Down Home Cooking

The wonderful down-home food at the Homeplace in Catawba is well worth the thirty minute drive from Blacksburg. After you eat here you will be addicted to its charm, southern hospitality, and of course the food.

Nestled in the Catawba valley, the restaurant used to be a family home that was built in the late 1800’s by the Morgan family. When the Catawba Sanatorium, a hospital originally opened for TB patients, opened the family started renting out some of the nine bedrooms and serving meals to local teachers and patient’s families.

After some additions to seat more people, it was converted into the restaurant it is today in the 1980’s by Harold Wingate who still runs the place with the help of his son. The house sits on top of a small hill overlooking a pound and farm. The views from the restaurant are breath taking, especially in the fall when the leaves on the surrounding mountains are changing colors.
Homeplace also sits along the Appalachian Trail. Because of its location on the trail, you will often see hikers in the restaurant. However, the restaurant reserves the right not to serve someone due to their personal hygiene.

Be prepared for the possibility of a long wait, especially on Sundays during the church rush. If you think there may be a long wait, you can call ahead and get your name put on the waiting list. But a long wait might not be as bad as you think. You can pass the time sitting on the wraparound porch or if it’s cold outside you can stay warm by the fireplace.
The Homeplace can seat about two hundred patrons at a time. Usually they serve around 2,500 a week.

Now for the best part, the food. You only have two options when you eat there, ham or roast beef, or you can get both. You might think a restaurant with only two options is strange, but after you eat at the Homeplace you will understand. You also get fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, baked apples, pinto beans, and biscuits. The meal is served family-style with unlimited refills. Also included in the price, $13 dollars for adults, is your drink and cobbler.

Many people do not know it, but you can also get food to go from the Homeplace. All you have to do is call ahead and let them know what you want to pick up. The price of takeout is considerably cheaper than eating in the restaurant.

The Homeplace is a great place for Virginia Tech students to eat if they are homesick. The atmosphere will quickly remind you of eating at home with your family. I am sure that once you eat there, you will be hooked and will make frequent trips to the Catawba Valley.