Williamsburg VA

We are going to be in Williamsburg for a vacation next week... looking forward to some great food... any picks for us?

wanderingjew


I second the motion for Pierce's BBQ
From my experience most of the Pierce BBQ haters are those who were expecting or prefer North Carolina Style Q, this is great Virginia BBQ. One suggestion if fries come with the meal DO NOT
get them, instead ask for the sweet potato sticks, you'll be glad you did.

Hi there... Pierces was on the list... but made a note about the sweet potato sticks :-)  Let me know if I can ever return the favor in San Diego Area...

fcbaldwin


I agree with wj above re Pierce's Pitt. He hit the nail on the head about the differences of opinion on the 'Q.
When I think of Williamsburg, other than the touristy taverns etc around the College of William & Mary, I always think of "Pancake House Alley" along Richmond Road. A blog that I ran across recently by a local is worth looking at for food ideas in that area:
http://eatnwilliamsburg.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the suggestion.  Pierces is on the list for sure... will check out the blog and let me know if I can ever return the favor in the San Diego area

wanderingjew

rebeltruce


I hope you'll report back with your opinion on Pierce's!!

I've been to Pierce's several times and am not a big fan, I didn't say it was bad, I'm just not a fan of that style of pulled pork, I like mine more on the chunky side.

I've lived in Virginia for well over twenty years now am am still searching for this "Virginia" style BBQ WJ mentions....

WJ any suggestions other than Pierce's????

I agree the Sweet Potato sticks are excellent, try the greens too.......

 
One of my books at home specifically describes Virginia Style BBQ, and Pierce's definitely fit this definition.  I'm not sure if the style is regionally distinctive only to Virginia but it seems to contrast those that are expecting North Carolina Style Q. And its not only the Virginia Q places that are slammed but the Georgia Q places as well (GA Pig for example) which I also enjoyed. I remember going to Allman's BBQ in Richmond about a decade ago which was similar to Pierce's, I don't even know if they're still around. I have yet to go to I95's  beloved  Buz and Neds BBQ also in Richmond, so I can't comment, although I hope to change that either later on this year or sometime next year.

Well having chased great BBQ all over the country... I can say it is always different... and quite commonly very good :-)  Thanks for the mention of the greens... if they are on the menu... I will not miss them... and will report back.

rebeltruce


WJ,

Are you sure you had Allman's in Richmond or could it have been Fredericksbrug?

I didn't know Allman's had a joint in Richmond, the original is definetly in Fredericksburg, still  a hole in the wall. Still excellent ribs...never tried the pulled pork there...

They also have a second location in Fredericksburg now.... a little to flashy for my tatses so I always stick to the original. 

Thanks to both of you... I'll ad Allmans to the list in case we get to Freddericksburg...

Anything else we should not miss... we do love history... have tons of that on the schedule... but always up for some local pick that we might miss otherwise?

Thanks for taking the time to provide the link... will check it out

rebeltruce


WJ,

Are you sure you had Allman's in Richmond or could it have been Fredericksbrug?

I didn't know Allman's had a joint in Richmond, the original is definetly in Fredericksburg, still  a hole in the wall. Still excellent ribs...never tried the pulled pork there...

They also have a second location in Fredericksburg now.... a little to flashy for my tatses so I always stick to the original. 

No, I definitely wasn't anywhere near Fredericksburg. This was back in 1998, I couldn't find anything current on Allman's in Richmond so they may be out of business, however I did find
their former address- 9130 Jefferson Davis Hwy Richmond

wanderingjew
 

One of my books at home specifically describes Virginia Style BBQ, and Pierce's definitely fit this definition.  I'm not sure if the style is regionally distinctive only to Virginia but it seems to contrast those that are expecting North Carolina Style Q. And its not only the Virginia Q places that are slammed but the Georgia Q places as well (GA Pig for example) which I also enjoyed. I remember going to Allman's BBQ in Richmond about a decade ago which was similar to Pierce's, I don't even know if they're still around. I have yet to go to I95's  beloved  Buz and Neds BBQ also in Richmond, so I can't comment, although I hope to change that either later on this year or sometime next year.

