Anyone who is going to be in the New River Valley area has got to go to the Homeplace. No, not the Farmhouse (which is good food, but not even close to what i am talking about here...), the HOMEPLACE. It is located in Catawba which is about 45 minutes east of Blacksburg down a winding country road, but it is well worth the drive. When you go, be sure wear comfortable clothes and you may even want to pack a picnic blanket. This is because there is usually a wait in excess of an hour to get a table! I have known people (myself included) to wait as long as 3 hours for a chance to eat at their table(s). Reservations are only taken for LARGE groups (I think in 50+ people--possibly 75+). The Homeplace is in a converted farm house with real Southern home-cooked food and LOTS of it. For one amazingly low price (last spring it was $8.95 plus tax), you get All-You-Can-Eat: Fried Chicken Choice of either Roast Beef or 'Pork' (depending on the day of the week, 'pork' is chops, ham, or barbeque) Mashed potatoes Green Beans Cole Slaw 2 other veggies (can't remember but i want to say corn and maybe peas) biscuits gravy, apple butter, butter, jams, jellies, marmelades, etc drinks (choice of bottomless soda/milk/coffee/tea/??) and Dessert (usually some type of turnover a-la-mode) -- not AYCE. Each table must decide as a group which meats they will be getting, though for a small extra charge (I think $1, maybe $2), you can just get all 3. Everything is served family style, i.e. bowls/platters of food brought to your table by the waitron as soon as it is emptied. And they keep bringing the food, and keep bringing the food, and KEEP bringing the food. And it is all so good! The only thing they do not provide is a wheelbarrow and pusher to take you out to your car. No, I am not, nor have I ever been affiliated with the wondrous place except as a customer who keeps coming back time and time again every time I am in town.
Virginia