The rebirth of Buff’s Corner
Buffington & Wine’s Pie, Fries and Franks has been rebooted as Buff’s Corner, with a reworked menu that includes 20 beers and 40 wines – all of which can be delivered.
Buff’s Corner
2824 E. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23223
http://buffscorner.com/ / Facebook / (804)864-2835
That bourbon barrel stout is delish. I might get some delivered right now, yum!
Menu looks like it’s heading in the right direction. A lot more well rounded and has some options that can be eaten everyday. For trying alone I’m willing to give it a second (or fifth) chance.
I’ve also noticed that they are planning to do an Open Mic night on Tuesdays. I know Jim used to do those at Poe’s on the same night but didn’t see it on the calendar lately and haven’t made it down in a while so maybe this is a replacement.
The place is even starting to have something resembling an atmosphere now. Maybe there’s hope?
I left Poe’s this evening as they were setting up for open mic.
I heard open mike last night when I was walking my dogs. It sounded fun. Hope no one complains about the noise.
Seriously?
The “Cluck and Croak”? The “Kumoniwantoeatyou”?
That’s not that much different from offering things such as the “Paul Bunyan” or “Tic Tacs” or “Mickles and Muckles.”
When are they going to move on from this bizarrely adolescent need to have some sort of overarching motif of silly/funny names or classic rock references to define the food.
It’s banality of the lowest order.
Let me know when they grow up.
Alex #2, Jim is still doing open mike night at Poe’s. He was setting up last night as I left.
Clay-”Pot meet kettle”.
#5-Haters gonna hate.
The place sounded like it was hopping last night around ten. I hope the food is as good as it is described. We will visit again soonest!
Are you honestly going to refrain from eating there because he had a little fun in naming the dishes???
Let me know when you grow up.
I’m not sold and I agree that the names of the entrees are really stupid. Although the sub sandwiches are a nice addition, not too much else has changed. So, now they have crappy appetizers to go with their crappy pizza. And everything is still over-priced. Especially the hot dogs – at least make the condiments (mickles and muckles) free! I am still skeptical.
Who cares what they name the dishes – how’s the food and service since the change?
Clay Street & Tiny, stop drinking Haterade.
For the record, I’d eat a menu item named “Poop On A Stick” if it tasted good.
Not sure of there SUP, but I would think that zoning doesn’t allow “open mike” because it is amplified.
Yeah, you’re right. What do I know. I’ve only worked in restaurants for almost 25 years.
My point is: their concept doesn’t deliver.
An example of a (vaguely) similar concept that *does* deliver: Coppola’s in Carytown.
Coppola’s is an awesome place to grab a sandwich, with a pickle and a side of chips. Excellent ingredients. They are a place that also has somewhat silly names for their sandwiches (The Barnyard, the Industrial,etc.) but their product is FAR superior.
The difference between Coppola’s and Buffington’s is that in Coppola’s case, it works.
The problem with Buffington’s, or “Buff’s” as it now bills itself, is that putting together a menu with funky-sounding categories like “Motley Stews” and “Yellow Submarines” does not add or create information for the customer. The menu is a total clusterf***. Very distracting and off-putting, not to mention that the food offered looks, quite frankly, revolting.
I have said my peace: flame away:)
JD,
Please no “Poop on a Stick”! Don’t make me eat that!!!!!
Poop On A Stick for all!! Compliments of your neighbor, JD. haha
First, Thank you Alex.
As for you Clay Street, I have been in the restaurant business for over 25 years. Please visit me at Buff’s Corner and we can compare resumes. I feel you’re full of “Cluck & Croak”. Don’t be scared Clay street. I work the counter everyday, join me and show me what you know.
BUFF
Hey Tiny,
How come you know so much about crap? Career?
BUFF
I am looking forward to trying it. Especially if they deliver wine. :)
Only if you eat all your veggies first though…LOL
Oh, Clay St. You really must have this AMAZING CV to post and share with everyone after boasting about it, right? All the avant garde work you have done in the restaurant business for the past 25 years must be truly original, yes?
Wait, did you work at El Bulli? Fascinating!
And you must be the highest sort of acerbic witted, insightful and adult conversationalist, with your disdain for the adolescent names on the menu, correct?
Well, precious, bless your heart for keeping everyone in line. It must be so, so hard to live among us teeming masses.
I bet you read ALL the magazines.
My friend Hokie Hokie High and I went there a couple of Fridays ago for beer and to chill. We got Hampton’s own St. Georges beer on draft served in ice cold glasses. Local and delish. The lady waiting upon us was most pleasant. She offered us a fresh frosty cold glass when we got our next round, another St. George’s for 3H and Dixie Lager for me.
My friend enjoyed the Bob Dylan music playing and hopes they finish the wall in the album cover design.
The Onion rings tasted like onion rings. Our lady server brought us multiple dips to enhance the O ring experience.
