The Depot Grille in Downtown Lynchburg brings the history of Lynchburg right to your plate.
Located right in front of Norfolk Southern Railway, the former train depot serves steak, seafood and sandwiches.
The service was top-notch, and with the area being a registered Virginia historical landmark, waiters and waitresses are prepared to answer any questions guests may have about the historical significance of the restaurant.
When my brother visits from D.C., he is always desperate for proper southern sweet tea, which he says is almost impossible to find north of the Mason-Dixon line. Not only does The Depot Grille offer classic Southern sweet tea, but also expands with flavors like lavender, mint and raspberry.
The sweet tea I ordered is lavender-flavored. It does not look much different from a regular sweet tea, lacking a garnish to showcase the drink’s flavor. Regardless, Depot Grille takes classic Southern flavors and uniquely innovates on them.
However, the food had some ups and downs. While I enjoyed both the appetizer of batter-fried mushrooms and the flourless chocolate fudge cake, the chicken tenders and fruit salad left little to be desired.
I am under no illusions that fruit salad is the freshest thing on the menu. I am aware that it is often canned fruit, and I am impressed when it looks fresh. I was not impressed by this fruit salad. It was mostly pineapple, with one piece of what is most likely papaya. Thankfully, one of my guests enjoyed it, so the fruit salad did not go to waste.
The chicken was a bigger disappointment. It was overcooked and tough to pull apart. I do have to say that it is a much better problem to have than undercooked chicken, so I do have to say the Depot Grille’s cooking practices prioritize safety. I have to imagine the restaurant does better with its trademark steak and seafood. Chicken can be tricky and is often an afterthought in restaurants that specialize in other foods.
While the food may not have been entirely my cup of tea, the décor and views really showcased the downtown area’s culture better than anywhere I’ve been. Even in the dark, the restaurant was beautiful, and while I may not have gotten to see it bathed in natural light this time, I may go back someday for some fried mushrooms and fudge cake. I might even try their steak.
Find out more about the Depot Grille at https://depotgrille.com/lynchburg/about-us/.