The Apple House — Restaurant in Virginia

This is a review of my experience only. Here we go. You know that line starts off not good.

AH is listed online as a place to get cider donuts. Looked quickly online, saw curated photos of BBQ, donuts, canned goods… all the typical Nice things. Wasn’t sure what exactly the place was, it's not clearly on the homepage; my only expectations were something “country” like, sample food from a different place, and an excuse to get out of town.

Well, that is where I *up and didn’t do my research. SMH.

Arrived to find one of those road-side places. Barely off the intersection and a Sheetz... oh, big country vibes, ha. Dang near passed it, if I hadn’t been looking where all the traffic circus was.

Tires hit the dirt lot and it was immediately fighting for what little cockeyed parking exists. Props to the aHole starring in 1 car, 2 spaces.

I followed strangers all the way around to the front door. Always enjoyable being part of the flock. Barely got inside. Bam! Waiting line. One that doesn’t ever move. Found myself trapped between people, “stuff” for sale, and a one-way only or we'll send Karen after you door (total fire hazard).

I never saw where the line actually went. Couldn’t. Too dark inside, and too many maze walls and racks of “stuff”. I think Jareth was watching somewhere.

After being trapped awhile, I gave-up waiting. Broke the line to see what “stuff” has been for sale. Def not those curated pictures of country goods (mixed in somewhere). More like 10lbs of flea-market Amazon grade Crack-Barrel theme shoved in a 5’ space. Dang near hoarder style. Reminded of me many places I’ve been too, same ole’ Americana, but those places had interesting useless stuff for sale.

Snaked my way around, into a bar. Open tables, people sitting around, looking like they had been waiting a lot more than awhile. No food, no drinks, no bartender. Just unhappy looking people. Trapped between their table and a pending bank transaction for food.

Shimmied back out. Found the one-way-exit-only door. Exactly... one way in, and one way out. Even more people going in. Passed a closed-off little outdoor seating area- more people looking like they’ve been waiting unhappily too long.

Well, I don’t know if was all late-blooming tourist coming through to look at dead leaves, or just the local’s time… but how ridiculous. It * me off to drive an hour for something simple, only to find a mis-represented disappointment. Wasted my time. Wasted my gas. And I still had to drive another half-hour to get some Q.

I def don’t want to hear some boiler-plate owner’s response. “Blah blah blah. This happened, not normal. Been doing this since ’63 (I can tell, and no excuses). Blah blah.” Honestly, don't answer. Enough of my time was already wasted. It always BS with every business on Google.

I’m *generally willing to give a place an actual chance, especially if there were atypical circumstances like a moment of seasonal tourism; and follow-up with a review edit. But I don’t know about this one. All the callings of don’t even bother.

So again, only my experience- great for you dear reader if you were here and had good food and service. Congrats. That’s not how it went for my family, and that is what I have to base my review on. But thanks for sticking to the...

Opening in 1963 this Virginia roadside stop ( now a landmark)evokes many fond memories for me during many road trips I took with my grandmother around Virginia as a child and young adult. During one of my recent visits to nearby Front Royal Va I had the opportunity to stop in and revisit The Apple House as It has been many years since I last stepped inside and I wasn't disappointed. Through the years it has been up dated of course to meet today's times but at the same time the charm and character of its earlier days is still held within those nearly 60 year old walls. Stepping inside I was met with an array of local Virginia gifts and souvenirs from local honey to local wine peanuts cheese ,pies and of course Va signature Apple Butter. Food wasn't the only thing available for sale. Local souvenirs and gifts such as hats tee shirts Nick nacks etc the list goes on and if my lists continues this review will turn into a book lol. The shop is amazing and well worth a visit. Also available is a bar where you can get a glass of local wine and beer and a local restaurant that has been inside for many years. Definitely worth a time out from shopping to enjoy a bite to eat . You place your order fast food style ( great staff , very friendly and efficient. ) then find a table inside or outside they bring you your food to your table. As a lover and conisseur of Tunafish Salad Sandwiches I elected for that and some onions rings and I wasn't disappointed. Made to perfection indeed. A glass of fresh iced tea that includes free refills etc and for dessert a scrumptious, sinful slice of Pecan Pie. So in closing whether a first time visitor to Virginia or one such as myself taking a trip down memory lane The Apple House is a must ...

It was unclear where to go when we got there. We just followed people that arrived before us. You order at the register and they drop your food off at the table. I read online there was hard cider and asked the lady at the register about it since I didn't see any. She said it was served in the bar and kept pointing to her right every time she referred to it. So after we ordered we went in that direction. It led us outside, no bar and no signs. So we walked to the front of the building and back into the main entrance to look for it. FYI, it was in the opposite direction of where she kept pointing. It would have been nice if she would've asked us if we knew where the bar was and told us how to get there if we didn't. They really should have someone or something at the main entrance greeting people and giving them the layout including the fact that menus are different depending on where you go. The Bar menu is different than the restaurant menu. You can order from the restaurant and eat in bar, just let them know and expect a few eye rolls from the staff. Bar service was underwhelming and didn't acknowledge customers next to be served. A simple "Hi, I'll be with you in a minute" would be better than standing there and avoiding eye contact. Picture is of the VA Bison Burger, Apple Cider Donuts and Old Mill Hard Cider Off The Press. Don't get the Mac'N Cheese. They charge you an extra $1 and it's horrible. The worst I've ever had. Thick like a paste and inedible. Potato salad and coleslaw were okay. Burger and donuts were good. We will most likely not be back at least not...