Downtown Charm Meets Uptown Quality

Fardowners is way up on the list of Crozet’s best eateries

July 2024

by Peggy Hyland, Contributing Columnist

In the heart of downtown Crozet, Va., Fardowners stands out as a unique and inviting eatery. Nestled in an unassuming storefront, it offers a charming view of Crozet’s train depot. Stepping inside, I was immediately drawn to its laid-back atmosphere, a perfect setting for a relaxed dining experience. The staff were friendly and helpful. The space is small but not cramped, and several large tables are available for family gatherings. It was the perfect place to catch up with an old friend.

We made a split decision on appetizers. My dining companion is an avid chicken wings fan, so he opted for the regular wings with jerk seasoning. They were perfectly cooked, with a slow heat deriving from the spices.

We also tried the Hippie Wings: breaded slices of portabella mushrooms in the sweet heat sauce that perfectly balanced the honey and raspberry sweetness with some habanero in the  nish. They were crunchy and very satisfying.

We couldn’t resist the pot stickers, with their crunchy exterior, delicious filling and sweet dipping sauce. It was hard to pick a favorite, but the Hippie Wings edged out the competition by the slightest of margins.

I have been on a fish and chips kick for months, and this one knocked it out of the park. The rock fish was tender and flaky inside its crispy coating. It is also available as a sandwich. The Fardowners Burger came on a heavenly pretzel roll, and the burger was incredibly juicy. The side was the soup of the day, a country ham and cabbage soup that was a silky sensation.

We wanted to try one of the several vegetarian options, so we chose the Parking Lot, which was also on a pretzel roll with tender grilled onion and tomato with two kinds of cheese. The caramelized onions were truly extraordinary.

For dessert, who can resist a peanut butter brownie? Certainly not me. It was delectable and made in-house. Also house-made was the carrot cake, my all-time favorite. The massive cake slice was light and fluffy.

My return to Fardowners after a decade was a nostalgic journey. To my delight, the restaurant had not only maintained its high standards but had also possibly improved. The thought of staying in town overnight and returning for a leisurely brunch the next morning was already tempting me.