Weekend in Virginia

Re:Weekend in Virginia (buffetbuster)

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 13:02:53 GMT

Thanks again for the recommendation Louis. There are so many good things on that menu, it may have taken us a long time to get around to the pork chops on our own. I hope you get back down there soon!

Re:Weekend in Virginia (Louis)

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 11:02:16 GMT

I'm so glad you and Mariton had a chance to sink your teeth into those pork chops. Those chops made the ones at Snappy Lunch pale in comparison. Gee, just thinking of those chops and maybe two bowls of that luscious peanut soup might be just the ticket to get me to Virginia before I know it!

Re:Weekend in Virginia (buffetbuster)

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:52:37 GMT

WJ-
Do I remember something about some Virginia pigs being fed peanuts, which gave the ham a distinct flavor? Where did I read that at.....

Ah, here we go. It was in the review for the Virginia Diner in Wakefield.

Re:Weekend in Virginia (wanderingjew)

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:25:38 GMT

buffetbuster

ann peeples-
It's Virginia. They put ham in everything!

Either that or peanuts

Re:Weekend in Virginia (buffetbuster)

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 13:18:16 GMT

ann peeples-
It's Virginia. They put ham in everything!

A place in Waynesboro caught our attention. It is a little diner called Weasie's Kitchen and sure looked like a Roadfood kind of place. And they had an impressive crowd for Sunday breakfast. Has anyone ever been there?

Re:Weekend in Virginia (ann peeples)

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 17:15:44 GMT

I think is interesting that club sandwiches, in todays world, include ham and cheese. Not in my old world-just turkey, bacon, mayo, lettuce and tomato. That was classic. Cut in squares( or tiangles) I guess its the"new" club. Not a bad thing-just know the old. If I want a ham sandwich, I will have one.

Re:Weekend in Virginia (Sundancer7)

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:14:07 GMT

The Travelin Man

wanderingjew

buffetbuster

Finishing it up with a slice of warm out of the oven peanut butter pie and this was a memorable meal!

It figures-YOU go to Southern Kitchen and get peanut butter pie
I went to Southern Kitchen and all they had left was *%#*^ Lemon Merengue

You should have called and planned ahead. You're much less likely to get disappointed that way.

Look who is talking

Paul

Re:Weekend in Virginia (The Travelin Man)

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:06:16 GMT

wanderingjew

buffetbuster

Finishing it up with a slice of warm out of the oven peanut butter pie and this was a memorable meal!

It figures-YOU go to Southern Kitchen and get peanut butter pie
I went to Southern Kitchen and all they had left was *%#*^ Lemon Merengue

You should have called and planned ahead. You're much less likely to get disappointed that way.

Re:Weekend in Virginia (buffetbuster)

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:08:29 GMT

Some other food highlights from the weekend in Virginia:

24 Crows

is one of the places that the Sterns have recently reviewed. It is interesting that and ecclectic place is located in such a small town like Flint Hill. This place is as much an art gallery/store

as it is a restaurant. Mariton very much enjoyed looking around. We arrived in the morning, to o early for lunch, which doesn't start until 11:30. We were told that the only thing they have in the morning is scones. I ordered a cinnamon, she went for the blueberry. The man said he would warm them up for us and bring them to our table. The scones were very good.

We also noticed the ice cream list

and asked if it was too early for that. Even though he didn't work there, one of the men at the short three person counter replied, "It's never too early for ice cream!" Truer words have never been spoken. I asked for a scoop of Belgian chocolate and local strawberry.

Both of these were nothing short of spectacular. Although I do like strawberries, it is way down the list of my favorite fruits. But, since they say local and it is in season. It tasted so fresh, with big chunks of strawberry in it. Still, it was no match for the chocolate. Creamy, smooth, yet not overly rich, this is the best chocolate ice cream I have ever had. Her Jamaican-Me-Crazy

was almost very good. Mariton ate hers by crumbling up the homemade waffle cone into the ice cream. I had no interest in this and gave her my waffle cone. We both agreed that this is easily the best thing we ate all weekend.

We also visited the Orlean Market. We split an ordinary cup of chili, a very good club sandwich

and an impressive trio of desserts.

Clockwise from the top is hummingbird cake, cherry vanilla pie and peach/mango pie. All were very good, but the star on the plate for me was the excellent buttery crust on the cherry vanilla pie. Mariton was most impressed by the real mango and that they had fresh flowers on each table.

After a busy day of sightseeing, we didn't have our first meal until almost 4:00PM on Sunday. It was at Rudy's,

a pizza place in the small town of Sperryville. We split a small 14" Maui Wowi pizza,

which comes with pineapple, ham, red onion, jalapenos and teriyaki glaze. As hungry as we were and as good as this pizza was, it still filled us quickly and we ended up having to take a few slices home with us, which was lunch on Monday.

