Our first time to Americana and it will NOT be our last! Exceptional food and fantastic service…read more(thank you Victor!)....simply amazing. We can't wait to come back! Hawaiian Ribeye, spinach, brussel sprouts, baked potato, and OMG the Carver chocolate cake! Everything was fantastic!

We visited Americano in late afternoon/early evening. It was not crowded, but picked up a bit by…read morethe time we left. Our server Kylee was wonderful. Just the right amount of attention. I had salad, steak, and fries, then tiramisu. All were delicious. It was elegant, but seemed a bit outdated. We were not uncomfortable in jeans and T-shirts, though most patrons were dressed somewhat more nicely.

A small spot for a big appetite!…read more I hope you get to meet Allison because she made this experience worth it. I would have been lost without her and our Mountaineer son to guide us. You can order from a kiosk, the QR code at your table or Allison can help you. I had a bacon cheeseburger and my guys had burgers with seasoned fries. The food arrived very quickly and was cooked to perfection. Be warned: the seasoned fries are VERY seasoned fries. I snuck a few of my hubby's to taste but I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to eat an entire order of my own. I wish I had room for a shake because they looked incredible. Maybe next time!

My first time here and it was a little strange but in a good way there is no counter to order from,…read moreyou can place your order online using the app, or use the in store kiosk or scan the QR Code at your table place your order and pay then they will alert you when the food is ready to pick up at the counter or a member of their friendly staff will stop by get you name and bring your food to your table - it all works surprisingly good. The food here was outstanding although I thought the portions were on the smaller side for the price, the old adage "quality and quantity doesn't come in the same package" applies here in my opinion but I'd definitely return when I'm back in the area. The fries were outstanding and fresh cut to order and the chicken tenders were some of the best take-out or dine in I've experienced in a very long time. The drive through was a continuous flow that wrapped the building during our visit and the inside was just as busy but the staff demonstrated great skill in getting the food out in a reasonable time with a friendly smile and a thank you for coming in. If you like great chicken you'll love this place...

Food was beyond delicious, from fresh, artisan bread on the Club sandwich to shoe string fries with…read morea hint of rosemary. We got buffalo wings and pizza as well, with all food being absolutely delicious! The waitress was very attentive and nice. I would highly recommend giving this place a try and making it a regular.

The Elk River Depot is under new management now, and the wait staff has improved considerably since…read morethen. They've recently made some menu changes as well, though nothing terribly substantial aside from the permanent addition of a pizza buffet and salad bar. I've heard those were pretty good, but my recent experience has been of the breakfast variety. The food is still good and relatively plentiful. The restaurant is still clean and neat. Coupled with the improvements in service quality, I feel comfortable awarding a fourth star. My most frequent breakfast order here: Corned beef hash (the new menu says "corn beef hash") Eggs over easy Hash browns Wheat toast

We tried to get a table here almost every day of our 5-day trip, but it was packed! We finally…read moresmartened up and called a day ahead for a reservation. It might have just been the holiday rush, but I always figure "busy means good," so my expectations were high--and The Local didn't disappoint. We started with the nachos; they were delicious, though I do wish they came with a bit more meat. For mains, the burger was outstanding--probably one of the best we've had in the entire area. We also ordered the Brazilian steak, which was cooked perfectly and came with great plantains. The quinoa with tofu was good, too, though it was a little dry and would have been perfect with a sauce. The service really stood out. Our waitress was incredibly attentive and refilled my water at least four times without me asking. Great ambiance and an all-around good experience. Definitely worth the wait!

Stopped in here to grab a bite to wrap up our day of exploring. There was a very long wait, but we…read morewere table to get seats at the bar. Bar tender provided menus, and checked back on us after a few minutes to take order. They've got a good menu with pizza, sandwiches, burgers, and a good variety of entrees (seafood, steak, chicken, pasta), basically, they've got something for everyone. Not being too hungry, but knowing we needed something, we decided to just split an order of the pulled pork nachos. The food came out fairly quickly, looked and tasted great. They did not skimp on toppings. Staff was friendly, food was good, only complaint is it was very dark inside, and surprisingly loud in the restaurant, I can't imagine being there with live music, I assume it would be impossible to have a conversation.

Cute little spot with really unique cocktails and delicious burgers! Also highly recommend the…read morejalapeño cheddar hush puppies. Our server was friendly and helped me pick a cocktail after the one I wanted was out. Can't wait to go back and try another burger.

Things seemed moderately busy at the Cardinal on the Sunday evening when I stopped by. There's not…read morea ton of parking, by the way, given the restaurant's roadside location. But I wiggled my vehicle into a tight spot and went in for a burger and a beer. I believe there were about 10 to 12 options available on tap, and I went with what was listed as an Irish stout from somewhere in the Northeast. It wasn't bad, though it seemed more like an imperial stout. My sandwich choice was the Cowboy, with ground elk at its core. It was a good choice too, and the accompanying fried onions and melted cheese complemented the meat well. I ordered the burger medium, but I think I'd go for medium rare if I could go back in time. The medium option wasn't bad, but I think a little less heat and a little more moisture would only make things better. I kept things simple with the side item, going for the fries which were of the thinly sliced McDonald's variety, not bad but nothing remarkable. The server covering my table was pleasant and prompt, though soft spoken so I occasionally had to ask her to repeat herself amidst the music and noise. I wouldn't call any of these selections a bargain, but the prices didn't veer too far from what you'll find in many burger joints. All in all, not an earthshaking experience, but a place I'd be willing to go back to. 3.5 stars.

