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Restaurant & Bar Reviews » Travel

March 22, 2022 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Travel: The Sorrow Drowner in Wilmington for Tiki Bar Vibes and Tasty Pu-Pu Platters

The Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com
The Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Looking for something fun and unique to do while visiting the Wilmington, NC area? Well, have I got a great option for you: The Sorrow Drowner! Based upon a tip from my friend Andrew at Park Rovers, I was following the progress of the Sorrow Drowner as the space was built out. About a year in the making, a theater (previously TheaterNOW) has been transformed into a dining experience for explorers! Stepping into the Sorrow Drowner for the first time is like stepping into an exotic, new world. Are you intrigued by frozen tiki drinks, pu-pu platters, and rum cakes? The Sorrow Drowner has all that and a lot more. Here’s what to expect when you visit…

Merch room at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com
Merch room at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Sorrow Drowner Tiki Bar, Wilmington NC

For my visit on opening day, I had no expectations! There weren’t a ton of details on the Sorrow Drowner website but I was excited given the credentials of the people working on the concept. My two friends who had been at TheaterNOW were a little more cautious given earlier mixed experiences but ready to give the new business a shot. From the outside, Sorrow Drowner doesn’t look like much: boxy building with non-descript double-doors up front but looks can be deceiving. Stepping inside, you can start to pick up the tropical ambiance and what’s to come. After checking in, we’re brought into a small, merch and waiting room (t-shirts, hats). But it doesn’t take long before we’re whisked into the main dining area!

Hostess area at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com
Hostess area at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Back bar view at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com
Back bar view at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com
Back of dining room at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com
Back of dining room at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Like most community theaters, it’s a small stage and space with a balcony wrapping around the second floor for additional seating. Blue and red lighting gives the space a purple hue and there are smallish tables scattered about the space, probably best for three people or less. The large bar in back anchors the space but on both the left and right side, the walls run two floors high and on display are a variety of travel paraphernalia. Books, paintings, masks, along with other knick-knacks line the space. There’s even a shark swimming above you! We’re seated at a small table right at the stage and it’s time to review the menu and digest all the tiki goodness around us!

Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – Drink and Food

While the Sorrow Drowner is a dining experience, the food menu is remarkably simple: pu-pu platters (meat or vegetarian) along with Dole whip and rum cakes. For those of you unfamiliar with pu-pu platters, they are a bit of a throw-back dish offering up popular Chinese-American eats as a Polynesian appetizer platter. Served with a thermo-burner in the center, Sorrow Drowner offers up some beef teriyaki, roast pork buns, dumplings, and coconut shrimp for their pu-pu platter ($30 for 2, $15 for each additional person). We had snacked before arriving at Sorrow Drowner so an appetizer plate worked perfectly. For drinks, things get a little more complicated! More choices with lots of fruity ingredients. Choose from tiki standards like a Mai Tai, Painkiller, or Navy Grog ($15 to $16). We did a Sorrow Drowner for two, a lot of the specialty drinks are served in ceramic collectible cups which you can take home for a fee. Overall, I found the food at Sorrow Drowner to be pretty solid but wished the frozen drinks were a bit stronger. And if you still have an appetite, highly recommend the Dole Whip which is a thick and creamy pineapple soft-serve. We added the rum floater for a boozy hit on top. The food and drink highlights for me were the roast pork buns, Dole Whip, and the Uncharted Territory cocktail (rolled map glass) over the course of the evening.

Cool cocktail drinks at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com
Cool cocktail drinks at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Pu-pu platter at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com
Pu-pu platter at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Rum cake at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com
Rum cake at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Dole whip at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com
Dole whip at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – Entertainment

Jazz trio at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com
Jazz trio at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Entertainment at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com
Entertainment at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

Now of course, the Sorrow Drowner is all about a dining experience! They run shows Friday and Saturday for about 60+ minutes complete with emcee, jazz trio, dancers, and more. It’s a playful and nicely done distraction and I think they will improve the narrative as the Sorrow Drowner evolves. The waitstaff is all in character as early 20th century personalities spreading the entertainment value across the dining room floor. The live entertainment is a fun addition to the overall explorer ambiance of the place.

Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – Final Thoughts

Overall, I really enjoyed my visit to the Sorrow Drowner on their opening day! Expectations were totally met, the food and entertainment were both quirky and fun, the decor was phenomenal. I’d have to go back a second time to absorb all the work they put into decorating the space. Given how unique the experience is on the weekends, I do think the Sorrow Drowner will need to figure out how to handle things mid-week when the crowds are thinner.

Currently, Sorrow Drowner is open from Thursday to Monday, 5pm to midnight with full shows running on Friday and Saturday. My thought is that possibly during the quieter days, the Sorrow Drowner could just run out a jazz trio or show some vintage films on the stage for entertainment. I also think they should expand the menu to a la carte items and other “Polynesian” items for better munchie options. Maybe some crab rangoon, spring rolls, shrimp toast, and spare ribs would be nice! But great job, Sorrow Drowner! I know it’s early and you’re off to a great start. Looking to more and better over the coming months and hope to see you soon, aloha!

Eclectic interior at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC - nctriangledining.com
Eclectic interior at the Sorrow Drowner, Wilmington NC – nctriangledining.com

 

The Sorrow Drowner

19 S. 10th Street

Wilmington, NC 28401

910.769.8013

Location on Google maps

 

Filed Under: Restaurant & Bar Reviews, Travel Tagged With: NC Restaurants, Wilmington

February 13, 2020 by Ron Wen 4 Comments

Travel: John’s Roast Pork in Philadelphia – A Mecca for Cheesesteaks and Roast Pork Sandwiches

John's Roast Pork in Philadelphia - nctriangledining.com
John’s Roast Pork in Philadelphia – nctriangledining.com

Over the course of many east coast trips, a true Philadelphia cheesesteak always eluded my gastronomic grasp. Philly was always along the way to my usual visits in NYC or Boston rather than a destination. And given its dense neighorhoods, I found the City of Brotherly Love tough to navigate. But over the past year or so, I’ve put in the effort to knock the classic Italian-American sandwich off my foodie list and I’m happy to say, it’s been done! I was finally able to make it over to John’s Roast Pork to try an official Philly cheesesteak and here’s what the experience was like!

Signage at John's Roast Pork in Philadelphia - nctriangledining.com
Signage at John’s Roast Pork in Philadelphia – nctriangledining.com

First of all, why would you pick a place named “John’s Roast Pork” for your first Philly cheesesteak visit?! Why not a famous cheesesteak spot like Pat’s or Geno’s?  Or how about a local favorite like Tony Luke’s or Dallesandro’s? Well, given I was driving through the area, access off of I-95 was important and John’s Roast Pork is right off the highway in a busy retail area in S. Philadelphia. Plus John’s Roast Pork is known for making a great cheesesteak and is often on the Best of Philadelphia lists for locals. And finally, they were awarded a James Beard Foundation Award for Culinary Excellence in 2006 for their roast pork sandwich! You didn’t think I was going to travel to Philadelphia and only get ONE sandwich, did you?!

Menu at John's Roast Pork in Philadelphia - nctriangledining.com
Menu at John’s Roast Pork in Philadelphia – nctriangledining.com

For my visit, it took about 5 minutes to find John’s Roast Pork, the area is rife with shoppers and long streets that you can get turned around on if unfamiliar. Located right next to some railroad track, John’s is located in a small brick building with blue awnings, you could easily miss it except for the crowd of folks lined up outside. At 2pm on a chilly, December afternoon, there were about 20 people inside and another 15 outside when I pulled up. But don’t worry, the line moves pretty quickly. The big hold-up is on steak sandwiches, if you only wanted pork, beef or meatballs, they would short-cut you inside to the counter. Next to the small restaurant is a covered patio area where you can down your meal if you don’t take it to go. There is a basic menu out front (no prices) so you can plan your order ahead of time.

Customer queue at John's Roast Pork in Philadelphia - nctriangledining.com
Customer queue at John’s Roast Pork in Philadelphia – nctriangledining.com

Once you step inside, there’s a double-wrapped line of people who are patiently waiting to order. Refrigerated case of drinks to the left along with some options for chips, I order my cheesesteak in that corner by the grill (give them your name). Once you’re past that spot, I ordered my roast pork sandwich at the center counter area where another two people are putting together those sandwiches. Then you pay at the end of the counter, note that there are no prices on the menu. My two large sandwiches were $20.35 all together. For my meal, I did the pizza steak with marinara and white American cheese (no cheese wiz) while for the pork you can add provolone, sharp provolone or spinach (versus the typical broccoli di rabe). While the roast pork sandwiches are assembled pretty quickly, the cheesesteaks are cooked to order and take some time.

