2015 America's Classics: Sally Bell’s Kitchen

Sally Bell’s Kitchen

708 West Grace Street, Richmond, VA

Owners: Martha Crowe Jones And Scott Jones

Sarah Cabell Jones met Elizabeth Lee Milton at the Richmond Exchange for Woman’s Work. Founded in 1883, the Richmond Exchange sold handmade goods produced by women. Jones and Milton opened Sally Bell’s Kitchen (then called Sarah Lee Kitchen) in 1924. By 1985 Martha Crowe Jones, the fourth-generation family proprietor, had taken the reins. Each generation of Jones women has proved a faithful steward of this beacon of female entrepreneurship. Sally Bell’s is a take-away operation. Step to the counter and order a chicken salad or egg salad sandwich, among other options. The counterwoman will hand you a white pasteboard box, tied with twine. Inside, along with your order, will be a paper cup of potato salad or macaroni salad, a deviled egg wrapped in tissue, a cheese wafer crowned with a pecan, and a cupcake enrobed in glaze. All will taste like someone’s grandmother made them. Nine decades after it first opened, Sally Bell’s still excels at handmade goods, prepared by industrious women.

The America's Classic award is given to restaurants with timeless appeal, each beloved in its region for quality food that reflects the character of its community. Establishments must have been in existence for at least ten years and be locally owned.

The 2015 America's Classics are presented by Brand USA.