It showcases 15 eateries, including La Poblanita Food Truck, Sabor Latino Cuban & Peruvian Cuisine and La Parrilla Mexican Grill. Explore a different spot each day and get discounts.  Guapo’s Mexican Grill is offering 30% off its menu, excluding alcohol. It has entrees such as ramen birria (Mexican beef stew), ostiones montados (raw oysters topped with ceviche) and enchiladas poblanas (chicken mole enchiladas).

El Rey Tequila has 10% off its menu, excluding alcohol. According to its website, street tacos, cheese dip and quesadillas are the most popular dishes.

Receive 20% off the menu at Peruvian Charcoal Chicken and Wings. The chicken comes in quarters, halves and whole. Pair it with plantains, yucca, pinto beans and other side dishes.

There’s another opportunity for people to score big. Enter a contest to win a gift card from participating restaurants. The VisitNewportNews site has the details, including on its social media pages.

Details and restaurants, bit.ly/HHRestaurantWeek

Owner Zakia Thom, a Morocco native, added the “spice” in honor of her dad who had a restaurant and spice store in Casablanca. She moved here in 2021 from New York where she worked as a caterer. She fell in love with the Italian frozen dessert after taking bakery and gelato training.

I’m glad she did. The quaint shop has about 30 flavors listed on its website such as chocolate chili, apple cinnamon and strawberry. Those marked with a logo indicate what’s available for the day. Thom makes sure to have at least one sugar-free and dairy-free option.

On my visit, I sampled most of the 12 available flavors. They were fantastic, except for one: Mango chili margarita sorbet. The fruit teleported me to a tropical island, lying on a hammock. Then came the spice to snatch my soul back to reality. Hot stuff. It could work by mixing another flavor.

Three, however, stood out on their own. The basil mojito sorbet had a cool herbaceousness that I wanted to re-create as a drink. It stayed on my mind like a new love interest.

The smooth goat cheese with a blueberry swirl gelato made me feel the same way. It had a delicate tang and sweetness in every bite. In the words of “J.J.” on the ’70s sitcom “Good Times:” Dy-no-mite!

The pistachio and pecan topped with stracciatella — a chocolate used to create shredded pieces —was delightful too. I sat in a bistro chair imagining myself in an Italian gelateria enjoying the creamy nutty taste. The chocolate solidified into a shell and made me smile. All was right with the world.

Rekaya Gibson, 757-295-8809, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com; on X, @gibsonrekaya

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If you go

Where: 1115 Independence Blvd., Virginia Beach

Hours: 1 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday

Prices: $5 scoop, $7.75 for two scoops

Details: 757-763-7439; gelatovb.com

Restaurants are welcoming fans to dine, watch a game and leave happy or sad, depending on your team.

This list isn’t exhaustive but it will get you through the season.

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Peninsula

Every Sunday District 41 Sports Bar has $5 food specials, $3 beers and $7 straight or mixed drinks. Try the mozzarella sticks, two jumbo whole wings with fries, two shrimp tacos or something else. Every seat is a good seat, according to its Facebook post. 605 Pilot House Drive, Newport News, 757-223-0552; bit.ly/District41SportsBar

The Greene Turtle has personal pitchers from 8 to 11 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays. They include craft beers ($8), cocktails ($12) and crushes ($15). 3610 Von Schilling Drive, Hampton, 757-838-3854; bit.ly/GreenTurtleHVA

My Neighbors’ Pub has football specials starting at 6 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, and noon on Sundays, according to its Facebook page. They range from nachos ($7) to a hot dog and fries ($3) to popcorn ($.50). Get a pitcher ($11) or bucket ($12 for 4 bottles) of beers to wash down the food. 12743 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, 757-833-3333; bit.ly/MyNeighborsPub

