Meredith Lindemon
Food and Drink Reporter
It’s official, Richmond. Joe’s Inn in the Fan has been recognized as a restaurant “icon.”
This week, the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association (VRLTA) recognized Joe’s Inn, among other Virginia restaurants such as Lynchburg’s Texas Inn, for being open for 50 years or more.
Claire Schlosser takes an order at Joe’s Inn in the Fan.
“Joe’s Inn succeeds because it has something for everyone and it’s nestled in [The Fan],” Tina Kafantaris, second generation owner of Joe’s Inn, said. Her father bought the business in 1977.
“I’ve been involved with the restaurant since I was in diapers. For me, it’s my home, having grown up there. I love what a community place it is. We had a newspaper article written in the 1980s, and it was called the community living room.
“We are seeing people come in on their first date, celebrating their engagement, celebrating pregnancies, and then we end up employing their kids — it feels very generational. I think that Joe’s is enduring because it’s not pretending to be anything other than it is. It’s just your classic neighborhood place,” she said.
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At Joe’s Inn (205 N. Shields Ave.), some favorites include The Big Breakfast ($12.95), the Greek Salad ($18.95) and the Spaghetti a la Joe ($15.95).
“Joe’s Inn succeeds because it has something for everyone and it’s nestled in [The Fan],” Tina Kafantaris, second generation owner of Joe’s Inn, said. Her father bought the business in 1977.
The VRLTA celebrated its 75th anniversary on Thursday at the Richmond Marriott Downtown where it honored Virginia restaurants that have been open for 50 years or more.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin was on hand for the event. He offered remarks about each winning restaurant in addition to his plan to streamline the permitting process and to reduce the meals tax to make Virginia more business-friendly to restaurateurs who want to start or expand their businesses.
Youngkin spoke about each restaurant as some of his favorites in Virginia. About Joe’s Inn in Richmond, which opened in Richmond in 1952, Youngkin said, “I have to say that Joe’s Inn is the best place for brunch on the planet. The only cautionary tale is get there early because they don’t take reservations, and the lines are long for a reason—because it’s spectacular.”
Other restaurants acknowledged include Black Angus in Virginia Beach, L’Auberge Chez Francois in Great Falls, Pierce’s Pitt Bar-B-Que in Williamsburg, and The Red Fox Inn & Tavern in Middleburg.
The Texas Inn in Lynchburg was also awarded for its “legendary” status. It opened a Richmond location at 2901 Park Ave. in May of this year.
The Texas Inn in Lynchburg was also awarded for its “legendary” status.
The Texas Inn was founded in 1935 and is known for its famous Cheesy Western burger (now $5.99). The legendary diner, known as the “T Room” to longtime fans, has one location in Harrisonburg, two in Lynchburg, and recently opened a Richmond location at 2901 Park Ave. in May of this year.
A long-time fan of the “T Room” himself, Dave Saunders purchased the business in 2018; he is also the founder and CEO of Madison + Main, a local marketing agency.
The Texas Inn in Lynchburg received the recognition for being open the longest out of its locations. Other Texas Inn menu favorites include the hot dog ($3.99) and the Texas Burger ($9.99).
A long-time fan of the “T Room” himself, Dave Saunders purchased the business in 2018; he is also the founder and CEO of Madison + Main, a local marketing agency.
“We are thrilled ... and proud to keep this grand tradition alive,” Saunders said in a statement. “Having Gov. Youngkin, one of our loyal, long-time customers, present this award to us was icing on the cake.”
For each of the restaurants recognized, community was a common theme, and what was celebrated at the event was the community those establishments brought together at their tables, and that they created outside of their walls.
Other restaurants are able to apply online for the legacy program now through Nov. 26.
65 Richmond-area restaurants that opened this year
Goldwing
Goldwing cocktail bar is now open from the owners of Fighting Fish at 910 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. Read the story.
Bar-Q
Bar-Q, a craft barbecue joint, is now open in the former SB's Main Street Love Shack at 2600 W. Main St. Read the story.
