The Dog and Pig Show

Definitely one of my favorite spots in RVA. It’s a cute small restaurant right around the corner from Proper Pie. There’s only a couple of items on their daily menu. I got the short rib po’boy and my boyfriend got the green papaya salad and shrimp and grits.
He says it’s the best papaya salad he’s ever had in Richmond (and it’s one of his favorite dishes so he’s tried a lot). It was spicy and refreshing.
The shrimp and grits were really good, probably the best grits we’ve ever tried.
The short rib po’boy was super messy for me. The coleslaw dressing got all over the bread but it made it more fun to eat. Since I eat banh mi so much, I was expecting to taste pickled vegetables. But overall, I really liked the po’boy. The meat was tender and the sandwich had great flavor.
I would definitely come back here again and try everything else on their menu.

Finally, a place that is truly able to offer delicious Asian fusion cuisine!
–Shrimp and Grits–
I’m usually not impressed by shrimp and grits, but The Dog and Pig Show definitely knows how to do it right! Lucious, thick cheese grits are topped with nice plump Gulf shrimp, fish roe, kimchi, and bacon butter (how can you wrong with bacon butter?). They used to have a «Dog and Grits» option on the menu which was steak in place of the shrimp, but I guess they have pulled it for whatever reason. It was also delicious and I hope they eventually bring it back! Definitely add the egg because it just adds to the indulgence. The dish is pretty heavy and I personally think it’s enough to share between two people, one very hungry person.
–Bibimbap–
Also a good choice for those who are looking for a filling lunch. They give you a decent portion of beef and I liked the combination of fresh and pickled veggies in it.
–Bangkok Bun–
A little messy to eat, but worth it. They pack so much into this sandwich and all of the components meld really well with each other. The Thai patty itself is moist and flavorful – packed with lots of lemongrass.
–Grilled Cheese–
Though it was good, I wasn’t going to start singing praise about it. Avocado and bacon are both extra so you can end up with a $ 13 sandwich – which I didn’t think was worth it compared to their other offerings.
–Milk and Cookie Bars–
You almost feel naughty biting into one of these. Super sweet and not at all good for you— I always have to get one when I come here. My boyfriend thinks it’s a little too sweet, but I think the bars are a nice counter to the pretty salty dishes they have here (plus I admittedly have an insatiable sweet tooth). If you’re not looking for something as sweet, they’re cookies are pretty good as well.
–Boba Tea–
Eh, nothing too special about paying waaay too much for just okay boba tea here.
For being a tiny, mainly to-​go place, The Dog and Pig Show is churning out really well prepared and flavorful food. This spot is great if you’re looking for something a little unconventional – and they will not disappoint!

Hands down the best grilled cheese in Richmond… maybe Virginia. I know that’s a very bold statement, but I honestly was in heaven when I bit into the sandwich. So as far as food goes, get the grilled cheese. I didn’t even think to take a picture because it was so gooey and melted that I wanted to dig right in.
As for the customer service, they were extremely friendly! The atmosphere is wonderful, but be wary, the seating is limited.
I plan on going back many times! I just need to try other things on the menu, which is going to be so difficult because I honestly don’t know if it’s possible to pass up on this grilled cheese.

Stopped by for lunch on a Friday afternoon. They were busy but the wait wasn’t bad at all and well worth it. It’s a quiet little spot that everyone should try. The menu only has a few offerings but our group had the Po’ Boy, Grilled Cheese w/​avocado, and the Shrimp and Grits. Everything was absolutely delicious.

Went to The Dog and Pig Show last evening. Customer service was good. The pulled pork Po’Boy was okay, typical BBQ flavor –needed more pickles since that was the big flavor difference from every other decent BBQ establishment in RVA, and please put them inside the bun with the meat. And cut the Po’Boy in half before serving it.
What is listed as BOBA is in fact JUST Thai Iced Tea on the rocks with a few Boba bubbles at the bottom (big let down), Not Blended as it should always be, and it is in a miserly cup, not filled to the brim of a dome top.
If you want proper BOBA, I just went to Phở So. 1 on Broad St. and it was perfection, even got the Thai Iced Tea version to make a fair comparison.

