About Alexandria's Del Ray

Ok, so the other day we shared our personal love of barbecue and how it even made an appearance on our wedding day. Today we are going to dive right into the heart of the matter and tell you how Pork Barrel Barbecue got started and why it's coming to Alexandria.

Heath Hall and Brett Thomson met as staffers in the office of U.S Senator Jim Talent of Missouri.

Conservative politics was a given but they also shared a mutual love of slow cooked pork, smoky ribs, tangy sauces and a strong belief in the power of small businesses.

One night, during yet another long session on pork barrel spending - and while eating pizza for the fifth night in a row - Heath and Brett had what can only be called a eureaka moment. Why not start their own small business and why not call it Pork Barrel Barbecue?

But, being the smart young men that they are, they did not quit their day jobs. And they decided to start small, with a single product, a seasoning rub. Fast forward to December 2008.

After endless experimenting in Heath's kitchen and trial and error experiments with family and friends, Heath and Brett found a manufacturer and then a distribution system - pounding the pavement.

Their very first customer was our friend Steve Gatward at Let's Meat on the Avenue in Del Ray. Their products now sell in 65 stores (including Harris Teeter, Ukrops and Balducci's) in 4 states and the District of Columbia and on the Pork Barrel Barbeque Web site.

Their next move was an appearance at Beer, Bourbon & BBQ day at National Harbor where they met local food writer/critic and personal chef Jordan Wright. From there they moved to the Safeway National Capitol BBQ Battle in late June. And here's where it gets interesting.

Armed with their trusty backyard Weber grill and a batch of sauce that Heath "whipped" up the night before, the boys went up against the legends of barbeque, some of whom were rolling with $40,000 custom grills. In a David and Goliath moment, Heath and Brett took 2nd place with their sauce and 4th place with pulled pork!

Capitalizing on their win, they replicated the sauce for mass production and had it on the market within two weeks.

Next? A call from local restaurant legends "Mango" Mike Anderson and Bill Blackburn.

We'll wrap up this amazing story about Pork Barrel Barbecue coming to Alexnadria in Part Three so stay tuned.

I am so hungry,

Michael

The pulled pork picture is Heath and Brett's entry at the National Capitol BBQ Battle

It’s Labor Day Weekend, the weather is beautiful, and what better place to be on Saturday morning than the Del Ray Farmer’s Market.

The crowds -

Busy vendors -

Beautiful produce -

Homemade goodies -

Another perfect day in the neighborhood,

Michael

For more on Del Ray, see: Del Ray Farmer’s Market is Open for 2009 Season, Walking in Del Ray

First Thursday (September) in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood was just about as good as it gets.

First the weather was cool and crisp. Second, Mt. Vernon Avenue was packed. Three, it was the annual First Thursday Taste of Del Ray with local restaurants competing for bragging rights.

A Taste of Del Ray is the creation of Gayle Reuter and benefits ALIVE. Tickets to sample food from the 12 participating restaurants could be purchased with a donation of canned goods or for $.25 a ticket.

Folks were 8 and 10 deep at each of the tents but good conversation and music from Dave Dodd's band kept things lively.

And if you wanted to sit down for a full meal, every restaurant we saw with an outdoor eating space was packed. It was just too good a night to stay home - for families or some of the smallest members of our community:

Thanks for stopping by,

Michael

Welcome to Scenic Sunday. One of our favorite houses in Del Ray is on Leslie Avenue.

I've never been inside and don't know the owners but every spring they plant 11 containers with the most glorious ferns possible. These giant beauties are meticulously maintained and even on the most intemperate days are an oasis of green.

I pass this charming home everyday on my way to the gym -

Thanks for checking out Scenic Sunday in Del Ray,

Michael

"Rangers Lead the Way"

Northern Virginia abounds in history - and no where more so than in Alexandria. Old Town Alexandria is closely connected to the shipping business that flourished along the Potomac River. Del Ray, on the other hand, owes its early history to the development of one of the first electric railways in the country and later, the Potomac Rail Yard.

Once known as the Town of Potomac, Del Ray was annexed by the City of Alexandria in 1930. The occasion was commemorated January 1, 1930 with a “gala program of music and dance” at the fire station. At midnight, a siren wailed to mark the New Year and the official annexation. The action was originally controversial and a majority of the townspeople refused to re-elect council members who favored joining the city.

To see a great video on the electric railway and Potomac Yard, visit us at:

Electric Railway Played An Important Role in Del Ray History