Out of all family-owned Mexican restaurants mini-local-chains with more than two restaurants in the…read morearea, Alejandro's Mexican Grill is one of them. The others being El Rodeo, Tacos Rojas, and Pancho Mexican Restaurant. Besides this Alejandro's Mexican Grill in Salem, Virginia, there are two more locations in Roanoke, Virginia. One is on Campbell Ave in the Historic Roanoke City Market area, and the other is in the Hollins area at the corner of Peters Creek and Williamson Rd. Established in Downtown Roanoke, in November of 2007, by co-owners Moises and Lisa Nucamendi. Their second location in the Hollins area was then opened in December of 2008. And finally this, their third location, located in the Mill Lane Commons Shopping Center, in Salem, Virginia, was opened in June of 2019. I have already dined and reviewed the other two restaurants and invite you to read those reviews and view my photographs accompanying them. The restaurants are known for their authentic California-style Mexican Food, their popular salsa bar, and award-winning margaritas. Their menu includes traditional and authentic Mexican items such as Mexican Sopes, Tacos, Enchiladas, Tortas, Chiles Rellenos, and Flautas, among others. Their dessert Flan is made in-house by their head cook, and have the reputation of being delicious. When I arrived, their restaurant's front did not look at all very fancy. And from what my server told me, the restaurant used to be twice the size, but they gave up the extra space due to the poor economy caused in part by the Covid years. Their interior decor and furniture is outdated yet in good condition, clean and very comfortable. Mexican artworks decorate the walls of the place and is what gives it an air of distinction. The ceiling lamps and lighting treatment also help give the restaurant some class. As soon as I entered the restaurant, a gentleman Host greeted me and took me to one of the booths of the restaurant. It was early for dinner but since I hadn't had lunch so I didn't seen to mind, and there was a large party dining there at the moment as well. My server, a friendly young gentleman from Honduras, gave me a warm greeting and took my order. To drink I had a Virgen Mango Margarita and a glass of iced water. For appetizer I just enjoyed their wonderful chips and the salsa from the Salsa Bar. As my main entrée I had 4 Flautas (2 pork carnitas and 2 shredded beef). They came accompanied with Mexican rice and refried beans. And topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and shredded cheese. The salsa bar was very clean and the salsa looked very fresh. The tortilla chips were also freshly made and one of the best tortilla chips I've ever had. However the flautas had much to be desired. The tortillas that they were wrapped in were not fried crunchy as they should have been, and the shredded beef was overly seasoned and too spicy. Yet the pork from the carnitas was seasoned and cook to perfection, and the rice and refried beans were good as well. My servered came to check on me at the appropriate times and in time for me to order dessert for the Grand Finale of my dining experience. Of course I ordered their in-house made Flan dessert. And I can assure you it was delicious and wonderfully presented. In conclusion I found the ambiance of the place to be pleasant and friendly, even though the decor was not too modern. Most of the food was good, and the customer service was excellent, so I wouldn't hesitate to return next time I'm around the area. I particularly enjoyed the Virgen Mango Margarita, their Chips and Salsa, and their in-house made Flan.

Wow. Exceptional flavor. Wonderful heat level. Just amazing. I was really impressed with the…read morequality and quantity of the food.

Everyone loves a good hot dog and that's including me. And today, as I was driving along Brandon…read moreAve in Southwest Roanoke, I happened to notice this hot dog joint named "Roanoke Weiner Stand #2 ." As you can expect, I pulled over their parking lot and since it was around lunch time, I got out of my Lexus and went to try them out. A friendly gentleman behind the counter greeted me and took my order. The menu on the wall was not too specific on the kinds of hot dogs they had, so I asked if they had one with sauerkraut. The order taker immediately said no, not that one. So I asked for a hot dog with chili, mustard, and onion, which was on the menu, and asked for another one with ketchup, mustard, and relish. I also ordered some french fries and a fountain drink, which there was a sign that clearly stated: "No Refills." and "$2.07 for a refill." It didn't take long for my two hot dogs and fries to be ready. I took them to a table and ate them. The hot dogs themselves were the short kind which are soft inside, but they were nice and tasty. These as different from the ones sold at a hot dog cart which are long and firm inside. The buns were fresh and soft, and the fries were nice and crispy. The chili, however was disappointing in texture and taste. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the quality of their food. Before leaving I asked the order taker if this restaurant was of the same owner as the Roanoke Weiner Stand in downtown Roanoke, and he told me they were different owners, but basically the food menu was the same. This one was opened in 1984 by Gus Pappas after he took over the family business. Overall, I enjoyed the tasty hot dogs, but not so much the chili. Their fries were nice and crispy and freshly served. The atmosphere of the place was warm and nostalgic. The service was fast and the staff was friendly. I wouldn't mind eating here again when I'm around the area.