Re:Weekend in Virginia (buffetbuster)

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 11:00:51 GMT

On the way down, while driving through the eastern panhandle of West Virginia on Rte. 522, we stopped in what looked like a nice looking Roadfood worthy type of place. Instead, we had a real bad experience.

Getting back in the car and still hungry, we quickly came across a grocery store

with some impressive looking smokers going full blast.

We had been driving at a nice clip and flew by the place. We debated for a minute, but eventually, curiousity and hunger got the best of us. We turned around and went back. As soon as we pulled into the driveway, two young girls ran from the yard to inside the building.

As soon as we stepped inside, the same girls asked for our order. Not knowing what was available, I asked what they had. By then, the father had walked out of the back and told us all they had left was pulled pork sandwiches. So, we got two small sandwiches to go, so we could eat them in the hotel room.

The owner was friendly in a quiet kind of way. While he was getting the pork out of the pot,

I asked about sides. They didn't have any of those either, but he could put some cole slaw on our sandwich if we liked. Now, I love cole slaw on a sandwich, but only if it is homemade cole slaw. Once it was confirmed that this was homemade slaw, I said yes. Mariton still said no. But, once she saw that it was a vinegary type of slaw insteadof a liquidy mayo slaw and saw how good it looked, she changed her mind and now wanted slaw.

We chatted for a few minutes with the owner and talked about the business. The building used to be a general store and post office for the small town of Ridge, WV and was built in the 1850s. The young redheaded girl, about 8 years old, rang us up at the register with some help from her older sister. This couldn't possibly be any more of a family operation!

When we got to the hotel, we were shocked at how good these sandwiches were.

They reminded me of a North Carolina style, with a minimum of a vinegary sauce on top. The flavor was wonderful and we were kicking ourselves for not getting the large sandwiches. We washed the food down with glass bottles taken from their cooler, a Sprite for her and an orange soda for me.

When we were driving home on Sunday, we had to stop in again. Even though it was 6:00PM, they were still open. Unfortunately, they were all out of ribs again (apparently they go very quick), so we settled for large pulled pork sandwiches. And they were just as excellent! Eating them while driving on the boring Pennsylvania Turnpike made the trip home so much better!

I can't wait to go back and try some of the other bbq items.

Timber Ridge Grocery
12261 Valley Road
Berkeley Springs,WV
304-886-5162

Even though the street address says Berkeley Springs, it is actually located just south of the town of Ridge, very close to the Virginia-West Virginia line.

Re:Weekend in Virginia (ScreamingChicken)

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 10:51:48 GMT

buffetbuster

These chops sure didn't look too impressive when they were sat down in front of us. They looked on the skimpy side. But, in this case, looks can be deceiving, because they were wonderful. Very tender, they could easily be cut with a fork. And they were surprisingly juicy, especially for how thin they were.

Based on your description I wonder if Southern Kitchen brines. It's a great way to help keep thin chops moist even when they're thoroughly/over cooked.

Brad

Re:Weekend in Virginia (buffetbuster)

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 09:00:41 GMT

WJ-
Looks like you need to get there earlier in the day. I did have my choice of all of their pies, which was nice.

BTW, I didn't mention it, but of course a bowl of peanut soup was also part of breakfast!

Re:Weekend in Virginia (wanderingjew)

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 08:49:37 GMT

buffetbuster

Finishing it up with a slice of warm out of the oven peanut butter pie and this was a memorable meal!

It figures-YOU go to Southern Kitchen and get peanut butter pie
I went to Southern Kitchen and all they had left was *%#*^ Lemon Merengue

Re:Weekend in Virginia (buffetbuster)

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 08:41:59 GMT

Louis

Something that I discovered about the Southern Kitchen two years ago: they have a better pork chop than the one at Snappy Lunch in Mt. Airy, North Carolina. I ate at both back-to-back over twenty-four hours, and my traveling companion and I both thought the Southern Kitchen's version was the best by far. (And that was even after having two bowls of peanut soup!) I'll have to try the country ham next time.

One of the things I have learned over the years here in the forums is that if Louis makes a recommendation, pay attention because it is most likely going to be really good.

This past Saturday was our first visit back to the Southern Kitchen since this thread and I was determined to try the pork chops. We got here a little after 8:00AM and there were no pork chops listed in the breakfast section of the menu. I explained my problem to the waitress and she said they would be happy to make me the dinner portion of pork chops.

These chops sure didn't look too impressive when they were sat down in front of us. They looked on the skimpy side. But, in this case, looks can be deceiving, because they were wonderful. Very tender, they could easily be cut with a fork. And they were surprisingly juicy, especially for how thin they were. My girlfriend ordered oatmeal, but ended up eating even more of the chops than I did. The carrots and corn on the side were buttery and delicious. Finishing it up with a slice of warm out of the oven peanut butter pie and this was a memorable meal!

