Richmond Restaurant Tips by Karnubawax

Checker's: The Official Burger of NASCAR

Well, not so much a restaurant as a trailer, but I have to say that the Checker's burger was certainly the best one I'd ever had at a racetrack! $5 for a double cheeseburger which was just that - two big, juicy patties, cheese and a bun. Magnifique! I've had a lot worse food at NASCAR races and paid much more for it.

Checker's is apparently a chain that's quite common in the south. It also goes under the name Rally's in some parts.

Address: Richmond International Raceway during NASCAR

Comparison: about average

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Autogrill/Rest Stop

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts: Absolute Heaven! Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Review

Simply the place to go for a late-nite pig out!

We on the West Coast just recently got our first KK franchises out here - you can get 'em at SBC Park in SF - but everyone kept telling me that the only way to eat 'em was fresh. I scoffed; how much better can they be? But let me tell 'ya, it is more than worth a trip for these tasty treats!

Favorite Dish: The glazed donuts - hot off the rack - are in a food group by themselves; calling them donuts does not do them justice. Sugary, crispy outside, melt in your mouth good on the inside. All other donuts are crap compared to these. Trust me on this.

In the window of KKs there's a red sign that says "hot" & "now" on it. When it is flashing - PULL OVER! That means they're just coming out!

I would suggest getting at least a dozen. I ate 6 of them no problem, and was only mildly woozey.

Address: 4910 W. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23230

Comparison: least expensive

Phone: (804) 355-9111

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Bakery

Website: http://www.krispykreme.com

Double T's Barbecue: Carytown BBQ Double T's Barbecue Review

We had an impromptu VT meet here at Double T's in the heart of Carytown. They serve up some respectable BBQ. I had the pulled pork sandwich, which was a little on the fatty side, but still pretty darn good. The best thing though is the many kinds of BBQ sauces from the South - North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and, my favorite, Double T's own brand - the smokiest and I thought the best.

Address: 2907 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23221

Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: (804) 353-9861

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Barbecue

Sugar & Spice: Real Down Home Soul Food Sugar & Spice Review

B1bob took me to this place for my first taste of real soul food. The friendly staff served us up some nice sized portions of fried chicken, fries, and collard greens - which I had never had before! The chicken was excellent - juicy but not greasy, with a light crust that didn't slide off after a bite. The greens were good - better than I thought they'd be. Shaking a little vinegar on 'em really mellowed out the bitterness and made 'em pretty tasty. I wouldn't trade a piece of pecan pie for 'em, but not bad!

Address: 3406 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23223

Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: (804) 321-1880

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: American

Bottoms Up Pizza: The Right Side of the Tracks! Bottoms Up Pizza Review

Bottom's Up is a great pizza restaurant and bar in the heart of Shockoe Bottom. It was very badly damaged during the last big flood that tore through here a few years ago, but it's back and hoppin.'

I had the pleasure of dining here with B1bob and Gipper84 after our rather lengthy but beautiful jaunt on the Canalwalk. We were ready to pig out, but the service was a bit slow, as it was kinda busy. Our server, Anna, was facing a trial by fire on her first night, so we cut her some slack - though Nat did whisper "did they have to grow the corn for your nachos?" Said nachos finally arrived, a very large heap of 'em, which we attacked - not bad but nothing to write home about.

Then the pizza... I had a Chesapeake slice - white sauce, crabmeat, and parmesan - and it was every bit as rich as it sounds. Oh, yeah... the slices, BTW, are HUGE! - one and an appetizer is plenty, and two could stuff just about any man I know. Nat went with the Greek slice, which was quite good, and Lee ordered the Meat Master, which was very aptly named.

We ate out on the deck, which was nice as it was a little warm out, sharing our space with other eating and drinking (mostly drinking) folk who were watching football and having a good ol' time. Would I go back there? Hell, I wish I was there now!

Address: 1700 Dock St., Richmond, VA 23223

Comparison: about average

Directions: From I-95 take Broad Street Exit East. Turn right onto Broad Street. Turn left at 14th Street. Turn left onto Cary Street. Go a quarter mile on the right from the intersection of 17th and Cary Streets

Phone: 804 644 4400

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Pizza

Website: http://bottomsuppizza.com