Well, as everyone knows, C-Ville has a rapidly changing restaurant scene. We made some predictions on failure for 2008, but we also want to bet on up and coming failure/winners. As far as I can tell, there are two restaurants that are up and coming in Charlottesville:
Beer Run: Belmont has this up and coming Beer/gourmet food concept. Honestly, they don’t seem to have a focus outside of a high-end 7-Eleven. The Hook quotes the co-owner as saying:
“We’ll mostly be selling a huge selection of beers, but also wine, cheeses, dips, and other snacks,” he says. “But we’ll also have grab-and-go gourmet lunch and dinner stuff, plus we’ll have a place to eat in with a small bar.”
I guess we need to wait and see. I think the place will be a combination of retail and takeout. Another reasonably priced bar in Belmont couldn’t hurt, but I think you need something unique. Does this place have it? cVillain Official Chance of Success Meter: 60%
Spry’s BBQ: Looks like Spry’s will be taking over the Northern exposure place or coming to a new place next door. I’m not sure.. maybe someone can comment. I couldn’t find anything about Spry’s online, except for this review. Highlights:
he makes good “Q”! Spry’s is good eastern NC bbq. Not real versatile but he does some things right. I think he uses an old Hickory gas assisted. Pretty good commercial brand. I don’t think he is much a log burner traditionalist. But as my son says ,” Who cares what you cook with as long as it is it is good BBq
So, we’ve got decent BBQ near a school that thinks it’s more southern than it really is. I think this is a winner. cVillain Official Chance of Success Meter: 80%
Popularity: 3% [?]
Tagged as: Belmont, Charlottesville, Local Business, Restaurants, Restaurants/Bars, Reviews, Rumors, The Corner, University of Virginia, UVA
How many BBQ joints is Charlottesville up to now?
we’ve got decent BBQ near a school that thinks it’s more southern than it really is. I think this is a winner
I’m not so sure. If it’s really North-Carolina-style, that means vinegar-based sauce. Such sauce might come as an abrupt and unwelcome surprise to the landed gentry of U.Va. who are liklier to be familiar with Virginia’s tomato-based sauce. But hey, best of luck to the restaurant!
Lilith - Blue Ridge Pig, Belmont BBQ, Jinx’s, Spry’s are all I can think of…
Big Jim’s, and the C-VILLE just reviewed Buck Island BBQ. Thor, you should be proud. I spent a lot of time last night adding categories to all of my posts without. A lot of time.
big jim’s is just awful. i cannot believe people like that slop. i am ok with that bbq style, although its not my favorite, but they just do it so poorly.
if this new place is going to be using carolina style then it will certainly be my favorite place in town.
I don’t really count slop as BBQ… it’s totally different.
Pig Daddy is closer to Charlottesville than Blue Ridge Pig.
Big Jim’s is a burger joint for me, I’ll stay away from their Q.
beer run will be sweet. confirmed.
Realistically, Beer Run faces a 60% chance of going out of business in its first 3 months. Had the opportunity to ask the owner about the concept, and he kept rattling off a laundry list of products the store would stock. The impression I got was: “It’s a beer shop. No, it’s a beer and wine shop. Maybe it’ll have a bar. We’re thinking of having hot food to go. Perhaps a seating area. Probably some coffee, too.”
Honestly, if the business owner can’t pinpoint his/her business concept at the outset, chances are slim that the venture will succeed.
We already have the Belmont Market and Lucky 7. If Beer Run isn’t going to follow in the convenience store mold, it has to focus its concept a little more. The Exxon markets also offer grab n’ go food and decent beer…
I wish them the best of luck, though. If they can focus on their key strengths (arguably alcoholic beverages), should be a great addition to the neighborhood.
I think that it will be a good replacement for the niche that Fuel Co used to fill that neighborhood sans the overpriced gas. They better plan on some late night hours!
Eastern NC barbecue isn’t the run of the mill stuff. I’m glad to see a true East NC style shop set up right in town. Spry’s has had a successful restaurant a bit out of town for a while, and it’s probably my local favorite so far. True that it’s not going to satisfy many people that are expecting a sweet/ketchup style, but I don’t have any doubt that it’ll find itself a devoted following.
That is a kind of large spot for a BBQ place, isn’t it? I’ve never been inside Northern Exposure, but it seems like BBQ places around here don’t tend to occupy much floorspace (if even indoors!).
Fuel Co didn’t fill a niche. It was overpriced, mediocre, and poorly located, hence its closure.
Fuel’s BBQ was spectacularly mediocre, and it took ten minutes to be served it because they would routinely have one employee.
But the Virginian’s pork BBQ is good stuff.
The Beer Run could be fun. Belmont is the best neighborhood for having little shops you can walk to. We usually make our beer runs at Stoney’s, or drive to the Food Lion on Avon St. If I’m going to get in the car just for beer, I’d rather try a place like the Beer Run.
Anyone heard what’s up with that place called “Savour” next to Lord Hardwicke’s and the AT&T store on Emmet Street? Is it ever going to open or is it going to be one of those joints that have big plans but are in perpetual construction?
The Virginian’s pork BBQ is out of a can, I bet. West Main’s is, and they’re owned by the same people, thus same supplier. I really need to check out Jinx’s sometime. I hear it’s great. If the new place BBQ place really serves their own slow-cooked pulled pork with their own Carolina style vinegar sauce, I’m all there.
jinx’s is NOT great. i went with high expectations, but the portions were teensey, the sandwich was served on wonder bread, & the beans were still cold when he went to serve it so he put the whole plate, wonder bread & all, in the microwave. mmm yeah, microwaved restaurant food. and don’t go in winter, when it’s colder inside than out.
To all of you who like good BBQ check the Spry Boys out as they ” Make it Do what It do Baby” Carolina BBQ from real Carolina Boys. Just Check it Out