100 great food finds in Southwest Virginia
Four years ago, we ran a list of 50 culinary gems in Southwest Virginia. About one month ago, I asked for your input to develop an updated version. This time, I aimed for 100 and had no trouble hitting the mark.
The entire list was published on the front of today’s Extra section. If you missed seeing the lovely poster page designed by my colleague, Terri Macklin, click here.
Also, thanks to online intern Katrina Tulloch, a New Yorker who recently wrote a blog entry about her first three weeks in Roanoke, we have a lovely map that shows you where to find these 100 gastronomic treats (see below).
Feel free to debate my choices, folks. If you think I omitted a great food find, please tell me by leaving a comment on this blog entry. And thanks to everybody who chimed in last month!
View 100 Food Finds in Southwest Virginia in a larger map
July 25, 2012 - 5:00 AM
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How could you forget Lucky on Kirk in downtown? There’s their great innovative chef who constantly surprises with fabulous combinations and their moules(mussels) with a variety of sauces are non pariel!
Very interesting list. I understand that not everyone’s favorite place could make the top 100, or else it would be a top 1000. One of mine didn’t make the list, but perhaps I didn’t send in a vote for it, which is very likely. Regardless, great list, great suggestions, too. For those of us whose favorite wasn’t on the list, look at it this way, at least the line won’t be quite as long the next time we visit!
D’oh! I had Mike’s Grill in Blacksburg on the first draft of my list and I’m not really sure how it got dropped, but it shouldn’t have been. I’m calling myself out on that one!
Love Luckys!! My favorite place in Roanoke.
Sooo… which of your favorites did not make the list, CR?
Must include any of Alexander’s soups and their ragù and fresh fish dishes! And the Eggs Florentine, brioche French toast and artisan breads from Breadcraft.. Oh, and the citrus sald with perfect greens at the Quarter. Downtown Roanoke rocks!
Lindsey, there was Mountain View Italian Kitchen in Ironto. Thinking back, I might very well have not voted earlier this year. It’s no big deal. They have a great menu with no pretense of ‘upscale’ dining. It’s as good as Mama Maria’s, another of my favorites, but certainly not as well appointed.
Like the name implies, it is good Italian food at a reasonable price, with a scenic view. They have a solid business, especially with folks from Blacksburg, yet you normally don’t have too long to wait to be seated. Certainly nothing like a trip to an Olive Garden, yikes!
I think you did a great job, and all who contributed, to covering the restaurants. Like I said, to make everyone happy, you’d have to make a Top 1000, and then somebody’s favorite Hardee’s might not get mentioned, so….
Lindsey, your comment about Mike’s in Bburg makes a good point. It’s quite easy to overlook a spot, until you have a ‘jones’ for whatever their dish is that attracted you there in the first place.
I went through the list of all the NRV & Salem spots and thought – ‘Yep, she’s got all those I like on the list (except that one)…’
I love Mike’s, but didn’t even think about it not being listed. The blessing is that there are so many to choose from, it’s easy to misremember one.
Did we really miss Cabos Fish Tacos in Blacksburg?
What about wings from Allsports on Grandin?!?!?!?
Skeeter’s “World Famous Hotdogs” in Downtown Wytheville welcomes the opportunity to become a part of the line up!
Yes, we really did miss that, Scott.
I will add that to the list along with the others you all have mentioned here and run them all in an upcoming column.
Thanks! Keep the comments coming.
Horizon and Lucky are two of my favorites in Roanoke that weren’t mentioned. I have a review of Horizon on my blog at http://scarlettartlet.com/2011/07/07/i-like-to-eat-here-horizon-bar-and-grill/
What about the fried pickles and fried oreos at The Village Grill?
Baylee’s Best Chocolates, and the Viva La Cupcake
Teaberry’s in Vinton. Good food and reasonable prices.
You have Mill Mtn coffee in the wrong place downtown. Frankie Rowland’s Steakhouse is next to bread craft. Frankie’s has the most delicious wet aged steaks & scrumptious sides, salads, appetizers and desserts! Plus an incredible wine list and martini menu!
