Takeout concept parades into Church Hill

Isabel and James Eckrosh are opening a restaurant in Church Hill. Photos by Michael Thompson.

Isabel and James Eckrosh are opening a restaurant in Church Hill. Photos by Michael Thompson.

A taste of the Big Easy is marching into Church Hill.

The Dog and Pig Show, a new restaurant run by New Orleans transplants Isabel and James Eckrosh, is set to open this month at 314 N. 25th St.

The Eckroshes leased the 1,200-square-foot Church Hill space. It was formerly home to Souperb, Isabel Eckrosh said.

The Dog and Pig Show will serve takeout sandwiches, salads and soups, mostly during lunch hours. It is the couple’s first foray into owning a restaurant, but James Eckrosh is no stranger to the kitchen. He has been a chef for about 11 years, most recently in New Orleans. Isabel Eckrosh taught in a New Orleans public elementary school. The couple moved to Richmond about a year ago and lives in Church Hill.

“Church Hill is a very diverse community, and we both really love that, especially coming from New Orleans,” Isabel said.

The Dog and Pig Show is set to open this month at 25th and Marshall streets.

The Dog and Pig Show is set to open this month at 25th and Marshall streets.

New Orleans cuisine will influence the menu at The Dog and Pig Show, as will Southern American and Southeast Asian foods. Menu prices will range from $6 to $10. To start, the business will only do take-out, but the Eckroshes hope to eventually get a food truck and add some seating to their business.

The upstarts plan to open their eatery in a neighborhood that has received national attention for its dining scene. In October, the restaurant rating site Zagat included Church Hill on a list of 10 notable food neighborhoods around the country, citing haunts like Urban Farmhouse, Sub Rosa and Alamo BBQ. In June, Esquire magazine included Church Hill eatery The Roosevelt on its list of the best bars in America.

“In a six-block radius you have so many places that people can drive to Church Hill and make a choice,” James Eckrosh said.

To get the word out about The Dog and Pig Show, the Eckroshes have held eight ticketed dinners at their Church Hill home. Starting the business is a full-time venture for both of them.

“Tickets just covered food,” Isabel said. “We didn’t make any profit off it. It was basically to spread word of mouth.”

Startup costs are expected to be about $25,000, Isabel said. She and her husband are financing the venture themselves and with the help of a family friend.

As for the name, The Dog and Pig Show is inspired by the couple’s Chinese zodiac signs.

“James is a dog, and I’m a pig,” Isabel said. “It was an early date conversation.”

Isabel and James Eckrosh are opening a restaurant in Church Hill. Photos by Michael Thompson.

Isabel and James Eckrosh are opening a restaurant in Church Hill. Photos by Michael Thompson.

A taste of the Big Easy is marching into Church Hill.

The Dog and Pig Show, a new restaurant run by New Orleans transplants Isabel and James Eckrosh, is set to open this month at 314 N. 25th St.

The Eckroshes leased the 1,200-square-foot Church Hill space. It was formerly home to Souperb, Isabel Eckrosh said.

The Dog and Pig Show will serve takeout sandwiches, salads and soups, mostly during lunch hours. It is the couple’s first foray into owning a restaurant, but James Eckrosh is no stranger to the kitchen. He has been a chef for about 11 years, most recently in New Orleans. Isabel Eckrosh taught in a New Orleans public elementary school. The couple moved to Richmond about a year ago and lives in Church Hill.

“Church Hill is a very diverse community, and we both really love that, especially coming from New Orleans,” Isabel said.

The Dog and Pig Show is set to open this month at 25th and Marshall streets.

The Dog and Pig Show is set to open this month at 25th and Marshall streets.

New Orleans cuisine will influence the menu at The Dog and Pig Show, as will Southern American and Southeast Asian foods. Menu prices will range from $6 to $10. To start, the business will only do take-out, but the Eckroshes hope to eventually get a food truck and add some seating to their business.

The upstarts plan to open their eatery in a neighborhood that has received national attention for its dining scene. In October, the restaurant rating site Zagat included Church Hill on a list of 10 notable food neighborhoods around the country, citing haunts like Urban Farmhouse, Sub Rosa and Alamo BBQ. In June, Esquire magazine included Church Hill eatery The Roosevelt on its list of the best bars in America.

“In a six-block radius you have so many places that people can drive to Church Hill and make a choice,” James Eckrosh said.

To get the word out about The Dog and Pig Show, the Eckroshes have held eight ticketed dinners at their Church Hill home. Starting the business is a full-time venture for both of them.

“Tickets just covered food,” Isabel said. “We didn’t make any profit off it. It was basically to spread word of mouth.”

Startup costs are expected to be about $25,000, Isabel said. She and her husband are financing the venture themselves and with the help of a family friend.

As for the name, The Dog and Pig Show is inspired by the couple’s Chinese zodiac signs.

“James is a dog, and I’m a pig,” Isabel said. “It was an early date conversation.”

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Linda Terry
Linda Terry
9 years ago

I sure hope they have some Cajun concoctions! I miss the Jazzbo’s Food Cart that used to grace the Bellevue area… their blackened catfish po-boy was heaven on earth! May Jamie’s spirit shine upon you and your endeavor.

Megan Terry
Megan Terry
9 years ago

Congrats, Isabel! Glad to see you back in VA – looking forward to trying it.

Mike Haggerty
Mike Haggerty
9 years ago

I will have to make the drive to Richmond from Roanoke to patronize this establishment. I can personally vouch for this couple’s warm hospitality and delicious cuisine. They make the best Asian-inspired pork BBQ I have ever had!

Bragda Pilates
Bragda Pilates
9 years ago

Well done guys and welcome to the great community!

Rob Spinosa
Rob Spinosa
9 years ago

Well done, Jim. Couldn’t be happier for you!