Roanoke’s Top 25
Okay, I realize it’s not exactly the same, but if Saveur can find 100 extraordinary food finds around the world every year, we should be able to list at least 25 of our favorite dishes, restaurants, markets, chefs and more here in Southwest Virginia.
I’ll go first. Here are five picks. Give me yours!
1. Carlos Brazilian’s Artichoke-Brie Soup.
2. El Palenque desserts (which are still available, in case you didn’t know.)
3. Southwest Virginia Farmer’s Markets. The fingerling potatoes! The heirloom tomatoes and beans! The tiny cabbages! The fresh peaches! The possibilities are endless.
4. Floyd County. Face it, they rate high in fine local food producers.
5. Roanoke- and Blacksburg- area ethnic markets. Must explore more.
January 8, 2008 - 10:33 PM
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Any dessert from Arzu.
Hotel Roanoke- Spoon Bread
Hotel Roanoke- Peanut Soup
The Roanoker Restaurant- Sausage Gravy
Roanoke Wiener Stand- Chili
Good Thing On The Market- Fudge, Homemade by the owner, Rita.
My top 5:
1. Crabcakes from Captain Paul’s (in Salem)
2. The organic food stand at the Salem Farmer’s Market–love anything they have (beets, lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, delicate squash, you name it, I love it)
3. Bagels by the baker’s dozen at Roanoke Bagels on 419
4. Bean sprouts and other Asian groceries at J& L on Brambleton
5. Crow’s Nest Farm berry picking (sorry this is in Blacksburg, but a HUGE part of my spring and summer)
The authentic Middle Eastern dishes at More Than Coffee in Blacksburg.
Stephen’s on Franklin Rd has great dishes like Crawfish Etouffee, Soft Shell Crab and a great Southwest Louisiana Platter.
Burgers & The Works dog at Burger in the Square
Subs at On the Rise-love those fresh baguettes
Carribean Chicken Salad at Table 50
Taco Soup at Little Dipper
Veggies and fruit especially fresh peaches on the Market.
I’m a downtown resident
Oh, and the chopped liver at Fresh Market. Their pumpkin rolls are great too.
The rare roast-beef sub at the New Yorker, all the way but with cole slaw instead of lettuce.
Orange Dogs at the Orange Dog (though I haven’t been since they changed ownership, I assume it’s still the same)
Ordering pizza toppings on potato skins at Grace’s Place
Portabeef/Greek sub/BD Special at the Brambleton Deli
The creamed succotash at the Blues BBQ
The gyros/pasticcio or any other Greek fare at Paul’s Restaurant
Wild cat tuna roll at Sake House
New York Pizza in Vinton – the pizza, the simple yet always fresh salad, the cheese steak special
Wildflour soups, salads & sandwiches AND don’t forget the desserts!
The meat counter at Fresh Market
Veggies & so much more on the City Market
The Homeplace
Metro
Jamacian Joe’s from Zorba’s in the Market Building
Pepperoni, Sausage, Onion & Mushroom Pizza from NY Pizza in Vinton
Veal Marsala at Carlos’
Hot & Sour Soup from China Wall at Towers Mall
Turkey sub from New Yorker with extra banana peppers
Looooooooove me some Wildcat Roll!!
All these posts are making me hungry.
I found the best bargain in town today. The Mexican chicken soup at Alejandro’s. For $5.50 I got a container of soup twice the size you get at most restaurants along with the free tortilla chips. It’s loaded with chicken and avocado. The broth is spicy but delicious. I’m having what was left from lunch for dinner tonight.
Zorba’s — The gyro plate or gyro sandwich
Wildflour — Californian Grilled Cheese
Burger on the Square — Mushroom and Swiss burger combo
Roanoke Bagel Co. — Everything bagel with veggie cream cheese, onion, tomato, and lox
Texas Tavern — Plain cheesy western with double meat, egg, and cheese
Blue 5 — Chicken and biscuit soup
Blue 5 — Apple bread pudding
How could I forget?!?! ANYTHING from Frank’s Pizza. Especially of course their pizza.
I have to agree with the chicken and biscuit soup from Blue 5– at least, it was creamy and delicious when I tried it soon after they opened.
In response to Debbie, I’m all over a new soup experience if the weather’s going to be miserable tomorrow. Chicken and avocados? Hearty!
I’ve discovered a tantalizing dish myself this week: the tempura mushroom snackie at 202 ($5). They’re tender yet crispy, well-portioned and drizzled with a sauce that seemed soy-based on my first indulgence (sneaking from a pal’s bowl.)
Perfect match for a cocktail or a glass of wine. I’ll be back for more of those in no time.
One more. The baked ziti with Italian sausage at Grace’s Place. It’s wonderful. I’ll have to try the mushrooms from 202, they sound heavenly.
