Shhh…I’m going to tell ya’ll a local secret. But first, I’ll assert that there are two kinds of seafood restaurant. One of them serves just about everything fried and/or soaked in butter. I don’t know what the other kind is…fancier, I guess. I enjoy both. But when it comes to lots of fried fish, tartar sauce, hush puppies and beer there are only a few places in Virginia Beach that we go. One of them is Nick’s Fresh Seafood & Steak on Laskin Road.

Nick’s is blue collar seafood. It shares a wall with a laundromat. The decor is 1973 laminate and vinyl. Most of the staff is at or past normal age of retirment and have worked there for decades. Most of the patrons have been eating there just as long. It’s certainly not the only place in town that can be described in such a way. In fact, I wouldn’t even bother to brag about Nick’s except for the fact that we’ve been going there for almost 10 years and always look forward to eating there. We go to the other places, but we like Nick’s most. It’s one of our cozy little haunts.

If you want to know what to eat at Nick’s just look on the walls. They have a menu, but when the waitresses have to look up to a whiteboard to remind themselves what kind of fish they have in you can be pretty sure that’s the ticket. You can also mark the seasons by what they show on their marquee. Nick’s tends not to serve rockfish in the dog days of summer or soft shells in the dead of winter. They serve what swims by.

There’s always an AYCE fried fish special. That’s standard fare all over V.B. I’ve definitely had my share. I’m a sucker for softshells just about anywhere when they’re in season. Nick’s are great. I’m not sure they even bread them at all - just crispy fried crabby goodness.

My wife Carolyn goes for the fried oysters just about every time. Throw in a couple of draft beers and we are set. I don’t think we’ve ever had to wait for a table but Nick’s is busy most every night in or out of season. You can spend a lot of money, but you really have to try.

Tonight we had a softshell sandwich ($9.95), 1/2 dozen steamed oysters ($4.50), a salad, kid’s grilled cheese, couple of extra sides, soda, and pitcher of beer for $37.03. Good deal.

We have a few other cozy little haunts to tell you about…if you promise to keep them all secrets.

I am starting a new column this morning about three things that I am always in search of when I am out and about - cheap, good, and local. In today’s economy, these three words couldn’t be more important. Our family, like so many others, is cutting back on the amount we eat out. Therefore, when we do eat out, I want to make especially sure that my belly and my wallet are satisfied. I’m sure you do too, so why not share some of the best cheap, good, and local spots from around the Old Dominion?

First up is the Horse & Hound Gastropub in Charlottesville. The Horse & Hound is modeled after London gastropubs with an emphasis on simple food done well in a casual atmosphere. The owners have transformed the old Blue Bird Cafe into just that. Inside, the restaurant has a Virginia Hunt Country feel as historical photographs and paintings from local fox hunt clubs take up wall space. The patio outside offers comfortable seating with large umbrellas that provide for nice shade in the summertime.

Enough about the fluff. Who really gives a crap about the atmosphere if the food is no good? I go for three reasons.

1. My almost 2 year old son loves it. The wait staff are extremely friendly (and love my son), and he loves their french fries. We go here as a family about twice a month.

2. A smoked pork sandwich with cole slaw & spicy mustard sauce, named The Belmont. I’ve tried many other sandwiches and entrees on the menu, but I keep coming back to the Belmont. It’s smoked goodness on ciabatta bread with a heaping of french fries (or onion rings as pictured below) for only $9.



3. The most delicious beer on tap in Charlottesville, Fullers London Pride Pale Ale. It’s $6 for a 20oz, which is a hefty price for a college town, but it’s so worth it. If I worked there, this beer would make me an alcoholic.

I must disclose that I am not a fan of all their dishes. My wife and I find their sandwiches to be more enjyoable than their entrees, thus a better value.

Regardless, try it out next time you are in town. If you only order the Fullers Pride, I guarantee you’ll come back for more.