The Caboose Market & Cafe

I went to The Caboose last night with my family and had an enjoyable time. Despite being busy, the service was fast, and we didn’t have to wait too long for the food. I’m a picky eater, so I ordered the Caboose Burger, but plain. I got exactly what I asked for. It was very yummy. Not only did the burger taste great, but it had a good texture as well. The bun was soft, but somewhat firm, and the meat was tender, but not too mushy. My family had the Side Green Salad, Chicken Caesar Salad, and Grilled Cornbread. They enjoyed their meals, too. I’d also like to add that the restaurant was clean, and the staff were friendly. I’ll definitely be coming back here soon and recommend others to check this place out!

Great market for wine and some fresh local meats. They have a hugh selection of wines and beers from all over the world. They are also very knowledgeable. We went into the little cafe in the back and got a small bite to eat. They had wagu hotdog that were pretty tasty. Their Kimchi dog was pretty good. Staff was very fun to chat with. If you need to find some unique drinks, there is no better place.

This place is a gem! Highest quality ingredients from local farmers and purveyors — all cooked and combined with amazing talent. Thanks for a fabulous lunch! And… their market is a thoughtful mix of local wares, gourmet fare, and carefully selected wines.

On a road trip to DC and knew I would hit lunch outside Richmond so searched up a top rated restaurant near I-95. Downtown Ashland was cute and parking was easy. Everything at Caboose was fresh and lots homemade. I had chicken salad sandwich with side salad and watermelon lemonade and companion had adult grilled cheese with fruit and butterscotch cream soda. Grilled cheese was excellent, especially. Wait staff was great and kitchen was delivering efficiently. Homemade lemon blackberry sorbet topped it off. Felt local. Totally worth extra 5 minutes to get to and $40 tab.

This food is some of the best food I have ever had. The grilled cornbread is absolutely fantastic, the hot dogs are amazing, the potato salad tastes exactly how it should. The entire place is a cute little mom and pop place that just feels very old school, it feels very peaceful. Everybody in there is extremely welcoming and it definitely feels like a family business. If I could I would 100% give 10 stars.

This is such an adorable wine, craft beer, and cheese market. It also has a hidden gem of a restaurant in the back. You can sit outside and people watch or watch the trains and bikes go by.

Their pimento cheese is the best I have ever tasted. An order of pimento cheese and a beer or wine alone is worth stopping in for. On Tuesdays, they have Sloppy Joe's. They are homemade, slightly spicy, and belly packing. Their homemade soups are a treat. Don't miss this adorable stop on this beautiful town!

The Caboose Market and Cafe is a great spot to grab lunch and check out wine, beer and cider selections. It's a lovely market and the Cafe is in the back. The staff are friendly and helpful and can make great recommendations for things to try that fit your tastes. You can also buy several of the Cafe items in bulk containers in the front market. If you are getting food to go, head to the Cafe first as they will deliver your order to you up in the market. That's very convenient and also a great business strategy. We loved both the gourmet Hot Dogs with potato salad and the under the Tuscan Sun with pasta salad. Highly recommended for visitors and locals alike.

This review is for the Market only. We were passing by the Caboose from the parking lot on our way to another restaurant. We decided to check out this place. They have a good selection of wine and beer. The sales person was very knowledgeable and helped me picked out exactly what I was looking for. After shopping, I walked to the back of the store where the dining room was. I was welcomed with most amazing scent from the open kitchen. The food smelled so good, I wanted to sit down and eat right away. We will definitely go back there soon.

Cute place with lots of charm! My parents are obsessed with this spot, so naturally while I’m in town they force me to come here. Pretty worth it though. The restaurant is attached to a wine shop, and both are fantastic. The small plates and meals are tasty. I got bbq cause I’m obsessed with it, and their local flavors were delightful. For a cafe type of setting, they’re definitely doing something right!

