Charlottesville Va

My wife and I will be in Charlottesville all next week. Anybody have any recomendations? Especially any 'Q' joints? Thanks

Joe

Joe--

Maybe a little off the subject, but 4 weeks ago we stayed at The Silver Thatch Inn and enjoyed a wonderful upscale dinner there. It's about five miles north of town, Sorry, haven't done bbq there.

Try Michie's Tavern, which is located somewhere off the approach road to Monticello. Menu never changes: unlimited servings of fried chicken, black-eyed peas, beets, biscuits, cobbler, etc. If you can overlook the fact that the waitstaff wears period clothing, it's pretty good.

Don't know about Q but we enjoyed the Hardware Store restaurant in the downtown on Main Street. Its in an actual oldtime hardware store, I remember very generous portions and one of us had Baked Potato soup which was huge! Good, basic American food. There is a wonderful old bookstore in the same area.

Try Tiffany's Seafood Restaurant in the University Shop Center in Charlottesville. The telephone number is 434-293-5000. The seafood is fresh and the combination platters are very good. This time of year, they should also have good hard shell crabs.

Hey, thanks everyone for the suggestions. We'll try them out if we can and report back.

Joe

When I was at UVa, there was a famous joint called the White Spot down on the Corner (anybody can tell you where the Corner is). They were famous for the "Gusburger" which was a fully loaded cheeseburger with a fried egg. If you were a regular, you could order your Gus with a series of hand signals, one for "all the way" which meant loaded, another for just onions, etc.

A favorite ritual was to take your well-dressed date from a formal party and watch her try to eat a Gus in a dainty, neat, sorority-approved manner--an impossible feat, as the Gus always ended up all over you, no matter the precautions you might take...

Not sure if its still around--I hope so.

Hey wrfc5, After I'd finish my gusburger I'd cross 14th st and head to the University Diner for a few BCD's (bacon cheese dogs) and "grills with" for dessert. For the uninitiated, grills with are honey dipped doughnuts cooked on the grill until the glaze starts to carmelize and then served hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

I know the UD isn't there anymore. Not sure about the White Spot.

Ah, the Whitespot continues to thrive! The Gus Burger is a lovely thing!

Check out The Blue Moon Diner - quality hippie/yuppie inflused diner food, dirt cheap (I've heard the prices are subsidized by the owner, who also manages a successful band, as a labor of love for the community)

There's another thread on c-ville food with great suggestions. too.

quote:

Originally posted by kland01s

Don't know about Q but we enjoyed the Hardware Store restaurant in the downtown on Main Street. Its in an actual oldtime hardware store, I remember very generous portions and one of us had Baked Potato soup which was huge! Good, basic American food. There is a wonderful old bookstore in the same area.

The Hardware Store may be under new management (the word on the street) - I had a mixed meal there recently, and many friends have too. I saw whipped topping being squeezed out of a giant sysco bag onto my dessert, which was a little gross. It is a great space, however.

Is Charlottesville the location of Monticello?

Heather and I had lunch at the Mitchie Tavern on our honeymoon this April.
Southern Buffet is lunch only-$13.95 per person, excluding drinks.
I sampled an Old Dominion Lager,brewed in nearby Richmond, while Heather went for the Old Dominion home made Root Beer.
This is worth the money, as the food is fabulous, and the waitresses continue to bring around plates full of food, even after you visit the buffet.
We also sat outside in an open air patio on a beautiful 70 degree day.
[img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B267523232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D924%3D%3B37%3DXROQDF%3E232356399%3B8%3C7ot1lsi[/img]
What you see here is the fried chicken,black eyed peas,green beans,marinated beets,cornbread,biscuits,cole slaw, real mashed potatoes, stewed tomatoes hidden behind the chicken,and peachcobbler in the separate dishes.
Everything is served in pewter and tin plates and cups.
The kept bringing around more chicken-I had at least 3 pieces.

