Spice Kraft won the top awards at the Taste of Del Ray, June 7, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Spice Kraft won the top awards at the Taste of Del Ray, June 7, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ was awarded second place from Visit Alexandria CEO Todd O’Leary at the 17th annual Taste of Del Ray, June 7, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Lena’s Wood-fired Pizza & Tap won third place from Visit Alexandria CEO Todd O’Leary at the 17th annual Taste of Del Ray, June 7, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
The Judge’s Choice winners at the 17th Annual Taste of Del Ray, June 7, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Cheese and charcuterie cones from Cheestique at the 17th annual Taste of Del Ray, June 7, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Del Ray’s newest restaurant Little Birdie isn’t open yet, but still competed in the 17th annual Taste of Del Ray on June 7, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Staff from Pak Soii Izakaya and Bar at the 17th annual Taste of Del Ray, June 7, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Spice Kraft won the People’s Choice award at the 17th annual Taste of Del Ray, June 7, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Little Birdie won second place in the People’s Choice Award at the 17th annual Taste of Del Ray, June 7, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Lena’s Wood-fired Pizza & Tap won third place in the People’s Choice Award at the 17th annual Taste of Del Ray, June 7, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
The People’s Choice Award winners at the 17th annual Taste of Del Ray, June 7, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Spice Kraft Indian Bistro‘s butter chicken pot pie and avocado bhel chaat won both the Judges’ Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award at the 17th annual Taste of Del Ray on Sunday (June 7).
Under a hot sun, 17 local restaurants competed at the sold-out event in the Mount Vernon Recreation Center athletic fields. This year’s celebrity judge was Todd O’Leary, CEO of Visit Alexandria.
“I kind of wish I would have worn some better stretchy pants, because you guys really fed us well this afternoon,” O’Leary said before presenting the awards. “I really appreciated the variety. We enjoyed both sweet and savory dishes.”
Spice Kraft (2607 Mount Vernon Avenue) also won the Judges’ Choice Award and the People’s Choice Award in 2023 and 2024.
Del Ray’s newest restaurant, Little Birdie, which will open on June 23, also participated and won second place in the People’s Choice Award. Pak Soii Izakaya and Bar and Del Ray Farmers’ Market vendors also participated in the event for the first time.
The full list of winners is below.
Judges’ Choice
1st Place: Spice Kraft’s Butter Chicken Pot Pie and Avocado Bhel Chaat
2nd Place: Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ’s Smoked Chopped Brisket with Congee
3rd Place: Lena’s Wood-fired Pizza & Tap’s Cuban Pinchos de Pollo and Mojo Chicken & Plantain
People’s Choice
1st Place: Spice Kraft’s Butter Chicken Pot Pie and Avocado Bhel Chaat
2nd Place: Little Birdie’s Crack Chicken Dip on Crostini & Spicy Tuna Tartare on Crispy Lotus Root
3rd Place: Lena’s Wood-fired Pizza & Tap’s Cuban Pinchos de Pollo and Mojo Chicken & Plantain
Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.
