Dickey’s Barbecue Pit is preparing to reopen after a fire temporarily forced the restaurant to close in August 2024. The fire, which originated at a neighboring tanning salon on August 23, caused an estimated $85,000 in damages to the Fredericksburg-area eatery.

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FredericksburgFreePress.com: “The historic downtown Fredericksburg Square property has a new owner. Luigi Castiglia, the longtime owner of the William Street restaurant that still bears his name, bought the 19,000-square-foot building at 525 Caroline St. last week. The sales price for the 0.45-acre property was $1.9 million, according to Fitzhugh Johnson III, whose Johnson Realty Advisors firm had the listing.”

Nestled in downtown Fredericksburg, Bella Manzo brings a blend of authentic Italian flavors and American comfort to the local dining scene. Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Ruth and Jose Matus, the restaurant represents over 25 years of combined experience in the restaurant industry. After working in corporate dining since 1995, the duo made the leap to open their own establishment in July 2023 at 715 Caroline Street, crafting a warm, inviting space for family and friends.

Ruth said the restaurant stands as a tribute to the excellence of American beef, known as “Good Beef”, or Bello Manzo.  The menu, designed with the help of a Chicago-based Executive Chef, features food ranging from “Manzo Traditionals” (Italian Beef sandwiches), creamy and tomato-based pastas, soups and salads, fish and chicken sandwiches, and desserts. 

The most popular dishes are the Manzo Pasta, a creamy spaghetti dish with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach, and their signature Italian Beef sandwich with smoked beef, and giardiniera on a hoagie bun served with au jus, according to Ruth. 

The staff’s favorites however, two appetizers: arancini, fried risotto balls stuffed with mozzarella and provole cheese and served with homemade marinara sauce, and meatballs simmered in homemade marinara sauce and topped with parmesan.

Ruth, the heart of the business, loves interacting with guests, often saying, “Come in as a guest, leave as family.” Bello Manzo has quickly earned the community’s support, with two outdoor eating areas and a full bar with a stage in the back. On September’s First Friday, the restaurant was pleasantly packed as patrons trickled in for live music or sat out front and watched the sidewalks. The restaurant has recently launched online ordering and is expanding its catering services.

Looking forward, Ruth and Jose plan to grow their live music events and continue being a place for friends and family to gather in Fredericksburg, where the motto is “La mia casa e la tua casa”—”my house is your house.”

Stafford County Economic Development is set to launch an innovative program called the “Strategic Pop-Up Advisory & Resource Knowledge” (SPARK) program.

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Welcome to our latest recap of Potomac Local News. We’re excited to share some of the top stories that are gaining attention on our site. From political color controversies to rave reviews for a local BBQ joint, here’s what’s making headlines.

Political Color Controversy in Manassas:
One of the most talked-about stories involves a heated debate over campaign colors in the Manassas mayoral election. GOP candidate Xiao Yin “Tang” Byrom is challenging incumbent Michelle Davis Younger. A Facebook post showing Tang wearing pink and green, colors associated with Vice President Kamala Harris’s sorority, sparked criticism from the Manassas and Manassas Park Cities Democratic Committee. This story has become our most-read article of the day, highlighting the unexpected turns in local politics.

Wild Wayland’s BBQ:
More delicious news: Wild Wayland’s BBQ in Stafford is receiving rave reviews for its generous portions and tasty offerings, from brisket to smoked turkey. Posted by our Fredericksburg Regional Editor, Kelly Sienkowski, this story has garnered over 100 likes and shares on Facebook. If you’ve visited Wild Wayland’s BBQ, we encourage you to share your experiences.

Animal Shelter Overcrowding:
We also reported on the overcrowding issues at regional animal shelters. Captain Bice from the Stafford Animal Shelter discussed the challenges they face, including the financial strain on pet owners, which leads to more surrenders. The shelter is urgently seeking volunteers and new homes for the animals.

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Thank you for staying informed with Potomac Local News. We appreciate your support and look forward to bringing you more stories that impact our community.

SweetFrog Frozen Yogurt, located at 10077 Market Circle in Manassas, is now open for business. The grand opening was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, welcoming the community to enjoy a variety of frozen yogurt options.

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Nestled in the corner of a Stafford shopping center, a new restaurant has arrived off White Oak Road: Wild Waylon’s BBQ, a family-owned restaurant that has quickly made a name for itself with its scratch-made barbecue and weekend specials.

Founded by the Murphy family—David and Molly, and David’s parents Tom and Linda—Wild Waylon’s BBQ is the culmination of a lifelong passion for cooking and a deep love for barbecue. David Murphy said he grew up smoking pork for family events alongside his father, Tom. He followed his mother’s footsteps, working in restaurants after college. In 2023, David and his mom Linda worked in the same restaurant and decided it was time to launch their own family spot. Waylon is David’s son, and the restaurant’s namesake.

