Generous George's

Generous George’s was a great place to go with some friends or co-workers for some good no-frills pasta and pizza with a decidedly off-center spin. Large portions, glasses that are actually small pitchers, good crust and toppings, and a regularly changing selection of specials kept me coming back while I lived in the area.

The crust is the best thing about the pizza and the pasta, which is served on a pizza crust (perhaps in this situation it is operating more like focaccia). Phyllis Richman calls the pasta overpriced, but I enjoy the pesto chicken pasta well enough. As to the claims that this place is mediocre, that is true of most of the sandwiches and definitely true of the salads. However, good salads are hard to find, and if you want really good pasta you are better served by going all the way to Old Town for some Faccia Luna. Of course, there you will not find a bubble-gum machine or a helium tank in the lobby.

Filled with components of carnival rides and pastel paint, the interior is a cross between a slightly decrepit fun-house and an empty pool. The fiberglass merry-go-round horses and dark-ride carts creep me out, but they certainly get points for not being boring.

A note about parking – there are only three or four diagonal spaces our front, and they can be difficult to get into in a larger car. I usually go down the side streets or around to a lot in the back.

(I wrote this in 2001. Not sure how well it still holds…)

Great food. Great support of the local community and schools!

Food isn’t worth writing home about.
Pizza sucked.

Generous George’s Positive Pasta and Pizza Place is a family restaurant that has been an Alexandria landmark since 1977. They’re known for huge portions and reasonable prices. I had lasagne when I was there, and it was great! I would go there again.