Secret Squares
The popular Detroit-style pizza pop has opened for pre-order take-out in Church Hill at 306 N. 29th St. Place an order
Hots & Brats
Hots & Brats is now open at 3111 W. Cary Street in the former Carytown Cupcakes spot. Read the story.
The British Embassy
The British Embassy is selling fish & chips in downtown Richmond at 1116 E Main St. Read the story.
Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls is now open in Midlothian at 14213 Winterview Pkwy, Ste 105. Read the story.
Baltik's Bagels
Baltik’s Bagels is now open in the former Go Bird location at 6801 Forest Hill Ave. Read the story.
Southern Kitchen
Southern Kitchen is now open in its new location at Stony Point Fashion Park, 9210 Stony Point Pkwy., Ste. 116. Read the story.
7 Brew
7 Brew, the first franchise from the Arkansas-based company to open in the Richmond area, is now open at 11 Le Gordon Drive, Midlothian. Read the story.
Davvero Gelato
Layne Montgomery has opened Davvero Gelato Shop, featuring from-scratch, hand-made gelato, located at 6931 Lakeside Ave. Read the story.
CAVA Chesterfield
Cava opened another Richmond-area location last week at 9959 Iron Bridge Road in Chesterfield. This is the sixth Cava in the Richmond area. Read the story.
The Mantu Express
The Mantu Express, from Chef Hamidullah Noori of The Mantu, has opened at 11636 W. Broad St., next to Regal Short Pump cinemas.
The Mantu Express serves modern Afghan cuisine with Mediterranean influences in a fast-casual setting, as well as pizza, stromboli and calzones. Read the story.
Toast Scott's Walk
Toast New American Gastropub is now open in the Scott’s Walk retail/restaurant project across from The Diamond. It is one of the few locally owned restaurants to go into the new retail space, which also has a Raising Cane’s and a Chipotle. Read the story.
Sweet P's
Sweet P’s, a New American restaurant, is now open in downtown Richmond at 304 W. Broad St. from chef Antonio Owen. Read the story.
Latitude Seafood Co.
Latitude Seafood Co. opened a new location at 14440 Hull Street Road in Chesterfield's Duckridge Landing overlooking the water.
Devil's Lettuce Vegan Food Joint
Devil’s Lettuce Vegan Food Joint, is set to open the first week of September in the new location at 9050 W. Broad St. in Henrico. Read the story.
Cookie Chris
19-year old Chris Knight Jr. opened Cookie Chris in Short Pump at 11571 W. Broad St. Read the story
Zorch Pizza Parlor
Zorch Pizza has opened its second location at 7524 Forest Hill Ave. in the former home of Don’t Look Back South. Read the story.
Brecotea Bakery & Café
Brecotea Bakery & Café opened its fourth location in the Richmond area. The latest Brecotea is located at 13628 Hull Street Road in Midlothian. Read the story.
Saladworks Frutta Bowl
A combination Saladworks and Frutta Bowl has opened at Duckridge Landing in Chesterfield at 14446 Hull Street Road.
Kline's Dairy Bar
Kline’s Dairy Bar, which originally opened in Harrisonburg in 1943, has opened a new location at 15589 Cosby Road in Chesterfield. Read the story.
Mudhouse Coffee
Charlottesville's Mudhouse Coffee is opening its first Richmond location downtown at 418 W. Broad St. It soft opens Aug. 5, and fully opens starting Aug. 19. Read the story.
Le Box Lunch
Le Box Lunch in Chesterfield is under new ownership and reopened at 300 Arboretum Place in Chesterfield. The new owners are Trey Owens of Soul Taco and JewFro, along with Scootie Logan and Missy Mangrum of The Original Ronnie’s BBQ. Read the story.
Il Forno Bar & Grill
Il Forno Bar and Grill serves Italian favorites by chef Giuseppe Giambanco in Ashland at 435 England Street. Read the story.
Cochiloco
Cochiloco, an authentic taqueria from guys behind Y Tu Mama, has opened in Scott's Addition at 3340 W. Moore St. Read the story.
Kali Love
Kali Love, from the Lindsey Food Group, opens in Chesterfield Towne Center on June 12. Kali Love will offer California cuisine with a mix of Mediterranean, Italian, Asian and Mexican dishes. Read the story.
