By Bayler Ruth

On a beautiful Sunday morning in January, Holt Hopper (‘25), Grayson McNeely (‘25), and I enjoyed breakfast at the local and welcoming Goochland Restaurant, which we have been going to for years. The establishment has been serving food in the Goochland community since 1950.

After hunting in the woods with my dad Scott Ruth (‘91), we sometimes stop at The Goochland Restaurant on early Saturday mornings. I used to be able to go only with him and my two brothers, but now that I can drive, I can introduce my friends to this special place, just like my dad did for me.

When you first walk into the restaurant, the smell of coffee and smiling faces greet you, the hostess saying, “Pick any seat, and we will be right with you.” The walls in the restaurant are all wooden, almost like you are in a log cabin. The atmosphere in The Goochland Restaurant is very comforting, and nearly everyone in the diner knows each other. 

People are talking across the room, welcoming people who are walking in. One group of hunters walked in while we were there, and we asked how they did. They started talking to us like we knew each other and weren’t entirely strangers. I have lived in Goochland my whole life and have been to many restaurants in Richmond, but to walk into a place and be able to talk to anyone is a whole different experience. My dad says it is a “fantastic local spot with friendly staff, delicious food, and a nostalgic ambiance that warmly welcomes early risers, outdoor enthusiasts, farmers, and both local residents and visitors.” 

When Hopper, McNeely, and I first sat down, we were asked if we wanted coffee, water, or apple juice. McNeely ordered a coffee, which came in a mug with an old blue car design. McNeely talked about how their “coffee mugs vary in size, shape, and design, which adds to the relaxed feeling of The Goochland Restaurant.” Our waitress took our order and quickly brought out three glasses of water and one coffee. 

When looking at the menu, there are various options. The items on the menu range from a simple plain pancake to a western omelet packed with your choice of meat, peppers, and onions. McNeely, Hopper, and I all ordered the famous bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit, which was perfectly cooked. Hopper claimed, “It was the best bacon, egg, and cheese I had ever had.” McNeely and Hopper also added a chocolate chip waffle, while I added a plain pancake and a bowl of grits. 

After ten minutes, the waitress brought out our steaming food. When I took my first bite, the egg yolk, which was perfectly cooked, dripped down the warm biscuit. This was followed by a warm bite of grits with salt and pepper added on top. 

After we finished our sandwiches, we put butter and syrup on our fluffy pancakes. Our knives easily cut through the golden pancakes, and we devoured our meals and were full by the end. After our meal, the waitress approached us and joked, saying, “You all must have been hungry.” She cleared our plates, and we just sat in our booth, taking in the “comfortable environment,” as described by Hopper. 

There is no TV in the restaurant, which forces you to talk with your friends and family without any distractions. On the restaurant review site Yelp, The Goochland Restaurant has four out of five stars, and most posts are positive. A review by Yelp user Beth C. echoes my observations, as she talks about the coffee mugs with mismatched designs and the delicious food. She also writes about how she “loved the authentic ambiance” and that her “waitress was a young woman who was efficient and friendly.” 

Overall, this visit to The Goochland Restaurant made me realize how special this place is and how it has grown on me over the years. The service is always friendly, and the crowd is always welcoming when you walk in. I cannot wait to bring more of my friends to this special place and have them experience the same environment I have for the past few years.

All photos by Bayler Ruth.