A Sandwich at the Depot

Day 42 - Thursday, August 25, 2022

Walnut Hills Campground and RV Park, Staunton VA

Today's weather report:  We wake to 63 degrees.  For the past few days we have turned on the heat in Sweet Georgia Brown until sunrise, when it warms us up a bit.  Then shortly it is AC time! This far south in Virginia it is not daylight until 6:15.

We drive through the town of Staunton just like any tourist would do, and notice a restaurant called Depot Grille, which is in a building that at one time served the train that came through.  I am told that it opened in 1990 and has since become one of the favorite family restaurants of residents and tourists alike.

We love historical buildings that are repurposed, so lunch will be here today.

Originally a freight depot, it now has beautiful hardwood floors, and booths made of oak pews recovered from an old church building.  There is a 40 foot Victorian bar from a turn of the century luxury hotel, and the dinner menu is so varied that it makes it hard to choose an entree.

Once I see the salmon BLT, I don't look at the menu further.  It is described as Bourbon Salmon BLT on toated whole wheat with lettuce, tomato, and applewood smoked bacon. The fries are the best I ever tasted.  With so many ingredients and generous servings of the vegetables, I can eat only half of my sandwich, and ask for a take-out box.

Our tablecloth is butcher paper, and crayons are given for drawing pictures.   A chalkboard with the specials for the day lists blueberry pie and is surrounded with drawings by previous guests.   It isn't just the children who draw, as I see one about a Martini, shown directly below the desserts listed.

As Herb walks down the steps to our car, I ask him to pose in front of the train cars.  I would love to have a tour of some rail cars today and have someone explain the purpose of each.  Years ago I took all this for granted.

Willie of Sweet Georgia Brown,

   and of Walldog and Willie

   Thursday, August 25, 2022