By Heather Bell
RADFORD – Radford Restaurant Week kicks off this Friday, Oct. 2, with funds supporting the Access to Community College Education (ACCE) program.
The ACCE program “is an economic development public/private partnership that makes college available debt-free to high school and home-schooled graduates by funding NRCC tuition for two years,” according to New River Community College. The purpose of ACCE is to “support the youth of participating counties by making college within reach. With the support of ACCE, students will graduate from NRCC prepared to join the workforce or transfer to a four-year university without college debt. ACCE supports as many students as possible based on student need and funds available for the program.”
Local citizen Jesse Neale Kelly is spearheading the event with support from the Radford Chamber of Commerce. He said he wanted the special week to both highlight the great restaurants in Radford and raise much-needed funds for the ACCE program. Kelly has worked as a school counselor and said he has seen firsthand the importance of ACCE for local students. “Due to my professional background, I understand how important the Access to Community College Education (ACCE) program is for students in advancing their education and for the community as a whole,” said Kelly. “Since the city of Radford is no longer funding this program, its longevity has relied on anonymous donors in recent years. My hope is that by involving the community in fundraising for the ACCE program, we can raise awareness, encourage increased participation from high school students in the program, and establish broadly shared goals.”
“Participating restaurants have been encouraged to ask guests to round up to the nearest dollar for purchases during restaurant week with 100% of those monies going toward the ACCE program,” he added. Restaurant Week kicks off this Friday, Oct. 2 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 11. Kelly said restaurant customers should “be sure to mention the specific restaurant week deal you’re interested in when visiting participating restaurants to ensure you receive that deal.”
He also encouraged people to look to social media as new deals are added.
“Radford Restaurant Week is on Facebook and Instagram,” he said. “Following these pages will keep you informed, allow you to participate further by sharing your experiences and make it easier for you to invite friends and family to visit so that you can support local businesses and the ACCE program of Radford.”
Radford Restaurant Week deals include:
Arabica Cafe & Bakery
10% off entire menu
Bee & Butter
Crab Boil Friday-Sunday (10/2-10/4): $40
Bee & Butter Classic w/ Fries: $15
2 brats w/ Beer Cheese and Fries: $15
Honey Peach Cinnamon Smash: $14
BT’s Restaurant
BOGO ½ Off
Oktoberfest Menu (10/5-10/13)
Brick House Pizza
15% off entire menu
El Charro
Free Queso with purchase of $10 or more
Fujiya Ramen VA
Soft Shell Crab Bun all week
10% off dinner – must mention Restaurant Week deal
Latino’s Taste
10 pupusas for $35 + free 1/2 gallon of horchata or sweet tea
Long Way Brewing
$1 off all pints
Macado’s
BOGO Quesadillas, 5-9pm, dine-in only
Pazar
5% off entire menu and surprise discount when dining in
Pheonix Rising Dough
Limited release sammiches and soup deals, starting at $6.99
Sal’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria
10% off entire menu – must mention Restaurant Week deal
Sharkey’s Wing & Rib Joint
BOGO Burger Monday; Tuesday Kids Eat Free; Wednesday and Sunday 20% off wings all day; happy hour every day from 4-9 p.m. Plus, spooky burger releases
Thai This
10% off entire menu
Tha Dawg House
$10 BBQ Plate (w/ fries and slaw)
$7 tenderloin biscuit combo
$7 single hotdog combo
$2 fried Oreos
