Rarely does one find a restaurant that is so unique, that from the time you walk in, you feel right at home.
After having been selected as number 4 of the Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I also was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at the 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 uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Hanging Rock Tavern is the perfect example.
Little did I know that this smokehouse-style restaurant, known and loved by the Roanoke County community for its American classics, craft beverages, and live music, and that had temporary closed due to partnership changes, had quietly re-opened two weeks ago, with a new menu, under new ownership, but run and operated by the previous owner Greg, and with a new General Manager Chris.
I arrived around one o'clock in the afternoon for a late lunch. Minimalist yet inviting, the restaurant's facade featured a sleek, unadored wood sign, its name and logo intricately carved and softly backlit, for a warm, sophisticated glow.
Upon entering the restaurant, I was immediately struck by the warm welcome from a hospitable lady who greeted me at the door, making me feel right at home as she offered me any table I desired and handed me a copy of the menu.
Not long afterwards, my server Mary greeted me to take my order. She recited the day's specials and mentioned there might be only one serving of the special brisket left. Despite liking several other special entrées, I immediately ordered the Brisket because I loved it and wanted to try their version. To drink I ordered a Cherry Coke, which was my favorite of the Coke brand which they carried.
As I looked around, I was fascinated with the place, with its well sorted bar, its stage for live music, its diverse and enticing menu, its relaxing ambiance. The perfect place to enjoy a drink with a meal, listening to live music. My server arrived with my drink, and with it she brought a small paper bowl filled with in-house made kettle potato chips. They were so crispy and tasty. Them my main entrée was served. It contained a generous amount of well seasoned and cooked Brisket, with in-house made, fresh mashed potatoes, and green beans. As I was eating, the former owner and now right hand of the new owner came to visit my table. We engaged in conversation and that's how I found out they had re-opened only two weeks ago. After finding out who I was, he invited me for a tour of the outdoor of the restaurant in the back.
After completing finishing eating my amazing Brisket with mashed potatoes and green beans, I enjoyed a slice of cheesecake with strawberry syrup for dessert. It was so soft and moist, the perfect cheesecake. As I was taken to the tour in the back, as was fascinated my the large space they had there. I got to see the Smokehouse. It was made with quality wood and was very clean inside. They also had an outdoor bar, a Herb Garden, and lots of picnic tables under wooden roofs.
I was also told that way in the back they also had a larger parking lot for the convenience of their customers. Wow! What a wonderful place. I thanked him for the tour and we went back inside to say goodbye to everyone who I had met and had made this an extraordinary dining experience. read more