I have been eating here for years and tonight will be the last. The food is still good but the…read moreservice is terrible! Two weeks ago we came and ate and never got waited on the same thing tonight you get your food. You're never ask if you want to refill a box or even if you need your check, we stood up at the front several minutes before someone finally come to ask us what we needed. We then paid the bill after letting another couple go in front of us that have received their check the waitresses sit at a back table on the computer or on their phone.. I hope the manager will see this and the service will get better. I let the woman that checked us out know of our concerns.

No trip to Smith Mountain Lake is complete without a dinner at El Toreno Mexican restaurant. SO…read moreGOOD! The food was amazing as usual! And I think I had the best margarita of my life. Thank you staff at El Toreno! See you next year.

I stopped in with my family for dinner on our way to a national park, and I am so happy we did! As…read morea recent transport from Miami, the food was fresh and authentic. As soon as we walked in, the owner José greeted us and invited us to sit where we'd like. The service was timely and polite, and the restaurant is adorned with a massive, REAL philodendron! I can't wait to come back on another trip with more family members!

My 20-year old son (who attends Virginia Tech) and I were pleasantly surprised to find authentic…read moreCuban cuisine near the Roanoke airport. We found this place through Yelp for an early Saturday dinner. The restaurant was full of customers at 5:30pm - so we ordered takeout to bring back to our hotel. The service is warm with a family-friendly vibe. I would strongly recommend the vaca frita - which was outstanding and ideal for carryout. The red beans and rice were also delicious. I tried the ropa vieja (which is a bit more messy for takeout - but a great option if you're dining in). We also enjoyed the vanilla flan dessert which was very sweet (ideal with coffee). Overall, this was a great surprise in Roanoke - we hope to return to Cuban Island Restaurant on our next trip to Blacksburg, VA.

Unbiased, I ordered the Linguine Frutimare and it was genuinely the best pasta me and my girlfriend…read morehave ever had. Not to mention it was like 5 dollars more including tip than the Dennys we had last night. Great service. Great environment. I am coming back every time I'm in Roanoke, quote me on that.

This is a tiny second location in Roanoke for Inka Grill. The larger business is their downtown…read morespot. They do offer a few other cities such as Greensboro which I've dined at. Parking is challenging when capacity, but do drive around back and try. The lot was clear of debris. Our party was immediately placed on a wait and asked to move to the two seat bar, ha! Yep two seats. No one asked for drink orders which was disappointing. They were slammed! The atmosphere is blah, hole in the wall joint. But if the food is good it will make up. Within 10 minutes we were seated in a booth and provided menus including traditional Peruvian cocktails by a friendly staff. A short time later drink orders were taken and my son got a Passion Sour, a OJ concoction with egg that he enjoyed. The entire menu is traditional Peruvian. So you're sure to find a favorite. My wife and I ordered the Bistec and my son Lomo. Orders took around 25 minutes to push out, but they all came out correctly and same time. Also looked yummy! My medium well Bistec was cooked to perfection and delicious. The plantains were like candy, it's been a long time since I've had them. My son enjoyed his meal as well and has had it a few times at other places. A follow up to our entrees was not preformed, but luckily not needed. Much later a follow up to refill waters. I'm a soft 4 stars on Inka Brambleton location. The food was all very strong which propped them up. However, service was slow to lacking. 3.5 rounding up.

On a rainy Sunday evening at around 6:45pm I arrived at this small Mexican restaurant and the first…read morelesson I learned was to "Never judge a book by its cover," for when I entered I found an almost full restaurant with just a couple of empty tables. As I waited in front of the Host's station to be seated, a friendly lady came out from the kitchen, greeted me with a warm welcome, took me to one of the few empty tables and handed me the menu. It was four pages, but designed very colorful and creative with lots of tiny photos of some of the food items. To drink I ordered an Iced Horchata (Sweeten Rice Water). This cold non-alcoholic drink tasted sweet, creamy, and refreshing, with a prominent cinnamon flavor. First time I had it but I immediately fell in love with this very unique and comforting taste. As an appetizer I ordered a dish with shrimps, which I had seen being served to another table. As the main dish I ordered a Chori-Pollo, which was basically a grilled chicken breast filet topped with Mexican sausage and cheese dip. And a side steak taco. And for dessert I had the Churros. Everything tasted delicious with an authentic Mexican cuisine. Even the loud background music gave the place an authentic Mexican flavor and atmosphere. In conclusion, this is a local Mexican family restaurant where you feel at home in a relaxed environment, enjoying genuine Mexican food prepared by natives of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

