Our 50 favorite food finds, four years later
Floyd's new farmers market is one of many changes since our last survey. File photo.
In January 2008, I ran a column about “gastronomic gems,” or the 50 greatest food finds in Southwest Virginia. If you’ve been reading this blog since then, you might remember that list was a team effort – I took reader suggestions and wrapped them, with my own ideas, into an ode to the culinary treasures of our region.
I decided recently to dig through the archives and find that list to see how much it has changed. As it turns out, things have changed mightily for the better – and for the worse. Some gems, such as local farmers markets, have shown considerable growth. Other items, such as several of our favorite restaurants, have disappeared for good.
I’d like to share this updated list to see what you all think, then do an updated version for a future column. Have I missed any restaurant closings? If businesses have moved or changed ownership, are they still good enough to be on our list? What culinary gems has Southwest Virginia gained in the past 4 1/2 years that we can use to update our list? I wonder if we could get to 100 this time…
My update notes are in bold font. Go to the bottom of the list for a few of my ideas for additions. Feel free to disagree!
1. Artichoke-brie soup and veal marsala at Carlos Brazilian International Cuisine.
2. [GONE] El Palenque desserts (Yes, I know El Palenque closed. But their cakes and cookies can still be ordered at www.galvancakes.net. [No, they can't])
3. Southwest Virginia farmers markets: Peaches! Tomatoes! Flowers! Potatoes! You name it, it’s fresh and we love it.
4. Floyd County, a virtual mecca of homegrown produce and pasture-fed livestock.
5. Ethnic markets: J&L on Brambleton Avenue and the Oriental Market on Williamson Road are just the beginning. [J&L is still open and we've gained some new markets, but we've also lost a couple]
6. Hotel Roanoke peanut soup and spoonbread (recipes inside).
7. Sausage gravy at The Roanoker Restaurant.
8. Roanoke Weiner Stand chili [downtown location closed temporarily, but it'll be back!]
9. Good Things on the Market fudge [Closed]
10. Crabcakes by Capt. Paul’s seafood market in Salem.
11. Bagels at Roanoke Bagel Co. [expanding!]
12. Picking berries at Crow’s Nest Farm in Blacksburg. [under new ownership]
13. Authentic Middle Eastern dishes at More Than Coffee in Blacksburg. [Now Pita Vera]
14. Crawfish etoufee (no longer on the menu), softshell crab (seasonal) and Big Easy-style platter at Stephen’s Restaurant in Roanoke.
15. Burger in the Square: the burgers, of course! [Moved to Brambleton Avenue]
16. Subs and pizza at On the Rise bakery on the Roanoke market.
17. Table 50 in downtown Roanoke: Caribbean chicken salad, seared jumbo sea scallops in Armagnac cream sauce.
18. Taco soup at Little Dipper’s on the Roanoke City Market [Closed]
19. Rare roast beef sub (with slaw, not lettuce) at The New Yorker Delicatessen on Williamson Road.
20. Orange Dog at Towers Shopping Center (The restaurant is opening a second location in downtown Roanoke.) [The downtown location was not open long. The Towers location is under new ownership and is now called Rescue Dog]
21. Grace’s Pizza on Grandin Road, where you can order pizza toppings on potato skins. Yay for the gluten-intolerant! [NAY for the gluten-intolerant, apparently. It turns out Grace's discontinued the potato skins.]
22. Brambleton Deli: B.D. Special.
23. Creamed succotash at Blues BBQ on the Roanoke City Market.
24. Gyros and pastitsio at Paul’s Restaurant in Roanoke.
25. Salem’s Sake House: Wildcat Roll (Trust us, it’s wild). [Sake House has moved to Blacksburg]
26. Cheesesteak at New York Pizza in Vinton.
27. Wildflour Cafe: Better Than Sex cake.
28. Fried chicken at The Homeplace in Catawba. Just like Mama made.
29. Zorba’s in the market building: Jamaican Joe’s or “Leave it to Zorba.” [Zorba moved to Lynchburg Turnpike in Salem and calls his place "Zorba's Small World Cafe"]
30. The famous Texas Tavern cheesy western.
31. Chicken and biscuit soup at Blue 5 in downtown Roanoke: a big, fuzzy blanket in a bowl.
32. Frank’s Pizza.
33. Tudor’s Biscuit World on Church Avenue: Duh, the biscuits!
34. Metro on Campbell Avenue: Spicy Shrimp Miso Soup and the $6 lunch – one of the best deals in town. [Is it still $6? Is anything $6 these days?]
