SELL OUT CROWD AT TASTE OF DEL RAY
Not only was there a sold-out crowd of 1,000 hungry patrons, but a record 18 restaurants entered the 9th Annual Taste of Del Ray to feature their salivary seductions. The line started to form shortly after 12pm to buy the remaining tickets for the Taste of Del Ray and by the time guests were allowed through the gates, it was a sell out. At the height of the event, lines crisscrossed the parking lot of United Bank as hungry guests waited to try the culinary creations of the Avenue restaurants. The strategy of the day that proved successful was to handoff the tasty treats to your line partner, very similar to a baton race where your gustatory cells were the ultimate winner. Across the street Mars Rodeo (not Radio), although they seem to enjoy the frequent mispronunciation, kicked off the music portion of the edible event. While wandering through the thick crowds, Swing’s Coffee was getting a lot of mention with their Bourbon Barrel Coffee. The Alexandria Boys and Girls Club raised over $1,000 from drink sales and donations! If you weren’t able to attend this year, don’t worry there are only 364 days left until the 10th Annual Taste of Del Ray and I’m sure the Del Ray Business Association is already plotting the course for the 10 year anniversary of this amazing event! Check out the list of winners and participating restaurants.
People’s Choice
1st Place: Pork Barrel BBQ — White Chicken Chili
2nd Place: Taqueria Poblano — Shrimp Mango Chalupa
3rd Place: Stomping Ground — Buttermilk Biscuit and Fried Chicken with Spicy Aioli
Judges’ Choice
1st Place: Evening Star Cafe — Crawfish Boudin
2nd Place: Stomping Ground — Buttermilk Biscuit and Fried Chicken with Spicy Aioli
3rd Place: Pork Barrel BBQ — White Chicken Chili
A big thank you to this year’s judges Chef Craig Scheuerman, Director of the Culinary Arts program at T.C. Williams High School; and Arlington Magazine editor Jenny Sullivan!
Here’s a full list of all the restaurants that entered:
- Bombay Curry Company
- Cheesetique Del Ray
- Del Ray Cafe
- Del Ray Pizzeria
- Dolce & Bean
- Evening Star Cafe
- Flat Top Burger
- Junction Bakery & Bistro
- Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap
- Live Oak Restaurant
- Market 2 Market Del Ray
- Northside 10
- Pork Barrel BBQ
- Royal Nepal
- St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub
- Stomping Ground
- Swings Coffee Roasters
- Taqueria Poblano Del Ray