Crimson Coward, a new restaurant specializing in hot chicken, has recently opened in Fredericksburg next to Mary Washington University. The owners, the husband and wife team of Naveed Javed and Aman Naveed, bring years of experience in the restaurant industry to this venture.

Naveed and Aman are not newcomers to the restaurant scene in Fredericksburg, having been part of the community for almost two decades. Their journey began with Vocelli Pizza in 2008, and since then, they have expanded to four pizza delivery locations across the area.

“When we decided to venture into something new, hot chicken seemed like the perfect fit,” Javed explains. “I had been researching and experimenting with recipes for a while, and when I came across Crimson Coward, I knew it was something special.”

The decision to join forces with Crimson Coward was not taken lightly. Javed emphasized the importance of the team behind the brand, stating, “I’ve been in the franchise business for a long time, so I know franchises inside and out. The team behind the scenes really grows the brand, and we are here to grow with this brand.”

The opening of Crimson Coward has also brought employment opportunities to the area. The restaurant currently employs around 25 people. The two owners provide jobs for 80 individuals across all their businesses, contributing to the local economy.

Located at 1217 Emancipation Highway in Eagle Village, Crimson Coward aims to cater to college students and the surrounding community. “It’s a good location, right at the intersection of a busy junction,” says Naveed. “We have a college crowd right across, and with the [Mary Washington Hospital] nearby, there are plenty of opportunities for us.”

Aman echoes Naveed’s enthusiasm. “So far, everyone on our team has tried the food, and they are as excited as we are. We want to continue spreading that excitement and provide a unique dining experience for our customers,” she said.

Looking to the future, Naveed and Aman are optimistic about Crimson Coward’s success. “Our goal is to grow,” says Naveed. If this location does well, we definitely plan to open more in the future. We’re in this business to grow and succeed.”

The Fredericksburg location marks the second Crimson Coward to open in the region this year. The restaurant chain opened at Embrey Mill in Stafford County, owned and operated by Nabil Asad, a longtime franchise restaurant who opened the first Subway restaurant in Stafford County at Aquia Town Center in the early 1990s.

Asad and his business partner, John Filipiak, also operate a Crimson Coward near Hoadly Road and Prince William Parkway in Woodbridge.

The Fredericksburg location is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Raising Cane’s press release:  Once a site where historic battles were fought, Manassas will soon claim a victory of its own with Raising Cane’s bringing its ONE LOVE ® – craveable Chicken Finger meals – to the city, opening doors to its first Restaurant in Manassas on Tuesday, April 9.

Located at 9501 Liberia Avenue, Raising Cane’s continues to expand in Northern Virginia. The friendly Crew will be serving up Cane’s Chicken Fingers, freshly squeezed lemonade, buttery Texas toast and, of course, its signature Cane’s Sauce in a spacious dining room featuring graphics that reflect the history of Manassas.

In addition to dine-in and carryout options, Customers in a rush can order online or via the Cane’s mobile app for order ahead and quick and easy pick-up.

The Restaurant’s hours of operation are 9 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. – 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

After 15 years in Fredericksburg, Taj Indian Cuisine is opening a second location in North Stafford. There are no other formal Indian restaurants in Stafford.

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Mark your calendars for Black Rifle Coffee Company’s Grand Opening celebration on April 13.

Black Rifle Coffee Company, located on Route 17, has been open since Feb. 17. The veteran-founded coffee company offers drive-through and dine-in services.

Manager Ashley Jones said in an email that the community has welcomed the company with open arms and patience on their soft opening on Feb 17. She said the staff only had one week to train before opening and has become a great team.

Jones described the staff as “each other’s biggest cheerleaders, and they work together as one big team. We have hired people from multiple backgrounds, varying from construction to prior service members. They truly represent Black Rifle and its mission.”