You can tell by my other reviews that this isn't my normal type of venue, but after today, that may change! The grilled cornbread with the hint of pepper and honey was amazing. The staff was super nice and everything was quick.

If burgers were fruits, and you wanted a nice glass of burger juice, you'd want to use these. So juicy! Interior and exterior (trackside) seating available, both with table service. French fries aren't on the menu. Both bathrooms are clean.

Delightful dinner with my RMC student. Very concience about spacing and cleanliness, which I appreciated. Food was terrific. Imaginative menu and friendly staff.

Update: another great meal!
We had salads for lunch outside by the tracks on a lovely spring day. Great service!

Absolutely delicious! The dolmas and grilled cornbread were killer 😫 the honey and pepper on the cornbread had my mouth watering. I got the veggie burger w potato salad and mmm they really know what they’re doing here. I already know the chef had a handlebar mustache and a leather apron and put a lot of love into these dishes. My dad got the steak salad and didn’t love it but I didn’t eat it, so can’t knock my score! 10/10 for me

The Caboose has the freshest and tastiest salad greens that I’ve ever had. Their staff is really kind too. I’d mention it to anyone if they were looking for a quick snack.

Cool little spot with a great menu. Nice wine and beer selection in both the restaurant and retail section. Supports many local farmers and producers.

A little part of what makes Ashland, Ashland. Locally sourced food when available, made to order. While the burger ranks in the top 3, stiff competition with other locally sourced restaurants in Virginia. It's probably the best in Ashland, narrowly beating out the fried green tomato burger from Jakes Place. The potato salad of all things is what throws down the gauntlet here. Not normally one for red potatoes or white salad, I was skeptical at first. But this beats out any and all potato salad. Between the friendly and personable staff, fair prices, amazing food, and decent choices on local beer this place definitely ranks up there.

I was surprised last Monday, October 25th, 2021, to find myself dining in The Caboose Market and Cafe. I had not been in Ashland, VA, since 2017, and I had returned hoping to dine once more with the lovely owner of Monique’s Crepes at her mobile site. But on this occasion she had slipped away—I don’t THINK she knew I was coming, but she may have good radar—and so, thank heaven for the opportunity to dine in the Caboose!

If you have not been to Ashland, you will enjoy your visit: it is a very pretty college town, where almost everything seems to be within walking distance—although you must dart or drive
back and forth over the active railroad tracks that cut the town virtually through the middle!
Ashland’s embrace of the railroad seems wholehearted, and it enjoys at least two visits daily of the beloved Amtrak commuter.

But you are hungry—or seeking wine or cheese: and as I did Monday, you have come to the right place! Pricey but classy, The Caboose will entertain you whether as Parisian style you dine al fresco beside the neat tracks of the local chemin-de-fer, or in the cosy deep interior dining area in the rear. “You can get most anything you want” here, and most anything you order will be splendid. Everyone is very friendly and helpful: if the cleverness of the menu is a little puzzling, your waiter will take time with you to ensure you get precisely what you want. It is even easy to strike up a conversation with the locals—I enjoyed a long and enjoyable chat with a lovely couple on the history and memories of Ashland—which had changed impressively even in the four years I had been away!—One of the impressive changes being the expansion of the restaurant we were enjoying into its present and very beautiful butterfly!
I include—as I try to nowadays—a number of photographs.

Food was exquisitely farm rich, with bold and subtle flavor and invigorating nurishment.  Staff was warm and welcoming.

Fantastic spot to hit for lunch. Wife commented it’s the best potato salad that she’s had in years. Kansas BBQ sandwich packed a punch, was quite happy with it. Awesome selection of off the beaten path beers and a good wine selection. Grab and go service for lunch was quick and painless. Couple of picnic tables around the corner if you’re up for an outside picnic.

The food is always an experience here, they change things up and keep it interesting. Everything was great and as bonus they had wine tasting. As a devout cabernet fan, I was shocked to find some white wines that have been my new favorites.