guide to Harrisonburg: where to eat

thanks to the many people groups in town as well as the demand for both cheap eats and fine dining, the dining scene in Harrisonburg is surprisingly diverse. I can't think of anything we lack!


where to eat...


BEST PLACE TO BLOW YOUR DIET - Jack Brown's located downtown and Tacos El Primo (aka The Taco Truck) located near JMU

a rather depressing photo from here

the photographer must have come in at 3:30 p.m. on a weekday or something, because this place is never empty! I've gone right when it opens at 11 a.m. and those barstools fill up FAST. the beers are just as famous as their burgers, but I've only ever had their food! their plain ol' cheeseburger is simple perfection, but my favorite is the Elvis - which has cheese, smoked bacon, peanut butter and mayo on it. "The Chiflet" is also delish - but "The Showalter," which is the same thing only served between two Krispy Kreme donuts instead of a bun, is even more mind-blowing. The website doesn't list all of their specialty burgers - I'm pretty sure they have two specialty burgers a day now. Don't be lame and just order a burger (haha sorry Doug if you're reading this) - get sweet potato fries and a fried oreo, too! You can share those, I won't mind. Dip your fries AND your burger in the lip-smackingly good Jack Brown's sauce. Also, people will tell you that the interior of the bar is super tiny. It is. There's only one table in the restaurant. BUT there is outdoor seating and there's a lovely heater out there and they put a blanket on each seat when it's chilly.

The Taco Truck at it's old location on South Main St.

and then there's The Taco Truck. I've never called it "Tacos El Primo" because the people who introduced me to it (hey, Amber!) called it The Taco Truck. (That was back when I was a features intern at the DN-R my sophomore year...fun times.) The truck has moved to a spot off of Reservoir St. between Cantrell St. and the Wal-Mart shopping center. so here's the deal - order a carnitas burrito (my personal fav), pay, sit at a picnic table and wait for your burrito, then take it from the chef and grab all of the napkins your hands can hold. it's a greasy lil bugger, but it's fabulous.

BEST FOR DATE NIGHT - The Local Chop and Grill House - just outside downtown

photo from the News Leader

Head to the restaurant side if you're looking for a unique fine dining experience - but I prefer the bar side for the more laid-back atmosphere and wallet-friendly meal. They've changed the bar menu around since I last went, but I would order the bison, steak and duck sliders with a side of duck fat fries. Hopefully my date would be willing to order something different so we could eat off each other's plates (that's the way I like it, baby!) If I went to the restaurant I'd order the white truffle risotto balls and a filet mignon with the local chimichurri and their yukon gold mashed potatoes and polenta w/ marscapone. Andy and I went to the bar side for our 2nd anniversary dinner and the restaurant side for our 3rd anniversary and both of us thought that if you can get just as amazing food for cheaper, why wouldn't you? So yea - bar all the way! The Local Chop and Grill is inside a neat old produce exchange building (we looked at renting an apartment here).

BEST FOOD TO PLEASE EVERYONE... PRESENTED BY THE WORST SERVERS - Dave's - downtown

a view of (and from) the taratsa, from here

Who doesn't like Dave's Taverna? What I love about Dave's is that everyone has "their dish" that they just can't get enough of, and everyone follows their rave with a rant about the terrible service. Cracks me up. Andy and I  are in love w/ each other, and Dave's pastitsio. I finally tried their steak and cheese on a pita, though, and people... if you like steak and cheese sammies... get on this one. Their tomato-mozzarella salad and spanakopita is super yummy, too, as is everything... mmm... I want. Oh, and eat on the roof if the weather is nice!

(does anyone else get a little worried by Dave's spiral staircase? every time I watch a drunk girl walk down it I think she's going to fall to her death. take the other stairs, girlfriends!)

pic of my fav soup by this blogger

BEST LOCAL FLAVOR - A Bowl of Good, located across from Eastern Mennonite University

My fav at A Bowl of Good is the tom kha gai bowl, which is a thai coconut chicken soup served over rice.

the maharaja bowl is also delicious, as is the bada bun bowl. I've only tried those three dishes, but I've heard great things about all of their food. 

BEST FOR HIPPIES (hehe. jk. no, but really.)  - The Little Grill, located just outside of downtown

from here

The Little Grill is best known for their Sunday brunch, but it has a varied menu that caters to vegetarians and vegans. I've yet to go to brunch, but I like their regular menu so I'm sure it lives up to the hype!

