good places to eat (Virginia Beach, Norfolk: oceanfront, restaurants, price)

[Conroy25]

My wife and I relocated to Chesapeake about two months ago, and have not had good restaurant experiences. We've had to send our food back almost everytime for being anything from undercooked to just plain horrible. When I asked my neighbors for advise they started listing off chain restaurants and that is the last thing we want. The recommendations I have been exploring have all turned out to be crap. I'm begining to think people here think ***** food is good because that's all they have known. I am interested in any kind of food as it's good and not overpriced. So can someone please give me some sound recommendations.

[BikesareBetter]

Uhh How about the Grocery Store. I'd give my opinion but it might be "crap" and "**** food"..

[Erma]

I personally don't do chain restaurants unless I'm on the road and there's no place else to eat. Chesapeake doesn't have any family owned restaurants that I know of. I swear by Croakers and Charlies on Shore Dr. in VB for seafood and the Surf Rider restaurants. The best steak place in my opinion is Aberdeen Barn on Northhampton Blvd. They also have great seafood, but their prime rib is out of this world.

[BikesareBetter]

Todd Jurichs Bistro in Norfolk..

[stltova]

Just a few of my favorites...........
No frill grill (norfolk and VB)
Big Sams (by rudee inlet in VB)
Tautogs and Doc Taylors (at the oceanfront)
I second Surfriders (and all of the other places recommended)
O sullivans (great neck road, used to be Isla)
Smokehouse bar cooler (shore drive)

[Erma]

Oh and Steinhilbers on Thalia..Awesome food!

[Ack567]

Since Chesapeake is a middle class to upper middle class suburban area...chains are heavily attracted to the city. So that means the majority of restaurants in Chesapeake are chains. I am glad that Chesapeake was able to attract a Cracker Barrel across Greenbrier Mall...which is the only one on the southside...and I love that place. I do like some chains (not really into Ruby Tuesday, Applebee's and TGI Friday's) especially upscale chains...like the majority of restaurants in the Virginia Beach Town Center/Pembroke area. McCormick and Schmicks, California Pizza Kitchen, Cheesecake Factory and PF Changs are great IMO but there are some great non chain independent restaurants in Hampton Roads as well.

Here are some non chains that are really good IMO...

456 Fish on Granby Street in Norfolk
Aberdeen Barn on Northampton Blvd in Va Beach
Hot Tuna off of Shore Dr and Great Neck in Va Beach
The 219 on Granby Street in Norfolk
Bodega on Granby Street in Norfolk
Domo Sushi on Granby Street in Norfolk

There are alot of great non chains on Shore Dr in Va Beach as well as the oceanfront and there are alot of great non chains in Norfolk in the downtown area and ghent...hope this helps...

[Conroy25]

Thanks to all of you. I'm going to attempt to try all of the places listed.

[Hinton Bound]

Quite possibly the best kept "local" secret is "Board Wok" in VB. It's behind the Bloom (old Food Lion) at the corner of Sandbridge rd and Princess Anne. The Boardwok Restaurant - Virginia Beach, Virginia
~Mark

[summers19]

We really like Spice of India on Volvo in Chesapeake.
They have a great lunch buffet Monday through Saturday and really good food. We've also been there for dinner and enjoy it.