Pancakes are considered "As American as Apple Pie." Particularly the fluffy buttermilk variety, are…read moredeeply embedded in the American breakfast tradition. And diners have become synonymous with "a place for everyone," connected to the nostalgic idea of America. Put the two together and you have The Pancake House in Salem, Virginia. 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 Pancake House" in Salem, Virginia, is a perfect example. This restaurant that opened its doors in the mid 1950's, not only has survived through the years, but has kept the ionic American breakfast tradition alive and well, as I discovered today when after having driven by it many times in my pearl white Lexus, I decided to stop by for an early breakfast, and give it a try. Located on Apperson Drive next to the Lee-Hi Lanes Bowling Center, in Salem, Virginia, The Pancake House is a long-standing diner, known for its, friendly, old-fashioned atmosphere, and classic American comfort food, serving breakfast and lunch daily. What impressed me the most when I entered the restaurant was its cleanliness and old charm yet with comfortable new furniture and decor in the traditional diner style. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the quality of their food. As I entered and sat at one of the booths, I was greeted by one of their friendly servers, given a menu, and asked what I wanted to drink. I ordered a cup of coffee, which tasted very good. And for food I ordered the Pork Loin breakfast with two fried eggs over-medium, and buttered white toast. As well as two pancakes. My server did an excellent job explaining the terminology of how eggs were cooked there. The ambiance was so relaxed and friendly that I felt welcomed and totally at home. I sat in the main dining room just in front of where the kitchen was located behind a large window where the food was delivered to the servers to take to the customers. The quality of the food was superb, cooked just right. The eggs were fresh and tasty, the pork loins were generous size and cooked to perfection. And even the toast were crispy on the outside and soft in the inside. The pancakes were huge size and nice and fluffy. My server made the appropriate rounds to check on me and provide coffee refills. She also provided me with a glass of iced water without me having to ask for it. Their clientele were people of all ages and all walks of life. Since they open at six in the early morning on weekdays, the time is very convenient for customers to have breakfast early and go on their day. I highly recommend this place for an extraordinary breakfast dining experience and plan to return real soon to try out some other items on their menu.

Aesthetic: Traditional, relaxed diner with an array of breakfast items and combos…read more My Favorites: The corned beef hash, well done! Experience: This spot was poppin. I could tell it's a local favorite when we walked in on a Thursday morning, and it was packed. We ordered eggs, corned beef hash, and a side of pancakes. I was surprised the corned beef hash outshined the pancakes, it was so delicious. Order it extra crispy!

Food was good. Server was very good and polite, helpful. Nice place for family and friends. Will be…read moreback when in the area again.

Visiting Salem, told by the hotel to give Angelles a try. Was feeling like pasta so I ordered the…read morechicken Parmesan, came with a side salad. Salad had very fresh vegetables. The chicken parm came out fast and hot. I would guess there was nothing homemade about the dish and the spaghetti sauce was a little in the watery side, the bread with the dinner helped clean up the sauce. The server was very pleasant and attentive, she was kind enough to invite me back for brunch while I was in town for the weekend. The venue itself was quiet with a subtle sound of country music as background noise. I felt things were clean but I did not stray far from my booth. I think the salad and courteous server would bring me back for another try.

