We wanted to try out as many meats offered as possible so we went with the Assistant (Roast beef, cheddar, smoked onion, horseradish sauce & focaccia bread) and the cattle baron (two beef patties, cheddar, smoked onions, pickles, shredded lettuce, tomato, mayo, bacon, and brioche buns). The assistant’s roast beef was flavorful and deliciously seasoned. The onion and horseradish sauce really brought the entire sandwich together! The cattle baron’s taste was fresh and juicy; try a delightful burger. The brioche buns were a great compliment ! As for sides, we had rosemary garlic fries with roasted garlic mayoli and a salad with a house vinaigrette. The fries were fried in beef fat and were the BEST fries we’ve ever had. Super soft while still having a crunch, the fries of our dreams and the garlic mayoli was addicting! The salad was as expected and tasted fresh. For drinks, we decided on the sprecher’s craft sodas (orange dream and ginger ale). While it had a lot of sugar, man did it make us feel great haha. The place itself feels extremely home-y and everything in the shop was made by the owners (from the tables to the giant sign outside). The staff is always so nice and helpful whenever you have any questions regarding meats (Reminder that its a butcher shop!!) If you’re near Norfolk and ODU/Ghent, definitely visit Pendulum for their lunch special!
I usually don’t like meaty sandwiches. My partner said this is famous we should check out and I couldn’t say no. I chose Cubano because it has spicy mustard yes I love spicy food. In the end Cubano was the best. I also really appreciate spicy sauces; honey habanero and jalapeño. They go well with everything!I also encountered my friend’s mom who lives in VA beach! Obviously, this place is a place to go. Overall, fun and delicious experience!
Went in for lunch today and was helped by Taylor. He was very helpful, patient, and knowledgeable. I ordered The Count with fries. The price is very reasonable, the sandwich was pretty tasty and those fries were amazing! The shop was clean cozy. Overall a good experience I will definitely go back when Im in the area.
I primarily go to pendulum for their primal meat CSA. Its an incredible value at $50 every 2 weeks. I have never ever once felt like I havent gotten my moneys worth. The the scope of selections offered really challenges me to expand my culinary repertoire. And I try to take advantage every time I can to grab a few extra packs of their housemaid sausages they usually have a grab three pay for two deal. And I love that they have a selection of artisan cheeses available. Theyre one of the few places I can really get good bones to make bone broth.
I admit that I decided to go to the Pendulum Fine Meats location in Norfolk Virginia after seeing it featured on one of the Guy Fieri tv episodes. I purchased some orange dream soda, some german chocolate cheesecake bar and some cut up pepperoni and bacon. They all tasted good the only caveat is that while the bacon tasted good both my husband and I agreed that there was more salt in the bacon than we both expected (it still tasted good though we both realized that the type of bacon we consumed was meant more to be combined with another food compared to it being just a standalone food after the cooking was done). I also got some route 66 Mama Zuma chips that were hot and tasty.
Really, the best quality meat you can get any where in this area. The cuts are great, and even have hard to find cuts like my favorite, the flat iron. The staff is fantastic and are always so helpful getting you what youre looking for. Make sure you talk to Whitney about their wines, she is extremely knowledgeable and really great at pairing the proper wines to your tastes.
Omg I absolutely love this place!!! Theres nothing to not like! Everything is hand-crafted and built by the owner, from the tables to the floor. They have a wine selection there Ive never seen before in Total Wine or Food Lion, lol! French, Portugal wine 🍷 the decor is awesome as well. Its a meat market too so their food is fresh off the bone, pun attended, the meat is antibiotic free meat and they offer real Mexican soda. Definitely will be going back!!
Extremely nice and helpful staff. Good quality meat and bread. Definitely will be coming back.
The customer service was great! Im excited to try my fancy steak. I love that I can ask questions about where the meat was raised, how it was fed and all that jazz. The lady near the wine section was very knowledgeable and helped me pick out a nice wine for my husbands special dinner I am planning!
The neighborhood butcher I didnt know I needed in my life. Very knowledgeable staff and a good selection of meats big name grocers dont carry
Wow!!!!!! From the decor to the music from the record player, this place is an experience. Everyone from the host, to the butchers and the owner were very friendly and professional. They made me feel like I was at home with my family. The food......the food. The best way I can describe it is this way: Even if youd just finished stuffing your face somewhere else and you were turned off by the sight of food; you would still lick your plate clean after having any one of Pendulums options set in front of you. I will be going back dozens of times!!!
