Herndon Restaurants Nominated For 2021 RAMMY Awards

HERNDON, VA — Herndon area restaurants are among the finalists for the 2021 RAMMYs, the regional restaurant and food service awards held by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW).

The annual awards honor the accomplishments of the DC region's restaurant and food service community. For this year only, the RAMMYs will include special categories that recognize the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and creative ways businesses have adapted. A few examples are Finer Dining in a Box honoring takeout meals, Most Innovative To-Go Packaging Game celebrating creative takeout packaging, Most Impressive Pivot to Provisions or Market for restaurant operators providing provisions and other supplies, and Coolest Cocktails and Beverages To-Go. Another change this year was that RAMW membership was not required for nominations.

Glory Days Grill will be receiving a 2021 Honorary Milestone RAMMY Award, celebrating its 25 years of service. Glory Days has several locations in the DC area, including one at the Fox Mill Shopping Center in Herndon and another at the North Shore Shopping Center in Reston.

Ruben Avila of PassionFish Reston was nominated in the Employee of the Year category.

Great American Restaurants has a number of eateries around the DC area, including Jackson's in Reston Town Center. The company impressed the nominators with its technological know-how in supporting virtual menus, online ordering, and contactless pickup. The company was nominated in the Technology Trailblazers category. Silver Diner, which has a restaurant in Reston, was also nominated in this category.

Clyde's Restaurant Group, which operates several eateries in the DC area, including one in Reston Town Center, was among the companies recognized for thinking outside the box in during the pandemic. The company was nominated in the Outstanding COVID-Safe Redesign (Indoors or outdoors) category.

Founding Farmers was also recognized for its quick thinking in 2020. It was nominated in the Most Impressive Pivot to Provisions or Market category. The company operates a restaurant at Reston Station.

Nearly half of the award categories will be open to a public vote. Voting will be open from Aug. 2 to Sept. 2. Standout Family Meal Packages To-Go and Prime Pandemic Patio Scene are two of the categories the public can vote on.

Winners will be announced winners on Sept. 19 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. See the full list of 2021 RAMMY award finalists here.

Patch editor Emily Leayman contributed to the reporting of this story.