3 Businesses Win Taste Of Falls Church At Fall Festival

FALLS CHURCH, VA—The fall festival went on as scheduled last weekend, and among the highlights was the annual Taste of Falls Church. 16 restaurants competed for the judges' and people's choice awards by serving up delicious selections of food.

The winners are

• Best Overall Taste: El Patron Bar & Grille
• Best Overall Menu: The Kensington Falls Church
• People’s Choice: Liberty Barbecue

The judges chose El Patron’s tacos and pupusas as Best Taste for the "perfect mix of fresh ingredients, tender meats, and a fantastic mix of flavors and spices," according to a city news release. The Kensington Falls Church won Best Menu for unique offerings that were diverse and complemented each other. The People's Choice was Liberty Barbecue's selection brisket, sausage sandwiches and sides.

Judges sampled 44 servings of entrees and sides, five desserts, and five beverages to determine the winner. The judges were former Mayor Nader Baroukh, Falls Church Superintendent Peter Noonan, Mayor David Tarter, and residents Jim and Sheila Way, winners of the Falls Church Education Foundation auction.

Participating restaurants included: Art's Tavern, Clare and Don's, Dogwood Tavern, El Patron Bar and Grill, The Kensington Falls Church, Fava Pot, Hot N Juicy Crawfish, Liberty Barbecue, Mad Fox Brewing Company, Original Pancake House, Peet's Coffee, Plaka Grill, Sfizi Cafe, Sweet Rice Thai, Taco Bamba, and Trio Grill.

The fall festival itself saw a record number of attendees and sales. Event sponsors included ROCK STAR Realty by Tori McKinney, Burke & Herbert Bank, Falls Church News-Press, Floor Coverings International, Homefix Custom Remodeling, Kitchen Saver, Passanante's Home Food Service, Phoenix Fitness VA, Power Home Remodeling, and ROCK STAR Realty Group.

Pictured: El Patron was deemed the Best Overall Taste by the judging panel at Saturday's Fall Festival. Left to right: Sheila Way (judge), Former Mayor Nader Baroukh (judge), Mayor David Tarter (judge), School Superintendent Peter Noonan (judge), Carlos Ventura and Silvia Robinson from El Patron, and Jim Way (judge). Image via City of Falls Church