We went in on a Tuesday when the restaurant was mostly empty. They had $2 Birria taco specials…read morewhich you can't beat. They were pretty big and delicious! The apps were just ok- queso seemed watery , salsa very mild. The corn bowl was good but not out of this world. Service was very friendly , waiter checked in on us multiple times. There was some music and some soccer games on. Would def return for the taco deals.

Gorditas Al pastor and steak Mulitas were both very good. I really enjoyed the corn flavor of the…read moreMulitas. The green sauce was also tasty and the hot sauce was very hot. Rice and beans were fine but nothing special. Service was very friendly. I enjoyed the small seating area and simple design.

In a little house on a short street in Salem, Virginia, one that if it were not painted a bright…read moreorange color, would simply go unnoticed, is housed one of the smallest restaurants that I have ever seen. Yet we must not let its size deceive us, just as we should not judge a gift by its size nor a book by its cover. 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 Tacos Coronados in Salem, Virginia, is the perfect example. After driving by this Mexican little restaurant the other day on my way to Gusto Pizza for dinner, I thought to myself, "It is in small hole in the wall places like this one that one finds amazing food. I definitely need to return soon to try it out." And today is that day. I set my Lexus GPS to their address and started driving their way, encountering a torrential rain along the way, only being able to see a bright orange spot when I arrived. I decided to wait in my car for a while listening to music. As the rain resided and I was able too see the Mexican restaurant, the first thing I did was take a photograph of it from inside my car, since small drops of rain were still falling from the sky. Once inside, I noticed the place was also painted the same bright orange color, had a counter were To Go orders were taken and picked up, and a modern computer cashier where orders were paid. But what impressed me the most was the cleanliness of the place, and how very organized it was, with well use of space for five booths that each could seat four persons comfortably. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and its food. A friendly gentleman came out from the back to greet me and gave me a warm welcome. He appreciated very much that I spoke Spanish and talked to me about the restaurant and its menu. Most of their business is for Take Out orders, but on some days and times it can get full with dine-in customers. One thing that caught my attention was that Chips and Salsa were listed in the menu under Appetizers for $4.50. Afterwards I did my research and found out that Chips and Salsa is not a traditional complimentary offering in Mexico. It is considered an American Tradition. And that some restaurants make it a point to serve high-quality chips and salsa, justifying a charge for them. I ordered a bottle of Orange Fanta to drink and a Gorditas al Pastor (with Pork) Special to eat. Their appetizers in the menu were limited to Chips and Salsa, and Chips and Guacamole. And they had no dessert items. However, they did have Taco Tuesdays, when Pork or Chicken Tacos are $2 each. This was the first time ever that I have had gorditas but my server explained that they were a traditional Mexican street food consisting of a thick masa (corn dough) cake that is fried, then slit open to create a pocket and stuffed with various fillings like cheese, shredded meats like carnitas (pork), beans, and vegetables. Their picture sure looked good on the menu. The name "gordita" means "little fat one" in Spanish, referring to its plump, thick shape. They were crunchy and tasty, full of flavor. I definitely enjoyed my meal of genuine Mexican street food, highly recommend the restaurant for a very unique dining experience with genuine Mexican cuisine and an extraordinary customer service.

This place was within walking distance of the hotel and that my co-workers and I stayed at so we…read moregave it a try. We were seated immediately. It took a while for a server to come get our drink order then a bit to get them to us and take our order. The food wasn't bad, but not a whole lot to really choose from compared to this restaurants back home. I had the ARRACHERA BURRITO and it pretty good. Very filling! The ambiance was causal. The restaurant is located inside an old Applebee's, but has been upgraded to a Mexican look. The birthday celebrations were pretty cool to see. I'm up in the air on if I'd return.

