June 30, 2006
The Region's Rivalries Exposed
Today Curbed clued us into the many rivalries that exist in New York City, from the basic Manhattan vs. Brooklyn to the L train vs. the F train. This got us to thinking -- what rivalries exist in the Washington area? What really provokes heated debates? What, when mentioned on DCist, yields a flood of comments both pro and con? Today we present some of the basic rivalries that keep things interesting. Of course, this list is by no means exhaustive, so feel free to add your own in the comments section. And we should also mention that even we differ on some of these, so know that we're kicking and scratching at each other also.
D.C. vs. Everywhere Else
Duh. How could we not lead with the mother of all rivalries? District-goers are just as passionate about their urban living as Virginians and Marylanders are about knocking it. To those of us in District, anything outside of D.C. is -- to quote from a wise man -- full of applebeesian craptitude. To those outside the District, living in D.C. is about as attractive a proposition as vacationing in Fallujah (and just as dangerous). Stuck in the middle seems to be the parts of Arlington that like to claim that they have the best of both worlds -- but no one on either side really likes them anyhow. (MA)
Nearlington vs. Farlington
Let's see: One's metro-friendly, has a slew of great restaurants, is closer to the city and has something resembling a nightlife. Farlington's advantage? Well, for one, it actually exists. Deal breaker: The fight might have trouble getting off the ground, as residents squabble to determine on whose side they really belong. Will Glebe Road serve as a fair arbiter? And if we're getting to the fight via cab, everyone's screwed. (MF)
Marion Barry vs. His Inner Demons
Marion Barry has no one left to fight but himself. When he was elected to represent Ward 8 on the D.C. Council in 2004, there was some hope that the former civil rights activist had some fight left in him. Unfortunately, he's spent the majority of his tenure fighting his own inner demons, which this time around have manifested themselves as a tax payment problem, a drug problem (again), and a not-doing-a-whole-lot-of-anything problem. Yet Barry remains a hero for many, his public fights with himself notwithstanding. (MA)
Churchgoers vs. Gentrifiers
If you live in Logan Circle or in Shaw, you're pretty much in the middle of this one. Whether it be the battle between Vegetate and Shiloh Baptist Church over a liquor license or the continuing fight between double-parking churchgoers and parked-in residents, the dynamics of gentrification have caused plenty a flare-up in parts of the District. (MA)
Jonathan Rees vs. Blogs, Messageboards, and Listservs
Jonathan Rees, a candidate for the Ward 3 seat on the D.C. Council, has spent the better part of a year spamming the District's political establishment into submission. Pretty much anyone that asks questions about his quixotic candidacy quickly becomes the focus of his online fury, a fury that is unleashed upon unwitting blogs, messageboards, and listservs. Though his antics often get him banned, he usually resorts to deploying an army of supporters to do his bidding. And those supporters share one trait in common -- they're all Rees. (MA)
Dr. Dremo's vs. "Progress"
Some might call its wildly painted, warehouse-style exterior an eyesore, but for residents of Courthouse and the surrounding area, Dr. Dremo's Taphouse is an institution. Whether it be the great selection of beer (Chocolate Donut comes to mind), the summer patio, or wistful memories of beer pong, Dremo's has a special place in the hearts of surrounding residents.
