My sister and I stopped at Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint in Roanoke after two ladies at the L&L…read moreshop downtown recommended it, and it turned out to be an amazing experience. The place is small but quaint, with dim lighting, a full bar, and a fun mix of music genres that keeps the vibe relaxed but lively. I ordered the Gregg Brady, and my sister had the Doctor Gozo, both made with 100% Wagyu beef. You can taste the quality immediately. I added mushrooms and grilled onions for a small extra fee, and had my BBQ chips that come on it, on the side. We shared the crinkle‑cut fries, which came with their incredible house sauce. The sauce was so good I asked if they sold it, they do not, but the waitress sent me home with some samples for free. Service was fast and friendly. The waitresses were dressed in black tank tops, black shorts, and black shoes, and every one of them worked with a smile, like they were glad you came. The restaurant entrance itself is handicap accessible, but the bathrooms are not, they're very clean but also very small and too tight for a wheelchair to fit inside. One of the coolest things about Jack Brown's is their Beer Club. If you drink 100 different beers, you become a "Notcher." If you drink 1,000, different beers you become a "Saint." On Saint's Day, Saints get all food and drinks free, unlimited, with no tab. It's a huge part of their culture and adds to the fun, and a loyal community. Overall, the food was phenomenal, the staff went above and beyond, and the atmosphere made the whole visit top notch. I will definitely be coming back the next time I roll through this part of town. How to Become a Notcher (repeat for the Saints) To achieve Notcher status, individuals must follow these steps: 1. Visit a Jack Brown's location: Start by walking into any Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint. 2. Request a Notcher list: Ask for the Notcher list to begin your journey. 3. Try 100 different beers: Sample 100 different beers to reach Notcher status. 4. Join the community: Once you hit 100, you become part of the Notch Club, which includes various events and celebrations. This program encourages beer lovers to explore different flavors and styles while fostering a sense of community.

My sister ordered the Greg Brady and I had the Dr. Gonzo -- both burgers were delicious! The…read moreburgers are made with Wagyu beef, and while you can get a "regular" burger here, the specialty burgers are creative, varied, and definitely worth exploring. The crinkle-cut fries were good too, but one of the stars of the show was their house sauce -- a mayo-based sauce with herbs and spices that was so tasty we had to get some to go. Service was prompt and friendly, and for those so inclined, there's also a great selection of specialty beers. The atmosphere is fun and memorable -- the rock 'n' roll was loud enough to add energy but not so loud that we couldn't have a conversation. The decor is quirky and kitschy (think a skeleton on a bicycle and a chandelier made entirely of bras). The couple behind us also enjoyed their selections, with "The Elvis" being a standout. Even though it came highly recommended, I just can't bring myself to put peanut butter on my hamburger. That said, next time I'm in Roanoke, Jack Brown's will definitely be on my list for a return visit!

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!

This weekend I was fortunate enough to be able to attend Kirk & Soul's Second Soft Opening and it…read morewas amazing. After being awarded the NC Triad Yelp Squad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, celebrating their contributions and accomplishments throughout the year, 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 Kirk & Soul, in Downtown, Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. I loved the interior renovations of this new restaurant. Its beautiful hardwood floors contrasts perfectly with the lovely and very elegant black dining furniture, comprised of booths, tables and chairs, and bar counter, all with outstanding black marbalized table tops that give the place class. The restaurant's simple decor seems to emphasize its best features. Its high ceiling painted black also gives it a nice touch. And the large windows that go all around the corner bring in the light making the hardwood floors and table top shine to highlight their best features.The restaurant also has an open second floor, as well as a corner three steps high stage for bringing live entertainment that will provide the place with another exclusive detail to attract its clientele. I had an opportunity to meet the restaurant's manager, Blake, and he had great ideas that, when implemented, could most likely make this place one of the most talked about or highly regarded restaurants in the heart of fine dining in downtown Roanoke. Owner Justin Hayden described the menu of this Second Soft Opening as "a soul food Caribbean-style menu with a New Age twist." It included dishes such as Jerk Chicken with rice and beans, Oxtail Rasta Pasta, Classic Cheese Burger, Loaded Fries or Nachos, Wing Basket with your choice of sauce, and Garden Salad. Hopefully in the future they will also include other Caribbean dishes from other Caribbean Islands such as Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico, who have excellent cuisines. Today I ordered the Oxtail Rasta Pasta and a Coke to drink. I was the first one there and had to leave early because I had another commitment. The dish looked and tasted delicious, with just the right amount of seasoning. I highly recommend this new restaurant to all, and am looking forward to returning when it's in full function.

