9 Vintage Virginia Snacks That Only True Locals Still Talk About
Ask any Virginian about their favorite local snack, and chances are it comes with a story. Maybe it’s a salty bite from a roadside stand or a sweet indulgence from a family-owned shop that’s been around forever.
These vintage snacks are more than guilty pleasures – they’re cultural markers, linking today’s tastes to centuries of tradition in one delicious thread.
1. Hubs Virginia Peanuts
Golden, crunchy, and irresistibly salty, Hubs peanuts remain the benchmark against which all Virginia peanuts are measured. Dot Hubbard began cooking these blister-fried beauties in 1954 in her Sedley kitchen.
My grandmother wouldn’t dream of hosting holiday gatherings without that iconic yellow tin on her sideboard.
The distinctive crunch, louder than regular peanuts, became the soundtrack of family reunions across the state.
2. Virginia Diner Peanut Pie
Forget pecan pie – true Virginians know peanut pie reigns supreme. Since 1929, the Virginia Diner in Wakefield has been serving this sweet, nutty masterpiece that perfectly balances gooey filling with roasted Virginia peanuts.
The recipe remains closely guarded, though countless home cooks have attempted to replicate it. What makes it special is the molasses-like richness that showcases why Virginia peanuts deserve their gourmet reputation.
3. Planters Peanut Center Hot Roasted Peanuts
Suffolk’s Planters Peanut Center has been filling paper bags with warm, freshly roasted peanuts since 1967. The antique roaster creates an aroma that wafts down West Washington Street, pulling in locals and tourists alike.
I still remember my grandfather taking me there as a child, watching in wonder as peanuts tumbled in the ancient roaster.
The shop stands in Mr. Peanut’s hometown, offering a taste experience that’s remained unchanged for generations.
4. Blue Crab Bay Co. Crab House Nuts
Born on Virginia’s Eastern Shore in 1985, these seasoned peanuts capture the essence of a Chesapeake crab feast in snack form. Dusted with the perfect blend of spices reminiscent of Old Bay, they deliver a taste of coastal Virginia with every handful.
The Melfa-based company created a snack that pairs perfectly with cold beer and sunset views. Many locals keep a tin in their pantry year-round, bringing out the Chesapeake flavor even when blue crabs aren’t in season.
5. Route 11 Potato Chips
Small-batch perfection has been Route 11’s calling card since 1992. From their Mount Jackson factory, these kettle-cooked chips emerge in flavors that speak to Virginia’s culinary heritage – Chesapeake Crab, Mama Zuma’s Revenge, and Dill Pickle lead the lineup.
What makes these chips special isn’t just the crunch. It’s watching them being made through the factory’s viewing windows, seeing potatoes transform into golden treasures.
The sweet potato chips alone have converted countless skeptics to the Route 11 cult following.
6. Ukrop’s Rainbow Cookies
Tiny, buttery, rainbow-sprinkled bites of Richmond nostalgia. For generations of Virginians, these cookies weren’t just treats – they were rites of passage, handed free to wide-eyed children at Ukrop’s grocery stores.
When the beloved chain sold in 2010, panic spread about the fate of these iconic cookies. Thankfully, Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods continues producing them today.
I still remember the thrill of receiving my free cookie while mom shopped – a simple pleasure that united Richmond kids across decades.
7. Virginia Country Ham Biscuits
Tiny, perfect bites of Virginia’s soul food. These miniature biscuits, barely larger than silver dollars, come filled with whisper-thin slices of salt-cured country ham, creating the Commonwealth’s signature party food.
No proper Virginia wedding reception, baby shower, or holiday gathering would be complete without these savory treats.
The contrast between the flaky, buttery biscuit and the intensely salty ham creates an addictive bite that disappears from serving platters within minutes.
8. Carter Mountain Orchard Apple Cider Donuts
Autumn in Virginia isn’t complete without these warm, cinnamon-sugar coated treasures from Charlottesville’s beloved orchard. Made with fresh-pressed apple cider from the surrounding trees, these cake donuts capture the essence of Virginia fall in each bite.
Generations of families have made the pilgrimage up the mountain, rewarding themselves after apple picking with these fragrant treats.
The donuts arrive warm, their exterior slightly crisp while the interior remains tender and apple-infused.
9. Sally Bell’s Kitchen Cheese Wafers
Sharp cheddar meets pecans in these crisp, savory biscuits that have accompanied Richmond’s iconic boxed lunches for over a century. Sally Bell’s Kitchen, a James Beard “America’s Classic” winner, tucks these wafers alongside their famous cupcakes and deviled eggs.
The wafers themselves are unassuming—small, orange-hued discs with a pecan pressed into the center. But their buttery, cheesy flavor delivers an unmistakable taste of old Richmond.
Local business meetings aren’t official without these boxes appearing.