WOW! Good call, Scott A.! I can’t believe Cabo wasn’t mentioned! They are quite worthy of this list! Lindsey, great job, I know this was a lot of work! I’m glad you included “Veggies to Go,” that place is awesome! But, it’s in Salem. CR, I def agree w/ you about Mountain View Italian Kitchen! I actually think much of their food is better than Mama Maria’s. Also,I’d have to include pizza, esp. the Greek pizza, from Jerusalem Restaurant! Lindsey, again, great job!
Baylee’s Best Chocolates on 419. I’ll repeat that til the day I die!
Katie’s Ice Cream has always been a fun spot, as well. O’Brien’s Meats in Salem is awesome for their lunchtime sandwiches – simple, cheap, filling.
Lucky’s definitely should be an add and so glad to hear that Roanoke has a gluten free pizza pie place..way to go Jimmy Sardines!
Zorba? Can’t believe you left out Zorba at Bobbi Jo’s in Salem. Bone from the Mkt Bldg but not forgotten!
Gone, not bone, sorry…
Lindsey, Lindsey, Lindsey. If I did not know you were from Allegheny County I would swear that you were some newly arrived Yankee.
Those things they serve at the Roanoke Weiner Stand? They are hot dogs, not “chili dogs”. I was standing in line at the RWS one day and the Yankee person in front of me ordered “…a frank with relish and ketchup.” If there had been crickets in the RWS, they would have chirped.
Burger in the Square. I went there once to try it out and again recently because the Star City Coffee Shop was closed.The burger was skimpy and they must use an Xacto knife to portion out the barely noticeable burger fixins.
You need to try the unfortunately misnamed Star City Coffee Shop on Brambleton for breakfast, lunch or dinner though I think they are temporarily closed for dinner. The Pimento Cheeseburger is excellent as are the fries, the sauteed Brussels’s sprouts. Also Shrimp and Grits are the best I have ever had anywhere.I’m guessing that the entire menu is loaded with great food.
The B.D. Special at the BD was an excellent mention. Not only is it drip-down-to-your-elbow delicious it is a lot of food reasonably priced.
Thanks.
Who serves the best prime rib?
I’ve got to throw in Castle’s Kettle & Pub in Blacksburg. We’ve had several dishes, and the food has been very good. They have a stellar whiskey, bourbon, and scotch selection too, and a couple varieties of gluten free beverages, including Strongbow Cider on tap. And they’re working to get additional gluten free options on the menu, in addition to vegan and vegetarian options.
Lindsey
I was just wondering why you failed to mention one of the best BBQ restaurants in the area.
That would be Bastiens BBQ located on Apperson drive in Salem Va.
Open Monday thru Saturday 11:00am to 3:00pm with a lunch buffet that is open from 11:00 to 2:00pm.
There is none better!!!!
Just thought you would like to know.
Good “food” For thought
I agree with several posters about the omission of Lucky on Kirk Avenue. It is a wonderful new-er restaurant, with consistently fabulous food/drinks and wonderful staff.
“Bastiens”???!!! That’s not even the best Q in Salem and I have to assume that you have never eaten Q in N.C.
Great Q is cooked and sold from a trailer in front of the Auto Zone on West Main in Salem each Sunday.This guy cooks over hickory. Bastiens uses propane. Nuff said.
Here’s a few more. The Hot Dog Hut at the corner of 11th and Jamison in SE Rke. You get 2 hot dogs, chips, a drink, and a dessert for $2.99. What a deal and they have a bunch of homemade cakes.
Red Palace – good buffet and kung pao chicken
In Salem – orange-ades at Brooks-Byrd Pharmacy. Also Scott & Ellie’s Ice Cream shop
I’m stunned at the glaring omission of two of our most brilliant downtown Roanoke restaurants, Lucky, and Horizon. Either of these is a top choice for me. Lucky has a creative menu, an amazing cocktail list and the best oysters in town. Horizon has an excellent Sunday brunch and is THE place for omnivores to dine happily with vegetarians.