All I can say is catfish catfish and more catfish!!! The hot honey catfish is amazing. The fish is…read morenice and flaky, fried perfectly and the hot honey sauce is the perfect mix of sweet and spice. Also loved the thick cut curly fries on the side. The jerk chicken egg rolls were really great too! Our waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable and eager to help with anything we needed. I'm from California but would at at Kirk & Soul all the time if I was a local. The place looks like it is a fun night spot too.

Brewery #443 Came in…read morehere after doing little hiking for lunch and some beer. My buddy and I started off with a flight of Brussel sprouts. What a great idea! We had 3 of their 4 versions with the hot honey and bacon version being my favorite. I then decided I needed to eat light, so I got a Southwest Sante Fe salad which came with avocado, tomatoes, corn, cheese and a delicious cilantro lime vinaigrette. The bartender convinced me to add pulled pork. So much for eating light! There was enough pulled pork on the salad to fill up 3 sandwiches. Three Notch'd does flights of 4 for 10.00 and you can add another small pour for 2.5 so I ended up with 5 beers. Their IPAs were solid, but my favorites were the Jazzfest ( I am from New Orleans and all) which was a Pecan Amber ale and the Stoked Goat which was a Doppelbock. Solid place with good food and good beer.

Slow service Sub par food that was lacking flavor. I don't…read morethink I'll be back. Nice waitstaff who did the best with what they could.

First time trying Lucky and I'd give it a 4.5 rounded up to a 5. The menu is local farm based so it…read morechanges seasonally and is a bit limited. I was disappointed because I was hoping to try a soup or scallops I'd seen in Yelp pics but they weren't in the menu this time. Which is the roll of the dice you pay for fresh creative menus. Dining area and bar have a nice vibe with attractive art work. Dim lighting and smaller tables make it cute for a date or a solo business diner like myself. The lucky cube drink was creative and tasty. Brussel sprouts were also unique with a tahini sauce on top and perfectly crispy chickpeas. I'd seen "Smoke in Chimneys Trout" on a few menus in Roanoke this trip but never heard of that before. Looked it up and learned something new. They are trout that are local and prized for living in a lime stone aquifer rather than a river. Giving them a clean light slightly sweet taste, no essence of mud that can come with other river fish. I've never ordered trout in a restaurant, But when in Rome... Lol. The fish itself and the portion was really good. Wish I could remember my waitress' name. She was knowledgeable and just had a really warm, friendly energy.

I came in for the fried chicken because other reviews were very positive .. the coating was v…read morecrunchy , plus , however it was really burnt ! Ir was really over cooked ; plus had little flavor . Needs a little salt and pepper .... Better chicken at Popeyes or Bojangles .. Mashed potatoes were excellent . I wa not impressed with the Kale and still think there may be fatback in it ... even though the server swore there was no pork on the dish .. anyway you can try for yourself .. maybe I just came on an off night . My server was very nice ( Alyssa ) BTW.

This was our first time eating at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, and we stopped here while on a road…read moretrip. We had never tried this restaurant chain before, but after this visit, we would definitely eat here again. I ordered the country fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy. The country fried steak was really good and had a nice crunchy batter on the outside while still being tender inside. There was plenty of gravy over the steak, and the mashed potatoes and gravy went perfectly with it. The portion was also huge, so you definitely aren't leaving hungry. My wife ordered the steak and shrimp with green beans. Her steak was cooked well, the shrimp had good seasoning, and she enjoyed her meal as well. One of our favorite surprises was the croissants they bring to the table. They were warm, sweet, buttery, and almost tasted like a dessert. We loved that the first ones were complimentary, and honestly, charging about a dollar each if you want more afterward isn't bad at all. They were good enough that I could see ordering extras. The service was also very good. Our food and drinks came out in a timely manner, and we never felt like we were waiting around for anything. Everything from sitting down to getting our food went smoothly. Overall, this was a great first experience with Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen. Good food, large portions, good service, and reasonable prices for what you get. Since this was just a stop during our road trip, we didn't know what to expect, but we were glad we gave it a try. We would definitely visit Cheddar's again, and when we get back home, we'll be looking to see if there's one nearby so we can try some other things on the menu.

