Retro Roadhusband is always more interested in the food than the photos, so that's why he's so impatient with me as I try to capture the vintage porcelain steel exterior of the Snow White Grill in Winchester, VA.
(C'mon! I want
one a buncha them mini-burgers!)
A tip of the hat to fellow road wanderer Diner Hunter for hepping us to the Snow White Grill - you can see a photo of the small interior of the grill on the Diner Hunter post about their visit.
Opened in 1949 the Snow White Grill in Winchester is the last remaining locations of a local chain of miniature burger / slider joints ala White Tavern, White Castle, Krystal. It's a similar diminutive restaurant and burgers experience as we found at the Texas Tavern in Roanoke. Their mini-burger is served with fresh ground beef, mustard, grilled onions, and pickle on a steamed bun.
(Retro Roadhusband ponders the menu- check it out! Birch Beer AND Mr. Pibb. We sure aren't in PA anymore!)
While we had many tasty items on the menu to choose from, we thought we'd stick with what they're famous for and order the burgers.
While we waited for our burgers and drinks we noticed the grillman making up a huge quantity of these tiny burgers. Seems as if we came just before "Happy Hour" when you can order a large number of their famous burgers and get a discount.
You'll have to take my word for it that our burgers and fries were dang tasty, as my one photo came out all fries! Photos were hard to take in the Snow White, as it kept on filling up with folks!
We learned at the counter as we were paying that Patsy Cline used to eat here (and we'd later learn while tooling around town, that Patsy Cline is a queen in Winchester - she's everywhere!)
The other, sadder thing we learned however, is that the folks who currently own the Snow White Grill have it up for sale :-( .
(2016 note - this was written in 2011 so I'm not sure if they are still "For Sale" - call 'em and ask :-))
We saw this sign as we were leaving the Grill, and then saw the note on their Facebook Page:
Just so you hear it here first...... we have listed the grill for sale. Our dream is struggling- we understand the economy isn't good and we aren't always convenient to get to and kids are brainwashed by the commercials for the fast food places. We would love for someone to be able to continue the tradition- anyone interested????
Like most Retro Roadmap worthy places, the future of this historic place is uncertain- so get there while you can!
One thing to note is that Loudoun Street where the tiny restaurant resides, has been made over into a pedestrian mall, so you have to park on an adjacent street or lot and walk to the shop.
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William Dellinger
April 13, 2016 at 4:14 pmI want to buy what is the asking price?
Thank you.
Mod Betty / RetroRoadmap.com
April 13, 2016 at 8:47 pmHello Bill! When I wrote this piece it appeared they were for sale – but at the moment they’re still open – here’s their phone # you can ask them!
Phone number (540) 662-5955
n the meantime I’m going to change the post header as not to be misleading
Lindi
December 12, 2016 at 3:21 pmFun little story here. Husband and I went to Winchester VA on a lark when I found a marriage record for my grandparents that said they got married at the courthouse in Winchester on Dec 31 1955 even though they lived in Western PA at the time. My wedding ring is actually my grandmothers, so it was kind of nice that we were able to go and visit the area 60 years to the day they got married. Eating at the snow white grill topped the day off wondering if they had stopped in to grab a bite while they were there.
Anyhow, the food was definitely amazing and just the whole area in general is wonderful so I would recommend taking a trip there and eating at the snow white grill to anyone.
Mod Betty
December 13, 2016 at 1:43 pmLindi – thanks for taking the time to comment and let us know that the Snow White is still a swell place! What a neat reason to go to Winchester as well!
Nathan Brannon
October 15, 2018 at 6:08 pmThey were bought by new owners earlier at the end of 2017.. it’s not looking great for the old Snow White grill.. but it still stays open.. but for some reason they refuse to let people stay inside now
Mod Betty / RetroRoadmap.com
October 15, 2018 at 6:08 pmThat seems odd! Hoping for the best and thanks for all of the Winchester reports!