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Southside

The tailgate menu at Ballyhoos sounds delicious. It features a loaded hot dog ($4), barbecue chicken nachos ($10), six buffalo shrimp ($10) and other delectables. Don’t forget about the orange crush ($6), Jameson green tea ($6) and the bucket of four beers ($13). Available 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. 2865 Lynnhaven Drive, Virginia Beach, 757-412-4441. bit.ly/Ballyhoos

On Sundays, Busky’s Chill & Grill rolls out specials from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., including beef brisket tacos ($11.99), pepperoni pita pizza ($8.99) and two beef hot dogs with the fixings ($7.99). On Monday nights, it’s serving hamburger sliders with chips ($9.99), loaded potato skins ($9.99) and two other football specials. 237 Hanbury Road, Chesapeake, 757-482-3864; buskyschillngrill.com/events

If dining out isn’t your thing, watch the games at home and pre-order football platters from Dave’s BBQ. The Rookie ($85) includes 2 pounds of pulled pork, 25 smoked wings, 2 quarts of sides and six buns. Got a hangry — slang for really hungry—bunch? Select the Hall of Fame ($170) that includes 5 pounds of pulled pork, 50 smoked wings, 3 quarts of sides and 12 buns. 1009 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, 757-434-6093; davesbbqvb.com

The Dirty Buffalo knows good food; it’s been around since 2012. The football menu is available every day which includes tailgate nachos ($16.99), cheesy porker sliders ($9.99) and a starter platter with onion rings, chicken dippers and pretzel bites ($17.99). 4012 Colley Ave., Norfolk, 757-226-7851; 4213 East Little Creek Road, Norfolk, 757-321-7242; 2080 South Independence Blvd., Virginia Beach, 757-937-1171; 612 Grassfield Parkway, Chesapeake, 757-819-7548; bit.ly/DirtyBuffalo

Swing down to Hackers Bar & Grille on Monday nights. It has a football buffet with pizzas, wings, sliders and hot dogs for $20. Happy hour drink prices run until 9 p.m. 1532 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, 757-351-3931; bit.ly/HackersVB

Socky’s Bar and Grill — opened in February— has a menu lineup that will make fans rejoice. It’s offering $2 off drafts and burgers on Monday nights; 4 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays get $1 off bottles and cans and $2 off appetizers. Round out the week from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays with deals such as fried pickles ($7), 25-piece wing platter ($33) with a choice of three flavors, and a sampler platter ($18) with boneless wings, onion rings, corn dog nuggets, chips and choice of dip (tip: get the queso). 2401 Seaboard Road, Virginia Beach, 757-301-2274; sockysbarandgrill.com/events/

Watch the NFL season at the Waterside District. On Mondays and Thursdays (5 to 11 p.m.) and Sundays (all day), it’s serving libations such as a Field Goal Shooter for $5 but it’s $3 when a field goal is made; NFLIT (Long Island tea) for $5; Miller or Coors Beer tower (100 ounces) for $25, which includes four souvenir cups. The Game Day food specials are half off, including eight-piece wings, spinach artichoke dip and soft pretzels with cheese and honey mustard. Order at Guy’s Smokehouse kiosk. 333 Waterside Drive, Norfolk, 757-426-7433; bit.ly/WatersideNVA

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Isle of Wight

Fatboy’s Grill & Steamshack is punching the NFL Sunday Ticket from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. Grub on banana pepper rings ($5), beef or chicken nachos ($8) and 10, 18 or 45 wings (naked, breaded or boneless) for $10, $18 and $45. Domestic beer ($2) and imported ($3) pints are also available. 15042 Carrollton Blvd., Carrollton, 757-745-8200; bit.ly/FatboysGrill

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Williamsburg

Football season isn’t complete without a pizza or two. Highway Pizza has a NFL Sunday Bundle with six-piece wings, a small pizza and a draft beer (16 ounces) for $24.89. It also has 10-piece boneless and 10 traditional wings for $24.99 and 20/20 for $39.99. Other shareable vittles include an appetizer platter ($21.99) and a slider platter ($23.79). Deals are available every Sunday throughout the season. 3044 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, 757-920-5242; bit.ly/HighwayPizza

Rekaya Gibson, 757-295-8809, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com; on X, @gibsonrekaya

The company, known for high-quality burgers, hot dogs and craft beer and wine, acquired Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Wings in 2021 but has been signaling possible financial trouble for months as it coped with rising food prices and declining sales.

