A simple e-mail review of a breakfast sandwich turned into a monthly “restaurant” review for the internal newsletter at Tilt C+P.

I got a kick out of these and wanted them to live somewhere. So, in the words of the great David Byrne “this must be the place.”

Golden Convenience Center

After my last attempt to get bodega breakfast and being informed that they only turn the grill on wed-fri, I have finally visited the sketchy breakfast spot, during operating hours, and have a full-ish review for you. Because I know you’re just dying to hear about it. Okay, here we go.

Initial observations / ordering / phase 1
Very friendly folks. They seemed excited to see me – maybe because I was the only one in the store. Went to order the classic egg and cheese biscuit, but they were out of biscuits so had to go with the croissant. Other options included various breads, but I wasn’t trying to go full sandwich here.

Despite the overload of Boars Head branding all over the place, I decided to go meat-free for this first visit. The woman behind the counter cracked a fresh (?) egg and cooked it on the steam table grill thing. Kinda like an open kitchen. Kind of. So far so good.

Payment / Transaction process
Another smooth and pleasing process here. Although I was tempted to buy the Chanel facemask by the register, I stayed focused on the task at hand and stuck with the egg and cheese biscuit croissant.

$6. Not bad and I’m all for supporting small businesses, but thought something closer to $4 would’ve been fair. But, inflation, taxes yadda yadda I ain’t mad at the $6. Plus I think that included an upcharge for the croissant that I didn’t even want in the first place. But, ya know what they say – “when you’re out of biscuits – you gotta take the croissant.” Well, that’s what I said this morning at least.

Closing out the deal
After payment, the woman behind the counter excitedly shouted some form of ‘order up’ and handed the sandwich to the man, who was also behind the counter. At this point, he carefully folds the sandwich, which is already wrapped in some wax paper, into another bag and proudly adds more Boar’s Head branding to this outer bag. (shout out to the Boar’s Head rep).

Closing thoughts
Not mad at all about the experience. Was in and out in about 5 minutes. Plenty of weird antiques, bootleg designer items, and various other tchotchkes to check out during this short wait. The A/C was broken, so it was pretty warm in there but overall I’d give it a solid 7.75/10. Only knocking it for lack of biscuits and some small misses. Maybe I should splurge for 8/10 rating, but we can’t all be winners here.

Chamo’s Arepa House

I never intended for my Golden Convenience Store breakfast review to turn into a monthly column. 

But here we are.

Several of you reached out with some solid suggestions on spots to check out, and I finally made it to one of them. And in an effort to not take up too much of Helana’s space in The Works, I will attempt to keep this one clean, clear, and concise. I present to you: Chamo's Arepa House. Shout-out to Lindsay for this one.

Initial observations:
Few things get me as curious, excited, and suspicious as a sign at the front door with two arrows, one pointing towards the “restaurant” to the left and another pointing to “grocery/gas” to the right. For this second installment in the Spot Check series, a theme is already becoming clear – prepared food is but one part of these select establishments. Perhaps that will continue, or maybe the next review will break from this young tradition. Only time will tell. Either way, I’m jazzed already.

Ordering / Phase 1:
I brought a friend along for this excursion, partly because we were already hanging out. Also, this one was a bit of a trek to Southside and, well, why not right? So we walk in, and I’m immediately struck by the cleanliness and overall warm vibe of the place (especially in contrast to the “grocery/gas” establishment next door, but more on that later). They had this cool tile floor and a giant smiling arepa painted on the wall between Venezuelan and U.S. flags. I’m into it. From the looks of it, we could be in either country. It’s like a vacation. And since my passport is expired, this is as close as I’ll get to Venezuela in the foreseeable future. 

I scan a QR code to get the menu as a server approaches our table. He drops off some printed menus. I immediately notice the prices are different and, to be honest, I kind of like the mystery here. How much is it? Which ingredient list is correct? We’re in for a surprise already, and I haven’t even ordered.

The Food / Main Event:
I decided to go with the daily special of sancocho soup, a pabellon bowl, a chicken arepa, this mini slider thing with fried plantains as buns, and, since I had a bit too many sips off this Elijah Craig toasted barrel bottle the night before, a cheeseburger and fries. I would like to point out that every item on the menu appeared to be authentic Venezuelan dishes, so it’s unclear the origin of the cheeseburger on the list. But there was a language barrier and, well, I’ve never been to Venezuela so maybe that is where the cheeseburger and fries originates. Sometimes you just gotta roll with it, okay?  

