Ballston Local

Fantastic location. They are very popular in the area especially because of their pizza, but other dishes are also delicious. Also their beverages are great. The staff is very attentive, friendly and quick.

We were in town doing a beauty school visit at Aveda and decided to stop at Ballston Local for a quick lunch before heading back to the Woodbridge area. The establishment was large and were told we could sit wherever we wanted. We chose a table all the way in the back which we regretted. Due to that section of the restaurant, it was VERY cold. The rest of the dining area did feel warmer so it was our fault lol. Our server was friendly and attentive and we really enjoyed our food. I forgot to take pictures of the fried cheese curds but they were tasty. Pictured: ✅Slice of cheese & veggie pizza ✅Chicken Gyro ✅Rigatoni Vodka w/ side chicken caesar salad

Every time I go here, it’s busy but I get my order taken quickly. Isaac the manager and Kerry the bartender are great as are the rest of the staff. The pizza slices are good, and my personal favorite is the poutine. I recommend the smoked old fashioned. Kerry gave me a little rubber duck with my blue curaçao drink which was cool. This is my go to place for a good night.

It is in a convenient place. However, the food is subpar. I ordered short-rib cheddar melt, which is 95% cheese and 5% barely detectable meat. The service was fine.

The Ballston Local is simply fantastic, the ownership and staff are all incredible!! Bartenders Louie, Bree, Maddie, Sophia, and Kerry are just simply the very best of the best!! The Ballston Local name is so indicative of the local atmosphere that permeates the establishment where everyone in the area (and visitors) can come enjoy a great happy hour or evening of fun. The food and service is top notch, and I'm so happy that I found this place! I highly recommend the Ballston Local to everyone of all persuasions and backgrounds. Great Vibe!!

Our first time here. The pizza is approved. I'm from Queens NYC. It's truly like NYC pizza. 😁 The rest of the food we got was good. Def stop in for some great NYC pizza. 😁👍🏼

Amazing place to eat! Love the pizza and atmosphere of the restaurant. My favourite pizza here was the Godfather. It has everything on it. Perfectly crisp and the crust is amazing. The waiter was attentive. Good stuff!

Great atmosphere for late night fun. Servers were responsive and helpful when it came to ordering drinks and food. Kitchen was closing soon however, I was still able to order food and it came out hot and fresh. Pizza is served all night drinks were strong but good! LIVE MUSIC! Service floated however, our table was always covered for the duration of our visit. Overall great experience I would definitely recommend anyone tapping into this spot for an evening of entertainment.

Great location that has outdoor seating. The bar inside had a live band that was pretty loud in a small space so we decided to sit outside to talk easier. The drink menu has a few good choices on mixed cocktails and a lot of choices for beers. I had the spa day with sparkling edible glitter. Pretty & light tasting. We ordered a slice of pizza made on thin crust with fresh meat and cheese toppings that hit the spot for a fourth meal. We enjoyed the atmosphere. Our waitstaff was very informative, helpful & tentative.

Came here around 9:30 pm on a weeknight, looking for open restaurants in the Ballston area. The kitchen was about to close, and we got a pasta and sub. Overall, the food was decent, but come here for the vibes, not food :)

My friend and I stopped by Ballston Local a couple Wednesdays ago for an early dinner. Fortunately, we were able to snag the happy hour deal! SHORT RIB POUTINE (HH) - 7 Normally, it's $13, so I expected a much smaller portion. However, we were shocked to see a large portion with lots of gravy, cheese, and fries. Flavor was fine, too salty though. Not a lot of short rib, but for $7 I can't complain. Overall, this was pretty tasty and a good sharable but very dense. The two of us gave up after eating about 60% of it, but I'd recommend sharing this with a bigger group. CARNE - 5.50 This is one of 5 options we could order a single slice -- the more niche flavors require us to order a whole pie, which we did not want. Lots of oil/grease, but that can easily be dabbed off if you're not down for it. Solid slice, with lots of different meats. My friend and I were pretty satisfied after killing this. Pretty good steal for the price. I've heard people rave about the NYC slice here and I can see why. So definitely give Ballston Local a try if you are craving a slice! My friend and I can agree that this was the cheapest dinner out in awhile.