BEST FOR A MORNING DATE, with your guy or with a newspaper/book/Bible - Mr. J's

-sorry, no pic-

Whether you're getting a bagel w/ cream cheese or w/ breakfast or lunch goodness stuffed inside, Mr. J's Bagels and Deli is sublime. Their french toast bagel is super delish but when I get a breakfast sandwich I like to get it on an egg everything bagel. Mmm mmm mm. Mr. J's is classic Harrisonburg. I used to see the same person there every time I went - and I never went on a certain day or at a certain time! (No, he's not homeless - he just loves Mr. J's like every good Harrisonburgian...burgie...burgite...) There are multiple locations.

BEST ICE CREAM - Coldstone. Kidding, kidding. Kline's, duh!

from here

Kline's is something you're supposed to embrace when you live in Harrisonburg. With incredible custard-style ice cream and a weekly "special" flavor, it's not a hard place to love! When the students come back the lines at Klines triple in size - for good reason. I particularly enjoy the espresso chip (it's coming up, yay), chocolate peanut butter, peanut butter cookies and cream and banana (but then I have to get a second scoop so I can get one of banana and one of chocolate). My last trip was to try the lemon gingersnap and ohhh mannn was it yummy! There are two locations in Harrisonburg, and they never have the same specialty flavor.

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some of you will wish I had talked about Clementine or Beyond or Artful Dodger or Cally's (well guess what, Cally's CLOSED) or Taste of Thai (I know, I know... it IS delicious) or Blue Nile... but I haven't been to Blue Nile, and while I do like the other places, they aren't the best of anything in my book. Well, Clementine might have the best interior. Ok, I'll give it that one.

(I've heard Thai Cafe and Thai Flavor are just as good as Taste of Thai and that they're cheaper - I need to check those places out immediately. who is with me?)

we're getting some new places in town, such as "Flip-N-Burg-R" (yea. weird name, right? it's almost completed and it has two locations. one has a double drive through and everyone else in the H'burg got excited and thought it was a Sonic and I was all "Ew stop. Please don't be a Sonic - PLEASE let it be a Checkers!" but it wasn't and we were all mad.) We're also getting a pub, which should be amazing b/c the owner is the guy who own's Vito's (an incredibly lovely restaurant in an incredibly depressing Food Lion shopping center). Also getting Quaker Steak and Lube, which sounds... terrible. Cally's will become a Capital Alehouse, which I'm excited about even though I thought Cally's was a great restaurant.

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and that, dear readers, is my guide to Harrisonburg. if you wanna know about our nightlife, talk to someone who has really experienced it. One of these days I need to check out salsa night at the Dodger. My real dream, though, is to find some brainiacs to play Team Trivia with me at the Dodger or Clementine. Andy is incredible at trivia, and I surprise myself with what I know (thanks love for reading and crossword puzzles), but a) Andy's not here right now and b) I'm no good with political trivia or sports trivia. 

for the rest of my guide to Harrisonburg, click on the "guide to Harrisonburg" label at the very end of this post.

guide to Harrisonburg: where to shop (part 2)

yesterday's post featured shopping just outside of Harrisonburg. today I'm going to share with you my three (er, four) favorite places to shop downtown:

where to shop...part two

BEST DOWNTOWN SHOP - The Lady Jane

photos from the shop's facebook page- I don't think Sara will mind :)

I adore this store. Sara has the sweetest vintage furniture and accessories! I knew Sara, the owner, in college and I'm so, so proud of her for being brave and starting her own business. I'm also extremely grateful that she brought such cuteness (affordable cuteness at that) to downtown! While you're on Market Street, check out Mint next door and meet Anna - she grew up in Harrisonburg and always wanted to own a boutique downtown. I always want to try on every single item in the store.


BEST PLACE TO BUY LOCAL - Harrisonburg Farmers Market

from here

Gosh darn it I just love the farmers market. So does Washington Post writer Julia Duin - check out her article on the market here. This is also the best place to get a real feel for what the city is all about - hospitality and community. The market is open on Saturdays and Tuesdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and you can buy your breakfast and/or lunch here. Tuesdays have become my new "bun day." Go on a Saturday - there are more vendors, and you'll find plenty of handmade items along with gorgeous, local food.