Not friendly hotdogs are just ok fries are really good we told it was our first time there and they…read moredidn't talk to us. They weren't friendly at all.

Today I took the road less traveled and ended up in a little gem of a family-owned and operated,…read moreneighborhood restaurant since 1982 by David and Penny Price. Located in Salem, Virginia, this warm and cozy restaurant with window view to the Roanoke River is known for its popular burgers, especially the "Hot Rock," and other casual American fare like sandwiches, subs, hot dogs, onion rings, and crispy fries. Small in size, yet it has received many awards throughout the years, including "Best Burger" from The Roanoker Magazine in 2013. When I arrived to the place, I parked my Lexus over a bed of rocks parking lot, right outside, in the front area of the restaurant, and walked towards it. Inside, there was a small foyer with a bulletin board that had a copy of the menu, some Best of Salem Gold Awards, and some business cards from members of the community and customers of the restaurant. Then there was a bar on the left with a pool table on the right, and many Sports memorabilia on the walls of the establishment. It seems the owner was a great fan of the Virginia Cavaliers. Then in the back there was the dining room with a few tables, and a couple of them had a window view of the Roanoke River. Shortly after I arrived the friendly and very hospitable owner, came out of the kitchen and gave me a warm welcome, asking me to take a seat where I liked. I went and sat at one of the tables with the window view. To drink I ordered a Coke and to eat I ordered their famous "Hot Rock" Burger at the owner's recommendation when I asked him what he would recommend for this my first time dining there. The description on the menu of this burger was a "Hand formed fresh lean ground beef, provolone cheese, grilled onions, bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo, hot peppers, Italian dressing on pita bread." It was served with potato chips and pickles, or for an extra price you could have it with crispy fries or onion rings. I ordered it with onion rings. While I waited, I looked around at all the pictures and memorabilia on the walls, and I looked through the window at the Roanoke River water flowing. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the quality of their food. When the food arrived, everything tasted fresh and delicious. The burger was cut in half for convenience in eating it. The onion rings had a thick batter that kept them together and were easy to eat. The owner came by to check on me and see if the food was of my liking. We also talked about how he has owned and ran this restaurant for over 43 years. At first the restaurant was also opened at night, but now it's only open from eleven in the morning until two-thirty in the afternoon daily, and closed on Sundays. This makes it easier on him now that he's older, but you can tell he enjoys to continue running his restaurant and serving his customers. Because of its quality food, reasonable prices, and friendly service. I can see why this little restaurant is a local favorite for lunch or a casual meal and I completely give it my total support and urge you to do the same.

Food is pretty good. It's what you'd expect. Loved the service, very sweet older man kept drinks…read morefilled and made sure we were all good. I'd recommend giving this place a try

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.

Today, we visited Burger in the Square and arrived just in time to beat the rush. Our waitress,…read moreAlyssa, provided some of the best service we've experienced in a long time. Our drinks were perfect and served promptly. My wife ordered the Mushroom Burger, and I went with the Texas Chili Burger. I was absolutely famished, so I strategically took my burger apart and ate it in stages; it was simply too large to eat normally! The onion rings were excellent, offering a great crunch and fantastic flavor. My wife couldn't even finish her meal because the portion was so generous. The restaurant was clean, the tables were spotless, and the atmosphere was quiet enough for us to plan our next few days without distraction.

Superb burgers, wide variety, plus other sandwiches. Burger was juicy and the bun is great. You are…read moregreeted when you enter, the server was very energetic and knowledgeable. The restaurant is clean and very comfortable.

Food was excellent, my scrambled eggs were perfect, bacon was nice and crisp without being over…read moredone, and their biscuits and pancakes were light and fluffy!! Our service was quick and attentive! Not a fancy place but a great find for a quality country style breakfast!

Food was great, server was very friendly. Restaurant was clean and well managed. I had the veggie…read moreomelet my husband had the double cheeseburger both were 10!

Minority owned by a husband and wife, although if you ask the husband he says she is the boss!…read more The menu is ever changing. Just as they opened the owner brought out a plank with the newest additions, from a creek burger to a pickle burger with ranch and toppings. My wife had the pickle burger and said it was delicious, while I had the bacon cheese burger with thicker cut bacon. (Note this is not what was listed in the other yelp write ups, the owner said the thick cut was replaced with a slightly thinner cut.) The fries weren't much to speak of, shoe strings but they were hot! Everything was. All was delicious. If you see this place, read the menu and enjoy!

