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Years of History Have Contributed to

Our Story

It all started on a sunny September day in 2010…

We opened the very first Ford’s Fish Shack in Ashburn, VA. The concept for the restaurant was simple: Create a comfortable and friendly fish shack like the many that are scattered along the New England coast. We envisioned a neighborhood restaurant with an outstanding seafood selection served by remarkably friendly staff and we knew we had to serve the freshest fish, lobstah, and Ipswich clams. So with a vision, some of the best seafood we could find, and twenty-four like-minded employees, we courageously set out to amaze whomever we had the privilege to serve.

With a commitment for fresh-off-the-hook-seafood…

Over the past ten years, Ford’s Fish Shack has grown exponentially from its infancy. With our third location booming in Lansdowne and a catering division added to our offerings (Ford’s Wicked Catering), however, we still have the same goal. We are still on the phone every day with the fishmongerers tracking down the freshest seafood for our guests. Whether it’s clams from Massachusetts, Halibut from Alaska, Grouper from Florida, or shrimp from North Carolina, we only accept the freshest of the fresh. This is sometimes a difficult task, as weather and seasonal fishing closures can make it virtually impossible to get some of our specialties. Nonetheless, we promise to always use sustainable practices to bring you the freshest seafood.

An unshakable team rose, and worked diligently for years…

Given the great waves we’ve made since that very first autumn day, we want to take a moment to thank the people who have brought Ford’s Fish Shack into reality. We would not have been able to make it without the help of Wayne, Vladimir, Joy, Rogelio, Andy, and Michelle. Our culinary team consisting of Felix, Jose, Joaquin, Emner, Allan, and Romeo also deserve a big thanks for keeping our kitchens running smoothly.

To serve outstanding guests in Northern Virginia!

Lastly, we are very thankful to each and every one of our guests who gave us a chance in the beginning, and even more grateful for those who still keep coming back to dine at Ford’s Fish Shack. If we want the readers of this guide to understand anything, it’s that we are honored to have earned our community’s trust as one of their favorite neighborhood restaurants. We promise that we will continue to strive in making the dining experience of our guests, friends, and family as outstanding as it can be!

Tony & Ana

Founders of Ford’s Fish Shack

We Serve With Pleasure

Our mission and vision have stood unshaken throughout our history as a trusted name in Northern Virginia.

Our Mission

We promise to provide the freshest seafood, compassionate service, and an unparalleled New-England dining experience to every guest who walks through our doors.

Our Vision

We will never cease in our efforts to create unique dining experiences that each of our guests will remember for a lifetime.

  • Ford’s Fish Shack Ashburn Opening Day

    Ford's Fish Shack Opening Day Picture of Tony and Ana
    At 5pm we served our first Fish & Chips and Lobstah Roll with a staff of twenty-two.
  • Dining Critic Tom Sietsema reviews Ford’s Fish Shack in The Washington Post Magazine

    The Washington Post Logo
    Tom traveled out to Loudoun to sample our menu. He gave us a very favorable review and said our crab cakes “were held together by determination.
  • RAMW Restaurant Week (First Time)

    Ford's Fish Shack Restaurant Week Menu
    We were the first Loudoun County restaurant to sign up for restaurant week in 2012. We attracted people from Charlottesville and Olney, MD to enjoy our features.
  • Ford’s Fish Shack South Riding Opening Day

    Interior Picture of Ford's Fish Shack in Ashburn
    We opened our second location with 27 employees and introduced South Riding/Aldie to Ford’s Fish Shack. That location has cooked over 500,000 meals since its opening.
  • Creation of Ford’s Wicked Catering

    Ford's Wicked Catering Logo
    We delivered our first catered meal to an office in Washington D.C. Of course, it was a Lobstah Roll Platter and Deviled Eggs.
  • First Lobstah Roll Rumble NYC (Tasting Table)

    Ford's Fish Shack's booth at Lobster Roll Competition

    We were the only restaurant invited to compete in the lobster roll competition. We finished in the top 3!

  • Ford’s Launches Wicked Oysters

    Picture of Oyster Farmer 'Fishing Ford's Wicked Oysters'
    We partnered with Brad at Warshore Oysters to grow a Chesapeake oyster in Virginia to only be served in Ford’s Fish Shack locations. We have shucked over 400,000 oysters since then…
  • Jim Wordsworth Restaurateur of the Year Award

    Tony Stafford at the Virginia Restaurant Association rewards ceremony

    Tony was awarded “Jim Wordsworth Restaurateur of the Year Award” by the URCTA. The award is only given to legacy restaurant owners who have excelled in their industry.

  • Creation of Ford’s on the Road

    Ford's Fish Shack Food Truck

    We decided to take out fan favorites on the road, so we can take Ford’s to new guests and create new fans.

Our Brand

In our quest to serve our guests with every ounce of tasty seafood and charisma we have to offer, Ford’s Fish Shack encompasses several organizations, all with the same core mission, vision, and values.

Ford’s Fish Shack

Ford’s Fish Shack is our pride and joy, along with our master brand encompassing our three storefronts in Ashburn, Lansdowne, and South Riding.

Ford’s Wicked Catering

Ford’s Wicked Catering is our events and catering division specialized in serving our patrons offsite in any number. Where twenty-five or more are gathered, Ford’s Wicked Catering goes to work!

Ford’s On The Road

Ford’s On The Road is the newest extension of our brand and serves as our food truck division. We found some of our dishes are best prepared and served right at the moment, and a food truck was just the right instrument to serve our guests best.

Heritage of Giving Back

We recognize that we wouldn’t be where were are without the local communities full of family friends and guests that support us every evening we open our doors. Our gratitude could never be expressed in words, which is why Ford’s Fish Shack has consistently contributed to events and non-profits in our community that reciprocate the very same love our patrons give us.

Last year Ford’s Fish Shack shared $300,000 dollars in resources and hundreds of hours giving back to towns in Loudoun County, and in 2019, we aspire to reach higher than we did before. If you are a non-profit or community organization looking for a partner, sponsor or support at one of your events, please do not hesitate to reach out to us! We would love to hear about your mission and see if Ford’s Fish Shack could help make an impact.