UPDATE: Mamma's Kitchen Wins 'Best Italian Restaurant'

Readers vote Via Veneto second, and Pema's takes third-place spot

UPDATE: Congratulations to Mamma's Kitchen for winning the Best of Route 1 Patch poll this week in the "Best Italian Restaurant" category! Voting by Patch readers began on Monday and 'Mamma's' saw 41 percent of the vote by the time the poll closed Friday at 9 a.m. Patch readers also voted for runner-up Via Veneto, which received 35 percent of the vote and Pema's received 14 percent of the vote. The crowded field also saw voting for both Primo Family Restaurant and Maggio's. The winner will get a framed "Best of Patch" certificate, plus bragging rights. Stay tuned for our next "Best of" poll coming up Monday—"Best Store for Children's Gifts." Voting will begin at 5 a.m.  --- Have a great restaurant to recommend for authentic pasta and …

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Route 1 Readers' Choice

UPDATE: BB&T's Mount Vernon Branch Wins 'Best Bank' Poll

Winner will receive a framed 'Best of' certificate

UPDATE: Congratulations to BB&T Bank of Mount Vernon, for winning the Best of Route 1 Patch poll this week in the "Best Bank" category! Voting by Patch readers began on Monday and Mount Vernon's BB&T Bank came in first by the time the poll closed Friday at 9 a.m. The Fort Hunt branch of Burke & Herbert Bank came in second in the poll. The winner will get a framed "Best of Alexandria" certificate from Patch, plus bragging rights. Stay tuned for our next "Best of" poll coming up Monday—voting will begin at 5 a.m. in a new category. --- What do you look for in a bank? Knowledgeable employees, customer service, convenient location, extended hours, competitive rates, community service? Patch wants you to pick your favorite bank in the Route 1 …

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Kari Wright Warren

12:02 pm on Thursday, February 23, 2012

You left off the best customer service bank of all...Virginia Commerce Bank. I switched all of my accounts from BB&T. Virginia Commerce Bank (Steven Blanco and his team) are truly the best!   more ›

Route 1 Readers' Choice

UPDATE: Starbucks Wins 'Best Coffee Shop' Poll

Hollin Hall Bakery comes in close second

Patch readers have spoken and named Starbucks their favorite in our "Best of Route 1" poll. Congratulations! Starbucks took home 9 votes and Hollin Hall Pastry came in a close second, with 7 votes. With such a close vote, Patch is also honoring Hollin Hall Pastry with "Best of" bragging rights for Favorite Independent Coffee Shop. Both Starbucks and Hollin Hall Pastry will receive a framed "Best of Alexandria" certificate from Patch. Next up: Route 1 banks. Get ready—voting begins Monday at 5 a.m. --- Now that it's actually beginning to feel like winter, where's the best spot in town to grab a hot cup of coffee? Patch wants you to pick your favorite coffee shop on Route 1. You have until Friday at 9 a.m. to vote. Which is your favorite?   …

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Route 1 Readers' Choice

Who's the Best of Route 1?

Patch is launching a 'new and improved' Best of Route 1 series on Monday!

Who has the best cup of coffee? Who makes the best pizza? Which park is the best in town? If you're a regular reader of Patch, you've seen our "Best of" series here before, but we're revamping it a bit and starting Monday, you'll see a new-and-improved version of the series running on Huntington-Belle Haven Patch, Fort Hunt Patch, Hybla Valley Patch and Mount Vernon Patch. Here's how it will work: On Monday morning, we'll publish a poll (next week, it will be coffee shops) and list choices for you to vote on (you'll also be able to "write in" a nomination in the Comments box). You'll be able to vote until Friday at 9 a.m. We'll reveal the winner Friday afternoon. We need your help! After you vote for your favorite coffee shop, we'll be …

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Best of Route 1: Gyms

Tell us where you get your fitness on.

