lagniappe's Profile
Harrisonburg Recommends...
I've hit a couple of the BBQ spots in Hburg in the last few weeks.
BBQ Ranch is definitely an artifact from an earlier time- there is drive-in service as well as a dining room. The dining room has a classic diner feel, and it comes by it honestly, as it hasn't been remodeled since it was the current style. There is a tremendous amount of pig-oriented decor- salt and pepper shakers, pig-themed art, various other cutesy stuff to set the BBQ mood. It's chopped BBQ with a tomato and vinegar sauce (and I think some onion in there, too) that clings together sort-of like a sloppy joe. It reminded me of BBQ I had in Atlanta, though shredded instead of chopped. BBQ Ranch is more about the atmosphere for me than the food- it's good, but not great.
Smokin' Pig is in the downtown, just a street or two off of court square. They give you a couple of choices of sauce in the shredded pork, as Cuccubear mentioned. What they call NC style is the tomato and vinegar sauce of Western NC, not the tomato-free Eastern NC that I love above all others. For the same meal that I got at the BBQ ranch (sandwich, fries drink), I paid half as much at the Smokin' Pig (about $5.50). I got slaw with it at BBQ Ranch (strangely sweet slaw), and at Smokin' Pig, a fried pickle joined in the fun. The cost difference may be that there is just counter service at Smokin' Pig (and outdoor tables) compared to actual table service at BBQ Ranch.
For actual Eastern NC BBQ, as far as I know, you have to go down to Waynesboro (South on 81, East on 64) to a trailer known as Still Porkin'. There is no tomato at all in his BBQ, and may it forever stay that way, amen. Still Porkin' can be found at about the intersection of Poplar and Broad Streets (a little down Broad) in Waynesboro.
I haven't tried Hank's Smokehouse (have heard good things) or Log Cabin BBQ (really closer to Elkin, right?) yet, so if anyone can go in depth on a review, I would be grateful.
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Smokin' Pig
56 E Wolfe St, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Fish Fry
Oh, wait... that's the same one cuccubear linked. It'd be worth it to go just to check out that very pretty church.
Fish Fry
If you are still interested- Saw a sign out in front of the Catholic church in Staunton declaring they were having one. Didn't catch the day or time, as I was unaware there would be a quiz later. I'll try to swing by there tomorrow for more info. Are you a displaced Midwesterner looking for a Wisconsin-esque fish fry, or just a fish fry fan in general?
Where's Chang?
That's the right place. We're very happy to have Mr. Chang around for as long as he would like to stay. It's a welcome change from all the gross, gloppy buffets that inhabit the area.
South River Restaurant & Wine Shop - Waynesboro, VA?
Here's a few with the vegetarian leanings in mind-
Hopefully the links work, so I don't have to go too far into menu description...
Little Grill Collective- Harrisonburg, VA To be honest, I haven't been there personally yet, but many rave about its veg options and the care they take to find local and seasonal ingredients. It's cooperatively owned, which is kinda neat.
The Staunton Grocery- Staunton, VA Right downtown in beautiful Staunton (ok, I live there, so I'm partial). It's chef-owned (Ian Boden), and very particular about using local farmers and businesses to fill the menu. It's on the pricier end, but not over the top- good for a more special dinner.
Saigon Cafe- Harrisonburg, VA This is a great little Vietnamese place that has wonderful fresh springrolls and lots of vegetarian options on the menu (lots of meat dishes, too). My favorite restaurant in Harrisonburg.
Thai Siam Takeout- Colleen, VA This one is further afield, about half an hour South of Charlottesville. Yes, it says "takeout" in the name, but don't let it scare you. I believe it's because they only have about 3 tables and have to call themselves takeout because of this. You can eat there, jut go at off-times. I can't imagine what this place is doing where it is, but I'm glad it's there. I've been to Thai places all over North America in major cities, and this place at least ties for the best, and it's in the middle of the woods. And cheap. The best green curry I have had anywhere, the best pad thai, house-made pepper sauces and home-grown vegetables (in season) in the dishes.
I'm trying not to be too long-winded about it, but I feel I'm on the edge. It can be hard to find the good places anywhere, and I'd hate to see someone end up at a Good Times Emporium-type place with so much obscure deliciousness about.
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Thai Siam
4137 Tye Brook Hwy, Coleen, VA 22922
Saigon Cafe
787 E Market St, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Little Grill Collective
621 N Main St, Harrisonburg, VA 22802
The Staunton Grocery
105 West Beverley Street, Staunton, VA 24401
South River Restaurant & Wine Shop - Waynesboro, VA?
