Eating Local in Blacksburg
A long time ago, I posted about some great places to eat in Christiansburg. Even though one of the restaurants is technically a chain, I still listed it because of its service to the local community.
Downtown Blacksburg’s new Live Local campaign reminded me that I had planned on posting about great local restaurants in Blacksburg. Although I do not shop local because there is nothing local in Blacksburg I can afford that works for my needs, I do eat local. So here are some of my favorite places to go. And yes, some Blacksburg restaurants are not included because either they are a major chain or IMHO, suck.
In no particular order.
Cafe Mekong
1405 South Main Street, (540) 953 – 2838
One of the newest places in Blacksburg, it serves Thai and Vietnamese food. The food is great and really fills a much needed hole for those who love Thai food. They are still working on their full menu and have limited selections right now. Get there before the lunch rush, it’s a small place with limited seating. And not only is the food great, the price is right! YUM!
Boudreaux’s Restaurant
205 North Main Street, (540) 961-2330
If ya like Cajun, you’ll love Boudreaux’s. Their breakfast is amazing as well as the pecan pie. Allow yourself time though. Service is a little slow.
The Cellar Restaurant
302 North Main Street, (540) 953-0651
The Cellar has been a staple for decades in Blacksburg. Their pita pizza is great and they have recently expanded to include selling beer! Old school Burgians love The Cellar and it is a must try for anyone living in Blacksburg.
Backstreets Restaurant
207 South Main Street, (540) 953-0053
I only put them on here for their great lunch buffet. Otherwise it’s not all that.
Zeppoli’s
810 University City, (540) 953-2000
This is a great place to take visitors for upscale Italian food. Their wine selection is amazing. However, it is a small restaurant, so it’s not great for large groups.
Bull and Bones
1470 South Main Street, First & Main, (540) 953-2855
People give mixed reviews. I love it. The food is good and the beer is brewed there. Wings are excellent as well as the ribs. Try their soup of the day – no matter what it is! Monday is Tech Talk Live at the restaurant.
Sal’s
1440 South Main Street, First & Main, (540) 953-4040
What can I say? The owners are amazing and come out to check on diners during their meal. Kids can get dough to play with to keep them busy while the chefs take their time to prepare you an awesome meal. If you choose to get one of the specials, check the prices first. The pizza is great and the specials can vary from lamb to even rabbit!
Sake House
1560 South Main Street, First & Main, (540) 951-0068
Best Japanese hands down. Monday night is dollar sushi night (cash only) and an inexpensive way to try different flavors. For the non-sushi crowd, there is the typical tempura, katsu and teriyaki dishes as well as yakiudon! The servers are friendly. Lunch offerings include Bento boxes!
Frosty Parrot
125 North Main Street
For dessert, head over to the Frosty Parrot for a frozen yogurt treat. Choose your own flavor and add your own toppings. Pay for the weight. You can make it as healthy or unhealthy as you like!
India Garden
210 Prices Fork Road, (540) 951-5100
Never tried Indian? Come to their lunch buffet. Food on the buffet is mild and great for the first timer. They have added a bar and evening entertainment.
Mike’s Grill
418 North Main Street, (540) 951-7391
You’ve lived here how long and have never been? Unless you are a vegetarian, there is no excuse. Best burgers in town. Largest burgers in town!
Next Door Bake Shop
460 Turner Street, NW, #204 (540) 951-BAKE
Great soups! Warms you up on a cold day. Sandwiches and lots of yummy treats!
PK’s Restaurant
432-B N. Main Street, (540) 552-1577
Service can be slow, but the food is good. Pizza, sandwiches and more. Come early on Thursday night and do the Tijuana toss. Order a one topping pizza and at the end of the meal, the server will flip a coin. If you choose the right side of the coin, you get your pizza free!
Souvlaki
201 College Avenue, (540) 951-0555
Greek food at its best. Another Blacksburg staple. Tiny restaurant, looks like a dive, but I find that most dives have the best food. Get a gyro and peel it, don’t unwrap it. Check out the gravestones in the window during football season.
Log Cabin BBQ
781 University City Boulevard, (540) 951-3227
If it’s smokey BBQ you are craving, then head on over to Log Cabin. Finger lickin’ good!
Sycamore Deli
211 Draper Road, (540) 951-9817
Don’t let the scary steps down or the dive atmosphere fool you. They have the BEST SUBS in Blacksburg. Amazing choices and for the beer fan, lots of beer deals in the evening. Even VT football player Eddie Royal loved it. He has a sandwich named after him.
Abbys
1001 North Main Street, (540) 953-0100
Comfort food at its best. Also a dive atmosphere. Sense a theme? Thursday is meatloaf special day. Come with an empty stomach and leave quite comforted.
Edited to add:
John B. correctly pointed out that I left out Our Daily Bread (1329 South Main Street, 540-953-2815). Great choices, soups, sandwiches and yummy pastries! That also reminded me that I left out a HUGE Blacksburg staple – Carol Lee Donuts (1414 North Main Street, 552-6706). Their donuts are sinfully good. At one time they made amazing cakes as well, but the cake maker has since retired. Anyway, they are so irresistible that all locals have to see is that white box with Carol Lee’s name and address stamped on it and the contents of that box are devoured in no time!
I want to add a couple of places in Bburg that I like a lot, namely Lefty’s and Our Daily Bread. Both these restaurants make consistently tasty cousine and especially their lunches are noteworthy in my opinion. ODB also has tasty pastrys and fresh breads.
It’s hard to go wrong with anything on Abby’s menu and just about all of their “Features” (not to be confused with the “Special”) are good and generous in portions. Another good local restaurant if you like Mediterranean style food is Pita Vera on Main St. They also have other items for those in the party who aren’t into falafal, good pita bread, hummus, and other goodies.
John,
We will have to agree to disagree on Lefty’s. However, i feel like a total fool for forgetting ODB! They are excellent. As well as Carol Lee Doughnuts!
I have not tried Pita Vera, so I could not comment on it. Thanks for the information. I need to keep that in mind when doing the “Where do you want to eat? I don’t know, where do you want to eat?” game with people.
yeah, Carol Lee is great and a Bburg staple for many many years. I was sad to see them leave their downtown location but I guess that hasn’t hurt their business, or at least I hope not…
Lefty’s is great.
As for Our Daily Bread, my wife and I went for breakfast once. We will never go back again. Crappy food, crappy music. We weren’t the only one with food issues that day either.