Balkan Burger Joint

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Last week, DCist ran AK's post, "The New King of Burgers?" about a glorious Bosnian carryout, Cosmopolitan Cafe. We always enjoy a good burger, but we take special interest when a new ethnic joint puts its own twist on a classic meal.

In this case, Cosmpolitan offers pljeskavica, the Balkans version of the hamburger: mildly spiced ground beef sandwiched by their thick and spongy grilled housemade bread and served with white onion slices, a dollop of sour cream, and ajvar, a red pepper condiment.




Another great entree is the cevapi, a plate of homemade cylinders of ground beef, served with the house bread, ajvar, and a small refreshing salad.




We also enjoyed the cheese burek, a baked filo dough pastry filled with a mix of cheeses. The pastry is buttery and flakey on the outside, and doughy inside- delicious.




To drink, we tipped back the Slovenian soda, Cockta, an herbal beverage that tasted a lot like a cross between black currant and chinotto.




Afterward, pop in next door to score some Croatian chocolates at Plava Laguna.

Wash a Bosnian Burger down with a bottle of Cockta at Cosmpolitan Cafe:

Cosmopolitan Cafe
5902A N. Kings Highway

Alexandria, Virginia
(703) 329-3303

Please note that on our last visit, the sign above the cafe still read "Abi II Carryout," which is a Salvadoran joint that swapped spaces with Cosmopolitan some months ago.

—AC & AK