Retro Roadmap Writeup
"Hooray!" Retro Roadhusband says, "More Food!" as we made an easy exit off of 81 into New Market VA to go to the Southern Kitchen Restaurant. I said hooray for both the food and the great vintage signage, cantilevered glass windows and warm sunlight that bathed the place as the sun quickly set on a fun day in Virginia.
Built in 1955, the Southern Kitchen is owned by the Newland family and known for it's country cooking. You'll figure that out as soon as you enter the restaurant, and instead of coats hanging on the hooks, you see country hams-!
We only had a moment to take in the vintage decor of the main room, with wood paneling, Formica topped tables and counter service, before we were whisked off to our own table.
Our table had the classic boomerang Formica pattern, but this table we passed had a more triangular style. Does anyone know what this pattern is called?
We weren't the only hungry road trippers (I almost typed toad-rippers!)
I opeted for their famous fried chicken but my photo came out lousy. Retro Roadhusband was more than happy to dig into his steak dinner. And we both shared a slice of chocolate cream pie. Nom!
And as a bonus, the restaurant looked even more fetching when we left to hop back on the interstate.
You can see more photos of the Southern Kitchen and their tasty foods here at the Southern Kitchen Roadfood page.
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Michael Engle
December 12, 2011 at 8:13 pmInterstate???? I LOVE Route 11 along this stretch!!!! Finally got to eat there last summer. Nice place. Nice to sit at the counter too.
I’d love to just take a whole day with all the neat places in the northern half of Virginia along 11. Truly an iconic road!!!
Chuck Brotton
January 28, 2014 at 9:53 pmThe first few times that I ate here was as a kid coming home from a summer camp about 10-12 miles down Route 11. For several summers in the late 70s & early 80s The Southern Kitchen was the first non-camp food meal for me & my sister on our way home. Later, I went to college at JMU down the road in Harrisonburg and so the tradition continued. I have since moved half way across the country, but I make it a point to stop there whenever I do drive through the Shenandoah Valley. I definitely recommend the peanut soup–actually not unique, it is a very old fashioned rural Virginia dish that can be found on the menus of other old time places in the state. The pork barbeque sandwich is quite good if you like the finely-minced-in-a-vinegar-based-sauce eastern NC style of barbeque with coleslaw on top.
Mark
June 20, 2016 at 11:26 amOn the way back from a “day trip” to Staunton, VA on Saturday, we had dinner here, as I had heard about it. We followed rt. 211 out of Staunton, and passed right by. I first noticed the stone fa√ßade, sloping/canted windows, and knew it was mid-century, opened in 1955. The neon sign is quite well kept, and fully operational. What I liked was the discrete colors, light (but not bright) muted green, floor was linoleum (or something similar) tile in beige with green flecks. Dining room tables had a triangle pattern formica on them, not something I had seen in a while. Chairs were maple, with the same color green as the booths. Knotty pine walls, with large paintings from Shenandoah Caverns (a nearby attraction) were nice touches.
I opted for the roast beef dinner, which was excellent, real, home made gravy too was right on the spot, not too salty, not “gloppy” like it can get sometimes. Desserts are terrific here, I really enjoyed coconut cream pit for dessert………
Southern Kitchen has been owned by the Newlands family for its entire history, and has been lovingly maintained, with service kept up to high standards……..Don’t miss it, the place really lives up to its reputation.
Grant Goggans
December 7, 2011 at 5:49 pmI really liked this place! My wife and I visited in July ’09 on our honeymoon road trip after reading it recommended by John T. Edge. Their peanut soup is terrific.
Mod Betty
December 8, 2011 at 3:08 pmGrant- how lovely to associate this place with your honeymoon! I read your writeup and have to thank you for expanding my culinary horizons to include John T. Edge, as I had not heard of him before. AND I can’t believe we didn’t think to try – or even notice on the menu- the peanut soup! Luckily, as we both know, this place is an easy off / easy on for the interstate, so there’s always a next time. Thanks for stopping by Retro Roadmap!