10 Virginia Foods That Outsiders Struggle To Say (But Locals Learned Young)
Virginia’s culinary landscape is as rich as its history, but some of those delicious foods come with names that twist outsiders’ tongues into knots.
Growing up in the Commonwealth means learning these pronunciations early, often while sitting at grandma’s table or ordering at local eateries.
Next time you’re visiting Virginia, impress the locals by mastering these tricky food names that residents have been saying correctly since their first days.
1. Chincoteague – “SHIN-kuh-teeg”
This Eastern Shore island lends its name to some of Virginia’s most prized oysters, clams, and seafood chowders. You might hear slight variations in how locals say it, but nail that first syllable with a strong “SHIN” and you’re halfway there.
During the famous Pony Penning days, this word appears on every menu and roadside stand. The briny, sweet Chincoteague oysters carry the distinctive taste of the island’s pristine waters.
2. Wachapreague – “WATCH-uh-prig”
Flounder sandwiches and fresh-caught seafood specials from this “Little City by the Sea” appear on menus throughout Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Outsiders commonly fumble with “WACK-uh-preeg,” immediately marking themselves as visitors.
The town serves as a launching point for some of Virginia’s best inshore fishing. When ordering the Wachapreague flounder platter, remember to put emphasis on that first syllable like you’re telling someone to look at something.
3. Onancock – “uh-NAN-kok”
This charming bay town’s name appears on signature crab dishes and oyster sauces throughout the Eastern Shore. The secret is stressing that the middle syllable – “NAN” gets all the emphasis while the first and last syllables stay soft.
I remember my grandfather correcting tourists at his seafood shack, patiently repeating “uh-NAN-kok” until they got it right.
The town’s maritime heritage infuses its culinary offerings, particularly the famous Onancock crab cakes that blend lump meat with minimal filler.
4. Poquoson – “puh-KOH-sun”
This Tidewater city hosts the beloved Poquoson Seafood Festival, celebrating the bounty of Chesapeake waters. The middle syllable gets the emphasis, with a long “O” sound that visitors often miss when ordering the festival’s famous she-crab soup.
The annual event honors the community’s working watermen who harvest blue crabs and oysters. Locals take pride in teaching newcomers the proper pronunciation while serving up soft shell crab sandwiches that showcase the region’s seafood expertise.
5. Rappahannock – “rap-uh-HAN-uck”
The river and its namesake oyster company produce some of Virginia’s most celebrated bivalves. Stress falls heavily on that third syllable – “HAN” – when ordering Rappahannock River Oysters, Olde Salt, or Rochambeau varieties at raw bars.
My first taste of these briny treasures came at Merroir, their riverside tasting room. The server gently corrected my pronunciation before explaining how the river’s unique mineral content creates the oysters’ distinctive flavor profile, ranging from sweet to perfectly salty depending on where they’re harvested.
6. Tangier (Island) – “tan-JEER”
This isolated Chesapeake Bay community is renowned for exceptional soft-shell crab sandwiches. Unlike the Moroccan city with the same spelling, Virginians place emphasis on that second syllable with a clear “JEER” sound.
The island’s watermen harvest these delicacies during the precious molting period when crabs shed their hard shells.
You’ll spot “Tangier-style” soft shells on menus throughout the state, featuring whole crabs dusted with seasoned flour and fried until golden, then served on plain white bread.
7. Gloucester – “GLOSS-ter”
This Middle Peninsula county sits in the heart of blue crab territory, but visitors often stumble by pronouncing all three syllables.
Drop that middle “ces” entirely – locals use just two syllables, making it “GLOSS-ter” when ordering the county’s famous roasted oysters or crab dishes. The annual Gloucester Daffodil Festival features numerous seafood vendors selling local specialties.
Traditional preparation methods passed down through generations give Gloucester seafood its distinctive character, especially the county’s signature crab soup that balances sweet crab meat with savory spices.
8. Botetourt – “BOT-uh-tot”
This mountainside county’s name graces jars of apple butter, cider bottles, and farm stand signs throughout western Virginia. The pronunciation defies the spelling entirely – just three syllables with emphasis on the first, and that final “r” completely silent.
Ikenberry Orchards in Daleville showcases the county’s agricultural bounty. Their country store shelves overflow with Botetourt apple butter, stone-ground grits, and honey harvested from local hives.
The county’s elevation and climate create ideal conditions for apple varieties that deliver exceptional sweetness and flavor.
9. Crozet – “kroh-ZAY”
This charming town west of Charlottesville is home to the legendary Crozet Pizza, once dubbed “Best in the World” by National Geographic. The name follows French pronunciation rules, with emphasis on that second syllable and a silent “t” at the end.
The pizzeria’s wood-fired pies feature local ingredients like Albemarle County tomatoes and Virginia country ham.
You’ll find “Crozet” prominently displayed on beer lists throughout UVA territory, with several local breweries creating special pies-and-pints pairings that celebrate this culinary landmark.
10. FERIDIES (Virginia peanuts) – “fur-RID-eez”
This iconic Courtland-based peanut brand appears on cans and packages in markets, wineries, and gift shops across Virginia.
The company itself confirms the pronunciation with stress on that middle syllable – “RID” – contrary to what many first-time buyers might guess. Virginia’s unique soil produces exceptionally large, crunchy peanuts with a distinctively clean flavor.
FERIDIES elevates these “super extra large” Virginia-type peanuts through a special cooking process that maintains their satisfying crunch while developing deep, roasted flavors that have made them a Commonwealth culinary treasure.