Great Bridge Travel Guide

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We walked up to the bridge (and the road was under construction so walking was difficult and cross the street even moreso) and saw that we had a choice of Italian (which did not seem to be open), Chinese, Dairy Queen, KFC/Taco Bell and El Toro Loco. So we picked El Toro Loco. We had a nice meal which was $21.83 plus $5.00 tip.

I found some reviews of the restaurant too - on Tuesday January 13, 2004 at 08:51 PM:
"El Toro Loco is the best restaurant in Hampton Roads. Wonderful food, wonderful service and take out to boot. Try their Cheese Dip!"

Favorite Dish: We went back in October, and I had the chicken quesidilla plate (wonderful rice - sort of buttery/cheesey, and a guacamole salad which had guacamole, shreded lettuce and a tomato), and Bob had the #3 lunch which was a taco, and enchillada and rice.

I had the fried ice cream for dessert, and it had coconut over the ice cream and under the chocolate sauce, with the whole thing in a sugar taco shell.

The whole of Great Bridge on the Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal (aka the Virginia Cut) is off the beaten track for land access, but very much a Must See for any boat traffic with a draft over 5 feet.

Great Bridge does, however have Great Bridge Lock Park. From the website:

"The Park, located along the Intracoastal Waterway just off Battlefield Blvd., is named for the Corps of Engineers' lock which separates the salt water of the river from the fresh water of the canal. This 19 acre park features a two-lane boat ramp, picnic shelters and a foot trail alon the north shoreline and through the wooded western portion of the park. There is a large play area, provisions for indoor toilets and extensive fishing and crabbing areas. Bleachers permit spectators to view the many yachts which transit the lock.

"This is also the site for the annual re-enactment of the historic Battle of Great Bridge . In 1775, 200 feet from the park entrance, American troops defeated British forces in the first battle of the Revoluntionary War fought on Virginia soil. the route through Great Bridge was the only route by which Norfolk could be approached by land. This was a valuable area for the location of the British fort. William Woodford's Virginia rifleman defended the passage. When Lord Dunmore's British regulars attempted to cross the swamp, on December 9, 1775, they were cut to pieces by the fire of the riflemen. This defeat forced Lord Dunmore to evacuate Norfolk."

Technically this is in the City of Chesapeake

We've always just gone from Coinjock to Norfolk, but this time, we decided to stop at Atlantic Yacht Basin. We get to Great Bridge and tie up at the Atlantic Yacht Basin at 1300 after 36.2 sm. Dockage cost us $1.25/ft

They have a cruiser's lounge, and I look at my email on their computer and then we walk up to the Great Bridge Bridge.

Equipment: Transient face docks with space for 25 or so plus 150 yachts under cover and 50 yachts outside in a protected fresh water basin.

In addition it is a full service yacht repair and storage facility which was established in 1936. They offer services in carpentry, painting, machine work, rigging & hauling, electrical wiring, plumbing, bottom cleaning, and transport preparation.