Photo courtesy of Number 1 Sons’ Facebook page.
By DCist Contributor Travis Mitchell
Summer in D.C. is a season full of barbecues and picnics, and every good meal—al fresco or otherwise—is only as good as the food that’s served. D.C.’s proximity to the bounty of farms in Maryland and Virginia provides plenty of ingredients for the city’s food entrepreneurs. Locations like Eastern Market, Union Market, Mess Hall, and the abundant farmers markets around the city have helped create opportunities for these locally prepared foods to thrive and find their way to customers.
Shoppers who prefer to keep it local will find many D.C.-made groceries and prepared foods, from condiments to nuts and snacks. Here’s your guide to some locally-made items to look for during your next trip to the market:
4 Brothers Bar Essentials:David Reza launched his unorthodox line of pickled condiments this past April. The pickled products include jalapeños, cilantro green beans, horseradish cauliflower, and smokey carrots. They are sure to give any cocktail an interesting twist.
Baba’s Pickles: Baba’s Pickles started in 2013 and is now churning out jars of picnic-perfect bread and butter pickles at D.C.’s Union Kitchen. Find those and other recipes including agave and spicy at shops like Each Peach (3068 Mt. Pleasant Street NW) and Yes! Organic Market.
Cajun Meets Asian: At Cajun Meets Asian, founder Ross Perkins sells a selection of snacks that includes sweet and spicy pecans, sesame seed & peanut pralines, and flavored rice puddings like mango ginger and lemongrass coconut. The products are sold online as well as at spots like Glen’s Garden Market (2001 S Street NW) and Union Market (1309 5th Street NE).
Charmed Bars: These local nut bars come in varieties like cashew butter and apple, almond butter and cranberry, and peanut butter cherry. The recipes are free of gluten, dairy, soy, refined sugars, and GMOs. You can buy Charmed Bars online and in area stores.
‘Chups: Fruit ketchup might sound odd, but that’s the idea behind ‘Chups products. The savory-sweet condiments don’t contain tomato but can be used as a ketchup substitute to enhance foods like sandwiches and burgers. Flavors include mango, cherry, plum, blueberry and spicy pineapple. Find the jars at spots like Salt and Sundry (1401 S Street NW) and the Little Red Fox (5035 Connecticut Avenue NW).
Photo courtesy of ‘Chups’ Facebook page.
Fruitcycle: This company is all about turning less-than-perfect fruit into delicious snacks. Fruitcycle makes tasty and natural cinnamon apple chips from apples that would otherwise be thrown out. It also lives out its motto of providing second chances by employing women who are homeless or otherwise disadvantaged. You can shop online (including on Amazon) and at many stores in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
Gordy’s Pickle Jar: Don’t let the name fool you—Gordy’s sells so much more than just pickles. There are spicy spears and sweet chips, sure, but consider spicing up a meal with condiments like Thai basil jalapeños or cherry pepper spread. Gordy’s Pickle Jar is now available in shops across more than two dozen states.
Honeycomb Grocery: This Union Market Asian grocer is the brainchild of Chef Erik Bruner-Yang of Toki Underground and Maketto fame. Stop by for homemade goods like hoisin, nuoc cham and other sauces, condiments, and snacks. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Jerkface Jerky: Eric Judycki started making his jerky two and a half years ago, and it’s way more than just beef teriyaki. Among the Jerkface Jerky flavors (made of flank steak) currently available online and at bars around town are garlic chili, maple jalapeño, and pineapple habanero. Four-ounce bags are $13 and online orders have a three bag minimum.
Number 1 Sons: Anyone who likes all-things fermented should seek out products from Number 1 Sons. Products might include sauerkraut, kimchi, and assorted pickles like half-sours. Find them at farmer’s markets around the city and locally-focused grocers.
Have another favorite locally made food? Let us know in the comments.