I heard a rumor that Buff is putting an outdoor patio on Broad and a corn hole game on the 29th street sidewalk, a masterful stoke.
I fear that soon my journey of just a few meters there with friend Hokie Hokie High will be rewarded by us waiting for a table.
Until then Buff can find comfort in the words Rex Grossman spoke after his Redskins spanked the Giants “I got a lot of haters.”
A tip of the felt to Buff and Grossman for getting out there and giving the haters something to hate and the rest of us something to love, like or at least appreciate.
Go Buffs, Go Redskins and go FC St. Pauli(You’ll never walk alone).
All you guys are demonstrating with this “who has been in the restaurant business longer” pissing contest is that one can have 50 years of “experience” and still not have any idea what he’s doing.
Certainly not a phenomenon limited to the restaurant business….
Here we go again!
Nope, no pretensions to greatness here (unlike you, All Bark–you seem to have some issues…but, I am *sure* that back in the day you were a longtime regular at El Bulli. I’m sure that you never merely read about it in a magazine or anything so pedestrian…)
Just worked on both sides of the line in many places over the years, some good, some bad. Some crappy, some not.
Just saying my piece, continue flaming away:)
I guess what really bums be out is the sense that the space there could have been something really great, but instead the restaurant celebrates pizza and hot dogs (fine things in their own right, and things that I occasionally enjoy, but don’t seek out for dinner out). However, I applaud their beer selection, it is really good.
But it could have been so much more–that space was already commerically zoned *and* it inherited an ABC allowability, a combination that is really rare in the neighborhood…we all know that you can’t just open up a restaurant and serve drinks anywhere you want to in Church Hill.
The space could have been something like a Church Hill Secco, but maybe they were afraid of setting the bar that high?
I love Secco, and would be so happy to see a bar like that open over here. However, I know that Secco would not survive in Church Hill. Their prices and specialization places them in a different category than the Church Hill norm. Maybe one day this area could support a business like that. For now, I am just happy I have a place to buy a decent craft beer 6 pack within walking distance of my house.
It could have been a different place, a nicer place, or it could have stayed vacant for 5 more years. I have no dog in the fight, but point is BUFF took a chance, opened the place up, got crapped on by just about everyone, and is in the process of reinventing the place (working with the folks in the hood) but trying to stay true to his original vision. If people like it, they’ll go, and if not the place will shut down. Complain about the food all you want, complain about the owners, the building, the carry out booze, but just remember that they’re risking more than just the price of a pizza.
do any of you guys have credit cards in the name of your pseudonyms? you wanna see some bile evaporate? out a mystery hater today and laugh your cares away!good luck to buff. let the market judge his venture and if you really want to opine….open your own spot.if you arent too busy hatebloggin…….now say something else pathetic.
I do appreciate Buff reworking the menu. That’s a step in the right direction. However, I think everything just still seems too greasy. If I want something greasy I’m going next door to Str8 Outta Philly, which makes an INCREDIBLE sandwich.
I always envisioned this corner spot surviving as something similar to Strawberry Street Market, where you can go in for craft beer, pre-made sandwiches, salads, etc, and general grocery items that someone in the hood may need quickly. Think about that!
That, however, would take a total reconfiguration from how they’re currently set up.
Just gotta say how nice it was to stop by Buffs on a sunny afternoon, pick up 2 craft-beer 6-packs to go, and avoid the meat-locker/freezer cave down at the Market. I’m diggin it.
They just made Richmond BizSense
http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2011/09/14/church-hill-pizza-joint-gets-some-brews/
Thank you Matt,
We are working our way in that direction. Bonus!! Local home brewers will be crafting in the English basement!
More local flavors to choose from!!
BUFF
Too little, too late. My palate and wallet have been offended too many times by Bob Buffington. If Church Hill decides to settle for this then that’s what they’ll get. When did they open up? January?, and now they respond to the community? Supporting local business is a wonderful thing if they can provide a product worth the price. I gave them too many chances already and I will not give them a 5th/6th chance at success. Looking forward to the next tenants of that spot :)
The new thin crust pizza is actually really good. I tried that and one of their salads last night and really liked it. Also really like their beer selection. I’ve gotten a few skunked beers from the Market in the past so I’m a little leery of buying good beers from there now. It’s nice to have a place that I can pick up a nice six pack around here.
I like the new craft centric beer approach. Personally, I don’t even care what the food tastes like if they keep bringing in good microbrew. I am pretty sure I know the homebrewers involved in the other project as well.
Bob and Mary Ann Buffington rock! Thanks for choosing the Church Hill neighborhood as you business locations. Anyone been here long enough to remember when Bob and Mary Ann had a location in Jimmy Johnson’s Market before Farm Fresh days?
Congratulations on your staying power and best wishes for your continued success!