The Spudnut shop in Charlottesville,VA
Call ahead-they are only open mornings and early afternoon-we arrived too late.
[img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B267523232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D924%3D%3B37%3DXROQDF%3E2323563987%3B%3A7ot1lsi[/img]

Top it off with an ice cream at Chap's, located in the Downtown Mall.
The Hardware Store is very interesting as well, but we did not stop to eat.
[img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B267523232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D924%3D%3B37%3DXROQDF%3E2323563989768ot1lsi[/img]
[img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B267523232%7Ffp45%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D924%3D%3B37%3DXROQDF%3E232356398%3A646ot1lsi[/img]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned( no photos either) Tiffany's Seafood. As I recall it's in a small strip mall on a main road on the East side of town. Great crab cakes, et al and a nice, but not ritzy, atmosphere. Kind of a roadfood place to get great seafood.

carl reitz

quote:

Originally posted by DaveM

The Spudnut shop in Charlottesville,VA
Call ahead-they are only open mornings and early afternoon-we arrived too late.
[img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B267523232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E232%3B%3D924%3D%3B37%3DXROQDF%3E2323563987%3B%3A7ot1lsi[/img]

Hey, Dave. Is this the correct address for the Charlottesville Spudnut shop:

Spudnut Shop 309 Avon Street Charlottesville, VA 434-296-0590

If so, where is it generally in C'ville and are they open on Sunday mornings? I'll be in Charlottesville this weekend and wanted to check-out. Thanks!

If you don't mind a little drive north on Rt 29 outside of Charlottesville, near Madison, VA, there is a great German restaurant "THE BAVARIAN CHEF" that serves great food to my taste! Usually come home with enough food for another meal...veggies served homestyle in bowls for sharing. The more folks you have at a table, the more different veggies. Got to plan a trip to visit some wineries and make sure I get some good comfort German food!

quote:

Originally posted by Barney

If you don't mind a little drive north on Rt 29 outside of Charlottesville, near Madison, VA, there is a great German restaurant "THE BAVARIAN CHEF" that serves great food to my taste! Usually come home with enough food for another meal...veggies served homestyle in bowls for sharing. The more folks you have at a table, the more different veggies. Got to plan a trip to visit some wineries and make sure I get some good comfort German food!

Indeed. I've been to the Bavarian Chef (near Madison's great Plow & Hearth outlet store, no less) numerous times and it is quite good. Happy Oktoberfest, BTW.

Since I'm in C-ville right now...
Bavarian Chef is excellent...
There's an upscale diner on the downtown mall called Bizou that's excellent...
Scottsville has a great Italian restaurant called Cafe Bocce. Scottsville's 20 miles south on Rt.20.
Hardware Store is over-rated, slow service and just all-around mediocre.
If you want a REAL treat, get lunch at Timberlake's drugstore on the downtown mall. THere's an old-fashioned soda fountain in the back where they serve what you'd expect.

quote:

Originally posted by Route 11

Since I'm in C-ville right now...
Bavarian Chef is excellent...
There's an upscale diner on the downtown mall called Bizou that's excellent...
Scottsville has a great Italian restaurant called Cafe Bocce. Scottsville's 20 miles south on Rt.20.
Hardware Store is over-rated, slow service and just all-around mediocre.
If you want a REAL treat, get lunch at Timberlake's drugstore on the downtown mall. THere's an old-fashioned soda fountain in the back where they serve what you'd expect.

A Charlottesville resident (Charlatan?) just recommended to me the Continental Divide, Hamilton's and Christian's Pizza. Are you familiar with these, Route 11

Sadly, while at UVa several years ago, my search for good BBQ was a complete failure. Being from Alabama, where good BBQ is a religion, I was constantly being referred to "good" BBQ joints, only to find myself, after eating the charcoal infused mush, suffering from BBQ detox. There was a country store along 53 past Monticello heading towards Fluvanna County that, on weekends, fired up an on-site smoker with hardwood and slow smoked pork loin and shoulder. I used to pick up a pound or two of it on Fridays and make my own sauce. (Happily, these general stores are still a common site around the Charlottesville area.)

Ditto on the recommendation for Bocce's in Scottsboro. It's just up the road from Charlottesville, right on the James River, and the food was excellent--at least several years ago.

For a town it's size (45,000), Charlottesville is blessed with a disproportionately diverse dining scene with quite a number of very good restaurants.

One more note: drive up to Michie's Tavern on your way to Monticello and look in and around the beautiful old roadhouse, but don't eat. It's not that the food isn't good--it is--but with a $14 price tag for fried chicken, it's a tourist trap. I staunchly love good Southern food, but nobody should ever pay that much for soul food.

quote:

Originally posted by i95

quote:

Originally posted by Route 11

Since I'm in C-ville right now...
Bavarian Chef is excellent...
There's an upscale diner on the downtown mall called Bizou that's excellent...
Scottsville has a great Italian restaurant called Cafe Bocce. Scottsville's 20 miles south on Rt.20.
Hardware Store is over-rated, slow service and just all-around mediocre.
If you want a REAL treat, get lunch at Timberlake's drugstore on the downtown mall. THere's an old-fashioned soda fountain in the back where they serve what you'd expect.

