Meals Tax Could Be on Fairfax County Menu

Fairfax County leaders haven’t yet committed on whether to implement up to a 6 percent a meals tax as part of their upcoming budget deliberations.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is considering up to a 6 percent tax on meals to help balance the 2026 budget. (Photo: Getty Images)

If one is imposed, it won’t be the cure-all to the county’s funding challenges, with a $292.7 million gap between anticipated revenues and expenses that must be filled in the coming year.

Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay briefly touched on the meals tax proposal during a meeting last Tuesday between the board and Fairfax County’s representatives in the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates.

McKay didn’t indicate which way he or his colleagues might be leaning on the possibility of adding Fairfax to the ranks of Virginia localities taxing meals from restaurants and other food service establishments up to 6 percent.

While a meals tax “is not the solution, it may be part of the solution” to the budget, he said.

Tax would raise $33 million for every percent

County officials estimate that a meals tax would provide $33 million annually for every percentage point added on top of the state/local sales tax. At the maximum 6 percent, that would equal $198 million.

County Executive Bryan Hill has also suggested hotel, admissions and probate taxes as options for boosting revenue without further increasing the tax burden on property owners.

Given the county government’s current general fund budget is about $5.45 billion, a meals tax is “not a significant number, but not a panacea,” McKay said at the Dec. 10 meeting. No other elected official addressed the matter at the 90-minute session.

Until a few years ago, state law required Fairfax County to hold a voter referendum before imposing a meals tax. The measure was defeated twice at the ballot box, but in 2020, when Democrats controlled both the legislative and executive branches in state government, that requirement was dropped.

Meals tax would reduce reliance on property taxes

Supporters contend that a meals tax will diversify Fairfax’s tax structure, reducing an overreliance on property taxes. The restaurant industry has mounted a campaign to oppose the potential tax, and other opponents argue it would provide more fuel for increasing government spending, not lower the tax burden on residents.

Hill is slated to propose his fiscal year 2026 budget plan in mid-February. A final decision on whether to adopt a meals tax will rest with the Board of Supervisors, which must adopt a new budget in May.

If a meals tax is implemented as part of the fiscal year 2026 budget, which takes effect on July 1, its implementation would be delayed until Jan. 1, 2026, county officials said.

3 Local Pizzerias Earn International Praise

Three local chains earned international recognition from the prestigious 50 Top Pizza guide.

A margherita pizza from Stellina Pizzeria. (Photo: Stellina Pizzera/Facebook)

Pupatella and Wiseguy Pizza are on the Excellent Pizza Chains 2024 list, and Stellina Pizzeria placed 40th on the 50 Top World Artisan Pizza Chains 2024 list. Each started small locally — Pupatella as a Ballston food cart, Wiseguy and Stellina with single locations — before expanding across the DMV with their takes on Neapolitan, New York-style and modern Italian pies.

Pupatella

Pupatella has 10 area locations including 1801 18th St. NW in Dupont; 301 Massachusetts Ave. NW on Capitol Hill; 5104 Wilson Blvd. and 1621 S. Walter Reed Dr., Arlington; 2980 District Ave., Fairfax, in Mosaic District; and 8434 Old Keene Mill Road, West Springfield; along with Reston, Chantilly, Leesburg, Richmond and one coming to Columbia, Md.

“A small food truck in the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia, which immediately became a huge success, has become a true cult for lovers of good Neapolitan pizza,” the judges wrote. “Pupatella offers its Neapolitan-style pizzas with fresh and high-quality products. The dough is fragrant, well-leavened and the menu includes pizzas divided between red and white, all topped as tradition dictates.”

Wiseguy Pizza

Wiseguy Pizza has seven area locations including 300 Massachusetts Ave. NW in Chinatown; 202 M St. SE in Navy Yard; 1205 19th St. NW in Dupont; 710 12th St. S, Arlington; 1735 N. Lynn St., Arlington; Westfield Wheaton Mall; and Herndon.

“The menu is focused entirely on pizza with a few starters and desserts that will accompany you before and after your slice of happiness,” the judges wrote. “Round pizzas that resemble the New York style, thin, crispy, golden in the baking. Fresh and high-quality ingredients are used for the toppings, which are always well-balanced in proportions, never too much, never too little. The Supreme is a must-try as it gives you an idea of what pizza is like here in the United States, with spicy salami, mushrooms, onions, and mozzarella as the benchmark.”

Stellina Pizzeria

Stellina Pizzeria has five area locations include pizzerias at 508 K St. NW in Mt. Vernon Triangle; 399 Morse St. NE at Union Market; 1610 Capital One Dr., Tysons; 2800 S Randolph St., Arlington, in Shirlington; and a pop-up at 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington at the Upside on Moore in Rosslyn.

“Clean and essential lines define the group’s venues, where the bar and mixology play an important role in both quality and offerings,” according to the judges. “The gastronomic proposal includes appetizers, sandwiches, pasta, salads, and above all, pizza. You can start your meal with a rice arancino or an eggplant parmigiana, both well-executed. The pizza is of contemporary style, with a slightly pronounced crust, well-leavened and precisely cooked. For toppings, we recommend the Stellina pepperoni and the cacio e pepe. The beverage selection is of high quality, with an Italian selection.”

An on-site market counter features house-made pizza dough, pastas, sauces, meats, cheeses and other Italian pantry staples to take home.

Silo Falls Manager Charged with Credit Card Theft

Brooke Chambers, 30, of Rockville was charged with theft and credit card fraud after using a customer’s forgotten credit card, according to Montgomery County Police. Police detectives are seeking additional potential victims.

Brooke Chambers of Rockville, a manager at Silo Falls Resstaurant in Brookville, Md., has been charged after fraudulently using a customer’s credit card. (Photo: Silo Falls Restaurant/Facebook)

Chambers was a manager at Silo Falls Restaurant, 19501 Georgia Ave., Brookeville.

Brook Chambers (Maryland MVA)

According to police, “30-year-old, Brooke Chambers of Rockville has been charged after fraudulently using a customer’s credit card during her employment at Silo Falls Restaurant in Brookeville. Detectives believe there may be additional victims.”

The investigation by Montgomery County Department of Police’s 4th District Patrol Investigations Unit (PIU) revealed that in July 2024, the victim ate at Silo Falls Restaurant and accidentally left their credit card. Days later, the victim received notification from their bank of several fraudulent purchases. During the investigation, it was determined that the purchases were made by Chambers, who is a manager at the restaurant.

Chambers has been charged with theft and credit card related charges.

Anyone who believes they may be a victim is urged to contact 4th District PIU detectives at 240-773-5476.