Great place great staff great food. Great venue. Mark it a stop awesome and it's local who doesn't…read morewant to support local

Sheetz Salem VA A very convenient convenience store that…read moreoffers ready to made warm meal and clean restrooms. Store shelves were packed and orderly organized, warm food and meals were ready to order from booth, beverages were ready to be pumped out. Sheetz has alcohol walk-in cooler section, with rules applied: 11.45pm cooler door lock, 12AM must checkout, and 12.15AM all alcohol off premises. 1340 W Main St, Salem, VA 24153 24hrs ℹ orderz.sheetz.com #sheetzsalemva #preservefootprints

Loved sheetz untill this dude named James creeped me the hell out, I believe he is one of the…read moremanagers? Either way he makes me massively uncomfortable. Other than that I'd give this a 5 star

FOOD POISONING!!! Our family stopped here on our drive from NYC to Atlanta. We've long stopped…read moreeating at typical fast food places, and this place seemed like a safe choice. It was not. My 19 month old son & I got sick immediately (diarrhea). By the time we got to Atlanta my 9 year old daughter was sick (diarrhea & vomiting). We all had a variety of tacos. Common denominator was the chicken tacos. Literally today 03272026. I hope this passes quickly bc we have a family party in New Orleans to attend.

I've been to almost all of the Arellano family El Rodeo restaurants, from the original one, El…read moreRodeo, located on Williamson Road, Roanoke, Virginia, to the most recent and majestic one, El Rodeo Chico, located in the Daleville Towncenter in Virginia; all have been wonderful, each in its very unique way, but considering a combination of the ambiance, the decor, the variety of items in the menu, the quality of the food and the way it is cooked and presented, together with the excellent customer service, this one located on West Main Street, Salem, Virginia, which is family-owned and operated by a local Arellano family, I consider to be one of the best of them all. 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 El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant in Salem, Virginia, is the perfect example. As soon as I arrived, I liked and admired the exterior architectural design of their building, with a covered outdoor dining area patio. Once inside, the Host greeted me from behind the Host's station and took me to one of the booths, providing me with a beautifully designed colorful menu with color photographs of some of their main items. Not long after, I was brought chips and salsa to my table and my server Daniela came by to greet me and give me a warm welcome. She then proceeded to take my drink order. After I inquired about their non-alcoholic drinks, she recommended one which was so good that I ended up having two. To drink I had a non-alcoholic Mangonada, a Frozen Mango Margarita Mocktail that tasted as good as it looked. For my main course I ordered the Burrito California, a gigantic pork burrito covered with cheese, pico de gallo, and slices of avocado on top. It was so amazingly delicious that I can't believe I ate the whole thing. The small pieces of roast pork were well marinated and slow cooked to bring out its flavor. My compliments to the Chef of this restaurant, for I have had this dish before in other restaurant and none had tasted as good as this one. Their Chip and Salsa were so also so good that I continued to enjoy them while eating the burrito. My sever Daniela came by to check on me at the appropriate times, yet she forgot to offer me a glass of water, and with the excitement of the meal and Mango drink, I didn't request one. It was amazing how fast the restaurant got full of customers. Even though the wooden chairs were comfortable, when the customers moved them around they made a loud and annoying sound as the wood scraped over the floor. I would recommend they place on the bottom of the chair legs some chair pads to prevent this uncomfortable noise from happening. For dessert I had the Churro Cup Sunday. The churros which made up the cup were crunchy on the outside and soft in the inside providing an amazing combination to the ice-cream and toppings. I could see the manager from where I was seated and although I was disappointed of his lack of detail by not visiting my table to say hello on this my first visit to his restaurant, as I was leaving I approached him to thank him for such an extraordinary dining experience. I highly recommend this Mexican Restaurant and am looking forward to returning soon to have some other items I saw in the menu.

Huge shout out to the team at DQp Salem. We were tired and hungry coming off of I-81. Kids wanted…read moreice cream, and we wanted hot food. Glad we gave in to the kids. Food was hot fresh and yummy. Staff was really nice.

Pleasant experience. The young lady who took my order was very courteous. She got my order right;…read morewhen I told her it was to-go, she packaged it very well (no small feat, considering it was a bunch of sundaes; she put them in plastic and then bagged them up so they wouldn't topple over or spill). The interior and exterior were both clean and inviting. One small heads-up: the parking lot is small. I parked and walked in, and when I came out to leave, I couldn't get out because I was blocked by drive-through traffic. There's a huge parking lot next door for a Food Lion; if it's a peak time, I'd suggest parking there so you don't get stuck like I did. Good place. I'd recommend.