Q Barbeque

This week after two years of talking about it I finally made it to Q Barbeque. One thing I have learned is when it comes to BBQ in the South everybody has an opinion. My wife having grown up in NC praises the vinegar based sauces (and of course no where has BBQ as good as NC she says), friends from Tennessee rave about Memphis style BBQ, others talk about Texas style, it's almost like talking politics or religion when you talk about bbq in the South. Well this just in, Q is good. You know it when you step out of your car. There may be no food in the world that has quite the same nasal appeal as a good smoked bbq, and Q definitely fits the bill.

We went on a Monday night and I had the pulled pork bbq sandwich-jumbo style (which was a mistake only because I wasn't quite ready for that much food) with potato salad. I also split the three rib taster with my wife so we could try the ribs as well. This sandwich was huge, I mean really huge. So huge I couldn't fit it in my mouth. I literally took half the meat off, got another roll and had two man sized bbq sandwiches. The pork comes with a nice smoky flavor and is very tender. From there you top it with your choice of bbq sauces (all ketchup based)- the original, the sa-weet, and the hot zing. I went with the hot zing and it was tasty, although not that spicy. I chose potato salad as my side and it had good flavor, lots of seasoning although it was a little salty. I like a good bit of salt but for someone who doesn't it could be a little overwhelming. The ribs were great. They had a lot of smoky flavor and a tasty dry rub. The meat was tender and came off the bone with great ease. Personally I think they compare well with the so called rib king Buz and Neds. Q is worth the trip for these ribs alone.

The atmosphere is Q is good as well. The dining room has a clean modern look including a semi-circular bar which faces a flat screen television. The night we were there orders were delivered by what I believe to be the owner and he was very personable talking to everyone in the restaurant. Overall Q was a hit in my book and I hope to go back again soon.

Richmond restaurants on a budget

When you eat out as much as I do (which is way too much), you just can't eat at the Acacia's and Mezzanine's of the world every night of the week. Luckily Richmond has some great restaurants at all different price points. So for dinner on a budget (entrees 10 or less) where do you go? Here is my take:

1. Chicken Fiesta (W. Broad location)- Love this place. Rotisserie Chicken slow roasted over charcoal. Fantastic! You get a 1/2 chicken, Spanish beans exploding with the taste of cilantro, a tasty Spanish yellow rice, a small salad, and fried yucca, and drink for $9.50. The yucca is amazing. Perfectly fried it would be the highlight of the meal if the chicken wasn't so good.

2. Mekong- Consistently voted the best Asian in Richmond and for good reason. This place consistently impresses. The spring rolls are light, flaky, and amazing. The menu is dens with options and I have never had a bad meal there, my favorites being the Spicy Crispy Chicken, Beef with Lemongrass and the Clay Pot Chicken. They also have a beer list that rivals Capital Ale House.

3. Steak & Cheese Co. (in Midlothian on Hull st)- Really? A Cheese steak place? This place is great. Hand cut french fries and oh my goodness cheese steaks. I prefer the Cheddarfield-Shaved Angus Beef grilled with peppers and onions, topped with a touch of the Whiz and piled high on a buttery sub roll. I love Cheese steaks and this is the bet one in Richmond, great meat, great cheese sauce and great bread. This place is worth the drive.

4. Louisiana Flair- A taste of New Orleans here in Richmond. Great Po Boy's, with once again great bread-try the Blackened Chicken, Oyster, or Shrimp Po Boys. Gumbo is good here as well with a dark peppery taste, the beignets are fantastic for breakfast on Wednesdays (the only day they are available), and try some of the entree dishes such as the Creole Chicken pasta they have as a special on occasion. Check the hours they close early but Nate has it going on at Louisiana Flair



There are plenty more out there-make some suggestions. Always looking for a great new place that doesn't kill the bank account.

Tanglewood Ordinary

Sometimes you just wanna try something new. You read through post after post about Richmond restaurants and nothing seems to appeal, but then it happens. How have I not tried this place? That is exactly what happened to me this Thursday night as my wife and I headed west on Patterson into the town of Maidens and experienced Tanglewood Ordinary for the first time. Growing up in SW Va everybody knows about the Homeplace. In talking with one of the owners Anne Hardwick that is exactly what Tanglewood Ordinary is modeled after, and they compliment the Homeplace well. Tanglewood sets up shop in a historic site which traces it's roots back to the late 1800's. But history is not the draw here the food is.

If you go to Tanglewood Ordinary you need to be ready to eat. This is not a salad type of place. This is an I am ready to put in some work, fill my belly, and then eat some more type of restaurant. It is down home country cooking and it is country cooking done right. They start by taking your drink order and then asking you the hardest question of the day-what would you like your 2nd meat to be. We chose from Roast Beef, Salted Ham, and Carolina Style Pork BBQ- we decided on the Roast Beef.

