Hank's Pasta Bar Reopens as Takeout-Only Concept with Build-Your-Own Menu and Community Partnership

Hank's Pasta Bar will officially reopen on Friday, October 17, 2025, coinciding with National Pasta Day, as a takeout and delivery-only concept. The new build-your-own approach emphasizes affordability, convenience, flexibility, and community impact. Chef Jamie Leeds explained that the concept brings back everything people loved about Hank's Pasta Bar but allows customers to enjoy it in their own homes. The restaurant aims to make it easier for people to access inexpensive, nourishing food without sacrificing quality or time.

The Old Town establishment, located at 600 Montgomery Street and serving greater Alexandria with pickup-only service, combines signature dishes from the original Pasta Bar menu with new build-your-own options. The menu is designed specifically for busy families and professionals seeking high-quality meals at home. Patrons can choose between "Built for You" entrées featuring ready-to-order classics like Linguine with Pistachio Pesto & Shrimp and Mafalde with Fennel Sausage, or "Build Your Own" pasta bowls with extensive customization options.

The build-your-own approach includes six pasta varieties, including gluten-free and vegan options, nine sauces, premium proteins, fresh vegetables, and flavorful toppings. A dedicated Kids & Sides section completes the offerings with children-sized portions, Caesar salad, and seasonal desserts. All meals are prepared using sustainable ingredients and eco-friendly packaging, including imported pasta from the Mancini family's wheat fields in Le Marche, Italy. Chef Leeds emphasized that the same standards used in her home cooking guide the new menu development.

Beyond serving customers, Hank's Pasta Bar is partnering with Real Food for Kids, a nonprofit organization focused on improving school food and promoting nutrition equity. Customers have the option to round up their orders to contribute to the group's advocacy and programs, including Chefs Feeding Families. This partnership represents a significant community-focused element of the restaurant's reopening strategy, connecting food service with broader social impact initiatives.

Orders can be placed online through the restaurant's website at hankspastabar.com, with service available for delivery and pickup in Alexandria and surrounding areas. The reopening marks an important evolution for the beloved local establishment, adapting to changing consumer preferences while maintaining its commitment to quality and community engagement. The timing with National Pasta Day provides additional significance to the restaurant's return, celebrating pasta as both a culinary tradition and accessible meal option for modern lifestyles.