Father Nick’s salad from Paul’s
Macedonian salad from Paul’s
The Asiago Roast Beef Panini from Tudor’s
The buffet at Red Palace
The spinach, artichoke and mushroom pizza from Chico’s in the Market Building
I’m a little late, but I have to add the spicy shrimp miso soup at Metro.
The Drunken Noodles (Thai hot) at the Thai Resaturant downtown.
And one of my favorite teas is the Snow Monkey Plum at Mill Mountain Coffee.
In reviewing the other posts, I find myself saying “How could I have forgotten (insert restaurant/food here)???” Like the TT! And Zorba’s…and 3 Little Pigs!
I think it goes to show that there are so many wonderful choices in the Roanoke Valley, maybe even we could have our own list of 100!
There is a scallop-in-cream-sauce appetizer at Table 50 that is absolutely wonderful. I know that pickeld shoe leather would probably taste good floating in a cream sauce, but this dish is just outstanding. The scallops are perfectly seared and yet incredibly tender, and the sauce is like edible velvet.
The Italian from the New Yorker, served COLD w/ Italian dressing.
Pizza at On the Rise….and the subs and bread there, too!
Spanakopita and Hummus at The Isaacs Restaurant. And everything else they have, too!
A hot dog (all the way, extra mustard) from The Roanoke Weiner Stand.
ANY of the wraps at Yummy’s.
Roast Pork plate (# 1) at Paradiso in the Market Bldg.
The salsa bar at Alejandro’s.. and the food to go w/ it!
Nawab’s lunch buffet.
EVERYTHING at Abuelos! Esp. the “potato” soup on Tuesday.
I feel like Mary Poppins; “These are a few of my favorite things!”
The ribs at Blue’s BBQ. I gnawed those bones clean! I can’t believe I left Zorba’s out of the places downtown.
I’m more familiar with foods in the NRV, so here they are:
1. Zeppoli’s in Blacksburg – they have the freshest pasta and best Italian food in the NRV.
2. Boudreaux’s in Blacksburg – amazing cajun cuisine and drink specials.
3. The Cellar in Blacksburg – Mediterranean style foods with an extensive drink list.
4. Souvlaki in Blacksburg – the best Greek food I’ve had!
5. Bookbinders Grill in Christiansburg – an upscale dining experience that the NRV had been missing!
(1) Blue 5 – Shrimp & Grits are wonderful creole (almost italian’esque) interpretation of this low-country classic
(2) Metro – $6 lunch specials are best bargain in town
(3) Spikes – yes, the burgers are good.
(4) Ben Gui – House ginger dressing is to die for (sushi is great too, of course)
(5) Tinnells – Great steaks and best ground beef in town. Pimento cheese spread is legend. Excellent, affordable wine selection, particularly Spanish reds.
Metro: Iceburg + Metro! Miso Sesame dressing salad; Lobster Roll; Flourless Chocolate Pudding Cake
Fork in the Alley: Mesa Verde Burger
Wildflour: Tomato Cheddar Soup; Cajun Meatloaf
The bread pudding with Irish whiskey sauce at Annie Moore’s Pub made me want to lick the plate when I was finished.
I can’t believe that Mike’s Hamburgers in Blacksburg did not make the list. My wife and I and our 2 small children first had his burgers the first week they were open (circa 1975) and have probably averaged going there at least once a week for the past 30+ years. I have introduced many of my friends to Mike’s. I met one who had accompanied us to Mike’s on the street a couple of weeks later and he was still raving about the burger. I said, “Yes, I believe Mike puts something special on the burgers.” To which he replied – “Must be heroin, I’ve become addicted.”
Jim
Thanks for the comment, Jim! Consider Mike’s Hamburgers a delayed addition to the list.
Lindsey,I guess you have never been to the GardenCity area of Roanoke or Abbotts Resauarant.Come and try a FatBoy Special, best double cheese burger around.Hot Dogs, ever have one from the “Boiler Room”you will here.
Mama Concetta’s in Christiansburg – Pasta and salads deluxe!
Pine Tavern in Floyd – Southern Home Style cooking almost as good as mom’s!
Mikes’ in Blacksburg – the ONLY place to get a REAL Chesseburger and Fries.
1. The oven fired SMORE at Fork in the Alley, is to die for.
2. Love the chicken and biscuit soup from Blue 5.
3. White Pizza from 419 is good.
4. Everything @ The Homeplace, this is where I go to binge eat.
5. The chicken salad on crossiant at Montanos followed by the key lime pie…mmmmm…..
Since Roanoke and Blacksburg really aren’t southwest Virginia unless it comes to money and PR, here are some real gems from true southwest Virginia: the huge steak at Cuz’s Restaurant in Pounding Mill, hotdogs from Skeeter’s in Wytheville, and crab cakes from Yong’s Cuisine on Main Street in Tazewell.