4th of July Food Fun to Celebrate the Red, White and Blue!

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Amazing things to do are aplenty in this weekend leading up to Tuesday’s celebration of July 4th on the National Mall and in hundreds of cities, towns and villages in the DMV. It looks to be typical summer weather, so that means hot and humid. So why cook? Here are some options we’ve got our eye on.

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Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, has a special summer picnic basket at D.C. and Virginia locations. The basket, available for $50, includes eight pieces of their signature fried chicken, four biscuits, one large cole slaw, and a half dozen doughnuts. The doughnut flavors include two birthday cake, two cherry pie, and two USA doughnuts, and full details can be found below. The basket feeds up to four people, and will be available for pick up on July 4th only from 7:30 AM-5:30 PM at G Street and from 7:30 AM-8:00 PM at Falls Church. Pre-orders must be placed by end of day July 3rd and can be made by calling 202-809-5565 or emailing info@astrodoughnuts.com. Limited quantities of baskets will be available for walk-ins.

Buttercream Bakeshop has a red and white Vanilla Cherry Cheesecake and patriotic pies. The Blueberry Icebox Pie features fresh Blueberries, Lime Juice, Vanilla Whipped Cream and a Graham Cracker Crust. A fun riff on the traditional Banana Cream Pie, the Strawberry Cream Pie has a flakey Buttermilk Crust filled with a light and airy Vanilla Bean Pastry Cream, local Strawberry Compote and is topped with Strawberry Whipped Cream. All Fourth of July offerings are available for pick- up Friday, June 30th - Monday, July 3rd. Go online to place an order.

Penn Commons, has a pre-order and pick up for a Fried Chicken Picnic To-Go pack for two that includes Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Dill New Potato Salad, Sweet Corn Chow-Chow and Summer Peach Hand Pies. At just $17.76, the founding fathers would approve! All orders must be placed by 4PM on Sunday, July 2nd. Call (202) 905-2999.

What about Rocklands BBQ? All three locations in DC, Arlington and Alexandria are accepting orders—but make sure and call early it is first come, first serve to create a delicious meal of ribs, pulled pork and all the traditional sides that you need to make a party. Here’s a link to the carryout menu: rocklands.com/menus

Feel like getting out of town? A trip to Middleburg could be the ticket. Do some wine tasting at Greenhill Vineyards fabulous new tasting room and then trot down the road to celebrate the 4th of July at the Salamander Resort & Spa, where they are serving classic BBQ, with lawn games and the best views of Middleburg’s fireworks! The a plate of BBQ is $15 and drinks are sold separately, www.salamanderresort.com

Or go east to Charm City for another view of big city fireworks. You could always get your patriotic spirit on by first visiting the Ft. McHenry National Park in Baltimore to revisit the original “fireworks” and the battle that inspired the writing of the Star Spangled Banner, then go to the inner harbor for a free concert by the U.S. Navy Jazz Ensemble. Fireworks follow at 9:30 p.m. 

Take advantage of the great outdoors with a bike ride along Rock Creek Parkway or the WO&D Trail sampling food and drinks along the way. Here is a map with details from our Summer issue to get you on your way.