Everything about this establishment is something I normally adore. The staff is incredibly friendly and the décor is very «me.» The food I had, however, left me underwhelmed. I will say that my husband’s bi bim bop was very good. But my shrimp and grits just… I did not like it much. And the sea salt chocolate chip cookies were sadly not as good as the ones I make at home. My food was really two stars. My husband’s food was four stars. I am left with the three star average. I guess just avoid ordering the shrimp and grits and order the bi bim bop.

A cute establishment with very good comfort food awaits a visit to The Dog & Pig.
The shrimp and grits are creamy with a slight twist… the grits are creamy, but a course grain — larger than your average grit. The kimchi, which is thoroughly ground gave a nice bite.
If you order The Bangkok Bun is a wonderful, challenging mess. Piled high with homemade Thai sausage, thick slices bacon, avocado, pickle, and curry-​ginger mayo on a toasted ultra-​soft potato roll.
Good service and a friendly smile were our parting gift as we walked out with great coffee and WONDERFUL Milk and Cookie Bars.

The Dog and Pig Show was recommended to me from a Costco pharmacist, and it did not disappoint. The grilled cheese can come with avocado and/​or bacon, and it is amazing. The bacon, if you get it, is the thick and juicy kind, which is not normally my personal «bacon aesthetic», but goes very well with the rest of the sandwich and adds great flavor. The Po’ Boys have a lot of great and interesting tasting meat on them, with amazing bread. While the grilled cheese is a great take-​out item and stays pretty stable, the po’ boys are pretty wet and start to deteriorate pretty quicky so eat them there!
The location is comfortably laid out and I love the foliage wall and chalk board-​they give the restaurant a memorable and chill vibe. Each worker I have interacted with there has been cute and really nice. Their location is also right off Broad on Church Hill, right near the small park. It is really easy to park near there.
As for drinks, their green tea was very fresh, and so was the boba. The boba was the milkiest I have ever had, and there are no flavors, but it truly does taste like freshly brewed milk tea.

Sweet lord it took me entirely too long to check out this place and now that I have I’m fairly sure I’m addicted. The first time I went I tried the papaya salad which was just the right about of spiciness. I also had a salted chocolate cookie which was to die for… I literally let out a sigh of contentment. The next visit I ordered the famous grilled cheese I have heard rave reviews about. Ok picture the most delicious and creamy thing you’ve eaten and make it 100x better… Delicious!!! Can’t wait to go back and keep trying all the different menu items as well as the cookies!!!

I loved everything about this place!
The atmosphere was wonderful. It was a tiny little restaurant that had shabby chic furniture and decorations along with a very impressive wall made of living plants! I felt very comfortable and happy with all of that.
On top of the awesome atmosphere the food was SUPER on point. My boyfriend and I went there in date night so I got to try his shrimp and grits which were delicious! I got the Bangkok bun and everything about it screamed «quality» and «delicious». It had lots of avocado, thick sliced bacon, and delicious sauce on it on top of an awesome house-​made thai sausage and a perfectly cooked fried egg. I can’t wait to come back and try some of their other brilliant concoctions. The only thing I was disappointed with was the fact that I didn’t end up buying the milk and cookies bar that they gave me a sample of before I got my food. I couldn’t stop thinking about that bar for the rest of the night.
This place is great for date night or going somewhere somewhat quiet for a gourmet lunch or dinner if you’re in the Church Hill area!

Another unique and tasty restaurant to add to the thriving Richmond restaurant scene! The menu is small, but everything on it sounds worth ordering. My friends and I came here for a late breakfast/​early lunch after riding the cap trail and loved the food. I had the breakfast burrito with avocado added and paired it with a boba tea. The burrito was hearty and fresh definitely hit the spot. The boba tea was the best I’ve ever had! The menu has an interesting SE Asian flair, with Korean, Chinese and Laotian offerings in addition to a few more conventional items.
It’s a small, but fun space. Has the feel of a trendy urban coffee shop. The service was spot on. Prices a tad high, but nothing alarming. I’m definitely planning to come back to try some of the lunch offerings. One of my friends ordered the pulled pork po’boy and it looked fantastic.

