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.

The food is delicious. Workers are all courteous and friendly. Price is very competitive.read more

Stopped at Mikes, the new spot in town for breakfast, lunch or dinner. We were warmly greeted by…read more2 young ladies, our food service was fast and delicious for breakfast. For two meals the total was about $17, free drink refills too. The portion was too large to eat at one sitting, but yummy. A Christian theme was welcoming too, from music to scripture on the coffee cups. Well done crew at Mikes!

Really delicious and nice people. I had the ham,cheese, and jalapeno croissant. And it was…read moredelicious would recommend

I discovered this relatively new restaurant while driving with a friend a few months ago, and…read morequickly went and added the business to Yelp. At that time they were so new that they only took cash as payment, and since neither one of us had enough cash we weren't able to eat there that day, nor was I able to be the first one to review it for Yelp. But it so happened that while searching for new restaurants in Yelp, I found the review of the first person who did, and this motivated me to drive back the hidden path where we first had discovered it, to go try it out. 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 Mexa Breakfast & Lunch in Roanoke, Virginia, is the perfect example. This relatively new family-owned restaurant is located in a small outdoor strip mall named Starkey Station on Merriman Road, in Roanoke, Virginia. It is so much out of the way that you had to have known about it to find it or just happen to take that hidden paths on your way to somewhere else to discover it, the way we did. And today I found out while talking in Spanish with the owner that another way people have been finding out about this place is when they have been coming next door to pick up their Domino's Pizza. They have seen it, entered and taken a menu, then ordering take outs from home over the phone, and coming to pick their orders up. What's interesting is that even though they focus on breakfast and lunch, since they close at 7:00pm daily, they have an opportunity of reaching the early dinner crowd and by offering their breakfast menu to some day round, this is opening the doors for more people to come at anytime of the day from 7:30am to 7:00pm. Their menu consists mainly of fresh Mexican pastries which they have dropped off daily from bakeries in Vinton and North Carolina. They have a variety of handmade Mexican Tacos, Tortas (which are gigantic sandwiches), Sopes (which are a traditional Mexican dish consisting of a thick, fried corn tortilla with raised edges base, topped with various savory ingredients), Taco Salads, and a Deluxe Quesadilla (a tortilla filled with cheese and other ingredients cooked on a griddle or stove until the cheese melts). After meeting and talking with the owner for a short while before other customers started to come in, the owner took my order at the counter, after letting me know that they now accept Credit Cards. To drink I ordered a Boing Mango Pulp Beverage which I picked up at their beverage refrigerator. To eat I had a Torta Cubana, which was a sandwich made in their typical large oval fresh bread, that contained a breaded steak milanesa, ham, Mexican sausage, chorizo, and Oaxaca Cheese. Included was also mayo, tomato, onions, avocado, and Chipotle. Usually, the wife is here to take care of the customers and their orders, while he does the cooking and fulfills the orders. But at this time of the early evening, he did everything while the wife had to do an errand. What impressed me the most was that even though this was a small place, everything was so clean and organized, and the food was so fresh and delicious. I invite you to view my photographs and videos that accompany this review to get a better sense of what I mean. I highly recommend this place for when you're in the mood for some genuine Mexican food prepared by very friendly and warm people, in a clean and comfortable environment. You know, very often it is in these hidden places that we find the most delicious culinary treasures.

I have not been to a McAllister in forever! But I've always liked and when I saw wanted to try…read more No issues with parking by the building and the area was clean. Upon walking in on a Saturday afternoon it was surprisingly dead. The dining room was clean. Service is by counter and was friendly. I got a veggie with side of cup of chili. My order came out within 10 minutes, or so. Everything was really good! Definitely recommend checking them out.