Food was good here. Good vibes and quiet ambiance with indoor seating. I got either the Baller Double or Classic Double. I don't remember, but it was likely the Baller Double. Bluemont Burger also looks really nice -- if I were to come again, I'd try that. I got a side of Caesar salad. It was pretty good and hit the spot. Overall, great service and quiet, interesting ambiance in outdoor seating. Food was pretty decent here.

I came here on a Monday night for trivia and it was so fun! The pizza was also some of the best pizza I've had in the area. The service was also great and told us our checks would be compensated if we won. Unfortunately we did not win trivia haha but I would definitely come back to try again or just for the food which was delicious!

Came for Monday trivia, which was well done. The poutine fries were good, but the "bolognese" was a pretty bland and watery meat sauce. By the looks of it, pizza was the way to go.

These burgers were fantastic! Everything about them was good, but the flavor of the beef made the entire burger what it was. I could have had just the burger and bun and been satisfied and I can't think of a time that was my only thought. The fries were good, the Parm was a pleasant surprise. The Bang Bang Shrimp app was fine as was the Short Rib Poutine (I think is would have been better if I had eaten it quicker, but we were sharing apps).

The nachos were just ok (not Mexican legit, but ok) and my little one's pasta was underwhelming. It was quite a long wait for our food even though the restaurant was mostly empty. I would not return.

Simple burger, pizza joint. Good tvs. Decent location with street and other garage parking. Easy walk from Ballston metro. Great service (5*). I tried the bacon cheeseburger. The bun fell apart. Tasty patty. I had them add tomato and lettuce. Fries come with a sprinkling of cheese and herbs. So that was nice. Overall, solid 3*, could have been better without the collapsing bun. Cool vibe with good TVs. Would be a nice sports venue.

Great place for a drink and play trivia! Service was fantastic also! We had so much fun playing trivia we came back next time that week.

$12.12 for a veggie and "carne" slice. No drink no sides. The veggie was fine but floppy. At least it was the slice of the packaging. The image shows the underwhelming carne slice. Didn't have any ricotta like the menu says and obviously undersized as it looks like it's missing a third of the slice. The audacity. The slice itself wasn't special. The crust was above average but the sauce, cheese, and toppings were just okay. They also don't open until 130pm on Tuesday's and til 4pm on Mondays. Don't really understand how you can operate a pizza shop in Arlington and miss out on lunch rush 2/5 weekdays.

Came in late and was looking for a restaurant still open by hotel. Glad I found this spot. Great food selection, pizza looked great but went with spare rib grilled cheese which was fantasic. Servers were fast and friendly, with good beer recommendations. Definitely will be back if I'm in the area.

My first time here, for trivia. Server was attentive, the pizza we had were really good. Half cheese, half pepperoni, but the Carne was fantastic. All the pies had so much flavor. I heard from friends the single slices don't taste good. So my recommendations is grab some friends & order the whole pie. Parking in the basement was $7 after 5pm on week days & weekends. No validation. During football season, trivia starts at 6pm. They also have a happy hour. The burger looked sad and small. I probably won't get that if I go there again. The hazy IPA I had on draft was fantastic. Overall a great spot & I recommend it.

The food was so good I couldn't wait to have a bite (or a few). The espresso martini is one of the best I've ever had. The Buffalo Chicken Pizza was crispy and crunchy, leaving me craving for more. The Rigatoni Vodka Pasta was good but the garlic bread paired with it was stellar. Monday night is trivia night which was very entertaining.

Service and quality 5 out of 5. Easily a go to if you're in the area and looking for great food and solid service.

We needed a quick lunch before going to watch Run for the Wall come in and this place was close. Little did we know we had stumbled onto our new favorite Ballston eatery. From the server behind the bar at lunch to the servers and dinner everyone was friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable about their menu and the area and very personable. The service by Jake and everyone else was superb. The beer selection is great, their pizza is some of the best we've had and their salads are very fresh and tasty. And we love the option of dining inside or out, and loved the music selection inside. We'll be back again for lunch and dinner and so will a lot of our fellow Run for the Wall riders, this year and for years to come.

