Sean and Liza McElrath, owners of Allford’s Tassies. Photo by Justin Hwang.ALEXANDRIA, VA — The pecan tassies at Sean and Liza McElrath’s wedding welcome party were supposed to be a taste of family tradition. By the end of the party, guests were talking about the little pies, and the couple was asking a bigger question. Would people buy them?
Today, the answer comes on weekends at two Alexandria farmers markets, where Allford’s Tassies regularly sells out. Some customers have taken to arriving early to make sure they get a box.
A dozen Tassies. Photo by Justin Hwang.Grandma Allford’s “perfect bite of pie”
Sean’s great-grandmother, Grandma Allford, baked pecan tassies for the holidays. Sean never met her, but his mother kept the recipe in rotation and baked a batch for the couple’s wedding welcome party in May.
Freshly baked tassies and a portrait of Grandma Allford. Photo by Justin Hwang.Each tassie has a buttery crust and a gooey brown sugar filling studded with toasted pecans. Sean calls it the “perfect bite of pie.” For years, selling them was a family joke. The wedding guests gave Sean and Liza a reason to take the idea seriously.Allford’s Tassies original pecan flavor. Photo by Justin Hwang.From the wedding table to the farmers market
The Old Town North Farmers Market was a block from their apartment. Sean reached out to the market manager, and the couple started figuring out how to fit baking and market prep around their day jobs.
Sean works in finance on the software side. Liza, whose background includes teaching and tech recruiting, helps develop recipes, bake and market the tassies. At the stand, she gets to talk with the people who come back for another box.
Sean and Liza McElrath giving an order to an excited customer at the Del Ray Farmers Market. Photo by Justin Hwang.Sean’s favorite part is watching someone take a first bite. The couple now sells at the Del Ray Farmers Market on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon and at the Old Town North Farmers Market on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.Sean and Liza McElrath managing their stand at the Del Ray Farmers Market. Photo by Justin Hwang.Two customers trying the infamous pecan original tassies. Photo by Justin Hwang.How to order tassies for Thanksgiving
Allford’s Tassies is taking Thanksgiving preorders through Nov. 19, with pickup on the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Alongside the original pecan, the holiday menu includes chocolate chess, French apple and caramel honey pumpkin.
A stylized display of Allford’s Tassies with a menu of their seasonal flavors. Photo by Justin Hwang.Order through Allford’s Tassies’ Thanksgiving page. Find the business on Instagram at @allfordstassies and on Facebook.
