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Story and Photos by Daniel M. Walker, Contributing Writer
There�s a new restaurant in Ashland, Jake�s Place,
that�s creating quite a stir in Central Virginia.
I visited Jake�s Place several times recently, and each
time the parking lot was packed, a tribute to the work of John and Wendy
Yohman, who opened the restaurant in January this year.
�I always wanted to open a restaurant kind of like a
miniature Cracker Barrel, with a relaxed atmosphere where our guests enjoy
great down-home cooking. I call it Southern Comfort,� says Wendy.
�To open my dream in this location is a special treat
for me. This place used to be an old BP Station and country store. It was a
local landmark to many people traveling Route 54. The name, �Jake�s Place,�
is a tribute to the original owners, Jake and Rosalie Spears, who were
well-known in the community.�
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Wendy continues, �The realization of this restaurant is
like a community project with so many people tracking our progress and the
special help of people who shared our vision, like Sumpter and Robin Priddy.
Without their support, this place would still be a dilapidated structure
along the highway.�
Wendy named one of the restaurant�s popular dishes the
Priddy Burger in their honor. The menu is loaded with southern favorites
like hushpuppies, fried green tomatoes, fried pickles, pimento cheese
sandwiches, and fried catfish.
�While we serve a variety of local favorites, a lot of
people like our smoked dishes of brisket, barbecue, ribs and meatloaf,� says
John.
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My first trip to Jake�s was a lunch outing with former
work friends, and I had the brisket sandwich. I travel a lot in Texas and
love Texas-style barbecue, which features brisket, so I was particularly
anxious to try Jake�s brisket. I was not disappointed � it was tender with
tons of flavor. I particularly liked the challah bun and John�s secret sauce
served with the brisket.
My next visit to Jake�s was for dinner with friends to
try several other menu items. And yes, you guessed it. If you eat with Dan,
Dan gets to try everyone�s dishes! So the table ordered seafood and grits,
smoked meatloaf, grilled pork chops and smoked ribs. Wow, that was a lot of
different flavors to taste and enjoy.
While I enjoyed each item, I particularly liked the
seafood and grits and the smoked ribs. The seafood and grits had shrimp and
scallops saut�ed with andouille sausage, peppers, and onions, served over
Byrd stone-ground grits with an incredible mixed cheese sauce. As the French
say, the secret is in the sauce, and I would love to know Jake�s chef�s
secret for this sauce!
The ribs were the evening special. When cooked
correctly, the slow smoking process results in great taste and tenderness.
The ribs I tried were blessed with tenderness and flavor. When I order ribs,
I usually warn the server, �If they don�t fall off the bone, don�t bother
bringing them.� Jake�s passed the test with flying colors. Rather than an
occasional daily special, I would vote for the ribs to become a permanent
menu item.
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Often, side dishes are treated as an afterthought, but
Jake�s sides were good and complemented each meal. I tried the sweet potato
fries, and I was surprised how much I enjoyed the collards, of which I am
usually not a fan. Jake�s were flavored with ham and hit the spot.
And now for the desserts. At each of my visits, I tried
the �screened porch� and then the �knock-out brownie� with hot fudge sauce.
The screened porch was an interesting combination of yellow cake, homemade
ice cream with a bourbon-and-maple sauce, AND Virginia peanuts. If you
aren�t a Virginian after having that dessert, all is lost!
A respected restaurant critic once said to never try a
new restaurant until it�s been open at least a year. This idea does not work
with Jake�s Place. It would be a shame to miss out on the great treats
awaiting your taste buds for that long. Enjoy, enjoy, and be of good cheer!
511 Thompson Street
Ashland, VA 23005
(804) 798-3287
www.jakesplaceashland.com
Hours:
Tuesday to Friday,
Lunch 11 a.m. � 2 p.m.,
Dinner 5 � 9 p.m.
Saturday,
Breakfast/Lunch 8 a.m. � 2 p.m.,
Dinner 5 � 9 p.m.
Sunday,
Breakfast/Lunch 8 a.m. � 2 p.m.
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