Accolades Adding Up
Last week, Food and Wine magazine gave a considerable nod to Richmond, naming the recently opened ZZQ the best barbecue in Virginia. In the article, “The Best BBQ in Every State,” David Landsel writes:
“Really, what isn’t Richmond suddenly extremely good at? Add Texas-style barbecue to the list of musts in this food-mad town with the spring debut of ZZQ, in the excellence magnet otherwise known as the city’s Scott’s Addition neighborhood. Don’t be fooled by the impressive venue — partners (in business and in life) Chris Fultz and Alex Graf might have had some help getting to where they are right now, but this isn’t just some corporate joint, capitalizing on a trend, this is the real deal. Fultz and Graf started small, impressing first one small group of lucky folks and then another, with their backyard pop-ups — some time later, we’re now here, and here is — well, it’s delicious.”
There’s something ironic about naming a Texas-style joint the best in a state that claims Southeastern barbecue as its own, but hey, we’ll happily add it to an ever-growing list of Richmond accolades.
A few days later, we find out that Brenner Pass is among Bon Appétit’s top 50 nominees for America’s best new restaurants for 2018. It’s certainly not the first time owner and chef Brittanny Anderson has gotten national attention — earlier this year she was nominated for a James Beard Award, and she competed against Alex Guarnaschelli on the Food Network’s “Iron Chef America.”
Timing is Everything
Carytown Burgers and Fries owner Mike Barber broke a lot of hearts last year when he announced that the restaurant’s flagship location would close due to the termination of his lease in the Richmond Shopping Center. Burger devotees have been asking about the next step for months and we finally have an answer: The owner recently purchased the soon-to-be-empty Nacho Mama’s building at 3449 W. Cary St, a mere few hundred feet away, across the street. Nacho Mama’s, a margaritas and nachos staple of Carytown, recently announced it is closing Aug. 31.
The beloved burger joint will stay open at the original location through mid-September, and reopen in its new home by the end of that month.
Boka’s Bringin’ the Barbecue
Last year, Boka Tako Bar and Boka Grill owner Patrick Harris quietly added Momma’s Barbecue to Richmond’s food truck scene. And now you can order a couple tacos with a side of coleslaw, or a smoked pork sandwich with some chips and queso, all under one roof.
As of a couple weeks ago, the full Mama’s Barbecue menu is available at Boka Grill in Forest Hill. Most popular, Harris says, has been the roasted jalapeño Cuban: a sandwich featuring smoked pork, Dijon mustard mayonnaise, pickles, onion, jalapeños and a “fried cheese skirt” of cheddar and jack. The menu also features a double split sausage sandwich, a breakfast burrito, collard greens and a barbecue bucket featuring mac and cheese, beans, corn, slaw, pork and cornbread.
He’s also got something new up his sleeve these days, and we’ll keep you posted as we learn more.
