(Take 5 is a restaurant review invented by Wonder Guides and written by real people like yourself. Diners pick the restaurant. They go alone or with friends. Then they tell us about themselves, the experience, and give us their take on five areas - location, atmosphere, menu, taste, and price. What is published is an honest review and recommendation that you can use to make your next dining choice.)
Burger Break Brings Smiles for the Whole Family
THE RESTAURANT
Barley and Burger | Our yearly family road trip from Richmond, Virginia to Charleston, South Carolina comes with lots of hours in the car and lots of requests to stop for food. Sick of the usual roadside options, I did a search for restaurants close to I-95 and found Barley and Burger. I read aloud the fun, movie-themed menu full of gourmet burgers, wings, milkshakes and craft beer, it was a unanimous "Yes" to a quick detour for dinner before the final leg of our trip home.
We pulled into the quaint one-level shopping center that houses Barley and Burger and instantly felt relief. Stretching our legs in the parking lot, we could smell the french fries and sizzling burgers. The few folks seated out the high top tables outside looked happy and satisfied. Golden pints of beers and platters filled with hot wings and onion rings sat between them. I silently congratulated myself on my Google Maps search that led us here.
THE CRITIC:
Amanda Smart is a non profit executive living in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and two teenagers. When not traveling to see family, they enjoy going to the movies, camping, and biking in the Virginia countryside.
THE REVIEW
(1) poor, (2) fair, (3) average, (4) great, (5) excellent
Location: Rating (5)
Less than a minute off US-64 and short 5 minutes off I-95, Barley and Burger is a convenient spot for lunch or dinner. There's plenty of parking in this quaint shopping area.
Atmosphere: Rating (4)
We opted for a booth inside where the vibe was simple, warm and friendly. Several folks were bellied up at the small z-shaped bar, but we had a great view of sports on the multiple TVs from our booth. It's cozy, which fits with the vibe of a local gathering spot. There were warm greetings for people coming through the door, and the din of togetherness as people shifted in booths and pulled up chairs for friends.
Menu: Rating (5)
Barley and Burger's motto says it all: Great Food, Great Beer, Made Simple. We loved the movie themed menu. Each burger was named after a familiar character from our favorite 1980s movies: Marty McFly, Ghostbuster, Rocky Balboa, to name a few. The gourmet burgers-topped with all kinds of wacky deliciousness from bourbon glazed mushrooms to truffle aioli-left us happily stuffed and reaching for extra napkins. I insisted on a platter of fried pickles. My husband opted for a flight of local beers recommended by the bartender, after I promised I'd drive the remaining leg of the trip. The kids and I traded tastes of their handspun shakes: banana pudding (my favorite), cookies and cream for the 8 year-old, and a good old fashioned, delicious chocolate shake for the teenager. We rolled out wishing we had a Barley and Burger closer to home, and on our list of "must stops" for our trip next year.
Taste: Rating (5)
5 out of 5. The Forrest Bondurant (Swiss cheese, house-made bourbon glazed mushrooms, candied bacon with garlic aioli on a beef patty) was one of the best burgers I've ever had. Next time, I'm making my husband drive so I can have more than a sip of the ice cold craft beers.
Price: Rating (4)
You get your money's worth at Barley and Burger. Though it's on the pricey side for a burger (think $15), the specialty toppings like truffle aioli, home-made pimento cheese, and bourbon glazed mushrooms were worth it.
FINAL TAKE:
Barley and Burger had it all for our hungry, road-weary crew. The friendly staff made us feel right at home and even made a few suggestions as we hemmed and hawed over the burger choices. The tvs and company gave it a local sports bar feel, and the food was everything we wanted: quality beef patties, unexpected elevated toppings, great crispy fries and sweet milkshake to finish it off. If you're passing by or anywhere local, Barley and Burger is a lunch or dinner stop worth taking.