Chasin’ Tails, Cajun Seafood and Bar, web site, (it is in The WestLee building, Google Maps does not display this address properly, use 2198) 2200 N Westmoreland Street, Arlington, VA, 703-538-2565 (Metro Trip Planner – opens in new window) [Google | WaPo | dishtip | Washingtonian | FallsChurchTimes | NoVA Mag | Don Rockwell | Yelp]
The name of the place says it all. I had good catfish there, good fries, good rice and red beans. I didn’t have time to try the signature dish of boiled crawfish, as spicy as you want them. The place does not offer you a fork but expects you to eat everything with your hands, a sign of civilizational advance I would say. Currently I would rate this place as the Cajun leader of the area. It looks distressingly corporate, and the food is too salty, but still it is good. Worth a try.
When you are done walk down two doors to the left to One More Page Books, excellent, and hardly known, most evenings they close at 8 so maybe start with the bookstore first.
Also see “Poker-Playing Brothers Hope to Cash in With New Westlee Eatery.”