There are plenty of places to grab specials during happy hour, from chicken wings to cocktails, but I was happy to come across a deal I could really sink my teeth into.
Local sandwich shop Zero’s Subs, which started in Virginia Beach in 1967, has a happy hour special on six of their signature subs, with two full-size sandwiches offered for $11.99.
There are Zero’s Subs locations across the region, including a dozen in Virginia Beach. We found the special at the Oceanfront store, located in the ViBe District, at the corner of Virginia Beach Boulevard and Cypress Avenue.
The deal is good from 4-6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Subs on special are the grinder, grub steak, ham and cheese, meatball and cheese, tuna and cheese, and turkey and cheese. It’s the latter that my partner, Doug, and I took advantage of.
I’ve been a fan of Zero’s for the 30 years I’ve lived in Virginia, and the sub didn’t disappoint. A large hoagie roll was split and toasted and topped with turkey and provolone cheese. Standard fixings are lettuce, tomato, onion, spices, and oil and vinegar.
Optionally, you can add mayonnaise, pickles and sweet and hot peppers at no extra charge; I added all but the mayonnaise, for which I’ve already established my distaste here in my column.
I did go one step further, ordering a side of fries. These are those long, thin shoestring potatoes that are highly addictive, at least to me. I grabbed a handful of them and threw them on my sub and added a bit of mustard from the condiment pouches offered near the register, too.
A tasty deal and a fun atmosphere at a longtime favorite eatery indeed made for one very happy hour.
Zero’s Subs is at 632 Virginia Beach Blvd.; call 757-233-3355 or zerossub.com.
A LA CARTE: COMINGS AND GOINGS IN VIRGINIA BEACH
Happy one-year anniversary to the cowboy himself, Neil Waranch, for his Tex-Mex cantina, Cowboy Neil’s, in the space formerly occupied by Stoley’s. We love the warm, inviting feel and the saucy Mexican-inspired food. We especially love the expansive vegan menu; a fajita bowl is tops on our list. Oh, and those margaritas!
Cowboy Neil’s Tex-Mex Cantina is at 1408 N. Great Neck Road; call 757-412-0079 or visit cowboyneilscantina.com.
Look for two fall specials with limited availability from The Egg Bistro. One, Bourbon Bacon Cronuts, offers a dish of two cronuts (think flakiness of a croissant but substance of a doughnut) dipped in French toast batter, grilled and topped with a bourbon maple glaze and chopped bacon. The dish is served with two eggs any style, bacon or sausage and hash browns or grits.
The second is the Cranberry Turkey Melt, showcasing grilled sourdough toast stuffed with sliced turkey, cheddar cheese and cranberry sauce. The sandwich is served with French fries or house-made chips and is served for lunch beginning at 11 a.m.
The Egg Bistro has locations in Chesapeake and Suffolk, as well as in Virginia Beach at 2129 General Booth Blvd.; call 757-689-6312 or visit theeggbistro.com.
It’s AYCE Grilled Wings and Brats at Chick’s Oyster Bar every NFL Sunday during football season from 1-4 p.m. The cost is $10; an additional three bucks includes a make-your-own bloody Mary bar.
Chick’s has some of my favorite wings around; back in 2016, I did an Eight to Eat and grooved on their version of the classic buffalo style.
Chick’s Oyster Bar is at 2143 Vista Circle; call 757-481-5757 or visit chicksoysterbar.com.
Wine Class takes place at Bella Monte Restaurant & Enoteca on Oct. 29. The workshop is hosted by certified sommelier Kiera Hill of Vino Culture and explores vintages from Patricia Green Cellars from Willamette Valley, Oregon.
The workshop focuses on six different styles of pinot noir from different vineyards across the noted wine-growing Willamette Valley region of Oregon. The class runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and costs $45. Reservations are required by emailing kiera@vinocultureva.com.
Bella Monte is at 1201 Laskin Road; call 757-425-6290 or visit bellamontevb.com.
The newly opened Graze Kitchen is hosting a happy hour from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 1. The cafe recently opened on the main floor of the newly renovated Cayce Hospital Building at Edgar Cayce’s Association for Research and Enlightenment. The cost is $20.
On the menu: grazing boards, beer, mimosas, sangria and wine as well as giveaways and live music. A cash bar is offered for additional drinks.
Graze Kitchen is at 215 67th St.; call 757-457-7105 or visit grazekitchenvb.com.
A Day of the Dead Celebration takes place at Back Bay’s Farmhouse Brewing Co. on Nov. 2. Day of the Dead, also known as Dia de Muertos, is a traditional Mexican holiday remembering loved ones who have died through celebration that includes eats and drinks.
The event takes place from 4-8 p.m. and includes Mexican-themed beers as well as food trucks.
Back Bay’s Farmhouse Brewing Co. is at 1805 Kempsville Road; call 757-512-6430 or visit farmhousebrewingva.com.
Patrick Evans-Hylton, PatrickEvansHylton@gmail.com
