McAtee's Tavern

Now home to a local burger chain, the exterior of this fascinating building is a reproduction of the tavern that occupied this lot in the early 19th century. 

 

In 1807, Harrison McAtee built a tavern on what was then the Little River Turnpike to serve farmers transporting goods from the Shenandoah Valley to Alexandria.

 

An economic downturn that was exacerbated by a trade embargo forced McAtee to sell the tavern in 1822.

 

The building  served as a residence for several families before eventually being razed and rebuilt. The stone in the chimneys that flank the tavern and the log siding on the front porch were preserved from the original building and used when the tavern was rebuilt.

 

The Burger Shack, a popular local chain in Northern Virginia opened its first location here on May 1, 2016. It has become a very popular lunchtime spot, as people are lured by the anachronistic facade and won over by the terrific food!