And then it begins-like a bell opening a heavyweight fight it's on. Fried Chicken, Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Beans, Black Eyed Peas, Stewed Tomatoes, Cole Slaw, Biscuits, and Cornbread fill the table. This is family style dining at it's finest-when a bowl is close to empty it is replaced with a fresh one, and another, and another, and so on. And the food is GOOD. Tanglewood takes pride in their Fried Chicken and it shows. The mashed potatoes had a lot of flavor, the perfect balance of creaminess mixed with just enough pepper. Green Beans ooze the tenderness of being slow cooked, and the cornbread has just the right amount of sweetness. Oh and by the way this is all you can eat for $14.99. (Desserts and Beverage not included)

If you can take any more they have homemade desserts available after the meal as well. We tried the Chocolate Chess Pie which was served warm with whipped cream and a small scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream on the side. It was definitely homemade, dense with chocolate flavor and just the right ending to a successful night of eating. Tanglewood is definitely worth a shot, located 15 minute west of Short Pump on Patterson Ave (River Rd West when you get out that far)

My Top 5 Richmond Restaurants

One of the things that occupies many of the conversations that many of my friends and I seem to have is what are your Top 5 Richmond Restaurants? Forget about price-If you want to go have an amazing meal where do you go? The debate goes on and on, let's face it here in Richmond people are passionate about their food. I think it feeds off the local business or else vibe the Fan puts out, but of all the things that makes Richmond special-local restaurants has to be up there. And if you are gonna sell me on how good Kona Grill is or how amazing Maggiano's new dessert is, you reading the wrong damn blog. Get out and experience Richmond, and here are my recommendations on where to start:

1. Acacia- The easiest choice on my list is who do you put at #1. Acacia kills it, every damn time. They have won award after award and in my opinion they deserve every one. From appetizer, to salad, to entree, to dessert they are flawless almost every time. Acacia will tell you they take pride in their seafood dishes and it shows. Just an amazing dining experience-Dale keep doing what you are doing

2. Edo's Squid/Mamma Zu's - To narrow down your favorite 5 restaurants in Richmond you may be tempted to cheat a little bit and that is kinda what I do right here. With the same owner, and very similar cuisine/menus I call Mamma Zu's and Edo's the same restaurant. I like Edo's a little better personally-better atmosphere, and a few more meat choices on the menu in my experience but the food at both is incredible. I have heard people make good arguments that Edo's has the best seafood in town(try any of their fish especially the Rockfish and the Tuna), best steak in town (the Hanger Steak is mean), and the best Italian (this is an easy one IMO-their Marsala is amazing!). I'm down for Edo's regardless of mood, craving, day-the place is just that damn good.

3. Millies - If you spend any time in your 20's living, drinking, partying, in the Fan you learn to live for Sunday Brunch. It is a great way to try amazing restaurants without breaking the bank. Plus after two hard nights out what is better than a great meal to get the day of rest started. Brunch is a Richmond tradition. No one does brunch better than Millies. Unfortunately this is no secret as shown by the multiple hour wait they have been known to have on any normal Sunday. Get there early or prepare to wait with a Mimosa or Bloody Mary because the food is worth the wait. Whether you go for the Castro's mess, the Lobster, scrambled eggs with Puff Pastry and Hollandaise, or just a darn good Eggs Benedict it never disappoints.

4. Mezzanine - These last two spots are difficult for me, a lot of worthy contenders. Mezzanine is a baby to the Richmond restaurant scene but when they came in, they came in with a bang. Open less than 4 mos and claiming Style Weekly's 2008 restaurant of the year, they turned a lot of heads early and really never slowed down. One of the first restaurants on the "locavore" movement, they use local ingredients in creative ways and seem to consistently wow you. Their Ceviche is probably the best in Richmond, and their menu has some real diversity to it, appealing to a range of diners.

5. Kuba Kuba - This is the hardest spot choice for me. There are a lot of great places you could put into this spot and you always feel like you are leaving a deserving restaurant out. But I love Kuba Kuba. My favorite part of Kuba Kuba is the diversity of their menu. It's all Cuban food what the hell does he mean? Kuba Kuba is great if you want breakfast- Huevos Rancheros or any of the Tortilla dishes, lunch- Cuban Sandwich, Kubanaso, and Turkey Press are all amazing(gotta love the tostones) , or dinner-their nightly specials are always great-from the Lamb Chops to the Pork Shank to NY Strip you can't go wrong. Take someone from out of town to Kuba Kuba and it will stand out-plus Manny is the man, you meet him once you have to love him


There it is-starting this blog off with my most debated topic in Richmond food- Give me your opinions, if you eat out in Richmond you have to have em. There are a lot of great ones who could be on this list-Mekong, Juleps, Comfort all immediately come to mind but it is hard to narrow it down. Get out there support local restaurants and tip your damn server!