Slawter (pulled pork BBQ, apple coleslaw, and Lupo hot sauce). Featuring a menu of Sweet Potato Biscuit sandwiches and a handful of tasty homemade sides and desserts, the Handsome Biscuit serves up specials like the Hella Fitzgerald ( fried chicken with bacon, cheddar, and red eye sausage gravy) and the A.C. What this little joint lacks in size, they make up for in taste. Known for their great calendar moving boxfood, great service and great prices, this diner-style family restaurant is a local favorite with items like made-to-order fried chicken, okra, homemade mashed potatoes, and loaded omelets. Once you step inside, you’ll see that Chick N Little is all about homestyle goodness. The exterior may not be grandiose, but it doesn’t need to be. Once you’ve had your fill of the main course, be sure to try a dessert – all of which are homemade by the owner’s mother. The owners show a clear passion for their work and supply all of the meat from their own buffalo farm just 15 minutes away.

On the menu you’ll find buffalo cheesesteak, buffalo loaded fries, buffalo burgers, pulled buffalo barbecue, buffalo hot dogs, and quesadillas with…you guessed it…buffalo. Like the name implies, Buffalo and More serves more than just buffalo – but not a lot. Enjoy live music, an impressive wine and port selection, incredible food, and a warm and cozy atmosphere that will keep you coming back time and again. But after one taste of this incredibly unique menu, you won’t be surprised by anything The Palisades serves up – and most importantly, you’ll never be disappointed.

You might not expect handcrafted foods prepared in a brick oven imported from Italy in the heart of Giles County. Housed in an historic old General Store that operated from 1926-2000, The Palisades is a pleasant surprise. Stop in anytime for great food and great service - and don’t forget to visit the gift shop for amazing goodies to-go. Known for their outstanding BBQ and Zagat-rated Apple Butter donuts, this family-owned business sits just at the start of the Skyline Drive. Since 1963, The Apple House has been a go-to for Warren County locals and visitors alike. With fresh ingredients, many of them locally sourced, and an ever-changing diverse menu, the Horseshoe is gourmet where you least expect it. This place serves a seriously amazing menu and has the Virginia is for Lovers Culinary Challenge Finalist 2015 plaque and Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor to prove it. Looks can be deceiving, so don’t let the hole-in-the-wall appearance fool you. It may not look like much on the outside…and the parking situation gets a bad rap, but the pizza wins time and again. Named the state’s best pizza in TripAdvisor’s poll, Pupatella is known for fabulously authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas. Either way, you’ll look forward to coming back. Try one of their specialty sandwiches or build your own. The market on Ivy Road in Charlottesville has been a long time favorite of University of Virginia students and locals alike with their fresh breads, meats, and cheeses. But stop by the Bel-Air Market at Tiger Fuel and that’s exactly what you’ll get. When you go inside a gas station market, what are you expecting to find? Probably not one of the best deli sandwiches you’ve ever had. The only other things you’ll find on the menu are a few salads and tater tots. Choose from a 24-tap selection that changes daily or get it to go in a sealed Mason jar. Spacebar offers 20 grilled cheese sandwich options from vegan (don’t ask me to explain) to pulled pork. It’s only the best grilled cheese menu you’ll ever find. Located in a non-descript storefront in Downtown Falls Church, SpaceBar is easy to miss. From unexpectedly upscale to good ol’ fashioned hot dogs and burgers, these places may not have all the flash and flair on the outside, but trust me, they make up for it on the inside.

While every community has its favorites, those little neighborhood dives that only the locals know about, we’ve found 13 spots around the state that you won’t want to miss next time you’re in the area. And without a doubt, some of the best food in Virginia comes from the most unexpected places. When it comes to restaurants, a fancy exterior and flashy signs will only get your so far.

Handsome biscuit lupo sauce