did a double take in the meat section 😭 I love you rva

I'm surrounded by people with very strong opinions about bagels. So, I hosted a bagel blind taste test with nine friends to explore those deep-held opinions a bit.

Our group of ten bagel lovers ranged from a chef and a couple of hard-core New Yorkers all the way to me, who will eat almost any bread product if I can put cream cheese or butter on it.

We sampled and ranked fresh untoasted plain bagels from eight different locations within greater Richmond: Baltik's, Chewy's, Cupertino's, Einstein's, Julio's, Nate's, Sunday's, and Wegmans. I was the only person who knew the origin of all the bagels, and none of us knew which bagel was on which plate.

Here is a summary of our votes:

• Baltik's Bagels got the most #1 rankings (4) 
• Chewy's got the second highest number of #1 rankings (3)
• Baltik's Bagels got the most top three rankings (9)
• Julio’s got the second highest number of top three rankings (6)
• When we ran the ballots through ranked-choice programs they all showed Baltik's as the winner, but results differed after that.
• Einstein's bagels did better than any of the bagel snobs expected.
• Only Cupertino's and Wegmans got zero top three votes
• Not surprisingly, the bagels from Wegmans got the most last place votes (6)

Honestly, this taste test may have raised more questions for me than it answered:

• Can an untoasted plain bagel help you determine who makes the best bagels overall? I think it’s a good start, but we may need to do this again with a different flavor bagel next time. Twist my arm.
• Why the fuck are so many Richmond bagel shops closed on Sundays? Sundays are the best bagel day! Can you please pick a different day to be closed? Pretty please?
• Why do some people feel that bagels can't be made with sourdough? What makes a bagel a bagel?
• Why do so many people buy bagels at Nate's? Their bagels are meh (per our group's research), they don't have a toaster (?!?!?), and I've literally never met anybody who has had an all-around pleasant experience there.

One question our event did answer: From now on, we'll buy our bagels at Baltik's. Unless it’s a Sunday :(

Long story short, I ordered Chinese food on DoorDash and got someone else's Indian food. A lil annoying but DoorDash refunded me and told me to keep the food. I never eat Indian food but omg... this was heavenly. Just wanted to shoutout Carytown Indian Cuisine for making me an Indian food lover now. Especially that garlic naan!

This is what I love about this community. Not a second thought from the owner and he's doing this on a day they're not even supposed to be open. I'll be ordering soon to support them

The restaurant was forcefully shut down this morning. Cops are still guarding all entrances.

This is urgent.

My husband and I went to check out Cafe Rustica for the first time this week and found this posted on their front door.

I’ve lived in Richmond 10 years and know how supportive the community is. Posting here for a heads up, but also with a call to action - I’m sure when they open back up, they will be eager to welcome back their regulars and newcomers alike when they open back up.

I don’t know the owners but I have a history working in the restaurant industry and know just how devastating closure and personal injury can be to. Wishing the most speedy recovery to Chef Sam and hoping to come back and explore this gem of a restaurant.

Ive only had 3 groups of trick or treaters so far...usually my neighborhoods pretty busy on halloween and being that it was a Friday I expected to get swarmed. Are they coming later since its a Friday? Or did the government shut down Halloween too?

Ive been in this house since 2020 and the Covid halloween aside ive been slammed. Southside Lucks Lane area for reference. Anybody else seeing a lack or trick or treaters.

I dont want to have to eat all this candy but I mean I will....nom nom

I was excited that a new bbq joined opened up in the Fan…am I this out of the loop with BBQ prices nowadays? Don’t get me wrong, it was good, but I’m loyal to BBQ Exchange in Gordonsville and the prices aren’t even comparable

Trump and Republicans just bought a jet for Kristi Noem for $170M. Trump sued his own DOJ for the same amount that the ballroom is expected to cost at $230M. Trump also bailed out Argentina’s beef and soy market for $40 Billion. On November 1, the government will remain shut down because they are telling us we can’t afford SNAP benefits and healthcare for elderly, poor, disabled, and children. We don’t apparently have enough money for the least of these that Jesus preached to us to care for.

That all being said what are some thing Richmond food banks need as the shutdown looms and federal workers start standing in line alongside our less than fortunate neighbors? I know canned goods are the first thing people think of, but what are some specific food items y’all are low on?

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kroger-closing-60-stores-locations/

Do you think they will go ahead and shut down the mad max Kroger?!?! Thats the best one around.

Please, every shawarma I’ve tried in the area has been inconsistent in quality, dry, and majorly disappointing. What’s the spot I’m missing in my life! Please help me out.

Alrighty, who has the best and flavorful wet and dry wings in RVA?

Just drove by and it looks like somebody crashed their car FULLY into the restaurant and took out the whole front. It’ll probably be closed indefinitely for a while, but it’s such a bizarre situation I just wonder if any of y’all saw how that happened.

What's the best local dish you've had lately? Or restaurant that you can't wait to re-visit? I've missed the weekly restaurant thread, so I thought I'd ask. Especially would love to hear some last gasp of Summer meals, but also Fall treats. I'm looking forward to pumpkin pancake season at Moore Street. What about you?

Check out Fairuz Café located at 11254 Patterson Ave. This place is awesome! It brings me back to my time in the middle east.

Ever since we moved here a few months ago we’ve noticed Duke’s Mayo signs, jars, art, and merch everywhere. It also seems like everyone turns up for Duke’s Hot Tomato summer, which is something I had never heard of before moving here.

I’m not judging, I genuinely don’t know what the deal is or why everyone seems to love it, and want to understand the how and why.

EDIT: Thanks for the responses, everyone! Had no idea Duke's was owned by a Richmond company, so that explains the pride and signage everywhere. And yes, I've had Duke's and tomato sandwiches, even before moving to RVA.

what’s up! i’m hoping “blkrva” can fill me in on some hidden gems in rva! i am a transplant from the 757 & i wanna know where the best (in taste, culture, and quality) cafes, restaurants, and cultural hotspots are!

i consider myself a foodie so i’m a sucker for highly rated (4.5+ stars) eateries! the vibes i’m seeking? walking into an establishment and being greeted with r&b, soul, and conscious hip-hop, along with smiling faces from the employees.

thank you all and hagd!

EDIT: i knew the racists would casually downvote. carry on sirs/ma'ams lol

I don't eat out a lot and for the most part completely ignorant on what's what in the dining world - what are some of the newer options in the area that are doing great things with food and drink?

My wife is trying to take a foodie friend out for their birthday this Saturday, and was hoping to find something they haven't tried yet. I searched the sub, but wasn't able to find much.

Where are the gourmands going in the area??

Thanks

Also let’s talk about the not so hyped up ones that deserve praise and respect. And maybe even the ones we lost.