My “Best List” for 2023 (Part 2)

Best Burger–Glory Days Grill 10466 Ridgefield Parkway Richmond 23233 A Far West End popular sports bar serving an excellent burger and doing so for over 25 years. Several Classic 8-ounce Burger options all day Monday and until 3 PM Tuesday-Friday for only $7.99. Not only is this burger big, but it’s also juicy and cooked to order which means La Bear can order hers rare. Yes, this is a franchise chain, which means it’s normally a “no-no” to patronize as we prefer to support those businesses which are locally owned. The restaurant has a wide selection of food options and we’ve never really been disappointed with anything we’ve ordered. My favorite of the Classic Burger is the Bacon Cheddar Cheese Burger while La Bear enjoys the Cheese Trifacta Burger. All Classic Burgers come with lettuce, tomato, onion, and a pickle spear along with a side and condiments of your choice. We normally choose the excellent seasoned fries or crunchy onion rings as other sides are available for a small surcharge. Truly, what “makes” this burger is the roll as it is toasted to capture the juices of your burger yet still remains soft.

Best Wings–Hooters 7912 West Broad Street Richmond 23294 Yes, I know, another franchise chain, but when it comes to enjoying wings–they must always be consistent and consistently enjoyable where a selection of cold beer is available–so Hooters checks all the boxes. Hey, I admit, chicken wings aren’t cheap, but currently on Monday and Wednesday wings are BOGO with Happy Hour starting at 3PM. As I’ve said many times, my friends say I’m frugal while my enemies say I’m cheap and my enemies are right! La Bear likes the original breaded hot sauced wings (all flats) and I enjoy the smoked wings dry rubbed in garlic habanero (all flats). Wings, cold beer, sports, and great company–what more could you ask for!

Best Fried Chicken–Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken 2200 West Broad Street Richmond 23220 and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen 8044 West Broad Street Richmond 23294 Two more, what are considered fast food chains, but providing what I consider to be the best fried chicken. Lots of restaurants claim to have the “best” fried chicken and many of them are indeed good, but to me fried chicken is “Americana” and a fast food item, and I can always count on both Lee’s and Popeyes to be fresh, hot, properly cooked, consistent, reasonably priced and, of course, very tasty! A nice selection of enjoyable sides is available along with a hot butter-topped biscuit. “Love that chicken” at Lee’s and Popeyes!

Best Seafood Shop–Yellow Umbrella 5603 Patterson Avenue Richmond 23226 For the freshest seafood and greatest variety in Richmond, you can’t go wrong with the Yellow Umbrella. This family-owned business, since 1986, has continued to grow over the years (has recently changed hands to another local family) and is now also a butcher shop offering premium and prime cuts. Additionally, other items offered include a large selection of prepared entrees, side dishes, and salads for take home, a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit, homemade sweets, bread, and rolls, a selection of gourmet products including beer and wine, and even a lunch counter serving the likes of a lump backfin crabcake sandwich or a fresh-made warm lobster roll. The staff if friendly, helpful, and patient with your questions also offering recipes and cooking tips. Let me tell you that the Yellow Umbrella is wonderful and you will love it, but like, “back in the day”, “Someplace Special” in McLean, VA, it ain’t cheap (like me)–it’s very expensive–but remembering the old adage, “you get what you pay for”!

Best Food Emporium–Ukrop’s Market Hall 7250 Patterson Avenue Richmond 23229 Offering the best-of Ukrop’s foods and legendary customer service in a friendly neighborhood atmosphere where you can dine-in or mostly carry-out your all-time favorite foods, from what was the renowned family-owned grocery store chain in Richmond since 1937, featuring favorites like fried chicken, potato wedges, homestyle vegetables, White House Rolls, pizza, chilled prepared entrees, sides, deli salads, and baked goods like their famous Rainbow Cookies.

Best Bakery–Sugar & Salt 416 N. 2nd Street Richmond 23219 Since 2011, this is RVA’s premier bakery producing fantastic creations which, not only, look beautiful, but taste better than they look. Their shop offers petit fours, confections, pastries, mini-cakes, tarts, cookies, and specializes in one-of-a-kind dessert cakes. Open Tuesday-Saturday from 10AM-4PM.

Best Specialty Gift Shop–Tweed 4035 Lauderdale Drive (across from Short Pump Town Center) Richmond 23233 Tweed is more than a store as it’s Richmond’s favorite destination for today’s most stylish brands and unique gifts that celebrate life’s every special occasion since 2007. Featuring YETI, SWIG, Scout, eNewton, Keva, Budha Girl, NEST, jellycat, nora fleming, mudpie, apparel, baby essentials, and a large selection of any and everything else. Expert personalization is offered and all purchases are eligible for free gift wrap.

