Farmville’s The Fishin’ Pig features a menu that bridges two Southern favorites
April 2026
by Peggy Hyland, Contributing Columnist
After hearing wonderful things about The Fishin’ Pig from a Longwood University alum, we headed out to Farmville to see for ourselves. The Fishin’ Pig was born from the merger of two restaurants: one rooted in Memphis-style barbecue, the other in fresh seafood. They feature diverse food offerings and multiple locations throughout Virginia.
The atmosphere was laid-back and family-friendly, with a larger kids menu than most restaurants. The service was quick and welcoming. Our server was able to answer all our questions and guide us to some favorites.
The Better Than Bang Bang Shrimp was a great start: lightly breaded, cooked just right, with a pleasant kick. The creamy mustard sauce complemented them superbly. Hush puppies so often become dense, but here they were perfectly tender with a crispy exterior. Do not skip the accompanying honey butter. We were unable to resist the fresh-fried pork rinds, which arrived still sizzling and popping with the perfect amount of seasoning. They came with The Fishin’ Pig’s own barbecue ranch sauce. We started gobbling them down before deciding we should save room for our main courses. We managed to resist snacking on them on the drive home and were thrilled to discover they were still good the next day.
I was drawn to the Chesapeake Burger, featuring Old Bay and a creamy crab claw sauce. It was delightfully delicious, with a generous amount of the luscious sauce oozing out the sides. The brown sugar and black-peppered bacon added the right amount of crunch and salty sweetness. I paired it with zesty, tangy baked beans, which were exceptional — truly some of the best I have ever had.
My companion could not decide between several different smoked meats, so he chose Grady’s Smoke Shack Sampler, a robust offering of ribs, brisket, pulled pork, smoked wings and smoked sausage. It came with a crispy slaw that provided a nice fresh balance for the meats. The wings were very juicy, with a sauce that was sweet but not sugary. The beef sausage had great texture and flavor, without feeling heavy or greasy. The pulled pork was skillfully done, the right balance of smoky and juicy. A truly great pulled pork does not need sauce, and this one was a star without it. However, it also went great with the several sauce choices available. My favorite was the Carolina-style, but the sweet Memphis-style one was a close second. The tender brisket can also stand on its own or pair beautifully with any of the sauces. The ribs had a hearty crust over delicate, tender meat. Seafood lovers can also try Billy’s Seafood Platter, with shrimp, pollock and catfish.
The desserts come from a local bakery. We were too full for dessert but ordered some to take home for later — an outstanding carrot cake and a decadent chocolate galaxy cake.
With five locations throughout Virginia, and one more coming soon, you shouldn’t have to drive far to check out The Fishin’ Pig, but it is worth the drive. Don’t forget to get some extra pork rinds for the drive home.
The Fishin’ Pig
1807 S. Main St., Farmville, VA 23901
Other locations in Waynesboro, Norfolk, Richmond and Daleville
Monday through Sunday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
434-223-3287
Fishinpig.com