Sarna's

Those who live in Columbia Heights are probably familiar with this place, but I thought I'd write about it anyway for those less familiar with it and it's one of our favorite places to go.

We were severely lacking in "nice restaurants" in town for awhile. There was a Mr. Steak for years and years that closed down to make room for another tire store because hey, we don't have enough of those in Columbia Heights (sarcasm - drive down Central Avenue and you'll see what I mean). So, when Sarna's opened up it filled a void for sure.

At first, we were reluctant to try it - it's kind of in a weird spot in town, at the corner of 40th and University Avenues, in the space of a former gas station and in an area that was very industrial for awhile. Also, the name "Sarna's" is the family that owns the place - but they also own several tobacco shops, so just the name turned us off a little. Finally when they opened up, it was before the smoking ban went into effect so we feared being smoked out if we ate there.

Sarna's was probably open for a whole year before we actually ate there. It was after a Christmas event we had gone to at the Heights Theatre, we were hungry and it was a nice close option. I was pleasantly surprised when we stepped inside. It's clean, spacious, the wait staff is super friendly and nice, and the food is actually pretty good!

That was in late 2007 and since then we've pretty much added it to our regular rotation of places to go. Something unique that they do is have a rotating list of weekly menu specials - so you can go in and try something different just about every time. The regular menu is good too, but the specials can be kind of fun. Nate and I had some of the best cheese curds ever one January. One of my favorites is a fish deal that they have on occasion, prepared and tastes the way my dad would do fresh fish from a lake, I love it. Otherwise I love their pork tenderloin sandwich - it's huge, you could almost split it with someone, it comes with a pepper relish that's actually pretty good.

We also both like the "blue plate special" which is your basic open faced turkey sandwich/mashed potatoes and gravy - but it's fantastic. The burgers are good too, I like the "Heights Burger" which is a smaller option than some of their other burgers. Fries are simple shoestring fries, but I like that they are not overseasoned.

The menu really has something for everyone: salads, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas and entrees that span from Italian (my dad enjoys the Pasta el Forno - which comes with sausage and peppers) to Chinese (my mom enjoys the Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry) down to comfort food like the blue plate special I mentioned or beef stroganoff.

The portions are HUGE on everything. We always have leftovers. The bar is all right, they have good happy hour specials, but you'll just see your standard beers, wines, and they'll do just about any mixed hard drink you can come up with. In the winter I love the peppermint patty - hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps - warms you up inside and out! I also like their margaritas. Simple, small, and when it's happy hour - they're cheap!

I can't say enough good things about Sarna's really. It's just nice to have a decent place to eat in town, the staff remembers you and welcomes you each time, and I don't think I've had but maybe one meal I didn't enjoy in the last two years. Prices are moderate - you'll probably spend about $30 for two people if you both order meals and drinks but as I mentioned, you'll probably get two meals out of one entree with the portions being so large!

I really hope Sarna's will be around for some time to come. I have never seen the place empty, so I think it's a pretty safe bet!