There’s so much to love about Montgomery County during the fall season. The leaves changing colors across the Blue Ridge Mountains. Cheers from Lane Stadium echoing through the streets on crisp Saturday afternoons. And, of course, the fall harvest, when the region’s agriculturalists begin sharing their bounty with local chefs, and when restaurants and breweries throughout Christiansburg and Blacksburg begin featuring fresh ingredients in their creations. For foodies, the fall is a perfect opportunity to visit Montgomery County and experience for yourself how our local agricultural roots continue to evolve our culinary and craft brew scene. Here are a few newer locations to check out during your next visit to eat, drink and love in Montgomery County. Go to Town!
Iron Tree Brewing Company
The “new kid on the block” is Iron Tree Brewing, which opened in May of 2021. Located in a newly renovated tasting room in downtown Christiansburg that was designed to be a relaxing atmosphere, there are about a dozen beverages on tap to accommodate everyone’s taste. Some of the most popular beers on tap include the classic Pepper Street Porter, the Golden Calf and the smoky Duck Pond Water. Food trucks from the region frequently set up shop outside the brewery so you’ll have plenty of options to grab a bite while sampling the delicious beers.
Blacksburg Q
The scent of barbecue is now filling the Blacksburg air thanks to the new Blacksburg Q. The restaurant began as what’s known as a “ghost kitchen,” meaning that food is prepared utilizing extra kitchen space of an existing restaurant (in this case, Zeppoli’s, an Italian restaurant and wine shop), and is served curbside for takeout only. This was a perfect way to launch a new restaurant during a time when many restaurants were only able to offer takeout as a result of the pandemic. Ghost kitchen or not, there’s nothing scary about the flavors at Blacksburg Q. The restaurant is now open for dine-in and curbside pickup, and offers perfectly smoked and grilled foods with the Southern comfort and quality ingredients you’d expect from a top barbecue joint – ribs, pork and chicken along with appetizers and sides like fried pork belly, smoked mac and cheese, smoked wings, potato salad and red cabbage slaw.
Square 5 Public House
Nothing tastes better on a cool fall day than some hearty pub food and delicious, crisp beer. You can find both at Square 5 Public House in Blacksburg. Warm up with a variety of perfectly crafted sandwiches from the simple grilled cheese to classics like the Reuben, fried chicken sandwich and BLT. In addition to pizza and burgers, entrees include fish and chips (because what would a pub be without it?), chicken and chips, and a sausage platter. Then wash it all down with a refreshing beer like 3 Notch’d Watermelon Gose, Bell’s Two-Hearted or Golden Road Mango Cart.
If these new locations in the New River Valley aren’t enough to satisfy your love for great food this fall, check out our Food & Drink page at www.gotomontva.com. In the meantime, plan to eat, drink, love and Go to Town! in Montgomery County, VA.