Shrimp & Grits. They are the BOMBBBBBBBBB. It was full of flavor and the shrimps were big and fresh. Perfect if you’re in the mood for something warm and savory. I also tried their Short Rib Poboy which was pretty good but on the saltier side than what I prefer.
It’s a tiny hole in the wall shop with maybe 2 – 3 tables, but the green, leafy décor that covers the entire wall was a nice touch! Staff is super friendly too and I thought the attention to detail with putting together the utensils and wrapping it in a cute ribbon was super cute.
They don’t have Dog & Grits on the menu anymore which makes me sad because I heard many great things about it :(Please bring it back!

I just love this place so much, I figured it’s time I update my review. I still give them 5 stars! They are so good that it has become a danger living only a short walk away. But the good news is I am in love with them and live only a few blocks away! A huge bonus for The Dog & Pig is that they now offer a small indoor & outdoor seating area, so anything I eat there I get to walk off on my way home.
The décor is so visually appealing and definitely my taste. I want to have a wedding there if they ever decide to offer a tiny venue, I want to sit and stay while I sip my Boba Tea and eat my delicious Po’boy sandwich, oh heck, if I could move in I would! They have a way of making a person feel like a guest and the wall plants help to create a very stimulating, yet relaxing environment.
Definitely one of my top choices when dinning in Richmond and a must visit for out of towners.

I thought everything here was absolutely delicious!
It’s very small and cozy. I can’t say what time is best to come in, but I came here with friends on a Thursday around 6 pm and found a seat for us 3 (not good for groups, no big tables here). You walk in to see a large board up top with their small menu and what ingredients are in each. At first, I thought hey, there’s not that much to choose from :(However! Everything entrée we tried was really, really, superbly delicious…
Between my friends and I, we had:
–shrimp and grits
–Po boy
–Chinese sausage «sammich»
I’m not really a grits type of person. But the sauce served atop was this savory, sweet and salty flavor, which reminded me of thai coconut curry. The way it was mixed with the grits reminded me of a jambalaya. I love both those things :) Also the jumbo shrimp was cooked perfectly.
Only tried a bite of the po boy, but was super tasty.
My Chinese sausage sandwich was served with 2 eggs, avocado, picked ginger, and more. I don’t usually like to eat ginger, but the flavors in this sandwich balanced out that strong ginger taste. We were afraid to bite into the egg, but the yolk wasn’t runny, which was kind of a relief, as we were eating out of the wrapper, no plates. Cucumbers were mixed into the sandwich too… how refreshing!
Apparently we came in on their first day selling boba tea. It was a good effort~
They gave us moist towelettes at the end of our meal. Extra points for that +++
So their menu is limited, but everything was just so so good. I’m considering coming back next time to try out everything that wasn’t covered this trip… :)

Loved stopping in to this little place after following their drool-​inducing photos on instagram for the longest time. I had the bibimbap and my friend had the shrimp and grits. Both very flavorful and delicious. Service was very friendly. I was also pleased to see that they’d just added about 4 – 5 tables inside, so it’s possible to dine on site if there’s space! We grabbed a couple desserts to go and those were easily the best part of the meal, so yummy! I look forward to returning to try other items.

MILK & COOKIES BAR.
If it’s available, do yourself a favor and buy ALL OF THEM. This is seriously theeee most perfect mix of gooey, not too sweet, buttery magic creation that has ever existed in this lifetime. WOW. Seriously amazing.
The food basically speaks for itself as well. Very eclectic mix of southern/​asian/​creole food that’s done well and will make you smile with each bite. I got the shrimp and grits combo with an added egg and I had a moment where my eyes rolled to the back of my head because it was THAT good. I tried a bite of BF’s grilled cheese — this ain’t your regular grilled cheese. It is grilled cheese on an ELEVATED level that will blow your mind. Delicious.
I just also have to note that I LOVED their interior. It’s all just so pretty. Their to-​go packaging was even awesome. I just love everything about this place *heart eyes emoji*

