Wednesday, August 26, 2009
A taste of Game Day in the New River Valley
The best restaurants in Blacksburg to watch Hokie football
Lindsey Nair
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This time every year, my husband falls into a funk.
It seems he doesn't need to be a teacher or a student to mourn the passing of summer; just an intense lover of sun, water and al fresco dining.
But I have a little antidepressant in my wifey First Aid kit. It's called football.
Yes, the promise of sweatshirt weather, bubbling cauldrons of chili, and grunting men chasing a leather ball is usually enough to lift his spirits just slightly.
If you -- or your mate -- are anything like my guy, then you're probably anxiously awaiting the first excuse to spend a lazy Saturday or Sunday afternoon sucking chicken wings clean and screaming at the television set. Or, if you're lucky, you might be screaming directly at the field below.
In Blacksburg, of course, football season is Hokie season. I thought it might be high time for a primer, or at least a refresher course, on the best restaurants in Blacksburg for watching the action or hanging out pre- or post-game.
Not only are most of these establishments within easy walking distance of Lane Stadium, but they have been approved by college kids and adults alike. Each of these restaurants scored high on polls conducted by The Roanoke Times and The Collegiate Times, Virginia Tech's campus newspaper.
With this info in hand, the only decision left to make shouldn't be too difficult: Do I want wings, pizza, seafood, a burger or a sub as big as a football?
OK, so maybe it is still hard.
Awful Arthur’s
213 Draper Rd. S.W. (inside Kent Square)
This Awful Arthur’s location seats 330 people, so co-owner Mike Sorian o promises more elbow room on game day than in some other Blacksburg establishments. They also have a live DJ and dancing on Saturday nights after the game.
Estimated walking distance to Lane Stadium: Five minutes
Full menu on game day? Yes
Televisions: One high-definition, 103-inch projector screen, 19 high-definition televisions in various sizes inside and four televisions on the patio
Try the: Crab cakes or raw bar, which includes raw oysters and steamed shrimp
Drink specials? Happy hour from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Hours: 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. (earlier when there’s a noon kickoff)
Call: (540) 443-91 09
Big Al’s Grille & Sports Bar
201 N. Main St.
Manager Andrea Weddle says Big Al’s is always well-staffed and well-stocked on game day. They pride themselves on quick service, even if you plan to stay there to watch the game.
Estimated walking distance to stadium: 10 minutes
Full menu on game day? No, special game day menu
Televisions: More than 17 flat-screen plasma televisions
Try the: Wings or nachos
Drink specials: Domestic beer bottles are $2.50 all day, every day
Hours: 11 a.m. - 2:30 a.m.
Call: 951 -3300
Buffalo Wild Wings
211 Prices Fork Rd.
“We show every sport that you can possibly have on television,” said general manager Lee Baskin. And with televisions just about everywhere you look, it’s easy to see how they can do that.
Estimated walking distance to stadium: 15 minutes
Full menu on game day? Yes
Televisions: Five projector screen televisions and 28 smaller televisions
Try the: Wings or burgers
Drink specials: Company policy does not allow them to disclose this information.
Hours: 11 a.m. - 2 a.m.
Call: 55 2-9464
Bull & Bones Brewhaus & Grill
1470 S. Main St.
Bull & Bones has seven championship-size pool tables, a banquet room equipped with a projector screen television and an ice rail on the bar to keep your drinks cold. They also offer game day tailgate catering packages.
Estimated walking distance to stadium: 20 minutes
Full menu on game day? Yes
Televisions: 14 big screens and three 110-inch projector screens
Try the: Smoked wings, ribs or pulled pork barbecue
Drink specials: No, but seven beers are brewed on-site, including the Hokie-themed Lunch Pale Ale and Maroon Effect Ale.
Hours: 10 a.m. - 2 a.m. (may open earlier when there’s a noon kickoff)
Call: 953-2855
Champs Sportsbar & Cafe
111 N. Main St.
“We get every sports package available,” said owner Mike Soriano. “If we can’t get it, you are not going to find it anywhere else.”
Estimated walking distance to stadium: 10 minutes
Full menu on game day? Yes
Televisions: 27 televisions, including 70-inch and 63-inch high-definition widescreens
Try the: Hot wings, burgers or cheese steak
Drink specials: $2.75 domestic bottles, $7 domestic pitchers, $3 house highballs all day
Hours: 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. (earlier when there’s a noon kickoff)
Call: 951-2222
Hokie House
322 N. Main St.
Manager Oliver Marques says Hokie House offers friendly service and a fun atmosphere. The smoking section is upstairs, so it is well separated from the nonsmoking area.
Estimated walking distance to stadium: 15 minutes
Full menu on game day? Yes, with the exception of a few items that typically take a bit longer to prepare
Televisions: One projector screen and eight smaller televisions downstairs; seven televisions upstairs
Try the: Half-pound Hokie burgers, which come in several styles
Drink specials: No
Hours: 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. (earlier when there’s a noon kickoff)
Call: 552-0280
Macado’s
922 University City Blvd.
“We are a place that tries to cater to every person’s needs, young and old,” said general manager Jeff Neikirk. He says Macado’s, with its extensive menu and eclectic decor, is a very family-oriented place. The restaurant also has a catering menu with hot and cold options for tailgaters.
Estimated walking distance to stadium: 25 minutes, but Blacksburg Transit stops right outside the front door and drops off at the stadium gates
Full menu on game day? Yes
Televisions: One projector screen on bottom floor; many smaller televisions strategically placed all over the restaurant
Try the: Titanic (a prime rib sandwich) or the Hindenburg, a sub built on an entire loaf of French bread that serves four (more or less depending on appetite)
Drink specials: Daily happy hour specials apply, and the 32 oz. schooner is a popular buy on game day for $2.75 from 4-7 p.m.
Hours: 8 a.m. - 2 a.m.
Call: 953-2700
PK’s Bar & Grill
432 N. Main St.
Michele Minsterman, a manager at PK’s, says the restaurant seems to attract an older crowd. “It is a good alumni hangout. We tend to see the same groups of people every year,” she said.
Estimated walking distance to stadium: 15 minutes
Full menu: No, special game day menu
Televisions: 22 televisions, six of which are high-definition flat screens
Try the: PK’s famous wings, the chicken wing pizza or Pete’s pizza
Drink specials: Undecided, but something will be on special
Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. (earlier if kickoff is at noon)
Call: 552- 1577
Sharkey’s
220 N. Main St.
Manager Meisha Evans says Sharkey’s has an enthusiastic staff that is very much into Virginia Tech football.
“This is a party atmosphere, and the staff is so friendly that it’s like they are at the party with you,” she said. They also offer a game day brunch from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Walking distance: about 10 minutes
Full menu: Yes
Televisions: 16 televisions, including several big screens, scattered around the restaurant
Try the: Famous wings, burgers or Sharkey’s cheesesteak sub
Drink specials: No
Hours: 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Call: 552-2030
