Betsy

Driving from Dulles to Richmond, then Richmond to Roanoke, then Roanoke back to Dulles (over a week's time). Would appreciate suggestions for stopping along the way for dinner on I-95 between Dale City and Richmond, lunch on I-64 between Richmond and Roanoke, and lunch another lunch on I-81 between Roanoke and Dulles. Prefer not to stop at fast-food chains, and ambience is not as important as good food and reasonably fast service. Are there any "don't miss" stops along these routes?

bardo1

http://www.roadfood.com/

andy

Betsy-

GREAT Mexican restaurant JUST off I-95 S at Fredericksburg-Rt.3 Culpeper called Carlos O'Kelleys...

sinehat

Nice family style restaurant at I-64 and I-81 near Staunton, Va. called Mrs. Rowe's. Like eating Sunday dinner at your Grandma's, except you don't necessarily have to eat all your vegetables before you can have desert.
www.mrsrowes.com

schlegal1

Hi,
Don't know which hour of the 4 hour drive from Roanoke to Dulles you were planning to stop so:

1. One hour up 81 from Roanoke is Lexington, VA off exit 191. It has a nice historic downtown with some great sandwich places or nicer sit-down meals. For very casual we like Salernos (HUGE subs and calzones-- you need to share and great pizza by the slice). Nicer end, we like Southern Inn. Sheraton Livery is also great. (If you are going on a Sunday, you will need to check on what's open--it is a small town!).

2. Two hours up 81 is Harrisonburg, VA. You will see lots of fast food and family chains here. Skip 'em. There's a great place called Bravo Italian Eatery with everything Italian on their menu. If you want super casual there is a great hot dog place (all kinds of dogs) called Jess's Quick Lunch. Both of these off Exit 247-A.

Betsy

Thanks so much for your replies. I've accessed both roadfood.com and chowhound.com and have compiled a list of possiblities. Those, along with the suggestions above, will help us avoid the high-fat, high-price, poor quality offerings often found along the highways. I'll do a short road food report when we return from attending my th high school class reunion in Roanoke.

The I-95 segment will be dinner, and the I-64 and I-81 segments will be lunches (on differerent days).

Betsy

Schlegal, do you think Bravo Italian Eatery would have take-out items for a picnic on our return flight to CA?

schlegal1

Bravo has take out for sure. They unfortunately do not have a website but here is their info:

Bravo Italian Eatery
(540) 438-8985
1647 E Market St
Harrisonburg, VA 22801

JoyinVirginia

I-95 south at Ashland Virginia, 3 palces nearby that are great for lunch or dinner. Eixt I-95 going west on route 54, turn left at route 1 (3rd light?) and go only 1/2 mile, The Smokey Pig will be on your right. Locally owned, terrific BBQ.

OR (and this Will NOT take long to get there!) Exit I-95 in Ashland going east on route 54, proceed about 3-4 miles, at the intersection with route 301 - on the left hand corner is the Houndstooth Cafe - BBQ, ribs, seafood, open tues-Sat. Turn right onto 301 and on your right, next to the lawyer's office, will be the Hanover Cafe with terrific home cooking. All three are great food, fast service, very popular with locals. Hope you find some good food on your trip!