The Alfajores

For residents of Northern Virginia seeking a truly authentic and unique taste experience, The Alfajores in Arlington offers a delightful culinary journey. Categorized as a specialized bakery, this local Virginia establishment brings the rich traditions and sweet flavors of Latin America, particularly Argentina, right to the heart of Arlington County. While many bakeries focus on classic American or European pastries, The Alfajores carves out a niche by specializing in the namesake treat: the alfajor.

An alfajor is not just a cookie; it is a beloved South American dessert typically made from two soft, crumbly shortbread-like cookies joined together by a generous filling of dulce de leche (a creamy, caramelized milk confection) and often dusted with powdered sugar or coated in chocolate. The Alfajores is dedicated to perfecting this traditional dessert, offering their Virginia customers a variety of exceptional, hand-made options that are soft, sweet, and known to literally melt in your mouth.

Beyond their specialty cookies, The Alfajores serves a complementary range of savory delights that further enhance the authentic experience. Their menu prominently features a diverse selection of hand-made empanadas, offering a delicious handheld meal or snack. This combination of traditional sweet and savory items ensures that whether you’re looking for a dessert to share, a delightful coffee companion, or a quick, flavorful lunch, The Alfajores in Arlington is a must-visit destination for those who value fresh, handcrafted baked goods and genuine Latin American flavor.

Introduction / Overview

The Alfajores operates as a passionate, local bakery in Arlington, Virginia, with a deep commitment to sharing the rich culinary heritage of Latin America, primarily through the classic Argentine pastry known as the alfajor. The establishment’s mission revolves around producing hand-made, fresh, and delicious items, making it a beloved spot for both the local South American community and adventurous food lovers across the DMV area.

The primary focus of this bakery is the creation of premium alfajores. These confections are recognized for their soft, delicate texture and the high quality of the dulce de leche filling. However, the business wisely expands its appeal by offering a compelling selection of empanadas, which are equally hand-crafted and feature a range of internationally-inspired fillings. This dual focus ensures that The Alfajores is not just a dessert spot, but a comprehensive provider of authentic Argentine treats.

The business model is primarily focused on custom orders, catering, and pickup services, indicating a strong relationship with its clientele and a high value placed on freshness, with orders being prepared and packaged for customer convenience. For local Virginians, this bakery represents a truly unique and high-quality culinary experience, providing a true taste of Argentine tradition right in Arlington County.

Location and Accessibility

The Alfajores maintains a presence in the heart of Arlington, Virginia, offering a convenient pickup location for customers across Northern Virginia and the broader Washington D.C. metropolitan area.

Address (Pickup Location):

1901 N Veitch St, Arlington, VA 22201, USA

This address is strategically located within a highly accessible area of Arlington. While the business model leans heavily toward online ordering and custom pickup rather than walk-in retail, the central location in Arlington makes it easy for local customers to arrange their collection. Its proximity to major transportation routes in North Arlington provides efficient access for Virginia residents commuting from surrounding areas like Rosslyn, Clarendon, and even parts of Fairfax County.

Customers are encouraged to contact the bakery to confirm pickup details and hours, as operations are geared toward fresh, made-to-order fulfillment. The convenient Arlington location serves as the central hub for their operations, making it simple to acquire their sought-after Argentine desserts and savory pastries.

Services Offered

The operational focus of The Alfajores is centered around providing fresh, hand-made products through efficient ordering and distribution channels, prioritizing the customer's convenience, especially for bulk and custom orders.

• Online Ordering and Pick-up: Customers can place orders directly through the official website for both alfajores and empanadas, specifying the quantity and desired flavors for a personalized experience.
• Custom Alfajores: The bakery offers custom alfajores, allowing customers to specify choices for events, parties, or special gifts, highlighting the flexibility of their baking service.
• Catering Services: They provide catering for events, parties, and gatherings across the Virginia and DMV region, allowing clients to serve a taste of Argentina at their own functions.
• Bulk Packaging: Alfajores are available in convenient packs, such as the 6 Pack Classic, perfect for sharing or stocking up on this popular treat.
• Frozen Empanadas: For ultimate convenience, The Alfajores offers frozen empanada packs (e.g., 12 Pack Frozen Empanadas) which customers can warm at home, ensuring they always have a quick, delicious, hand-made meal ready.
• Gift Cards: Available for purchase, making their unique Argentine treats an ideal gift for friends, family, or colleagues in the Virginia area.
• Contact and Support: Provides easy contact through phone and email for any questions, custom requests, or assistance with ordering, ensuring high customer service standards.

