Settle in for a long one. First, the location is easy to get to and leave via stoplight. The staff warns you when leaving and even posted a "mirror" to help see traffic around the curve but I tell you, exit with purpose... no easing out - mirror clear - GO.
Staff - while I've only been twice (last weekend and this b/c I LOVE not having to cook all weekend). I met two staff members. Both were very happy to be there, very helpful with answers to questions, promptly grabbed my order and gave it to me through my truck window. This drive--thru thing is awesome. However, being VA, if you ordered booze you have to exit your vehicle and show your ID to get the booze. There are two slots in the drive thru bay and a couple parking spaces for those who wish to grab and go.
Note: grab and go foods are in 3 (I think) fridges and they only carry the most popular items in them... which is perfect IMO. There are other sides/supplements also available (think bags of chips and better stuff).
I wondered if they prepared the food at Tazza (overnight maybe) but no; you can see folks prepping food as you leave the drive-thru and the wood/smoker/grill is right there as you exit.
I did not take pics of our last order - we were really hungry - but remembered this time as we dove in.
FOOD: brisket - excellent taste and tenderness, I recommend using a microwave steamer to re-heat (put chix broth beneath grate, food, lid and then nuke). I personally am not a fan of cubed brisket but can understand why it is so (assume packaging), but I minced it when we got it home so it worked better on a bun or in a tortilla scoop as an appetizer type meal... again... excellent.
Fried green rice w/veggies and chicken (or plain or shrimp if you desire)... it comes with grilled peanuts (LOVE) and this spicy red sauce.... multiple re-heat directions are on every item but I also chose to use my micro steamer w/chix broth in the bottom. Simply AMAZING. The blending of flavors rocks. I decided to top mine with PF Changs Teriyaki glaze while my husband sucked up that spicy red sauce.
We purchased the two aforementioned both weeks.
Smoked Pimento cheese: 8oz is all you need unless you are having a party (then you NEED the 16oz) otherwise, ever had it at Tazza? 'Nuff said.
Pizza: we got the pepperoni last week... while delish I personally will skip that in the future b/c they do not slack on the peps so it is pretty greasy... mine must have slid a bit when packaging b/c the toppings were a bit off (I just tossed some cheese on the "naked" part and it was fine). Cooking directions were spot on and the taste was awesome... love the smokey flavor! We have not tried the margarita pizza that we got today but I did snap a pic (note: it was packaged perfectly).
Burrito: Mercy! The brisket burrito comes with a spicy salsa -YUM- and sour cream-ish. See my picture. This burrito is 4 meals for us b/c I serve a side from my cupboard. We might have drooled, actually, I'm salivating as I type. 11.99... that is NOT to much $ when you think about the portion size and if you had to make it exactly at home it would be in bulk... then you would be eating burritos for a week. Try them, we totally vouch for the brisket and can only assume the other burrito is just as scrumptious.
Meatballs... have not actually eaten one yet but I did put a finger in the sauce - good sauce so I have high expectations (I wish I had room to try them before I posted). But there is a pic.
Potato Salad - last week, no pic: seasoned with scallions mostly... no celery or celery seed which just about killed me. No problem, I added some seed and let it sit overnight. However, for a basic potato salad it was really good! If you like chunky potato salad (I do not), this might not be your fave, but over all it is a very good potato salad, just maybe not Southern style.... but, hey, we did gobble it up.
I think they are still a big secret, having recently opened, but when the word gets out it is going to suck... mainly because I dont want to have to block traffic to wait in line, but I will.
Bottom line: I spent 50 bucks on a variety of premium, fresh, home-cooked foods today, each one (so far) amazing, easy to order/pick up and I do not have to cook for at least three days! (AND -ok only 2 orders so far - but my orders have been CORRECT, kinda hard to say that these days, anywhere). As a pretty good cook myself, I could I have made these things at home (if I even thought of the flavor combos), but the bulk cooking that would be required is simply not feasible to get this variety, quality and taste!
WIN. read more