Burke

Located in Fairfax County, Burke is about 10 square miles. To the west, the Fairfax County Parkways and Burke Lake border the town. The parkways cut south, forming the bottom border of the town. To the east is West Springfield and forming the northern border is Braddock Road.

Burke offers a good mix of single-family homes and townhomes, both of which are in the mid-price range. While there are only a few condo options scattered throughout the town, these are also relatively inexpensive.

Residents here don’t have to travel far for a wide range of dining options. From Korean barbeque to authentic Greek food, there are endless hidden gems in this tasty suburb.

 

Margaritas Latin Grill is a go-to for a satisfying Mexican food fix. Offering a bright and welcoming atmosphere, customers give their warm salsa rave reviews. They also run happy hour deals from 3:00-6:30, giving you plenty of time to enjoy their house made margaritas, coming in a variety of different flavors.

 

A great stop for any meal of the day, Spartan’s Family Restaurant is known for its cheap, delicious Greek and Italian food. You can’t go wrong with any of the menu choices, but customers highly recommend the souvlaki or gyro platter. The staff is always courteous and takes the time to get to know you, making this restaurant a favorite of Burke residents.

 

For fresh made bread, Great Harvest Bread Co is unquestionably the best place to go. Offering a variety of choices, including the cinnamon apple bread, garlic cheddar rolls and the apple scrapple, they also have free samples if you can’t make up your mind. If you can’t stop in to their store, Great Harvest Bread Co also has a table at the weekly Burke farmer’s market.

 

Yet another popular destination is Manna BBQ. Although small and unassuming at first glance, it will become an instant favorite. Offering excellent and timely service it offers exactly what you would want from an authentic Korean BBQ. Customers give the chicken bulgogi outstanding reviews. Don’t forget to try out their lunchbox specials—a generous helping of food for less than ten dollars.

Perhaps one of the highlights of living in Burke is the expansive Burke Lake Park. Approximately 888 acres with a 218-acre recreational lake, this park is packed with fun activities. There are miles of jogging trails, a golf course, boat rentals and campsites.

 

During the humid summer, it is easy to stay cool. The Burke Centre Conservancy operates pools at five different local community centers. Additionally, check out the Burke Station Swim Club or the Old Keene Mill Swim and Racquet Club.

 

The community also enjoys a variety of seasonal events. Every Saturday various local vendors gather for the weekly farmer’s market, offering a variety of fresh produce and baked goods. When the weather gets a bit cooler, the Burke Centre Fall Festival held every September is a hit among locals. The town’s signature event offers a two-day celebration featuring arts, craft shows, food, singing, dancing and live music.

 

Apart from driving, there are many easy ways to get from Burke to nearby towns, and even Washington, D.C. The town has two stations on the Viriginia Railways Express, Burke Centre and Rolling Road, both on the Manassas line. Several DC Metro bus lines run through the area, including the 17A, B, G, H, J, L and a few additional ones during rush hour only.