Where to Eat And Drink in Del Ray
Make a day of it in charming Del Ray with options for 'round-the-clock eating.
B.Y.O. Kids
Photo by Whitney Pipkin
Taqueria el Poblano
Five o’clock is rush hour on the weekends at this small outpost of the Arlington eatery, where the staff is known to dote over how cute your children are, free of charge. Don’t bring the extended family, though, because the dining room is quite small, spilling onto a covered patio in the warmer months.
Do bring your kids. They will find plenty to their liking on the Cal-Mex menu inspired by executive chef Glen Allen’s upbringing in California. Besides chips and chunky guacamole, the chicken taquitos and quesadillas are favorites for little eaters. But the more adventurous among them might get jealous of mama’s baja-fish or chile-braised beef tacos—not to mention her margarita on the rocks. Just remember to remember your kids when you leave.
2400-B Mt. Vernon Ave., Del Ray, taqueriapoblano.com
Pork Barrel BBQ
If getting messy is at the top of your kids’ list, then saucy barbeque is the way to go. This five-year-old eatery’s picnic-like tables and brown paper-lined platters make the meat-eating experience feel that much more genuine.
That said, most of the sauces do come Texas style: on the side and at the table, so you can make a mess on your own terms. Pulled pork, sliced brisket, pulled chicken, smoked turkey and Texas beef sausage are all on the menu, along with sides such as BBQ baked beans, cheesy grits and collard greens.
Warning: your kids will want one of the vintage sodas sold in glass bottles from an ice-cold trough near the register; budget (their sugar) accordingly.
2312 Mt. Vernon Ave., Del Ray, bbqdelray.com
Ice pops at The Dairy Godmother (Facebook photo)
The Dairy Godmother
Fans of Wisconsin-style frozen custard were crushed when Liz Davis, the owner of this signature ice-cream place in the heart of Del Ray, announced in January that she would not reopen this spring (she takes an annual month-long winter vacation). Fortunately, Davis says she’s now looking for someone to take over the business. Here’s hoping that come warmer weather, kids and grownups will again be able to sample the shop’s rotating custard flavor of the day (vanilla and chocolate also offered daily), sorbet, ice pops and baked goods.
2310 Mt. Vernon Ave., Del Ray, thedairygodmother.com
