Country ham tucked inside a sweet potato biscuit, then finished with a molasses drizzle.
That one combination is enough to send Virginia road-trippers checking their gas gauges.
The biscuits come out soft and light, and the salty ham does the heavy lifting.
I like how the sweet and salty sides seem to argue, then agree completely.
It’s a small bite with a big personality.
The menu doesn’t stop there, either. Ham chowder, pork wings, and seasoned sweet potato fries all share the spotlight.
There’s even a little shop corner stocked with hams, peanuts, and jams to carry home.
I believe the best food trips start with one craving and end with a full trunk.
So what makes a single biscuit worth crossing the state for?
The answer starts in a town that takes its ham very seriously.
The Sweet Potato Biscuit That Starts All The Road Trips
Salty ham meets a sweet biscuit, and somehow everyone wins. That pairing is the heart of Taste of Smithfield Restaurant | Southern, and it explains a lot of long drives.
The country ham biscuits here feature sweet potato biscuits, country ham, apple butter, and molasses.
Country ham is famous for its bold, salty punch. A sweet potato biscuit softens that punch without hiding it, like a good friend who keeps things calm.
Ordering a plate of these as a starter makes plenty of sense. They work as a snack, an appetizer, or the main reason you showed up in the first place.
Sharing is possible, of course. Whether you actually want to share is a different question entirely.
My tip is simple. Order the biscuits early, before you even settle on a main dish, so nobody at the table feels left out.
Smithfield has earned its reputation as a ham town over many years. Tasting that reputation on a soft, sweet biscuit feels like the most delicious history lesson in Virginia.
A Bowl Of Ham Chowder Changes The Whole Lunch Plan
Chowder usually means clams. In Smithfield, it means ham, and that swap makes perfect sense once you remember where you are.
Ham chowder is one of the dishes that keeps coming up on the table at this spot. It turns the town’s most famous ingredient into something warm and spoonable.
Cold or rainy days in Virginia practically beg for a bowl like this. Pair it with the ham biscuits and you get a full tour of local flavor in two bites.
Soup also makes a smart choice if you want to sample more of the menu. A cup leaves room for a sandwich, a side, or maybe dessert.
Think of it as comfort food with a hometown accent. The ham brings saltiness, while the creamy base keeps everything cozy and smooth.
First-timers sometimes skip soup in favor of bigger plates. That feels like a mistake when the soup tells you exactly where you’re eating.
Ask your server about the soup of the day too. Specials rotate, so a quick question might point you toward something new and tasty.
Pork Wings Will Make You Rethink What A Wing Can Be
Wings from a pig sound like a riddle. Pigs famously can’t fly, yet pork wings show up on the menu here anyway.
The name refers to a meaty pork cut shaped and served like a classic wing. It’s a playful idea that fits a town known worldwide for pork.
Pork wings make a fun appetizer for groups. Everyone can grab one, compare notes, and argue about whether chicken wings still deserve the crown.
The menu leans into hog-themed fun in other places too. You’ll spot items like hog fries and Taste Pigtails, which tell you the kitchen enjoys a little humor.
That sense of play keeps the meal lighthearted. Southern cooking can be serious business, but it doesn’t have to feel stiff.
For the best experience, order a few starters for the table. Pork wings, ham biscuits, and a basket of fries create a sampler that beats any single entree.
Napkins are your friend here. A savory wing is meant to be enjoyed with your hands, not delicately poked with a fork.
Those Fries Have Earned A Fan Club Of Their Own
Sweet potato fries might be the sneakiest star at Taste of Smithfield Restaurant | Southern. They show up again and again as the side people talk about most.
The seasoning makes them stand out. Instead of tasting plain or soggy, they bring a sweet and savory balance that matches the biscuits nicely.
Then there are the sidewinder fries. These twisty, chunky fries come with homemade ranch for dipping, and that ranch gets serious attention.
Choosing between them can feel unfair. The easy fix is ordering both and letting the table decide which one wins.
Fries might seem like a side note at a ham-focused restaurant. Here, they deserve a spot in the main conversation.
Kids usually love fries, so this is a handy option for families. Adults tend to sneak a few off those plates anyway.
A smart move is asking for extra ranch right away. Running out halfway through a basket of sidewinders is a small tragedy nobody needs.
Sandwiches Here Mean Business, From Cubans To Crab Cakes
Lunch decisions get tricky fast here. The sandwich list covers a lot of ground, and each choice has its own loyal crowd.