Thanks to Louis for this fine suggestion!

Re:Weekend in Virginia (leethebard)

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 10:13:51 GMT

Thanks B.B....thought so. I get annoyed when a place gives you a "supermarket" hot dog.....a hot dog out should be a quality dog....and something much larger than what fits loosely in a Wonder-bread roll!!!!! Hell the one to the left in the picture looks un cooked!!!!

Re:Weekend in Virginia (buffetbuster)

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 08:41:19 GMT

Lee-
And they most definitely were not great hot dogs. The wieners themselves were nothing special.

Re:Weekend in Virginia (leethebard)

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 08:57:28 GMT

Those Texas Tavern hotdogs look like Ball Park or a typical supermarket fake casing 8 to a pound dogs. Were they?...As John Fox might say, toppings do not a great hotdog make.

Re:Weekend in Virginia (buffetbuster)

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 07:05:17 GMT

You forgot to mention pie!

What a coincidence that this thread got brought back up. Mariton and I were in the same area again this past weekend, including a revisit to Woodruff's Cafe & Pie Shop. I will get some photos added in the next few days.

Re:Weekend in Virginia (Ahi Mpls.)

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 03:18:06 GMT

  Well,
   I am SO glad that this thread got bumped.
  This to me, is Roadfood.
  While we are a VERY dissimilar and somewhat divided group of folks, (GET OFF MY LAWN!) (Chill,Dude!)
  (rascally whippersnappers!)
  Mr. Buster's Reports bring us together somehow. Cool.
   And this one? This one has (almost) EVERYTHING!
  My faves,
  Menus, Gravy, pie, ham, grungy grills, Angela & Mary, scary caves, roof trees, BBQ, Ham, pie, chicken fried something, Mariton at a counter, Mariton overlooking the gardens and valley, ham, and one of i95's fantastic newsflashes. bliss.
   Thank You!

Re:Weekend in Virginia (ImtheMom)

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 13:13:35 GMT

I really liked your review and photographs of Ruby & Ketchy. I ate there last week.

Roadfooders who are passionate about supporting family-owned or individually-owned independent restaurants MUST stop and eat here if you are in the Morgantown, WV area. It's practically a moral and ethical imperative, as well as just a simple opportunity for a great home-cooked meal.

My family ate there for Sunday lunch. We had creamed chicken with homemade biscuits (excellent), pulled pork sandwich (excellent), steak salad (excellent) and a fish sandwich (disappointing: small square of fish rather than those big fish sandwiches famous in Pittsburgh area and West Virginia).

The Sterns' review, and some other reviews and photographs in the forums, tell more of the story. I agree with your own quote "It isn't the type of place where you walk out thinking that was the best meal ever. But, they don't take any shortcuts and they give every single dish an honest effort."

Re:Weekend in Virginia (Musicman)

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:55:51 GMT

buffetbuster

The last time I was in Roanoke, one of my stops was the , located right in the middle of downtown. I came here after reading how good their chili dogs were and they lived up to expectations. Just before leaving, I spotted a copy of George Motz's Hamburger America on the counter and I asked if they were in book. After an affirmative reply, I sat back down and ordered a cheeseburger. It wasn't until I got home and looked at my own copy of the book that I saw that a specific burger, the Cheesy Western was what the book recommended. Let's call that poor planning on my part. So, here I was back in Roanoke, headed for Texas Tavern to get a Cheesy Western.

One of the great things about Texas Tavern is that it is open 24 hours. Mariton and I talked about maybe getting up at 3:00AM to come down here to see what it is like at that time of the morning. But, of course, we didn't even get out of bed until 7:00AM and arrived here at almost 8:00AM. Still, even at that hour, the place looks great!

Built in 1930 and dwarfed by the nearby buildings, a place doesn't look any more Roadfoodish than this. In the miniscule interior, there are ten counter seats.

A sign in the back proudly exclaims, "We Seat 1000 People..... 10 at a Time".

Another sign says, "We don't cash checks or play with bumblebees!"

The menu board for sandwiches and such hangs high on the wall, while another board carries the breakfast items, mostly egg dishes and pork meats. All the other customers were eating breakfast, but Mariton and I ordered two chili (they spell it the New Mexico way, chile) dogs and a Cheesy Western. Since we were sitting close to the door, we had a nice view of the counterman fixing our food, as the grill

is right inside the front window.

The preferred toppings for the hot dogs here is with onions, mustard and two homemade products, the chili and the relish. Here is what the dogs look like:

Both the chili and relish are mild, but add good flavor to these fine hot dogs. Mariton only had one bite of the dogs, since the debacle the day before was still fresh in her mind. She was much happier to share in the Cheesy Western.

This is a smallish burger with egg, relish, onion, pickle and cheese on a slim beef patty. That is a lot going on for one small burger, but it works.