There are times that you discover restaurants that you wish you had known since they first opened…read more You really feel at home in its clean and laid back environment. They treat you like if you're part of their family. And their food is like the one Gradma used make when you were growing up. What better compliment can you give a restaurant! After being awarded the Triad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants 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 Uncle D's Take Out, in Roanoke, Virginia, is the perfect example. And it's not just for Take Out anymore. Word of mouth is still the most effective way of making your business known. And in this day and age of modern technology a review in the form of words and photographs is as effective or even better. As I was searching on my cellphone for a place to eat, Uncle D's caught my attention. Mostly positive reviews and very captivating photographs of their food. Yet the words Take Out and very few photos of the interior of this restaurant somewhat detracted from the desire to go visit it. Yet in the past I've found that oftentimes restaurants with high take-out orders are also the ones who have a high level of in-house customer followers. So I decided to go dine in and what I uncovered by experience was amazing news: Uncle D's is not just for Take Out anymore. Dining in is a wonderful experience in and of itself, alone or with family and friends. Located in a contemporary looking strip mall across from the Oak Grove Plaza Shopping Center, where popular restaurants like Wildwood Smokehouse and Highlander Pizza are located, you can find Uncle D's next to The UPS Store. Parking was very conveniently located and as I walked to the restaurant their sign high above spoke quality in its design and in the food of which it represented. Inside I found a nice size, clean and colorful little restaurant with Golf items decorating its walls, reflecting the importance that golf played in the owner's life and the love that he has for this sport he has now placed in this restaurant. I was greated by a friendly gentleman with a warm welcome that immediately made me feel at home. He talked to me about the restaurant and it's most popular items in the menu of which I had on the table where I was seated. A really nice and friendly lady, who was the cook, looked at me from out of the kitchen with one of those looks that only grandmas know to give in anticipation of watching you eat her food that she had prepared with much love. I ordered their Grandma's Pot Roast with a side house salad with Ranch dressing, mashed potatoes with gravy, and added a side of Fiesta Corn. To drink a picked a can of Coke which I drank with one of those straws that bend for the convenience. The food was served in a reasonable time. The salad was made with fresh ingredients, was a nice size, and tasted wonderful with the Ranch salad dressing. The Pot Roast was amazingly delicious, soft, moist, and very full of flavor. The amount was more than enough to fill me up. I could go on and on but a picture is worth a thousand words. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of it all. For dessert I has a slice of their Coconut Cream Pie which was also very good. If you're ever in the mood for good hometown Southern Comfort food, I highly recommend that you visit this restaurant with family and friends. For the full dining experience is definitely worth while. And experience that I will never forget.

My dad n l went there today and got spaghetti and meatballs and it was big enough for 6 meals cus…read morehe got two of it and l got one for the price it a great price for it .

Charming balance of authentic Mexican food and a classic American diner! The fajita omelette was…read moregenuinely one of the best omelettes I've ever had. Fresh ingredients and incredible chorizo, plus great presentation. Our server was so kind, and service was speedy.

If you haven't stopped in yet, you're missing out, just like I was! Great location for locals or…read moretravelers right off I-81. Stopped in on a Monday morning for the first time. Immediately greeted by smiling staff and a very large menu, including breakfast specials! I had lighter fare while my guest enjoyed the stuffed strawberry French toast. Food arrived quickly, coffee and waters never went empty. Looking forward to coming back for lunch and dinner.

I have eaten at some of the best restaurants in the world, but in none have I had such a wonderful…read moredining experience like I always do at Bernard's Gastropub & Eatery. 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 bring them to the attention of the public, but also to return to those special ones, that have made a difference in my life and highlight them, for the benefit of the public, so they too can have an opportunity to appreciate the qualities of a one-of-a-kind fine dining experience. And Bernard's Gastropub & Eatery in Downtown Roanoke, is a perfect example. Bernard's was born out of the love of two culinary aficionados turned professionals that in someway have managed to create a restaurant with an environment that transmits this intimate love to the hearts of their customers through the attention to detail in its extraordinary customer service and amazing culinary masterpieces. Today, I felt like dining at this restaurant, which I admire for its consistency in always far exceeding my high expectations of what a fine-dining restaurant should be all about. Not knowing if they would have a table for me at this late time on a Saturday early evening, I drove in my pearl white Lexus to the nearest private parking lot and gave them a call to inquire as if they could give me a reservation for the next ten minutes. A gentleman, who later I found out was named Matthew, and would be my server, answered the phone with a very polite and welcoming voice; answering my question of what was the special dish of the day and to come on down, that my reservation was assured. As soon as I arrived to the small, very elegant foyer in front of the Host's station, he came out to greet me and instantly recognized who I was. My only request was that he give me a low table because at my age seating at a high table was a bit uncomfortable. He went back to see what he could find and ended setting me up with what I consider one of the best tables of the house, and I was so appreciative of his last minute accommodation. The menu was already setup on my table. He poured water from a special bottle into my water glass and asked if I wanted something else to drink. I asked for a Mocktail and since he also was a bartender, he prepared me one of the best mocktails I've ever had. To dine, I started out with their Mussels Carbonara appetizer, which came in a bacon parmesan cream sauce that was simply amazing, and served with toast points. As my main entrée I had the Dinner Special of the Night, the Seafood Trio. It had a delicious, giant size crab cake in the middle, scallops, and shrimps, with parmesan risotto sautéed heirloom tomato, spinach, and nice size asparagus, with a burre blanc sauce. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the high-quality of their food and magnificent ambiance of the place. Everything was so delicious that only one word could ever describe them: priceless! For dessert I had their very famous Butterscotch Banana Pudding, which the chef makes at the moment ordered. It looked spectacular and tasted amazingly delicious: a culinary work of art. What a great way for the Gran Finale of an extraordinary dining experience!