Steak on the flat-top at John's Roast Pork in Philadelphia - nctriangledining.com
Steak on the flat-top at John’s Roast Pork in Philadelphia – nctriangledining.com
Making sandwiches at John's Roast Pork in Philadelphia - nctriangledining.com
Making sandwiches at John’s Roast Pork in Philadelphia – nctriangledining.com

Even though the place is packed and it’s a bit chaotic, the staff is very patient and professional and all the customers were super polite in line. There are a lot of newbies ordering here so do your best in getting an idea of what you want before hitting the counter. Up front you can see piles of steak sizzling over onions on the flat-top along with the roast pork marinating in its juices. It all looks and smells fantastico! It takes maybe 10 minutes to get my sandwiches and I’m off, quick like a bunny to the car.

Pork sandwich at John's Roast Pork in Philadelphia - nctriangledining.com
Pork sandwich at John’s Roast Pork in Philadelphia – nctriangledining.com
Busy counter at John's Roast Pork in Philadelphia - nctriangledining.com
Busy counter at John’s Roast Pork in Philadelphia – nctriangledining.com

Given that I ate my sandwiches on the road, I couldn’t get very good pics of the food which are nicely wrapped in foil. Both sandwiches are big, maybe 13″ long and loaded with meat. John’s uses a lovely Carangi sesame seed roll that shows off a nice crust and tender insides. It’s a great foil for the meat and a twist from the usual Amoroso roll. The steak sandwich is just that, rather than finely chopping the meat, the tender and thin slices of beef provide some chew to your sandwich. Topped with a bit of savory marinara sauce makes for a great meal.

Pizza steak at John's Roast Pork in Philadelphia - nctriangledining.com
Pizza steak at John’s Roast Pork in Philadelphia – nctriangledining.com

And while the cheesesteak at John’s Roast Pork is excellent, the namesake sandwich is exquisite. Pork can be a pretty plain meat but John’s must use some rosemary, pepper, wine, black pepper and garlic in their rendition. The pork is sliced thinly but not wafer-thin, deli meat fashion and the sharp provolone is a wonderful counterpoint to the savory meat. I really wished I remembered to order the spinach but I forgot given the excitement in my first visit. There’s enough moisture in the sandwich without making it too wet. All in all it’s a great sandwich and a step up from the Dinic’s roast pork I tried last year.

Roast pork sandwich close-up at John's Roast Pork in Philadelphia - nctriangledining.com
Roast pork sandwich close-up at John’s Roast Pork in Philadelphia – nctriangledining.com

When I first stopped in at John’s Roast Pork and saw the line, I nearly bailed out but I’m really glad I didn’t. While you’ll likely find a line (I had maybe a 50 minute wait), it moves quickly and the sandwiches are wonderful here! Thick, fully stuffed and delicious, you could pretty much split one for lunch and be satisfied. If I do get back to John’s Roast Pork, you bet I’m going to add the spinach to my next sandwich and do it properly. Their cheesesteak is also pretty awesome. And maybe I’ll try the meatball too! Given John’s Roast Pork has been in business 80 years, they must be doing a LOT of things right…

 

John’s Roast Pork

14 Snyder Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19148

215.463.1951

 

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: NoRSS, Restaurant & Bar Reviews, Travel Tagged With: cheesesteak, Philadelphia, roast pork, Sandwiches

April 4, 2022 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Travel: Tony Lukes in Philadelphia for a Classic Hoagie or Cheesesteak!

Front of Tony Luke's in S. Philadelphia in PA - nctriangledining.com
Front of Tony Luke’s in S. Philadelphia in PA – nctriangledining.com

Whenever I’m traveling up north, I usually try to turn my road trip into some foodie fun. And one of my favorite spots has been Philadelphia which is conveniently located off of I-95 with tons of great food! Several years back I managed to hit up John’s Roast Pork which was stellar, despite a substantial wait. On my latest trip to NYC, it was Tony Luke’s for lunch on my way back to NC. Here’s what to expect if you drop in!

