"Restaurants at Historicon" Topic

I know the hotels around the convention center will have places to eat but what about inside the convention center? I wont have a car so I can't go too far food.

If you're only walking I recommend Wegmans, your hotel, and then the FCC…….in that order.

The good news is that Wegman's should have everything you need.

Even if you can only walk there is a ton of stuff in walking distance. Chik-Fil-A, Carabas and a bunch of other places are all in easy walking distance.

Even if you can only walk there is a ton of stuff in walking distance. Chik-Fil-A, Carabas and a bunch of other places are all in easy walking distance.

That's a bit of a hike in the July heat and humidity for this Canadian.
I'll drive you to Carrabba's or Bonefish in air conditioned splendor!

Inside the convention center is…convention center food. Overpriced pizza, hot dogs, etc. In the same area as the hotels is Wegman's, a huge grocery store with the largest food court you'll ever see. Plenty of great-tasting, reasonably priced hot and cold food choices; even a steak bar! Otherwise you'll have to walk a bit further to hit the retail area. There is also a shuttle that runs between the hotels and downtown Fredericksburg. Lots of excellent restaurants there, too.

The first year Historicon was at the FCC, they had a small food stand inside the dealers area that served a nice pulled pork sandwich or BBQ chicken with slaw and fries or veggies, then for whatever reason, they got rid of it and the food is putrid now.

Wegmans is the way to go, their food court is incredible, you won't be disappointed.

Victor,

The FCC is at the end of a long shopping area that has just about every chain restaurant you ever heard of, and more than a few that you haven't. You can walk to almost all of them, of bum a ride from on of us.

The food on site is typical convention, fast food fare – not as good as Lancaster but certainly perfectly edible if uninspiring. There is little chance you wuill starve! :-)

Peter

Thanks everyone! I'm on a somewhat restrictive diet and can't really eat the usual fast food fare. So it seems the diet will stay intact.

It is about a kilometer to Carrabba's.

Wegmans is a five minute walk away. They have an excellent selection of buffet style takeout, and whatever your dietary restrictions, I'm sure you will be able to find something suitable. The have everything from salad bar to Italian to Indian to Thai. And I would normally describe it as expensive, but given the price of hotel and convention center food, it's the obvious choice.

I ate at Wegman's multiple times last year and never had a bad meal. Plus it's VERY reasonable price-wise. Also went to Golden Corral and a few other places, but we had a car so that wasn't an issue…

VicCina, I get the sense that virtually all Virginia accommodations come equipped with a fridge and a microwave. The rooms in the Homewood are more suite than room with a full sized fridge and a full kitchenette. If you have too, you could bring suitable food, keep it chilled and on hand to prep yourself. Only you know how workable a solution this might be, but it's worth considering.

The first year I went down I was prepared for the worst, expecting a blistering July in Virginia. I bought dry ice and lined the bottom of my cooler. I breezed into my room in the Homewood and found the room had a fridge. Didn't I feel the proper fool?

Double G – they had that same mini food court last year also – right next to the desk where you got the tickets for the games. Pretty good stuff too. Not near as good as Wegmans but ok when you wanted a smoked turkey leg in the middle of a game.

I think the Carrabbas closed. If they didn't close they moved.

KPinder-If I wasn't flying in from Portland, OR I would consider bringing food with me. I will settle for getting stuff at Wegmans.

I have been in the Wegmans several times. It's the kind of all encompassing place that "if they don't have it, you probably didn't want it anyway.". They have whole areas devoted to different kinds of hot and ready pizzas. Areas devoted to made while you wait sandwiches. I think they have a sushi section

I recommend Tito's Diner, about a half a mile away from the FCC. I usually hit it at least twice. And concur with the Wegman's recommendations.

Rev Zoom; thanks for the tip, pretty idiotic not to have it set up in the dealers hall as well, but at least now I know where it is.

Flak Bait; when did that happen as I ate there twice last year? If they closed, that stinks, very good food for a chain…………..

I think the Carrabbas closed. If they didn't close they moved.

Their website indicates that the restaurant is on Carl Silver Parkway. Is that one gone?

They also have one in Lancaster……..never knew that. Ahh, all my map programs indicate it was an Outback Steakhouse

Another vote for Wegman's.

Just in case some may not be aware, Wegmans is a supermarket chain, which has a fairly expansive eat-in/take-out area (pizza, subs, multiple hot bars, salad bar) in addition to the normal grocery, etc., sections. Some may have a They usually have an olive bar, which may include things like hummus, tabouli, and similar non-standard offerings, usually located near their cheese section, which in itself is an eye-opener. The Fredricksburg store has wine and beer. If you go the "nuke it in my room" route (which is an honorable path I and my godsons trod when finances are squeaking along) you will find much in Wegmans to make a fine meal.
For those possibly interested,
link
(N.B.: I am not related to, nor financially involved with Wegmans in any way, save for my shopper's discount card.)

Another vote for Wegmans. Last year I had my wife along. On the Sunday, I dropped over for a morning at Historican and picked her from the hotel at check out. I left her at Wegmans while I hit the afternoon flea market and did a final pass at the dealers hall.

No Wa-Wa?

Wawa about a mile away near I64.

No WaWa's but Sheetz has a convenience store on the way to the WalMart, near the CrackerBarrel.

The Chinese Buffet is good and cheap…

I will withdraw my statement on the Carabbas. Sounds like they are still open as I called and they answered the phone.
I drive through the area every couple of months and didn't see them last time. Now I need to get off 95 and see for myself.
I will blame it on a fading mind.

If it is still there, and you like Mexican, try the Pancho Villa Mexican Restsurant across from the Hospitality House.

It is at the other end of the complex from the con but the food is great!

I will blame it on a fading mind.

Nothing a good pasta and vino can't fix!

There's loads of good restaurants in the area – Bonchon, Joe's Crab Shack and the Melting Pot are all good if you are looking for something a little nicer than your average fast food. There's about 30 restaurants in that 2-3 block area.

Yes, there are loads of good choices; again, no Wa-Wa's, but there is a Sheetz.

Last time I checked, Sheetz has a higher Zagats rating than Wa-Wa anyway.

The mind reels.

With luck, your Sheetz will still have the 2/$1 hotdog special still on when Hcon rolls into the convention center--cheap gaming food! Some Sheetz have a discount for coffee refills.

Those hot dogs are left over from the silent era, but don't tell anyone………………

Double G: Yeah, their vintage!

I just had to check this post out, the title seemed so surreal. It demonstrates the difference between gaming conventions in the US, and wargames shows as we quaintly call them in the UK. I don't recall ever seeing anyone discussing the whereabouts, or rating the quality of, eateries and restaurants near to the events in this country. Well, not on forums like this anyway!

That may be because we are at Historicon for 4 days running. An army (of Wargamers) marches on its stomach! If you've seen some of us, you'll know what I mean

Bowman's right: the roast pig on the buffet at the Host for Cold Wars and Fall-In is selected from the plumpest, tenderest, most succulent gamers in the convention. Or the ones caught cheating the most!
(Let's see Historicon top that!)

Before I eat Mexican food outside of Texas, I have to have a report on it from a fellow Texan.

I've been burned too many times. Finally learned that lesson.