Every dining establishment has something they are known for. For some it’s their cold beer, fresh seafood, or iconic gigantic and delicious burgers. Other places build their reputation and core following on ice cold beer and a good-time, laidback atmosphere. At The Corner, they’re known for… well actually, they’re known for all of the above.

Residing in the southernmost point of the Northern Neck, it’s not too often I make the trek up-the-county to Lively to have a night of rockin’ the jukebox, shooting some pool and enjoying some of Billy McCarty’s famous dinners.

It was a Tuesday night when my boyfriend and I decided on date night at The Corner. When we got to the parking lot around 7 p.m., I was shocked to find we’d have to make a lap and park on a side street. Around here, it’s not all that common to find a buzzing crowd on just any ole Tuesday night, but McCarty describes his restaurant as a gathering place where everyone just comes together at the end of their days.

While The Corner has been around for decades, McCarty re-purchased the restaurant over Memorial Day Weekend 2023. He originally bought the joint 25 years ago from his cousin John but stepped away from the business a number of years later to raise a family.

The Lancaster County native’s connection to The Corner extends many years prior to his initial purchase in 1998. McCarty said he had fond memories of going to work with his father as a child and they would drop in for ham sandwiches. Back then it was called Ransone’s Store.

Since reopening the restaurant, the most notable changes have been simple aesthetics. The freshly painted walls, renovated floors and overall sprucing up has allowed for more light to come through and promote more vibrancy throughout the dining area.

All the yummy classics

The menu, however, has only seen some slight changes, like the addition of pizzas and daily specials. The iconic menu items and good-time atmosphere are as abundant as ever.

It was first things first when we sat down at our table: ordering up some cold beer. Ask anybody around where to find the coldest beer in the Northern Neck—without a doubt The Corner tops the list.

With our crisp, refreshing Miller Lite and Corona in hand, we decided to start off with an appetizer: Pig Wings.

While McCarty offers all the yummy classics like mozzarella sticks, chicken wings, onion rings and french fries to tide you over before supper, we decided we wanted to give the more obscure option a shot.

Pig Wings are what McCarty affectionately named his short ribs. They’re tender and a bit smokey with a complementing barbecue sauce on the side.

“Pigs were never meant to fly so we put them on special,” McCarty said.

Let’s just say when the wings hit the table, those pigs didn’t even have a chance to fly. They were delicious.

A few games

While waiting for our entrees to come out, we decided to get in a few competitive rounds of pool and turn up the jukebox with house favorites like “Fishin’ In the Dark” by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, “Boys of Summer” by Don Henley, and of course McCarty’s favorite tune, “Get Down Tonight” by KC and the Sunshine Band.

“I mean it’s impossible to not have a good time when that song comes on, right?” he said.

By the time I won a few games, our supper came out. My boyfriend ordered some of McCarty’s signature fried shrimp with french fries. The shrimp didn’t last long. They were fried to a golden perfection.

“They’re crunchy, flavorful and perfect with a little cocktail sauce on the side,” he said.

Sprinkled with Old Bay seasoning, the entrée was a perfect option for seafood lovers.

After trying to decide between a few sandwiches like the Club or the Sweet Baby Shelby, which features grilled chicken, bacon and barbecue sauce topped with onion rings, I decided I’d go for a burger instead.

With my eyes about three times bigger than my stomach, I took on the Buster Burger. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I ordered it, but my goodness… I definitely needed a to-go box.

The Buster Burger

The Buster Burger is comprised of two juicy, flavorful and tender cheeseburger patties made from locally sourced beef from Northern Neck Meat Processing, each weighing in at a whopping half pound.

I had to place one of the patties on the side for later and I still faced a humongous burger. Topped with the classic lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and of course fried onions, it made for such an indulgent treat. With the fresh burger that’s cooked to perfection, could easily make for two meals. It’s easily the best burger I’ve had in a very long time.

As for the french fries, well, I guess you could say they’re world class. I suppose word had gotten out that I was with the press when fellow patron Jay Hornick came up to me to tell me how you don’t have to leave Lively to find the best french fries in the world.

“I just got back from Paris, France, recently, all I’ve got to say is they’ve got nothing on Billy’s fries. They’re the best ever,” he said.

I concur.

Since McCarty strictly uses local crabmeat for his famous crab cakes I wasn’t able to order one just yet. Each year when I would wrap up a year at college in the mountains, my mom and I would make a trip to The Corner for a crab cake to celebrate being back on the Chesapeake Bay for the summer.

As the weather and water continue to warm, the watermen will start bringing in fuller bushels, so anticipate the return of the area favorite that sports a whole lot of crab meat and just enough filler to bind it together.

Whether you’re looking for some of the freshest seafood around, a hearty sandwich, or just a few beers with friends, look no further than The Corner.

For just shy of $60 for a few beers, a tasty appetizer, two delicious and huge portioned entrées and a hometown atmosphere that simply cannot be beat, there is arguably no better restaurant around to have a laidback, fun filled and filling affordable date night. It is small town America at its best. We can’t wait to make the trek again soon.