Order counter at Tony Luke's in S. Philadelphia in PA - nctriangledining.com
Order counter at Tony Luke’s in S. Philadelphia in PA – nctriangledining.com
Wrapped sandwiches at Tony Luke's in S. Philadelphia in PA - nctriangledining.com
Wrapped sandwiches at Tony Luke’s in S. Philadelphia in PA – nctriangledining.com

First of all, Tony Luke’s Original is SUPER convenient off the highway, sitting in the shadow of the I-95 overpass which I parked under. You can’t miss the sprawling storefront: bright red signage, red awning poles, and a big cartoon image of baby Ben Franklin. Tony Luke’s covers a broad array of hoagies and while I’m certainly excited for the cheesesteaks, I’m ordering up my fave chicken cutlet sandwich for good measure ($12 range)! It takes about 15 minutes and I’m handed over two, tightly wrapped rolls in Tony Luke’s wax paper. I hop back into my car for the ride back to Raleigh and it’s time to eat.

Chicken cutlet sandwich at Tony Luke's in S. Philadelphia in PA - nctriangledining.com
Chicken cutlet sandwich at Tony Luke’s in S. Philadelphia in PA – nctriangledining.com
Pizza steak sandwich at Tony Luke's in S. Philadelphia in PA - nctriangledining.com
Pizza steak sandwich at Tony Luke’s in S. Philadelphia in PA – nctriangledining.com

Since I’m on the road, I have to wait until I’m on the highway and in the clear to start my lunch. These sandwiches are hefty with quite a bit of weight and mass! I start with my Pizza Steak which is a cheesesteak with mozz and light marinara sauce (gravy). The rolls are nicely baked and slightly crusty with a soft interior. As I bite into the pizza steak, it gets messy pretty quickly! The steak is nicely grilled but not super caramelized and presented more as slices vs chopped steak. The sandwich is well constructed with cheese in every bite, yum! But the winner out of the two is the chicken cutlet in parm style. Same deal, mozzarella cheese, gravy on two hefty, fried chicken filets. It’s a mouthful and a half, very classic and pleasing in flavor. I manage a couple of bites before I put the hoagie down to save for later, after I get off the road.

While I’m a fan of Tony Luke’s, I still have to give a nod to John’s Roast Pork which is right up the road. These sandwiches were satisfying and excellent but didn’t take it to the next level quite like John’s did. But if we had anything this good in the NC Triangle, I’d be there pretty often! While the sandwich game in the Triangle is rapidly improving, it’s still hard to get this quality level of hoagie in Raleigh and Durham. (Note: PrimoHoagies a small Philly chain has recently opened in North Hills, Raleigh) And I’d have to say I preferred the chicken cutlet hoagie to Tony Luke’s classic cheesesteak. Take it for what you will as a non-native Philadelphian, buon appetito!

 

The Original Tony Lukes

39 E Oregon Ave

Philadelphia, PA 19148

215.551.5725

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: NoRSS, Restaurant & Bar Reviews, Travel Tagged With: cheesesteak, Philadelphia

October 16, 2016 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Media: Woods of Terror in Greensboro for a Frightfully Fun Evening!

Woods of Terror in Greensboro (From business website) - NC Triangle Dining
Woods of Terror in Greensboro (From business website) – NC Triangle Dining

If you’re a fan of Halloween, horror movies and monsters, then who wouldn’t check out a Halloween haunt this month? There’s nothing like the creepy chills you get while watching a scary flick but it’s even better doing it in person during the season. And thankfully, you’ve got several Halloween haunts in the area and one of my faves is the Woods of Terror out in Greensboro! I have been to Woods of Terror several times as a paying customer and recently got to re-visit during a media preview event. And I can tell you that it’s still filled with thrills, chills, frights and bumps in the dark to get your heart racing!

Front of Woods of Terror in Greensboro - NC Triangle Dining
Front of Woods of Terror in Greensboro – NC Triangle Dining

Located on a lonely stretch of Church Street north of downtown Greensboro, the Woods of Terror is about an hour-plus ride from Chapel Hill or Durham, about 90 minutes from Raleigh. If you wanted to, you could stop in Mebane on the way out to do some shopping and make it a day trip. Use your GPS to get out here, you’ll roll into the Woods of Terror parking lot and it seems pretty innocuous out front. Tickets can be purchased online and run from $17 to $42 for general admission or a Fast Pass, parking is another $5 per car. Woods of Terror is primarily open from Thursday to Sunday but will also be open on Halloween Monday for your spooky pleasure!

