One of my favorite things in the whole wide world is
finiding the diamond ring in the sand when you were not even looking. Today I had a diamond ring moment.
Whilst driving down route 1 one afternoon I was scoping the
area for good eats. I wanted something new, a place I had not already tried.
Most places were not restaurants in this part of the highway, and I did not see
the sign for Ann’s Soul Food till we zipped right on by. It was small, and
unassuming. The only proof that good ol country cooking resided inside was that
sign. For true soul food, we needed to turn around, it is not something you usually see in these
parts.
Upon entering the dining area, I had the immediate sensation
of entering someone’s home. The kitchen was open, so we spent our time talking
with Ann and a family friend working the counter (I apologize for not getting
her name) as if we were old friends.
I had my sidekick with me on this culinary adventure, my
husband. He ordered the fried chicken, and I decided on the pigs feet with mac
and cheese and cabbage. First thing I knew for sure was that everything was handmade,
the second was all the recipes were passed down from Mama. No air conditioning,
so the restaurant door stood wide open. There were regulars sitting outside
conversing and gospel music playing over the radio. This is the real deal.
Décor was a collection of furniture pieces scrounged
together. I have read other reviewers who talk about the shabbiness of the
building, but this is the experience. I did not want a place any shinier than
that, for that would be the façade. What Ann is giving you is not a show, but
food prepared with love.
This is not Cracker Barrel (Thank goodness). If it were,
then there would be nothing to separate it from the pack of boring cookie
cutter food establishments. Everything I was served was fantastic. The pigs
feet had great flavor, as did the mac and cheese and cabbage. The corn bread
was just sweet enough, and the fried chicken is worth driving to Stafford for
sure (The best fried chicken I can remember having in a long long time). There
are certain cuisines that are about the food, but also the experience.
Everything about Ann’s was the perfect experience to me. I would change
nothing.
Contact Information:
3349 Jefferson Davis Highway
Stafford, VA
(540) 288-1806