Well first off its location is near Elk River park road. The blt was crispy and full of bacon. The…read morehot dogs were meaty and well cooked. The ice cream? Lots of pecans in the butter pecan. Simply awesome and relaxing. Not fancy just good food.

Cheeseburger and onion rings are pretty good.. chicken fingers and peanut butter shakes are yummy…read moretoo .. Pretty fast but cooked to order.. has a outside seating area so if it's a nice day you can sit and eat.. they also sell bags of ice..

We stopped by Holy Smokes BBQ during peak lunch on a very busy holiday Friday, so the line was no…read morejoke--about 30-40 minutes. That said, once we ordered, the food came out surprisingly fast (5-10 minutes), and they clearly had a solid system in place for how busy they were. It's an order-then-find-a-seat kind of spot. The $15.99 combo special is absolutely the move: a main/sandwich/hot dog, two sides, a drink, and a small piece of fudge. The sides are on the smaller side, but the sandwiches and hot dogs are generously sized, so it balances out. Plus, the fudge at the end is a nice little sweet touch. Plenty of BBQ sauce options that slapped, too. Food-wise, everything we had was really good--flavorful and satisfying. The only hiccup (and the reason for the 4 stars) was with a couple of items. My hot dog was supposed to come with nacho cheese sauce and caramelized onions (I even watched it get rung in), but it came out completely plain. The mozzarella sticks also came out cold, which was not great--especially when you're expecting a cheese pull. When I brought the items back, I was asked if I wanted the mozz sticks microwaved... which was a hard NO. I asked for them to be remade properly which is when an older woman--possibly a manager or owner-- stepped in and did offer to remake them but seemed visibly annoyed. I get your busy, but hey -- my order was wrong so you should probably address that before rushing to the next order. For the hotdog, I told her what was missing and instead of the nacho cheese sauce and caramelized onions that was supposed to come on it, I was handed cold shredded cheese and chopped raw red onions. The food still ended up tasting good, but the reaction to the mistake was disappointing. Overall, it's a solid BBQ spot with great value and good food. I'd recommend it and would go back, though I might try a few other places first. With better handling of small mistakes, this could easily be a 5-star experience.

Cozy shop and restaurant. The dining room has a nice view off the mountain and of the slopes…read more Counter service was great and they bring your order to the table. I got the bbq pork sandwich with macaroni and cheese and slaw. Being a SC girl I had to try the mustard based sauce. Overall everything was excellent. The barbecue had a good smoky flavor and the sauce was on point. The coleslaw wasn't too sweet and went well with the barbecue sandwich. Macaroni and cheese was chefs kiss. I could've eaten a tub of it. The spot also offers coffees and other non-barbecue food items. There's a cute gift shop to pick up something from your visit.

Highlands Butchery delivers an excellent dining experience overall, earning a solid 4.5 out of 5…read morefor the visit described. The combination of attentive service, high-quality steaks, and a standout bourbon selection makes it a spot worth seeking out in Valdese.[1][2][3] ## Service and Hospitality Austin provided friendly, knowledgeable service, with spot-on recommendations and consistent follow-up throughout the meal, which really elevated the evening. The staff quickly seated the party of four and acknowledged the celebration for the wife's birthday, helping the night feel special from the start. When one filet needed a bit more sear, the owner personally stepped in, oversaw the re-fire, and had it returned to the table cooked perfectly. That level of ownership and responsiveness showed real commitment to **hospitality**. ## Food and Preparation Entrées arrived beautifully plated and cooked to appropriate temperatures, which is especially important at a butcher-driven concept known for its meats. The corrected filet came back with the ideal sear and doneness, reinforcing confidence in the kitchen's skill.[2][1] Portioning and presentation aligned with expectations for a farm-to-table steakhouse, highlighting the quality of their locally sourced meats.[3][1] ## Bourbon Library The bourbon library is a major highlight, offering an impressive selection of hard-to-find bottles that adds a distinctive draw for whiskey lovers. It pairs perfectly with their meat-focused menu and makes Highlands Butchery feel like a destination, not just a neighborhood spot.[4][1][2] Having such depth behind the bar also supports Austin's recommendations, allowing guests to explore pours they may not encounter elsewhere. ## Atmosphere and Noise The only real drawback of the evening was the room volume, which made conversation a bit challenging at times. Given how popular and lively the space can be, some additional noise baffles or acoustic treatments could help deaden the sound and make the dining room more comfortable without losing the energetic vibe. With that one improvement, this experience would easily move from a 4.5 to a full 5 out of 5, especially given the strength of the service, food, and bourbon program!

My husband got food poisoning that was severe after eating there on the evening of 4/24/2026.read more

Wonderful food, wonderful service, and great atmosphere surrounding us. The teriyaki chicken was to…read moredie for!

We got sat immediately despite there being no reservations online left. Our server quickly came…read moreover and filled our waters and took our drink order. My son's sprite came out quickly, and the bar drinks followed. I loved my holiday punch drink! The restaurant was still decorated for Christmas, but it made it more charming since we are in town to ski for the weekend. She brought out bread, but it wasn't warm, so that was odd. My son and husband still ate it; I did not. The escargot was ok ; not as good as other places we have had it. The fried deviled eggs were INSANE. We loved them so much. My son got the ribeye and a baked potato. He ordered it medium rare, and it was more on the rare side, but he still enjoyed it. As he kept eating, it cooked up a little bit. He ended the night with a cinnamon roll bread pudding with ice cream and caramel. The server lit a candle in it. Overall, we had a great time!