35. Drunken noodles at Tong’s Thai’s Roanoke locations. [Now Thai Continental Cuisine in downtown Roanoke]
36. Mill Mountain Coffee: Snow Monkey Plum tea.
37. Homestead Creamery ice cream.
38. Falafel at The Isaacs Restaurant on Memorial Avenue. [Closed]
39. Paradiso’s in the market: roast pork platter. [Closed]
40. The all-you-can-eat salsa bar at Alejandro’s on Campbell Avenue.
41. Zeppoli’s in Blacksburg: The freshest pasta around.
42. Boudreaux’s cajun flavors in Blacksburg.
43. Sharkey’s of Blacksburg: extra crispy buffalo wings (with a cold beer, of course).
44. Gyros at Souvlaki’s in Blacksburg.
45. Homemade chicken and dumplings lunch special, every Tuesday at The Dogwood Restaurant in Vinton.
46. The Dragon Roll at Ben Gui in Roanoke County.
47. Pimento cheese spread at Tinnell’s in South Roanoke.
48. Double bacon cheeseburgers at Ernie’s on the market.
49. Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op and Harvest Moon in Floyd.
50. Fiji Island on Townside Road — cheesy leis and a better mood, guaranteed, after just one volcano!
Should we add…
* Our own local microbreweries?
* New farmers markets?
* Any of the new vendors at the Roanoke City Market Building?
* Blue Apron Restaurant and Red Rooster Bar in Salem? Any other newish restaurants?
* Cucci’s Pizzeria in Covington and/or Lil’ Cucci’s in Daleville?
* Soups at Crock ‘n’ Roll?
* Foggy Ridge Hard Cider?
* Any local wine shops or gourmet shops?
*Richee Freeze on Williamson Road?
* Bread Craft?
* What else?
June 27, 2012 - 5:19 AM
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wine flights at Rockfish Food & Wine
The Incan Bowl at Firefly Fare is amazing!
Microbreweries aren’t up to par yet with greatness. Maybe once Parkway gets going. Unless you count Backbone’s Vienna Lager. Growlers is standard brewpub beer and railhouse is off.
The Korean and Vietnamese restaurants that have opened.
Mr. Bill’s wine shop.
Gluten free pizzas available at Jimmy Sardines.
I would drop Burger In The Square – unfortunately it’s just not the same since they’ve left downtown.
How about:
-The chicken gravy at Thelma’s Chicken and Waffles. I’d wear it like cologne.
-The Singapore Mei Fun at China House in Blue Ridge.
-The dosas at Taaza.
-The Antigua pizza at Jimmy Sardine’s.
-The Eggplant Sorrentino at Mama Maria’s.
I’ve heard a lot of people rave about the Incan Bowl. Thanks for all of these suggestions so far, folks.
@ Moose and Uptheriver, those are interesting comments. I would like to hear whether other readers agree.
Yes to Blue Apron
Yes to the Korean (Tchampong noodle and seafood soup is incredible!) and Vietnamese restaurants
The crab puffs at First and Sixth are to DIE for
There is a new cheese shop that JUST opened in Lexington. It is sharing a space with a coffee shop there. Lexington Coffee Roasters and Cheese to You on 7N. Main Street. My husband brought some cheese home from there the other night. Fanstastic imported cheese and the owner knows everything cheese. Worth a drive there and back for sure!
I can confirm too that the Incan Bowl at Firefly Fare is amazing!
2nd – thanks Lindsey about listing 21 with a gluten intolerance. I didn’t know that and Gracie’s use to be a favorite of mine!
Oh, definitely BreadCraft. How about Oliveto? Corned beef at Annie Moore”s.
@Cameron, I am so sorry to report that Grace’s has discontinued the potato skins. Someone else pointed out that they aren’t on the menu so I called and confirmed. Boo!
Alejandros now has locations in North Roanoke and Radford. I always like to see my favorite restaurants expanding!
Cafe Asia and its counterpart in Daleville, CL Asia, are becoming fast favorites of mine. The quality of their food and the service is always top notch.
Maybe Chocolate Paper deserves to be on the list? Their beautiful truffles have become my fall-back gift idea.
With it being summer, I’ve got Deb’s Lemonade on the brain. That place has a huge following.
And I’d agree with adding Thelma’s. It’s always delicious!
I think Burger in the Square is great at their new location. I also agree with the Incan Bowl from Firefly Fare.
I’d recommend adding: Chicken & Waffles or Richie Rich’s Chili Mac from Thelma’s; Wasabi Special or the Bang Bang Shrimp from Wasabi’s; Ice Cream Sodas from Pop’s Ice Cream & Soda Bar; Smores from any of the Fork restaurants; Zookies or Squash Cake from Big Al’s Healthy Stuff Cakery/Cafe.
