2009.09.23
Favorite dish on any menu
Macado's wrap tastes better than it looks in this pic.
My best friend growing up, Samantha, used to order the exact same thing at almost any restaurant we visited together: a club sandwich. Of course, some restaurants didn't have a club sandwich on the menu, but you could bet money that if they did, Sam was going to order it. My editor and friend Kathy is the same way about french fries and Caesar salads. I'm pretty sure she has tried the Caesar salad and french fries at every restaurant in and around Roanoke. Those are just her go-to orders.
Over time, I have come to realize that everyone has a go-to order. My husband's is an Italian sub. It starts as a personal preference and often morphs into a quest to find the VERY BEST club sandwich, Caesar salad or Italian sub in town. I'm pretty sure that Kathy could tell me, were she not in Oregon right now, where she goes to get her favorite Caesar salad. I believe hub's favorite Italian is actually a version of the Italian at Brambleton Deli called the B.D. Special.
My go-to menu item has become the buffalo chicken wrap. I don't know what it is about the darn wrap, but I cannot stop myself from ordering one if I see it on the menu. And over the past few years, I've eaten them at Macado's, Corned Beef & Company, Tavern on the Market, Cornerstone and Red Clay, in addition to a few places I can't bring to mind right now. Heck, if they have anything that even remotely resembles a buffalo chicken wrap on the menu, I'll order it with enough customizations that it becomes what I want.
The best buffalo chicken wrap in Roanoke? In my opinion, it is the Crazy Chris Wrap at Macado's. The tenders are breaded, the buffalo sauce is as good as Frank's Red Hot (and may well be Frank's), there's plenty of chicken versus lettuce and tomato, the cheese is perfectly melted and they use ranch dressing, which I prefer to blue cheese (if I'm eating wings, however, I prefer blue cheese).
So what is your go-to menu item? And where have you found the very best version of it?
Agreed on the B.D. Special being the best Italian in town!
Comment by Uptheriver — September 23, 2009 @ 1:49 pm
I eat that Crazy Chris wrap at the downtown macado's at least once a week. It really is the best thing they sell. I can't say i have a 'go-to' menu item though. I like to try different things wherever I go. I will say this though, if i had a choice in genres when going to a restaurant and nothing looks absolutely appealing, i fall somewhere in the fish or pasta category, and least often in the steak category. For some reason, steaks that I don't prepare myself always have seemed subpar, except for one place... The Library III in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, where you get to go to the kitchen and pick out your cut and you pay by the ounce!
Comment by scott — September 23, 2009 @ 2:46 pm
Taco Salad! The best one I've found is at Alejandro's (with shredded chicken).
Comment by Michelle — September 23, 2009 @ 3:11 pm
My Quest: To find the best Philly Steak and Cheese.
So far, Troy's in Radford/Fairlawn leads the pack, but I'm sure there are some great options in Roanoke.
Zero's Subs at Valley View is pretty darn good.
In regards to the Buffalo Wrap, The Village Grill in Grandin has a good one.
Comment by Fishfood — September 23, 2009 @ 3:30 pm
You're right about the taco salad at Alejandro's, Michelle. I don't like a dry taco salad.
Fishfood, I'm adding Village Grill to my buffalo chicken wrap list...
Comment by Lindsey — September 23, 2009 @ 3:53 pm
I'll have to try the Crazy Chris wrap, I love Buffalo chicken wraps too. I've had them at Cornerstone and Tavern on the Market. They were both good, but I think Cornerstones was the best.
Comment by Debbie — September 23, 2009 @ 4:16 pm
Chopped steak w/mushroom gravy or beef tips w/gravy. The best one of those is at Outback.
Comment by Tami — September 23, 2009 @ 4:32 pm
Fishfood, you have got to try the Philly Cheesesteak at Sal's in Radford. I don't know if Sal's Jr. (near Troy's) has the very same, but it probably does. I don't personally know anyone in Radford that doesn't consider Sal's sandwich (with awesome homemade bread and a ton of real steak) to be the best around here.
Comment by Connie — September 24, 2009 @ 7:34 am
The buffalo wrap at the Village Grill is the best in town by far, better than the Krazy Kris wrap.
Comment by Mike — September 24, 2009 @ 9:26 am
I've been on the search for a grilled vegie sub to replace the one which was my go-to @ Allsports, but they've since taken it off of the menu (so sad). They do have a variety of wraps, and Lindsey, I believe a couple of them may fall into your current go-to category -- the buffalo and southwest chicken. Gotta say I also LOVE the BD Special & a good taco salad, but can anyone make a suggestion for a grilled vegie sub?
Comment by Pam — September 24, 2009 @ 9:27 am
Does anyone have a favorite location for Moussaka in the area? I would travel 100 miles...
Comment by Carol — September 24, 2009 @ 9:39 am
Several things for me: Italian Sub, (The New Yorker) Cheeseburger, (Mac and Bob's) or Philly Cheese Steak, (Mac and Bob's) If I don't know the place at all I'll usually end up w/ one of these.
Lindsey, Awful Arthur's has a good buffalo chicken wrap on their lunch menu!