Sometimes during these cold Winter nights one feels like staying home and ordering out food…read moredelivery. While on DoorDash the other night I felt like having a sandwich, so I looked under the Sandwiches category and McAlister Deli came up. This called to mind one time they had in their menu one of the most delicious sandwiches that I have ever had at a deli: The Cuban Sandwich 12". It had tangy Pulled Pork, Black Forest Ham, and Swiss Cheese with Yellow Mustard and Pickles served on a Toasted Baguette. It was so good that every time I ordered out, I kept on ordering this sandwich at McAlister Deli. Then all of a sudden one day when I went to their website at DoorDash I noticed it was missing from the menu there. I contacted the restaurant manager to inquire as to why it was missing. She agreed with me that this was one of their most delicious sandwiches, but told me that sometimes Corporate changes the menu and removes some items, and that in the future they can also bring it back. So I thanked her for her feedback and told her to look at her records and see all the times that I had purchased this sandwich from their Deli, since actions speak louder than words. I then contacted their corporate office to inquire as well and they gave me the same answer. So I had to resign myself to be without that sandwich anymore and stay just with the memories of how good it had tasted when I was fortunate enough to have tried it. Tonight, when I was looking for sandwich places to order a sandwich delivered. I said to myself (since I'm a person of high Hope), let me look at the McAlister Deli site and see if by any chance (although many of times I had repeated this action with no results) they had brought it back. After all, in this Holiday Season anything is possible for those who believe. And you wouldn't guess what happened next. Right there, in their menu, was my favorite sandwich, that I had wished for for so long. Needless to say, I went and ordered it right away through DoorDash without even thinking to go to their website and ordering it from there like I used to. As I waited, I thought of how some things in life are priceless, without being expensive. And how maybe a simple request from one person can make a big difference in an important decision as if to bring it back. But for whatever reason it was back, and once again, McAlister Deli's became one of my favorites restaurants because of this. I followed the progression of the DoorDasher through their app until "headed your way." Then very soon the doorbell rang and the DoorDasher delivered my sandwich, which arrived well-wrapped and in perfect condition. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the quality of McAlister food. Needless to say that when I've eaten at their restaurant they have had friendly and welcoming employees who have provided me with excellent customer service, in a clean and cozy environment. The Cuban Sandwich 12" was amazingly delicious, just like always. The combination of all of its fresh ingredients and the baguette made it delicious. The only thing missing was that it wasn't toasted. As you all know, part of the secret of a successful Cuban Sandwich is this. Which involves using a sandwich press or a heavy skillet to compress and grill the sandwich until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted. It's a distinctive step that gives the sandwich its signature crust and is essential to what makes it a true Cuban sandwich. I truly hope that when the management of the restaurant reads this review, they take steps to see that this doesn't happen again. And knowing them, I'm sure it won't. Because this is the attention to detail that makes the big difference.

On a hot summer day this place is like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. What better…read morethan a smooth, fruit-flavored frozen dessert made from water, sugar, and real fruit juices or purees. Simple things in life like this refreshing product are what bring the best joys to our lives. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I was also 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, businesses, and entertainment venues, 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 Jersey Water Ice, located in the Northwest of Roanoke, Virginia is a perfect example. Today I was finally able to meet the enthusiastic entrepreneur who came up with the idea of starting this business for the benefit of all those in his community and those who find out about it like I did searching for cold, refreshing items that will help me keep cool in these hot summer days. Darren Wiggins, a friendly Atlantic City, New Jersey native with a strong love and affection for the City of Roanoke is the sole owner of Jersey Water Ice and the person who had the vision of starting this business in his neighborhood to uplift the people of his community and bring them the joy that only refreshing water ice and comfort food can bring. He came to Roanoke in 2009 and started JWI in 2018 operating out of a van he turned into a foodtruck serving what he saw as a need in his community: a lite flavorful icy delight. Most famously known and sold as "Italian ice," in most parts of the US, however traditionally called water ice by residents in Philadelphia and South Jersey. Having a granular but silky texture that sits between a slushy and a firm sorbet. At first I had trouble finding the little eatery located on 622 11th Street NW, but I gave the owner a call and he gave me clear directions how to find it and even though he was about to close for the day he was graciously enough to wait for me so that I could try his amazing and refreshing product. When I arrived he greeted me with a warm welcome. The eatery was small but very clean and cozy with beautiful hardwood floors and a couple of lovely hand-made benches. All the food was put away since he was about to close but I put my attention to the display freezer where the water ice were stored. He had flavors such as Lemon, Mango, Cherry, Blue Raspberry, Cotton Candy, and Pina Colada, among others. I ordered a small cup of the Pina Colada. It was so soft, creamy, and refreshing, as well as very tasty. After he closed the eatery and we were outside still talking, a car with one of his loyal customers stopped to see if the place was open. He chatted with him and invited him to come back the next day. We talked about his ideas for expansion and then we said goodbye and he drove off in his Cadillac as I stayed a while longer finishing my water ice. In conclusion I highly recommend this place when you feel like eating comfort food and refreshing water ice. The owner is very welcoming and positive, and has a wonderful personality and from looking at the menu, great food and cold, refreshing treats.

