Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

I spent Saturday with my second family at the Red Wing Roots Music Festival in Mt. Solon. Meghin and I became friends in 2021, but didn’t meet in person until about two years later (thanks, COVID-19 pandemic). Ironically, my husband, our son, and I met Meghin’s mom a week before we actually met Meghin herself.

We’d just set off on our way to Arkansas when we realized Meghin’s mom would be in downtown Bristol about the same time we’d be passing through the area. We ended up meeting for lunch at a place we’d seen on social media, Burger Bar—where Hank Williams Sr. was last seen alive—and we hit it off like long-lost relatives, despite zero relation.

Since then, I’ve gone to the music festival with Meghin every summer, and it literally is like a miniature family reunion. Her mom and I swoon over a shared love of Adam Lambert. Her dad and I talk about which Westerns we’ve read recently. Her brother and I discuss a shared adoration of rodents. And Meghin and I go off music hopping between sets and gossiping about any and everything.

But who knows if all of this would’ve come about if it hadn’t been for a spur-of-the-moment meeting with Meghan’s mom at Burger Bar? I can’t promise lighting will strike twice, but today’s lead story features several social-media-famous restaurants throughout Virginia. Who knows, maybe your future friend’s mom is dining there for lunch? Enjoy your meal and remember, I’m so glad you’re here.

Amie Knowles

Newsletter Editor, Dogwood

From authentic fish and chips to build-your-own bowls, these viral restaurants serve up tasty dishes in the commonwealth. (Andy Wang/Unsplash)

Social-media-famous food joints in Virginia

By Dorothy Scott

Here’s what you need to know: Whether you want to find Virginia restaurants that really stick to their themes for a kitschy ol’ time or Virginia’s best gluten-free restaurants to dine worry-free, social media has you covered.

Our top picks:

Flavor Hive started as a food truck, and thanks to the power of TikTok, it went viral with nearly 1.5 million followers and created a loyal, ever-expanding fan base. Now a brick-and-mortar shop in Alexandria, Flavor Hive allows customers to bring in their own favorite flavor of potato chip to use in their meal.
Stormy Blue helped elevate Major Phillie Cheesesteaks on social media, a Norfolk eatery known for its piping-hot, oozy sandwiches. Major Phillie Cheesesteaks has 24K followers on TikTok, but a June 2023 video from Blue amassed more than 872K views, putting these sandwiches firmly into the spotlight.
Pronounced “bark,” Bar-Q is one of the best barbecue spots in Richmond, at least according to TikTok. In July 2025, foodie @renzoeats visited the establishment to taste its Monster Burrito, among other foods. Renzoeats’ video amassed more than 70K likes.

Hungry for more? Let us help plan your next date night and check out the restaurants at the link below.

More famous VA eateries →

We’re running our Supporter Drive through June 30 and we need your help to keep reporting the local stories that matter most to Virginia.

Donate today to support the Dogwood. Any amount helps us continue delivering trusted, community-focused journalism.

Not able to give right now? You can still support our work by sharing this newsletter with someone who cares about local news in Virginia.

Thanks for being part of the Dogwood community!

Give today to support local journalism

Palmyra performs at the Red Wing Roots Music Festival in Mt. Solon. (Amie Knowles/Dogwood)

The best proof of Palmyra’s popularity? You can’t even see them in the photo

By Amie Knowles

You can’t see the band in the photograph I took, and I think that’s maybe the coolest testament. Fans were so excited to see Palmyra, a folk band from Charlottesville, at the Red Wing Roots Music Festival over the weekend that they formed a multi-row line right at the edge of the stage to enjoy the show.

The trio put on a great performance for their set, including a personal favorite, “Restless.” The introspective song explores the concept through lyrics: “The older I get the more restless I get. When do I get to start settling down? The nights I’ll remember, the days I’ll forget. How many more ’til the ground?”

In my observation, the highlight for the overall crowd was definitely “Palm Readers.” The band’s connection was clear with the audience because the fans sang along loud and clear to the chorus. If you’re interested in listening to their unique folksy sound, I’ve included a link below.

Listen to Palmyra →

This commissioned watercolor painting was donated in Lynchburg without permission in June 2025. (Alice Pearson)

Missing: Lynchburg woman looking for donated dog painting

It’s been one year since Alice Pearson realized a commissioned painting of her beloved late dog, Curtis, was donated to a thrift store in Lynchburg without her permission. At the time, Pearson was in the hospital recovering from a bad accident.

Curtis wasn’t just any four-legged friend—he was a certified therapy dog who frequented hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries, and other locations where his gentle spirit uplifted the people he encountered.

When Pearson realized the painting of Curtis and another dog, Bear, were missing, she immediately posted on Facebook. The painting of Bear made it back to her the following day. A year later, Curtis is still at large.

The watercolor painting is behind glass and surrounded by a maroon moulding in a gold frame. This handwritten note by Pearson is on the back of the frame: Curtis, best boy ever. She also wrote the artist’s name, Teresa Kazynski, who signed her own name as Teresa Kaz. If the picture was removed from the frame, it’s still distinct—the artist drew butterflies on the back, and Pearson wrote a message to Curtis.

Even though Pearson is on a fixed income, she offered to pay back whoever purchased the painting. She also offered a reward. If you know anything about Curtis’ whereabouts, Pearson provided two forms of contact. You can reach her through email at my7cavaliers@gmail.com or by phone at (434) 329-8588.

Join the search →

Have you shared this newsletter with a neighbor?

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Amie Knowles. Amie is a lifelong Virginia resident and mom to a fantastic 8-year-old who loves Pokémon. This edition includes a story from Dorothy Scott. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

Dogwood is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.

Support Independent Journalism