On April 13, the store will open at 5:30 am and continue regular operations throughout the day. The celebration will begin at 8 am with vendors and visitors from Stafford County’s sheriff and fire and rescue. Black Rifle will also present a gift to Semper K9, a nonprofit organization that provides service dogs to veterans.
Jones encouraged local organizations to reach out to build connections for future events.

She said, “We hope to help grow and build Stafford County and…support all Military, Veteran, and First Responders in any way we can.” Black Rifle is located at 591 Warrenton Road in Stafford.

Voodoo Brothers will replace the once-popular Okra’s Cajun Creole restaurant in Downtown Manassas.

The new owners, Luke Tamer and Antonio Escamilla plan to bring “Bourbon Street” to Center Street, adding crawfish boils and an outdoor bar, the told the city government, included the restaurant announcement in its newsletter.

Tamer and Escamilla initially worked together at the popular Okra’s, a nod to the “Voodoo Brothers” name. Okra’s closed in 2021 after 23 years in business.

Tamer told the city government that the restaurant aims to “bring back a taste of New Orleans, fond memories of Okra’s, and something that is also uniquely ours at the same time.” The duo hired a chef with roots in New Orleans and southern cuisine.

No word yet on when the new eatery will open.

The photo above is one of Okra’s from 2017. If you’re in the area, text us a photo of any work you see on the new restaurant to 571-989-1695, and we’ll be sure to share.

Ballywhack Shack Café marked its grand opening with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony this past Saturday, March 9. The café began on the town’s main drag, Mill Street, Ballywhack Shack, and has found its new a second home at 126 Commerce Street, neighboring the Golden Plum (previously known as Mom’s Apple Pie).

In a candid moment during the event, Sherry Mangas, owner of Ballywhack Shack, reminisced about the journey that led to this exciting milestone. Mangas shared her story, tracing back to her tenure at the Blue Arbor Café in 2007, where she discovered her passion for the culinary arts. Following the closure of Blue Arbor, fate intervened as she stumbled upon a humble shed on Mill Street, which she transformed into a thriving sandwich shop and hot dog stand.

“The success of our little shack on Mill Street was overwhelming,” Mangas reflected. “After five years of bustling business, the community’s demand for indoor seating became apparent, especially on rainy days like today,” said Mangas.

Mangas, whose experience managing the Blue Arbor Café under Steve Power’s guidance shaped her entrepreneurial spirit, seized the opportunity presented by the relocation. She explained how the new location on Commerce Street, previously part of Mom’s Apple Pie, felt like a natural progression.

“Just like the shack, this location presented itself to me,” Mangas explained. “When the opportunity arose, it felt like the perfect fit. Matt Dawson, the building owner, understood my vision, having been a deli owner himself.”

Customers familiar with the offerings at the original Mill Street location will find comfort in the familiarity of Ballywhack Shack Café’s menu, which includes popular sandwiches like the Bada Bing Bada Boom and Twisted Sister, alongside new creations like the Horseradish Roast Beef.

Mangas expressed her gratitude for the warm reception from the Occoquan community and emphasized the joy of building connections with her customers.

“When you’re in the business for yourself, your customers become your world,” Mangas shared. “Occoquan stole my heart with its supportive community and vibrant atmosphere.”

The sandwich shop sits at 126 Commerce Street. The original at 304 Mill Street remains open.

Potomac Mills, Virginia’s largest retail, entertainment, and dining destination, announced the addition of several exciting dining options coming this year.

The new eateries feature food with Mexican and Middle Eastern fusion, Vietnamese cuisine, and a sub shop.

Coming soon this summer is Shawarma Taco, a Mexican and Middle Eastern fusion dining concept. This is the second location for the locally owned business, and it offers a tantalizing blend of flavors, where traditional Mexican ingredients meet the rich and aromatic spices of the Middle East in a selection of tacos, burritos, and bowls.

Notably, all meat served is halal, ensuring inclusivity and respect for diverse dietary preferences. It will be located in the Food Court.

