My friend Sherman Shifflett and I have been reminiscing recently about barbeque restaurants, or actually, the lack of really good ones in Virginia. Go down to eastern North Carolina and there are more Five Star barbeque joints than tobacco fields. But here in the Commonwealth, it’s a different story.
What I considered the best in the state, Cowling’s in Wakefield, closed its doors and many others are sub-par.
There is one restaurant, however, that still serves up great “Que” and that’s Peck’s.
Once a Waynesboro landmark, Peck’s recently moved up the road a piece and is now in Staunton, sort of. The last time Nancy and I were in that area and I had a barbeque craving, we tracked it down with some difficulty. But I can attest that the move further west changed nothing.
Peck’s still makes a great barbeque sandwich. They really put very little on their ‘Que. It’s straight up pork with some vinegar, salt and pepper. That’s all you need for a great slow-cooked, pulled-pork sandwich or platter.
Peck’s offers a terrific “To-Go” special, which includes a pound of barbeque, a pint of homemade cole slaw and either a plate of hush puppies or 8 buns.
The restaurant has a full and extensive menu, but if you want chicken, go to a chicken restaurant. If you want good barbeque, go to Peck’s in Staunton.
The address is 477 Lee Jackson Hwy, Staunton. The hours are 11 AM till 7:30 Mon.-Thur.; 11 till 8 PM on Friday and 11 till 7 PM on Saturday, closed Sundays. Call 540-886-HOGS for more information.
