ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – A lot of neighborhoods have a restaurant they’re known for. Sometimes those restaurants play a key role in revitalization.
In Roanoke, that’s exactly what happened when Wasena City Tap Room and Grill opened and they’re still helping to keep the neighborhood alive in this week’s Hometown Eats!
“It’s amazing after 13 years, I still talk to people who are like, I’ve never heard of that or I’ve never been there or where is that. I want folks to know about us,” said Wasena City Tap Room and Grill owner Theodore “Ted” Snyder.
If you’ve spent some time out on the Greenway in Roanoke, there’s a chance your nose has drawn you in. if not, maybe these moving pictures will do the job. Welcome to Wasena City Tap Room and Grill on Wasena Avenue in Roanoke.
“When I first came down here to see this space with the original owner, I kind of thought he was crazy,” joked Snyder.
Current owner and longtime chef at the Tap Room, Ted Snyder, is talking about the idea original owner Doug Robinson served him in 2012.
“There was nothing down here. It just seemed like we were kinda nowhere,” said Snyder.
But Ted was given an offer he couldn’t refuse. He would be able to design the menu and create the layout of the kitchen.
“Seemed like a pretty good opportunity to take and I’ve been here ever since,” said Snyder.
At one point an old icehouse, this restaurant became a catalyst for the Wasena neighborhood to bring life back into a forgotten area of Roanoke.
“We’ve been able to watch this neighborhood really blossom. All these buildings on Main Street were boarded up and now they’re all businesses. It’s really turned into more of a community down here and very much an outdoor hub,” said Snyder.
“The atmosphere is nice and they’re supporting this area of town, which is always helpful,” said regular customer Larry.
“Oh, it’s awesome! You should come for sure! The food is amazing and the people who work here are great,” said regular customer Jessica.
Jump ahead to 2023, Doug was ready to retire, Ted was ready for a new challenge.
“That was exciting for me. I had been in the kitchen at that point 25 years. It was time to do something different without being completely different,” said Snyder.
Ted expanded the patio and put gazebos up in 2024 with plans to add sunshades to keep people and pups cool. As for the menu, it was scaled back, allowing him and his staff to deliver mouth-watering dishes.
“Colorado Poutine. Cubes of smoke Gouda that we’re going to melt on top of these fries. Chunks of pork shoulder that have been simmered in with green chilies and roasted tomatoes and jalapenos. Pork carnitas, which is also made with pork shoulder that we seasoned overnight and brazed, finished that off with a little spice.” explained Snyder as he built the appetizer. “It’s very, very popular appetizer and almost a meal in itself.”
What the Tap Room might be best known for, other than 32 rotating beers on tap, are the locally-sourced beef burgers.
“Our most popular by far is the Blue Ridge burger. Homemade chow-chow, it’s like a southern vegetable relish. Smoked gouda pimento cheese, thick cut bacon and onion rings,” explained Snyder. “You get the burger and you wonder how you’re going to eat it, if you’re going to unhinge your jaw to be able to take a bite out of it. It’s a great combination.”
But if you’re looking for comfort, don’t miss the meatloaf. It’s made fresh every day with beef and bacon, served with roasted chimichurri-sauced Zucchi and mashed potatoes, topped with gravy.
However with the bridge construction cutting off a major road to the neighborhood, Ted has this message when hunger strikes.
“Don’t forget about Wasena, come support all these great businesses down here,” said Snyder.
“If they make their way here they’re going to enjoy the food and just being in this area,” said regular customer Roy.
Wasena City Tap Room and Grill, a neighborhood anchor hometown eat.
Wasena City Tap Room and Grill is located at 806 Wasena Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24015 and is open Monday through Thursday 11:30am to 9pm, Friday and Saturday 11:30am to 10pm, Sunday 10am to 9pm.
Snyder said the restaurant offers online ordering and delivery as well as an app they just launched. The app allows you to earn rewards for free food and exclusive deals. They also have an in-house loyalty program to help people get good food while saving a few dollars.
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Dining and Cooking