They are rare the chain restaurants that make you feel at home from the moment you park in their…read moreparking lot and walk towards their beautiful designed building surrounded by lovely landscape. Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen is one of them. 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 Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen in the Valley View area of Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. After receiving an email from Cheddar's corporate office wishing me a Happy Birthday and inviting me to dine at their restaurant near me and receive a Free Dessert such as their Legendary Monster Cookie, I decided to go and accept their kind offer. Once inside, their impressive giant ceiling fan coming down from the square high ceiling dome of their main dining room in the center of the restaurant seemed to set the elegant yet relaxed ambiance of this one-of-a-kind restaurant. I was greeted at the entrance by their friendly and welcoming hostess who lead me to a comfortable booth on the left side of the restaurant close to many windows that allowed in lots of wonderful light, perfect for capturing photographs of the food which I invite you to view accompanying this review. Almost immediately after I was seated, my server Tabitha approached with a plate filled with two of their famous Honey Butter Croissants that looked amazing and tasted even better. She had a wonderful personality and it was a pleasure to give her my order. To drink I had one of their Mango flavored hand-crafted Lemonade. To dine I had a hard time choosing from their extensive menu with colorful photographs of their main dishes. But I finally decided to have their Dijon Chicken and Mushrooms: Two grilled chicken breasts with honey dijon and sautéed sliced mushrooms over rice, with the two sides of a House Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing and Buttered Off-The-Cobb Corn. Not only were the portions very generous but the chicken was tender and juicy, a reflection of its high-quality and being perfectly grilled. And the sautéed mushrooms gave it such a wonderful taste that I made the commitment right then and there, to return more often to dine there. When the time came for the "Grand Finale" dessert, I chose their Legendary Monster Cookie, whom the manager himself ordered it for me while he kindly was visiting my table and receiving my wonderful feedback of my current dining experience. It was amazingly delicious! In conclusion, I highly recommend this restaurant as one of the best chain restaurants around in which I had an extraordinary dining experience.

First time making a review in Roanoke. But we needed a quick place to eat that would allow our…read morefurry pal eat with us. In comes this gem of a place. Food here was pretty great. The ambiance was impressive. It kind of (like a lot of Roanoke for that matter) was upscale redneck and just good times. One of my favorite vibes. The band was excellent. The service was good. And the outdoor seating area was surprisingly perfect. Would come again.

Right in the heart of Grandin Village one finds the Village Grill. The place to go to "Fire Up the…read moreFun." From the very first time I went there, I felt right at home. It's a place you are welcomed from the time you step in. The food and drinks are wonderful, and the service is extraordinary. 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 it would be appropriate this year to go back to this restaurant and write a follow-up review, since my initial review was one of my reviews that contributed to me obtaining this highly esteemed Award. When I arrived the place was full. People enjoying quality time with significant others, in a comfortable environment, drinking and eating to their hearts desire. I stood there, waiting to be seated, and somehow I didn't mind the wait. Who would be my server, Chelsea came and greeted me with a smile, letting me know that soon she would have a table for me. And this was not a fake promise like they tell you at other places to keep your hopes up. As soon as some customers left a table near by she went to clean it and set.it up for me. Last time I came here, I came with.a friend, this time I came along. And you know what, it didn't mind to her the size of the party, she treated everyone the same. With the same respect and caring attitude. And you know what. This is really what makes tje big difference in coming to eat here. In no time at all she had me seated at a 4 person booth looking over the menu and enjoying a Strawberry Saffron Tonic Mocktail which was the first thing I ordered. You know what, it doesn't matter what drink you have to enjoy yourself and have a good time, it's just a matter of attitude. Right then and there, you can sayI hadva great attitude of life. This is the kind of feeling this place brings out in their customers. More than customers, they see us as their guests. Even though I was looking at the menu, I already knew what I was going to have. A sandwich that ever since I moved to Roanoke, has become my favorite of them all in this Star City: The Ricky Ricardo of the Village Grill. Having been born in Cuba and grown up in Miami and Puerto Rico, I have learned to appreciate a good Cuban Sandwich. And this is not only one that comes close to it, but has perfected it with their golden touch and creativity, and yet maintaining it true identity. There is nothing greater one can say from an item from the menu. The fries that accompanied it were also amazing. My server Chelsea provided great service, coming by at the appropriate times to check on me. For dessert, I had the Cheesecake Du Jour that happened to be Peanut Butter, my favorite. What a Wonderful dining experience I had here. Needless to say, I highly recommend this place for its great ambiance, magnificent food, and excellent service. I can't say enough good things about it. I invite you to view my photographs that accompany this review and see for yourself, and then go visit this place and experience the magic.

Yelp reviewers, thank you for the recommendation! I'm just passing through (Louisiana to Niagara…read moreFalls) and did a quick search for a good place to eat in this area before I booked my hotel & I'm thrilled I made time for Angelle's Diner! I made lots of friends in the outdoor dining area since I have my sweet dog. My new friends recommended hamburgers & the BLT. I decided to strike out on my own & ordered the Country Fried Steak with white gravy. Now I'm from Texas & I love CFS, so when I tell you it was good, that means something!!! It was fresh & hot! Fresh okra that you can tell was hand breaded (amazing, my first of the season since we've had so much rain in LA)! The onion rings were also awesome. The ranch was a little runny but it tasted great (I just would have liked more sticking to the ORs)! Patty was great!!! Super helpful & attentive. She brought my pup water & then brought him refills. That has never happened to me before! Doggie owners, I felt welcomed. All that plus a really nice fruity cake for dessert cost $23.58! I feel weird giving my meal a 10 (since I'm from TX & the food is a Texan staple) but it's well deserved. Great ending to a very long day driving!