Comment by Dennis — September 24, 2009 @ 9:44 am
i think the best philly cheese is at New York Pizzaria in Vinton
Comment by rsuggs132 — September 24, 2009 @ 9:45 am
If it is on the menu, my husband will order chicken fried steak every single time!
Comment by Melissa — September 24, 2009 @ 10:12 am
Fishfood, my readers have offered you some great suggestions for cheese steaks. May I also suggest Lil' Cucci's in Daleville or Cucci's in Covington? Not exactly a Philly cheese steak, but my Lord those are some killer cheese steaks. I think theirs are better than New York Pizza's.
Pam, you are a woman after my own heart. I love grilled veggie subs. Used to work at a Comfort Inn restaurant in college that had the best one EVER. I haven't found a good one around here, but Judge's Chambers in downtown Roanoke has a good panini with squash and zucchini and such on it. I'll keep my eyes peeled for you.
Thanks for all the buffalo wrap suggestions, folks.
Carol, the only moussaka I've seen was at the Greek Festival, which was this past weekend. I don't think they have it at The Isaacs. Maybe if you asked them, they would consider making it as a daily special sometime?
Comment by Lindsey Nair — September 24, 2009 @ 11:09 am
Carol & Lindsey: I believe The Isaacs just added a Moussaka to their menu. They're recently expanded their menu with a bunch more entree items and they all sound really good!
Comment by Fishfood — September 24, 2009 @ 11:22 am
Right ON!! Thanks, Fish.
Comment by Lindsey Nair — September 24, 2009 @ 11:42 am
Pam, Norah's Cafe in the Taubman Museum has a good roasted red pepper panini.
Comment by Debbie — September 24, 2009 @ 12:28 pm
I also believe the Veranda Bistro has Moussaka...if it's not an every day item, they definitely have it as a special on occasion.
Comment by Amanda — September 24, 2009 @ 12:33 pm
Carol & Lindsey: Fish is right, the Isaac's does have Moussaka on the menu - both regular and vegetarian. My husband and I had dinner there in August and I had the vegetarian Moussaka and it was wonderful!
I'll second rsuggs132 - NYP has a great cheese steak. My favorite is the cheese steak special which includes grilled mushrooms! MMMMM...
I hate to hear that All Sports no longer has the grilled veggie sub! I worked at an office in Salem last fall and that was my favorite lunch!
Comment by Lori — September 24, 2009 @ 1:24 pm
Zepolli's in Blacksburg the best veggie panini ever!
Everything there is wonderful....
Comment by Rocc — September 25, 2009 @ 4:42 pm
How many times, how many times Lindsey, have I said you should try the buff wrap at Village Grill? Oh, but now that Fishfood suggested it... ; ) Best in town...and great sides too.
I'm always looking for a good philly and they are VERY hard to find around here. Poor bread is usually the downfall of most. Cucci's is in a class of its own.
Comment by Charles — September 26, 2009 @ 2:19 pm
If you want a good grilled vegie sub or the best steak & cheese in town you need to try The Golden Moon. Out of this world food, all of it. Also the best Italian food Roanoke has to offer. Quite possibly the best prices & service also!!!!!!
Comment by amanda — September 28, 2009 @ 3:49 pm
Over the last 6 months or so, I've become a huge Reuben fan! I've had McAlister's and Macados. Like them both, but probably like Macado's more. I like that the bread is just a little bit more toasty (does that make sense?), and the meat tastes like corned beef I cooked at home for several hours.
Ever since I had one during St. Patty's Day specials, I've become addicted!
Any suggested for other good Corned Beef sandwiches/Reubens?
Comment by NT — September 28, 2009 @ 4:32 pm
Amanda, where is "The Golden Moon?" I've not even heard of it!
NT, "The New Yorker" on Williamson Rd. has awesome corned beef and/or pastrami! They make an excellent Reuben sandwich, AND an equally good Sailor sandwich! Mac & Bob's in Salem has a good Reuben and Turkey Reuben.
Macado's, at least the one in Salem, cooks their own corned beef, that's why that Reuben sandwich there is so good.
Comment by Dennis — September 30, 2009 @ 11:15 am
Golden Moon is where Capt Pauls used to be I think near Towers.
Comment by Kristen — September 30, 2009 @ 1:09 pm
Yes, Kristen is right.
Comment by Lindsey Nair — September 30, 2009 @ 2:08 pm
Well Dennis it's time to try something new! The Golden Moon is located next to Heavenly Ham on Colonial Ave. Excellent Italian food,and a little bit of everything else also. For example the seafood dishes are out of this world, maybe you will rethink spending $75.00 elsewhere?????
Comment by amanda — October 1, 2009 @ 4:26 pm
Macado's cooks its own corned beef at all locations -- not just in Salem.
Comment by Matt — October 7, 2009 @ 12:58 pm
Carol: Try Veranda Bistro in Hollins for Greek and Mediterranean food. Also, they have what I consider to be the absolute best pizza in the Roanoke valley, bar none. Call ahead to see if they have moussaka, I don't think it's a regular menu item but I think they do it occasionally.
Comment by Jason — October 21, 2009 @ 7:57 pm