Dulles airport area - need a place to eat!

The boys and I fly into Dulles next Friday arriving around 3:30pm. By the time we clear customs and get all our luggage, it'll certainly be closer to 4:30-5. We're headed to Maryland and we know traffic will be horrendous (being the Friday before a holiday week). My mother and uncle are picking us up and they want to find a place to eat to kill some time and let the worst of the traffic pass. That's fine by me as I rarely eat the plane food and I want to keep the boys awake as long as possible.

So, yes, there are restaurants in the airport but I'm not sure what the selection is on the non-security side. Also, the prices are terrible and we'll have our luggage with us.

I'm not familiar with the area surrounding the airport but surely there must be a chain restuaruant or 2 nearby? TGIFridays or something like that? Something that is easy to find?

Any suggestions welcome... I'm doing some Google searches, but thought I'd throw this out there to all you seasoned travelers, too!

TIA!

There are two areas near Dulles that have built up shopping areas. 

Reston Town Center and Sterling (which is a small part of Loudoun).

I can't remember which roads they are near, but they should both be about 10 mins drive without traffic.  They both have your standard variety of American restaurants and shops.

Reston is right off the Dulles Airport Road that heads back into DC and crosses 495 at some point.

I don't know if this will make any sense for where you're going, but we always go the back way from Dulles, past Leesburg and crossing the river at White's Ferry to get to Maryland.

There's no rush hour traffic and the kids love to take the ferry. It will put you in Poolesville (takes about 40 minutes, depending on traffic and ferry schedule), where there's a nice-ish place to eat. Let me know if you want more info.

You could kill time at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Udvar-Hazy Center. It's located next to Dulles airport. It's awesome! There's a McDonald's in there and a McCafe, but it will be a bit pricier than the regular McDonald's. The museum is free, but you will have to pay to park.

i was in dulles yesterday just flew out last night... anyways there was harrys bar room and i think a m exican place, that was all i seen in my terminal i flew aer lingus... good luck... ps there was a starbucks inside a newshop

The White's Ferry is a nice option, especially if you're heading to western part of Maryland.  A Friday before a holiday weekend means it may take upwards of 2-3 hours to get across the American Legion Bridge and around past 270/Bethesda Rockville - that is the most horrendous stretch of road.

Herndon is another option as someone has mentioned Reston.  There are lots of places around there.  I think it's one of the first Dulles Toll Road exits it'll take you towards Route 7 and into Herndon/Reston, it's probably only 2 miles from the airport.  Watch out for heading down Route 7 towards Tysons Corner as that gets very busy.  We were meant to meet someone around 4 or 4:30 on a weeknight at Tysons and they were in Falls Church off the beltway, no more than 2-3 miles and it took them nearly 1 1/2 hours drive.

Basically think at least as bad as London traffic in the rush hour.

OOh, just found the most Awesome Mexican place, if that's your cup of tea, called Anita's, we used to go in Vienna and it is really awesome authentic.
701 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 703-481-1441

Also, if you like Pho restaurants (Vietnamese) there are 4 in Herndon (and millions in Northern Virginia, the "REAL" Virginia) Pho 75, Pho 99, Pho 2000 and Pho Herndon.  I don't know why they generally have numbers after them but they often do for some reason.

It's all coming back.  I haven't lived in Fairfax, VA in nearly 7 years!

Thanks everyone. Matt, we found Qdoba Grill but your place sounds even better.

No problem.  I also found out they opened an Amphora's Diner in Herndon, they originally just had one in Vienna.  It's a 24 hour Greek diner and they serve all kinds of food (not necessarily just Greek food) which may give a bit more choice depending on who likes what.

Thanks everyone. Matt, we found Qdoba Grill but your place sounds even better.

Mmmm!!! Good choice!!!

OOh, just found the most Awesome Mexican place, if that's your cup of tea, called Anita's, we used to go in Vienna and it is really awesome authentic.
701 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 703-481-1441

Funny, I thought Anita's was ghastly! But we still went back--chalk it up to homesickness.  Actually, I have to admit, they have the atmosphere down perfectly. Not the food, alas.

Funny, I thought Anita's was ghastly! But we still went back--chalk it up to homesickness.  Tongue Grin Actually, I have to admit, they have the atmosphere down perfectly. Not the food, alas.

What did you eat?
Did you have the Chili Relleno?  That is the best I've ever had.  Granted, I'd only been 2-3 times about 5-7 years ago so maybe their standards have gone down.

What did you eat?
Did you have the Chili Relleno?  That is the best I've ever had.  Granted, I'd only been 2-3 times about 5-7 years ago so maybe their standards have gone down.

Don't remember exactly, but I probably did have a relleno, as that's one of my favorites. I DO remember the sopaipillas, gack. This would have been three or four years ago.

But I grew up in New Mexico, and I confess to being obnoxiously opinionated!