Nancy said the other day that she didn’t think we had a Hardee’s anymore in Charlottesville. I knew they had closed the one on 29 N. when the $64 million tunnel effectively put it out of business, but don’t we have another one? Nope. They closed the one on Pantops, as well. The world, certainly, is going to hell when there are no more Hardees in town. I remember the first Hardees … [Read more...]

It was our 54th wedding anniversary and Nancy and I were off to Nags Head to celebrate. Being the offseason, we knew there would be limited activities, but we were looking forward to relaxing and eating some great seafood. On our way down, we were trying to decide where to eat for this special occasion. We decided on Miller’s for a romantic waterfront experience. But Miller’s was closed. So was … [Read more...]

We went out to eat recently with my daughter, Laura, and her friend Rene. They asked us to join them at a Korean restaurant on the Downtown Mall. I’m not crazy about going to the Downtown Mall, but I had heard that this restaurant, DOMA Korean Kitchen, was very good, so we gave it a try. It is very good. I enjoy good Chinese food. Korean is similar, but different in many regards. For … [Read more...]

With the holidays in the rear-view mirror, Nancy and I decided to go out for a bite. We thought we’d check out the new Red Crab Juicy Seafood place, but it felt strange when we went in – like an oriental restaurant with a seafood boil. We glanced at their menu, and they seemingly offered only boiled crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. They also sold stuff by the pound. It didn’t feel right. We wanted a … [Read more...]

  I avoid the Downtown Mall unless there is a good show playing at the Paramount. It so happened that there was a good show playing - “Christmas with Elvis”, featuring Matt Lewis as a terrific Elvis Impersonator along with Big Ray and the Kool Kats. So, we went to the Downtown Mall with friends and ate at the Citizen Burger Bar. Junior Samples of Hee Haw fame once said don’t order a … [Read more...]

  I understand there are over 200 restaurants in Charlottesville. It seems like there that many on the Downtown Mall, but regardless: All these restaurants can be divided into two groups. The Ivy Inn and the others. Not one compares to the consistent food, service and ambience offered by Charlottesville’s premiere eatery. We eat at the Ivy Inn mostly on special occasions. It was my … [Read more...]

  I don’t know if Texas Roadhouse delivers meals to folks at home, but they sure delivered the goods on our last visit. They knocked it out of the park. It had been a while since Nancy and I ate out, so when she e-mailed and suggested we let someone else do the cooking and cleaning up afterwards, I was in total agreement. “Let’s go to the Loud Place,” she suggested. Loud Place is … [Read more...]

Chicken lovers, take notice. According to my friend, Sherman Shifflett, a new restaurant in Gordonsville is turning out dynamite fried chicken. Here is his recent account. “Ava and I were in Louisa, and we were looking for a place to eat. Many of the places were closed, while others only had orders to go, and we were tired of fast food. We decided to try a place called Champion Ice House … [Read more...]

  Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers are so good that the local Emmet Street location has been grinding traffic to a halt on US 29. Cars waiting to drive through and order are backed up nearly to the stoplight at Hydraulic Road. There are sure a lot of “Caniacs” out there. For many, there is only one Fried Chicken Finger, and that comes from Raising Canes Chicken Fingers - and what a … [Read more...]

  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...]