If you find yourself hungry and on Rt. 33 between Elkton and Harrisonburg, stop at the Exxon station at the base of Massanutten Resort. It’s one of the best gas station/food joints in Virginia. Their chicken is out of sight. It rivals Wayside Deli Fried Chicken, and they have a dazzling array of sandwiches, sides, and finger foods. And they are nice folks – they act like they’re glad to … [Read more...]

I hate to admit this, but one of my greatest pleasures of beach life is eating out. In fact, our days often revolve around what restaurant we choose for dinner. For Nancy, a scarlet and cream sunset is more important than the food she will eat. I enjoy a good sunset myself, but good food is also important. We have found a few restaurants where we can have the best of both worlds. Our favorite … [Read more...]

  By Sherman Shifflett There are several good Mexican restaurants in the Charlottesville area, and now you can add another one. The El Mariachi Bar and Grill at Zion Crossroads. Ava Pippin and I have dined there several times and we plan to return. I can assure you the food is good. Not that I am an authority on Mexican food, but I believe I know more than the average bear. I lived in … [Read more...]

For 18 years, Rhett’s Bar and Grill was Charlottesville’s favorite seafood restaurant, but then suddenly lost their lease. Instead of relocating in Charlottesville, however, Rhett’s pulled up stakes and headed for a more business friendly atmosphere at Spring Creek in Louisa County. Now open, Rhett’s is getting rave reviews like never. Last Sunday, Sherman Shifflett and Ava Pippin chose Rhett’s … [Read more...]

  Dinner at Wawa? A gas station? With week-old hot dogs spinning on the counter display? No, dinner at Wawa with some of the best hand cut sandwiches in town. I didn’t know much about Wawa, except they had a weird name. I figured the first born of one of the owners cried, “wah-wah” and they used that name instead of Shell or Amoco. But when Wawa came to town a few months ago, they … [Read more...]

    (Ava Pippin at Lola’s Farmhouse Bistro)   By Sherman Shifflett   Generally, I ask my good friend, Ava Pippin, where she wants to eat on her birthday. For the last 12 or 14 years, she has requested Lowery's Seafood Restaurant in Tappahannock. It's nearly a two-hour drive from Louisa. From Lowery's, she had to travel another hour to Fredericksburg for … [Read more...]

I had heard about Five Guys, that they made great burgers, and I stopped by their restaurant at Holllymead Town Center when they first opened. I was pretty hungry and ordered two “regular” cheeseburgers and some fries. They brought me two giant, double cheeseburgers - it was a half of a steer and two counties worth of French Fries from Idaho. I couldn’t eat it all. Not only does Five Guys give you … [Read more...]

After my last (and I mean my last) colonoscopy, and because of a delay in the OR assembly line, I hadn’t eaten in over 24 hours. I was still a little groggy when Nancy picked me up and I was starving. She asked what and where I wanted to eat. When you’re really hungry, for me it’s Riverside. Some make fatter burgers, some have fancier toppings, some may use pricier cuts of beef, but nobody … [Read more...]

  Some say there is such a thing as “Authentic Mexican” food. Not being an expert, I really couldn’t say. I enjoy Mexican cuisine, but my wife Nancy is a rabid fan -assuming we eat out. She’s not that crazy about my Mexican creations. Most of all,  she enjoys the food at Guadalajara. This long established Mexican restaurant has really good food, the décor is fun, the service is … [Read more...]

  I always thought of Fried Pickles as “Fair Food” – like Elephant Ears and  Corn Dogs. But more and more, restaurants are adding these delicious appetizers to their menus. Nancy and I made a last minute decision to  eat out last night, and chose “The Loud Place” – Texas Roadhouse. And it was loud – at least three birthdays and lots of “Ya-hoos.” I saw the Fried Pickles as an … [Read more...]