In that case, South River may be your best option. Waynesboro is not what I would call a culinary Mecca of the Shenandoah Valley- lots of chain restaurants.
If you pass through again, there are a lot of options that would make a vegetarian (and the rest of the group) very happy in Staunton and Harrisonburg (Charlottesville, too- I just don't know the town as well).
Have a good trip.
South River Restaurant & Wine Shop - Waynesboro, VA?
South River is OK in a wannabe Fridays/Applebees kinda way. Hamburgers, sandwiches, steaks... I've been there three times, and the service has been marginal. Two times, the waiter came back to ask what we had ordered all over again, and the third time, I wish the waiter had, because most of us got a vague approximation of what we ordered. Maybe they have some kind of policy that they can't use a notepad. It's not bad, it's just pretty far down the list when we want to go out for dinner. Here's their website:
http://www.southrivergrill.com/index.htm
I'd be happy to give you some recs if you'd like. Just say what you're looking for, and how far afield of where you're staying you'd be willing to go.
Announcement: New Board Breakdown for Chowhound
I see Virginia has seceded again, but this time away from the South...
Doughnuts in Roanoke!
Great find! Finally an alternative to chains, chains, chains on that part of I-81.
Harrisonburg Recommends...
Sorry I'm late to this thread... There is a lot of tasty stuff in Harrisonburg, it's just sometimes a little hard to find. A couple of favorites:
-Saigon Cafe (on 33, West of I-81 in the "Rolling Hills" plaza). This is very tasty Vietnamese food. I love their Goi Cuon (fresh spring rolls) with shrimp. Slightly small portion, but packed with flavor. The pork version is also very good. For an entree, I like the Com Tay Cam, which is a clay pot filled with shrimp, pork, shittakes, ginger and rice (and I'm sure lots of other deliciousness that I am unaware of). Kinda a meat and carb fest, but there are plenty of vegetables on the rest of the menu if that's what you're in to. They also have a really interesting (and constantly expanding) collection of Vietnamese antiques on their walls.
-Thai Cafe, behind the big shopping center off of East 33, in a little strip mall that has a Heavenly Ham (are those places mob fronts?). I prefer this place over Taste of Thai. It's good, basic Thai food- they do a good job with Pad Thai and Tom Yum, and they are happy when you show an interest in the food and culture. I told them I would love to grow some Thai seasonings at home on one of my first visits, and the chef had rooted lemongrass and Galangal (Thai ginger) waiting for me the next time I came, for which he refused any payment. Great people.
Charleston SC shrimp and grits
I second the Mt. Pleasant Boulevard Diner recommendation- a large bowl of coarse (in a good way) yellow grits with tangy cheddar sauce throughout. Too many shrimp for an accurate count, as they keep on showing up amongst the tomatoes and onions even when you think you've eaten them all already. A couple of fried pickle spears tucked in at the edge of the dish are all important. $9 at lunch, I believe- I've never been able to finish the serving on my own.
I think the quality of ingredients is comparable to Hominy Grill (possibly smaller-sized shrimp, but many more of them), but with less emphasis on presentation.
Quick and tasty near Roanoke, VA or South on I-81?
Or maybe even something for carryout? I would apppreciate any suggestions...
Quick and tasty near Roanoke, VA or South on I-81?
We're about to do the "Trail of the Ancients" drive from Staunton, VA down I-81 to I-26 (Asheville and then Charleston, SC) to visit both sets of parents. We'll be leaving this Thursday evening, and would like to find something at about Roanoke or a little further that isn't standard national-brand "road filth". I'm open to relatively fast, moderate-to-inexpensive deliciousness of all sorts. Not too far from the Interstate, if possible (the parents don't stay up so late). My dream would be that some kind individual has opened a Pho shop in the Southern VA I-81 corridor... sorry, drifted off into my own world for a moment there.
Anything tasty- non-canned good Southern, interesting ethnic... no hamburgers, please- that's what's being avoided.
Thanks for any suggestions!