“We wanted to create a place where we could share the food we love and make everything from scratch,” David explained. They offer seven varieties of house-made sauces for smoked meats like baby back ribs, pulled pork, and brisket, all prepared using an offset barrel smoker and hickory wood. David said “since I was young my dad always said [hickory] gave you the best smoke flavor.”

Wild Waylon’s BBQ offers more than just traditional barbecue. The menu features rotating weekend specials like brisket cheesesteaks, smoked Reuben sandwiches, smoked soft shell crab sandwiches, and homemade desserts crafted by Tom, like pecan pie and banana pudding.

The restaurant sources fresh produce daily and partners with local businesses like Working Man Bread Company, Charlie’s Crab House, and the Fredericksburg Farmers Market to provide seasonal ingredients. This community-focused approach has helped the restaurant establish strong local ties, and they have been active in contributing to Stafford High School’s athletic and theater programs.

The response from the local community has been overwhelmingly positive, with the restaurant quickly becoming a beloved spot in White Oak. David said the pulled pork and brisket sandwiches are popular with customers, but special offerings like the smoked soft shell crab sandwich draw a lot of attention. The staff favors the homemade bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers.

David said, “We love BBQ and I love getting up every day and getting to make fresh food that people enjoy.”

Wild Waylon’s BBQ is located at 43 Town and Country Drive. They are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Press release:

Brew Republic Bierwerks, a craft brewery known for great beer and delicious food since 2016, took home three medals at the 2024 Virginia Craft Brewers Guild’s Virginia Craft Beer Cup on Monday night.

A record 128 breweries competed in this year’s competition, including 20 new participants. Brewers submitted up to four beers each, judged in 33 different categories. This year’s competition saw a record 473 beers entered—it continues to be the largest state competition of its kind in the United States.

Brew Republic won three medals this year:
Inception Imperial Coffee Stout won a bronze medal in the strong ale category. Inception (11.6% ABV) features coffee beans infused with the previous batch of beer, then beer infused with those coffee beans, then later more coffee beans infused with this beer, for a dizzying inception.

Weizenbock won a silver medal in the German and American wheat category. Weizenbock (10.7% ABV) was brewed in collaboration with the founding brewer of Brew Republic. Born of our Hefe yeast, banana and clove dominates, closely followed by a sweet breadiness from Munich and caramel malts.
Eisbock (last year’s gold medal winner) defended its crown and won gold for the second time in the strong European lagers category. Eisbock (10.3% ABV) is a strong lager—a Dopplebock that is taken to freezing temperatures, which removes some of the water content to strengthen the beer further.

Our Eisbock will be featured at the Virginia Governor’s Mansion at an event later this year.

These three medal winners, along more than a dozen more of our delicious beers, are available on tap in the Brew Republic taproom, located in the Stonebridge shopping center in Woodbridge, Virginia. To-go formats are available as well in limited quantities. All our beer is brwered is brewed on-site, just steps from the taps that serve it.

Brew Republic also features a kitchen with a rotating selection of entrée sized and small-plate menu items, all designed and crafted by the brewery’s chef and kitchen team. The food is prepared to pair with the beer, and uses fresh and locally-sourced ingredients when available.

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Fredericksburg’s biannual Restaurant Week kicks off this Friday, July 26, and runs through Sunday, August 4, 2024, offering patrons a variety of dining experiences. According to Danelle Rose, Tourism Marketing and Communications Manager for the city, this summer’s event promises a diverse range of specials across over 30 participating restaurants and businesses.

“Restaurant Week allows the restaurants to showcase their creativity with the flexibility to offer specials that suit their capabilities and resources,” said Rose. Each establishment has the autonomy to design its menus, ensuring that offerings cater to all budgets—from gourmet three-course meals to budget-friendly treats like cupcake specials at coffee shops.

This year’s Restaurant Week also coincides with opening new culinary spaces in Fredericksburg, adding to the city’s vibrant food scene. Highlights include Ironclad’s bourbon tasting room at the Kenmore Inn and Suad Majles on Princess Anne Street, which serves Bahrainian cuisine, notably pastries and chicken shawarma. Both businesses are new to the city.

The event is a promotional tool and a critical economic booster for local businesses, helping them manage operational costs. “Restaurant Week helps cover expenses like rent, making it a vital part of our local economy,” Rose explained. The initiative also fosters community engagement, drawing both locals and tourists to explore new dining options and revisit old favorites.

Despite inflation and staffing shortages, Fredericksburg’s restaurateurs remain resilient despite challenges. “They are tired but committed to offering quality service and food,” Rose remarked. She emphasized the importance of supporting local businesses, which benefits the local economy and reinforces community bonds.

Get more information about Summer Restaurant Week on the city’s website.