Williamsburg/Jamestown/Northern Neck VA

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NYNM
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Williamsburg/Jamestown/Northern Neck VA - Sun, 05/20/12 12:39 AM
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We're headed there over Memorial Day. Suggestions? (non-touristy)

brookquarry
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Re:Williamsburg/Jamestown/Northern Neck VA - Sun, 05/20/12 5:45 AM
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Five Forks Cafe, South of Williamsburg is non-touristy (We were the only car with out of state plates, and served a very good breakfast).
 We also liked Pierces  Barbe Que, although I am far from an expert on good barbeque.
Avoid the munerous pancake houses, especially Mama Steves.

Glenn1234
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Re:Williamsburg/Jamestown/Northern Neck VA - Mon, 05/21/12 2:28 AM
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Do you really mean "non-touristy", or do you mean non-tourist trap?  There is a big difference.  A place might gets lots of tourists because it is genuinely good, and both tourists and locals will eat at that "touristy" place.   A "tourist trap" just lures in tourists and is a rip-off.  Locals won't touch it. 
 Being that Williamsburg is primarily a tourist oriented destination, lots of good places will be touristy.  
 
Anyway, Pierce's Pitt Barbecue has really good barbecue, but it is touristy.  Lots of locals and tourists alike enjoy it.  
 
I'm going to disagree with Brookquarry on Mama Steves (unless he/she meant to stay away because of tourists).    Yes, it gets tons of tourists, but it is one the few breakfast places in Williamsburg that brings in genuine Surry sausage. They also have the real deal dry salt-cured Smithfiled ham.  If you haven't had that before, you are in for a treat.  It is very strong, and be warned that you will be thirsty all day. 
Speaking of Surry sausage, the Surrey House in Surry, VA is good bet.  (Note the two different spellings of Surry/Surrey).  This place will still get it's fair share of tourists, but fewer than most Williamsburg establishments.  Peanuts are the star at Surrey house.  Be sure to try the peanut soup and peanut pie.  Of course, Surry sausage is on the menu as well. 
 
Not really "roadfood-ish", but The Trellis restaurant in Merchants Sqaure on Duke of Gloucester Street is darn good, somewhat finer dining.  (Yup, it's in the heart of pesky tourist alley).  It's enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.  Many unique dishes, and the menu frequently changes from season to season.  It's owned by Chef Marcel Desaulniers, famous for his dessert and dessert book named "Death by Chocolate." 
 
 http://www.thetrellis.com/
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcel_Desaulniers
 
 
Another place in Merchants Square is The Cheese Shop.  It gets a mix of locals, tourists, and college students from William & Mary.   Other than the obvious of them selling cheese, they make pretty good sandwiches on French bread that you can take to go and eat outside on nearby tables.  The Cheese Shop sandwiches are not very big, but they are a favorite among the girls at the nearby sororities.   
 
For bigger appetites, a place favored by the fraternities and other guys at William & Mary, try out Paul's Deli.  It is on Scotland Street at Richmond Rd., across from the W&M football stadium.  Paul's Deli serves large, oven hot sandwiches on Italian bread rolls.  It does not get many tourists, but will get lots of W&M students and alumni.  You will be sitting elbow to elbow with some serious eaters and beer drinkers.  Get yourself a pitcher of beer and a hot "Holly" sandwch (roast beef, turkey, bacon,  cheese, pickles) and enjoy.  I spent many an evening at Paul's Deli during my W&M years, and still enjoy eating there when I'm in Williamburg and in the mood for a hot sandwich.   The main sandwich maker, Ron, has been working there since at least 1984.  You can't miss him.  He looks like Richard Pryor.   Paul's Deli also has strombolis (similar to a calzone with pizza sauce inside), and various other Italian and Greek dishes.  But, sandwiches are King there.
http://www.paulsdelirestaurant.com/  
  
 
Glenn
 
 
<message edited by Glenn1234 on Mon, 05/21/12 2:47 AM>

brookquarry
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Re:Williamsburg/Jamestown/Northern Neck VA - Mon, 05/21/12 6:09 AM
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Agree strongly on the Surrey House. Ride the free ferry from Jamestown across the James River.
Glenn, we will just have to disagree on Mama Steves. Had probably the worst meal of our Williamsburg- Virginia Beach trip there two years ago. Pancakes were cold. Eggs tasted like powedered eggs. Did not have the Ham or sausage, so maybe that would have been an exception to an otherwise poor meal.

buffetbuster
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Re:Williamsburg/Jamestown/Northern Neck VA - Mon, 05/21/12 7:27 AM
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Even though I haven't been able to get there myself yet, I have read good things about Jamestown Pie Co.  It may have recently changed ownership.

NYNM
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Re:Williamsburg/Jamestown/Northern Neck VA - Tue, 05/22/12 8:06 AM
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Glenn et al: Thanks for the detailed info. Anything near Newport News?