Deep in the heart of Del Ray, Alexandria, a little burger joint with a big personality has been quietly winning over hungry locals one juicy, hand-crafted patty at a time. 🐄
Holy Cow isn’t your average fast-food stop — it’s a locally-owned burger destination where creativity meets community, and every visit feels like a celebration of what great food should be. 🎉
Since opening its doors, this Del Ray darling has grown into one of Alexandria’s most beloved independent burger restaurants, earning buzz far beyond the neighborhood.
How Holy Cow Won Alexandria’s Hearts
From day one, Holy Cow built its reputation on one simple but powerful idea: give people total control over what goes into their burger. 🍔
Diners are handed a clipboard menu and invited to build their own masterpiece — choosing from multiple patty options (beef, chicken, turkey, veggie, and even tuna), a dozen cheese varieties, housemade sauces, and an incredible range of toppings that can produce thousands of unique burger combinations.
The restaurant uses locally sourced, vegetable-fed meats that are antibiotic and hormone-free — a detail that has resonated strongly with health-conscious and locally-minded diners across Northern Virginia.
On top of that, Holy Cow has been known to donate a portion of proceeds to local charities, even allowing guests to choose which cause benefits from their meal. 🤝
Washingtonian magazine recognized Holy Cow as one of the best burgers in the D.C. area — a distinction that sent burger lovers from across the DMV flocking to Mount Vernon Avenue.
Locals rave not just about the food, but about the warm, unpretentious atmosphere that makes Holy Cow feel like a true neighborhood gem rather than a corporate chain trying to look cool.
When a restaurant earns this level of trust and affection, it’s not just selling burgers — it’s building something that belongs to the community.
Food Highlights
- The Sacre Bleu: A natural Angus beef patty topped with brie, caramelized onions, applewood bacon, and truffle honey on a toasted brioche bun. 🧀
- The Popper: A natural Angus beef patty with cream cheese, bacon, fried jalapeños, chipotle ketchup, and garlic aioli on a brioche bun. 🌶️
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The Del Ray: Holy Cow’s signature classic burger — Angus beef, American cheese, their famous Secret Sauce, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and onion on a toasted brioche bun. 🌟
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The Holy Pig: Angus beef loaded with smoked gouda, pulled pork, coleslaw, crispy onions, and Pork Barrel BBQ Sauce on a potato kaiser roll. 🐷
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The Hangover: Angus beef with cheddar cheese, fried egg, hash brown patty, bacon, and hot sauce aioli on a brioche bun. 🍳
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The Southern: A natural Angus beef patty topped with pimento cheese, a fried green tomato, and Cajun remoulade on a toasted potato kaiser roll — a Southern-style comfort food classic in burger form. 🌿
- The Hot Mess: Angus beef topped with gouda, bacon, mac & cheese, crispy onions, and sriracha aioli. Yes, mac and cheese on a burger. 🔥
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Sweet Potato Waffle Fries with Marshmallow Dipping Sauce: Waffle-cut sweet potatoes fried in a gluten-free fryer, served with a housemade marshmallow dipping sauce. 🍠
Atmosphere
Holy Cow’s vibe is refreshingly unpretentious — think sturdy tables, an open kitchen, and a lively, neighborhood energy that feels welcoming to families, couples, and solo diners alike.
The Del Ray location on Mount Vernon Avenue perfectly mirrors the character of the neighborhood itself: charming, community-driven, and full of personality.
It can get wonderfully loud and buzzy, especially on weekends, when families and friends pack in for a burger-and-milkshake session that feels more like a block party than a restaurant visit.
Bottom Line
Alexandria’s best-kept burger secret is out — and here’s why you need to visit:
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Endlessly customizable burgers with thousands of possible combinations 🍔
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Locally sourced, hormone-free meats that taste as good as they are responsible 🌱
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Washingtonian-recognized as one of D.C.’s best burgers
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Community-first values, including local charity giving 🤝
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Iconic sides like truffle fries and marshmallow sweet potato fries you won’t find anywhere else 🍟
Address:
2312 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
📞 (703) 666-8616
🕔 Open Mon–Thu: 11:30 AM–9 PM | Fri–Sat: 11:30 AM–10 PM | Sun: 11:30 AM–9 PM