Pholicious, another locally owned gem, has recently opened its doors in the Grand Court, offering visitors a taste of authentic Vietnamese cuisine. Renowned for its exceptional flavors and fresh ingredients, Pholicious has quickly gained a reputation for excellence, serving up not only the tradional noodle soup dish, but also other Vietnamese favorites including bahn mi, spring rolls, and bubble tea.

Firehouse Subs is also set to open at Potomac Mills this summer, offering its array of hearty subs. It will be located in the Food Court.

The five levels of spicy chicken is a feature at Crimson Coward, so at the recent opening of this area’s first restaurant, they put it out there that the “Burrrrn Baby, Burn” variety is only for the super spicey palettes.

Their description is “our hottest level,” but Crimson chef Nabil Asad isn’t sugar-coating it. “It’s very, very hot,” he said, pointing at the spices they use. You really have to have a high tolerance,” he said. It’s a variety of “Nashville Hot,” with an extra kick that’s Crimson Coward’s specialty.

Even the “Hot” chicken description at the next level down described the taste as “feel the burn.” Down the list, medium is the next, followed by mild and then “country,” which is chicken with no heat, it said.

These were all highlighted on opening day, March 8, where they cut the ribbon at the Stafford location in the Embrey Mill Town Center, around the corner from Colonial Forge High School. After the football game, the Colonial Forge Eagles will flock to the Crimson if it’s open late enough, said a group of Eagle cheerleaders were on the scene to help with the ribbon cutting.

Some noted that they can’t handle hot food, but there’s always the “country” selection.

The cheerleaders were on spring break, but taking time off from their vacation was part of the deal. When the time came, they ate some free chicken while yelling out a revelation. “We’ve done these ceremonies before,” one added.

Others at the ribbon cutting included Raymond Bell and Wendy Zelazny of the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce, Stafford County Board of Supervisors Chair Dr. Pamela Yeung, John Filipiak of Crimson Coward, Asad’s business partner.

The restaurant’s secret is its fresh ingredients, made-to-order menu, and open kitchen, which customers can watch. “We make everything in-house except the French fries,” Filipiak said.

Also on the menu are macaroni and cheese, desserts, and drinks to soothe the burning mouth after some spicey varieties.

The name “Crimson Coward” comes from the color of the various spice levels up to the most crimson red in the “Burrrrn Baby Burn,” and the coward is another term for chicken, said Molly Link, a spokesperson for the company. Crimson Coward is based in Los Angeles and plans to open 50 additional stores in the Washington, D.C. area.

The Stafford store is the second on the East Coast, following the opening of a Woodbridge location last year. Fredericksburg is next, with a new restaurant planned across from Mary Washington University.

A new restaurant is coming to the Manassas area. Freddy’s, a well-known burger and custard joint, aims to open in June 2024. The newest franchise will be built at 8074 Ashton Avenue, at the corner of Sudley Manor Drive.

“Manassas is a vibrant, diverse, and growing area that’s a perfect fit for our brand. Our local community is so important to us—as we’ve gotten to know our neighbors and businesses in the area, we’ve been supporting community clean-up days with a Frozen Custard Social,” explained Manassas franchise owner Beverly Redler.

Their menu includes something for everyone—chicken sandwiches, all-beef hotdogs, cheese curds, shakes, sundaes, and more. Browse through the whole menu here and look for limited-time items throughout the year.

Inside the restaurant, the history of Freddy’s can be found on the walls. Photos of the late co-founder, Freddy Simon, display his years throughout his adolescence, up until serving in World War II, and beyond.

With cooked-to-order ingredients, Freddy’s likes to ensure a family-friendly environment. Interested in joining the team? Applicants can check here for upcoming positions at the Manassas location.

“We can’t wait to start serving guests in Manassas and look forward to becoming an active supporter of the local schools, sports teams, and organizations that make our community thrive,” added Redler.

Other nearby locations include two in the Fredericksburg area: 28 South Gateway Drive, Fredericksburg in Stafford County, and 1611 Emancipation Highway in Fredericksburg.