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Alva Jackson shows off a local favorite from The Tavern, the Heathsville crispy chicken and waffle sandwich.
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The Northern Neck oyster taco is tasty and served with a choice of sides.
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“We decided the community would be eager to support a new restaurant that offered high-quality food with a local flair,” says Alva Jackson, who runs Ma Margaret’s House in Reedville and Ma Margaret’s Culinary Service, the catering business that is supplying food for The Tavern.
Visitors to the newly renovated Heritage Center at Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern in Heathsville now have another reason to stop in: The Tavern has reopened and is serving some of the most delicious food in the Northern Neck.
“We decided the community would be eager to support a new restaurant that offered high-quality food with a local flair,” says Alva Jackson, who runs Ma Margaret’s House in Reedville and Ma Margaret’s Culinary Service, the catering business that is supplying food for The Tavern. The many good reviews Jackson has gotten from locals and visitors for the breakfasts at Ma Margaret’s and the dishes she’s prepared through the catering business convinced her that she could be successful at the Heathsville location.
Jackson used Memorial Day weekend to try out an array of items to see what restaurant-goers liked best, and what she settled on is sure to please anyone looking for traditional fare that captures the flavor—no pun intended—of the Northern Neck.
For breakfast, patrons can enjoy bagels, muffins, and breakfast sandwiches. The lunch menu includes sandwiches using a variety of breads and a line-up of signature dishes. Notable among the offerings are AJ’s collard green spring rolls, the Heathsville crispy chicken and waffle sandwich, sweet potato biscuits with ham, and the Northern Neck oyster taco. Sides include fries, chips, and an assortment of salads.
“We also serve smoothies and specialty coffees, so people can stop in for a frappé or a latté,” says Jackson.
The Tavern is open on Friday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Reservations are not required. The Tavern accepts most credit cards.
Currently, the restaurant has seating for eighteen inside and there are several outside tables. Jackson hopes she can add tables in the coming weeks so she won’t have to keep customers waiting. Given the initial response, it’s likely that those new tables will be filled every weekend.
The Tavern at Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern • 804-580-7900 • Find us on Facebook
This article appeared in the Fall 2015 issue of The Local Scoop Magazine, pg. 75-77.