Anytime Nancy and I are in the Tidewater area of Virginia, we manage to find our way to Bubba’s Seafood Restaurant on Shore Drive, north of Virginia Beach.  Bubba’s is a family-owned restaurant but started as a small bait and tackle shop over 30 years ago. Located on the water in Lynnhaven Inlet, Bubba’s began offering Crab Cakes and other seafood delicacies to their hungry tackle … [Read more...]

A few weeks back, I saw a sign on the old Plaza Azteca Mexican Restaurant in the Seminole Square Shopping Center advising that a new seafood restaurant was on the way. Charlottesville really needs a traditional seafood restaurant. My suspicions were that this would be another of the Low Country Boil restaurants that are springing up everywhere. I prefer my fresh seafood either fried or broiled, … [Read more...]

A few weeks back I wrote about eating Pulled Pork BBQ on hot dog buns, saying that you can get just as much BBQ on the hot dog bun as on a hamburger bun; they’re easier to eat; and the BBQ stays put. My friend, Guido Lamonica, has perhaps even a better idea. Put three deviled eggs in a hot dog bun, maybe a little mayo, and – Voila! An instant Eggs Salad Sandwich. How easy is that and how … [Read more...]

We were at the West Virginia State Fair early this week and ate our way through the sprawling Fairgrounds, noshing on goodies such as genuine 4-H Country Ham Sandwiches, hot and just-cooked Ben Ellen Doughnuts, Pizza Slices, Corn Dogs, Deep-Fried Oreos (yes, Fried Oreos), thick, creamy Milkshakes, and other certified, artery-clogging Fair foods. As we left, we passed by a stand advertising … [Read more...]

Boy, I wish we had a Royal Farms here in Charlottesville – not only for inexpensive gasoline, but also for some really delicious Fried Chicken. We first came upon a Royal Farms Gasoline/Convenience Store on the Eastern Shore, not far from Cape Charles. I bought some gas at a great price and went inside for a coke and smelled their chicken frying – and I ordered some and it was spectacular. Last … [Read more...]

Nancy and I were on our way back from a short vacation on the middle Peninsula. It was lunchtime and we had not packed sandwiches. We decided to pull into the next available food outlet, and it happened to be a Burger King. I have always liked Burger King burgers, but then again, I don’t think I’ve ever met a burger I didn’t like. So, we pulled up to the order stand and both decided, as a change … [Read more...]

During out 4-day mini-vacation in the Gloucester/Deltaville area last week, we decided to explore Gloucester Point on the York River. The York is really the forgotten river – the smaller of the big four, including the Potomac, James, and Rappahannock. But it’s a gorgeous river with good fishing and many attractions. I had only fished the York once and remember hooking up with a red drum … [Read more...]

For almost a decade, Michael’s Restaurant at Hollymead has been filling the bellies of many patrons. Now, it’s Tony’s satisfying the same appetites. But it’s really still the same old Michaels. Tony, the owner, bought Michaels about 9 years ago, but left the name the same. Recently, he decided to use his own name on the storefront, so now it’s Tony’s and nothing has changed. My good friend … [Read more...]

Nancy said she wanted Fried Chicken for dinner after a long ride back from Lake Norman, and she likes KFC. I used to, but now, I think it’s overpriced, it’s lower quality and the chicken is poorly cooked. I remember when you could get a bucket (8 pieces) for $3.99, then it crept higher. To me, it was hard to believe someone would pay more than 50c for a piece of chicken and that included 2 … [Read more...]

Staunton is rocking! Once a sleepy little valley town known primarily as the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson, Staunton is spreading its wings and bringing in art, fine restaurants, and lots of tourists. One restaurant, the Chop House Tavern, makes the 45-minute drive to Staunton well worthwhile. Our daughter, Laura, treated us to a dinner there in celebration of Nancy’s birthday, and what a dinner … [Read more...]