Pass the Green Beans

Country eats arrive in the 16 Blocks, the Southern Oven is like the Homeplace but without the drive (and with booze).

Those of us who have lived in Blacksburg for some time can date ourselves by speaking of our personal remembrances of certain buildings. Remember when Cabo was Bailey’s? Remember when Bailey’s was South Main Café? Before Sharkey’s moved next door it was a booty-shaker called Woody’s, before that, a booty-shaker called Preston’s. Now what was once Greeks, the Warehouse, Rock-itz, Impax, and the Nerv is the Southern Oven.

That was our party of five’s conversation upon arrival through those familiar double doors, as I’m sure it will be for many first-time diners. We then sat down to enjoy multiple servings of what would turn out to be the most comfortable of comfort foods served in the 16 Blocks.

Ordering is a communal affair here, one where the table chooses main courses and sides for all to share. We went down the most traditional route: roast beef, fried chicken, pulled pork, mashed potatoes, green beans, hush puppies, and macaroni and cheese. With soup, salad, cornbread, and dessert included at $13.95 per person, this is a deal. Also, don’t be shy about asking for additional helpings (included as well) for fear of being wasteful, you can take your leftovers home with you.

I was pleasantly surprised! I’ll admit to you, dear readers, I am a damn Yankee and I do hold disdain for the fatty, starchy, too sweet traditions of country foods. So you can imagine my delight in sharing something so traditionally southern, but amazingly lively.

The roast beef was a favorite at our table, but I found the thin slices soaking in a ju and red bell pepper to be a little too salty. The fried chicken was spot on, lightly dredged and moist inside. The coleslaw was a great surprise; I would imagine apple cider vinegar was added to this recipe in order to cut the creaminess of the mayonnaise. It was served intimately with a moist vinegar/tomato pulled pork.

Caution, The Southern Oven is not for the vegetarian! There are a couple catfish dishes, if you are so daring, but few options for the meat-free individual. Their cream of mushroom soup is not only a do-it-yourselfer in the seasoning department, but came with the added surprise of big chunks of chicken. Also, as expected, the green beans were laced with a visible amount of ham.

Most would say that you can’t go wrong with mac and cheese but I would disagree, as iridescent orange cheddar really turns my stomach. I would also pass on the fried okra, which was possibly an afterthought put on the menu out of obligation.

The desert, a peach cobbler topped with ice-cream was buttery and not too sweet. It was a perfect end to a long meal and good enough to make up for not having a drop of chocolate.

The wine list offered several nice, affordable choices. You’ll taste too many different things to worry about a pairing so just pick something you know you’ll like to drink on its own. Also prepare yourself for the chance of an awkward wine service when you order a bottle. The wait staff is overtly eager to make your stay a good one, but may show a bit of stage fright with a foreign object such as a cork screw.

Hooray! Sophisticated comfort right in the heart of the 16 blocks! Go and take a meal at Southern Oven and regale your loved ones with tales of evenings with the Kind at the Warehouse. Enjoy an epic meal, content in the fact that you don’t have to drive thirty minutes back from the Home Place with sleepy-eyes.