In May it announced it was undergoing a “strategic review process” and offered no assurance that the process would result in an outcome “favorable to the Company or its shareholders.”

In August, it warned it had just $4.4 million on hand and expected to report a loss of $18.4 million for the second quarter. It also said then that it might have to file for bankruptcy.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the company said the filing in United States Bankruptcy Court in Delaware affected only its 67 corporate-owned locations of both brands and excluded 77 franchisee-owned locations in the United States, Puerto Rico and Saudi Arabia.

In the Hampton Roads region, BurgerFi’s website shows its only local restaurant, in the Williamsburg area at 6610 Mooretown Road, is temporarily closed.

Jimmy Rosenthal, chief restructuring officer of BurgerFi International Inc. was quoted in the statement as saying, “BurgerFi and Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza & Wings are dynamic and beloved brands, and in the face of a drastic decline in post-pandemic consumer spending amidst sustained inflation and increasing food and labor costs, we need to stabilize the business in a structured process.”

Rosenthal added, “We are confident that this process will allow us to protect and grow our brands and to continue the operational turnaround started less than 12 months ago and secure additional capital.”

The brand has been undergoing a top-to-bottom evaluation of its operations as part of turnaround efforts that began in 2023 to address what it called “foundational issues including declining same store sales, high employee turnover and a stale menu.”

The company recently closed 19 underperforming corporate-owned locations. Its statement said its “current platform is primed for success.”

In June, the industry website Restaurant Business Online reported that Jeff Crivello, founder of TREW Capital Management, might be planning to leverage TREW’s purchase of BurgerFi debt into a takeover of the company. TREW and L Catterton, another private equity firm, had each agreed to lend BurgerFi $2 million during the strategic review process.

Crivello is known as a “fixer” who had recently turned around Minneapolis-based barbecue chain Famous Dave’s. On Wednesday, he told the South Florida Sun Sentinel that he planned to make a bid to purchase the chain during a sales process that will take place as the bankruptcy unfolds.

The company grew out of a single location in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea that was founded in 2011 by David Manero, creator of two Vic & Angelo locations. It is headquartered on Cypress Creek Road.

Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He can be reached by phone at 954-356-4071, on Twitter @ronhurtibise or by email at rhurtibise@sunsentinel.com.

In August, the business opened Baker’s Crust Bagel in Hilltop North Shopping Center in the former Your Pie space. The bagels come partially boiled from New York and are freshly baked by Baker’s Crust Bagel shop. Ess-a-Bagel has operated in Manhattan since 1976.

Baker’s Crust owner John Stein wanted to bring more authentic New York bites to his newest restaurant, so the menu also features Carnegie pastrami, black and white cookies and authentic New York-style cheesecake, a recipe developed in collaboration with Carnegie Deli. Other specialty items include lox, whitefish salad and house-baked chocolate babka.

Eric Williams, a Baker’s Crust consultant, said the menu showcases the best and most authentic versions of items that one would find in a New York City deli.

“We get Gaspe Nova cold-smoked salmon fillet and hand carve it thin to make the lox,” Williams said. “It takes over an hour, and then we use the extra in the smoked salmon cream cheese.”

Customers will find a creative selection of schmear, or cream cheese, to go with the bagels. Spreads include flavors like Oreo cookie, smoked salmon, red velvet, avocado garlic, maple bacon and seasonal varieties.

Adam Cohen, Baker’s Crust marketing director, said the most popular sandwich so far has been the Carnegie Pastrami, which features a half pound of Carnegie pastrami, Boar’s Head Swiss, sauerkraut and Gulden’s spicy mustard. Customers can also substitute coleslaw and Russian dressing.

