PETERSBURG — Petersburg's restaurant buzz will make you grab your car keys and head out the door. I ventured beyond Old Towne and scouted out eateries new to me. The first one, Finger Taste restaurant, just celebrated their first anniversary on July 4. They have enjoyed their success so far and are looking forward to offering patrons even more exciting food adventures and experiences in the future.
Recently, they partnered with OG Ribs and BBQ. Fans will be pleased to know Marlow Jones's baby back ribs are now available at Finger Taste restaurant owned by Samuel Ansah. The eatery serves cheesesteaks, chicken cutlets, wings, lamb chops, a variety of sandwiches such as chicken, roast pork and fish burgers and more as well as breakfast.
"Once the word gets out completely about my brother's ribs, they're going to get real excited," Charlotte Jones who works at Finger Taste Restaurant said.
"It's an honor being back home to cook, and it's in my ward. Not just to help me, but to help other people's businesses thrive," Marlow Jones, OG Ribs and BBQ owner and Petersburg's Ward 1 councilman, said. "Between this fall and spring, a city beautification project will take place along the E. Washington Street corridor and median."
Finger Taste restaurant is located at 1600 E. Washington Street in Petersburg. Currently, the hours are Monday - Wednesday 10:30 a.m. - 9 p.m., Thursday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday 1:30 - 9 p.m. As soon as they get their ABC license, they plan to stay open later on certain evenings. Visit them on Facebook at Finger Taste Restaurant.
The morning I was ready to publish this Biz Buzz, I discovered Heavenly Hands Soul Food Restaurant located inside Petersburg Area Transit launched OG Ribs and BBQ dinners, sandwiches and racks last week. The restaurant owned by mother-son duo Tracey Chandler and Keith "804 Nano" Morgan opened in April 2023. Marlow Jones's pulled pork barbecue, beef brisket and ribs will also be available at 100 W. Washington Street. Barbecue lovers may pick up their favorites on both ends of town in Petersburg. Follow Heavenly Hands Soul Food, LLC. Restaurant on Facebook.
Honey Drizzle on Crater: Buzz in for good eats, ambience
In April, the Honey Drizzle on Crater restaurant and bar owned by Mario Jones, Douglas Tyler and Quinshawn Bailey opened in the space previously occupied by Sam's Crab House Sports Bar and Grill as well as Plaza Mexico Bar and Grill. Bright blue and yellow colors make the exterior and interor invitingly pop. It looks marvelous! Diners will enjoy murals in the foyer and dining area painted by a local artist as well as artwork by Bailey.
Enough about the decor with a positive vibe. I know readers wish to hear about the food and service. A huge fan provided major kudos about her experience with Honey Drizzle on Crater. Tiffany Jones loves it so much that she reserved it for a private party for 100 women.
"I love their wings. There are so many flavors to choose from," Tiffany Jones said. "You have to try their fish & grits, honey jerk chicken & mac eggrolls and Crater pasta. Everything's good."
Jones also loves the new restaurant's ambience and front of house staff. "Everyone is so friendly, and they cater to a lot of populations. They're family-oriented and some nights they have DJs, but the music's not too loud," Tiffany Jones enthusiastically shared. "The staff is responsive and delivers orders quickly."
Standing nearby, Mario Jones said, "That's what we like to hear. An owner is always present to make sure our diners have a good time and want to return again and again."
Honey Drizzle on Crater is an addition to the Honey Drizzle at The Riviere located in downtown Richmond as well as the Honey Drizzle in Houston, Texas. As an appetizer, diners may choose the following flavors for their wings or shrimp: Hot Honey, Honey Garlic, Honey Obay, Lemon Pepper, Honey BBQ, Mango Habanero, Buffalo, Riviere Dry Rub, Cajun or Garlic Parmesan. They may also opt to have them served plain or with sauce on the side. Believe it or not, Salmon, Grilled Shrimp, Grilled Chicken and Fried Chicken Waffle Flights are also an appetizer which sound like a meal to me. Ha!
For dinner, they whip up lamb chops, crab cakes, honey jerk chicken, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, Caesar salads, honey drizzling chicken sandwiches and more. Visit honeydrizzleoncrater.com to check out their menu including brunch items. Honey Drizzle on Crater is located at 3270 S. Crater Road in Petersburg. They are open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Potros Mexican and Italian Restaurant: Grand Opening
In April, Potros Mexican and Italian Restaurant opened in the former Muncheese restaurant just a few miles from Fort Gregg-Adams. According to the manager, they have had more customers since they got their ABC license and a lot of soldiers and civilians who work on the U.S. Army base are patrons. The bar area is beautiful.
In Henrico, there is a Potros Mexican Restaurant, but the diners don't get to feast on both Mexican and Italian cuisine. Friends Chris Hummel of Prince George and Dennis Williams of Colonial Heights were kind and allowed me interrupt their lunch to take their picture.