A Charlottesville resident (Charlatan?) just recommended to me the Continental Divide, Hamilton's and Christian's Pizza. Are you familiar with these, Route 11

Kurt:

Where did you eat while in C'ville last weekend? Anything to report?

Wahoo:

Welcome to Roadfood! This old 'Hoo doesn't get up to the U much anymore, but I stay interested in what's around there.

Frank

I95...sorry my reply is months too late.

The only one of those restaurants I've experienced is Christians, and the pizza's not bad. I lived in the Northeast for a long time, so I'm a bit of a pizza snob...they are the best in Charlottesville, though.

I bet you'd like the Lafayette Inn in Greene County...not too far from Plow And Hearth.

quote:

Originally posted by fcbaldwin

Where did you eat while in C'ville last weekend? Anything to report?

quote:

Originally posted by Route 11

I95...sorry my reply is months too late. The only one of those restaurants I've experienced is Christians, and the pizza's not bad.

Sorry for the delay, fcbaldwin and Route 11.

I find it important on this site to report back post-trips peppered with road food recommendations (and have done as much, myself, with the great luck I've recently had in San Diego, Chicago and more). However, I didn't post again on this thread because we never made it to Charlottesville that particular weekend earlier this month. Hopefully in the future, though, and I will bookmark these welcomed Wahoo recommendations.

(BTW, Frank, I brought home an entire BBQ dinner from Brock's BBQ somewhat near you in Chesterfield recently [travelling three hours per car and over ice]. Boy, was it good! )

quote:

Originally posted by i95
[
Sorry for the delay, fcbaldwin and Route 11.

I find it important on this site to report back post-trips peppered with road food recommendations (and have done as much, myself, with the great luck I've recently had in San Diego, Chicago and more). However, I didn't post again on this thread because we never made it to Charlottesville that particular weekend earlier this month. Hopefully in the future, though, and I will bookmark these welcomed Wahoo recommendations.

(BTW, Frank, I brought home an entire BBQ dinner from Brock's BBQ somewhat near you in Chesterfield recently [travelling three hours per car and over ice]. Boy, was it good! )

Kurt,

The Bavarian Inn recommendations from Barney, Route 11, and you sound really good. Linda and I need to plan a winery visit soon, so we may give it a try.

Yes, I'm familiar with Brock's Barbecue, on Rt. 10 between Chesterfield Courthouse and the village of Chester. It's been a couple of years since I've been there, and I'm happy to hear that it's as good as ever.

Frank

quote:

Originally posted by fcbaldwin

Linda and I need to plan a winery visit soon, so we may give it a try.

Frank, as you likely already know,
Prince Michel Vineyards and Winery...



...is just up the road (Rt. 29)
from the Bavarian Chef.

This is a little off-topic, but I thought I'd share anyway...just bought the "Places Rated" guide (can't remember the publisher...maybe Rand McNally?) Anyway, Charlottesville made the #1 slot for best place to live. Just thought you folks travelling to the area might find that interesting. And how about those who live there...do you agree with the ranking?!

Charlottesville is a gorgeous city. We have two hospitals and a decent airport.
Do I think it's the #1 city?
No.
It's growing quickly and the main drag (rt.29} is an ugly tangle of fast food chains and big box stores.
There's a huge gap here between the have and have-nots.
Cost of living is very high.
Most people can't afford to live in Charlottesville and are now heading for the surrounding counties, where prices are also going up.
I moved here from Nashville. Music City has problems, but it's more liveable than Charlottesville.
>>>about the winery>>>>
Prince Michel is gorgeous...Barboursville, complete with the ruins of an old mansion, is also not far away.

quote:

Originally posted by wrfc5

When I was at UVa, there was a famous joint called the White Spot down on the Corner (anybody can tell you where the Corner is). They were famous for the "Gusburger" which was a fully loaded cheeseburger with a fried egg. If you were a regular, you could order your Gus with a series of hand signals, one for "all the way" which meant loaded, another for just onions, etc.

A favorite ritual was to take your well-dressed date from a formal party and watch her try to eat a Gus in a dainty, neat, sorority-approved manner--an impossible feat, as the Gus always ended up all over you, no matter the precautions you might take...

Not sure if its still around--I hope so.