2 VA 'Dive Bars' Named Among Best In U.S. For Food

VIRGINIA — Two Virginia "dive bars" have been named among the best in the United States for food, according to a new ranking.

Reynolds Street Bar and Grill in Alexandria and the Duck Dive Tavern in Virginia Beach were included in the list of 120 dive bars compiled by Geek Nexus, a personal finance and pop culture website. The establishments came in at No. 25 and No. 102, respectively.

To determine which businesses made the list, Geek Nexus surveyed 3,000 bar-goers to find the top dive bars serving "surprisingly good food."

"Dive bars have always been about community and character, but now they’re becoming known for their unexpectedly great food," Jake Valentine, operations manager of Geek Nexus, said in a release.

"The results of our survey highlight just how diverse and creative dive bar menus have become, proving that you don’t need a fancy setting to enjoy a standout meal," he continued. "From inventive burgers to iconic local flavors, these bars are redefining what it means to eat well on a budget."

Reynolds Street Bar and Grill, located a 34. S. Reynolds St., describes itself as a casual neighborhood tavern with sports on TV and a menu of pizzas, Italian pastas and Greek dishes.

Reviews of Reynolds Street's food frequently mention the pizza with some calling it the best in the area "by far."

"This place makes some of the BEST pizza I've ever tasted," one Yelp reviewer wrote. "I wasn't initially going to order pizza but apparently they're known for it and did not disappoint."

Duck Dive Tavern, located at 404 Laskin Rd., bills itself as "your favorite local dive bar," according to the business's Facebook page. Duck Dive frequently offers specials including $2 tacos on Tuesdays and $10 shrimp night on Thursdays.

"I had lunch at Duck Dive Tavern at the Oceanfront, and it was everything I hoped for," one Yelp reviewer wrote. "Known for their elevated beach cuisine and laid-back beach town vibes, this Virginia Beach spot has something for everyone."

See the full list of dive bars at GeekNexus.com.