Kind service, a friendly face and amazingly tasty and refreshing treat. I love everything about…read morethis establishment. . highly recommend to anyone looking for a sweet refreshing treat.

I LOVED BROOD. The chique bar area was our first nights dinner. The bartenders was FANTASTIC. His…read moreknowledge of cocktails and the menu made it a true experience. The food was well made and tasted like home. Rich, delicious, and unique. Highly Recommend

Sometimes in the smallest of places one finds the most exquisite food and the most precious of…read moredining experiences. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I was also 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 Brood Restaurant and Bar in the heart of Salem, Virginia is a perfect example. Hidden in a small but cozy spot with a small but beautiful bar of only a few chairs, off East Main Street in Salem, Virginia, is one of my favorites fine dining restaurants: Brood Restaurant & Bar. The name means: "the children of a family," or "the chicks of a hen." It is meant to describe a warm place where people gather and feel just like in the best of homes: safe, cared for with unconditional love, and well fed with food that is made from the heart. A simple wood framed glass door with the restaurant's name written on it in capital letters with a classical font, is all one sees from the outside. But once you open the door and enter you encounter a space with lots of character coming from an exposed red brick wall and lovely dark wood hardwood floors. The furniture is elegant but comfortable. And the people treat you like if you were right at home; practically one of the family. On this occasion I arrived 15 minutes early to my five o'clock reservation time, yet I was greeted and received with open arms by a hospitable gentleman who seemed to be the bartender but with the distinction of the manager of the place. I was taken to my table in a perfect location in the wall facing the middle of the restaurant. The bartender prepared me a Guason Mocktail that all I can say is that it tasted devine. To dine I ordered their Sea Scallops appetizer with a roasted garlic emulsion and a bacon and fried onion crumb. Followed by an Arugula Salad. And the main entrée being the Steak and Frites. Everything was amazingly delicious and served in the appropriate timing. The scallops tasted out of this world in its unique sauce. The salad was wonderful. And the steak, an 8oz CAB Manhattan cut New York Strip cooked medium-rare and served with vaudouvan compound butter was one of the tastiest steaks of this nature that I have ever had, along with some fries with a cut that brought out the best of them. My server and bartender visited my table at the right times to see that everything was to my satisfaction and see if I needed anything and when he was busy made sure to send one of the other servers who all worked very efficiently as a team. Even at the end of my meal when the restaurant was almost completely full. For dessert which I consider the "Grand Finale" of a great meal, I had their Belgian Waffle Bread Pudding. It was amazing. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the high-quality food. Needless to say I highly recommend this restaurant which has become one of my favorites for its delightful ambiance, exquisite food, and excellent customer service, together leading towards an extraordinary dining experience.

