VA Local Eats: Moore's Country Store
The Best Chili Dog In The World
The Virginia Local Eats series is meant to capture some of the best family-friendly, budget-friendly local eateries around the heart of Virginia. Once we’d discovered these places it didn’t feel right to keep them to ourselves, so we are sharing them with you!
Okay, so the title of the world’s best chili dog is subjective. Everyone has their own particular tastes. Some people love a salty chili, some prefer a sweeter blend. Some like it chunky whereas others go for a smoother texture. But if you are in the mood for a fiery-hot, blended savory chili of the highest order, served on a Jesse Jones dog and snuggled into a steamed bun, then Moore’s Country Store has you covered.
Many weird legends surround Moore’s Country Store and their world-famous hot dogs. One of my favorites is the story of Norfolk-Southern railway engineers who would bring their fully loaded freight train to a complete stop, run over to the original Moore’s Country Store near Appomattox to buy hot dogs for lunch, then race back to the train to continue on their merry way. Not sure how much that cost the company to stop a freight train for the sake of a hot dog, but I can tell you the dogs are worth it.
Moore’s Country Store has a long history in Central Virginia. According to their page on the Virginia.org website, they have been serving up their fun and funky dishes since 1926. Anyone who travels towards Appomattox from Lynchburg knows their iconic original building off Highway 29. It’s hard to miss; it lives next to a railroad bridge and there is a tree growing right through the middle of the roof. Since that original store opened, Moore’s has opened several more stores around the Lynchburg area as well as licensing their signature chili and hot dogs to several more locations.
Of course, Moore’s sells more than just hot dogs. They also make a killer BLT, various BBQ sandwiches and burgers, fried chicken, pasta salads, pies, oyster dishes, and many more. Prices are reasonable, and every one of their major locations has indoor and outdoor dining. It always feels like a picnic eating there, because the seating is all fun rustic-type stuff. The above pictured table was a long wooden trestle table perfect for a family of our size, but they also have booths and picnic tables too.
Unfortunately we no longer live near enough to Moore’s to stop there every day but we occasionally drop in for a bite. The food is reasonably priced and the dining rooms are bright and clean. Groovy music plays over the PA system and the staff are very friendly. You can buy Moore’s merchandise there like hats and tie-dyed shirts too, which is fun.
We hope their world-famous hot dogs stick around for long time to come! Just be careful when the staff asks you how you want your chili. Because when they say hot, they mean HOT.
Food Pantry Feasts Rating:
Family Friendly: Very Yes
Food Prices: Low to Medium
Food Quality/Tastiness: High
Dining Room Size: Small to Medium (depends on which location)
Wait Time for Food/Table: Low to Medium (it’s a very popular place, best to call ahead and then pick up)
