Dining Downtown

Just a college student bloggin' on what local restaurants and recipes are delicious & worth your time and money.

[anarvell]

The spotlight this week on Sam's Texas Sub shop, a hidden gem located on Colley Ave. This local sub joint is operated and owned by married couple, the Crooms. Everything is made in-house and consists of a menu full of southern-styles subs, sandwiches, and sides. Their hours are 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday. Salads: $4.99-7.99. Specialty subs and sandwiches: $5.99-$8.99. Sides: 95 cents-$1.25. 

[anarvell]

Strawberry Fields features tasty, freshly-made gelato, juice, and smoothies with some of the most unique flavors around. They're an independent, local Ghent business located right on Colley Ave. They pride themselves on using only the freshest ingredients and prepare everything "in-house," which allows them to accommodate many diet restrictions. So, I encourage you to stop by and try out some fresh squeezed juice or smoothie after a morning run or grab a cup of gelato for a nice, light dessert. 

(P.S. Their gelato flavors change daily so it would be wise to "like" them on Facebook to keep updated.)

Pics: strawberryfields.com

[anarvell]

Spotlight on the Handsome Biscuit 

This biscuit-based eatery is in the heart of Norfolk, residing on Colonial Ave. They feature biscuit sandwiches of all types, ranging from the Shorty if you're not feeling too adventurous, which is over easy egg & cheese between a sweet potato biscuit sandwich, to the A.C. Slawter, which is pulled pork BBQ with apple coleslaw and Lupo hot sauce. The restaurant also features a delectable menu of southern-inspired sides and homemade sodas. Despite its small size and slightly unusual opening schedule, Handsome Biscuit is a great place to go for brunch on Saturday morning, especially if you need to nurse a Friday night hangover. 

Visit handsomebiscuit.com/menu/ for a more extensive menu.

(photo: yougottaeatthis.com)

[anarvell]

This week's spotlight: "Ten Top" located on Shirley Ave. in the Ghent district of Norfolk. This local favorite has daily specials, such as Roasted Red Pepper & Potato soup and Chicken & Black Bean Enchiladas. They have of the tastiest soups, sandwiches, and salads in town. My personal favorite: Chicken, Apple Chutney, and Walnut wrap (chicken breast, apple chutney, toasted walnuts, romaine lettuce, carrots, and melted mozzarella cheese in a wheat wrap) with a side of homemade potato salad. Go check this place out if you're craving some scrumptious, homemade soup on a chilly fall afternoon or a healthy salad with unique but delicious ingredients.  

(photo: americanroadmagazine.com) 

[anarvell]

Norfolk <3's Food Trucks

"Bringing more food trucks to Norfolk by adjusting citywide regulations will promote the kind of active, vibrant streets we love. Best of all, mobile kitchens are small businesses that contribute to our city's economic development and overall growth.

Spread the word on Facebook, in your civic league meetings, and through city council, that Norfolk is lagging behind," encourages local Norfolk culture blog, AltDaily. 

AltDaily focuses on local culture of Norfolk, including food, music, arts, and news. But since earlier this year, they have been focusing their food column a lot on the influx of food trucks in the Norfolk region and why we should support them. 

(Pic - altdaily.com)

Visit links

http://altdaily.com/features/90-news5/5773-37the-hunger-for-food-trucks-in-norfolk-goes-viral?highlight=WyJmb29kIiwidHJ1Y2tzIiwiZm9vZCB0cnVja3MiXQ==

and 

http://www.altdaily.com/features/food/food-trucks-are-happening-in-norfolk-and-thats-all-there-is-to-it.html

to learn more about the rising food truck scene in the area and why they're so awesome. 

These blogs give insight on what are food trucks, what food trucks have been hanging out around the area, and why they're so delicious and unique. They also encourage their readers to comment on what are their favorite food trucks and why, to receive feedback and keep their citizen journalism-based blog going. 

Here's a list of the food trucks in the area that are local favorites, so therefore... ya need to go:

Bobby Q

Mister Softee Ice Cream

Diesels Foods

Just Cupcakes

Panavoir

Gnae’s Taste of Soul

[anarvell]

Why I Wanted to Start this blog...

When this blog assignment was assigned and the time came where I had to think of a topic to write my blog on, I had to make sure it was good. No one wants to maintain a boring blog for an entire semester. I've never blogged before, so I started thinking about what I liked, and the first things that came to mind were local culture, cooking and food. So bam, here it is. I really enjoy eating out and trying new places, especially within the Ghent area, as it's rich with independent cafes, microbreweries, and food trucks that aren't your everyday eateries. I support and admire these local places that many people don't even know about (as many are super hole-in-the-wall-ey), which is why I want to write this blog to share with you where I think you should try in the local Norfolk area to eat at and why. I also plan to post recipes that I love and that I hope you will love too. So, here goes nothing. Bon appetit!