Wow!! I was not super stoked to eat at a place called Food Hut, but let me tell you... I was wrong!…read more This was maybe the best burger I've ever had. Every ingredient was perfection. Customer Service was top notch, the were quick and attentive even though they were slammed. I also really appreciate the cute little umbrellas.

Love food hut, the team, and the food. They nearly always have fun, delicious specials, and…read moreeverything is tasty and balanced. Being able to enjoy their food at so many local breweries is also awesome. Golden Cactus is great for families with pinball cabinets, games, and a huge seating area. If you're like me, though, and enjoy interesting wild fermented beer, Blindhouse is my favorite place to enjoy Food Hut and beer. Food Hut is great. Quality food, humans, and menu always.

Hidden in the least expected of places I discovered this little gem of local Café. A Café like no…read moreother that I have ever seen before; as unique and valuable as every single diamond. Owned and operated by Sue and Vivian, two lovely and very talented ladies with wonderful personalities, it is located inside of the Antiques & Collectibles Shop "Buy The Season," in Salem, Virginia. I arrived around lunch time in my pearl white Lexus and was able to quickly find a parking space in one of the spaces in front of the extremely large Antiques, Collectibles, Gift, Home Decor, and Furniture Shop. And if this wasn't enough, we can also include "Café." The Café is located in the right corner of the building with its own windows with homemade, red, checkered curtains, and vinyl banner that reads: "Apperson Café / Hot Dogs * Baked Goods." There is also another sign that reads: "Lunch Specials." As I entered through the main front door of the building, I received a friendly greeting from the people running the Antiques Shop. Then as I walked towards the Café the ambiance began to feel warm and cozy, just like those one-of-a-kind, local cafés. I was very impressed by all the homemade menu signs they had up and with one in particular that read: "Happiness is Homemade." The long, glass display case, was full of all kinds of homemade cookies and other desserts. They had sourdough bread loaves made by a group of Mennonites. And basically they had an American home-style cuisine menu, spearheaded by Special Hot Dogs, with other items such as BBQ Pork, Chili, Grilled Cheese, Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad, and homemade soup, among other things. Something very popular are their homemade donuts made from a special recipe given to them by a Mennonite friend. They make these Fridays and Saturdays only, and they are so popular that they always sell out early. I ordered a Chili Hot Dog combo with a glass of homemade lemonade, and chips. The Hot Dog came with toasted buns and were very wide and firm. One of the best Hot Dogs that I have ever tasted. The Hot Dog provider happened to be there at the moment, but they didn't want to reveal the brand name of the Hot Dog, I guess to maintain the exclusivity at their Café. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the quality of their food. Their homemade lemonade was also amazingly delicious and refreshing. They had a station with condiments that you could put on your hot dogs, as well as with macaroni and potato salad. Everything was so good: the cozy ambiance, the hospitable and friendly owners, and the freshly made food, that together made for a delightful dining experience and the desire to want to come back.

Had their special for lunch today. Boars head baked sub, loaded with turkey, pastrami, ham cheese…read morebasil pesto herbs tomato and onion. It alone was a full meal but came with choice of different salads from salad bar. also a drink. Staff are wonderful especially Sophie. Jessica and Autumn make the dinning experience perfect. will return very soon.

Just the other day as I was driving down Brambleton Ave, Southwest Roanoke, on my way to Brambleton…read moreImports to have my Lexus washed, after having experienced a snow and ice storm, I happened to pass by this lively color food truck with the name of The Rad Shack Shaved Ice. Then and there, I decided to stop and visit it on my way back. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I also was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And The Rad Shack Shaved Ice in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. Established in 2023, by Sean W, who also teaches Church History at a Christian school, this veteran-owned food truck specializes in rad hot dogs and shaved ice. Sean and his wife started the business because they value the simpler times in life. Their vision was that "people would make memories by sitting back and relaxing without the cares of the world." And I had an opportunity to experience this first hand, when I stopped by and visited the place. Sean's welcoming and hospitable personality immediately made me feel at home there. He explained the menu, and I would have liked to order one of their Rad Chili Dogs, if it were not that I just had lunch not so long ago, and a Shaved Ice served as a dessert. I ended up having a medium Mango Shaved Ice with vanilla ice-cream, melted marshmallows, and sprinkles. By having it this way, they call it: "Making It A Rad Stack." I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the quality food and shaved ice. As I was enjoying my shaved ice, a friend of the owner ordered a Rad Chili Hot Dog and it looked so good. Next time I'll have one. While there, I also had the opportunity of meeting Sean's wife and learning about their favorite hobby of running, and his enjoyment of teaching Church History. I've eaten at many food trucks before, but I consider this one special, because it's one where you not only enjoy some quality shave ice or rag hot dogs, but hang out and enjoy some quality time with the owner, family, or close friends.

