We are a family of four visiting from NYC who just enjoyed a delicious lunch at Big Daddy's. The…read morefood is amazing. Thank you!!! We had ribs, tacos (chicken & brisket), plus mac & cheese. Did not disappoint.

Best brisket I've ever put in my mouth. MAC & cheese was great too. Portion were large. I left full…read moreand happy.

Rarely does one find a restaurant that is so unique, that from the time you walk in, you feel right…read moreat 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.

We took our grandsons here and it was the first time for all of us. The staff were very welcoming…read moreand friendly! I got a cheeseburger with Mac and cheese. Grandpa and grandson got steaks. The only size steak was 14 oz so we went with it but would have preferred options. The other grandson wanted cheese pizza but they were out so he got chicken nuggets. The food was a great value for the money in a family friendly atmosphere. We would definitely return.

We were visiting and had a fun and relaxing time. The flight was a great way to sample the menu. An…read moreOktoberfest themed German food truck was on the back. Kid friendly back area and board games inside. TVs with football on was also entertaining. Staff was very cool and helpful and loved the kilt! The Ghost cherry porter is a must try! A total local gem for all!

Reasonable prices and good selection of beers! Good atmosphere for both a larger group or a quick…read moredrink. Plenty of TVs spaced around the indoor area. Chill patio outside but there were quite a few bugs in the summer.

Brewing companies, there are many in this neck of the woods, but very unique, one-of-a-kind ones,…read morelike this one, rarely do we find one. I happened to find this one while searching for the Empanada Nirvana Food Truck. It just so happened that I found out that the Empanada Nirvana Food Truck was going to be stationed outside the Parkway Brewing Company this past Wednesday during National Empanada Day and so I researched this place to learn more about it. I found out that Parkway Brewing Company is a craft brewery in Salem, Virginia. Established in 2012, it is well known for its distinctive ales and a vibrant tasting room with a large beer garden, live music, and food trucks. It operates a 30-barrel brewhouse, producing a large range of beers from IPA to lagers. Located near the Roanoke Valley Greenway, it attracts runners and cyclists, and has become a community hub for outdoor enthusiasts and beer lovers. When I arrived in my pearl white Lexus, the Empanada Nirvana Food Truck was already parked outside, but had not yet opened, so I went inside the brewery to explore its building. There I found a casual, low-key environment with an industrial-chick interior featuring a fireplace and garage doors that opened to the outdoors, to an area with picnic tables and sun umbrellas. Inside there were also several colorful modern murals and a wide counter where customers went to order and pay for their beers. They had several menus as well as display coolers with some of the beers being sold there. The friendly and knowledgeable young lady behind the counter did an excellent job explaining what they had, including the non-alcoholic options. While going to the restrooms, one passed by a window where you could see the brewhouse. Along the way there were also shelves filled with souvenirs of the place. In the room where the fireplace was, there was also a stage for live performances, which usually took place at night. I loved the ambiance and vive of the place and am looking forward to returning to one of their music live performance and some of their beers, and knowing that they also carry non-alcoholic ones will allow me to enjoy the evening and drive back home safely.

An excellent brewery. We loved every beer we sampled. The place looks fun. We were there on a…read moreMonday. I would love to be here during a weekend to this place hopping. I need a place like this near me.

Loved this brewery (full disclosure, the band that was playing- Night Shift- was amazing and the…read moremain basis for this review!). The beer was good and the ambiance was fun. Lots of bonus points for being dog friendly! Also enjoyed the fire pits and Cornhole games! Service was friendly and efficient.

We were visiting the area and wanted to check out a local brewery…read more We arrived shortly after 7pm after parking in a small parking garage down the street since their parking lot was full. It was a beautiful fall evening and there were a good number of people enjoying both the outdoor and indoor spaces. We made our way inside and were impressed they also had a live band playing on the stage. We looked around a bit, enjoying the industrial feel of the building and the music. We took a place in line and ultimately I chose a pint of the Bareback Bronco IPA. We love good swag so we made our way to look at the offerings. My wife quickly commented on their cute and clever designs which are printed on soft, comfortable cotton shirts, hoodies, etc. They also had a good selection of assorted discount t shirts available in small, xxl and xxxl sizes. The band engaged the audience with the Chris Stapleton favorite, Tennessee Whiskey which was fun. We ultimately decided to enjoy one of the high top tables outside while I drank my beer, which I enjoyed and ended up purchasing an additional 4-pack for our long weekend in Roanoke. Great stop, if you enjoy local breweries, make sure to stop in. We noticed they are also open Sundays. We did see some people with food that appeared to either have been delivered or they brought with them.

