Teaberry’s Café: Homemade at its Best
In existence for 15 years and located in Vinton for four, Teaberry’s opens its doors for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on weekdays. While it may be just a few hours each day, the café’s comforting food, friendly staff and relaxing atmosphere make a big impact on customers during that time.
“I wanted a good place for people to come in, relax and enjoy their food,” says owner Brenda Johnson. “We make sure all our customers know how important they are to us.”
As soon as I walked in, the comfort feel was evident, not only because of the home-like décor, but also the warm greeting I received from Johnson and her staff. I felt like I’d been a customer for years, even though it was my first visit.
Johnson tells me the majority of the menu items are homemade, including whole wheat bread for sandwiches, which is baked fresh daily. Because it’s a popular item among customers, I sampled the chicken salad sandwich. Also homemade, it has a flavorful, creamy texture that paired well with the soft bread and crispy lettuce. I’ve had chicken salad drenched with a mayonnaise dressing, but this one had the ideal consistency. Sandwiches are served with crispy, lightly salted homemade potato chips.
The open-faced pimento cheese sandwich was next on my list. Gooey, warm pimento cheese – broiled to melty perfection – complements the slice of whole wheat bread and tomato it tops. I also sampled the soup of the day, a shrimp corn bisque. I’m usually not a huge seafood fan, but this soup had the right amount of shrimp, as well as potatoes, corn and a slight spicy kick. Johnson says in addition to the soup of the day, tomato basil and cheesy baked potato soups are always available due to the high demand for them.
As a girl who never skips dessert, I was tempted by Johnson’s butter fried pound cake, blackberry wine cake and a royal cookie. The cakes, served with vanilla ice cream, practically melted in my mouth. And the cookie? Full of chocolate chips, nuts and coconut, it packed a sweet punch that had me begging for more.
Johnson says much of the food served at Teaberry’s comes from her grandmother’s recipes. With a passion for “doing the best I can no matter what it is,” Johnson has taken a few cooking classes and spent time with chefs to further her cooking skills.
“But Teaberry’s is not just me,” she explains. “It’s the people who work with me; we are a team.”
Teaberry’s offers daily specials in addition to the regular menu items. Catering is available for weddings, business lunches and other events. Johnson says she is considering opening for dinner on Fridays beginning in June.
129 E. Cleveland Ave., 344-1744, teaberrysrestaurants.com
The Barbeque Grill: Pork Perfection
General manager Ashley Colwell sums up The Barbeque Grill owner Dave McCoy like this: “The man can cook anything.”
I haven’t had the opportunity to try everything he cooks, but I agree that he knows his way around a barbecue pit.
Colwell says McCoy opened the restaurant about seven years ago, finally bringing a dream he has always had to fruition. Barbecue was the obvious choice of fare, and it has paid off.
Located in downtown Vinton, The Barbeque Grill has an inviting atmosphere with an eclectic décor. The walls feature everything from old license plates and vintage signs to baseball cards and photos of classic cars.
“A lot of people tell us how clean the restaurant is, and some say they feel like they’re at someone’s home for dinner,” Colwell says. “And that’s what we try to project.”
Many menu items are what you would expect at a barbecue joint: pulled pork sandwiches, ribs (served on Friday evening), and brisket. But McCoy takes several dishes to a new level.
The smoked brisket melt – a wrap filled with brisket, pepper jack cheese and banana peppers – is a popular choice, Colwell says. Melt-in-your-mouth chopped brisket gets a spicy kick from the cheese and peppers.
I also sampled a barbecue sandwich, with hushpuppies, macaroni and cheese and coleslaw on the side. Piled high, the juicy barbecue hardly needed any sauce. But McCoy makes his own – seven sauces to be exact – to tempt the taste buds. I finally settled on the tangy and delicious honey mustard sauce after also tasting the original rib sauce, McCoy’s take on a traditional barbecue sauce. Other choices include Carolina East, a vinegar-based sauce that Colwell says many customers enjoy.
Don’t like barbecue? The menu offers something for you too. Burgers, hot dogs, special salads and appetizers such as fried pickles and beer-battered mushrooms are just a few selections.
126 E. Lee Ave., 857-0030, thebarbequegrill.com
Restaurant Roundup
Vinton restaurants offer a smorgasbord of good food.
Angelo’s Restaurant, 303 S. Pollard St.
Owner Angel Linares serves up Mexican staples such as tacos, enchiladas and chiles rellenos, as well as American burgers, grilled cheeses and club sandwiches. 342-3015.
Bob’s Restaurant, 1004 Walnut Ave.
Established in 1982 by Bob Pedigo and purchased by current owner Rodney Price in 1984, Bob’s serves up homestyle plate lunches, burgers, hot dogs and more. Karaoke is held on Saturdays. 982-0773.
Dogwood Restaurant, 106 E. Lee Ave
Founded in 1948, the Dogwood serves award-winning Southern cuisine such as French toast, omelets, biscuits and gravy, meatloaf, pork chops, fruit cobblers and cake. 343-6549.
Jerry’s Family Restaurant, 1340 E. Washington Ave.
Jerry Lamb Jr.’s restaurant features home-style meals, including meatloaf, roast beef, chicken and a variety of sides. Breakfast – available all day Wednesday – features country ham, hashbrowns, French toast and more. 343-4400.
New York Pizza, 708 Hardy Rd.
Opened in 1983, the restaurant uses the freshest ingredients in their pizzas, subs, calzones, salads and more. 342-2933, newyorkpizzainc.tripod.com.
Red Jasmine Thai Cuisine, 210 S. Pollard St.
Authentic Thai cuisine includes curry, Pad Thai and teriyaki dishes. The Asian flair is not only present in the food, but in the welcoming atmosphere as well. 345-1165, redjasmine.net