Really liked it here! It's a fun, spacious environment with numerous TVs and plenty of seating, which becomes important for their trivia nights, which I definitely recommend. They're one of the few places in the area that do trivia on Mondays (nice to have that option), and they do it well- it's a fun format and good user experience as everything is done via phone. As for the food, I'd say it's pretty high quality bar food for a fair price. They have lots of pizza options, as well as burgers, sandwiches, pasta, and more. I ordered the Short Rib Poutine and Meatball Hero, which were both delicious (the Hero was huge- I was extremely full and satisfied after eating). I also had a bite of my girlfriend's pizza and it was a really solid thin-crust, NY-style slice. And of course, they have great drinks too. I recommend the Drunken Arnold Palmer (it's exactly what you think it is- a refreshing Arnold Palmer with a kick of alcohol, very tasty). Will definitely be coming back.

I came here for their musical bingo, which is so much fun! Our table actually ended up having several winners, so my friends won giftcards/comped drinks! I would definitely come again with a group

Ordered 3 pizzas and a pasta to feed 8 people and there was plenty of food, but the strong consensus was that the pizza was just mediocre. Not nearly enough moisture to offset a generally dry and dense crust and while the toppings were in decent portions it was still not enough to create a delicious and powerful flavor. And the fact that it cost $95 made it that much more irritating. Will continue my search for an excellent pizza spot in the Ballston area.

Ugh! The pizza looks like New York style but it tastes like the vomit I'd be choking down after a dog 5h!+ in my my mouth. Even in Arlington where the best NYC style pizza is never great this stands out as bad.

Everything I got here is pretty good! I ordered the Drunken Arnold Palmer which is a solid choice. I ordered the poutine, which was really really good, and pretty heavy for an app! The brisket is well cooked! The slice of pizza is not bad either and is served very quickly. It has a thin crust and I feel like there could be more cheese. I enjoyed their Trivia game hosted by The Geeks Who Drink - it's super fun with a lot of amusing category rounds. I'd definitely come again!

Most places in the area closed by 10pm but we were able slide right into Ballston local. Staff was more than accommodating upon our arrival. Lots of beers on tap, we started with a couple beers and cheese curds. Nice wide open layout with lots of late night games on the tvs. We both ordered burgers and they were great. Stuck around for a couple beers after our meal and walked back to our hotel. Heads up we returned a few nights later and the restaurant was open until midnight but the kitchen was closing at 10pm as many bars/restaurants do. Lucky for us the pizza oven was still hot and they threw us in a pie! Again super chill but on point staff! Thanks for having us!

Been coming here years, from casual night out for some great food to hosting company events to booking the whole place for our baby shower. Always a great time with exceptional service. Adding Super Bowl and sporting events to that list. Classy fun crowd, so many big TVs angled for easy viewing of multiple ones from any seat, and a booming quality sound system. Best place to watch sports in the area!

Amazing place to go with a friend or a big group! Lively atmosphere with live music, trivia, and singo during the week. Very accommodating American fare for all diet types. The pizza and cheese curds are my absolute favorite! Staff is very attentive and never had to ask for a single thing. Try out their cocktails which are always changing!

ELEVATED COMFORT FOOD & EMERGING LIVE MUSIC SCENE. I've brought lots of friends here because everyone enjoys the food and the vibes. Try their outstanding pizza first! Next try their burgers and both kinds of fries (skinny fries and waffle fries). If you like cold sandwiches, the Italian Pork Store Special is wonderful. If you like poutine, you can get it here with short rib meat or seafood! If you're a serious fan of Buffalo Wings, you must try them here but make sure to ask them for extra sauce. Their homemade Buffalo sauce is comparable to that of the famous places in Buffalo NY! I could drink the stuff!!! A pro tip is to ask for a side of Buffalo sauce to dip your pizza crust or skinny fries into. All the food is a level higher than you'd expect because the head chef Jason, was formerly executive chef at an MGM National Harbor! Talk about being overqualified for your job! The owner Jonah is well liked by his customers and staff because he is friendly and engaging. Jonah, a former brewer, has an obvious passion for bee and spirits. Ask him for advice on selecting a beer or cocktail. You won't be disappointed! Jonah has done an amazing job creating a friendly, comfortable vibe. A major factor is he has hired ONLY kind and engaging staff. It really makes a difference and has quickly cultivated loyal repeat customers (like me)! Finally, Ballston Local has been cultivating a vibrant live music scene. They have live performers about 4 nights per week. The open mic on Tuesday nights is perfect for aspiring musicians looking to meet each other for collaboration. The Tuesday night Singo is also really popular and fun to play with friends over food and drinks.