Rumors have persisted for years that the owner of the property wants to turn the place into condos, for which clearly Arlington is in "desperate need." Dremo's has fought the plan every step of the way, and it looks like the throwdown match will come around September. We hope Dremo's can persevere -- even at a new location, it wouldn't be the same. (MF)
Ben's Chili Bowl vs. Quality
It might be an institution, but its chili sucks. Worse yet, it doesn't really even make for good food after a long night of being out on the town. (MA)
Cake Love vs. Taste
Pretty much the same dynamic as the rivalry between Ben's Chili Bowl and quality. Everyone wants to love Cake Love because its story reads like a feel-good daytime TV movie. The only catch is the actual product -- no one can decide if its delicious or disappointing. (MA)
Jumbo Slice vs. Amsterdam Falafel
Ugh. Honestly, if the remaining jumbo slice adherents haven't tried Amsterdam Falafel, do yourself a favor and do so. This really isn't much of a contest. (MA)
The Black Cat's Sound vs. Everyone's Ears
We love the Black Cat. We really do. They have consistently great lineups, a great space, good bartenders, and a perfect atmosphere. And I'm sure the folks working the sound booth are no slouches either. But the aural senses of concert-goers around the area beg you -- pretty, pretty please -- get a new sound system. Uneven and loud in all the wrong ways, even the greatest shows are bittersweet. The music fans that keep you in business have had one too many muted weeks following a show at the Cat. We'd like to hold on to our hearing for the foreseeable future, so if it wouldn't be too much trouble, we'd really love it if you could help us out. (AM)
Lucky Strike vs. Bowl America
What is the future of bowling? Is it dress codes, pricey drinks and waitresses dressed in skimpy attire? Or is it all-you-can-bowl nights, pitchers of beer, and borderline seedy atmosphere? The catch: Only one of them's available in the District. (MF)
Delhi Club vs. Cheesecake Factory
Taco Bell advocates aside, there are two types of Arlington residents: those who flock to the many chain restaurants available along Clarendon and Wilson, from La Tasca to Cosi, and those who seek out its lesser-known gems, from Guajillo to Bangkok 54.
The chain lovers seem to be winning here - every time you turn around, we lose another local business; sometimes it's a restaurant, sometimes it's a Mom & Pop store. We're holding out hope we don't lose all of our treasures, and perhaps residents can rally: if someone tries to take away The Italian Store, just think of the uprising we could organize simply relying on the people waiting in line! (MF)
Hybrid vs. Hummer
One side wants cleaner air and lessened dependence on foreign oil. They’d also not mind a little HOV lane access in Virginia, and great gas mileage. The other side could care less. If you’re driving a 4.3 ton, 17-foot-long, 32 gallon capacity behemoth down narrow, cobblestone Georgetown streets, than you’re probably not on your way to see an Al Gore documentary. Mileage and pedestrians be damned! (JB)
Baltimore Orioles vs. Washington Nationals
Who are we kidding? The Nats win this one hands down. Peter Angelos doesn't get any extra points for trying to make it impossible for us to watch televised games of our home-team, either. (MA)
Reagan vs. National
Yes, it's the same airport, but some people just refuse to call it anything but National or DCA. Call them disgruntled Democrats or stubborn traditionalists -- either way, hell will freeze over before they utter the words "Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport." (MA)
Dulles vs. BWI
In one of the great ironies of life in the District, the two airports that offer flights from the most popular discount fare carriers are both located a 30- to 40-minute drive from the city, and as of today are still unserved by direct rail links. Sure, both have pseudo-Metro accessibility, with connecting bus service from the West Falls Church and Greenbelt stations. Dulles, however, has the edge in a direct connection, as the 5A runs directly from L'Enfant Plaza to the airport, whereas the only Metrobus service to BWI is from Greenbelt.
Drivers are faced with a Hobson's choice -- the congestion of I-66 before the relative freedom of the dedicated Dulles Access Road versus the unpredictable I-95/Baltimore Washington Parkway corridors. New Daily garages at both airports promise faster and more convenient parking, but parkers at the BWI daily garage still need to take a shuttle bus to the terminal, giving Dulles' direct-access daily garages the upper hand. However, the Hourly garage coupon on BWI's website allows travelers to park in the vastly more convenient hourly garage directly outside the terminal for the same cost as a stay in the Dulles daily garage.
Dulles took a blow in terms of discount carriers with the demise of Independence Air, but still functions as the home base for the leather seats and personal DirecTV service of Jet Blue. BWI's monopoly on Southwest's vast network will likely come to an end this fall, as the popular discount carrier has bid on two gates at Dulles.
BWI's biggest advantage is in terms of ease of use. From the shorter security lines to the larger check-in area, getting to and from gates at BWI is usually a breeze. As for Dulles? We have two words that strike fear in many a traveler: mobile lounges. Fortunately for Dulles travelers, the airport is hard at work on a subway system that will connect the main terminal to the remote gates. (AH)
With contributions from Jeff Beam, Missy Frederick, Amanda Mattos, and Amadie Hart.
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I'm at a loss for words at your comments about Ben's Chili Bowl. I...just...don't...see...
Ben's is fantastic, has excellent chili, great chili-cheese fries, very good half smokes, is open all but about 2 hours of the day and is an institution. There is no contest here. It IS quality.
