TASTE — Restaurant in Virginia Beach

A Reliable Local Favorite: Four Stars for Taste on Shore Drive Taste on Shore Drive holds a special place in the hearts of many Virginia Beach locals, and for good reason. It's more than just a sandwich shop; it's a gourmet market, a wine and cheese haven, and a reliable spot for a delicious, fresh meal. This location, nestled in the heart of the Shore Drive community, offers a consistent experience that keeps people coming back. The star of the show, for many, is their signature gourmet sandwiches. Made on fresh, quality bread with a unique "house dressing" and a variety of delicious fillings, they're a step above your average deli sandwich. Their salads are also a strong contender, offering a fresh and healthy alternative. Beyond the prepared food, the market section is a treasure trove of artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, fine wines, craft beers, and specialty gourmet items – perfect for building a picnic, grabbing a hostess gift, or just treating yourself to something special. The ambiance at the Shore Drive location is typically bustling, especially during lunch hours. It has a casual, yet refined feel that's suitable for a quick grab-and-go or a relaxed sit-down meal. The staff are generally knowledgeable about their products and helpful, though at peak times, efficiency can sometimes take precedence over personal interaction. What keeps it from a perfect five stars is primarily the price point, which can be a bit higher than a typical sandwich shop, reflecting the quality of ingredients and the curated market selection. Occasionally, during their busiest periods, there might be a slight wait for food, but it's usually manageable. Overall, Taste on Shore Drive is a fantastic local institution. It's where you go when you want a reliable, elevated casual meal, or to stock up on unique gourmet provisions. It's a taste of quality in Virginia Beach, and a highly recommended stop for anyone...

I went to taste and had an anaphylactic reaction. I ordered a smoothie and a salad and informed the cashier that I had a severe allergy to all nuts. She said "okay". Usually if a place can not guarantee that there will be no cross contamination they say this when I place an order or there is a sign up. TASTE did not have or do either. I sat down and ate my food, and after one sip of my smoothie I knew something was wrong. I called 911 and as I waited outside struggling to breathe a firetruck and ambulance pulled into the parking lot. When I tell you not a single employee even looked to see what was going on, I was shocked. As I was brought to the hospital my boyfriend and friend followed. Thankfully I was able to be released from the hospital the same day. My boyfriend then tried to contact TASTE corporate for hours that day and was not able to reach anyone until two days later. As a result of the incident TASTE refunded our meal and gave us a $25 gift card (which we will not be using). I then reached out and asked for them to pay my emergency room copay which they agreed, however it took over a month to get the check, which I picked up in person. I really hope they take this incident as a blessing, as I am still here today and can advocate on behalf of others who have life threatening allergies. If you can not accommodate, that is fine, but please, PLEASE have a sign or train your employees to say so at checkout. I will never eat here again, because I fear it could kill...

I have been wanting to stop here for a while, and finally got the chance a few days ago. It was well worth the stop. I had the country ham biscuits and a smoothie, which I can't remember the name of, but it was the strawberry one with honey Greek yogurt and apple juice. I am very picky about smoothies, and this one was 13/10. The biscuits were also yummy. I also had a bite of my daughter's turkey sandwich; the turkey was really tasty and high-quality. My son enjoyed the chicken tenders and raved for two days about how good the honey mustard was. He's the one to win over, being that he hardly likes anything but pizza. The children also enjoyed the peanut butter chocolate smoothie. I did some shopping in-store as well. I ended up with glazed pecans, a lemon blueberry bar, another lemon dessert bar, a snickerdoodle cookie, and a few other things. Every single dessert I tried was to die for. I love anything lemon, and some places don't add enough lemon to call things lemon; this was no problem with these desserts. They were fabulous. I grabbed a few coastal cocktails I haven't had the luxury of trying yet. Taste seems to have all of their flavors! The farmers market was closed by the time I made it, but I will be back for those fresh...