Lagniappe
Good deal in Charleston SC you may not have heard of
As an alumni of the C of C, I can say that the only meal I would consider eating in the cafeteria is breakfast- as early as you can get there. For the first hour or so (if they still do it), they do custom omelettes made by nice ladies speaking mostly the local Gullah dialect, and have plenty of tasty sides like good yogurt and buttery cinnamon grits. A chance to meet real locals that don't deal with tourists all day. I transferred from Texas, and the cafeteria was at least 10x better. Of course, I was from Minnesota, so I had no idea what the ladies were saying for a while. Just smile and nod. The rest of the meals there are ok for student fuel, but not worth chasing down.
Now, the chili at Jack's Cafe just a little down George Street... THAT is worth pursuing.
WV State Fair!
Yes, replying to myself... A bit more info- the fair is August 14-22 in Fairlea, WV- about 10 miles over the VA/WV line, near White Sulphur Springs and the Greenbrier.
WV State Fair!
Has anyone been to the WV State Fair, and is there anything Chow-worthy there? ...Or is it a corn dog hell? Seems like it could be a fun "experience".
Brief Visit to Downtown SF Peking Duck? Coffee/Bakery?
Perfect- I think the Wharf area is our first stop after the airport. You guys didn't have to open a whole new place for us...
For Chinese, I'm thinking either Z & Y or Great Eastern. I love the spicy dishes Z & Y probably does well, but Cantonese seafood is also a favorite. I'll have to make an actual decision at some point.
Will Blue Bottle have various baked goods, or are they strictly coffee?
Brief Visit to Downtown SF Peking Duck? Coffee/Bakery?
How late is the Blue Bottle open? I won't be able to get there until at least 4pm. I looked up Red's- I would probably stop by if I was in town for week, but with only a day and a half, I'll probably go for other options. They appear to be trying to simulate a lot of the restaurants in part of the Shenandoah Valley where I live.
Brief Visit to Downtown SF Peking Duck? Coffee/Bakery?
I wish I'd been around to crash your chowdown- I live in semi-middle-of-nowhere VA, and all we have here is the "various forms of glop in a buffet" type of Chinese. I was hoping that there was some place known specifically for Peking Duck, but maybe not. Maybe I am just harboring a duck fetish, and I need to let go. Oh well- so what would be your favorite casual Chinese place to order a bunch of dishes and sample? Would that be Z&Y, or is that just where you folks went that night? I still lament the loss of a place in Charleston, SC that had the best Kung Pao chicken- I've just plain given up on ordering that dish anywhere else.
Brief Visit to Downtown SF Peking Duck? Coffee/Bakery?
I'll be in downtown SF for the last half of this Saturday and all day on Sunday. The plan is to stay in the cable car areas and nearby- willing to walk, though. I'd love to find a place in Chinatown that does good Peking Duck (will call ahead) for a late evening Saturday dinner. We're flying in from VA in the afternoon, so the first search will be for a good cup of coffee. Can anyone suggest a downtown place with the rare combo of inspiring city/bay views and good coffee? Also, maybe some reasonably priced neighborhood favorites for Sunday- I'd like to stay away from turn-and-burn food factories, and see where people that live here go for a casual lunch/dinner out.
Lagniappe
Tasty things in NW Chicago area?
I think I went to Gianni's on a previous trip- do they have a dessert they refer to as "fresh tiramisu"? I thought it was pretty good, traditional old-style Italian. One of those places where they bring you the big entree after the salad, and then hand you this big bowl of pasta with marinara. It always makes me think that I am some different species than their usual patrons, if they can put all of this away in one sitting. I'll probably end up going back again at some point for more Italian comfort food.
Tasty things in NW Chicago area?
It's like you guys are psychic- I'm back in Chicago again this week! I may be hitting Stoney River, as the execs along for the ride have declared a longing for a steakhouse. On my own, I might have gone in search of a Pho shop, but oh well. Le Titi De Paris looks great- I may have to steer us in that direction. I end up having to pretend to stumble across these places when I'm traveling with management. It would probably be bad form to show that I usually schedule my appointments to end up near restaurants I want to try.
Thanks for all the good suggestions so far!
VA I-81 road trip, lunch suggestions?
I love Edelweiss, but I think it might not be the same without the accordian extravaganza of weekend nights. Also, if you had lunch there and got back in the car, you'd probably fall sound asleep while driving before you hit Lexington.
VA I-81 road trip, lunch suggestions?
Sorry it took me a little while to reply. The Thai place will make it as hot as you want it. It's a little family restaurant- they love it when you show an interest in the food and culture. One of the owners got some lemongrass with roots for me, and some galanga (thai ginger) as well, so I could have ingredients at home that are hard to find in rural VA supermarkets. I've mostly stauck with Tom Yum soup and variations on Pad Thai or a Spicy Basil stir fry.