Wonderful Business. Best Shaved Ice, and so many flavors. Owner is nice and friendly, outgoing…read more We like the coffee shaved Ice with ice cream in the center. My partner will try the hotdogs soon. I highly recommend you try them. Every flavor shaved ice under the sun. With whipped cream, and or ice cream added if you choose. Made my day when I was trapped at a tire place for almost three hours. Go try them! Business is located in Fishburn park, so plenty of parking. Picnic bench outside.

We drifted off the beaten path to check out this place out traveling between Atlanta and Lexington,…read moreVA. It's a fair bit away from the Interstate, but I can tell you that it's worth the trek. When we got here for lunch, there was a line out the door and the smokers out back hard at work told us this was the place to be. We got served pretty quickly and found a table. The place is neat and clean with a decent amount of seating both inside and out. The missus had a brisket sandwich and I got the pulled pork with slaw, pinto beans and mac&cheese for the sides. The servings are HUGE and that smoke ring isn't just for looks. The meat was done perfectly with the smoky flavor and not dried out. I also tried one of their homemade sausages. Absolutely fantastic! Snappy casing with a filling that included creamy cheese hunks and a level of spicy that was just right. We pride ourselves in having high standards when it comes to BBQ, and this joint didn't disappoint! We've been to numerous BBQ joints including the famous award-winning Big Bob Gibsons in Northern Alabama and this place comes in well over that. We visited with the owner (Kelly) and had a great experience. The staff we interfaced with were both friendly and engaging. I would give this place 6 stars if I could. Highly recommended!

Yes--the main upgrade is adding the restaurant's no-frills character from your photo, sharpening…read morethe texture description, and giving the collards a more memorable moment. Here's the elite version: One look at Mama Jean's handwritten chalkboard menu told me this was a place that lets the food do the talking--and the fried ribs backed it up. The fried-rib special was the undeniable star. Topped with Buffalo sauce, hot honey, Gorgonzola cream sauce, Gorgonzola crumbles and green onion, these ribs were an absolute revelation. They were fried hard--the right way--giving the outside a satisfying bite while the meat remained tender inside. Sweet, spicy, tangy, creamy and savory, it was a bold combination that somehow worked beautifully from every angle. The pulled-pork sandwich refused to be overshadowed. The pork was moist, tender, well-seasoned and piled ridiculously high on a soft bun. This was a serious portion of properly cooked pork--not a sandwich relying on sauce to carry it. Then came the collard greens, which unexpectedly became the star of the sides. I expected them to play backup, but they had enough presence to stand beside the barbecue. The mac and cheese was good, but those collards were the side I kept returning to. Mama Jean's is not a barbecue spot you want to miss if you're anywhere near Roanoke. The setting is casual, the portions are generous and the flavors are unapologetically big. If the fried ribs are written on that chalkboard, don't overthink it--order them before they're gone. Top-notch barbecue

Every time I'm here I make sure to stop in. The owner is wonderful. Coffee is always perfect, with…read morehousemaid syrup and locally roasted beans it's easily the best coffee area

Best coffee we've had in Roanoke. Definitely stop at this truck when he is open. Top notchread more

Food was delicious. Enough for 6+ people. I ordered the HAVE IT ALL. I ordered take out. When I…read moreopened the bag, everything was placed , just as the server described. Will recommend and eat here again.