I’d also like to point out, I didn’t really know what some of these items were, so again, sometimes you just gotta roll with it.  

Now on to the main event. I really have to say I was blown away by the food brought to the table. I mean really. This was some world-class stuff here. The sancocho soup (which, honestly, I had no idea what that even was) was really something special. The pabellon bowl had a perfectly fried egg on top. The slider/mini sandwich things were on point, and although the plantains were supposed to be a side dish on the bowl, they provided a sweet, almost dessert-like flavor that rounded out the meal. Excellent all around. 

Closing Thoughts:
This is the closest I’ve been to giving a 10/10 review, but it is also only the second spot in this series. So I hesitate to be too generous with the golden forks or whatever these numbers represent. That being said, I’m going with a 9.5/10. Which if we’re rounding up is a 10. So really, we all win here. I’d also like to point out that after this stellar meal, you have the option to follow the arrow pointing to the right and head into the “grocery/gas” area where you can finish your afternoon gambling on those Queen machines or whatever they are called (I tried playing those once and ended up losing $5, and I’m still not sure how they work). The “grocery/gas” station also provides a contrast to the warmth of the “restaurant” side by being cold, not as clean or inviting, which honestly just makes Chamo’s Arepa House that much more charming.

This was truly a culinary gem, and I recommend anyone to take the trek down to Dogtown and visit these fine folks and see for yourself.

Scott’s Shawarma

Alright. Your boy is back with another spot check food review. This was a tough one because I actually had three different contenders (including a chicken place in an old car wash bay). But in the end, I’m going with Scott's Shawarma located in “Scott's Provisions Market For All Your Daily Needs” in Scott’s Addition. Great Scott! Okay. Sheesh.

To keep with tradition, Scott’s Shawarma is located in—you guessed it—a convenience store. But this isn’t any regular old bodega. Here at “Scott's Provisions Market For All Your Daily Needs,” you can pick up everything from Hookah coal things, Skittles-flavored energy drinks, ice, a sparkling water drink with Mexican limes and Japanese yuzu, something called “Texmati” rice, which is labeled as “American Style basmati rice” and CBD Nag Champa incense. So when we’re talking about international markets, I think Scott’s has about every continent represented. It’s also kind of close to the Studio, so put this one on your lunch list and let’s go. 

Initial observations / ordering / phase 1
Walked in and got a nice greeting from… Scott? Unclear who the man behind the counter was. But he was excited, and that’s usually a good sign. As we were looking over the menu, he asked if we wanted to try a falafel. For sure. And I gotta say, it was one of the best falafels I’d had in a while. But I didn’t want this bribe to influence my lunch decision, so I continued to sternly look over the menu and weigh the options presented via sharpie and posterboard hanging in the air. I figured, hey I’m at a shawarma place, I might as well take the path… (most travelled?) and go with the namesake dish. 

First question was do I want it on pita bread or this other bread called Markouk bread? Yeah, let’s switch it up, but only a little. So I went with the Markouk bread, and let me tell you – that’s the play. I love a good pita bread, but this thin crispy option really set off the rest of the sandwich. And although maybe a little messier than a pita, it was well worth it.

So boom. Chicken Shawarma on Markouk bread, side of fries (Always get fries. Fries are life). Order in.

Phase 2 / the wait.
I think he was using a tabletop fryer. I could be wrong about that, and it doesn’t really matter. But either way, there was going to be a couple minutes until this order was up, so I paced the store. From my first two reviews, the theme is becoming clearer by the “thank you for shopping” bag that food and market items go hand in hand. And I gotta hand it to Scott’s – this place has got it all. 

Although the Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches, hardware section items like cheap pliers, and Annie’s Organic Ketchup (which I hadn’t seen before and always makes me wonder the legitimacy of some of these products) were calling to me, I kept the course. No distractions. I can come back for the pliers.

Order up! Bam, thanks Scott(?) I really should have gotten his name… I grab the perfectly wrapped sandwich, the bag of fries, pay this woman who was clearly enjoying my excitement and curiosity about their market, and step outside to eat this thing on the outdoor tables. Another point for Scott’s: You can eat there. Looks like some condos are above the market and by the sweatpant-clad folks walking in while we ate, I imagine this would really be a go-to place if you lived above it. I mean, where else can you get ice cream, shawarma, weird drinks, and did I mention the pliers? Cause they have those too. 