The Vietnamese place has better fresh springrolls- not just a salad in a rice wrap, but with basil and mint, and great hoisin/peanut sauce. The Pho is great, but my favorite is the Com Tay Cam- a clay pot dish with rice, pork, shrimp, shittakes, ginger, lemongrass, and other things I can't remember. Comes out so hot you just have to stare at it for a couple of minutes, or risk burning your mouth. I usually go with the burn option. Throw some sriracha on top, and I'm happy.
Saigon would be slightly easier for you to find from 81, but both are within a mile or so from the road.
VA I-81 road trip, lunch suggestions?
Not sure if this fits into the "interesting" designation for you, but I could suggest a good Thai place (Thai Cafe) and a very good Vietnamese place (Saigon Cafe) off 81 at exit 247A or 247B in Harrisonburg, VA. I lean toward Saigon Cafe- they have great fresh spring rolls and good pho along with lots of other options. Great winter food. Ok, summer, too.
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Saigon Cafe
787 E Market St, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Thai Cafe
182 Neff Ave Ste W4, Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Lowbrow Vietnamese in Rolling Meadows/Schaumberg area?
Thanks for the suggestion! I may check it out this evening...
Lowbrow Vietnamese in Rolling Meadows/Schaumberg area?
I'm looking for a basic Pho and "things on rice noodles" place in the NW Chicago area. It doesn't have to have tasteful lighting or pretty furniture. My favorite places are usually in decaying strip malls.
Also... any brick oven pizza places that lean toward NY-style crispiness in the area?
Thanks in advance for any help!
Donuts in Milwaukee?
Found this on some other site about Sil's:
1801 E North Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 225-9365
"Despite having just downed a few enormous pizzas at 11:00PM, my friend insisted upon stopping at Sil's for a few bags of "mini donuts." I'm not a huge donut fan, especially not at night, and definitely not after a big dinner. The other two friends of ours in the car were indifferent, but we had no choice as passengers and gave in to trying it.
We drove up to the funky-looking drive-thru building at the corner of North and Oakland, and my friend ordered four bags of large, mixed mini donuts (choices: cinnamon, powdered sugar or mixed) and a lemonade for me. I peeked over into the cashier's window to see her shaking up a half-gallon of freshly-squeezed lemonade. Sweet! It was perfect--not too sugary.
After about five minutes of waiting at the window had passed, my friend plopped upon my lap a piping-hot bagful of the most excellent scent to have ever-so-delicately risen to my nostrils. It was like a bag of deep-fried, powdery, slightly crispy ambrosia. Dare I say that the gods themselves have never feasted upon an unnecessary midnight snack that ever even came close to rivaling this deliciousness? The donuts had, just seconds earlier, risen in a basket from boiling oil and been dumped into sugar and cinnamon. We didn't make it out of the drive-thru lane before circling around for a second helping. Fantastic.
The service, by the way, was great--big smiles and surprisingly quick given the fact that everything had been made on the spot. It was dirt cheap, too, at about $3.50 per bag. Possibly the best impulse-food stop around. I will definitely be lured back to Sil's...full stomach be damned.
(Note: Yelp lists Sil's as "Milwaukee Mini Donut Company," but Google Seach and the building's signs all say "Sil's Drive-Thru." Sorry if this causes any confusion.)"
Best downtown views restaurant?
Yes, replying to myself... I looked on Kendall's website- I went to their "Monday Night Dining Series", which is $38 for a 5-course menu. The next one of these is on 8/25, not sure of later dates at the moment (nothing on their website- might be best to call). They are open other nights, and some days for lunch. I thought the Monday night thing was the most interesting offering.
Best downtown views restaurant?
Good views from Kendall (Culinary) College's Dining Room. You get a 6-course dinner for something like $38 per person, prepared and served by culinary students. The one time I've been there, it was a fun experience, and the food was very tasty, though sometimes they lean a bit towards "experimental" dishes. Not unappetizing, just combos you might not expect- I seem to remember a dessert involving chocolate, basil and apricots. Didn't see it coming, but enjoyed it. You park down below and take the elevator to the top of the building- an elegant dining room when you get up there, but I was wondering if I was in the right place until I got off the elevator.
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Dining Room @ Kendall College
900 N North Branch St, Chicago, IL