I originally was attracted to this business by the curiosity of its name. But when I arrived at the…read moreplace, I immediately fell in love with its "cozy, welcoming, community-focused café atmosphere." As a wholehearted yelper, I enjoy taking the road less traveled in search of one-of-a-kind places and bringing them to the attention of the community, so they too can share in the joy of the discovery. Located in "an industrial neighborhood-turned-brewery-district," off Salem Ave, west of downtown Roanoke, Blindhouse Beer is a "saison-focused brewery and biere café." As soon as I entered the place, a friendly and welcoming gentleman, named Chris, greeted me from behind the counter. After I asked him, he explained how their name was "inspired by an old Appalachian term for a windowless cabin used to sober up the mind, reflecting the founders' intentional approach to brewing." He explained how they specialize in "open-fermented and barrel aged beers in the Belgian Saison tradition." After inquiring about their food menu, Chris showed me a framed menu that included a few selections of 10" specialty pizzas from Black Box Pizza in Lynchburg, Virginia. They also had some cookies for sale from Kind Bakery, located in Roanoke's Wasena neighborhood. I ordered a Hyper Cold non-alcoholic amber-style beer, since I was driving, and a Suprema Pizza and asked if he can add pepperoni for an extra charge. I then went ahead and paid for what I owed with a credit card via Google Pay tap. The pizza was delicious, from the dough to the cheese and ingredients, and was an excellent compliment to their beer. Besides their own beer, they also have available Classic European Continental Lagers, such as traditional Czech Dark Lagers and crisp German Kellerbiers, as well as beers from high-rated independent Canadian breweries. A customer came by and bought a six pack of one of these to take home, as well as a glass of their Blindhouse Beer to drink there while working on his laptop. Frequently they hold alternative music acts as well as have private events. I highly recommend this place to share some quality time with family and friends.

The BEST craft brewery in Roanoke! And just in case the rotating in-house styles aren't calling…read moreyour name, Blindhouse carries a handful of stellar beers from other craft breweries around the country as well as a few ciders and/or wines. Their pizzas are also delicious! Cheese, pepperoni with hot honey and suprema with bacon, veggies and chili oil are all wonderful pairings with their brews. On a recent Thursday evening, there was also a bluegrass jam happening in the taproom. So fun!! Love this funky little gem.

We enjoyed this establishment in June and decided to eat here again. This time we found a parking…read morespot quickly and the restaurant was not busy. Service was great- we both started with Caesar salads- good with little dressing. I got a Reuben sandwich which was excellent and my wife got a vegetable panini. Both were consumed given a day on the road. I got a Cabernet and my wife got some ipa's. Still good and will continue to be a stop next June when we head North.

No reservations needed for two people on a Wednesday around 6:00pm . First time trying this…read morerestaurant. We had a very friendly waitress, Kristina. She had a great attitude and that always makes dinner more enjoyable. The restaurant is big and the booths are comfortable. Noise level was medium . The fried mushrooms are very good, the Black and Bleu burger accompanied by steak fries was tasty and the Sirloin steak was mediocre. I had to add pepper and salt to make it better . Tasted like a frozen steak, but still edible .( not worth $25.99) The Ultimate Chocolate Cake was very good and it was perfect to split between two . Although they don't sell bottled spring or sparkling water , I Will definitely return and look forward to trying other items on the menu.

Low key brewery with about 30 beers on tap, so there's something for everyone. Very reasonably…read morepriced for craft beer. You also can do a flight of 4 which is what I ordered. There was one beer is did not care for (and I'm not normally one to leave beer behind) and the bartender noticed and let me choose another beer which I really appreciated. There were a few food items, but that's definitely not their bread and butter, so I opted for elsewhere for dinner. The vibe is pretty chill. They have a few TVs so watching the college World Series and the World Cup was nice! Definitely recommend for an afternoon beer in downtown Roanoke.

Excellent beer. Great atmosphere. Friendly and helpful server. She was very knowledgeable about…read morethe variety of beer. If I lived near here I would come often.

In Roanoke for the day and needed a beer…read more Scale: 1-5 Beer: 5 - I had the NE IPA that was good. Saw a porter and ESB that I will try next time. Atmosphere: 5 - Relaxed vibe. Nice outdoor seating. Service: 5 - Quick and informative. Food: N/A Cultural/Political Agenda (1-5): 5 -Everyone is welcome. No preachy nonsense or virtue signaling, just beer, as it should be.

We enjoy visiting local breweries and decided to stop in at AFOG on a Sunday evening at 6:30pm…read moreafter calling and confirming their hours. The brewery was easy to find and we originally thought it was housed inside an old school building but later learned it was previously a health services building. In addition to AFOG, there are also residential apartments in the remaining adjoining part of the building. There is a large outdoor area where a birthday celebration was happening amongst a small group. We proceeded inside and were immediately greeted by Sam. She helped me identify the IPA options and i immediately chose their Millennial Serum, which is a hazy imperial style that I enjoy. We looked around a bit, snapped some photos and looked at their swag. I'm a big tie dye guy and I was happy to see they had a great selection of AFOG tie dye shirts in my size. We decided to sit at the bar while I enjoyed my beer and chatted about our day. We also enjoyed talking with Sam and learning more about the brewery. We learned they are soon opening their second location in Buchanan, Virginia. Great stop, we felt welcomed, the beer was delicious and I have a new tie dye that will remind me of our time in Roanoke.

Friendly staff..amazing food...very warm and classy atmosphere! Definitely will visit again when…read moreI'm in town.

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!