The Winding Road to Weasie’s

Hitting on the fifth hole of Swannanoa, I looked into the sun back toward the clubhouse. A large tractor clipping the fairway grass was heading my way. 

It stopped for me to hit. When I walked over and introduced myself, the driver told me his name was Dave. After some conversation, he explained that he lost a foot in an accident years ago. He also shared with me that he has worked at Swannanoa for 23 years.

Dave wore a sun-faded cap and sunglasses. Polite and patient, he listened to me as I let him know I was eager to learn more about this wonderfully eclectic golf course and its history.

Several holes later, Dave came back to tell me the story of how he first got his job. 

It was while eating at Weasie’s Kitchen in Waynesboro that Dave encountered Pete, Swannanoa’s owner at the time. Pete asked him how things were going, and Dave mentioned he couldn’t find work since he’d had the accident. Pete told him to stop by Swannanoa and they’d find him something to do, and twenty-three years later he’s still there.

When Pete was nearing the end of his life, he asked Dave to promise he would help his son, Bucky, keep the course running after his death. Dave agreed, and continues to work hard, taking pride in maintaining and sustaining this special place.

Compelled by Dave’s stories, after golf and hungry, I found myself heading down the winding mountain roads that lead to Weasie’s.  

When I arrived, it was 4:00, and only one other couple was there. Some of the chairs were upside-down on the tables, so I thought they had just opened. I grabbed myself a seat and flipped open the menu.

On the menu today was potato soup, I hear the friendly waitress tell one of her regulars describing how good it was.  This patron didn’t need a menu, she placed her order simply by yelling across the restaurant in a pleasant manner, what she planned to eat that day.  The spunky waitress didn’t miss a beat and caught the kitchen up to speed on her meal plans.

Several other customers piped in about the soup being a nice addition to the menu and that they might also have to try it.

My waitress looked surprised when I asked her if they had sweet tea.  

“Why of course we do,” she said with a smile.

The sweet-tea test is something I’ve used for years. If they have only unsweetened ice tea or, heaven forbid, no ice tea, they’re probably either a chain, or the owner is not from around here. If you pass the sweet-tea test, chances are your menu will be solid and Southern, with sugar and salt used freely in the kitchen.

I knew right away I had to go with a burger. Choosing just one burger, however, was the hard part. 

I finally went for the bacon cheeseburger. It turned out to have a strong bacon focus, which was plenty fine for me. It was delicious and different. I highly recommend it.

I tried to ask around to see if I might stumble into someone who had known Pete, but to no luck.  I could imagine him eating at the counter or perhaps at one of the tables with a friend years ago.

Homemade raspberry cobbler swept me up for dessert with a rounded scoop of vanilla ice cream.  Served hot in a small bowl with the ice cream melting and mixing with the cobbler, it was a perfect ending for a great day.

It was no mystery to me as to why Dave and Pete would enjoy eating here.  Home-cooked comfort food in a friendly place like this is a rare gem — just like Swannanoa.

Thanks Dave (and Pete) for connecting me to a dining adventure I won’t soon forget.

Weasie’s Kitchen Restaurant is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Find them at 130 E Broad Str, Waynesboro, VA 22980. 

For more information, check out www.weasieskitchen.com