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)