Soul food restaurant and lounge coming to Richmond Highway
Two Brothers Soul Food hopes to open up for business in early April.
Growing up on Richmond Highway back in the 1980s and 1990s, David Roundtree and Chris Everette knew that if you wanted a good meal out, more than likely you had to get in the car and drive somewhere else.
Some residents might argue that not much has changed over the years. But thanks to Roundtree and Everette, diners along Richmond Highway will soon get a unique new option with Two Brothers Soul Food, which is tentatively scheduled to open the first week of April.
“That was one of the things we wanted to change,” said Roundtree, who grew up in Hybla Valley. “You don’t have to go to D.C. or Maryland to get [good food].”
Roundtree and Everette, 1989 and 1990 West Potomac graduates respectively, are entrepreneurs making their first foray into the restaurant business. They’ve hired a well-regarded chef and have a simple plan for the restaurant: Good food and good hospitality.
Running the kitchen at Two Brothers will be Andre Rush, a Mississippi-born chef who was an award-winning culinary artist and ice sculptor while serving in the Army. Rush’s experience includes stints at the United States Military Academy at West Point as well as the White House.
Two Brothers was originally going to be a take-out only restaurant a few blocks south. The owners put up their sign in 2015, but plans to open up fell through due to issues with parking at the small shopping center, Roundtree said.
The new location at 7305 Richmond Highway is much larger, and has been home to many restaurants over the years. Longtime residents remember it most as a Shakey’s Pizza Parlor. In recent years various eateries have cycled through the site — Captain White’s Crab House, Calabash, El Ranchon– with little success.
If a recent Friday at Two Brothers is any indication, the new restaurant has already created a buzz along the highway. During our reporter’s 30-minute visit to the restaurant, at least three groups of customers walked in the front door of Two Brothers asking if it was open yet. Roundtree and Everette say it happens as many as 10 times a day.
Right now Roundtree and Everette are finalizing their ABC license and finishing up the interior and exterior renovation. The restaurant will have a 150-person capacity, with both a large indoor dining area and a covered outdoor patio. There’s also two 8-seat bars, a DJ booth and an area for performers.
While live musicians will play at Two Brothers, the owners were quick to say the restaurant won’t have a club atmosphere.
“Absolutely no go-go,” Roundtree joked. He and Everette say they’re looking to cultivate a family-friendly environment where people can watch games on the weekend, maybe sing karaoke on weeknights and just relax and have fun.
“We want to keep this as family-oriented as possible,” said Everette.
I can dj or if u need servers please contact me would love to be apart of the team I have 4 years serving experience
I truly hope it works out. There have been many eateries in there… There are no places that serve fried fish.
“Absolutely no Go-Go…” is probably the best way to alienate your target audience, but I hope this establishment works out. Just remember the majority of your target audience loves Go-Go Soul music.
I don’t necessarily think that families looking for good soul food dining are considered a majority audience interested in go-go music.
I Agree…
The word “joked” was used. And you’re making assumptions about the “target audience” — I suspect there will an incredibly diversity of patrons. Since the owners are both WestPo graduates, they know Mount Vernon well enough to know that it won’t just be black people going there to eat — unless “black people” isn’t what you meant by “target audience.”
I TOTALLY support this business already… You will have a GREAT support system and I WILL make sure of that. Word of mouth is EVERYTHING. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Go-Go… BUT, I disagree that Go-Go is going to alienate the target audience. There are MANY types of ‘grown and sexy’ bands that attract all types of people. Every now and then Team Familiar is creative and they play on a different level. In order to support your own, you have to stay positive. Positive + Positive = Positive… Positive + Negative = Negative…
I am quite excited about this! I was wondering why the first location was taking so long to open. God bless you guys. I look forward to many visits in the future.
Ditto!
Are you hiring
Are you guys the same ones who bought the Steak House Restaurant in Winchester, VA, with intentions of opening a Southern style/soul food restaurant? I noticed it remains boarded up and we could use a new restaurant in that end of town since Bob Evans closed.
This Wolverine is excited about supporting you guys! Awesome! Good luck!
Can’t wait Dave, the place is going to be great!!!
I will look forward to eating there and enjoying Sunday meal while watching some type of sports. Congrats fellas on your business.
Thanks Randy
A big congratulations to you both. I moved from Alexandria to the Lorton, FFX Station area in 2011, however, you can bet your last dollar that I have plans to come and enjoy some great food!!!
I gotta’ feeling this is the one that will work in that location. I liked the name the first time I saw it down the street …Kitchen and BBQ. Where does everyone go when they are hungry? To the kitchen! I wish you well fellas, its gonna’ be good! And if you need any kind of flooring, I’d be happy to help. Find me, Rob, at Kruperflooring.com.
Will you have addition for Singers or bands. If so how would no apply?
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I saw contractors working on the original site “a few blocks south” the other day and the sign said “Two Brothers Soul Food”. What’s the deal?
Looking forward to supporting and helping make this a success. Love you guys.
Please let me know what day you open. Maybe this place will be as good as Sobe lounge in Lanham.
Anxious to hear about the opening date!!!
Can’t wait to try this place!
I’m looking forward to the opening of this restaurant . I lived in Alexandria for 10 years and always have to travel to MD or DC for soul food . I’m so excited about this restaurant I even told my family and friends about it .
Is this place open yet? Has anyone checked recently? I Think they said April 1st…
Nicole, I road by today I seen movement in the parking lot. Does not appear to be open yet.