Whether you’re traveling through the area or a longtime resident in need of new ideas for dinner, Alexandria, Virginia, has several perfect family-oriented restaurants worth trying. If your crew is in the mood for some comfort food, a giant burger, some pizza, or a hot dog, any one of these four eateries is bound to make everyone happy.
Chadwicks
Located on Strand Street in Old Town, Chadwicks is the second of a trio of restaurants with the same name. Opened in 1979, the restaurant features a classic American menu. with some of its items changing seasonally. Stop in for lunch and enjoy an array of entrees, such as buttermilk fried chicken, jumbo crab cakes, or barbecued ribs. Kids might enjoy building their own burgers, topping them with their favorite cheeses.
Del Ray Cafe
Blending local organic and natural food with the best of French cuisine and catering toward the entire family, Del Ray Cafe offers a welcoming atmosphere for all its customers. Owners Laurent and Margaret Janowsky purchased the 1925 home in 2000, with plans for converting it into a restaurant. Today, you can stop into the casual neighborhood eatery and enjoy a variety of delicacies, including organic omelets, quiche, burgers, pot pies, and seafood. The children’s menu features salads, crepes, pancakes, sandwiches, pasta, and hamburgers.
Haute Dog and Fries
Situated on Montgomery Street in North Old Town, Haute Dog and Fries serves the same hot dogs you would find at Fenway Park, although these aren’t your typical ballpark dogs. At this eatery, each hot dog comes straight off the grill and is served atop a New England-style bun. It’s hen blanketed with fresh toppings, some of which include caramelized onions, mangoes, jalapeno peppers, and a homemade chili. Each dog comes with hand-cut French fries or sweet potato fries. Other available dishes include burgers, bratwurst, Italian sausages, kielbasa, and lobster rolls.
Owners Pamela Swanson and Lionel Holmes opened the eatery in 2010 and remain committed to using locally produced products from vendors who yearn to give back to the community. They serve fresh sausage and grass-fed beef provided by Virginia-based Fields of Athenry.
Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap
Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap is on Braddock Road, central to Old Town and Del Ray. Owner Jason Yates sought inspiration from his mom, Lena, who knew how important it was to give her family the love and stability needed through comforting food. He created the restaurant as a place for friends and families to gather to forget about their hectic schedules and enjoy some delicious authentic Italian cuisine.
The restaurant’s menu features mouthwatering Italian specialties, including its famous Neapolitan-style pizzas that come straight from the wood-burning oven. The dough consists of double-zero flour and pure spring water, while the fresh toppings cap off the pie. There are also house-made pasta dishes, including gnocchi made with butternut squash, chicken Alfredo, and lasagna. Kids can enjoy pizza, pasta, chicken, or steak.
The next time you’re in the Alexandria area, make sure you hit up one of these family-friendly restaurants. They’re bound to whet your appetite, fill your stomachs, and make even the pickiest eater satisfied.
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