With a logo that looks like the SoBe lizard and decor with a Southwestern theme, Continental Divide is just quirky enough to be interesting without being gimmicky. This eatery is the perfect college hangout.
Located across from the Amtrak station on West Main, Continental Divide is easily accessible by car or even by the trolley for those who can't afford to pay an arm and two legs for gas.
The restaurant takes pride in the fact that it is small and busy. A neon sign tells customers to "Get in Here!" while a T-shirt hanging over the bar lets the patron know, "too small, too noisy, too busy, too bad."
There is no waiting area at the front of the restaurant, so don't expect to make small talk while sitting in plush couches. Luckily, a bench outside and shops nearby will give you something to do.
While you're waiting you can take refuge at the bar, which is small but well supplied. But then again, it is likely to be just as full as the tables.
The interior is dimly lit but lively. Interesting lights line the wall next to the booths, made out of what appears to be sheet metal with an artistic touch. The many old pictures on the wall remind the diners that they are in for a Southwestern dining experience.
Service at Continental Divide is right in line with its atmosphere and decor -- laid back and casual. You'll never feel forgotten or pressured. The wait staff is friendly and we think we saw Heath Ledger working in the kitchen.
The menu is refreshingly short and to the point, offering appetizers on the front and entrees on the back. A sheet of paper on the wall also tells you the various specials of the day, including alcohol and delicious desserts.
A specialty of the house was the chili, which they claim is made Texas-style, This means steak, tomatoes, chiles and spices, with NO beans and NO baloney. Although you can get it by the bowl, we recommend that you get it with the Nachos ($3.50), which come with additional toppings of guacamole and cheddar cheese. Delicious.
We also gave the Red Hot Blues ($5.50) a shot. The dish was a simple combination of spicy blue corn chips, goat cheese, jack cheese and red onions. The chips fortunately are not too spicy and the crumbled goat cheese stood in sharp contrast to the red onions -- an interesting and very successful combination.
The quesadilla of the day was our last appetizer choice. Our quesadilla included red onions, jalapenos, garlic and goat and jack cheeses, but you'll have to check on the specials list for what's available. The dish was very tasty and not at all greasy. Out of all the appetizers though, this was the one we would have cut if given another try.
When we finally finished sampling the amazing appetizers, we bravely turned the menu over and picked out some delicious entrees to continue our southwestern adventure. Although the choices aren't numerous, they are diverse and average around $11.
We tried the Grilled Pork Tenderloin Taco ($11.50) accompanied by beans and rice. This is not your average taco. It was wonderful; the meat was perfectly seasoned and cooked, while the side dishes were perfect complements. The only weakness of the dish was that the corn salsa was slightly overpowering and a bit on the sweet side.
The Santa Fe Enchilada ($9.25) also lured us in, promising yellow and blue corn tortillas layered with chicken and cheese, topped with spicy chipotle sauce and avocado crema, accompanied by beans, rice and a pumpkin muffin.
The pumpkin muffin was outstanding. We could eat about 30 of them. The dish itself was pretty massive, with the chipotle sauce covering it so we really couldn't see what we were digging into. Whatever it was, though, it was tasty. The sauce was pleasant and not very spicy, but there was almost too much of it. Still, we recommend it.
To round out our selection, we tried the Cuban Steak ($11.25), a very spicy marinated rib eye served with garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables. This dish was amazing. The steak was perfectly cooked, the meat quite fatty but extremely tender and delicious. It also was perfectly seasoned with flavorful spices that didn't overpower the meat itself. This plate left the table absolutely clean.
Continental Divide offers other interesting dishes, but we didn't have nearly enough room for them. Two fish dishes are available, one of which was BBQ Salmon ($12.50). Vegetarians needn't fear, as the menu also offers a Grilled Vegetables Burrito ($9.75).
The most interesting dish on the menu was the Thai Chicken Burrito ($9.50) filled with grilled chicken, stir fried cabbage, vegetables and ancho peanut sauce, served with rice on the side.
In order to fulfill our duties as faithful Taste Buds, we had to give the desserts a whirl, despite our absolutely full stomachs. The dessert menu changes daily, but if any of the items we tried are being offered, we highly recommend all of them. They all cost $3.50 each, a more than reasonable price.
The Mocha Double Decker Brownie a la mode was delicious, and its name was fun to say. Just make sure you eat it fast before the brownie turns cold and the ice cream turns into soup -- or before your friends try to steal it from you.
The Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream Pie was just as it sounds -- a Reese's cup, ice cream style. Yum.
They also offered a lovely Adobe Pie, which was butter pecan ice and coffee ice cream in an Oreo crust topped with gooey chocolate sauce. This dessert is to die for.
Continental Divide is a great option when selecting from all the restaurants in Charlottesville. Although not a place you'd bring somebody you're trying to impress on a first date, its relaxed atmosphere, reasonable prices, and great food make it the perfect place to go to have a good time with some buddies.
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