We ate here on 9/15/26. The place had a good diner vibe, but…read more.. We ordered two of the hickory smoked bacon burgers, medium rare. Mine was perfect. My wife's was raw, and I mean raw. My wife had half of mine while they made another one. The new one was almost right. About 1/4 of it was raw. What wasn't raw was very good. The fried okra was good. The fries were so-so (not crispy). The service was terrible. They were a little busy, but not *that* busy.

Great spot in Downtown. Relaxed atmosphere and large selection of cigars along with a knowledgeable…read morestaff. I stop by whenever I can.

The other day as I was driving down Campbell Ave, I noticed that a new establishment had opened in…read morethe heart of Downtown Roanoke. As I got closer and read the window sign with the store's name, I was able to discover that it was a cigar store and lounge. To be clearer, it was named Bison Head Cigar and Lounge. After being awarded the Yelp NC Triad Squad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, celebrating their contributions and accomplishments throughout the year, 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. Bison Head Cigar and Lounge, in Downtown Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. Cigars have played a very important role throughout the years. People have enjoyed smoking them after having a good meal and an after dinner drink. We've also had a long-standing tradition of new fathers handing out cigars to celebrate the birth of a child. This custom being symbolic of the father's pride and achievement in becoming a parent.This tradition has Native American origins and evolved over centuries, particularly during times when men were not present during childbirth and would smoke cigars to pass the time while waiting. The custom gained popularity in Colonial America and continued through the 20th century, as fathers waited outside the birthroom (which was often a separate room in the home) and smoked cigars to manage the anxiety and pass the hours. While less common today due to hospital birth and changing social norms, it remains a cherished and endearing gestures for many proud parents. The act is a way to share the happy news and celebrate with friends, family, and colleagues. Many new fathers now choose other ways to celebrate, but giving out cigars is still a thoughtful way to mark this momentous occasion. Over the years, cigar smoking has become integrated into various cultural practices and traditions. From a way to celebrate victories (such as the example mentioned above) to a symbol of power and relaxation for world leaders, to simply an enjoyable experience after having an exquisite meal, to watching a football game on a large screen tv in a relaxing ambiance, such as in cigar lounges found in major cities. Cigar lounges are social spaces designed for people to relax and enjoy cigars, featuring comfortable seating. Private lounges require a membership fee to join. While Public lounges, such in the case of Bison Head Cigar & Lounge, are open to anyone, offering a casual and inclusive environment. When I visited this new business, a very friendly and distinguished gentleman warmly greeted and welcomed me to the establishment. He gave me a tour of the place which consisted of a large size room with an extensive variety of cigars for sale in boxes or individually. And a comfortable lounge in a relaxed environment containing leather furniture and a large screen TV. The classic elegance of its exposed brick walls and hardwood floors makes this cigar lounge a haven for cigar aficionados. Especially in a time when finding a suitable place to enjoyba good cigar is both difficult and expensive. Here, all customers have to do is purchase their cigars there for the privilege of enjoying lounge alone, or in the company of good friends, while having pleasant conversations or viewing a football game on their large screen TV. Even though the current cigar variety is extensive, I would like to suggest the implementation of a special ordering service. This would allow customers to request specific, currently unavailable cigars, which the store could then source for them, incorporating a profit margin. This addition would cater to discerning patrons and enhance customer loyalty.

For our last night of our stay in Roanoke we wanted to have a special dinner at a local restaurant…read more I am really glad we found Hollywood's. Debbie, our waitress was fantastic. Great stories and excellent service. I had the Catfish Matrimony, my wife had the Club, and the rest had the half rack of ribs, filet and meatloaf sandwich. The portions were huge. The Catfish was fresh and cooked perfectly. The half rack of ribs was a large portion of very meaty, tasty and tender ribs. The meatloaf sandwich had enough meatloaf for another meal. The filet was great and my wife loved her club sandwich. We were all so full, we had to take dessert to go. The carrot cake cake was great. Thank you again Debbie, we had a great farewell dinner.

Dinner portions were good. Waitress was very busy but nice. We got the raspberry brownie for…read moredessert and my daughter loved it! She gave it 5 stars