When fire ripped through Tappahannock’s historic downtown in July 2022, it destroyed Prince Street Cafe but not the dream of owner Maria Esquer.
Fast-forward a year, the restaurant is flourishing as Prince Street Cafe at Hobbs Hole, where it’s in the clubhouse overlooking the public 18-hole golf course.
Esquer had opened the breakfast and lunch restaurant on Prince Street in September 2021 and in its 10 months at that location built a loyal clientele. Those customers followed Esquer and her staff to nearby Hobbs Hole, where Prince Street will celebrate its one-year anniversary on September 13.
“This place was empty and people kept telling me to contact the Cooke family,” said Esquer. “And they kept telling Ken and Kelly [Cooke] to call me. They called me and it took me about two months to get everything straight. It’s been a blessing. The customers followed me here, plus a lot more new ones.
Prince Street was packed with golfers, couples and friends’ groups a few weeks ago when I met my college roommates there for lunch. Although we were tempted by the breakfast items—Prince Street serves breakfast daily until 3 p.m.—we decided on lunch.
Intrigued by something I’d never seen or even heard of—rockfish salad—I ordered the cold plate as an appetizer for the three of us to share. The plate included a scoop of white meat chicken salad, rockfish salad and two deviled eggs topped with crabmeat. I’m not a tuna salad lover but since I’d never seen rockfish salad on a menu before I had to give it a try. Surprisingly, it was not ‘fishy’ but mild with bits of diced onions and celery for crunch. It’s also available on a sandwich.
The deviled eggs were stuffed with a mild, creamy yolk filling with a scoop of crab on top. Again, another first for me.
Our entrees included a huge fried rockfish sub, the Prince Street salad topped with grilled cheese and a Hawaian burger with grilled pineapple, Swiss cheese and a sweet aloha sauce. The burger was hearty and cooked just as I’d ordered, a little pink in the middle. I’m not a spicy girl so I should have asked for the sauce on the side. Although delicious, it had a sweet heat that bit a little at the end, perfect for those that enjoy a touch of spice.
My friend, Janet, chose a side of sweet potato tots to go with her rockfish sandwich and they were the hit of the table, with all three of us picking at the heaping serving. They were so sweet – crispy on the outside but still soft on the inside – that my friend Kristie said she “wanted to just dip them” in honey or cool whip or something” and eat them for dessert.
And speaking of dessert, our shared banana pudding was delicious. Again, not one of my go-to’s but I’d definitely go-to it again. It was rich and creamy, topped with not your typical vanilla wafers but instead with a layer of thick whipped cream and butter cookies.
Prince Street’s lunch items include a variety of sandwiches, po’boys and salads. Breakfast items include seafood quiche, chicken and waffles, smoked salmon sandwiches, sausage and gravy, corned beef hash and salt fish, which is one of the most popular items, according to Esquer.
The restaurant also has added dinner service Thursday through Saturday.
Esquer’s Hispanic roots are evident in her breakfast chorizo and potato burrito and huevos rancheros.
Her crabs, oysters and fish are purchased locally.
“I am so blessed to be here,” said Esquer. “I want to thank the county and all my customers for all the support. They’ve been very supportive of Prince Street and me.”