I really like their chili, too, so count me on the other side of that rivalry.
I think the BWI vs. Dulles debate just boils down to where you live.
Dulles: NW/SW/Virgina/Parts of Montgo
BWI: NE/SE/Most of Maryland
As for me... BWI4EVER!
It's "Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport" (insert the "Washington"), not that I would ever call it that.
I'd say another big regional rivalry is Maryland vs. Virginia. Maybe it's because I grew up in Ward 9, but I get uncomfortable when I have to cross the Potomac. The whole state, sorry, commonwealth of Virginia creeps me out.
Also, BWI does have (almost) direct rail access (but via Amtrak rather than metro).
Beats the crap out of Dulles for anyone that can get to Union Station easily.
Great post -- just reading it made my blood pressure rise.
Martin, I am sorry but that was the yuppiest "mr. I know everthing" post I have ever read. Just for the Jumbo Slice line you should be kicked out of the beltway and never allowed back in!
GWU v. the Foggy Bottom Association is another DC rivalry. This real estate battle is the timeless classic of college students v. actual residents who disdain the college students for vomiting and trampeling on the precious gardenias.
I vote for Bens.
Sparky,
You missed the point -- this has nothing to do with me or anyone knowing anything or everything. It simply has to do with the little day-to-day fights that some of these issues provoke. My opinion of Jumbo Slice is mine and mine alone. Then again, I'm hardly ashamed of saying that I know that Amsterdam Falafel is better than Jumbo Slice.
Um...Nationals vs. Orioles? Terps vs. Cavs? Redskins vs. Any Team That's Not the Redskins?
BWI and Dulles are both essentially the exact same distance from downtown DC. BWI has excellent access to DC-- both Amtrak and MARC train, plus the mentioned Metrobus service, which is really easy and convenient. For me, coming from Montgomery County, BWI is just so much more convenient. 270 South and the Beltway in to Virginia are just way too congested to deal with when trying to catch a flight, especially in the morning.
BWI and Dulles are both essentially the exact same distance from downtown DC. BWI has excellent access to DC-- both Amtrak and MARC train, plus the mentioned Metrobus service, which is really easy and convenient. For me, coming from Montgomery County, BWI is just so much more convenient. 270 South and the Beltway in to Virginia are just way too congested to deal with when trying to catch a flight, especially in the morning.
Cake Love vs. Taste isn't much of a competition. The pastries and cakes they serve there are sub-par and the service is lackadaisical, at best.
As with most businesses these days, Cake Love seems more about marketing its product than actually producing a good one. Sigh....
While I can't stand calling DCA "Ronald Reagan..." it would be acceptable to rename the airport: Jonathan Rees-Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. For some reason I could stomach that.
Sigh. If there's one thing I'm tired of (and tired of people trying to reinforce), it's DC-centric snobbery. I used to live in DC, and I loved it. Now I live in Virginia, and while I don't love it as much, I do love being a two-minute walk from the Metro. There must be hundreds of folks who have made the DC-to-Virginia move (or back again, or vice-versa), and can attest to the great things about living in either jurisdiction. You just can't draw the line that clearly. And before anyone says it, yes, I know the post was meant to rile things up, stir the pot, what have you. I just think it sounds ridiculous when people make comments like "I don't cross the Potomac/leave the District," etc. C'mon. Almost everyone who lives here now is from somewhere else. Has everyone who makes those comments always been this provincial and stuck-up? I hope not...
I know it's not DC centric, but with all the transplants we could probably get a good pop vs. soda debate going (and 'coke' doesn't count you whores).
I think the VA/MD debate is a HUGE one that you all overlooked. Yes, DC v. Everywhere else... but growing up in all three - DC, MD, and NOVA, I hear about the great Potomac divide most often.
With all of the Virgina and Maryland transplants, DC now, too, is full of applebeesian craptitude.
Just waiting for an Olive Garden to open...
Not strictly DC, more 'DC area,' and it also may be more of a 'natives' (i.e. folks who were raised here) thing but,
1) MD vs VA
2) Potomac vs the rest of Montgomery County
If you want to limit it to DC only;
1) Natives vs 'out of towners' (folks who weren't raised here). We're low key about it, but we hate you. Just so you know.
