Union - Lamb chops - New American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Ambience is very mediocre The food is very mediocre as well. Went in after looking at the reviews, not sure if the reviews make sense. The staff is nice though! Quick service. Ordered the union burger and chicken and waffle, very mid. read more

The Union - Union Burger - New American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

This had 5 stars when we came. Decided to give it a try. How it works is that you pay for what you want up front at the cashier and then they bring the food to your table. Inside they have a good number of tables and a very small bar section. There are tables outside with heaters. When we went it was in the middle of winter and the employee seemed to not be very familiar with working them. He struggled a while before getting them on. We moved our seating location twice because of where the heaters were located. But the employee was helpful when explaining the menu and telling us what he thinks is the best value. (Because I thought the prices are kind of steep for what they are). I ended up getting the salad with chicken with his suggestion as it was the best way to get a good amount of veggies and a good cut of meat. I also got their hot apple cider. It had full sticks of cinnamon in it and tasted fresh, not too sweet. My friend got their union burger and fries. She thought both were great. We shared their calamari. They added some special spice that you would not normally add to calamari. They were also had more breading the calamari so that might not be the best choice on their menu. Parking is not particularly obvious. There is a garage where you can park and then walk to the restaurant. 4 stars for the price and overall food taste read more

The Union - salad with chicken. Apple cider. Union burger with fries. Calamari - New American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

This is such a cute shop for dining! Nothing fancy, but definitely good food and a good time if you have the right company! The owner stopped by and explained that they had just opened in March 2021, the same month that the world essentially shut down. His story was very heartwarming. Now to the food - delish! I ordered the lollipop lamb chops. They could have been served warmer, but the temperature didn't take too much away from the taste. I also tried the churros with chocolate sauce. I would go back for the churros alone. My! The dipping sauce reminded me of my grandmother's hot chocolate - a lot of nostalgia there. I am hoping to see this restaurant prosper. The owner is very pleasant and friendly, and the food is great too. read more

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This place is a cute neighborhood happy hour place and I'm glad I had a chance to check it out. Burger 4/5 - The burger is great but there's nothing special that makes it stand out from other burgers in the area. I would say it's a good enough burger if you want a quick bite. Lamp chops 4.5/5 - The happy hour sized lamb chops are nicely seasoned and tasty. They were perfectly cooked. Overall, I would stop by here for a quick bite if I were in the area. But I don't think it's necessarily a place you go out of your way to check out. There's great underground parking, but other than that, I would say nothing too special. Overall, I'd say a 3.5 but rounding up to a 4 because the service was good. read more

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We hit the Union around mid morning and got the brunch menu which turned out to be awesome. Salmon Benedict, mimosas, shrimp and grits and a sandwich with fries. All very good The place was easy to find and had a free parking garage that was easily accessible right next to it. They had outdoor seating and after you ordered you got a number and they brought the food to you. Service was good and the owner / manager stopped by to ask how everything was and how we heard of the Union. I definitely recommend it. read more

My wife adored her Pibli chicken sandwich -- super tender and tasty (for me, I wouldn't care for it, because of the crema). My chicken Milanese had a ton of salad atop it (which I should have requested without the dressing). The Asian Union salad had way too much cabbage, but the ginger-slash-sweet-chili dressing was delicious (and I added that to my dish). Had a Port City Optimal Wit on draft also. read more

The cashier who I assume is the owner was very nice and helpful. The food was quick and came out fast! My burger was juicy and cooked perfectly! read more

The Union - Union burget - New American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Came back to the restaurant after more than a year. Heard they had a new option for vegetarian - Mumbai Panini sandwich. I've had these sandwiches in india and they are yummy if made properly. I was hoping this would be as good. When I ordered it at the counter, I told them I don't like cheese and wanted the panini without the cheese. But the lady said it's all pre-mixed and cannot be changed. This is a bummer if you are a vegan or don't like cheese. Mumbai style sandwiches are not hard to make (yes I make it at home). You need spiced potatoes, tomatoes, cucumber and some chutney. Cheese should be optional. I didn't like the panini with the cheese personally. I also found it a bit bland. I was hoping for some masala and more chutney. Overall, I found it ok. The Banana crème brûlée is still yummy. Hoping the manager adds more veggie and vegan options. We vegetarians don't always like the impossible burgers. So the Mumbai panini excited me, but left me a bit disappointed. read more

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Food was delicious Easy to park and very comfortable atmosphere Met friends for lunch

Quaint little cafe/restaurant where the old Indian buffet used to be in McLean. Plenty of parking, nice atmosphere inside, super friendly service - like, some of the nicest people I've met working at a restaurant in a long long time. I like the eclectic menu - it isn't too broad, and represents diverse flavors. The French fries are amazing. Unfortunately the positives end there, because the rest of the food was average to bad. My wife had the watermelon gazpacho which was overly sweet - really needed a hit of Sherry vinegar for balance. I started with the artisan greens salad - I asked if they could make it as a side salad but was told no - so I got a whole order, ate a quarter of it, and took the rest home. Similar to the gazpacho it just lacked balance. The components were bitter and salty. I know there were grapes in there for sweetness and goat cheese for tang, but none of it came together. My wife then had the fattoush salad which she said was pretty decent. I went with the Mumbai panini - oofff, this was bad. My wife who is not a picky eater actually said it was the worst panini she'd ever had - unfortunately I have to agree. The bread had a nice crunch and great chew as you would expect from a panini - but the inside of the sandwich was a mess. The beet and cucumber were both completely lost because the blandness of the potatoes just muted everything else. I never tasted any chaat masala nor any cilantro chutney. The whole thing just ate so bland except for an occasional bite of havarti, which was a welcome reprieve. The food came to $46 which was outrageous to me for how flavorless everything was. On a side note, I wasn't really sure how to tip because it's like a fast casual joint in that you order at the front and then they bring you food (which doesn't suggest to me that the standard 20% should apply), but then we did have a server come to our table a couple of times to check on us, so I fear I may have undertipped at the beginning unfortunately. Anyway, if you're in McLean and are looking for a cute place with great service to grab a small bite with a friend, check this place out. But don't go out of your way to visit because the food really does not stand out. read more