A unique menu offering called The Wookie is an open-faced bagel dressed with peanut butter and brûléed marshmallow fluff. Breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, acai bowls, grab-and-go salads and a coffee bar featuring regional Three Ships Coffee are also available.

Cohen said Baker’s Crust Bagel is all about New York City cuisine and ambiance. He said the restaurant not only brings the “quintessential New York bagel,” but black and white New York iconography, Ess-a-Bagel artwork and reclaimed historic NYC wood that was crafted into a communal table by Benevolent Design, a Virginia Beach furniture company.

“Baker’s Crust Bagel is a passion project,” Stein said. “It’s a labor of love with the goal of bringing authentic New York excellence to Virginia.”

Rachel Davis, an employee at the bagel shop, said customers frequently ask if their bagels have New York water. The answer is yes.

“You can taste New York in the bagel,” she said.

Lee Belote, jlbelote@verizon.net

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If you go

What: Baker’s Crust Bagel

Where: Hilltop North Shopping Center, 1624 Laskin Road, Suite 754, Virginia Beach

Info: Bakerscrustbagel.com

Spend the day (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.) visiting 15 eateries, including Mason’s Grill & Smokehouse, Haven & Hull Beer & Wine Sanctuary and the Taste of Everything. Save room for brew at the beer garden. Head to the Washington Street stage and Courthouse Fountain Park for live music. Tune in to DJ music and enter contests at the Market Street stage.

Let the good times roll at the Children’s Area on Market with freebies such as a trackless train ride, bounce houses and face painting. Don’t forget the Fun Zone across from the Courthouse Fountain Park. Participate in axe throwing, rock climbing wall, billiards and more.

The street festival has more than 40 vendors, including 757 Jerky, KēWi Teas by Soul Stir, and Kona Ice. Tasty.

Details, 757-514-7250; tasteofsuffolkva.com

So, I made my way to Hampton when I heard Day and Night Cereal Bar opened in the Peninsula Town Center. The dessert chain started as a food truck in California. This is the first franchise in the Hampton Roads area and the second in the state, according to the company’s website. It serves cereal-themed milkshakes, dessert cereal bowls and exotic Asian snacks. Customers also can get a bowl of cereal with a choice of dairy and nondairy milk (almond and oat).

I visited on a Friday morning but the place didn’t open until 11 a.m. It was all about cereal for lunch and dinner in this spacious spot with plenty of seating. Cereal boxes sat on shelves and a graffiti wall showcased my favorite characters: Tony the Tiger, Buzz the Bee and Horatio Magellan Crunch.

I ordered at the counter and sat down. Everything arrived quickly. I dove into a bowl of The Beehive after pouring almond milk on top. The Honey Nut Cheerios, Honey Bunches of Oats and roasted almond granola made a sweet collaboration— pun intended. I munched and crunched until nothing was left but milk. Yum.

The Mucha Lucha excited me even more because I love Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. I got a bowl with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and the milk was optional on the side. My mouth watered looking at Churros cereal — another version of the cereal — and whipped cream on top. A spoonful changed the way I plan to use the breakfast treat in the future. The semi-hard texture collided with the soft cream, creating a spicy-sweet concoction of goodness. It will have you saying, “Get in my belly!”

I added the milk and continuously dug from the bottom to the top of the bowl. The best of both worlds: breakfast and dessert — children will be confused.

I deemed the Buttercup shake the unofficial drink of summer. Cocoa Puffs had me going cuckoo. The chocolate ice cream intensified the flavor and the Reese’s Puffs cereal added an unforgettable peanut butter taste. It was like sipping a peanut butter cup through a straw. I couldn’t get enough and got a surprise ending at the bottom : A Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.

Cereal-ously delicious.

