We drove through Waverly, Virginia last weekend and were distressed to see that Cowling’s, a great BBQ restaurant, had closed. More and more, the old Mom & Pop’s are closing as the owners age and the kids aren’t interested in continuing to work 16 hours a day, 7 days a week. I have always rated Cowling’s as among the top 3 BBQ joints in all of Virginia. They cooked whole hog BBQ and I … [Read more...]

We did a lot of “Eating Out” last weekend on our Deltaville getaway. We supped at The Galley and The Front Porch and visited the Deltaville Raw Bar and Grill for drinks, but the best dining experience came when we ate in. Wanting to enjoy our last evening and not have to worry about the 20 mile or so drive into town and back, we stopped at J & W’s Seafood during our mid-day trip to … [Read more...]

I drove down to Scottsville last week, and entering the town, there was no Rooster to greet us. The Rooster was the Lumpkin’s calling card. It was gone and Lumpkin’s is gone. Lumpkin’s was one of the last, great comfort food diners. They had amazing breakfasts, as we often ate there before fishing trips on the James. They had biscuits and gravy and grits and eggs anyway you like them, plus … [Read more...]

  Lots of folks will make late summer and early fall runs to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. And who can blame them? Except for Labor Day week, the crowds will have dispersed, the weather will be cooler, and the fish will definitely be biting. Whatever you do while on the OBX, don’t miss the opportunity to grab a hot dog or two at Capt’n Franks. It’s a mandatory stop as soon as you … [Read more...]

We went to Texas Roadhouse for one of those last-minute dinner decisions as our Grandson, James, had come to visit. Their Burgers are great, and their Ribeye Steaks are easily the best in town, but I decided on something different – something I wouldn’t normally get at home. I ordered their Country Fried Sirloin Steak, and it was delicious. The choices are with white gravy, with brown grave … [Read more...]

Here’s a serious question. Where do you get the best hot dogs? At a ball game or on a golf course? Many would simply say at a restaurant or a hot dog stand, and they are all good. But the best dogs are the ones eaten outside, in a place you would not normally find a hot dog. While a chili dog with a cold beer is mighty good at a minor league ballpark, I believe the dogs that really hit the spot … [Read more...]

We tried a new Charlottesville restaurant last weekend – Mockingbird in Belmont, specializing in Southern Cuisine. I would give them 4 stars on some dishes and no stars on others. For an appetizer we ordered a Strip of Pork Belly on a Bed of Greens. It was fantastic. The pork was crispy fried, and the sauce and greens were outstanding. Also, for an appetizer, I ordered Fried Okra which was not … [Read more...]

When I was in college, McDonald’s hamburgers were 15c each. On a Sunday afternoon, I’d order 4, get a coke and some French fries and get change back from a dollar bill. Times have changed. Today (though prices vary from store to store) a Big Mac, Large Coke and Large Fries will set you back about $12.50. Add a buck and a quarter for Meal’s Tax and the total is now $14. If you are feeding a … [Read more...]

A few years ago, as we were heading down I-95 on our way to Topsail Beach, NC, Nancy and I pulled off at the Dorches exit on Rt. 43 toward Rocky Mount. Our destination was Smith’s Red & White, one of the world’s great grocery stores. Smith’s packages many of their foods and vegetables and makes their own sausages and other delectable dishes. We loaded up with some groceries to take to the … [Read more...]

I’ve never been to the Mediterranean, but I have eaten some of their exquisite foods. Last week, in fact, we dined at Smyrna Restaurant on West Main Street which specializes in Mediterranean-Aegean dishes. It was outstanding. The service, first of all, was impeccable. Our server carefully explained the menu and made recommendations. His suggestions were spot on. Our water glasses were kept … [Read more...]