Fredericksburg VA

Might be spending some time around Fredericksburg, any suggestions welcome.  Breakfast, lunch or dinner.
 
Thanks

I'd say Carl's, but I believe they are closed for the winter.
 
I have always enjoyed lunches at Sammy T's on Caroline St.:  http://www.sammyts.com/ .
 
And, if you like Chinese, Fortune Gourmet - also on Caroline St. - is excellent.  Skip the buffet and order their Peking Duck off the menu; it is truly wonderful.

Allman's is worth a try. Not THE BEST bbq but worthwhile.
 

I've always liked Castiglia's on William's St.
 

Carl's is a legendary place, but wanderingjew and I stopped in a few years ago and we were very disappointed.  Maybe it is one of those places that you have to be a local to get, because we sure didn't.
 
We much preferred Goolrick's, a lovely old fashioned soda fountain.  They make sandwiches for lunch, too.
 
In complete agreement with Route 11's assessment of Allman's Barbecue.  The place is worth stopping in for, especially the great atmosphere.  Just don't expect great barbecue.

Is this a great community or what?  Of the 4 responses so far, 2 from different Texans,  one from Pittsburgh and one from a local that's not so local.  I appreciate all your responses, thanks. 

I was thoroughly impressed by Sammy T's. Great sandwiches.
http://davwudsfoodcourt.b...ight-food-and-ale.html

DT

On a recent quick pass through I stopped at Hard Times cafe. This is a small Virginia chain. I always enjoyed their 4-way chili when I visited them 25 years ago when living in No.VA and there were only a couple of locations. While I was worried about what their expansion might have done, found it was still quite good. Just another option.

kozel


Is this a great community or what?  Of the 4 responses so far, 2 from different Texans,  one from Pittsburgh and one from a local that's not so local.  I appreciate all your responses, thanks. 

DC Metro is a highly transient area along with being the biggest tourist destination in the US, so a lot of us "from elsewhere" have spent some time in & around DC.  In my case, I lived in Arlington & McLean 1978 - 2005 and we still keep condo back there for visits.
 
I agree with Tony Bad about Hard Times Cafe; 3 varieties of really good chili (Texas, Cincy, & Veggie) + really good bar food:  burgers, rings, etc.  Didn't know they had a F'bg location; definitely worth a stop.
 
And, I agree with BB that Carl's is "no big deal" except that, well, it's Carl's!!!  Mrs. Metro III was from nearby Stafford, VA and was, along with all of F'bg, absolutely crazy about the place (unfortunately, that was not the extent of her craziness).
 
BTW:  if you are a golfer, check out Augustine.
 
Edit:  historical note - "The Imdispensible Man" was born near F'bg in a recently rediscovered home on the Rappahannock River.  His father's name was Augustine; the local university in F'bg is named for his mother, Mary Washington, of whom he once wrote "All that I am I owe to my mother".  (Augustine Washington had passed away early in Washington's youth). 
  

Thanks again, and Jim thanks for the history lesson.  It's been a long time since I played any golf, but who knows.  Tony, Hard Times looks like a fun place.  Seems like downtown has a few great places and I'm hoping for a seafood place or two as well being so close to the Chesapeake.

I agree on Hard Times. The chili and cornbread is delicious!
 
When my mother was young, she worked at a doctor's office downtown and would go with the other girls to Goolrick's for sandwiches at lunch. I've never been but it has a great review in the RF books.

Most of the seafood places around those parts I have found are closer out to the bay,  or even along the Potomac. 
 
Lets put it this way, Joe's Crab Shack specializes in places that lack decent seafood places, and there is a Joe's in Fredericksburg.

NascarDad


Most of the seafood places around those parts I have found are closer out to the bay,  or even along the Potomac. 

Lets put it this way, Joe's Crab Shack specializes in places that lack decent seafood places, and there is a Joe's in Fredericksburg.

And they have a Captain D's on Rt. 3.  Indeed, you have to go elsewhere for good seafood.  If you crave a world-class crabcake - a suggestion, well worth the 80 mile drive from F'bg: http://gandmcrabcakes.com/ .

kozel


Is this a great community or what?  Of the 4 responses so far, 2 from different Texans,  one from Pittsburgh and one from a local that's not so local.  I appreciate all your responses, thanks. 

 
OK, I'll throw a Californian into the mix. Allman's was good but not great BBQ. Friendly people running it. I went to it twice and it certainly does not hold a candle to some of the places like the Brick Pit in AL, the Carolina Smokehouse in NC or Joel's BBQ in Flatonia, TX. I think it does well partially because it seemed to be the only serious 'Q place at the time in Fredericksburg. I still wear my Allman's apron when I BBQ, though----impresses my guests!