Rekaya Gibson, 757-295-8809, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com; on X, @gibsonrekaya

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If you go

Where: 1260 Merchant Lane, Hampton

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday

Prices: $10.50 shakes, $5 to $8 bowls

Details: 757-330-2323; dayandnightcereal.com

The Hispanic fusion restaurant opened in June by economist Marilyn Castro, a Puerto Rico native, who wanted to jazz up the morning scene and provide jobs for people.

The menu ranges from omelets to pancakes and waffles, to a burrito and a quesadilla made with a choice of protein. Dishes showcase ingredients such as Argentinian sausage, sweet potatoes and Mallorca bread, a sweet bun originating in Mallorca (Majorca), Spain’s Balearic Islands. Castro gets the bread imported from Puerto Rico but creates every recipe. The restaurant also serves nine types of mimosas, including horchata, tamarind and guava.

I dined at one of the six tables on my visits.

The appetizers are a must-have. I tried three on two occasions and I loved them all. My favorite is the egg and sausage empanada ($4.50). I could eat one or two every day. It was fried golden, packed with protein and didn’t weigh the belly down. Pastry perfection.

The Cuban egg roll ($7) pulled up next with flavor from the sandwich’s ingredients. It was cheesy from the Swiss, savory from the ham and tangy from the pickles. The shape, however, was thinner and longer than a traditional roll nor did it have the same crispy texture. I still loved it. Kudos to the chef.

I let out an “ooh” when the Mallorca bread loaded with Bavarian cream ($7) arrived. Lots of smooth cream sat in the middle of thick and fluffy bread. It was decadent, not too sweet and paired well with tea.

The breakfast burrito ($14) and fries also made a great duo. I’m glad they came on the side because my biggest complaint about burritos is the often unseasoned and undercooked potatoes on the inside. The burrito had fluffy scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, pico de gallo and my choice of protein, which was bacon. Each mouthful contained a full breakfast entrée. I plan to get this again. Delicious.

The pork chop and creamy waffle meal ($15) were fantastic too. It came with a choice of coconut, spicy or regular syrup. I selected spicy. Juice oozed as I cut into the fried meat. I liked the seasoning but it was a little too salty. I dipped my fork in syrup but it was too spicy. I asked for regular and it did the trick. The sweetness gave the dish more balance. I snarfed on the pork chop down to the bone. The crispy waffle had a fluffy interior like it was supposed to. No complaints.

Customers could also get the sweet potato waffle which I highly recommend. No syrup is required just the greatness of the vegetable in a cake batter. 

I wrapped up my stay with a pina colada sangria ($9) and I was feeling good after a few sips. It was prepared with white wine and still had a fruity-creamy consistency. I never imagined these two getting together — talk about late to the party.

Breakfast was the best meal of the day.

Rekaya Gibson, 757-295-8809, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com; on X, @gibsonrekaya

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If you go

Where: 2720 North Mall Drive, Virginia Beach

Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday

Prices: $4 to $11 appetizers, $12 to $15 entrees, $9 mimosas and sangria

Details: 757-904-5561; https://breakfastbarva.com

The black and white murals in the monochrome restaurant evoke the look of a coloring book in need of crayons. Everything at 2D Cafe & Eatery is outlined in black, including the wall design, ceiling tiles, sofas, stools and floors, to create cartoon vibes.

In June, Monica Kiraly and her husband, Ali Abay, opened the Instagrammable cafe on 11th Street and Atlantic Avenue. The couple owns three other Oceanfront businesses: Basil Pizza, 204 Pizza and La Dulce Vida.

Kiraly said she loves coffee shops and thought the Oceanfront needed more. So, when her husband went to a 2D cafe in Turkey and brought the creative idea back, Kiraly was sold. Her only concern was finding someone to the paint the 2D concept.

The couple hired two J-1 art students from Thailand to paint the design. The students took three weeks to complete the painting and worked on their days off from their housekeeping jobs at an area hotel. The State Department’s J-1 exchange visitor visa program enables international students to work seasonal jobs.

