Reminiscent images of the quaint and whimsical ambiance of Bourbon Street in New Orleans are hard to miss once you step into King Street Blues, a Louisiana-inspired eatery that promises its patrons comfort food with a southern accent.
Tucked inside the courtyard of the Arlington Courthouse, King Street Blues serves the freshest ingredients in its Cajun cuisines, while visually entertaining diners with quarter life size paper mache characters and colorful murals that adorn the dining area.
This Virginia-based restaurant was first introduced in Alexandria in a renovated three story brownstone on North Saint Asaph Street. Finding a name for the place was surprisingly easy. After finding the perfect building, owner Ralph Capobianco got a bad case of the blues because it was not on King Street, the main commercial street in Old Town Alexandria. Soon after its debut, the restaurant opened in four more locations throughout Virginia.
Cajun spices and flavorful seasonings masterfully blend together to create delectable southern dishes featured on the menu. For starters, an order of hush puppies ($4.49) is a suggested appetizer to savor before any entrée. These buttermilk beauties are fried to a golden brown complexion and served with remoulade sauce.
For those eager to taste New Orleans all in one bowl, the jambalaya pasta ($13.99) does just that with a slice of buttery cornbread on the side. The festive dish combines mini penne with tender slices of chicken breast, shrimp, and andouille, a heavily smoked pork sausage, in a rich and creamy sauce. Sautéed peppers and onions are mixed among Cajun spices and a splash of Sherry in this down home meal. The chef also adds a generous helping of shrimp throughout the pasta. The sweet spongy cornbread can be added to any entrée for only $.79.
Homemade iced tea ($2.29) can be unlimitedly refilled as it is sure to offer a sweet and lemony finish to this tasty southern feast.
If you really want to acquire a southern accent, try one of the ‘New American Sammiches.’ With just one bite out of the French Quarter Po’ Boy ($9.49), any diner is sure to croon the blues. Chopped chicken breast, shrimp and andouille are sautéed with signature seasonings, peppers and onions, and sandwiched between a crisp french roll. This meal is complemented with a side of ranch dressing that mixes fresh dill and chives for a light yet zesty taste. The freshly prepared hand cut fries are a recommended side to this dish.
Winner of Virginia’s People’s Choice Award, King Street Blues’ ultra famous barbeque ribs is a roadhouse classic. Pork back ribs are house-smoked for six hours and mopped with signature mahogany barbeque sauce. A half rack of ribs (12.99) are served with coleslaw, Carter’s “cool beans” and cornbread.
Southern hospitality will keep diners coming back for more as a complimentary side of homemade potato chips is given to diners at the end of their meals. If you find yourself wanting more southern cuisine, an order of Old Dixie Bread Pudding ($5.99) is sure to do the trick. This dessert features bread pudding with assorted fruit served warm and topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Drizzles of warm bourbon sauce and sprinkles of cinnamon and powdered sugar add the finishing touches.
As a neighborhood restaurant, King Street Blues is a family friendly roadhouse suitable for a quick bite at lunch or a happy hour gathering after work. Employees provide the best in customer service as many have been with the eatery for years. You will be pleasantly surprised with featured items on the menu that are reasonably priced.
King Street Blues
2300 Clarendon Blvd.
Arlington, Va. 22201
703-243-4900
Sunday – Thursday: 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m., Friday – Saturday: 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