Reasantly Due South Pit-Cooked BBQ was added to the "Most Loved" status on DoorDash, so today I…read moredecided to stay in and have someone bring me something tasty from a restaurant that since my first visit I have considered the best BBQ spot in Southwest Virginia. I invite you to read my first review of this restaurant and view my photographs accompanying it, which was one of my reviews that influenced in my selection as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025. As a DoorDash VIP customer, I pulled up Due South BBQ in their app and as I did so I still could remember the amazing taste of their BBQ food from when I visited them for the very first time on January 28, 2025 with a good friend of mine and gave them a 5 Star review. I decided to order the Big Slop which included a Jumbo Pulled Pork Sandwich with three sides and three hushpuppies. As my three sides I chose Mac & Cheese, Coleslaw, and Fried Okra. And for the two sauces I picked the Sweet Red and the Alabama White. I submitted my order with my DoorDasher tip included and waited for the delivery. Not long after the order arrived at the estimated time with a friendly DoorDasher who delivered it intact and still hot. It came inside one of those ordinary plastic bags with the words Thank you on it, with the receipt attached. I opened the bag in my kitchen and the food came in two see-through plastic containers. One with all the food and a small separate one with the bun on the side as I had asked for. Everything looked so fresh and delicious. Including the three cylindrical shaped hushpuppies. I got one of my plastic forks and placed some of the pulled pork on the bun with the sweet red sauce and still had some pork left to eat with the other items which were served in generous portions. Everything was amazingly delicious. Rare are the restaurants that can deliver their food and it arrive in a similar state as in the restaurant. Although I still prefer eating at the restaurant for its warm and cozy ambiance. Once again I highly recommend this BBQ restaurant and I'm sure that if you try it out the food will win you over and their amazing service will make you want to return back for more.

Sometimes in the least expected of places one can find the tastiest of foods and the friendliest of…read morepeople. This is the case with Cafe Express, in Salem, Virginia. Located in a standalone building next to a 7-Eleven/Gas Station at 206 Apperson Drive, Cafe Express is a small, family-owned and operated New York Style Deli, run by a husband-and-wife team who immigrated from Nepal years ago and for 18 years have worked hard to make this small, unasuming deli, one of Salem's most precious culinary hidden gems. At first I didn't think nothing of it. Its storefront and location are not that impressive, but after driving by it many times, one day I just had to stop and try it out. From the very beginning, after parking in a space right in front of the deli, I was very impressed by its cleanliness. Its front windows and glass door were so clean and shiny that they were like mirrors reflecting their surroundings which in part was the gas station. But don't be fooled by this. In the past I've discovered exceptional eateries located at gas stations small strip malls. Once inside, I was fascinated by what I saw. There were three beautiful wooden relief carvings on the walls, framed magazine articles of the deli and its owners, framed Award Certificates including one from Yelp, a Buddha artwork on a plate, and a beautiful oil painting, painted by none other than by the owner himself. Both Prakash Malakar and his wife Sarojani gave me a warm welcome and made me feel at home. Eager to learn about their place of origin and culture I ask them about this.The owner explained how they came from Nepal, which is located in between China and India. Afterwards, his wife showed me the menu and the Specials written in colorful chalks over a chalkboard. I was attracted to their "Pastrami Royale and after she explained what items it had, I went ahead and ordered it along with some fries and a fountain softdrink. Not exaggerating, it was one of the most delicious sandwiches that I've ever had. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and its amazing high-quality food. For dessert I had a small bowl of their homemade rice pudding. After I finished eating I paid with one of my credit cards via my Google Pay which they accepted and left them a nice tip. In conclusion, I highly recommend this place for its warm and comfortable ambiance, great menu, exquisite food, and remarkable customer service by a kind and friendly couple.

Enjoy local raw unfiltered honey from Salem Va honeybees. Bring a jar home and enjoy some of the…read morehoney mustard sauce on a delicious sandwich or with yummy chicken tenders.

I eat a lot of BBQ on the road, and often when walking in it seems it will be a leap of faith…read moreregarding the cleanliness of many BBQ restaurants. TLP was clean, bright and modern. Our server, Ginger, was helpful and kind answering any of my questions. Food came out hot, fast and was absolutely delicious. All was excellent, but the wings were certainly the star of the show - thank goodness I had the good sense to get a small order and share them with my buddy!

Came back again on our way through town and hubs was seated in the Bush chair. I can neither…read moreconfirm or deny if farting happened, but this time review coming more quickly so I can include some details. I love that they have a 1/3 rack rib option, as a small eater. I ate half of it and half of the delicious potato salad. It also came with hush puppies, which were just ok - a little doughy for me. My husband got vinegar based pulled pork and baked beans and he thought they worked well together. I prefer the KC bbq sauce to the other options, the tomato bbq sauce tasted more like a sweet weak salsa to me and I personally don't care for vinegar. I think I'd probably order the same thing again next time, though I was a little curious about the burgers (which come either as double 2oz smash burgers or a 5 oz regular burger for a small upcharge.) They also have lots of desserts that sound good but we didn't try any this trip. They have Cheerwine!