Aromas of sizzling sausage drift across Shirlington Road, beckoning commuters, cyclists, and construction crews alike 🌭.
Weenie Beenie, a tiny take-out shack, born in 1950 from billiards champion Bill “Weenie Beenie” Staton’s winnings, still turns out breakfast at dawn and half-smokes by lunch.
Its fluorescent sign glows seven decades later, proving that big flavor can thrive in the humblest footprint 😋.
How Weenie Beenie’s won local’s hearts
Locals first lined up for low-cost half-smokes split, char-kissed, and buried in chili, mustard, and onions.
Regulars spread the word faster than any ad campaign—bus drivers shouted orders from open windows, musicians like Dave Grohl immortalized the name in song, and hungry workers swapped tips in parking-lot conversations 🎶.
The shack answered with speed: four minutes from window to hand kept lunch breaks intact. Loyalists also cherished the Southern-style hospitality—signs quoting the Ten Commandments hang beside the menu, and the cashier greets every patron by name.
As newcomers tasted that signature snap and vinegary Carolina pork, word-of-mouth snowballed into legend, cementing Weenie Beenie as Arlington’s flavorful landmark.
Food Highlights
- Half Smoke “All the Way” 🔥: Pork-and-beef sausage split down the middle, griddled crisp, smothered in house chili, onions & mustard—the definitive DMV bite.
- Carolina BBQ Sandwich 🐖: Pulled pork tossed in tangy vinegar sauce, piled high with crunchy slaw; balances smoke, spice, and crunch for pure backyard-cookout nostalgia.
- Breakfast Platter 🍳: Two eggs, double meats (think scrapple or bacon), home fries and grits plus toast—a hearty sunrise feast served all day.
- Philly Cheese Steak 🧀: Shaved beef sizzled with onions and provolone, stuffed into a toasted roll; locals praise its gooey, savory comfort.
- Whiting Fish Sub 🐟: Lightly-breaded fillets fried golden, tucked with lettuce and tartar; a flaky alternative that still satisfies the fried-food craving.
Atmosphere
Expect old-school curbside charm—a white hut with a sliding window, faded menu boards, and two picnic tables under the trees 🌳.
Cars idle while orders fly; lunchtime feels like a block party where suits mingle with mechanics and everyone debates chili ratios.
There’s no indoor seating, only the open sky and the constant hiss of the flattop.
Bottom Line
- Legendary half-smokes under $5
- Lightning-fast service perfect for tight schedules
- Breakfast served all day
- Friendly banter that makes every visitor feel like a regular
- Authentic slice of mid-century Arlington history
Address: 2680 Shirlington Rd, Arlington, VA 22206
📞 (703) 671-6661
🕔 Mon–Sat, 6 AM–6 PM (closed Sun)