Balkan Grill (Alexandria, VA)

5902 North Kings Highway, Alexandria, VA 22303, T: 703-329-3303

Tucked away in a dreary strip mall in Alexandria, the Balkan Grill offers Balkan specialties to go. The place itself is tiny and only has a small counter where some 3-4 people can sit. Next door is a little supermarket, which sells mostly Balkan and German food. The Balkan Grill offers the classic staples of grilled meats, but mostly as sandwiches. It also has various salads and sweets (including baklava).

M. starts with a bowl of lentil soup, which is well grinded and peppery, and comes with fresh bread. It’s very good. We share an Adana Burger ($6.95), which is a large round burger with Balkan spices and harissa on freshly baked bread. It’s absolutely delicious! The Mixed Grill ($12.90) includes a nice piece of chicken, a rather thin and dry pljeskavica, four excellent cevapcici, and a small piece of well-seasoned but dry beef. The fries are thick and a bit too soft.

VERDICT: 89/100

Balkan Grill offers very authentic Balkan food. Best stay away from the mixed grill, which is relatively expensive and ot so good, and stick with the excellent sandwiches.