Best Historic Hotel–The Jefferson Hotel 101 W. Franklin Street Richmond 23220 Opened in 1895, this historic 5-Star and 5-Diamond historic hotel creates memories for its patrons as you’re not likely to forget the breathtaking public spaces, the luxurious comfort of their guest rooms, or the stellar dining which you will experience. A large statue of Thomas Jefferson stands at “center stage” located within the architectural wonder of the rotunda. The Sunday Champagne Brunch is “next to none” especially during the holidays when The Jefferson is decorated to the “hilt”!

“Best Modern Hotel–The Westin Richmond 6631 W. Broad Street Richmond 23230 Centrally located in the West End, the Westin offers all the holistic and modern amenities for leisure and relaxation, as well as, conducting your business as a AAA 4-Diamond Approved Hotel including a comfortable bar, restaurant featuring locally sourced cuisine, full fitness studio, and a heated indoor pool.

Best Hospital–Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital 5801 Bremo Road Richmond 23226 Since 1966, St. Mary’s has served Central Virginia providing compassionate health care of the highest quality. No matter what your health opportunity is, this is the resounding hospital of choice! Not being a hospital type of guy, that’s all I’ve gotta say about that!

Best Supermarket–Publix (multiple locations) Publix is by far the best supermarket chain in Central Virginia and that’s coming from a guy who spent 32 years in the industry–me! Founded in 1930 by the Jenkins family, Publix is a privately held and employee-owned chain headquartered in Lakeland, FL and operates in the Southeastern US with over 1350 units and 240,00 employees. Their stores are clean, well-stocked, and their dedication to service is very well known. Your shopping experience will normally consistently meet your needs and expectations as they take pride in their work.

Best Limousine Service–James Limousine Service 2314 Anniston Street Richmond 23220 Providing professional ground transportation services that will always exceed your expectations as James Limousine is “driven to serve”. Their Driving Team is professional, dependable, courteous, and, above all, safe! Their fleet is built to serve any and all of your needs utilizing sedans, SUV’s, vans, mini-coaches, and coaches having successfully served their clients since 1992.

Best Barber–The Confident Barber 11051 Three Chopt Road Richmond 23233 This is not your grandfather’s barbershop as owner Wathiq will tell you and he’s right! The Confident Barber warmly welcomes all customers and are proud to offer a modern twist on traditional barber services. You will enjoy a focused yet relaxing experience with expert hair styling, warm face towels, wet straight razor shaves, and precision beard trimming as you will always look and feel your best as they are a 5.0 shop. A shampoo and blow dry are performed after each styling session. Their team of skilled barbers are dedicated to providing the highest quality service and care to each of their clients. Appointments are available and walk-ins are always welcome..

Best Auto Mechanic–Hylas Tire and Auto 15446 Pouncey Tract Road Rockville 23146 Providing outstanding service since 1967, Hylas is family-owned and operated focusing on building strong customer relationships and providing the highest quality of workmanship on each and every automotive repair. Fairly priced and honest, Hylas is dependable and will have your vehicle ready for pick-up when promised.

Best Nursery–Cross Creek Nursery 15503 Ashland Road Rockville 23146 Also family-owned and operated since 1974, proudly serving the Richmond Metro area with quality plant material and services. Products include trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, aquatics, and herbs and vegetables. They also carry stone statuary, pottery, bagged and bulk mulch, and bulk stone. Their greenhouse offers tropical houseplants, a gift department, home decor, a full-service florist, and every lawn and garden supply imaginable.

Best Lawn Service–Countryside Grounds (ask for contact information) Constatine Sotos owns Countryside Grounds, a full-service lawn and landscaping service, whose services include growing, cutting, trimming, and blowing your grass, shrubs, and trees, as well as laying out and planting landscapes. Reasonably priced, honest, and dependable Costa will always exceed your highest expectations as he always strives for perfection.

Best Housekeeping Service–Saria Palma (ask for contact information) Saria, by far, will provide you with the cleanest home you will ever have as her attention to detail is unsurpassed. She takes extreme pride in making certain your home is spotless from “top to bottom and tip to stern” each and every time. Reasonably priced, dependable, and honest, Saria, is 5-star all the way!

Best Painting Service–FE Painting (ask for contact information) Federico Estima has been providing outstanding painting services since 2001. Reasonably priced, dependable, and honest you will never be disappointed as he is a perfectionist satisfying your every need. His company is full-service offering residential interior and exterior painting, cabinet refinishing and painting, deck refinishing and staining, hardwood floor refinishing, small drywall and finishing projects including some carpentry work, roof replacement, and power washing.