Middle Earth was certainly a unique little eatery, located in the lower level at 106 Jackson Street (the road between the Post Office and bank). As the name suggests, you were visiting J.R.R. Tolkien's world when you entered and saw the white foam walls and meandered through the underground lair to your seat.
Their ads promoted a "relaxing businessman's lunch" and also "savory Chinese dinners. All I vaguely remember is that it was a cool venue that would probably (today) give the town code officials heart attacks.
Sorry I don't have a photo of the inside, but if I ever find one I'll add it here.
I remember the shrimp chips with fondness.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I worked at Middle Earth and loved it.
ReplyDeleteI used to work at The Middle Earth Restaurant back in the winter of 1972. I was on my way to DeLand, Florida to hook up with The King Brothers Circus and got sidetracked in blacksburg for a few months. Greetings to all my friends who remember me. I remember the little wishing pond and the bridge that went over it at the entrance. One evening, a lady client upon leaving tossed some coins in and said,
ReplyDelete"May I never see another Chicken Ding for the rest of my days." Funny the things that stay with you over the years. I'm on Facebook twimc. I would have settled in Blacksburg if not for my wanderlust. I did live in Middleburg in the early 80's working Hunters & Jumpers. But that was after my Circus dazes.
I went to see my brother in the summer of '71 and ate there. I had a drink called the Dr. Jeckel
ReplyDeleteLoved this place.
ReplyDeleteMiddle Earth was co-owned by one of my cousins and his friend. They closed during the Fall of my freshman year because of some dispute with the town government. I ate there twice. They wouldn't let me pay for my food since I was family.
ReplyDeleteI worked there for 6 months or so in 1971. The person who hired me was Mr Marsh, I think Burt was the first name. He was one of the partners who owned and operated the establishment. It was a nice space - cave-like, dimly lit, with Moody Blues 'On the Threshold of a Dream' playing.
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