2) Locals vs Tourists. Or have I been seeing to many out of state plates during my commute this past week?
People that go to nice clubs and lounges (i.e. Chloe, H20, ESL) v. people who go to dives and loud college bars (Millie's and Al's, Lucky Bar, 3rds)
Not really a rivalry, because these groups rarely mix, but it's crazy to see-- most of my friends would never be caught dead in the first category of nightspots, whereas some other acquaintances would be icked out by a dirty dive's bathroom and never come back.
Also:
cabbers v. metro-ers v. people who drive
Mr. Martin, I've had Falafel many of times, but it sir, is no Jumbo Slice (in the only sense jumbo slice should be, blacked-out-drunk-food).
Sober, Falafel beats it hands down.
What about red line vs. orange line? This rivalry is probably correlated to MD/VA tensions and Republican/Democrat tensions as well. Of course, with Whole Foods at several stops along each of these lines, these may be distinctions without differences.
Though I'm not sure how aware folks in DC are of this one, there is apparently a big rivalry between the 'Skins and the Ravens. At least as far as Baltimore is concerned.
My brother has lived in Baltimore for several years now, but has refused to change his allegiances from the 'Skins to the Ravens. Apparently, he catches hell for it constantly. And not just from friends/people he knows, but from total strangers as well.
The irony, of course, is that until the Ravens came along, 90% of these folks were 'Skins fans.
Going to a DC area school reminds of a the rivalry between Georgetown and pretty much all the other DC area schools. More a spiteful relationship, as AU, GWU, and CUA have those who weren't able to go to Georgetown attending, but each school has some sort of edge they use on each other.
Borf vs. Cool Disco Dan
A few more "rivalries":
Montgomery vs. Fairfax: The area's two toniest counties, although take Bethesda-Potomac-Chevy Chase out of the former and McLean out of the latter, and you essentially have a whiter, only slightly more affluent version of Prince George's. (And that post about the Red vs. Orange line being a Md. vs. Va. "rivalry": Let us not forget, the Orange line goes into Prince George's, clear up to New Carrollton.)
Giant vs. Safeway: Admittedly more of a suburban than District rivalry, it pits the one-time hometown favorite, now struggling as part of a Dutch-owned conglomerate, against the East Coast output of a major West Coast chain (although Safeway now also owns other eastern supermarkets, such as Genaurdi's in Philadelphia). However, it must be said that neither are as dominant as they once were, thanks to the rise of Shoppers and Food Lion.
Trader Joe's vs. Whole Foods: The yuppie, upscale version of the previous rivalry.
Dupont Circle vs. Capitol Hill: I claim no originality here...this is an "either-or" selection used in personality descriptions on City Paper personal ads.
Express vs. the Examiner: Battle of the freebies, a la amNewYork vs. Metro in NYC. Express has the snarkiness of the parent Post's Style section, condensed to tabloid size. (It also sponsored the now-defunct, and dearly missed, "Homestand" scorecard freebie at Nationals games last year.) The Examiner has more heft and some good columnists, but fewer local pieces.
Ex-New Yorkers vs. Ex-Bostonians: Yes, D.C. has emigres from many other areas too -- Philly, Chicago, Los Angeles -- but it's people from these two cities (as either natives or former college students) who tend to control the agenda and power structure. And thanks to their degrees from "privileged" colleges and Yankees and Red Sox caps they wear, neither lets you forget it.
I'm gonna have to agree with the Ben's Chili Bowl thing... their chili really does suck, even when you're drunk.
It goes without saying: Silver Spring vs. Bethesda. Both before and after its "revitalization," Silver Spring has always had it in for Bethesda - and now, it's down to who has the finest trappings of suburban-yuppie living (better condos, better organic supermarket, better art house theatre, though the AFI Silver beats Landmark Theatres any day.)
The tenuous battle over the Purple Line would be a good example of how the two may not be able to stand being any closer to each other.
FYI, there really is no rivalry between Georgetown and the other area schools, at least as far as we (Gtown students and alums) are concerned. To the extent there is, it's coming from them. We have no beef with any of them; in fact we rarely if ever even think of them.
I have been here since the pig farmer lived at 1600 and I cannot recall the last time I heard a surbanite go off on how much it sucks living in the District. My experience suggests that the rivalry is mostly fueled by people who moved to D.C. after college.