This was my first time purchasing anything from Pendulum. Id heard about it and gone in a few times, but went in for some Chuck Roast. The guy who assisted me was very knowledgeable and courteous. It was pricey but you get you pay for and my roast is amazing! I have never had a pot roast turn out so tender or amazing. Honestly, I could tell the difference in the quality of meat, as I was preparing it. This is definitely something Ill build into my budget.
Excellent place for meats and sandwiches. We stopped in yesterday for our first time got some filets to cook for valentines dinner and got sandwiches for lunch. My kids were very happy with the sandwiches they ordered and me and the wife were very pleased. We will be back. I cant remember the guys named that help us out but he was very informative and patient as we made our selection.
This little place is a gem in downtown Norfolk. The luncheon counter is worth a visit for the freshness of the meat and the fabulous sandwiches. The sandwich pictures is their burger with fries. It was the Friday special for a very reasonable price -$6 ($8 with bacon). Since this is a butcher the meat was fresh, the toppings complimented the beef very well, the brioche but added the right of sweetness to the whole dish. The fries were outstanding, dusted with salt, pepper, garlic, parmesan and deep fried with rosemary. I will be coming back!
The food was absolutely delicious, it’s a must go if your in Ghent.
Always amazing quality and outstanding people. Absolutely love coming here!
Have a wide variety of delicious and unique flavor sausages that rotate flavors weekly. They also make terrific sandwiches/ fries that we can’t get enough of. The meats and stocks from here are also top quality. Very friendly staff. Can’t recommend enough!
Saw this place featured on Guy Fieris show Diners, Drive ins and Dives and was excited to know it was not far from where I lived....soooo of course the very next day, my girlfriend and I stopped in and lets just say that we were so glad that we did! Food was AMAZING! A definite AWESOME spot for fresh cut meat sandwiches....I had a chicken breast w bacon and fries and OMG!!!...You will not be disappointed....this is my new go to spot....looking to try a few new sandwiches in the next few days and weeks!
The days of being friends with the milkman and butcher are not behind us. At Pendulum youll find fresh, local and ethically sourced proteins prepared and served by the same friendly faces week after week.From a small dinner, to a family feast; Dylan and team have all the beautiful proteins (and the beer and wine to pair) that you could ever need. Food doesnt get any more local, or delicious, than this.Bone-in pork chops, chicken confit and hand-made Bahn Mi sausages are real standouts. Dont forget the homemade cookies!
Some of the nicest people around, great options and a Cafe too. And they do knife sharpening and have local craft beer options on tap. Whats not to like?
Although its a popular spot, Id still call this a hidden gem. Open 11-4, Pendulum Fine Meats Luncheonette is a perfect lunch spot for Solo or smaller parties.Ive had an assortment of their sandwiches, but I mainly stop on Fridays for their burger special. There are no frills: The Burger is a classic style burger with fixins. What sets it apart is the premium beef patties, cooked to a perfect medium-well. I recommend adding bacon.The atmosphere is like a small indie coffee shop. Exposed brick walls, old hardwood floors, butcher block tables. Seating is quite limited (so dont linger too long after lunch!), but they make good use of the space. I wouldnt recommend dining in for a party any larger than 4. Its always quite busy, and finding a table to accommodate might prove tricky.Along the perimeter of the space are a lot of treats to bring home or supplement your meal. Theyve got a case with unique local and regional meats you can bring home and cook. Theres a good assortment of wine, ciders, beer, Mexican Coke in glass bottles.. Fresh cookies bakes daily, slices of cake, fancy gourmet chocolates. Theyve got a well curated selection.Id give them six stars if I could. This place deserves the praise it receives from locals.
Best french fries, EVER. Seriously, you will never see the humble potato in a more glorious form. The sandwich I had was great, but those fries... I will never be the same.
Fun selection of rubs and spices, good selection of high quality meats, super helpful and friendly staff (sorry i am terrible at remembering names but thanks to the guy who helped me this afternoon!).
Their opening hours from Wednesday to Saturday says 10am - 6pm but they don’t serve food after 4pm. Be professional and tell your customers your real restaurant opening hours. I mean, how hard is that?
Meat was great but the person at the front counter was being downright rude. He seemed annoyed by any questions and was aggressive for no reason. Maybe just a bad day but I walked out feeling pretty uncomfortable. Just didnt really feel like a friendly neighborhood butcher shop experience.
First time there. The staff is super nice. The place has a cool atmosfere with old machines, LPs and legos going on. The burguer was def fresh and tasty. The fries are delicious with herbs and garlic. The beer selectiob is not ample but varied enough and they have wine bottles too. You pay after you eat which I like. The space is small though, it seems like a house with tables all around Lol its cozy but at lunch time is crowded and stuffed. It takes like 20 min to get 2 sandwiches. O.O The price reflects the freshness maybe?
