Del Ray Pizzera’s Reserve, Pork Barrel BBQ Win Top Awards At Taste Of Del Ray

By Debby Critchley

ALEXANDRIA,VA–The Del Ray Business Association hosted the 11th Annual Taste of Del Ray on June 2, showcasing a diverse collection of Del Ray’s top restaurants. The sold-out event featured a spirited competition between 18 participating neighborhood restaurants.

Del Ray Pizzeria Reserve‘s Jicama Shrimp Taco with jicama shell, fried shrimp, pineapple salsa, and chipotle aioli won the Judges’ Choice Award.

“All the dishes were better and better, making the judging more and more difficult,” said Vikram Sunderam, the James Beard Award-winning chef at Rasika Restaurant in Washington, DC., who served as a judge. “This one stood out– it was an ingenious dish.”

Pork Barrel BBQ‘s Smoked White Chicken Chili won the People’s Choice Award, as voted by festival attendees.

“We’re lucky. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” said Bill Blackburn, owner of Pork Barrel BBQ, which has won the top prize four times. “We try to serve as many tastes as we can so that everyone can try our food and cut down on the lines, so people don’t have to wait on our samples.”

The Taste of Del Ray Winners:

JUDGES CHOICE:

1st place: Del Ray Pizzeria Reserve’s Jicama Shrimp Taco with jicama shell, fried shrimp, pineapple salsa, and chipotle aioli

2nd place: Stomping Ground‘s Jerk Pulled Pork with cilantro aioli and red onion on a mini buttermilk biscuit

3rd place: Swings Coffee Roasters‘ Hopped Cascara Soda

PEOPLE’S CHOICE

1st place: Pork Barrel BBQ Restaurant – Del Ray’s Smoked White Chicken Chili

2nd place: Del Ray Pizzeria/DRP Reserve’s Jicama Shrimp Taco with jicama shell, fried shrimp, pineapple salsa, and chipotle aioli

3rd place: Northside10‘s Risotto Fritters with tomato gravy

The Taste of Del Ray is held every June, and showcases the neighborhood’s top restaurants in a spirited competition sponsored by the Del Ray Business Association. Proceeds from ticket sales help fund neighborhood events throughout the year.