I was surprised to see Mama Maria’s in Salem wasn’t on the list. Personally, I think they are the best Italian restaurant in the area!
The smoked wings at Bull & Bones in Blacksburg. Extra crispy at Sharkey’s use to be my favorite until B&B came to town. Fall off the bone goodness. If only they could have kept their Amber seasonal around full time!
Pizza at Jerusalem! It’s awesome, I’ve had the “Greek” pizza twice and a pepperoni pizza…all homemade and all delicious! It’s fresh ingredients made to order, not a place to go if you’re in a big hurry. Any of the veggies at Veggies to Go in Salem! Your grandma cooked those pintos and collard greens! And wonderful spinach lasagna. Any sandwiches at Cafe X-Press in Salem..and they make good homemade soup as well. Yes to Wonju and Pho at Pho Saigon. No (I regret to say) to anything in the Market Square Bldg. The “pour over” coffee from Cafe 16 — it’s amazing! And the wraps there as well.
We’ve received a couple of ideas from readers on The Roanoke Times Facebook page. I’ll share them here:
Jill Elswick: ”Pink Lady” and mango sticky rice at Red Jasmine in Vinton.
Robin Bentley Huggett: The Full Moon Cafe on Brambleton is a hidden treasure. The pasteries are too die for and my son says the chocolate chip pancakes are awesome!
The Boston Cream doughnuts at Veggies to go is to die for! They freshly make the cream every morning!
I would also have to say the duck dish at Blue Apron is my favorite there and thanks to Scott, has kept it on the menu due to its popularity.
Oliveto is a specialty shop that I think should be on this list as well.
Sake House in Blacksburg has really awesome specialty rolls on their menu since relocating from Salem. They are all good, just depends on what you are in the mood for!
Bread Craft has the most delectable croissant loaf broad. I’ve started calling it crack bread.
Also, Hits in Southeast Roanoke on the corner of Walnut and Piedmont, just past the Walnut Street bridge. They do the best ice cream, and experiment with flavours. Strawberry jalapeno is pretty good!
I’ve not eaten at a lot of the Roanoke destinations, so I’ll stick to the NRV. Due South deserves mention for their barbecue, especially when good barbecue is rare in this region.
The gyros at Souvlaki in Bburg are the best I’ve ever eaten anywhere in the US.
The pies and cakes at the Blue Ridge Cafe in Floyd represent what pies and cakes are supposed to be in a Norman Rockwell fantasy.
Wade’s in Cburg makes perfect cole slaw for tailgating and picnicking. Their fried chicken is pretty good, but we make a side trip to Wade’s for cole slaw even when we buy the rest of the tailgate/picnic foods elsewhere, it’s that good. That’s obscure, but it’s that good.
I forgot two. Carol Lee doughnuts in Bburg, they’re better because they’re not a franchise, and they smell sooo good!
The Homeplace is where you take your grandmother so she can eat the food that she loves to cook, but that she didn’t have to cook. “Hey Grandma, we’re having Sunday dinner, but we’re eating it in a farmhouse out in the country. Just not your farmhouse! All you have to do this time is get in the car, we’ll let you sit up front!’
I haven’t tried all of these places but feel like I need to now! I can feel my arteries clogging up right now.
Crooked Road is right, some of the food at Wade’s Supermarket in C’Burg is really good! We LOVE the country sausage that they grind right there…esp. the hot, it’s delicious! Also, Amy in #4 above mentioned Mr. Bill’s Wine Shop…I’d give a big ole second to that! The place is awesome! I mostly go for beer but it’s the go to place when I need wine.
Oh…I also forgot about $1 sushi and half priced rolls on Monday nights at Sake House! It’s always crazy there on that night!
Fresh made crepes at the Floyd Farmers Market on Saturday are to die for! Oddfellow’s Tapas Bar the place to be for happy hour 4-6 Thursday thru Saturday with nice tapas menu, again in Floyd.
Dennis, you’re right, Wades does have good ‘homemade’ sausage, for the few of us who even know what that is!
People easily forget that they are a local family who have been grocers for decades. Not saying you have to buy EVERYthing from them, but the more you can support their efforts, especially in the niche categories, the better your local community benefits.
Buy local, shop local. remember your neighbors.
When you think Carlos Brazillian, you gotta think Avocado dressing! And, it’s better on the bread than butter!
Tinnells for wine. Good selection and great prices. Wine tastings on Friday afternoons with real glasses. Their wine buyer is very knowledgeable, helpful, and just a nice guy.