The Black Sheep: one sheep, two sheep, three sheep, four stars
Richmond is a city where small restaurants thrive on unique flavors, loyal customers and hole-in-the-wall, homey atmospheres. Staying true to its roots, The Black Sheep is no exception with its quality food and reasonable prices.
Photo by Kyle Laferriere
Aleena Inthaly
Contributing Writer
Richmond is a city where small restaurants thrive on unique flavors, loyal customers and hole-in-the-wall, homey atmospheres. Staying true to its roots, The Black Sheep is no exception with its quality food and reasonable prices.
Don’t let the name fool you; The Black Sheep is no outcast when it comes to delicious food. This neighborhood dive, which has been featured on the Travel channel, is only a few blocks from VCU’s Monroe Park campus and is garnering a lot of attention for their seasonal menus and excellent beverage list.
A busy lunch rush on a Tuesday afternoon took me by surprise, as I was hoping that it would be less busy. But upon entering the nondescript eatery, located at 901 W. Marshall St., I was seated and immediately felt like I just entered my grandma’s house.
That’s the magic of The Black Sheep’s decor; it feels just like home. Paintings and yard-sale ornaments hang above the mahogany booths that line the wood-panelled walls. A Village-esque ambience is unmistakeable.
The menu is laden with traditional southern-American cuisine with a touch of Cajun and Mediterranean influence. Their signature dish is the battleship sandwich, nearly 3 feet long and served on a fresh baguette.
Having previously dined at The Black Sheep and ordered the duck gumbo, which was absolutely divine, I opted to try something new. A delicious Ms. P lunch sandwich with the side of fingerling potato salad to start, followed by a late breakfast dish of rebel pot roast hash, which is served every day until 2 p.m.
The Ms. P sandwich was a delectable mix of bacon, pimento cheese, avocado, tomatoes and onions, which I expected to taste similar to a BLT, but was more reminiscent of a succulent modern grilled cheese.
Next, the rebel pot roast hash mixed traditional flavors with unexpected ones. The hash’s crust was an unusual but pleasing texture different from the runny scrambled eggs that sat atop the dish, which made it a spectacular choice for lunch.
To supplement its wonderful entrees, The Black Sheep serves a variety of soft drinks and alcohol that are difficult to find in typical Richmond eateries.
The Black Sheep’s prices are affordable for students, ranging from as low as $5 to $15. Further, the service is personable and warm, which makes the visit worthwhile.
A great environment, great food and great service make The Black Sheep a great choice for any Richmond resident or VCU student tired of Shafer.
For more information on the Black Sheep, visit their website at http://www.theblacksheeprva.com.