 
I have been going to Pierce's for about 30 years and remember when it was practically a shack.  I don't get to Williamsburg that often, however, and my last trip was a couple of years ago.  Having eaten BBQ all over the south and being rather familiar with the various styles I will grant you that it is regionally distinctive.  I used to look forward to going to Pierce's but have been less than thrilled with it over the last decade.  Perhaps my taste buds have changed, but I rate BBQ on the quality of the meat and Pierce's has become (or maybe always was) about the sauce.  Their sauce is rather sweet and dominating while the meat lacks the smokey flavor that I find essential, regardless of style.

brookquarry


My wife and I were both very favorably impressed by the Five Forks Cafe, in the hamlet of Five Forks. we had breakfast there.
We also very much enjoyed Pierces Pit BAR b q although reviews on this site are mixed (neither of us have much knowledge of Southern Barbeque).

Hi there... Thanks again... home from the trip and had a wonderful time.  Did not make it down to Five Forks Cafe... but did enjoy Pierces.  The best we had was Dudley's Farmhouse Grill in Toano.... truly outstanding.  Thanks again... Paul Guess

wanderingjew


I second the motion for Pierce's BBQ
From my experience most of the Pierce BBQ haters are those who were expecting or prefer North Carolina Style Q, this is great Virginia BBQ. One suggestion if fries come with the meal DO NOT
get them, instead ask for the sweet potato sticks, you'll be glad you did.

Hi there... thanks again.  We are home from the trip... had a wonderful time... and some great food.  Took all of your advice... had the collard greens and sweet potato sticks... and while the BBQ was not our favorite... that is just a matter of taste.  The place was absolutely packed on a Saturday afternoon... almost had to eat standing.
 
Best BBQ was Allmans in Fredericksburg... really outstanding.  Best meal was Dudley's Farmhouse Grill in Toano... a fantastic restaurante... would love to eat my way through the menu.  Thanks again.  Paul Guess

rebeltruce


WJ,

Are you sure you had Allman's in Richmond or could it have been Fredericksbrug?

I didn't know Allman's had a joint in Richmond, the original is definetly in Fredericksburg, still  a hole in the wall. Still excellent ribs...never tried the pulled pork there...

They also have a second location in Fredericksburg now.... a little to flashy for my tatses so I always stick to the original. 

Hi there... thanks again.  Home from the trip... had a great time and some excellent food.  Allmans was the Best BBQ by far.  Their pork stew was great.  We were there too early in the day for ribs... but it was a winner... Thanks again... Paul Guess

rebeltruce


I hope you'll report back with your opinion on Pierce's!!

I've been to Pierce's several times and am not a big fan, I didn't say it was bad, I'm just not a fan of that style of pulled pork, I like mine more on the chunky side.

I've lived in Virginia for well over twenty years now am am still searching for this "Virginia" style BBQ WJ mentions....

WJ any suggestions other than Pierce's????

I agree the Sweet Potato sticks are excellent, try the greens too.......

Hi there... forgot part of the response... the report back on Pierces... It was ok :-)  Packed... noisy... good sauce... good BBQ... but not (to our taste) great.  Allmans as I mentioned before was great.
 
Best meal we had was in Toano... "
Dudley's Famhouse Grill... truly outstanding.  Strawberry Street Cafe in Richmond was great too.  Thanks again for the help in making our vacation more fun.  Paul Guess

wanderingjew

rebeltruce


I hope you'll report back with your opinion on Pierce's!!

I've been to Pierce's several times and am not a big fan, I didn't say it was bad, I'm just not a fan of that style of pulled pork, I like mine more on the chunky side.

I've lived in Virginia for well over twenty years now am am still searching for this "Virginia" style BBQ WJ mentions....

WJ any suggestions other than Pierce's????

I agree the Sweet Potato sticks are excellent, try the greens too.......

 
Perhaps this might help
http://www.alwayshungryny.com/thought-for-food/entry/alwayslearning-regional-bbq-primer/

Forgot to mention another great one we found.  Strawberry Street Cafe in Richond.  Best crab cakes I've ever had.  Really a fun place.  And... thanks again for the accurate and valuable input for our vacation.

To all of you that helped us on this project... thanks... we owe you one.  If you are coming to the San Diego area... please contact us for referrals.  I promise... they will not be tourist traps... and the food will be great... :-)  Paul Guess