Eddie McLaurin from Woods of Terror in Greensboro - NC Triangle Dining
Eddie McLaurin from Woods of Terror in Greensboro – NC Triangle Dining

Eddie McLaurin is the owner and creator of Woods of Terror and has been the creative force behind all the scares and chills. Loosely aligned around a variety of horror movie themes, you’ll walk through a series of haunts and vignettes along a 45 minute trip of spookiness and creepy crawler actors! We had a chance to chat with Eddie who had the land for Woods of Terror passed on to him by his grandfather. He tells us about the history of the Woods of Terror and how it’s become a top haunt in the country requiring a year-long commitment of construction, props and costume prep. There’s actually even a cemetery on the property but it’s not part of Woods of Terror, at least not yet…

https://www.nctriangledining.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/WoodsTerror-BackstageMakeup.mp4


During the media visit, we get a chance to visit backstage and watch the make-up being put on. It’s a herculean effort with the Woods of Terror actors helping each other out into costume, makeup and more. It’s a young crew as you can guess, but they’re so enthusiastic and excited to make your Woods of Terror a fun and frightful experience. And the actors are the key differentiator at Woods of Terror in my opinion. I’ve been to other haunts and they are well-trained here. The Woods of Terror “monsters” are not allowed to touch you but yeah, they will get as close as possible to keep you on your toes and the hair on the back of your neck, standing.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Casket mobile from Woods of Terror in Greensboro - NC Triangle Dining
Casket mobile from Woods of Terror in Greensboro – NC Triangle Dining

Woods of Terror typically has 150 or so actors onsite to scare you during your visit. Every evening, they start off with a parade of terror led by a silver casket-mobile. The owner Eddie gets into the act, sporting skeletal face-paint, a spiked mohawk (it’s real) along with a beautiful albino python draped on his shoulder. It’s a fun start to the evening and great way to get the crowd and actors excited. After the parade and national anthem is played, the ghouls, monsters and creepers head on out into the Woods of Terror and lie in wait for you.

https://www.nctriangledining.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/WoodsTerror-ParadeOpen.mp4

 

 

 

 

While the lines can get a bit long on the weekend, The Woods of Terror has a midway area to keep you entertained with food, games and distractions up front but dress warmly for those chilly October evenings. We get to enter the haunt through a back entrance and while I unfortunately, can’t take any pics on the haunt, I can tell you it’s a lot of fun and as good as I remembered. You’ll run through some very complex stages like a Texas chain-saw massacre house, vampire crypt, haunted circus tent, fun-house, fog, laser lights and a lot more. You may run into Michael Myers, Freddie Kruger and more creepers that you’ve seen in the movies. There will be darkness, loud noises, and other sensory stimuli to keep your fears ramped up but it’s all in good fun!

Picture stand from Woods of Terror in Greensboro - NC Triangle Dining
Picture stand from Woods of Terror in Greensboro – NC Triangle Dining

Now the Woods of Terror can get intense at times so if you’re bringing kids along, make sure they are ready. My guess is 14 and up would be best but it all depends on the maturity of your son or daughter. In all honesty, I know plenty of adults who are too scared to go to Woods of Terror but isn’t that the whole point of going to a haunt? The Woods of Terror can get pretty busy during the season and anticipates over 30,000 visitors over the course of October. I’d suggest coming early on a Thursday or Sunday night to minimize wait times. But it’s worth it in my opinion and a great way to get into the mood for Halloween! If you’re up for a scare and got the gumption to take on the Woods of Terror, it’s a fun evening and worth the ride out from the Triangle….

 

Woods of Terror

5601 N Church Street

Greensboro, NC 27455

336.643.3558

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Activities, Media, News-Upcoming, Travel

January 8, 2022 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Travel: Perly’s Restaurant in Richmond, VA for an Amazing Deli and Dining Experience

Perly's in Richmond, VA - nctriangledining.com
Perly’s in Richmond, VA – nctriangledining.com

Usually when I travel or road trip, food is top of mind for me. What better way to learn about a new city than through their food and eats? A trip up north to Washington, DC gave me a chance to check out the Richmond (RVA) food scene on the drive up. Some online research turns up Perly’s, a modern Jewish delicatessen and I am so glad I stopped in for lunch. They are so good, in so many ways. Here’s what to expect when you visit, and I highly recommend you do if you’re driving through the area!