Salty Salty They have potential to be good…read more But they use the same seasoning on fries - and French Onion Soup. Sub par food expensive. Not worth it.

Great food! Service is always good. Would definitely recommend. Now I'm just putting words to get…read moreto the 85 characters.

Dropping our son to college. Somehow saw Yelps Top 100 sandwich places in the USA. Just a short…read moredrive from Virginia Tech in Salem. Located in beside a gas station. Going in we asked the locals what to get- everything. That didn't help with great selection of sandwiches and wraps. The place has some hand carvings on the wall- Nepalese. The owner is very pleasant and helpful. We chatted a bit after we got our sandwiches to go. We got three sandwiches- the Brooklyn, the Manhattan, and Chicken tandoori. All sandwiches were amazing. But the chicken tandoori stood out the most- amazing flavors!!! Highly recommend it. We also got some fries. They also sell cookies and some Punjabi snacks. Definitely will hit this place again when we come visit.

Y'all...this is the sweetest place with the kindest and most attentive staff. My belly is full with…read moregood food and my coffee is hot and delicious. If you don't eat here (and often), what are you even doing? The music is fun and from my generation too (Gen X). I'm at least 30 years older than most of the staff here and I couldn't have been taken care of better. I'm not gonna name names because multiple people came to my table to check on me so all this is a collaborative effort and a lesson in good customer service. BRAVO!!!

Such a great breakfast spot! We met up with family here before heading out on our road trip to NC…read more The service was friendly and spot-on quick, attentive, and everything came out just right. A big thank you to the staff for giving us the space and time to catch up with loved ones I hadn't seen in over two years. It meant a lot to start our day with good food and even better company!

We stopped here tonight after traveling from Florida -arrived tired and hungry! The young lady who…read morechecked us in was great. Our waitress was Mackenzie- she was very busy with waiting on large tables yet she was calm and very friendly. Excellent service. Very empathic knowing we had been traveling for 12 hours. Watching other servers and they were all very friendly and calm! I had the fish tacos and my husband had a burger- both very good. Prices are reasonable and service is excellent. We have eaten here in the past when traveling back to Connecticut. Would recommend!

Place is cute inside, it's spacey and there's a dining area + a bar area. It is incredibly loud if…read moreyou go past 7pm so be mindful of that (lots of college kids including myself + friend groups watching the games). It also gets busy quick! If there's one thing this place can't mess up it's some chicken tenders. They are a staple here. I think they are ridiculously priced, but they are also ridiculously good. The honey mustard is a must with them. I have not been really impressed by the other menu items I've tried, I've gotten a calzone in the past and the fish and chips and they were both average. Service is always 50/50, either someone who is super attentive or someone who will ignore you and never refill your glass for the majority of the time you're there. Overall this place is kind of average, it's $$ for what it is but it's fun with friends. 100% recommend those tenders though.