Friendly staffs and good food and beers. Recommend on getting the nachos! I was craving pasta and it was decent.

I came to Ballston Trivia for their Wednesday night trivia. It was a pretty popular and busy night and it was great to see how lively this bar could be on a weekday. The host when I came in told me there were no seats available and when I asked about how long the wait was, she told me she didn't know. It was kinda a bummer so I just stood there awkwardly. However one of the servers or managers asked me if I had been helped and than went out of his way to find a table for us. He was amazing but the rest of service didn't seem too much up to standard. Our waiter was in and out, he delivered fries without even giving me a chance to ask for ketchup, and left our table multiple times while bringing our check. I get it's busy but leaving jn between each person paying and leaving the device there was an oof. However, the pizza was pretty good. The meat was flavorful and the crust was crispy. It didn't stand out much to me, it was something that left me satisfied but not something I'd feel the need to return to. However, so many other reviews talk about how amazing the pizza is so it could've just been tbe business of the night. The French fries were meh and not impressive. I'm glad I went here as it had a lively atmosphere but isn't on my "I need to return" list. However, I recommend you go to form your own opinion on the pizza and for their trivia, which was fun!

I came here to dine in on Sunday. We sat outside since it was such a nice day and were immediately greeted by our server. To start we tried the spa day cocktail, which has gin and gold flakes. It was very refreshing. We also got the honey old bay wings, which were also good. At this point I was thinking okay i think I'll give this place a solid four stars, it's good little tavern vibe. But then we got our pizza. We went for carne. I'm from Brooklyn. I know and love New York style pizza. While I'm not going to lie and say this is exactly like pizza you get in NY, I will say this might be the best NY style pizza I've had in the DMV. NY style pizza options are scarce and usually disappoint but Ballston Local surprised me. The pizza was delicious, as well as the toppings (I loved the sausage). I was very happy. I also got the tavern brown ale for when the pizza arrived, which i enjoyed. I like stouts but wanted something a bit lighter and it was the perfect pairing for the pizza. Our server was attentive and everything came out fairly quickly. Overall, I really enjoyed Ballston local. My bf recently moved to the Ballston area so we def found our new go-to pizza place.

This place and the people are amazing! We were on vacation this was near our hotel and we took a chance...so glad we did! It's a pizza place, but the burger and nachos are outstanding! Had the Bluemont, it is perfect! The flavors are simple but so balanced incredibly tasty! The place is industrial chic, casual and comfortable. It's a great place to hang out, watch sports, and indulge in great food with spectacular service ! Bree and Zach are wonderful over the top service and genuinely friendly treated us like we were regular everyday friends! Really wish we could've tried the pizza it looked and smelled amazing ! If you are anywhere near, stop in and try this place you will not be disappointed! Thank you for the great conversations and great food!

