Special Edition: Virginia is for FOOD Lovers

Hi there. It’s Amie.

I once asked my husband why I enjoyed good food so much. He gave two possible reasons: 1. I grew up as a very picky eater and never tried actual flavors until one fateful day in 2014 when he introduced me to the glory of basil. 2. Everybody has to eat to survive, so we might as well enjoy it to the fullest every chance we get.

My Uncle Lefty—yes, that’s his real name, and yes, he’s ironically left-handed—really encapsulates the above second reason well. Legend has it, he said several decades ago that his goal was to eat at a restaurant once a day. Just about every morning, you can find him at a local Biscuitville achieving that goal. He’s one of the kindest and most genuine people I know, and I really wonder if seeking and finding delicious food has something to do with it. If everybody could be a little more like Uncle Lefty, the world would be a happier place.

With the season of harvest among us and food on the brain, it just seems fitting to post about some great bites you can find across the commonwealth. While everyone’s tastes are different, I hope you’ll find something here that you’d love to try. Who knows, you might even find a local spot you’d like to eat at every day (or at least every available opportunity).

Amie Knowles

Community Editor, Dogwood

We Asked, You Answered: The 10 Best Places to Get Brunswick Stew in Virginia

Here’s what you need to know: Brunswick Stew is as quintessentially Virginia as peanuts or blue crab. Whether cooked with chicken or rabbit, its biggest fans aren’t afraid to travel far just for a great bowl. If you’re new to the Brunswick Stew scene, the sheer number of options can be overwhelming. Thankfully, Dogwood readers know the best spot—even if they don’t all agree on exactly what that is.

Our top picks:

According to our readers, Buz and Ned’s isn’t just home to the best Brunswick Stew in Richmond; it’s the best in all of Virginia, and the top vote-getter across all regions.
You might not associate the beach with Brunswick Stew, but there are several great options. According to our readers, the best in all of Hampton Roads comes from Beach Bully.
One-in-three Southwest Virginia readers agree: Risin’ Smoke is the place to be, at least if you want the best Brunswick Stew around.

Did your favorite make the Top 10 on our reader-recommended list? If not, be sure to reply to this email or take our survey to let us know what we’re missing out on.

Highlighting Vegetarian and Vegan Options in Virginia

I didn’t grow up vegetarian (and I’m not), but I was raised in a vegetarian household. The only time I ever got a piece of fried chicken or a steak was when we went out to eat. To this day, I still seek out vegetarian options when I see something that looks yummy; I love tasting the creativity that goes into crafting a robust flavor profile, which is super important when there’s no meat as the star of the show.

Check out these articles to learn more about vegetarian and vegan options available throughout the commonwealth:

8 Indoor Food Halls in Northern Virginia To Try: epiQ is among the largest indoor food halls in NoVA with 11 different food and beverage vendors featured on its website. Guests will find tacos, soul food, Japanese fare, and more. Jamaican Breeze features vegetarian options like mac and cheese and mixed stir fry. In the same venue, NuVegan Cafe serves up everything from entrees to sandwiches, as well as baked goods.
10 Independent Virginia Pizzerias to Sample: Nino’s Pizza serves Nino’s Vegetarian Pizza, which comes with mushrooms, green peppers, onions, black olives and fresh tomatoes. There’s also the Margherita Pizza, featuring ground tomato, mozzarella, fresh tomato, fresh basil, and olive oil. For the non-vegetarians in your party, there’s a meat lovers option and several other meat-based pizza pies.
Where’s the Best Barbecue in Virginia? Here are 10 Locally Owned BBQ Joints Virginians Love: At Bone Fire Smokehouse & Musictorium, vegans will likely be pleased to hear that there is a Not So Pork Pulled Sandwich. The main ingredient is smoked jackfruit simmered in a Memphis sauce. Also, Saucy’s Sit-Down Bar.B.Q has tofu tacos, with tofu that’s either deep-fried or smoked and served with Saucy’s slaw and mango barbecue.
Looking for Affordable Places to Eat in Northern, Central, and Coastal Virginia? Check Out These 12 Eateries: There are a few options in this story, ranging from food-food to frozen treats. Bev’s Homemade Ice Cream & Café has both a dairy-free sorbet and a weekly vegan flavor, and Redemption BBQ has a vegetarian BBQ sandwich. Also highlighted, Hard Times Café serves a vegan chili option made with soy flakes.

