The Barn.
That pretty much says it all. Anyone from Charlottesville or anyone ever associated with the University of Virginia knows that “The Barn” means the Aberdeen Barn, one of Virginia’s finest steak houses.
The Barn was conceived and opened in 1965 by George Spathos. I first visited this iconic steak house in 1967. I was the Men’s Buyer at Leggett Department Store at the Barracks Road Shopping Center and one of my clothing salesman offered to take me out to dinner. We went to The Barn. I ordered Prime Rib. It was delicious.
Last weekend, Angela Spathos managed to find us a table for 2 on New Year Eve. I ordered the Prime Rib again and it was just as good as it was over 50 years ago. Consistency is the mantra at The Barn.
I have known Terry Spathos for many years. When I owned Jim’s Fly & Tackle, Terry was a regular customer. He was into bass fishing big time and he and I went on several trips together. Terry was fond on my bird dog, Copper, who went to work with me each day and greeted all my customers with a lick and a sniff. Copper was quickly taken with the sniffs of Terry as his clothes always seemed to have the fragrance of roast beef. So Terry began bringing Prime Rib bones to Copper, every day. They became best pals.
When my daughter, Angelin, got married, Nancy and I catered the wedding dinner ourselves. Terry got us a huge beef roast and put it in his slow-cook oven all day. It was fall-off-the-bone tender. What a treat.
Another interesting experience I had was in one of Terry’s bass boat that used jet fuel. We were on the James River and I saw the speedometer hit 95 miles an hour. Terry said his boat would go faster, but he didn’t want to freak me out. Too late. I was beyond freaked.
Terry often spoke of consistency as we went to and from our fishing expeditions. He was determined that every time a customer ate at The Barn, it would be consistently good – good food, great ambience and fine service.
One of the servers I saw last weekend at The Barn has been there since 1975. He is a consummate professional, the model of consistency.
Soon, the Covid crisis will pass and folks will once more go out to eat in force. And, as always, the top choice in Charlottesville will be the Aberdeen Barn.