I have been to Ballston Local around 4-5 times over the past two years. It wins awards for Arlington best every year so I want to love it. I just can't get myself to get behind it like everyone else. I think the perfect description for specifically the food is.......OK. PIZZA: I have gotten single slices of pizza (cheese, carne) and I have gotten a whole pie (godfather , bacon & onion). Both the slices and the whole pies are OK. Good pizza in Ballston is hard to come by but I would reccomend specifically for the slices if you want to grab and go. SANDWHICHES: Sandwhiches I have gotten are the Hoboken Cheesesteak and the Philly Cheesesteak. One thing that was lacking on both was the bread itself. It didn't taste fresh both times. The Hoboken Cheesesteak had good flavor and size was good. The Philly Cheesesteak did not have a great ratio of cheese whiz, it was all on the bottom so that the bottom half of the sub was really wet and sticky and the top of the sandwich was really dry. I would reccomend the Hoboken. APPETIZERS/SIDES: As far as Appetizers and Sides I have had the fries, cheese curds, honey old bay wings, and Chesapeake Poutine. The fries by themself have a really flavorful seasoning as it seems to be garlic parmesean, but the fry itself is nothing to rave about. And for this the Chesapeake Poutine ends up falling short as well because of the fry. The crab on the fries is good though. The Cheese Curds are not good at all. They defintely seem to taste like they are frozen. The breading was way too thick where the cheese didn't even seem to stick to the breading, more like a marble rolling around inside of a premade breading. It came with marianara as I was hoping it would save them but it did not. The Honey Old Bay wings were fine. It's hard to find good wings for me in Ballston and these are fine. I would tell someone for sure to go get them but would not be adamant as a much try for someone. Size of the wings were fine not too small by any means. BEER: Great Beer selection of mass breweries and local brewing in the state of Virginia. I really appreciate the beer selection for anyone. SERVICE: The service here has never failed me. The staff is attentive and have always provided great and quick service. I have never had an issue and only have great things to say. AMBIANCE: Ambiance has a very local feel without feeling divey and I really appreciate that. It's a good size inside and when they have trivia it is a really fun time. A good group of almost everyone comes into Ballston Local and I love that. Outside seating is great as well as it's street side and provide umbrellas for those way too hot days. FINAL THOUGHTS: The service and ambiance is great at Ballston local. I've always had a great time I come here. The food on the other hand is just OK. Nothing about the food is overly amazing nor overly bad. The reason I keep coming back is because of the overwhelming positive reviews by others and my friends that love coming here. I want to find what I am missing. I would reccomend someone come and experience the restaurant for themselves!

First timer and was pleasantly surprised by all the offerings (food, alcohol). Bartender Louie was welcoming and made a good margarita. Later I met with/friends and we enjoyed a few of the happy hour items (pizza by the slice & nachos). Casual atmosphere, sometimes got a little loud, but can easily see myself going back for trivia or to watch a game.

Very popular place for happy hour and daily deals! Packed on a Thursday night. We decided to eat here because it made some list for the best pizza in the DMV and walking in it definitely smelled like it! Meatballs were 4.5/5. lost half a point bc someone was trying a little too hard to be like salt bae. If you like a hardier meatball that has more ground meat than bread crumbs, this is the option for you. It's called MEATballs not BREADCRUMBballs for a reason!! My favorite thing from the night. It came with garlic bread that was drenched butter on wonder bread lol. Half godfather and chicken parm 3/5. You can't go wrong with NYC style pizza but it doesn't have the same satisfaction as biting into a 99 cent slice from the streets of NYC. The white pizza from the godfather was a little too rich but the red sauce from the chicken parm pizza was delicious. Don't be shy to dump more toppings onto the pizza!!! Crust was good as well. Since it was so busy, service was OK and it took a while to get our food but nothing like a drink to sip on while you wait.

Wonderful service and incredibly strong drinks. The carne pizza and meatball appetizers were especially a hit. Friends who got the poutine also enjoyed it very much. The best part about this place is that even if you come in with a large party, they will ask up front if you want to do separate checks, which is a great addition. One star taken away because the bathroom was dirty - but that's to be expected on a Saturday night. Lastly, in case you're looking for a quiet night, they did have a ban playing there on a Saturday that we came in. Not a big issue - just be aware of if you're looking for a more quiet setting. I'd totally come back.

Came in for appetizers and drinks on a Friday night with a friend. This place was packed so we ended up sitting at the bar. There was a live band playing 80s music which we stayed for another round of drinks for. The mixed drinks were good for the most part. I had a margarita and a raspberry martini. The martini didn't have a lot of flavor. My friend ordered an amerretto sour which was delicious. We shared the Chesapeake poutine and the baller nachos with pork. There is lots of seating indoor and outdoor, they sell pizza by the slice, and have a full bar. I will definitely be back!

Had a great time here. Really chill place to hang out and eat. The carne pizza and short rib poutine were excellent. The pizza had a nice spice to it. Need to go back to try the short rib grilled cheese. Super friendly and helpful staff.

Cool bar hangout. I tried the cheese pizza. It was alright. I don't get people who think it's the most amazing pizza ever. They must have never been to NYC or had good pizza. I would give it a B- maybe and that's generous. For really good pizza, go to Andy's.