"We're just hanging out today and thought we'd try this new restaurant," Williams said. He ordered Chori Pollo which is grilled and marinated chicken breast with Mexican sausage and nacho cheese served with rice, beans and tortillas. He enjoyed it.
Hummel just so happened to order the top-selling menu item. Beef Quesabirrias are three corn tortillas stuffed with Potros Mexican and Italian Restaurant's slow cooked beef birria, cheese, cilantro and onions served with beef consomé. He thought it was good.
Pizzas are another popular item. The menu has something for everyone: tacos, burritos, fajitas, quesadillas, nachos, salads, soups, burgers, subs, pizza, pastas, steak and more. They offer house specials as well as special lunch and kids menus. Children under the age of 12 have nine meals which include a soft drink to choose from for $7.89 and one for $7.99. I glanced over the menu and the prices seem pretty reasonable for the amount of food you receive.
Brittany I. of Fort Lee provided the following review on Yelp, "Came in on a Sunday afternoon with my family of seven. We were seated right away. The renovations of the building look great. Inside decor is very vibrant and modern. Portions were large and food was fresh. The birria was some of the best that we have found in the region. We are very excited to have them in the area. We would recommend and return."
The pubic is invited to the grand opening celebration on July 18. At 11 a.m. the Southern Virginia Regional Chamber will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and from 6 - 9 p.m., there will be a live mariachi band and a $3.99 margarita special. Potros Mexican and Italian Restaurant is located at 1910 E. Washington Street in Petersburg. They are open seven days a week from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Visit their website at potrospetersburgva.com for more information.
Tennie T's: 'Healthy eating with a touch of soul'
If you're looking for something to cool you down, Tennie T's New Day Restaurant has delicious smoothies. I scored one when I stopped by. Customers may choose up to three ingredients out of the following 10 choices: strawberry, pineapple, mango, kiwi, apple, guava juice, peaches, spinach and banana. I chose pineapple and peach. It was marvelous!
The restaurant which offers healthy meals and sides while serving homemade desserts and soul food opened in October 2023. It is owned by Jan and Karen LaBoo who named it after their late daughter Tennie Towolawi.
"The name is starting to circulate with a positive buzz," Jan LaBoo said. "They're starting to come around. Kids love Tennie T's too, and we love them." Children receive their orders in boxes which resemble McDonald's Happy Meals. They come in a variety of safari animals.
"Adults and kids love our smoothies made with real fruit. We've been selling a lot of them with these scorching hot days," Tennie T's team member Naicora Lewis, granddaughter of the LaBoos, said. "Grandma's pastries are popular. She bakes chocolate cake, bean pie, strawberry cake, sweet potato pie and carrot cake which sells out quickly.
"We have one gentleman who orders an entire carrot cake almost weekly," Tennie T's team member Storm Burns, granddaughter of the LaBoos, said.
The Tennie T's New Day Restaurant menu has numerous vegan-friendly options including salads, vegetable and bean soup, smoothies with supplements, fries, tofu salad and a burger. Customers may also opt to order minced BBQ chicken, a turkey burger, a tuna wrap, a seafood platter with two pieces of whiting fish, one piece of salmon, 1/4 pound of shrimp and fries, fried chicken or fish, a grilled salmon salad and much more. The top-two menu items purchased are the fish burgers and salmon bites.
Tennie T’s New Day Restaurant is located at 2130 E. Washington Street in the former Domino's Pizza space. They are open Tuesday -Saturday from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. For more information, send an email to Tennietnd@gmail.com.
Petersburg: Caribbean Kitchen Restaurant relocating
Caribbean Kitchen Restaurant at 1608 E. Washington Street will relocate soon to 840 E. Wythe Street previously occupied by Dreamz Restaurant. Charles and Kali McFarland have owned and operated the restaurant for over 12 years. He's the chef, and she's the manager.
The Caribbean Kitchen Restaurant team is looking forward to sharing a new island vibe with their diners this summer. The McFarlands serve authentic Jamaican cuisine made with fresh ingredients.
The menu posted on Facebook at Caribbean Kitchen Restaurant has items like callaloo & salt fish, beef, chicken or vegetable patties, soups, beef oxtails, curry goat, jerk chicken, island fry chicken, red snapper, king fish and more.
"We just bought the building. It's a bigger and better place," Charles McFarland said. "We're going to add more items to the menu, and soldiers and locals will be able to dine with us and not just get takeout."
Jerk chicken prepared on the grill outside, beef oxtails and curry chicken are the top-sellers. Petersburg resident Michael Edwards says the pepper steak and cabbage is very tender and can be cut with a fork.
"Our building will also have a private room for small events which we will cater to as well," Kali McFarland said. "We look forward to serving our community."
Follow Caribbean Kitchen Restaurant on Facebook for updates and special grand opening promotions. Currently, they are open Monday - Saturday from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Which restaurants are you going to try? Grab a friend, coworker, family member or neighbor to support and eat local. Bon Appétit!
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Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly, an award-winning columnist, is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index voted the 2022 Tri-Cities Best of the Best Social Media Personality. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on X and@socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.
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