 

Perly’s in Richmond, VA – Ambiance and Decor

Dining counter at Perly's in Richmond, VA - nctriangledining.com
Dining counter at Perly’s in Richmond, VA – nctriangledining.com
Dining room at Perly's in Richmond, VA - nctriangledining.com
Dining room at Perly’s in Richmond, VA – nctriangledining.com

If you’re driving on I-95, Perly’s is an easy 5 minute stop off the interstate. Wind your way through downtown Richmond (capital of Virginia) and you’ll soon find yourself in front of their weathered storefront. Parking is not too bad around here, I found free 2-hour parking within a block or so. Upfront, I find a queue of people milling about, Perly’s has just re-opened after a short holiday break and I’m guessing people have missed it. It’s a crowd of locals with maybe a smattering of tourists, a good sign. Given how popular Perly’s is, expect a short wait but as a single diner I was able to get in quickly for a counter seat. Inside you’ll find a retro but modern space: wood booths, old portraits on the wall, green wallpaper, and metal-stamped ceilings feel a bit throw-back but Perly’s has only been around since 2014!

 

Perly’s in Richmond, VA – Food and Dishes

Jewish eggrolls at Perly's in Richmond, VA - nctriangledining.com
Jewish eggrolls at Perly’s in Richmond, VA – nctriangledining.com

A plastic, laminated menu is dropped in front of me. There are the usual smattering of breakfast and lunch offerings that delis are known for: bagels, knishes, latkes, cabbage rolls and more. The specialty sandwiches at Perly’s is where the action is at and they are cleverly named in theme with a Jewish deli: The Jewbano (play on Cubano), Shapiro Schnitzel and Goy Vey are some examples. I start off with the Jewish eggrolls and go with the Perly’s patty melt for my main. Perly’s also offers up Boylan sodas on tap along with a small selection of draft beers, cool! My Jewish eggrolls show up and they are nicely browned, served with a small side salad and two fruit sauces. The eggrolls are well-stuffed with corned beef and sauerkraut, yum! Served with a side of bright honey-mustard and a peach-like compote, makes for a great treat. The patty melt is an amazing sandwich. A lean, grilled burger topped with pastrami, grilled onions, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing on marble rye works together perfectly. It’s a delicious but messy sandwich that’s well assembled. The side of lightly coated fries are perfectly crispy with a fluffy potato interior. Perly’s gets it right with all the small details, a great sign for a restaurant.

Patty melt at Perly's in Richmond, VA - nctriangledining.com
Patty melt at Perly’s in Richmond, VA – nctriangledining.com
Schnitzel Perlstein at Perly's in Richmond VA - nctriangledining.com
Schnitzel Perlstein at Perly’s in Richmond VA – nctriangledining.com

Perly’s in Richmond, VA – Service and Final Thoughts

While the restaurant was pretty durn busy, service was awesome. It’s a professional crew here, used to large crowds and they checked in with me frequently. All in all I was super impressed with Perly’s and it exceeded my expectations. Not only is the food great but with prices in the $8 to $18 range along with the excellent portion size, Perly’s is also a good deal. And as much as I’m not a fan of leftovers, I devoured my Perly’s leftovers later that evening in my hotel room. So congrats RVA on this wonderful gem of a restaurant! Perly’s melds an old-school deli menu with modern taste and service making for an awesome dining experience. I’ll be back as soon as I can to try more off of that plastic, laminated menu!

Dining room at Perly's in Richmond, VA - nctriangledining.com
Dining room at Perly’s in Richmond, VA – nctriangledining.com

 

Perly’s Restaurant

111 E Grace Street

Richmond, VA 23219

804. 912.1560

Location on Google maps

Filed Under: Restaurant & Bar Reviews, Travel Tagged With: Delicatessen, Richmond

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New Reviews!

  • The Willard Rooftop Lounge in Raleigh for Cocktails and the Golden Hour
  • A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library Offering Up Fruity Cocktails and Fanciful Food Presentation
  • PrimoHoagies in Raleigh for Stuffed Sandwiches with a South Philly Flair!
  • CowBar Burgers & Fries in Raleigh for Beefy Perfection at North Hills

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Handcrafted with on the Genesis Framework