[Cider Jim]

Mrs. Cider and I are camping at a KOA in Virginia Beach before summer school starts on Monday. Since we are saving money by not staying at an expensive oceanfront hotel, we would rather spend our money on FOOD. Any recommendations on where to eat here, esp. if it's seafood?

[ALUmnus]

There was a great little place that serves up california-style mexican that has amazing burritos. I think it's Pelon's Baja Grill.

[thesportscritic]

Captain george seafood restaurant was great when i ate there at the beach. so try that restaurant. they also have other food items besides seafood.

[Hold My Own]

P.F. Changs...I saw Pharell there once

[TDDance234]

I've heard Ruth Chris Steakhouse (I think that's right?) is pretty good.

Pharall is always around. I went to high school with his younger brother and he was always popping in and out of our school. The Clipse shot a few scenes of their song "Grindin" at our school, as well.

[Hold My Own]

I've heard Ruth Chris Steakhouse (I think that's right?) is pretty good.

Pharall is always around. I went to high school with his younger brother and he was always popping in and out of our school. The Clipse shot a few scenes of their song "Grindin" at our school, as well.

I just heard them in concert...good stuff...interesting character

[BJWilliams]

1) Its Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and definitely someplkace worth considering
2) Another nice place to consider in Town Center is the Red Star. Very nice place with a good variety of dishes and the prices arent too much of budget busters. Not cheap but not at the Ruth's Chris level

[Sly Fox]

I'm guessing that CJ is fishing for more local suggestions as opposed to chains like Ruth's Chris (which is always top shelf anywhere in America).

I know if I were along the shore I'd be looking for local seafood joints.

[TDDance234]

Captain george seafood restaurant was great when i ate there at the beach. so try that restaurant. they also have other food items besides seafood.

Captain George is probably the best seafood I've ever had. Whenever my dad would get home from long deployments, that was the first place we always went.

[PeterParker]

Here are some suggestions: (haven't been to all of them, but based on reviews from coworkers who've been)

1. Captain George's -- (aforemenioned) decent, buffet style, kind of pricy, about 5 - 10 minutes from Oceanfront

http://www.captaingeorges.com/


2. Ocean View Fishing Pier (on the bay) -- brand new rebuilt after the Hurricane from a few years ago washed the old one out. Restaurant sits out over the water halfway down the pier .

http://www.oceanviewfishingpier.com/


3. Rudee's on the Inlet -- Down at the Oceanfront, waterfront seafood dining.

http://www.rudees.com/


4. Rockafellers at the Inlet -- Down at the Oceanfront but not on the Oceanside

http://www.rockafellers.com/


5. Abbey Road Pub -- Beatles-themed restaurant, near the oceanfront boardwalk

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/04/abbey-r ... -yeah-yeah


6. Mahi-Mah's at the Oceanfront

http://www.mahimahs.com/next.php

[Cider Jim]

Many thanks to all who have contributed. We've also got 2 dogs with us, so we have been cooking ourselves or ordering takeout. Last night I had a seafood basket from the Blue Oyster, and Mrs. Cider had a rack of babyback ribs from Jake's Smokehouse BBQ. Interesting thing about Jake's--they actually have Brunswick Stew on their menu: http://www.jakessmokehousebbq.com/menu.php

If I didn't have the dogs with me, I'd be eating at Captain George's in a heartbeat! Today is our 22nd wedding anniversary.

[TDDance234]

If you're looking for some BBQ options...Beach Bully is fantastic.

And congrats!

[Sly Fox]

Congrats indeed. We celebrated our 10th Friday. Time flies when you are having fun.

[Cider Jim]

Went to Jake's BBQ tonight and had the driest pulled pork platter in my life. I've had better pulled pork at Bojangles & even Sheetz. I should have listened to a local like Peter Parker. But at least their sweet tea was good.

[Fumblerooskies]

Many thanks to all who have contributed. We've also got 2 dogs with us, so we have been cooking ourselves or ordering takeout. Last night I had a seafood basket from the Blue Oyster, and Mrs. Cider had a rack of babyback ribs from Jake's Smokehouse BBQ. Interesting thing about Jake's--they actually have Brunswick Stew on their menu: http://www.jakessmokehousebbq.com/menu.php

If I didn't have the dogs with me, I'd be eating at Captain George's in a heartbeat! Today is our 22nd wedding anniversary.

Congrats!

[PeterParker]

Hey Cider, did you pack the solar powered fan? (it was close to 100, or over, with the heat index...felt like the humidity was a blanket.)

[Cider Jim]

Thank God my 1998 Coleman pop-up has a good air conditioner or I'd probably not be able to celebrate my 23rd wedding anniversary this time next year.

Seriously, we went to the beach this morning at 5:45 to watch the sunrise: I don't want to sound too much like Thoreau here, but being at the beach that early in the morning really felt like an act of worship as we enjoyed God's natural creation.

I just discovered on my last day that VA Beach does not even charge for parking until 10:00 a.m., so it's free until then, which was a nice deal for us. We're heading back in a few hours to Lynchburg so both of us can teach summer school tomorrow, with a nice, natural beach tan.

[Fumblerooskies]

We're heading back in a few hours to Lynchburg so both of us can teach summer school tomorrow, with a nice, natural beach tan.

As opposed to the fake, store-bought, microwave one, right

[Sly Fox]

Most of the board is trying to figure out which school Thoreau played at before turning pro.

I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment. It is one of the big reasons I love fishing.

[Purple Haize]

Had I seen this earlier I would have recommended Frankie's Ribs and The Raven. But it appears to be too late!

[Cider Jim]

Most of the board is trying to figure out which school Thoreau played at before turning pro.

Henry was a Harvard man, class of 1837.

[Hold My Own]

Free parking at 10am and you're at the beach at 5:45???? wow...it's like you're having a full day before you even have to start paying for parking!

[Cider Jim]

Well, Mrs. Cider wanted to see the sunrise and wanted the dogs to play on the beach before the beach security chased us off (dogs officially aren't allowed on the beach between Memorial Day & Labor Day), but we heard that the "locals" take their dogs to the beach before the police begin patroling.

[PeterParker]

Well, Mrs. Cider wanted to see the sunrise and wanted the dogs to play on the beach before the beach security chased us off (dogs officially aren't allowed on the beach between Memorial Day & Labor Day), but we heard that the "locals" take their dogs to the beach before the police begin patroling.

Here are some resources for your next trip down during the "on" season: (not quite ocean front, but some waterfront areas)


*http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/trave ... Area.shtml

1. First Landing:
http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/trave ... 00fi.shtml


2. Norfolk Dog Parks: http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/trave ... Area.shtml

[Ed Dantes]

Had I seen this earlier I would have recommended Frankie's Ribs and The Raven. But it appears to be too late!

Yeah!!! The Raven is awesome!!!