Phase 3 / the goods.
I gotta believe there is a sense of pride in these small businesses, and maybe that pushes the prepared food up a notch. And really, with Scott’s Shawarma, the feeling of pride I hope they have is well deserved. This was a very good sandwich. The bread especially set it off. Perfectly cooked and seasoned chicken, crispy pickled cabbage/onions to cut through, and some lettuce as the great equalizer. Pretty sure there was some feta and maybe tzatziki sauce too. I wasn’t familiar with Markouk bread. So not only did it taste great – we’re out here learning folks. Knowledge is power, and I felt powerful sitting on that picnic table out front. 

Closing Thoughts
Put this one on your list. It’s just a few blocks past Stella’s Market, but I don’t remember seeing any pliers in Stella’s. So there is an argument to be made that Scott’s has even more of your lunch and general needs covered. Work smarter not harder right? Hell, you might even learn something from your experience. I know I did. 

Update: Helana tells me they have a “cute” Instagram. And I looked it up. Cuteness confirmed.

Red Rooster Country Store

Alright. The wait is over. I’m back with a fresh review for you to feast on. 

But before we dive into this next one, let’s take a moment to reflect on where we’ve been. We’ve visited downtown (Golden Convenience Store - which I heard has closed? need to confirm this.). We’ve trekked all the way to Southside (Chamo’s Arepa House) and Scott’s Addition (Scott’s Shawarma). As we stamp our culinary passports, it only makes sense to head in a direction we’ve yet to explore - north. All the way up Chamberlayne Road to the Red Rooster Country Store. 

At this point, I’m fully committed to the general store/food combo so it should come as no surprise that Red Rooster Country Store sells more than just plates of delicious food. What you’ll find at ye olde RRCS is much more than that—family. Just kidding, but that sounds like something that would be on one of the kitschy decorative signs they sell there. 

Phase 1: Initial observations/ordering
When I said we’re headed north, I don’t mean Northside. I mean all the way out to Hanover County where the roads go by numbers as much as they do by names. So we pull off 301, (also Chamberlayne Road, ya know depending) and pull up to a gravel lot. The dust in the air lets you know you’re out here. Or was that smoke from the Canadian wildfires? Either way, there are fields. And I can’t actually remember, but let’s imagine a big red barn across the street too. That’s the vibe here. 

Phase 2: The store
We walk in, and it's kind of busy. That’s probably a good sign because no one is coming here because it’s in a convenient location. Unless you work in that red barn, I guess… anyway. This is your traditional, straight out of a Hallmark movie, general store. The one where the 20-something comes home to from the big city and bumps into their high school crush. We’ve got dried herbs, Amish popcorn, hard candies, homemade pasta, “unsulphured blackstrap molasses” which certainly sounds better than whatever the sulphured version of that is, peach cobbler mix, pickles, and an incredibly impressive selection of throw pillows. Plus, some free bibles. Take one if ya need one, ya know. 

Phase 3: Ordering
You walk to the counter in the back and fill out a form. If you want a special, you have to write it on the form. Basically, you’re making your own ticket here. That’s fair. And in a way, I appreciate the control you’re given over this part of the process. I went with the Reuben. My friend got the “All American Beefeater,” which I guess differentiates it from the gin of the same name that I don’t think is made in America. 

We put our tickets in and kinda aimlessly look for a direction to head like that John Travolta/Pulp Fiction meme. I’m good on the hard candies and Amish stuff so going to sit tight, although I was interested in the candles, wax lips candies (are you supposed to eat those or how does that work?), and the Cow Tales (the candy, although I wouldn’t be surprised if they sold actual cowtails). 

Phase 4: The point
What’s the point of this again? Well, a good lunch is a good start. And if that’s the case, we’re packed and ready to roll. This Rueben was stellar. I stole a bite off the Beefeater which was kind of like a French dip without the dip part. We ate outside on these cool mini picnic tables and enjoyed the scenery. Was there actually a barn there? I don’t know for sure, but there was a field (actually a few of them).  

Oh yeah, get to the point already. Okay, sandwich was an easy 8.5/10. And you know I’m stingy with the points, so that’s pretty good. The scenery is great if you want a break from the city. And since it’s only 20 minutes away from the Studio, I’d say that’s an acceptable distance for such a fine meal. Honorable mention goes to the deviled eggs side dish, but I’m trying to keep the word count low, so that’s all you get on that.

On the short drive back, with the sun on your back and the dust trailing your wagon, Red Rooster Country Store is a fine choice for quality country junk and an afternoon lunch junket.