Beautiful and delicious food. Service is always outstanding. Very clean and fun environment!! The…read morebest margaritas in town!!

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.

Love their food first off. The staff there can guide you if you don't know what to order off that…read moredelicious menu they have to offer. It is beautiful in there and presentation is presenting. Service is better than the A-1 sauce in my fridge & so is their sauces Their food is better than a lot of other restaurants in the area as well. Remember this is locally owned so that says a lot. You'd be a little bit silly if you choose another restaurant ... can't lie lol especially if you're a food explorer! Their delicious desserts BTW goodness I ate like three different plates

This El Rodeo on Electric Road is part of the Arellano family's local chain of Mexican restaurants,…read morewhich introduced Tex-Mex to the Roanoke Valley in the late 1980s. The original El Rodeo opened on Williamson Road around that time and due to community demand, the family expanded and operated additional locations across Roanoke and Salem. Their newest and most beautiful of them all, Rodeo Chico, is located at the Daleville Town Center, in Daleville, Virginia. I've had an opportunity of dining and reviewing almost all of them except this one. Today I decided I would go and try this one out. Located at the Brambleton Center, an elevated development in Cave Spring, Virginia, that also includes the Virginia Co-Op Extension, a Recreation Center, and The Bridge Church Roanoke, it is by far their largest restaurant in this area if one includes its extensive outdoor dining area with a solid beautiful gazebo with an amazing view of the surrounding mountains. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place, its creative architectural design, its amazing views, and its high-quality food. After driving in my pearl white Lexus up the hill, I parked in their parking lot in the back and walked around the wraparound porch of their building until I found the entrance. But before I went inside I walked around their extensive outdoor dining area with beautiful views. Once inside a friendly gentleman at the Host's station greeted me and showed me to a comfortable booth next to a window in the bar dining area of the restaurant. The perfect location to be able to capture photographs of their food in natural light. Afterwards I visited their main dining room which was already almost full in the late afternoon / early evening. After I was seated, Freddy who had served as my host, would also be my server. I ordered a large Virgin Mango Margarita to drink, which looked wonderful and tasted marvelous. I enjoyed munching on their basket of Tortilla Chips after dipping them in their red and white salsa as well. Few Mexican restaurants serve the white salsa. For my main meal I ordered the Carnitas, which contained tender chunks of pork and their photo in the menu made them look so good. They came with rice, beans, guacamole salad, pico de gallo and flour tortillas. I drank my Mango Margarita and enjoyed my chips with salsas while I waited and it didn't take long for my main entrée to come out. It looked delicious: both in quality, quantity, the way they were cook and presentation. All of a sudden, after just taking a taste of these carnitas, this restaurant had become one of my favorites Mexican restaurants. My server did an excellent job checking on me to see if everything was all right and check if I needed anything. The amount of food was so generous that I asked for a container to take some home with me. For dessert I had a Flan and it was also large and delicious. The prices were so reasonable and the amount of food so generous and good, not to talk about the exceptional service, that I made sure to leave a good tip when I paid with my Harvard Alumni World Mastercard. In conclusion, I highly recommend this Mexican restaurant for such an extraordinary dining experience that I had today and look forward to returning many times more.

WOW! MY LIFE IS 4EVER CHANGED !! From the moment you walk in and are met with a claw machine, group…read morephoto opportunities, and a diligent and friendly staff, you know you're in for a great experience. The walk from the waiting room to our table felt like a magical stroll through the heart of MEXICO !! Better than that, though, was the quick and intentional care of the wait staff! WOW! SO FAST! UNBELIEVABLE CHIPS AND DRINKS ARE THERE RIGHT AWAY! The lighting and music AGAIN made me feel just like I was in MEXICO. We ordered ACP (of course) and midway through our next breath our food was there! So quick, again!! At the sight of our food, we were SO overjoyed that tears couldn't help but flow. I've been to many Mexican restaurants, but can confidently say THIS is the best, most authentic, IN. THE. WORLD. (Even better than Ethiopia!) Would come back! Tengas in bein día