My impressions of the restaurants we've tried in Sandston, VA. I'll probably expand the list to RVA in general, as there are not that many restaurants in Sandston.
SANDSTON AREA RESTAURANTS
Anna's Pizza and Pasta
The first pizza joint we tried when we moved to the East End in January. We won't be back. Their Margarita pizza can be best described as a Domino's Quadruple Cheese pizza, with some basil dropped on top. It was not good eats.
Roma Ristorante Italiano
We tried their margherita pizza next. It was solid, nothing wrong with it. Their sauce could use a little more flavor for my taste, but I would eat this pizza again.
Roberto Italian Restaurant
Our third try at a local pizza place, and we finally hit the jackpot. This is probably the best pizza in Sandston. I might have a couple of other places still to try.
Fat Boy's Bar and Grill
Best burger and best chicken sandwich in RVA. They also have a solid and ever-changing draft list. If you are stopping at just one place in Sandston, this is the choice.
Carini Italian Restaurant
We ate here on the advice of a random guy we met at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. We were not disappointed. Very high-quality Italian food. The pizza is also superb.
Backwoodz BBQ Restaurant
Melt-in-your-mouth tender brisket. Will eat here again. And again.
The Patron Mexican Restaurant and Cantina
A very solid choice for a local Mexican joint. It's not as good as our favorite Mexican joint in RVA, Nuevo Mexico, but it's 2 miles from the house and close enough to not make the 20-minute drive to Nuevo Mexico worth the effort.
Mexico Restaurant
The Patron had an unfortunate incident in which a baby snake got into the HVAC system and dropped into a customer's margarita from the ceiling vent. My wife has decided she isn't going back there after seeing that story, so our new go-to Mexican joint is Mexico, about 1/2 mile down the street. It's also excellent. Although Mexican restaurant food is something we are mostly avoiding, as both of us feel less than great after eating Mexican. I think it's mostly overeating the free chips, but whatever it is, taco night at home is a lot cheaper and doesn't upset our stomachs.
El Totito
We were not impressed. My wife's quesadilla came buried under 2 pounds of cheese. My enchiladas verdes were very bland. I don't think we'll be back.
Maya's Latin Kitchen
The newest Latin food place in town. It's literally walking distance from the house. It's good, but pricey. Everything on the menu is $2 or $3 more than the corresponding option at The Patron. I don't think it's worth the price difference.
Cooper's Tavern
It's 10 minutes east at Bottoms Bridge. Food was good; draft beer is expensive. I ordered a Midnight Brewing Not My Job Brown Ale for $8, and it was served in a ten or twelve oz snifter. A brown ale should be served in a pint glass. It was Taco Tuesday, and the tacos were great. But I can't get by those beer prices. They bother me.
RVA AREA RESTAURANTS
Nuevo Mexico
The best Mexican in town. Order the white sauce when they bring you chips. They may charge you for it, but it's worth it.
Kuba Kuba
Order the paella. You won't find better in Richmond.