Sports bar with solid food. I have been there twice now. Menu has some good options. The quality is good, albeit inconsistent. I have ordered the Baller Nachos on both occasions to share with my guest as an app, and they could not have been more different on each occasion. Both times good, just very different. Service is friendly. Tables could use more wiping down between parties. I was there Sunday at 5PM, place was quiet, and every empty table had crumbs. We had to use our hands to brush them onto the floor before seating (no napkins on the tables).

Being a ballston local, I've been wanting to check out this place. I came for a boxing fight, hearing that they're one of the few places (if not only) that I found was playing the fight. So the fight was after a VT football game and little did I know what craziness this watch party would be. I think they need to institute a policy where you either have to secure a table to order food or you need to usher people in a way where if you're not ordering food, you have to create room for those who do. Dozens and dozens of people watching a game with just empty cups, not ordering food nor drinks, is really not conducive to bringing in a new crowd - particularly when you've advertised you're playing a different game. So all in all, the food is a 4/5 but the experience was quite chaotic that it'll take some time (and prior research to see if there's a VT crowd) before I go back.

I gotta say, I've been here twice this week and I'm starting to get a "put it on my rotation" kinda vibe. It's got a local bar feel but with really good food and a daytime family friendly happy hour. I brought my son in for a burger and wings. I may have had a beer or 2 as well. The Baller Double burger, served on totally delicious bread was spot on. The waffle fries, poutine and wings were tasty and the service was terrific! On my next visit, I called in for a pizza to-go. To my surprise, the pie was super good. Thin crust, not too saucy and stiff, this Brooklyn style pizza is one of the better slices I've had in the DMV. I'm sure I'll be back soon!

An average bar with average food and drink at reasonable prices. I went here recently on a weeknight with some friends and I got the cheese curds and the wings. The service was good, and the cheese curds were perfect-little fried balls of cheese with marinara dipping sauce. The buffalo wings were mediocre, very average bar food. I would recommend for happy hour drinks with friends or colleagues but nothing more.

Honestly the food is underwhelming and the portions are a bit small. The service is decent and it's nice to sit outside. Wouldn't recommend the wings they're a bit dry

Decent pizza, a little doughy. Prefer Andy's crust. Sauce is pretty good. If you're in the neighborhood, I would recommend it.

During Quarterfest, my fiancé and I checked out Ballston Local. There was live music by David Thong. The bar was packed but was able to find a table for 3. Seating was first come, first serve. While deciding on our beverages, our server brought us ice cold water. My friend Evan enjoyed gluten-free ciders while I enjoyed the Thin Man Brewery's Minkey Boodle Fruited Sour, which was sweet, fruity, tart, and sour.

Really good. This place has great pizza. I really like to come here when they have the happy hour special for a slice of pizza and a beer.

Best Pizza in Ballston and top 5 in Northern Virginia. The chicken parm is must get and so is the Bluemont burger. Service could be better but overall experience during game days is great! Small place and can get loud when packed. I have it heavy in my rotation for Ballston restaurants!

I dropped in late after a long day of travel. Great pizza and beer. Insanely fun music pumping at night!

Best pizza in the Arlington area! Love the "RON I "pizza! The Baby Arugula Panzanella salad is delicious! Bottom line... You can't go wrong with any of the food on this menu. They have a nice draft beer selection and craft cocktails. This is a sure thing! Probably more important is the customer service... Outstanding! Jonah, Zach, Scott, and Madison! Kudos!

Such a fun spot for delicious pizza, fun & inviting ambiance, attentive wait staff and a stellar cocktail and beer list! My co-workers and I often come here for happy hour and it's such a great spot for a casual hang out. You can order pizza by the slice and the servings are generous. The pizza is awesome. Tons of cheese and toppings and a perfectly chewy crust-- New York style. We have met the owner several times and he's a wonderful guy! Kind, friendly and always suggesting new and delicious brews to try. Highly recommend for a weekday or weekend meet up. I believe they host trivia at least one night a week, so check in advance.

My friends and I came here a few weeks ago on a Saturday night to have some drinks because we heard it was new. Great selection of beer on tap and in cans/bottles and not too expensive. I got a couple slices of pizza and it was easily some of my favorite pizza in the area if not my favorite. Will definitely be back!