Stock Bistro & Bar
Stock Bistro & Bar, a full restaurant inside the new Txtur furniture store in Manchester, serves up a Nordic-inspired menu at 604 Hull St. Read the story.
Taco Bamba
The first Richmond location of Taco Bamba at 1601 Willow Lawn Drive is now open. Read the story.
Raising Cane's, Glen Allen
Raising Cane's has opened a location in Glen Allen at 10093 Brook Road. Read the story.
Shake Shack Midlothian
The Midlothian Shake Shack at 1371 Huguenot Road, near Raising Cane's and Torchy's Tacos, is now open. Read the story.
Marylous
Marylous upscale soul food is now open at 1323 West Main Street in the former Postbellum spot. Read the story.
Parlay at Graybo's
Parlay at Graybo’s is a new sports bar and card shop in Scott’s Addition at 3117 W. Leigh St. in Scott’s Addition in the former Circuit Arcade Bar spot. Read the story.
Eggs Up Grill Mechanicsville
A new Eggs Up Grill is now open at 6593 Mechanicsville Turnpike in Brandy Creek Commons. Read the story.
Trouvaille
Trouvaille is now open in the Fan at 203 N. Lombardy St. in the former Balliceaux spot. Read the story.
Texas Inn
The Lynchburg diner that's been serving Cheesy Westerns and chili beans since 1935 has opened a location in Richmond in the Museum District at 2901 Park Ave. Read the story.
Smoke & Barrel
Smoke & Barrel is now open at 2329 W. Main St. in the former Lady N'Awlins spot. Smoke & Barrel serves elevated Southern cuisine and craft cocktails. Read the story.
1870
1870, a French-inspired steak house from Chef David Dunlap of Midlothian Chef's Kitchen, opened in April at 13310 Midlothian Turnpike in the heart of Midlothian. Read the story.
Cafe & Sabor
Cafe & Sabor opened a second location at 7807 W. Broad St in Richmond.
The Colombian restaurant, bakery and coffee roastery is open for breakfast through dinner, serving freshly ground and roasted coffee, pastries, arepas and heartier meat dishes. Read the story.
92 Chicken
92 Chicken has opened a Korean-fried chicken spot at 200 W. Broad St.
92 Chicken is known for hand-battered, extra-crunchy fried chicken that’s hand brushed with your choice of sauces. You’ll also find some specialties like snow cheese chicken — fried chicken topped with cheesy, oniony powder. Read the story.
The Mantu Express
Chef Hamidullah Noori of The Mantu in Carytown will be opening The Mantu Express in the former Two Guys Pizza location at 11636 W. Broad St in Short Pump. Until it becomes The Mantu Express, it will operate as Two Guys Pizza. Read the story.
Fuji Ramen
Fuji Ramen opened a location at 1847 Southpark Blvd in Colonial Heights.
Fuji Ramen focuses on classic ramen dishes and Japanese dishes. Ramen options span classic Tonkotsu creamy pork broth up to Spicy Xin Seafood Ramen, known for its heat. There’s also a selection of Donburi, which are rice bowls topped with varying grilled or fried meats. Read the story.
ML Steak Chesterfield
ML Steak is now open at Chesterfield Town Center. The modern chophouse from the Lindsey Food Group features filet flights with different toppings, seafood and fried chicken sandwiches from sister restaurant Buttermilk + Honey. Read the story.
Lalo's Margaritas
Lalo's Margaritas is now open at 5714 Patterson Ave. It's the sixth restaurant from restaurateur Eduardo “Lalo” Macias serving tacos, burritos, steak, seafood and its signature margaritas. Read the story.
Lucky Chopstick
Lucky Chopstick opened in late March in the former home of Carytown staple The Eatery at 3000 W. Cary St.
It features an updated take on Asian fusion cuisine with poke bowls, Chinese and Chinese-American cuisine. Read the story.
