Matt and Tony’s All Day Kitchen Bar sits on Mt. Vernon Avenue in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood, serving energetic American fare with all-day breakfast that earned #59 on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat for 2024.
The 1501 Mt Vernon Ave location opened March 16, 2022, when restaurant industry veteran Matt Sloan created tribute to his late great-grandfather Anton “Tony” Schabas, an immigrant formally-trained pastry chef from Austria.
The signature Cornflake Crusted French Toast paired with Chicken and Waffles creates the scratch-made American fare with all-day brunch options worth the Del Ray pilgrimage from across the DMV.
What Makes Matt and Tony’s Special
Matt Sloan’s restaurant industry experience leading front-of-house operations for Alexandria Restaurant Partners, Daikaya, and Matchbox Food Group brings expertise creating welcoming environments where every detail matters from reservation to final bite.
The all-day breakfast concept allows enjoying brunch favorites from 8am opening through dinner service, where the M&T’s Rather Large Breakfast Plate demonstrates commitment to generous portions and quality ingredients throughout operating hours.
Beverage Director Michael Riojas crafts well-balanced cocktails in the welcoming communal bar, where the full drink program complements the comfort food menu to create complete dining experiences from morning through evening.
The Story Behind the Restaurant
Matt Sloan named the restaurant honoring his great-grandfather Anton “Tony” Schabas, who immigrated from Austria paying passage by cooking on a German ship before becoming formally-trained pastry chef in America.
The building underwent extensive renovations transforming the space once home to Fireflies and Charlie’s on the Ave, where designer David Anthony Chenault created contemporary dining room with blue-tiled full bar encircled with American oak.
The Del Ray location opened as part of Mitten Hospitality group, where Sloan’s involvement in opening Ada’s on the Riverfront and work at Lena’s Wood-Fired Kitchen informed the vision for scratch-made American fare serving neighbors seven days weekly.
Food Highlights
- Cornflake Crusted French Toast – The absolutely delicious preparation with fresh fruit creates memorable sweet breakfast options, where the crispy coating adds textural excellence to classic brunch staples worth ordering.🍞
- Chicken and Waffles – The standout dish features perfectly executed preparations with generous portions, creating the comfort food excellence that makes this hands-down the best brunch spot in Alexandria according to many diners.🍗
- Biscuits and Gravy – The traditional Southern preparation receives careful attention, where adding fried chicken elevates this already exceptional dish into must-order status for breakfast and brunch enthusiasts.🍳
- Crab-Stuffed Oysters – These fresh, rich, flavor-packed starters create one of the most memorable appetizers, where quality seafood and expert preparation set tones for fantastic meals ahead.🦀
- M&T Smash Burger – The perfectly seared patties with great texture and balanced toppings create next-level burger excellence, demonstrating scratch kitchen’s expertise extends through entire menu.🍔
- Crab Hash – The all-day brunch item showcases fresh seafood in hearty preparations, where quality ingredients and proper technique create satisfying dishes worth exploring beyond traditional breakfast options.🥗
Atmosphere
The Del Ray location features contemporary design with central seating feature encircling live trees, where stone-colored brick walls, custom lighting fixtures, and natural greenery create warm, welcoming environments perfect for any occasion.
The full patio seats 40 patrons providing outdoor dining options, while indoors guests choose from table, booth, or bar seating arrangements that accommodate everything from solo diners to large groups.
Service remains friendly and attentive despite lively atmosphere, where the energetic vibe maintains welcoming accessibility making it ideal for casual weekday lunches, special weekend brunches, or celebratory dinners with family and friends.
Bottom Line
Matt and Tony’s All Day Kitchen Bar delivers Matt Sloan’s tribute to great-grandfather Anton “Tony” Schabas where cornflake crusted French toast and chicken and waffles have earned #59 on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat for 2024.
The biscuits and gravy with fried chicken and M&T Smash Burger prove scratch-made American fare combined with all-day breakfast creates the best brunch spot in Alexandria worth discovering in Del Ray.
Operating Monday-Thursday 8am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 8am-10pm, and Sunday 8am-9pm at 1501 Mt Vernon Ave since March 2022, this location brings Mitten Hospitality’s expertise through beverage director Michael Riojas’s well-balanced cocktails and generous portions that make reservations essential for weekend brunch. 🌟
Restaurant Details:
- Address: 1501 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301
- Phone: (703) 429-4950
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 8am-9pm, Friday-Saturday 8am-10pm, Sunday 8am-9pm
- Cuisine: American, Breakfast & Brunch, Comfort Food
- Price Range: $$ ($30 and under)
- Owner: Matt Sloan (Mitten Hospitality, Alexandria Restaurant Partners partner)
- Beverage Director: Michael Riojas
- Opened: March 16, 2022
- Neighborhood: Del Ray
- Features: All-day breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, full bar, patio seating, communal bar, contemporary design
- Dining Options: Dine-in, takeout, reservations recommended
- Accolades: Yelp Top 100 Places to Eat 2024 (#59)
- Designer: David Anthony Chenault
- Website: mattandtonysva.com
- Book via: OpenTable (4.8 stars from 2,000+ diners)