“I was a J-1 student myself seven years ago,” Kiraly said. “I knew the students coming to Virginia Beach had lots of potential and skills.”

Cafe menu items include Turkish dishes, coffee, iced lattes, boba drinks, bagels, salads, wagyu burgers and dumplings. Kiraly said the best sellers are the signature iced lattes such as Dulce de Coco (dulce de leche cream and coconut cold foam), Strawberry Bliss (strawberry puree, vanilla and strawberry cold foam) and Biscoffee (Biscoff cream, vanilla and cold foam).

Cig kofte, or small and spicy bulgur wheat meatballs, is one of the most popular Turkish dishes. Turkish desserts include baklava, custards, “burnt” cheesecake and others.

The cafe is very active on Instagram and gets tagged frequently. Within the first month, a customer asked to have a photo shoot at the location.

“Most of our customers come because of the 2D concept,” Kiraly said. “We want to keep them happy with the good food, not just the cool design.”

Lee Belote, jlbelote@verizon.net

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If you go

What: 2D Cafe & Eatery

Where: 1102 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach

Info: 2dcafe.com

All of the staff at Stripers Waterside in Norfolk were abruptly told Sept. 1 by management that they were being let go, she said. This came as a complete shock to Halvorson and her co-workers, who she said are just like family.

Employees were led outside — so as not to disrupt in-house diners — and told the restaurant was closing its doors immediately, shutting down and they were all laid off, Halvorson said.

Known for its fresh-caught seafood, draft beer and water views, Stripers had been operating in a roughly 8,000-square-foot space at Waterside since late 2017. Its initial location in Manteo, North Carolina, is still operating.

WAVY-TV first reported the layoff and shutdown on Wednesday. Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Stripers responded to media inquiries in a news release and confirmed the restaurant is closed temporarily and the goal is to reopen as soon as possible.

“While we are unable to provide specific details due to an ongoing investigation by authorities, we want to acknowledge that management issues and possible malfeasance played a role in this decision,” the business said in the release. “The closure of Stripers Waterside was not a decision taken lightly. Unfortunately, damage that occurred necessitated the immediate closure of the restaurant. We are currently undergoing remodeling and renovations to address some of these issues and improve our facilities for our loyal patrons.”

The employees are welcome to return when the restaurant reopens, said Kimberly Wimbish, who represents Stripers through her public relations firms, KMK Productions. Stripers employed 32 workers.

As of Thursday, online reservations through OpenTable were available on the Stripers website again in November.

News of a sudden layoff came as a big surprise to server Pamela Ortiz, who said she was still processing it all.

“It’s been a rough year economically for everybody already and having to take this loss is just horrible,” she said.

Ortiz, of Norfolk, said she heard she was without a job via a group text as she was in the hospital being prepped for kidney surgery. She started as a server in February and management moved her to a host position as she dealt with her health problems.

“I’m very grateful,” she said. “They took good care of me.”

Halvorson, a server, started at Stripers Waterside at the end of March. The Las Vegas native, who was not new to the service industry, was promoted to lead server after two months on the job.

“I really enjoyed being there,” she said.

Halvorson said she saw the owner pull the assistant manager into a boardroom for what seemed like a 20-30 minute meeting.

“He came out and the vibe was definitely different, almost somber,” she said.

Halvorson and Ortiz said they weren’t told the restaurant was remodeling when they were let go.

“Why would you want to get rid of a whole entire staff if you’re just remodeling?” Halvorson said. “I don’t want this to happen to anybody else if Stripers does reopen, and I don’t think there are enough laws to protect service industry workers who have the rug pulled out from underneath them.”

Stripers said in the news release that it understands “concerns raised by our employees regarding the lack of communication and uncertainty surrounding their employment status. We want to assure them and the community that we are working diligently to address these issues and ensure fair treatment for all employees.”

Customers expressed disappointment about the restaurant’s closure on Facebook.

Editor Tara Bozick contributed to this story.

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@pilotonline.com