Weekly Food News: Carytown Burgers to replace Nacho Mama’s, ZZQ and Brenner Pass make national lists, a taste of Burma, and more

All the news that’s fit to eat

Carytown Burgers and Fries to take over Nacho Mama’s space – If you haven’t heard the news by now, Carytown Burgers & Fries finally has a new space to move into once their lease in the Richmond Shopping Center is up–in the Nacho Mama’s space. You might remember the burger joint’s failed campaign to save their circa-1840s building from the bulldozer. Well, they’re being kicked out come September, and since Nacho Mama’s owner Raul Cantu recently made a move to Florida, it seemed like the perfect time for him to sunset his Carytown Restaurant. Read on for details about the move and how Carytown Burgers will honor the restaurant’s legacy through their menu.

Brenner Pass named among America’s 50 best new restaurants – Bon Appetit Magazine has released its annual list of “America’s Best New Restaurants,” and among the party of 50 is Brenner Pass, the Apline-centric, Scott’s Addition newcomer co-owned by Brittanny Anderson, who expanded with her second restaurant last year after opening Metzger Bar & Butchery in Church Hill. Read more and see the full list here.

ZZQ named best barbecue in Virginia – Scott’s Addition darling ZZQ Texas Craft Barbecue was named the best barbecue in Virginia by Food & Wine Magazine. The honor should come as no surprise to die-hard fans of the pop-up turned restaurant that dishes delicious smoked meats and tasty sides like jalapeño mac and cheese out by the tray-full, the way God intended. Read on here.

The area’s other best barbecue spots – If you’re looking for other meaty morsels, Richmond Magazine has you covered with an entire food section this month dedicated to barbecue and does a really deep dive on the best area joints, an interview with world champion pitmaster and Q Barbecue owner Tuffy Stone, barbecue that breaks all the rules, and more. Check out all the features here.

From the Far East to the Far West End – Have you ever had traditional Burmese cuisine? I can’t say I have, and part of the reason might be that it’s hard to find in the Richmond area. One of the most diverse nations on earth, Burma, also known as Myanmar, has an eclectic cuisine to match, and those flavors are on full display at Burma Sushi & Salad To Go, which opened today in the Tuckahoe Village Shopping Center in the Far West End. Eileen Mellon with Richmond Magazine has a preview of what you can expect right here.

A quarter-century of delicious chocolate – For The Love of Chocolate, the cavernous Carytown chocolate store in which you can satisfy pretty much any craving imaginable, was almost a furniture store instead. Paula Peters Chambers highlights the Cary Court retailer’s history and looks to their future in this profile.

This week’s restaurant reviews

• Beauvine Burger Concept (Style Weekly)
• HOBNOB (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
• Salt & Forge (Style Weekly)