Features / Highlights

The Alfajores stands out in the Virginia bakery landscape by specializing in authentic Latin American baking, delivering several distinctive highlights that appeal to local customers.

• Argentine Alfajores Specialization: Their signature product is the soft, sweet, and crumbly alfajor, generously filled with luscious dulce de leche, positioning them as a premier source for this traditional dessert in Virginia.
• Hand-Made Quality: All products, including alfajores and empanadas, are guaranteed to be "Always fresh, delicious and hand made," emphasizing a commitment to artisanal quality over mass production.
• Diverse Alfajor Flavors: The menu extends beyond the traditional Classic alfajor to include decadent varieties such as Mocha (with dark chocolate and fudge), Red Velvet (with marshmallow and white chocolate), Dark (premium dark chocolate covered), and Nuts (loaded with almonds and walnuts).
• Global Empanada Selection: Features an exciting and extensive list of savory empanadas with diverse influences, including Cheese, Chicken, Birria (Slow Cooked Marinated Brisket), Lomo (Hand cut beef), Butter Chicken, and a hearty Breakfast option (Turkey bacon, eggs, potatoes), offering a truly international flavor profile.
• Authentic Ingredients: The use of high-quality ingredients, such as premium white and dark chocolate coatings and thick, sweet dulce de leche, ensures an authentic and superior taste experience.
• Customer-Focused Service: A strong focus on catering and custom orders demonstrates a dedication to meeting the specific needs of Virginia clients for events and celebrations.

Contact Information

For Virginia customers wishing to inquire about custom orders, catering, or arranging pick-up at the Arlington location, please use the following contact details:

Pickup Location Address:

1901 N Veitch St, Arlington, VA 22201, USA

Phone:

(703) 981-9606

Mobile Phone (Alternative/Direct Contact):

+1 703-981-9606

Email (for inquiries, as publicly listed on their platform):

maribelvilela@live.com

What is Worth Choosing

Choosing The Alfajores is about prioritizing authentic, hand-made Latin American quality over standard fare. For residents of Virginia, this bakery is uniquely positioned to offer a gourmet experience centered around a product that is rare to find done this well in the region. What is truly worth choosing here is the opportunity to taste tradition and craftsmanship in every bite.

The undeniable highlight is the Classic Alfajor. It serves as the perfect introduction to this Argentine staple—two soft, buttery vanilla cookies embracing a rich layer of dulce de leche, and typically finished with coconut flakes. For the chocolate enthusiast, the Dark Alfajor is a must-try, offering a decadent contrast between the soft biscuit, the creamy caramel filling, and a premium dark chocolate coating. These are ideal for pairing with coffee or as an after-dinner dessert.

However, do not overlook the savory side of their menu. The bakery's selection of Empanadas is impressively diverse and offers a substantial meal option. The more unique fillings, such as the Birria Empanada (slow-cooked marinated brisket with cheese) or the Butter Chicken Empanada (marinated chicken breast in a creamy, spiced sauce), stand out as creative, globally-influenced savory pastries that you won't find at a typical Virginia bakery. The ability to buy the empanadas frozen and warm them up at home also offers fantastic convenience for busy weeknights.

For those planning an event in Northern Virginia, the Catering and Packs Alfajores services provide a memorable and sophisticated touch. Instead of generic desserts, offering a platter of assorted, hand-made alfajores introduces guests to a delightful cultural treat. In short, The Alfajores is worth choosing for its specialization, its commitment to fresh, hand-made quality, and its success in bringing the cherished, authentic flavors of Argentina to the Virginia community.

The Alfajores

1901 N Veitch St, Arlington, VA 22201, USA