Let's Grab Lunch!

Taste Unlimited is my second destination on this tour, as it was often my first actual stop during a beach day. Originally opened by Peter Coe as a wine and cheese stop in 1973, I would stop at this (now-turned) sandwich shop with friends to grab lunch before settling on a spot at the beach. My order was almost always the "Northender" consisting of honey smoked turkey, hardwood smoked bacon, Havarti cheese, avocado, romaine, tomato, and basil mayo on French bread along with a cold cream soda. As it was typically very cold inside the establishment, I would find myself shivering, as I was usually only dressed in a bathing suit and a basic dress or oversized t-shirt with flip flops. It was always worth it though!

After peering through the Taste Unlimited website, I found that its mission statement is to "Cultivate Community through the Good Life, with an unmatched guest experience offered in authentically local spaces that inspire the good life every day." I found the use of the phase "authentically local" to be interesting here; Taste seems to pride itself on being authentic, genuine, and loyal to the community it serves, yet the "authentic" community here is, of course, the settler colonial - and largely white - community.

Also emphasized on this site is the fact that the owners of the establishment, now the Pruden family, are passionates advocates of voluteerism, philanthropy, and the betterment of communities. I found this interesting consideirng that ethos was never necessarily front and center within the establishment itself whenever I visited. Overall, there wasn't much here to point out in terms of the relationship between this space and Indigenous peoples, realities, or histories.

Sound(s): Store/Restaurant Bell

Image(s): Facade of "Taste" Building in Virginia Beach