We have no beef with any of them; in fact we rarely if ever even think of them.
It's amazing how invariably somebody from the "upper" side of every prestige-based rivalry I've ever seen emits to this line. Makes me feel kind of weird.
cabbers v. metro-ers
I have nothing against cabbers per se...but as a die-hard metro-er and cyclist, I'm conviced that cabbies can smell my disinterest in using their services and consequently take every possible opportunity to attempt to run me over.
CABBIES! *shakes fist*
Brooklanders vs. Catholic University students
It's sad...CUA kids don't want to be associated with any part of Brookland that's not Johnny K's. Business owners (Domino's, 7-11, Colnel Brooks) get pissed when customers insist on using the Cardinal Card, and then fake that their scanning machines are broken.
You know, DCA is already named after one president, I think it's appropriate to stop there. What's next, the George H. W. Bush Washington Monmument?
I think Ben's chili is fine. Not great, not bad, just fine. And as for the Coke-pop-soda issue, it's regional, so why argue? Anyway, it's Coke.
Um, Ben's is awesome. It's been around forever and is always open and is one of the few legitimate mixers in this city, where *everyone* eats no matter who they are, but none of that would matter if the food weren't good. Which it is.
Also re: the D.C. vs. Maryland and Virginia "rivalry," Maryland and Virginia hate each other, not D.C.
Virginia sucks, by the way.
Regarding Ben's Chili Bowl...YOU'RE AN IDIOT! I don't mean you just have different tastes...I mean YOU'RE AN IDIOT! You don't go to Ben's to eat the chili. Chili there is a condiment meant for the halfsmokes. You don't eat the chili out of a bowl like some suburbanite doofus fresh in from Indiana or Ohio or wherever you should go back to.
I think the entire anti-Ben's constituency could fit in a Dodge Colt. Which, if it were from Virginia, would have a vanity plate saying "DCHEBAG." I'm going to give DCist the benefit of the doubt and assume that that entry was part of some sort of "spot the fake rivalry" contest. Hopefully, the prize involves half-smokes and fabulously malty chocolate shakes.
I live in Alexandria, VA. but that doesn't mean I hate the Distict. I would LOVE to live on Connecticut, Arizona Aves, Logan Circle, and a dozen other idyllic places in D.C., but sadly my income prevents me from living the dream. I'm sure I am not alone.
9:30 Club vs. Black Cat
(slicked up or dressed down?)
Tai Shan vs. tiger cubs
(Because cute is only fur deep)
What's Tai Shan?
Seriously? Tai Shan is the National Zoo's baby Panda. Swiftly leaving baby-hood, as his 1st birthday is July 9.
Curious. The only baby panda of which I am aware is named Butterstick. And only Butterstick. He can be called "the 'stick" for short, or El Butterstickerino, if you're not into the whole brevity thing. But Tai Shan? I'm sorry sir, you must have our furry friend confused with someone else.
This kind of links in with the first two rivalries, but what about the perennially huge "inside the beltway" vs "outside the beltway"? (Or near-burb vs. exurb, if you prefer.) Maybe it's because I live in Nearlington, which as noted in the post is hated equally by those who live within DC borders as well as those who live far-out (so true, by the way), but when I talk to coworkers who live outside the beltway, there are much greater lifestyle gaps than I have with friends and acquaintances who live in the District. I think a lot of it comes down to the restaurant factor -- while Nearlington has its Cosi and La Tasca (btw, interesting that chains also in DC proper were chosen for this post to represent Arlington chainliness), we do have lots of other more unique options. For "outside the beltway" residents that I know, Olive Garden and Cheesecake Factory represent the height of dining. I'm being serious here...
The Arlington restaurant debate was a little misrepresented here, too. Delhi Club and Bangkok 54 are not exactly forces standing against gentrification - both are relatively new. Their only differentiation from the Cheesecake Factories of the world (or, more charitably, the Hard Times' of the world) is in ownership structure.
How about Lalibela Ethiopian or Bob & Edith's? Now THOSE are local.
Smoking ban.
Butterstick vs. Tai Shan
(BStick Wins)
The Examiner beats Express hands down! Cool content, important issues and smart columnists... the Examiner is my morning coffee companion without fail. Express lacks charm.