Almost one year later and this place is still amazingly delicious. There’s a reason why they have been featured in the local magazines and have gotten some national attention as well.
Me gf has been asking me to take her to some of my favorite restaurants in RVA and initially I had some trouble figure out which were my favorites and I remembered having an awesome experience here. This time I got their grilled cheese and like Carol L mentioned, it is LIFE CHANGING. This is an extraordinary grilled cheese that will re define your life so dont think about it and get it; dont forget to add their thick cut juicy bacon to it while you’re at it. I wasn’t too impressed with their tomato soup though as it was kind of lack luster. My gf enjoyed her first shrimp and grits and I am glad she got to experience it here; she complimented the sheer size of the shrimp and perfect cook on them.
Also, their pastry/​sweets selection is also impressive. Get the milk and cookies bar; it’s fluffy, shareable, and delectable.
Do your taste buds a favor and come here and enjoy their scrumptious food.
P. S.- they finally added a small bench table that can fit about 8 people max

This place is so worth it lets just say. Ok, its been featured in Southern Living magazine and a bunch of local papers but its all true. They are just that good!
Ive tried a bunch of thing on the menu (they dont really have a rotating menu) sometimes they will add something new to it but not likely. The pastries change and thats about it. My favorite thing off the menu is of course the shrimp and grits. It was my first time trying shrimp and grits cause I never really got grits and why it was even a thing but you gotta start somewhere. The shrimp are HUGEEEE I could barely fit a whole one in my mouth. Its was so creamy but light at the same time and you could taste at the end of each bit the notes of seafood but it wasnt overpowering. 2^nd the jalapeño tomato soup! You have to get it with the grilled cheese (add on) or else your just not giving it any justice.
Ian not gonna lie I thought this was southern American but then on the menu they have a bibmbap which is korean idk. The atmosphere is very rustic but I warn you this is more like a grab and go place. Also THEY DO NOT HAVE add seating upstairs. Nothing is up the flight of stairs (you’ll see once you go). If your lucky you’ll get a sample of something which everytime I go.

