Wawa news; Craigsville BBQ wins award; Bojangles' new menu item

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Site plans have been approved in both Augusta County and Staunton for two Wawas, a Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain.

Rodney Rhodes, Staunton's director of community development, said that the site plan was approved on April 9 and a permit to remove asbestos was issued on May 7 for the Econo Lodge at 1031 Richmond Ave. He also said a demolition permit was issued June 26 for a two buildings at 1033 Richmond Ave.

Building and trade permits are ready to be issued for the new WAWA, he said. They are now awaiting the clearance asbestos report and the demo permit for 1031 Richmond Ave.

In Augusta County, if all goes according to plan, Fishersville could also be getting a Wawa. Director of Community Development Doug Wolfe said a site plan was approved but there is no timeline on construction of the convenience store.

"We have issued a land disturbing permit and they are currently doing site work and have applied for their building permit," Wolfe said.

When reached by phone, a spokesperson for Wawa wouldn't comment on either location, telling The New Leader that when they were ready to announce any new store they would post on their website.

Craigsville couple makes award-winning BBQ

CRAIGSVILLE — Two years ago, Andrew and Crystal Gray met on a work trip in Richmond. Andrew was working development, Crystal in hotels. To hear them tell it, they fell in love instantaneously.

When Andrew told Crystal about his cabin in Craigsville, which came with the black bears and mountain climbing included, she didn’t believe him. Over the next few months, Crystal spent long weekends in the quaint Augusta County village, visiting the countryside and cooking with Andrew, whose barbecue skills had been approaching mastery since the early days of his East Carolina upbringing.

One day he mentioned that he’d like to buy a property down the road from his house. Crystal asked why. “To turn it into a barbecue restaurant,” he said. Crystal laughed, but Andrew wasn’t joking. The rest is history.

The two are now married, and Unbridled Souls BBQ recently won a gold award for best barbecue in the Shenandoah Valley's Best competition sponsored by the Harrisonburg Radio Group.

Andrew and Crystal Gray are the only ones behind the scenes at Unbridled Souls, a homey setup that allows them to maintain their exceptional standards of quality. Andrew’s expertise on the smoker and Crystal's mastery of the side dishes combine to create a medley of authentic, homestyle meals that you simply can’t find anywhere else.

“Every single plate of food comes through both of our hands,” Andrew says, “and we have to be proud of what we’re doing.”

Unbridled Souls BBQ is meticulous about every item on the menu. The pulled pork sandwich — a customer favorite — is gristle-free and perfectly prepared, and their show-stopping brisket and ribs draw customers all the way from Richmond.

The sauces, especially the signature Pig Potion Number 9, are the result of years of dedicated refinement. Pig Potion Number 9 gets its name from the decade that Andrew spent experimenting with ingredients and techniques to develop the perfect East-Carolina-vinegar-based flavor profile. The process is deeply emblematic of the high levels of care and precision that defines Unbridled Souls BBQ, ensuring that every sauce, every meat, and every side dish meets their exacting standards.

“Winning was like a ray of sunshine,” Andrew said, reflecting on their recent accolade. “We pour everything into this.”

The Valley’s Best organization hailed them as “a culinary gem,” noting that “their side dishes, crafted to complement the smoked meats perfectly, are a testament to their pride and commitment, ensuring each bite reflects their passion for quality barbecue."

Side note: I ordered a rack of ribs, a sandwich, and some brisket to take home. Money doesn’t buy happiness, but it buys barbecue, and that’s close enough . -- Reporter Santiago Berrizbeitia Casado

— Santiago Berrizbeitia Casado is a rising senior at Staunton High School. He is currently a mentorship student with The News Leader through the Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School in Fishersville.

Peach cobbler coming to Bojangles

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – It’s not summer without juicy peaches and sweet treats, so Bojangles – known for its Southern food classics – is introducing an all-new peach cobbler for a limited time only.

Bojangles is located at 105 George M Cochran Parkway in Staunton.

This dessert features the restaurant's made-from-scratch buttermilk biscuit dough, baked and covered with sweet peaches, then finished with icing and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. The new menu item is served warm.

“Summer is the season for fresh peaches in the South, so we’re excited to serve up a Southern classic with a Bojangles twist," said Marshall Scarborough, vice president of culinary and menu innovation for Bojangles. "Our new peach cobbler is a great example of our chefs using the Bojangles pantry along with seasonally available peaches to bring one of the most iconic and loved Southern desserts to life in our restaurants."

Recently, Bojangles also partnered with WWE to offer four exclusive collective cups featuring legendary WWE Tag Teams with the purchase of a WWE Sandwich Combo in July.

Bojangles’ peach cobbler is exclusively available through the end of summer, so fans should grab the seasonal treats while supplies last at participating restaurants. Guests can try a cobbler by visiting their local restaurant, downloading the bright yellow Bo App to order delivery or pick-up or using their favorite delivery provider.

— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick . Subscribe to us at newsleader.com

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Wawa news; Craigsville BBQ wins award; Bojangles' new menu item