Newsletter Exclusive: I’d Recommend These

Personal recommendations go a long way for me. I’d much rather ask around to find the best places to spend my money than go solely off of whatever the algorithm chose to show me. I’d love to highlight a few hometown spots in the Southside that get a thumbs up from my family for consistency and flavor.

Feel free to save these recommendations for your Danville casino trip:

Moon River Thai—If you’ve been a Dogwood newsletter subscriber for a while, this isn’t the first time you’ve seen me post about this restaurant (and it won’t be the last, either). It’s just that good. I’m a creature of habit, so I go straight for the tom yum soup with tofu, add bamboo, and a side of Jasmine rice. It’s got the perfect mix of spicy and sour, and given the chance, I would eat it every single day… but I’ll settle for once a week for the past seven-ish years.
Callands Coffee—It’s hard to find me without a cup of coffee in my hand, and I feel like I could live solely off of this local coffee shop’s blend if the opportunity presented itself. The owners are knowledgeable and friendly, and that enhances the experience even more. I usually get what I’ve come to call a “Cornerstone Coffee.” It’s not on the menu, per se, but named (by me) after the way a church up the road prepares the locally purchased coffee before the service. I ask for a Callands Coffee dark roast latte with extra vanilla flavoring. It slaps, and it’s become such a comfort drink. Also, the coffee shop is right next door to El Cazador, and their pollo a la parrilla is the best I’ve ever had.
J+T’s on the Main—The day I became your community editor, my husband treated me to J+T’s. Why? Because that’s the spot in town where you celebrate via upscale dining. The filet mignon is my favorite (my apologizes to the steak connoisseurs, but I prefer mine well done), along with a side of sautéed garlic mushrooms and a baked potato. Don’t let the MP (market price) listing on the hand-cut beef tenderloin scare you; it’s absolutely worth every dollar spent.

Additional favorites include:

If you do visit any of these places, tell ‘em Amie sent ya.

Virginia Wine: A Commonwealth Tradition

There are few things more relaxing than enjoying a great fall view while sipping a local flavor. At wineries across Virginia, you can do just that. Dogwood correspondent Carly Maher took viewers on a virtual tour in October, showcasing a variety of Virginia vineyards.

Click on these links to discover more about the history and highlights of wine in our state:

WATCH: Did you know that Virginia is actually the birthplace of American wine? We’re sharing fun facts about the state’s long and storied wine history—including how it first got started.

WATCH: Did you know that Virginia is home to the first Black-owned winery in the US? Woburn Winery opened in 1940, and we’re offering insight into this historic operation.

WATCH: Walsh Family Wine in western Loudoun County offers an array of wines, along with delicious gluten-free food options. Whether you go for date night or want to make it a family trip (the winery is kid-friendly, and you can bring your leashed dogs, too), this is the perfect destination for all Virginia wine lovers.

Helpful reminders:

We’re less than one week away from Virginia’s election (Tuesday, Nov. 7). To read Election Day FAQs, click here—and don’t forget to cast your ballot!
Daylight Saving Time ends this weekend. Set your clocks back an hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, and enjoy that blissful extra hour of sleep.
Open Enrollment for health coverage is underway until Dec. 15. Remember to enroll in, re-enroll in, or change your plan if necessary. You can find more information about that here.

This email is written by Amie Knowles, community editor at Dogwood, lifelong Virginia resident, and mom to a fantastic five-year-old who loves monster trucks.
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