I went during lunch for a sandwich. The sandwiches were a bit pricey, ($11+) and a little smaller than I was expecting. That said, it was an outstanding sandwich, and probably the correct size for the amount that I should eat. Id certainly go again. They have a good selection of craft beer as well.
The sandwiches were pretty good and a great atmosphere. I found this place on Drive-Ins, Diners, and Dives. I recommend tying this place out.
Taylor is the absolute nicest! He helped me find perfect steaks for my husband. Their prices are great for fresh, good meat and they have lots of choices available. Curbside pickup was super easy and only took a minute.
Delicious! Lamb burger is bomb!
Absolutely incredible! Wide range of options and the staff is friendly and inviting!
Pendulum is a really cool spot. Its a hip hangout with friendly staff that are more than happy to help you and advise the best option for your taste. They serve stellar sandwiches and the best part is the meat is fresh, organic, grass fed and local. I got a 45 day dry aged ribeye and it was simply stellar. Absolutely full of rich flavor.I also liked that they offer a good selection of local kombucha (Blue Ridge Booch), beers, ciders and wines. Highly recommend Pendulum for fresh local meats and great service!
Holy hell I had the best brisket sandwich and fries Ive ever had in my life! My first time going and I will be back tomorrow with my gf to have a lunch date. Ive been all over the country and have had some amazing brisket but this place blew my mind. Their fries are also out of this world!!!
Super family friendly place to eat. Always has the meats that Ive been looking for I cant find anywhere else. They are always super helpful when it comes to different recipes.
Pendulum is unequivocally the best head-to-tail butcher in Norfolk and absolutely the first, last, and only place you should bother with when putting together a charcuterie arrangement. Hands down. They also have a wide variety of fabulous butcher cuts as well as supporting attire like cheeses, butter, fresh made pizza dough & mozzarella etc. Of course none of this is to mention the absolutely brilliant dining there supported both by Pendulum and by Codex depending on the hours. The staff are also amazingly knowledgeable and friendly, and have never done any less than to go out of their way to help me the dozens of times Ive been in. This place absolutely deserves your patronage... particularly in these trying times - take comfort in charcuterie! 😜
The staff was friendly and they had a small selection of meats. Maybe we just went at the wrong time. Not much in the cheese selection but I guess, since its a butchery thats too be expected. Saw more wine than meat and cheese combined. Looking forward to signing up for the box deal!
Their burger is one of the top 5 burgers that I have ever had. Their prices are amazing. Go there on a Friday. Youll eat one there and bring two home. Lol. The owners are incredibly nice, too.
If you like great meat and good people, you absolutely have to shop at Pendulum. For the year and a half that we lived here in Ghent, we subscribed to their Primal CSA and were constantly and consistently impressed. Both through the shop and their CSA, we got clever and tasty sausages, tender cuts of all kinds of meats, pasture-raised turkeys for thanksgiving, even build-it-yourself pizza kits and eggs! Beyond that, whenever we needed something special from the butchers block whether it be a charcuterie tray, a whole organic chicken, or just about anything else, Pendulum always came through in spades. These folks are fantastic. I wish we could take this store and all of its people with us when we move. Give them your business; shop local!
So. Good. Every aspect of our sandwiches was delicious. The bread was a dream. The meats had such flavor. The aioli for the fries was so good we were scraping the container. We don’t doubt we’ll be here weekly from here on out. This place should be an institution, an incredible example of a local spot to support.
Love everything about these guys. Amazing service and the finest quality of meat and other foods. They also have Beer and Wine. Weve stopped buying meat from anywhere else.
This place is all right. The quality of the food is very good but it has a couple issues. The first is that it takes a long time to get your food. I think I was waiting for 15 to 20 minutes to get two sandwiches. Its made fresh and ready but it just could be a little faster. Definitely do not go here if youre on a time crunch Im trying to grab a quick bite. The second issue is the pricing. I know its high-quality stuff, but its very expensive. My sandwich was $12 and the other sandwich was $10. So youre looking at almost $30 for a lunch which is just a little excessive. Its all high-quality premium stuff though so I guess youre getting what you pay for it. Just Beware of the price. Overall a decent place everyone should check out but definitely do not go if you are in a time crunch or on a budget
Best burgers and sandwiches!! We eat here regularly and always bring family. Also a great selection of beer/wine to go, and awesome cuts of meat!