The Pagan Cuban sandwich features barbecue, Black Forest ham, pickles, Swiss cheese, and bacon honey mustard, while the Bay Fiddler sandwich features a crab cake with lettuce, tomato, and citrus aioli.
Barbecue fans can try The Hog, a barbecue sandwich that lives up to its bold name. There’s also Shayne’s Philly for anyone craving a cheesesteak.
Want something with a Southern twist? The Pimento BLT features bacon, pimento cheese, lettuce, fried green tomato, and green goddess dressing.
A club sandwich with country ham and a chicken salad sandwich round out the lighter side. Both are solid choices for a quick midday stop.
Many sandwiches arrive with a side, so pick wisely. Fries, collard greens, green beans, and roasted apples are all strong partners.
Big appetites will feel right at home. Smaller ones might want to plan on a to-go box for tomorrow’s lunch.
Southern Sides That Could Easily Steal The Show
Good sides are where Southern kitchens prove themselves. This one passes the test with a lineup that feels like a family reunion table.
Collard greens arrive with a hidden spicy kick and a slightly sweeter style. Green beans and white cheddar mac and cheese offer more classic comfort.
The roasted apples deserve their own spotlight. Tender and warmed with cinnamon, they taste almost like dessert sneaking onto your dinner plate.
Fried apples also appear on the menu. Southern cooks have loved apples alongside pork for generations, and the pairing still works beautifully.
Mixing and matching sides is half the fun. Try one familiar choice and one you wouldn’t normally order.
Vegetable lovers will find enough here to build a satisfying plate. Pair a few sides with ham biscuits and you’ve got a meal with real variety.
One fun idea is ordering an extra side for the table to share. It lets everyone taste more without overloading a single plate.
Leave Room In Your Car For The Little Shop Corner
Hams, peanuts, and jams sit waiting in a small shop section inside the restaurant. It’s basically a souvenir stand for your taste buds.
Shoppers can grab Smithfield favorites to carry home. Sliced Smithfield ham and spiral hams have both been available here.
The shop offers a variety of Virginia peanuts, with sea salt caramel among the flavors reported by customers.
This corner makes the trip feel complete. You enjoy the food at the table, then bring a bit of Smithfield back to your own kitchen.
Gifts get easier here too. A tin of peanuts or a jar of jam makes a thoughtful present for anyone who couldn’t join the road trip.
Browse before or after your meal, depending on your patience. Shopping hungry might lead to a much heavier bag.
Bring a cooler if you plan to buy ham for a long drive home. Your future sandwiches will thank you for the extra effort.
Main Street Charm Makes Every Visit Feel Like A Day Trip
Finding it is easy once you hit downtown. Taste of Smithfield Restaurant | Southern sits at 217 Main St, Smithfield, VA 23430, right in the heart of town.
Inside, the space feels warm and rustic with a welcoming bar near the front. It’s a small, clean, friendly room that suits a relaxed Southern meal.
Outdoor seating is available too. On a nice Virginia afternoon, eating lunch outside on Main Street sounds hard to beat.
Parking can be limited, which is common in a small historic downtown. Arriving a little early gives you time to find a spot without stress.
The location makes it easy to turn lunch into an outing. Smithfield’s downtown invites a stroll before or after your meal.
Walking off a ham biscuit never felt so pleasant. Shops and historic streets give you plenty to explore nearby.
Bring comfortable shoes and a flexible schedule. A quick lunch stop can easily stretch into a full afternoon in town.
Plan Around These Hours So Your Biscuit Trip Doesn’t Flop
Mondays are the one day to skip. The restaurant is closed then, and showing up hungry to a locked door is nobody’s idea of fun.
Tuesday through Saturday, the kitchen serves both lunch and dinner. Lunch starts at 11 AM, then there’s a break before dinner begins at 4:30 PM.
On Tuesdays, lunch wraps up a little earlier at 2:30 PM. Other weekdays and Saturday, lunch runs until 3 PM, with dinner going until 8 PM.
Sunday offers lunch only, from 11 AM to 3 PM. That makes it a great after-church or weekend road trip stop.
Hours can change, so a quick check before a long drive is wise. Nobody wants to cross Virginia only to miss the window.
The midday gap between services matters too. Planning a late lunch around 3 PM could leave you waiting for dinner.
Weekends tend to stay lively, especially Saturday nights. Even so, getting seated has often been fairly quick, which makes that biscuit feel even closer.