After being ranked 4th among Yelp's Top 50 Most Prolific Elites of 2025, a distinction recognizing…read moremy consistent community engagement and high-quality contributions, 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 go back and write follow-up reviews on those restaurants that impressed me the most during 2025, and The River and Rail Restaurant located in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example of one of them. Going back to this restaurant after the great honor that I had received from Yelp, made me recall the first time that I dined here. I invite you that after reading this review, you go back and read that one, and view my photographs accompanying it, because it's one of which I am most proud of, and an experience that I will never forget and forever cherish. I arrived at the restaurant on time at five o'clock sharp and as I waited for them to open I had an opportunity to meet and chat with a couple who had been loyal customers of this restaurant for years since it first opened. They, as well as I, were aware of the beautiful location of the restaurant on one of the most exclusive neighborhoods of Roanoke. As soon as the doors opened, I allowed them to enter first and then when the host came back she gave me a warm and friendly greeting, welcoming me back, and took me to an ideal table, where I had a perfect view of the entire restaurant, from their open kitchen, to their bar, to the entire dining room and entrance, allowing me to capture in photographs the real feel of the ambiance of this cozy, yet elegant, upscale Southern, New-American restaurant known for its scratch-made dishes using locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients, including house-cured meats and pickled vegetables, as well as very creative cocktails. Shortly after I was seated, my delightful server Caroline arrived, and after a warm greeting took my order. To drink I order their Strawberry Fields Forever Mocktail. As appetizer I ordered a half dozen Oysters together with their famous Oyster Wraps. And as my main entrée, the Painted Hills Filet, cooked medium-rare. All the staff seemed so happy to see me and the manager came by to say hello and congratulate me for my outstanding Yelp accomplishment of 2025. My excellent server made sure that my order was well-paced, came by at the appropriate times to fill my glass with water and see if all was to my liking. Everything tasted amazingly delicious. Starting from the unique taste of my creative mocktail, to my flavorful appetizer, to my exquisite Filet main entrée that was so tender and cooked just right. The chefs in this fine dining restaurant are amazing and the quality of their meats is top notch. For dessert I had one of my favorite desserts, since I first had it there, their Dark Chocolate Panna Cotta. This dessert is absolutely mouthwatering. What an extraordinary dining experience I once again had there. Fine dining at its best. For those very special occasions, I highly recommend this restaurant. Or you can always make any day special, by dining there.

The River and Rail is a small establishment so I'd recommend making a reservation no matter the…read moresize of the party or the day. The food comes out fairly quick, the menu is concentrated while still offering a large variety of options. The cocktails are good, though neither of us ordered from the cocktail menu, they have a full bar so you can order whatever you please. Service could be a little more vocal/communicative but it seems staff is perhaps limited? It was good but there's room for moderate improvement for sure. The Chicken Liver Mousse was absolutely amazing and I'd return again and again specifically for this dish (go ahead and order extra bread to come with it)!!

I placed an online order for an event of 20 people. To order online was effortless. Arrived on the…read moreday of pickup, everything was ready, packaged accordingly, the server that assisted me double checked the bags, explained what was in each bag. He confirmed that we had enough plasticware, sauces, seasonings and helped me carry my order to my car. My food was prepared correctly, presentation was great (considering it was a carry out order), and precise. Flavor of the food was perfect. It was hot, tender and a wonderful smoked flavor. Sauces were extremely savory. I would most definitely recommend Due South BBQ for your next event.

Picture a no-nonsense Southern BBQ joint--the kind where you smell the smoke before you even open…read morethe door. Inside, it's all worn wood tables, checkered paper, and the low hum of conversation over country music. The walls might have a few local photos or license plates, but nothing fancy--this place lets the food do the talking. The pulled pork sandwich is the star. It comes piled high, the meat slow-smoked for hours until it practically falls apart. Each bite hits with that perfect balance--smoky, tender, just a little crispy on the edges. Then there's the sauce situation. You've got options lined up on the table--sweet and sticky and tangy vinegar-based. Half the fun is mixing and matching until you land on your perfect combo. On the side, golden hush puppies arrive hot and crisp--crunchy on the outside, soft and slightly sweet inside. The fries are perfectly salted, and just begging to be dipped in leftover sauce. And dessert? Banana pudding, served cold in a simple cup with layers of creamy vanilla pudding, sliced bananas, and soft vanilla wafers that have soaked just enough to melt into everything. It's rich without being heavy--the kind of dessert that feels like it came straight from someone's grandmother's kitchen. It's not fancy, it's not trendy--but it's exactly what you want when you're craving real, honest BBQ.