I was just in the neighborhood and googled best burger near me. The Union came up, I got a take out burger, and Wow! in a sea of pretty humdrum burgers in northern Virginia, their burger is just outstanding. read more

Came here for lunch and very disappointed the menu online did not watch the actual in restaurant menu. I asked and the staff shared they had just not had time to change the online menu. Felt like a switch and hate as the online menu was extensive while the actual restaurant menu was very limited. The overall six meals were good but not great.... Why have bacon on the side when you after a steak.... Made no sense. Next time we will skip this place for lunch read more

The Union should change their name to "Unique" as the dishes I've had here are outstanding & like no other meal I've had before. It's also a welcoming environment with quick and professional service!! read more

The Union - Mumbai Panini - New American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Excellent place for a quick bite or chill time with your buddy. Vegetarians try the Mumbai Sandwich yum veggies flavored with cilantro chutney and cheese sandwiched between CRISPY bread that doesn't go soggy once u start gulping it down. :) Love love!! Extra Star for fancy glasses and I would give 2 extra stars if I could because the restaurant uses Paper Straws !! My husband chose Chicken sandwich - authentic Yucatan flavors as Chef /.Restaurant owner has worked all over the world. Hence the name Union! Real cute place and really nice sweet owner and staff ! Ooooh forgot CRISPY fries anyone ??? That stay crispy???..what u waiting for :) go have a bite :) read more

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This is an office lunch cantina, not really a bar or a "New American" restaurant. Temper your expectations accordingly...

Service was friendly and food was delivered quickly. Union burger and shrimp poboy were delicious, crispy fries were also on point. Shrimp sautéed, not fried. Ambiance is lacking but great for quick bite and beer (3 IPAs on tap, 1 lager, and one wit). read more

Came by with a buddy for lunch. Super chill vibes. Some of the best fries you'll ever eat, but the salad was great too. Impossible burger was juicy and well seasoned. No regrets. read more

The Union - Impossible burger - New American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

Love this little gem in McLean! Great food great staff! The prices were excellent everything tasted fresh. Definitely will be back to try more menu items. Come out and support the Union you won't be disappointed! FYI: You have to order your food and they give you a number. You can sit anywhere. Also, be careful when walking out the side door near the bar there is a step. read more

The shrimp po boy was pretty good considering the shrimp wasn't fried. Glad that they were large shrimp, remoulade was pretty good, sub roll was soft, but the fries were too fried/crunchy. Maybe old fries or old oil. Husband thought the burger was okay and enjoyed the fries. I do like the simplicity of ordering at the counter and finding a table, with food being brought out the the table. Very casual and lots of seating inside and some outdoors as well. Staff were nice and we were able to park on the street. read more

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My grandpa was a union man. He worked tirelessly in a copper mine until he was laid off. Then he worked tirelessly to earn his job back. As this turtle-esque burger crawled it's way down my throat, I couldn't help but think of my grandpa crawling down into a cold, dark mineshaft. The ingredients were fresh, the fries were delightful, and the burger as reptilian as can be (in the best way possible). Go to The Union If you love the American dream, turtles, or the gereatric ward. read more

The Union - A burger that resembles a turtle poised to take a bite out of my fries. - New American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

I'm glad I found this cute little cafesque spot. The owner of this restaurant and staff are super sweet and hospitable. The food was flavorful, but the portion sizes were a bit disappointing especially for the price point. I would definitely come back here again and try other items of the menu, but probably for the happy hour for the $. read more

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OUTSTANDING food and service. Great value too. A real gem! I'll be coming back here again. read more

The Union - New American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

The union Cobb I got (to go) was the most beautiful to-go item I can recall ordering. Excellent quality avocado, too. It was yummy. I'll definitely return read more

The Union - Cutest Cobb salad ever. Yummy, too!! - New American Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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[7:21 PM EST] I can see why this place has 5 stars. Not only do they serve perfected classics, but I thoroughly enjoyed the service. This place was not too crowded and provided outdoor seating, so I felt safe eating with my friend at one of their outside tables. I ordered the union sliders (cooked to perfection btw) and the kids size mac and cheese (because who doesn't love mac and cheese). It was a feast to say the least. This place also had the best fries I've ever had. I would come back for the fries alone. I loved that the employees checked-in on your experience as you were seated and we were always greeted with friendly faces. Service can really make a world of difference. I will be recommending this place to all my friends in the area, and if you're reading this, I recommend you stop by the Union too! read more

The Union - The union slides, chicken slides, and kids Mac and cheese - New American Near Me - McLean, Virginia