What is the best gym on Route 1? We need your help to find out. Welcome to our bi-weekly “Best Of Route 1” contest, where Patch asks readers to visit our “Places” section and write their thoughts on which they like best. You don’t have to be a professional critic. Just write down a few thoughts about what you like (or don’t like) about the featured gym. Your opinion counts! Here’s how to play: 1. Create a free Patch login if you don’t already have one. 2. Visit the pages in our Places directory. Click on the links to go to the pages. This week’s contenders are: 3. Write a review at the bottom of the page where prompted. What makes it your favorite gym? Are the spin classes tough? Are there plenty of cardio machines to go around? Votes in …

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Five Guys Wins Best of Route 1

D.C. based burger joint is crowned the winner of Patch's Burger Battle.

  Five Guys Burgers and Fries has been declared the winner of Patch's Best of Route 1 contest. The restaurant took the lead with an overwhelming 64 percent of votes. Patch reader Dave said it best: "Five Guys have the best burgers and fries on the planet. Simple and straightforward with or without frills. All they need are shakes so I don't have to walk next door to McDonald's." Tubby's Chili Parlor took second place with 24 percent of the vote, and Balkan Grill came in third place. Remember, you can review any local restaurant if you click the "Places" tab at the top of this website. Thank you for voting in our burger battle! Stay tuned for the next round next Wednesday.

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Best of Route 1: Burgers

Tell us who you think makes the best burgers on Route 1.

Who makes the best burgers on Route 1? We need your help to find out. Welcome to our bi-weekly “Best Of Route 1” contest, where Patch asks readers to visit our “Places” section and write their thoughts on which they like best. You don’t have to be a professional critic. Just write down a few thoughts about what you like (or don’t like) about the featured burger joint. Your opinion counts! Here’s how to play: 1. Create a free Patch login if you don’t already have one. 2. Visit the pages in our Places directory. Click on the links to go to the pages. This week’s contenders are: 3. Write a review at the bottom of the page where prompted. What makes it your favorite burger place? Are the burgers extra-juicy? Are they generous with the …

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El Paso Wins Best of Route 1

Mount Vernon Mexican restaurant takes the lead in this week's battle.

The people have spoken. El Paso Mexican Restaurant has won Best Mexican Restaurant (aka Battle of the Tacos) in this week's Best of Route 1! The restaurant took the lead with 12 votes in our write-in category. The restaurant's authentic Mexican cuisine and reasonable prices make readers say, "Olé!" Write-in voter Jennifer Hemingway wrote, "How can you not have El Paso on your list?? The best by FAR!!!" Our write-in category was a huge success! El Pollo Ranchero came in second place with 26 percent of the vote, and Taco Grande came in third. Remember, you can review any local restaurant if you click the "Places" tab at the top of this website. Thank you for voting in our Best of Route 1 contest. Stay tuned for the next round in two weeks!

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Best of Route 1: Mexican Restaurants

Vote for your favorite Mexican restaurant!

Who makes the best Mexican food on Route 1? We need your help to find out. Welcome to our bi-weekly “Best Of Route 1” contest, where Patch asks readers to visit our “Places” section and write their thoughts on which they like best. You don’t have to be a professional critic. Just write down a few thoughts about what you like (or don’t like) about the featured Mexican restaurant. Your opinion counts! Here’s how to play: 1. Create a free Patch login if you don’t already have one. 2. Visit the pages in our Places directory. Click on the links to go to the pages. This week’s contenders are: 3. Write a review at the bottom of the page where prompted. What makes it your favorite Mexican place? Are the margaritas served in birdbath-like glasses? …

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Mamma's Kitchen Wins Best of Route 1

The local Greek restaurant wins Patch's first-ever Best of Route 1.

The people have spoken. Mamma's Kitchen has been declared the winner of Patch's Best of Route 1 contest. The restaurant took the lead with 39 percent of votes. The pizza's thin crust and low price garnered rave reviews from readers like Jan Vaughan, who said, "Delicious pizza; kind of thin crust." Primo Family Restaurant took second place with 23 percent of the vote, and Old Chicago Pizzeria came in third place. Remember, you can review any local restaurant if you click the "Places" tab at the top of this website. Thank you for voting in our first Best of Route 1 contest. Stay tuned for the next round next Wednesday.

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