We had The Butcher and the Texan BBQ. First, the food. The Butcher was tender, a perfect mid-rare and full of flavor. The Texan had probably the most tender brisket Ive ever put in my mouth, possibly because it was sliced very thin. The bbq sauce is a perfect pairing to the smoke in the brisket. Very unexpected! Order fries! Its like they seasoned each fry perfectly one at a time. I ordered mine extra crispy.We went on a cold January day... Dont sit in the corner seats on the edge of the restaurant... The vents blow ice cold air, but the building is old so... In any event, this will be a favorite for us!
Great place. Great food. I git their burger and fries and let me tell you. This place is amazing. Meat was tender and juicy. Fries were definitely something else. Buns were not soggy and I took my meal to go! I can’t imagine if I eat it all there. I am telling my coworkers about this place, bringing family when they visit. They do need a bigger parking lot and more tables and chairs.
The establishment is awesome. The food was delicious but the service is very unorganized. They bring your food to the table but thats it. No water refills. Didnt ask if we needed anything. When checking out, the cashier asked us what we ordered. A less honest person could really take advantage of their laid back style.
My favorite place!
Easily one of the best burgers and fries Ive ever had
Six stars if I could!
This place is amazing! I love to cook and learn new tricks in the kitchen. That said, I can enjoy a store bought frozen medium rare burger I threw on the grill one day and prepare a Beef Wellington for my family the next. No matter what your tastes, Pendulum has what you need. I called on a whim when I was thinking about the Beef Wellington as Walmart does not typically stock Tenderloin. Not only did they have it, they cut it custom and had it ready for me on my way home. It was an amazing meal. Since then I have stopped in a few times for a quick lunch. They have a great selection of sandwiches sure to satisfy. Fantastic knowledgeable staff, great location, selection, and atmosphere... you can literally forget you are in a butcher shop. If you are not used to custom cuts you might be shocked at those prices, but thats only for the unique stuff you dont get everyday. When it is time to try something new, believe me it is worth it!
Wonderful shop, wonderful employees and fantastic sandwiches! After I finished my sandwich, I left with a very nice lamb chop, some cheese and a new wine to try. Cant wait to come back to try more!
Fabulous local gem! Small but cozy. Fresh and local selections to eat in or take home! Local butcher shops are a rarity, and this one is fabulous! You can stay for a bite in house or get some fine elections to take home with you to prepare yourself. The ambience is wonderful. You won’t be disappointed.
The BEST Cuban sandwich, and most likely, the best sandwich in general you will EVER have. It is insane how good everything tastes, and with extremely friendly staff, you cannot go wrong eating here. Ive eaten here four times now in the past 2 months and plan to keep going back at least twice a month. Amazing! Good beer selection and cool atmosphere.
Excellent food. Most friendly staff. Very clean and light atmosphere. Gluten free and dairy free possibilities. Will go back when in the area.
Clean, fun and hip place to have lunch. Great atmosphere including a turntable sound system. The staff and owners are very friendly and attentive. I had the brisket and it was tender and tasty almost like the best pot roast. It was served over thick toast with bread and butter style pickles. The baked goods (cookies and cakes) are homemade and unreal. I cant wait to go back.
Pendulum is a hidden gem, having a range of food that hits the spot. I enjoyed the chicken wings and soup. It was FULL of FAVOR. The amount of time to prep for food was worth the wait. The ambiance was very different, giving the place its own unique character. I was glad to stumble upon Pendulum.
All Around, great place. A gem in Norfolk. Great quality meats, killer lunch menu. This is a must. Go for lunch, leave with dinner fixins.
Best Cuban sandwich I have had in a long time! The real start was the French fries though. Friendly people, cool place. Worth the money.
I expected this to be a butcher shop, and it is, marketing local meats, cheeses, beers, pizza dough, veggies, and way way more. But it is also a wonderful sandwich shop! I just finished what Id probably the best roast beef sandwich I have ever had! Holy crap! Also, the staff were very nice, and took extra time to ensure we had a great experience.
Saw this in an episode of DDD and when we found ourselves in Norfolk we had to give it a try. We were overjoyed at the experience! The food and service were wonderful. The sandwiches are shareable sizes but we had to get our own to try other options. Each choice was delicious. The fries are a feature of their own. Grabbed a bottle of wine and some blocks of cheese from the cooler as an appetizer and enjoyed that during the short wait for the main attraction. They have their own parking lot which is also a bonus during peak times.
First time visiting this place today, recommended by a co worker, i must say it was a great suggestion. nice small place butcher shop/ restaurant. i will def be returning soon. had the jerk chicken sandwich GTG!
Clean. Fresh young faces smiles with great service. The open face brisket could bring world PEACE. Vegans try the best damn french on earth. I will visit them with my last.