Mariton surprised me by asking for a bowl of chili

and said we should try it since they are famous for it. A good call on her part. The chili is very thin and I have heard it referred to as "pinto bean soup", but topped off with onions, it made a fine chaser for our meal here. By the way, the chili has been on the menu since the beginning and original owner Nick Bullington is said to have gotten the recipe from a hotel in San Antonio.

Besides the Texas Tavern name, this place is also known as Roanoke's Millionaires Club. The saying goes, no matter who you are, you will be treated like a millionaire at Texas Tavern!

Texas Tavern
114 Church Avenue SW
Roanoke, VA
540-342-4825

Now having had our morning snack, we were now ready to go out for breakfast!

More to come.....

In Tavern lingo you had a "bowl with flowers" and a cheesy western "on the rail" meaning at the counter.

Re:Weekend in Virginia (MetroplexJim)

Sun, 12 Jun 2011 11:15:13 GMT

I lived in Staunton for six wonderful years and visited regularily for years thereafter yet somehow never once visited Wright's Dairy-Rite. Damn! I hope that there is a "next time".

Country ham (jambon du pais) is definitely an acquired taste. When we lived in Staunton tiny "ham biscuits" as fingr food were a staple at cocktail parties. It's at its very best as it is served in Paris: small, cold shreds in salads. Try that once and you'll forget about bacon bits forever.

Next time through Virginia try sampling all the Brunswick stews. Fantastic stuff!

Re:Weekend in Virginia (i95)

Tue, 24 May 2011 13:22:16 GMT

Inside. What was the number for using the "order phone" there? 71? Anyhoo, I always find it amusing here that not only do you order your food via a CHP (Car Hop Protocol) -- that being the aforementioned booth phone -- but that they also bring said food to your table car hop style meaning that unlike giving each person what they ordered, the wait staff simply puts down his or her tray of food on your table (mimicking your car's window) and you sort it all out.

Re:Weekend in Virginia (buffetbuster)

Tue, 24 May 2011 13:13:38 GMT

i95-
Thanks for the report! This last visit to Wright's was the best food I have enjoyed there. Did you eat inside or out?

Re:Weekend in Virginia (i95)

Tue, 24 May 2011 11:56:21 GMT

buffetbuster

Just revisited this longtime favorite and yesterday for a late lunch. Classic. Homemade egg and tuna salads, great BLTs, the aforementioned onion rings and, of course, delicious soft serve. THE place to hit in Staunton, Virginia!

Re:Weekend in Virginia (mr chips)

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 01:10:37 GMT

I remember my first visit to Montecello where the slaves were called servants and their lives ignored. the historical interpretation has improved and it remains the best of the Presidential sites i have visited. My last visit was 5 years ago. If you are in the area B.B. you might want to visit the historical museum in Orange, Virginia which has a lot of Madison memorabilia. The Madison home (Montpelier) was owned by the DuPont family for many years and was remodeled only in the last couple decades to match the Madison era style. As alays it is a pleasure to read of your adventures.

Re:Weekend in Virginia (jmckee)

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:56:43 GMT

I have been to Monticello several times over an adult lifetime spent fascinated with him. The new visitors center is terrific. And all the tour guides are extremely knowledgeable.

There are now tours in the evening that allow you to go to the second and third floors. We're thinking of that sometime this fall.

In Lynchburg, you should visit Poplar Forest, Mr. Jefferson's "retreat" house. It's an octagonal shaped house, with four elongated octagonal rooms surrounding a large central cube room.

Wright's is a lot of fun, and the food is great.

Re:Weekend in Virginia (ScreamingChicken)

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 09:36:33 GMT

Great report, BB! I remember reading about Monticello when I was in grade school and I'd still like to visit it some day. Hopefully Michael Hoffman will share some stories about how he watched it being built.

buffetbuster

Hmmm...is that perhaps a late '50s DeSoto?

Brad

Re:Weekend in Virginia (buffetbuster)

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 21:10:34 GMT

AHI-
I love the phrase "riddled with dumbwaiters". How cool of a band name would that be? There was only the one dumbwaiter. But, did you also know that he is credited with the invention (or at least improving upon) storm windows? Very cool!

And if "he who shall remain nameless" was phoning his order in, it would take less time if he just named what he didn't want to eat.

Nancy-
Thanks for the compliment. I went back and looked and I really like that photo, too.

Barney-
So now we have multiple votes for and against Moore's Country Store. I will definitely go back, but it would be hard to persuade Mariton to join me. So glad that this report brought back good memories for you. We may be back in the area later this Summer to visit James Madison's and James Monroe's homes.

Re:Weekend in Virginia (Ahi Mpls.)

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 20:33:54 GMT

Well, he invented the dumbwaiter and since they are so cool, I assume that he had LOTS of them....
He also brought ice cream (?!) to America and then invented the pedometer. coincidence?