Virginia Grill - OCCOQUAN

Out for another Dr's appointment, it was a gorgeous fall day. The sun was shining brightly, there were few clouds in the maya blue skies. Didn't want to go...

I love stopping in Occoquan for a bite when I can. I was so hungry and in such a rush this time that I stopped at the first place... Virginia Grill. The...

OMGoodness!!! This is the best gem yet that I've found on my foodie adventure!!! This original, family restaurant is situated in one of the oldest Mill...

Out for another Dr's appointment, it was a gorgeous fall day. The sun was shining brightly, there were few clouds in the maya blue skies. Didn't want to go home, so Erik said where do you want to go? I have lived in Virginia off and on again all my life. I have heard of Occoquan was told his was a really pretty historical town on the potomac river, south of DC. We drove around the town itself twice to get a feel of the town and it was dressed up for Halloween and fall. Everywhere I look there was something else to see. My eyes kept going back to a Grille sign we saw on Mill Street. it is a lively little town and all the front parking spots were taken so we parked behind the building which was a few hundred yards or less from the water. We noticed as we drove around to park that this Grille also has a pretty large deck setup for seating. With all the colors of fall and the water combined, it would be a great place to dine I am sure of this. We chose to go in and I am sure glad we did!! We met Gary, the owner and he was so wonderful, funny, gracious and just a down right kind of guy who makes everyone feel welcomed. We were eating during their mid afternoon slow time, so we had the opportunity to chat with Gary quite a bit and it was during one of the chats we had I asked who the owner was and he admitted to us he was. We complimented his on the Grill that it was a homey, laid back kind of place that everyone would want to be there not only for the wonderful food but the atmosphere, that this wasn't a place you could able to duplicate we just knew this place was special. The food, OMG it was great. Had the New England clam chowder (loads of clams and homemade fresh everyday and not from a can! . Erik had the chilli that was homemade also and he loved it as well. We both ordered burgers and they were the best we've had in a while. The burgers were cook medium for us but they were still plumb and juicy, no dryness at all. The portions were family size and not over the top in the amounts served. We overheard Gary speaking to another patron that came in after us. She wanted grilled vegetable and Gary told her what they had for her to pick. Then she went on to ask to have the veggies cooked a certain way with no oils and she listed a whole bunch she wouldn't accept. This meal was not on their menu, so Gary went out of his was to accommodate the best he could. Gary came out to tell the patron that her meal was being cooked right then and she would be served shortly. In hearing that, this patron said please just have the cook the veggies in water. Overhearing that and hearing that the cook was already cooking her special meal, we knew that they would have to start all over again. When her plate was given to her, she said she loved it! Gary was wonderful in trying to accommodating this very picky diner. All the while he kept checking with us and made us he welcomed I know this place is an hour from where we live but we will go back. We learned from Gary, he was retiring real soon, so we wished him well in the next chapter of his life. There are places that you go to during your lifetime that pull a secret heart string. Was it the homey atmosphere? Was it the wonderful food? Was it the perfect fall day and a large picture window overlooking the river? Was it the welcoming greetings we got? I think it was all of these and Gary took them all and presented them to us, so we were to have a remarkable experience. Thank you Gary for making our day memorable!

I love stopping in Occoquan for a bite when I can. I was so hungry and in such a rush this time that I stopped at the first place... Virginia Grill. The young people there were acting like young people. Aloof and disinterested. One fetched my waiter, who was middle-aged and chatty. Nice guy. Very mediocre and overpriced food came out quickly. It wouldn't be the first place I'd go to when in Occoquan again, but it wasn't the worst I've ever had.