I'm a fan of First Watch and do seek them out when traveling due to their consistency of being…read moreabove average. So when in Roanoke, Virginia I found they had a location. They also have another location in nearby Salem. I used the app for getting in line which typically works flawlessly. My time to arrive was 15-20 and upon arrival in that frame a table was ready. A host seated us with menus and silverware. Our group of four looked over the menu as a waitress arrived minutes later. She got the drink order and arrived back in short order. We were ready to order. I cannot remember what everyone got, but I had the Spring chimichurri special and added an avocado. The dining room was packed as was their outdoor patio. The noise was elevated, but not piercing. We had a table near the patio. I enjoyed my coffee as we waited for brunch orders. It's impossible to not be impressed with the hard working staff as they quickly moved through the dining room. After around 15 to no more than 20 minutes the food hit the table. The millionaire bacon is always a huge hit and recommend. Everyone's dishes were correct. My dish overall looked smaller than I've had before. Everyone enjoyed their dishes. The avocado add was two tiny pieces which was disappointing. When our waitress checked in I alerted her the avocado add on was underwhelming. She immediately addressed it with additional. She also got another water craft. Checkout was efficient up front. In my opinion First Watch offers a higher level service, good and atmosphere. I plan on returning with additional visits in Roanoke coming up this Summer.

There are times when I wake up early in the morning feeling like having a special breakfast in a…read moreclean, inviting, and welcoming environment, with eclectic gourmet recipes that excites my taste buds. 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 First Watch, in Roanoke Virginia is a perfect example. Located in the Ivy Market Shopping Center, a small, high-end, new construction, outdoor shopping mall, in Southwest Roanoke, with other exclusive stores and restaurants such as Mellow Mushroom, Earth Fare, Taziki's Mediterranean Café, Walgreens, and Carilion Clinic Institute for Orthopedics and Neurosciences, First Watch is an award-winning breakfast, brunch, and lunch restaurant, serving a chef-driven menu of elevated classics and seasional specialties, always made to order. This morning, I woke up early and was at the restaurant as soon as it opened at seven o'clock in the morning. It was still dark out, but the bright light coming out from its windows was the best indication that it was open and ready for customers to arrive. As soon as I was seated at the table of my choice a friendly and very hospitable, young lady greeted me and asked what I wanted to drink..I asked for a cup of coffee and a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice. To eat I ordered the Chimichurri Steak & Eggs Hash, with the eggs cooked over easy, and the steak medium-rare. I love the warm and welcoming ambiance of this place. Everyone is so friendly and kind. And the chef always comes out with culinary masterpieces. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the quality of the food. In no time at all my server arrived holding a plate with something on it that looked like a culinary work of art. The chef had once again overexeeded my high expectations of how the menu item would look, and as I would quickly find out, of how it would taste. My server came around at the appropriate times to see if I needed anything. What could have improved is that she brought me the bill and placed it on the table, without asking me if I was ready for it. I was thinking of having something sweet at the end, but because of this, didn't. Hope management takes this constructive feedback only as an improvement of their otherwise wonderful restaurant. Other than this, I had an extraordinary dining experience, and highly recommend this place for a top-of-the-line breakfast or lunch.

Super slow. It took over 15 minutes to get a small order while watching others pick up and leave…read morethat same after us. My plate came with stale fries and only 4 small onion rings. Definitely not worth the wait. The place was super loud and service was just OK. No getting, smile, etc. when I went asking about the order 10 minutes after paying, I was given a strange look and said it's coming. The place wasn't busy by any means. I still have no idea why it took so long for us to get the order. I've been to many cool outs and this was the worst service. I was hoping it would be nice since this is the first time I've seen indoor dining. No thanks. Parking for disabled is caddy corner to the drive thru so be careful.

Stopped at Cookout in Roanoke va and ordered a sandwich and onion rings and 2 waters. After I got…read morethe food I found out we were charged for sodas. They said they had no way to add just water. But they charged me and did not tell me. That is not very good customer service. We will not go back to another Cookout.