We love our seafood, that’s no secret. With easy access to the freshest around, you can’t blame us. We’re still classic folks, though. Our small town charm packs a lot of flavor when you’re hunting for something from the land. Many of our restaurants carry a fun and filling take on the American classic. Check out a few of our favorite burger hot spots.
Small Town Burger
81 S Main Street, Kilmarnock
Relax in this open-air foodie spot. Order up flavorful and filling burgers, lobster rolls, Old Bay curly fries, and more indulgences. You can walk up to the food cart or place a mobile order. When you’re food is ready, settle in next to one of the fire pits or umbrella-covered picnic tables. Small Town Burger is located between the Virginia ABC Store and the Animal Welfare League. Parking off of Main Street and off Irvington Road.
The Office
4346 Irvington Road, Irvington
Don’t be scared by the big tooth brushes in the front of The Office Cafe. This time it’s actually fun to go to the dentist’s office. You’ll only find good food inside of this renovated dental office. On the menu, creative salads, sandwiches, and sodas abound. Find unexpected creations like the Vegefication burger. It is made of a special blend of vegetables and topped with a warm soy glaze, lettuce, and tomato on a potato bun. Wash down your veggie burger with a spectacularly necessary Nutella Fudge Brownie Shake.
Fish Hawk at the Tides Inn
480 King Carter Dr, Irvington, VA
Waterside dining doesn’t just mean seafood. Down by the pool of the Tides Inn, there is a new casual eatery waiting for your taste buds: Fish Hawk. While we love menu items like crab cakes with pico de gallo and avocado, new Executive Chef Alex Pasco is bringing a twist to classics like the burger here, too. Pair your burgers with no fuss sides like peel-and-eat shrimp in a lively atmosphere inside. Enjoy panoramic views of Carter’s Creek. The restaurant also features a full bar serving a wide selection of local beer, wine, and craft cocktails.
The Galley
16236 General Puller Highway, Deltaville
Out in Deltaville, you’ll have a hard time missing The Galley. The local watering hole always has a full parking lot and patio around dinner time. The Galley hosts nightly specials featuring tacos, alfredo, prime rib and more. One thing they all have in common: they’re made from scratch. That goes for the burgers, too. The Galley Burger is made of eight ounces of fresh chuck served on a freshly grilled Brioche bun. Pick your burger partner: hand-cut fries, handmade chips, sweet potatoes, and baked apples are just a few of the options. Ask for a side of super special Galley sauce for dipping.
Deltaville Tap & Raw Bar
274 Bucks View Lane Deltaville, VA 23043
Who says jam is for breakfast? We can change your mind with the Beef and Cheddar burger at Deltaville Taphouse. The culinary creation is topped with bacon jam and paired with a brioche bun. Order a side of garlic parsley fries and a drink of your choice. We might recommend something from the large whiskey selection or brew from a 16-line tap of local and international craft beers. Enjoy your burger at the bar, the patio or inside–everywhere offers up a view of Broad Creek, the perfect place to watch the sunset.
Lee’s Restaurant
30 S. Main Street, Kilmarnock
Lee’s celebrates its 80th year in business this year and brings the Colossal Burger to the party! This burger has 10 ounces of Certified Hertford Beef patty, a pile of pork barbecue, five ounces of beef brisket, and four ounces of shaved steak, a fried egg, two pieces of bacon, lettuce, tomato, and three onion rings. These are all loaded and stacked between two potato buns. Better bring a friend (or two) for this River Realm delicacy! Another BIG option is the River Monster, a crabcake with lettuce, tomato and bacon and them topped with a soft shell crab. You’re going to need a bigger boat!
Portside Grill
25 Cross Street, Urbanna
Enjoy one of four creative and savory burgers as you watch the boats roll in and out of the marina at Portside Grill. We recommend starting with the Trophy Burger, which is topped with crab cakes that are low on the filling and big on the flavor. The Rappahannock Burger is topped with fried oysters and the Farmhouse Burger is topped with caramelized onions and goat cheese. Order up sides like “Sea Sprouts,” brussels sprouts roasted with sea salt. Save room for something sweet like Blueberry Buttermilk or Chocolate Pecan Pie.
Something Different
213 Virginia Street, Urbanna, VA
Something Different is known for its award winning meats. That means their burgers, too. Discover several classic takes on the burger alongside other menu items like the brisket melt, the Virginia Muffaletta, and turkey reubens. Add your own toppings to make it just right. Order up surprisingly scrumptious sides like the hoe cakes, grilled broccoli, and Kickin’ Fries. You can bring home the flavor including farm specialty rubs, seasonings and sauces, freshly baked pies and breads, homemade ice cream, craft brews, wines and cook books.
The World Famous Corner Bar & Grill
5360 Mary Ball Road, Lancaster, VA
Tucked away in a one-stop-light town of Lively, you’ll meet a restaurant full of locals who come back again and again for classic eats like burgers and crab cakes. There’s no fuss to these Black Angus burgers, but owner Conner Lord takes them seriously. Enjoy one with shoestring fries, wings, or steamed mussels. If you’d like a burger with seafood flare, order The Corner crab cake sandwich is big enough to compete with your burger. It boasts 1/3 lb of fresh local crab meat without filler. Wash your classic bites back with an ice cold beer.
Share Your Big Bad Burger Pics
We hope you and your pals enjoy hunting down the tastiest burgers here in the River Realm. Help us prove there’s more than just good seafood here. We want to see your juicy burger pics. Tag us on Instagram at @virginiasriverrealm.