The Bowl Vietnamese Cuisine
The Bowl Vietnamese Cuisine is now open at 15270 WC Main St., Midlothian in Westchester Commons. The new spot features a variety of hot stone pho bowls, noodle bowls, rice vermicelli, banh mi and more.
Blue Bee Cider
The new owners of Blue Bee Cider moved to a new location at 4811 Bethlehem Road near Libbie Mill Midtown. Read the story.
Tito's Taqueria
Tito’s Taqueria & Bar recently opened in the former Mojo's spot at 733 W. Cary St. near VCU. It specializes in street tacos and Instagram-worthy cocktails and margaritas. Read the story.
Beaucoup
Beaucoup, located at 111 N. Robinson St., is a new cocktail and oysters restaurant owned by Donnie Glass and Eli Adams. Glass also owns Grisette and Jardin. Read the story.
Tiny Vegan
Tiny Vegan, a popular vegan food trailer, opened a take-out spot in Carytown at 104 S. Sheppard St.
Scott's Shawarma
Scott's Shawarma is now open in the Fan at 814 N. Robinson St. near the Science Museum of Virginia. Read the story.
Fogo de Chão
Fogo de Chão, a new Brazilian steakhouse and churrascaria, is now open in the former Kona Grill spot at 11221 W. Broad St. in West Broad Village in Short Pump. Read the story.
The Foundation
The Foundation, a new nightlife lounge concept from the Lindsey Food Group, opened in March at 401 E. Grace St. in downtown Richmond. Read the story.
Lillian
Lillian, the buzzworthy new oyster hall from Patrick and Megan Phelan, opened at 3001 W. Leigh St. in Scott's Addition in January. Read the story.
West End
West End, a new tapas and cocktail bar, opened at The Park in January. Read the story.
Importante Bodega Bar
Importante Bodega Bar, a new tapas and wine bar, opened in Carytown at 3031 W. Cary St. Read the story.
River City Wood Fire Pizza
River City Wood Fire Pizza, a longtime Richmond food truck, has opened a new brick-and-mortar at 2300 Genito Road in Powhatan. Read the story.
Chipotle
The new Chipotle Mexican Grill at 15500 Hull Street Road in Chesterfield County has a drive-thru pickup lane.
Raising Cane's
The new Raising Cane's across from the Diamond at 3064 N. Arthur Ashe Boulevard is now open. Read the story.
Chipotle near The Diamond
The new Chipotle at 3064 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. across from The Diamond opened in March. Read the story.
Bad As Philly
Bad As Philly, a fast-casual cheesesteak shop, is now open in the Fan at 2001½ W. Main St. in Richmond. Read the story.
Gather & Hem
Gather & Hem is a new cocktail lounge with upscale cocktails and shareable plates in the Hilton Richmond Downtown at 501 E. Broad St.
Brecotea Bakery & Café
Brecotea Bakery & Café, an Asian-inspired bakery that sells desserts and boba tea, has opened a new location in Midlothian at 11544 Busy St. Read the story.
Pho 60 Café
Pho 60 Café, a new Vietnamese restaurant, is now open at 10201 Midlothian Turnpike. Read the story.
The Hive Bar and Grill
The Hive Bar & Grill and The Hive Market are now open in Jackson Ward at 23 W. Marshall St. Read the story.
KavaClub
KavaClub, Richmond's first kava bar, is now open at 1529 W. Main St. and serving kava. Read the story.
Honest Indian Vegetarian
Honest Indian Vegetarian Restaurant is now open at 8900 W. Broad St. Read the story.
Maracuchos Fast Food RVA
Venezuelan restaurant Maracuchos Fast Food RVA has opened at 13979 Raised Antler Circle in Midlothian. Read the story.
El Chido, Midlothian
El Chido has opened its sixth location at 11001 Midlothian Turnpike. El Chido is a taqueria owned by Cruz Albaanio (in the photo) with most of its locations in Henrico. Read the story.
Oh Mochi
Oh Mochi, the Richmond sweet shop serving mochi donuts, Korean corn dogs and boba tea, has opened an outpost at The Park at 1407 Cummings Drive. Read the story.
Take a look at the following restaurants and breweries that closed in the Richmond area.