BEST UNIQUE GIFTS - Ten Thousand Villages

(no pic of this store, sorry)

If you like international goods AND fair trade values, this is the shop for you. I'm so happy they moved from the Dayton Farmers Market to downtown Harrisonburg. Plus, The Yellow Button - the closest thing to Anthro we've got -  is right next door. I looove the clothes and accessories @ The Yellow Button - the owner, Miranda, has flawless taste. Want style inspiration? See what Miranda's wearing.

ooo..I just have to add this one too...
BEST WOW FACTOR - The Friendly City Food Co-op

from here

After a couple years of waiting for this to happen, it happened. And it's GOOD. That's why I consider it best wow factor - Harrisonburg is really stepping it up a notch with this store, which has a Trader-Joes like feel to it. The co-op is such a fun place to pick up local foods and specialty grocery items, and they have a great grab-and-go section as well as a coffee station and salad bar. Like the farmers market, the co-op sells more than food - so it's worth checking out even if you aren't hungry!

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Along with The Yellow Button and Mint, Duo sells stylish, youthful clothes and even has a consignment section - think high-end Plato's Closet for the young working woman).

For great thrifting, head to Hess Furniture or Mercy House (Mercy House isn't downtown, but it's worth going to - I mainly go for their books and dishes). Stop by James McHone Jewelry on Court Square and try on some gorgeous antique jewelry just for kicks - we got my wedding band there.

click here to view more Harrisonburg shopping options.

up next... where to eat!

click here to read "where to stay" and here for "where to play" and here for "where to shop: part one"

guide to Harrisonburg: where to shop (part 1)

we may not have an Anthropologie or Crate & Barrel, but other than the disappearance of our Gap Outlet, Harrisonburg's shopping scene continues to improve.


where to shop...part one (outside of town)


BEST - The Cottage in Dayton (yep, it's simply the best.)

the Cottage used to be a bank - they use the vault for storage

just the other day a friend of mine pulled me aside and said "girl, will you take me to The Cottage?" I'm becoming the girl that takes people to The Cottage. seriously, I've taken at least eight friends to this shop because I LOVE IT that much. it's a home decor shop w/ a TON to look at. the owners are super sweet. they know me by name now and the last time I went in they asked me if there were any updates on Andy's job situation. Presh! Dayton is only minutes away from H'burg. 

BEST FOR COOKING/BAKING INSPIRATION - Kitchenwares and More and The Cheese Shoppe at the Dayton Farmer's Market

bulk items @ the cheese shoppe

This market is one big warehouse type building with lots of shops inside. Many of the shops have merchandise that wouldn't appeal to our generation, but I love browsing all of the gadgets at Kitchenwares and More and the dried goods at The Cheese Shoppe (they have they most amazing macaroon mix... all you do is add water and I like to dip them in melted chocolate). 

BEST FOR BOOKWORMS - the Green Valley Book Fair in Mount Crawford

How to describe the Green Valley Book Fair... it's a huge warehouse full of books - all different genres, all age levels - and most of them are under $6. So basically, it's a book lover's dream. It's the TJ Maxx of books. I always go with a set amount of cash to spend, and every time I go I have to constantly thumb through my stack and agonize over which of them to buy and which to put back. I went yesterday and bought "The Postmistress" and "The Grace Awakening" for myself and a few others to give as Christmas gifts. Mount Crawford is about 10 minutes from town.

check back tomorrow for part two of "where to shop."
click here to read "where to stay" and here for "where to play."


p.s. all my images are found from google images

guide to Harrisonburg: where to play

the Shenandoah Valley is too pretty to miss, so come to Harrisonburg ready to get outdoors!


where to play...

BEST IF YOU'RE ON A BUDGET - Wildwood park + Sandy Bottom in Bridgewater, and the arboretum in Harrisonburg

the dam at Wildwood park - if you look closely you can see
the suspension bridge in the background 

for a casual afternoon w/ the family, pick up an ice cream cone at Harveys in Bridgewater and then head to Wildwood park, which boasts a fun suspension bridge and a playground. It's right off the North River, so you'll get great views. this is a great spot for family photos!

