food | ALXnow

Del Ray’s Bagel Uprising to compete with world’s best at the New York BagelFest

Published August 21, 2026 at 1:45PM

Bagel Uprising at 2307A Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

This Nov. 15, the Del Ray-based bagel shop will be participating with more than 25 of the top bagel shops around the country in the coveted New York BagelFest, the world’s premier bagel-making competition. After Bagel Uprising’s application last year to participate in the international festival and competition was denied, co-owner Chad Breckinridge says it’s an honor to be featured in the competition alongside Dallas-based Starship Bagel, New York City’s Utopia Bagels and Spain’s Si Si Bagels.

Around Town

Around the World Cultural Food Festival returning to Old Town Aug. 29

By James Cullum

Published August 19, 2026 at 3:45PM

Around the World Cultural Food Festival (Ethan Yuan Photography via Visit Alexandria)

A popular multicultural food festival is returning to Old Town at the end of the month.

The 10th annual Around the World Cultural Food Festival will bring the flavors of 20 countries, live performances representing 12 countries and more than 100 artisan and craft vendors to Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison Street) on Saturday, Aug. 29. The festival is free to attend and will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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Delivery robot service expanded in Alexandria to Wonder food hall

By Emily Leayman

Published August 18, 2026 at 10:00AM

Serve Robotics has expanded its on-demand robotic delivery service to Alexandria (via Serve Robotics/Instagram)

The deployment of autonomous sidewalk delivery robots is expanding further in Alexandria.

Serve Robotics announced today (Monday) that the Wonder food hall at 3615 Richmond Highway will offer robot deliveries. The New York City-based Wonder, which has been rapidly expanding in the D.C. region and beyond, opened the Potomac Yard location in January.

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Bishop Ireton campers to fill box truck for Catholic Charities summer food drive

By James Cullum

Published July 23, 2026 at 1:45PM

Summer campers at Bishop Ireton High School fill up a truck with donated food for the Catholic Charities St. Lucy Food Project, July 10, 2025 (courtesy of Catholic Charities)

With food costs on the rise, Bishop Ireton High School summer campers are contributing to a local charity’s goal of collecting 25,000 pounds of food every month this summer.

The drive is part of the Catholic Charities St. Lucy Food Project‘s “Summer for Hungry Children” campaign. On Friday (July 24), kids participating in summer camp at Bishop Ireton High School will donate canned fruit, vegetables, peanut butter and other shelf stable items.

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Fish Market celebrating 50th anniversary in Old Town this Thursday

By James Cullum

Published July 20, 2026 at 11:45AM

Customers waiting for food orders outside of The Fish Market on King Street, April 2020. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

The Fish Market, a fixture on lower King Street in Old Town, will celebrate its 50th anniversary this Thursday (July 23).

The one-night-only party starts at 5 p.m. with live music, a throwback menu and 32-ounce beer schooners.

News

No evidence of cyclosporiasis outbreak in Va., Alexandria health officials say

By Emily Leayman and The Associated Press

Published July 17, 2026 at 9:15AM

This undated photo taken through a microscope provided by the CDC shows Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts found in a fresh stool sample which had been prepared with a formalin solution and stained with safranin. (CDC via AP)

The intestinal illness spreading in parts of the U.S. has been raising food safety concerns, but health authorities in Alexandria say there’s little cause for alarm locally.

Cyclosporiasis is an infection caused by a parasite believed to be linked to some types of imported fresh produce. The illness is most often associated with watery diarrhea, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It can last a few days to upward of a month, but some people do not show symptoms.

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New sandwich and wine shop opening this weekend at the Bradlee Shopping Center

By James Cullum

Published July 15, 2026 at 1:45PM

Chord Bread and Bottle at 3690 J King Street in the Bradlee Shopping Center (staff photo by James Cullum)

A new sandwich and wine shop is opening Sunday (July 19) at the Bradlee Shopping Center.

Chord Bread & Bottle will soft launch with complimentary appetizers and wine tastings from 6-8 p.m., right after the end of the World Cup final. The space at 3690 J King Street was previously home to the Unwined wine shop, which closed at the end of 2024. The soft opening was announced on Instagram.

Around Town

Chicago-style hot dog spot to hold grand opening above Del Ray Public House on July 18

By James Cullum

Published July 14, 2026 at 2:45PM

Del Ray Public House, 2218 Mount Vernon Avenue (staff photo by James Cullum)

For those who relish Del Ray, a new Chicago-style Italian sausage and hot dog concept having a grand opening in the neighborhood on Saturday, July 18.

Cubbies will be located in the upstairs bar space of the Del Ray Public House (2218 Mount Vernon Avenue). Restaurant owner Laurel Fisher previously told ALXnow that she was bringing in a partner to operate the business.

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Del Ray eatery gives free milkshakes to customers catching water balloons thrown from roof

By James Cullum

Published June 25, 2026 at 11:45AM

Water balloons were recently thrown off the roof of Holy Cow at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (via Holy Cow/Facebook)

Just in time for summer, Del Ray burger joint Holy Cow gave away a milkshake concoction earlier this month to customers who could catch a water balloon thrown from the roof of the business.

Restaurant staff recently channeled their inner David Letterman as a way to promote their monthly cereal-based milkshake series. This month’s milkshake is the Golden Graham, made of Golden Grahams cereal with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream and mini marshmallows.

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ACPS offers free summer meals for kids 18 and younger across Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published June 16, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated June 16, 2026 at 4:51PM

Packed lunches at T.C. Williams High School (now Alexandria City High School), March 16, 2020. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools will continue providing free meals to students this summer.

The school system is giving away free breakfast and lunch for children and teens 18 and under as part of its 2026 Summer Food Service Program. The program runs Mondays through Thursdays, from June 22 to July 16, at six schools across the city. School-age kids can get free meals at any of the sites and do not need to register in advance.

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Spice Kraft Indian Bistro dominates with top awards at Taste of Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published June 8, 2026 at 2:45PM

Spice Kraft won the top awards at the 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.