Went to codex, which is the pop up restaurant inside from Wed - Sunday evenings. Service, wine and food are all A+.... The pork shoulder with blistered tomatoes was on point. Never a disappointment. Try the burger or fresh fettuccine dish... Both were some of the best Ive ever had locally!!!!! Bravo!
The smoked brisket sandwich here is amazing to say the least! The selection of beer is almost as grand! Great customer service and a very well maintained establishment. My wife and I shall continue to patronize this establishment!
Super friendly, cozy place. The food is one of a kind amazing!!! I go as often as I can.
Service was good and friendly. Got brisket and fries. Fries were hot and tasty. Brisket was like leather. Very dry and tough. Not impressed. 4 stars on service and ambiance. 2 stars on the disappointing brisket.
Wow, I never thought heaven was so close to home! I thought this place was just a butcher shop, but they have some produce, some bread, some signature treats, wine by the bottle, beer on tap, lunch on demand AND loads of service from knowledgeable guys and gals behind the counter. There are several tables for having lunch in, plus a few farm toys for the sweet little children accompanied me (my own darlings). All amongst clean and stylish subway tiles, attractive cabinetry, and framed photos of the local produce sources.
Hands down best sandwiches we’ve ever eaten. Came here with my sister and we shared the hot ham sandwich and the brisket sandwich. The quality of the ingredients is superb. Will definitely be back.
I LOVE Pendulum. The sandwiches are amazing! The quality of the meats is awesome. The service is fantastic. This is a little known secret I am glad I discovered. I tell everyone I encounter about it.
Fantastic selection of meats, wine, beer and other locally sourced products. The lunch menu is concise and fantastic. They allow up and coming chefs to open pop-ups in their kitchen at night and sometimes offer butchering classes for those looking to learn a new craft. This is one of those Ghent treasures that should never be overlooked.
Very helpful and knowledgeable staff
Both sandwiches were amazing but we favored The Butcher. Especially with the habanero chips. Dave had the idea to put some inside of the sandwich...OMG. it really added a nice touch to it.. The chips were super hot when you eat them alone but putting a little inside of the sandwich gave it a nice kick and the crunchy texture was a perfect touch to the amazing flavor of the roast beef that seemed to melt in your mouth.
One of our favorite places in Norfolk! Their hot sandwiches are delicious. The brisket sandwich, burger, and hot ham and cheese are all to die for. The fries and garlic aioli are ADDICTING. Such a great place!
Didnt eat here. Bought some meat from the butcher shop. Probably the best cuts of meat that I have ever bought. The place has been featured on the Food Network and I think the prices reflect that. Definitely go if you want to treat yourself/ family/ friends
I saw this place on triple D, had to try the Brisket, it was awesome, fries was hot and fresh, definitely will be back. service was great!!! best sandwiches, whenever Im in the area I always stop in.
The sandwiches are delicious! Quaint place. Not a whole lot of seating places.
High quality meats and other quick trip items. You can also come for a meal and get one of the best sandwiches in the city. You cannot go wrong with either the fries or salad as a side.
My go-to spot for fresh cuts of meat. And I absolutely love the stocks they have for takeout!!!!! That homemade taste without the work.
This place is awesome! You get what you pay for and more! Beautiful cuts of meat, a fantastic location (it has its own parking lot in Norfolk which is rare), excellent lunch specials and a super friendly set of employees. Ive bought a lamb saddle roast, lamb chops, a bone in leg of lamb, house made bacon, bone in rib roasts, and a wide variety of lunch meats and different cuts of steak and I was impressed with every choice. If youve never had mortadella then please ask for a sample, it will change the way you think about lunch meat.
Outstanding food, people and atmosphere. It does get busy & seating is limited, but its well worth the wait.
As fine of a sandwich shop as their is. Dont know much about the butcher sales. Their sandwiches and such are just superb.
Our favorite sandwich shop in all of Tidewater! The brisket and Cuban are personal favorites .You also cant beat the $6 burgers on Friday. The food and service are tremedous. We love visiting!
Awesome food with super friendly service. The smoked brisket is not to be missed. The fries are incredible and are actually cooked in beef tallow like the old days and are served with an incredible smoked garlic aioli.
LOVE THIS PLACE!!! the burger and fries are sooo good... Everyone there is so friendly and welcoming, feels like home... Everything is fresh and the garlic aioli TO DIE FOR!!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND
This is by far the best butcher shop Ive ever step foot in! Everyone there is so amazing and the meat is well worth the price. I would live there if they let me.
I dont eat meat for a lot of reasons. Almost every objection I have to eating meat is resolved at Pendulum. Yesterday I had a roast beef sandwich there and it was the best sandwich Ive had in years and the first beef Ive had in years. It was excellent. I still dont eat meat - unless its from Pendulum....