Casey loves going to Sandy Bottoms (I always make it plural b/c I think it sounds better)

or, if you want to impress your man, pack a picnic and your golf gear for some friendly competition at Sandy Bottom park. Sandy Bottom has a free par-3 nine hole golf course maintained by the city parks and rec department. I love bringing Casey here to swim - this park is also on the North River. When she's tired we collapse on the ground together and I read while she knaws on sticks. 

gorgeous photo taken at the arboretum by Christine Anderson Photography

...if you're going to be all "this is a guide to Harrisonbug not Bridgewater," check out the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and Botanical Gardens and bring some quarters to buy food for the ducks! Even though it's right across from campus and is practically next door to Costco, you'll feel as if you're miles away from civilization. Bring your kids or pets, but make sure they keep out of the pond - it's icky.

BEST FOR FANNY-PACK WEARING, CAMERA-TOTING TOURISTS - James Madison University

(joking about the fanny pack)

aerial photo of the quad during the centennial celebration

I <3 JMU. see that round building in the center of the photo?
that's the home of grilled cheese Thursdays.
know what's better than grilled cheese Thursdays?
Stick-a-hamburger-patty-inside-the-grilled-cheese Thursday.

The tour guides at JMU are fantastic - they are experts at walking backwards. You don't need a tour guide to appreciate the beauty of the quad and feel the burn from the hilly campus, though. :) Check out the quad, the new addition to the football stadium, the campus bookstore and of course, our amazing rec center. Eat on campus while you're at it - JMU's dining is one of the highest rated in the country. I recommend the paninis at Top Dog Cafe or the gyros at Festival (hopefully they're still there). Check out this incredibly corny video about the newest dining facility at JMU. (New as in it wasn't there when I attended.) I hear the dessert bar is to die for.

BEST FOR DATE NIGHT - The Forbes Center for the Performing Arts

The Forbes Center is a MUST VISIT. (I wouldn't really know b/c I haven't had the pleasure of going yet, but I've heard amazing things.) I'm hoping to see HolidayFest and the Contemporary Dance Ensemble.

BEST FOR GIGGLES - Funky's Skate Center

because who doesn't love holding hands w/ their best friend (or lovah) and skating to cheesy music?

additional play suggestions:

check out Court Square Theater downtown - I'm so happy that we have a theater that plays documentaries and foreign films.

H'burg boasts tons of outdoor activities like boating, fishing, clay shooting, mountain biking, hiking... and we're only a short drive from Massanutten Resort. there are also several pumpkin patches and corn mazes open this time of year.

**if you're in town on a Friday during the summer/early fall, you MUST check out First Fridays.
**check the events calendar to see what's going on when you visit - you wouldn't want to miss one of our local festivals. 

next up - where to shop

and if you haven't already, check out where to stay

guide to Harrisonburg: where to stay

after reading Jo's guide to NYC over at A Cup of Jo, I've decided to share my version of a condensed guide to Harrisonburg/surrounding areas (as in, I'll be featuring a few attractions per post). Harrisonburg is located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and is home to James Madison University and Eastern Mennonite University. We have gorgeous parks, a vibrant downtown (it just keeps getting better and better) and a friendly, diverse population. I love it here and hope you visit!

First off, where to stay...

BEST IF YOU'RE ON A BUDGET - the guest house at Eastern Mennonite University

Anyone can stay at the guest house - you don't have to be affiliated with the university. It boasts several bedrooms, but guests might have to share bathrooms. Still, it's cheap, air-conditioned and very nice inside (according to a friend of mine).

location- north end of Harrisonburg (5 minutes from downtown, 10 from JMU)

cost- $27.50 + $5 service fee for one bedroom (booking additional bedrooms costs more, but it's still inexpensive compared to a hotel.)

BEST LOCATION + DINING - The Joshua Wilton House

The Joshua Wilton House is an extremely popular destination, not only for it's accommodations but also for it's dining. A gourmet breakfast is included in the cost of a room - lucky guests! And, if you do decide to stay at the JW House, make sure to take advantage of the pre-theater dinner special.

location - downtown Harrisonburg (minutes from JMU)

cost- $145-160, though corporate rates are available.

BEST FOR A WEEKEND GETAWAY - Bridgewater Inn  & Cottage

Two suites are available here, and both have a private entrance, kitchen area and a sitting area. The Inn Suite accommodates up to six people and the Cottage Suite up to four. The suites are so cozy! There are so many great amenities included - it's obvious that the owners care about the comfort of their guests. While this inn ISN'T in Harrisonburg, it's close enough (and appealing enough) to include in the guide.

Location - downtown Bridgewater - a pleasant 10 minute drive from Harrisonburg

Cost - ...it's complicated. Details here.

check back tomorrow for where to play!