*WHENEVER THEY GET NEW FARE, I’LL TRY IT AND POST A PICTURE AND QUICK CAPTION BLURB. STAY UP TO DATE WITH REGULAR UPDATES!*
UPDATE: I think it’s happened– I think I’m addicted to this place. I’ve never had, and don’t think I’ll ever have, food like this anywhere else; it’s made with so much obvious love and care and passion that I dream about it, and despite the small, focused menu, it never gets old; I think the food actually gets better every time, especially their Grilled Cheese, which is pretty much one of the greatest things I’ve ever eaten. Ever. Coupled with how kind and chill and warm the people are, and how much care they have for the purity of just being great chefs and bakers who are on a mission to share their love of food with Richmond, it’s no wonder DPS has rapidly gained prestige amongst the Richmond food circles, multiple awards and national acclaims, and a bustling crowd of regulars who just can’t get enough, me included! I think I’d come here every day if I could; I was actually asked, the other day, the age-​old question: «If you could eat one thing for the rest of your life, and only that thing, what would it be?» I blurted out «Dog and Pig Show’s Grilled Cheese with Avocado and Bacon!» And I was drunk– so that’s as honest as it gets! (Seriously, people– they have this thick, right-​off-​the-​hog smoky and sweet home-​cured bacon that is absolutely unlike anything else called bacon you’ll ever get. And I have had Chicago bacon.) And their baked goods are as divine as their meal fare, and their master bakers are constantly coming up with new treats using such fresh, indulgent and creative ingredients that you’ll eat one and run back to the counter for the other five things in the case. They are a genuine example of what great food should look, taste and be presented like.
–But let’s talk the rest of their fare:
*Laotian Hot-​Style Salad: The best house chorizo (and if it’s not Saturday and you still need your DPS chorizo fix, here ya go!) and tender, juicy, perfectly-​cooked flavorful chicken are the highlights of this unique, lighter-​fare dish at DPS. You would think a salad drenched in a hot (in both flavor and temperature) dressing would not be good– that your lettuce would wilt to mush, that all of the other veggies would be overpowered and reduced to a slop, but that’s not the case when the magicians at DPS are at the helm. Let’s first talk about how DPS has perfected the art of the boiled, six-​minute egg. They make an egg that just pops in your mouth and is creamy and the perfect amount of richness and thick texture you should expect from an Asian-​style egg (similar to something you would find in a ramen dish.) Couple that with crisp, pleasantly-​seasoned peanuts and a depth of mixed veggies in a tantalizing broth, you have something very special and unique-​of-​flavor with this dish.
*Chinese Sausage Sandwich: De-​li-​cious! This is like the sandwich a BLT wishes it could be. The green comes with some of the freshest, juiciest avocado I’ve ever had (and it is consistently quality!,) a crispy-​skinned, sweet sausage (move over, bacon!,) a spicy Asian mayo to-​die-​for, one of their perfected boiled eggs all between what has to be homemade rye bread: so crispy, kind of sweet and has that grilled flavor that brings out the smokiness of the meat, coupled with a sweet tomato jam with the thick, sweet consistency of a compote. DPS has very rich, indulgent food with a sort of Southern-​Asian feel, but it’s worth it every time. Food like this is why diets are never worth it!
*COME ON SATURDAY MORNING FOR THE CHORIZO BISCUIT (and if they ever have Bread Pudding French Toast again:) I can’t explain in words, and the picture doesn’t do justice to this slice of morning nirvana. Let’s break it down: first, the biscuit. Along with their unbelievable sweet baked confections, DPS makes the best biscuit I’ve ever had. It is huge, dense, buttery, flaky and doesn’t hold back on a creamy, rich flavor that is only elevated by the god-​of-​a-​homemade chimichurri that you have to taste the depth of flavor to believe (you can buy it from their takeaway pantry! Highly recommended to baste steaks and whatnot at home!,) literally the best, perfectly spiced, juicy and melt-​in-​your-​mouth hand-​crafted chorizo patty, possibly ever, and mix all of this with a crisp-​on-​the-​outside, soft-​and-​airy-​on-​the-​inside folded scrambled egg and their homemade pimento cheese (also located in their pantry,) that I would literally drink, it’s that good, and it’s the closest to perfect food can get. Literally, nothing else like it, breakfast or otherwise. Only available on Saturday morning, it’s worth planning a trip for. Take a gander at my picture of this beauty– it’s even better than it looks!
*Bibimbap: DPS’s bibimbap eclipses all other attempts at the dish in the area, and is actually one of the best bibimbap bowls I’ve had anywhere else, too. I’m out of space, but check out the picture and trust that it’s as good as it looks!

So I’m coming out of Seven Hills Studio having gotten a fantastic job done on my meager hair by the wondrous Courtney. It’s about 6:45 pm and I’m hungry. I’m strolling down 25^th Street and I glimpse wide lit windows on my right a couple of blocks from Broad Street. I do a small «woo hoo» leap.
«I CAN FINALLY GO TO THE DOG AND PIG SHOW!!!»
The Dog and Pig Show, named for its husband-​and-​wife/​owners’ Chinese astrological signs, is a tiny southern/​Asian fusion place strongly geared towards takeout. THIS IS NOT A BAD THING. I had been told by many people «it doesn’t matter what you order, you’ll love it.» Originally just open for lunch, it now has evening hours, and I salivated in anticipation as I scanned the small but varied menu trying to make a decision. I’m a Jersey girl. Jersey people like subs. Jersey people in the south appreciate meats cooked over smoke. Look, the Dog and Pig Show has a smoked pork po’boy on bread from the Flour Garden. Um, yeah, I’ll take that, please, thanks, you guys take Amex? (They do.)
Remember, southern/​Asian fusion. The Dog and Pig Show’s pulled pork po’boy is basically the best banh mi you’ll ever eat. I don’t even LIKE raw cucumbers and onions but I sucked these lightly pickled morsels down and searched for more. The meat was mouthwateringly moist and smoke-​infused, the bread was light but sturdy. The sandwich was huge, enough so I could take the other half to work for lunch the next day and make my coworkers drool with jealousy («oh my god what smells so GOOD?!»).
The pulled pork po’boy is just ONE dish that the Dog and Pig Show offers. I literally have yet to hear a bad word about ANYTHING that’s offered. It’s enough to tempt me to try the shrimp and grits, because I hate shrimp. Somehow I think that the Dog and Pig Show could change my mind …