Top notch hotdogs, great prices, awesome owner and gives his tips to the SPCA...love this hotdog…read morestand!

Not to sound cheesy, but Home Run Hot Dogs is a home run! I have mentioned in previous reviews that…read moreI am a big fan of supporting local businesses, and money spent at this gem of a hotdog cart is an excellent way to feed money into the local economy. The owner/chef Robert Evans can be found most Saturdays and Sundays serving up his delicious hotdogs outside the Roanoke, VA Best Buy. Robert uses all-beef hotdogs and steams the buns as they should be. He has all the toppings including chili, Bertman Ball Park Mustard, onions, jalapeños, cheddar, and much more. The hotdogs alone are worth a visit to this food cart, but the prices are the icing on the cake. A double combo features two hotdogs, chips, and a drink for the low price of $6. What adds to this great business is Robert's enthusiasm. He is super friendly and loves to talk with his customers while preparing their food. He's an avid baseball fan and enjoys discussing the great American pastime with his patrons. Take my word for it, Robert's Home Run Hot Dogs cart is a fun time any weekend it's open.

Everyone loves a good hot dog and that's including me. And today, as I was driving along Brandon…read moreAve in Southwest Roanoke, I happened to notice this hot dog joint named "Roanoke Weiner Stand #2 ." As you can expect, I pulled over their parking lot and since it was around lunch time, I got out of my Lexus and went to try them out. A friendly gentleman behind the counter greeted me and took my order. The menu on the wall was not too specific on the kinds of hot dogs they had, so I asked if they had one with sauerkraut. The order taker immediately said no, not that one. So I asked for a hot dog with chili, mustard, and onion, which was on the menu, and asked for another one with ketchup, mustard, and relish. I also ordered some french fries and a fountain drink, which there was a sign that clearly stated: "No Refills." and "$2.07 for a refill." It didn't take long for my two hot dogs and fries to be ready. I took them to a table and ate them. The hot dogs themselves were the short kind which are soft inside, but they were nice and tasty. These as different from the ones sold at a hot dog cart which are long and firm inside. The buns were fresh and soft, and the fries were nice and crispy. The chili, however was disappointing in texture and taste. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the quality of their food. Before leaving I asked the order taker if this restaurant was of the same owner as the Roanoke Weiner Stand in downtown Roanoke, and he told me they were different owners, but basically the food menu was the same. This one was opened in 1984 by Gus Pappas after he took over the family business. Overall, I enjoyed the tasty hot dogs, but not so much the chili. Their fries were nice and crispy and freshly served. The atmosphere of the place was warm and nostalgic. The service was fast and the staff was friendly. I wouldn't mind eating here again when I'm around the area.

Not friendly hotdogs are just ok fries are really good we told it was our first time there and they…read moredidn't talk to us. They weren't friendly at all.

Today, we visited Burger in the Square and arrived just in time to beat the rush. Our waitress,…read moreAlyssa, provided some of the best service we've experienced in a long time. Our drinks were perfect and served promptly. My wife ordered the Mushroom Burger, and I went with the Texas Chili Burger. I was absolutely famished, so I strategically took my burger apart and ate it in stages; it was simply too large to eat normally! The onion rings were excellent, offering a great crunch and fantastic flavor. My wife couldn't even finish her meal because the portion was so generous. The restaurant was clean, the tables were spotless, and the atmosphere was quiet enough for us to plan our next few days without distraction.

Superb burgers, wide variety, plus other sandwiches. Burger was juicy and the bun is great. You are…read moregreeted when you enter, the server was very energetic and knowledgeable. The restaurant is clean and very comfortable.

Today, just only two weeks after opening, I discovered a very unique family-owned business by two…read morevery friendly and unique husband and wife partners. 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 shops and 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 7 Stars Lounge in West Downtown Roanoke, Virginia, is the perfect example. 7 Stars Lounge is a very unique business indeed. It's a combination of a Cigar Lounge, Bar, and Cafe. After retiring, Larry the co-owner with his wife Mini decided to open a business that embodied the things that they enjoy most in life. The husband enjoys smoking a good cigar, relaxing in a leather recliner, while watching a large screen TV or talking with friends. So originated the concept of a Cigar Lounge. In their business, this lounge is located in a separate adjacent room with leather recliners, side tables, large screen TVs, and two pool tables. Just outside of this room is a humidifier room where they have a great variety of quality cigars for sale. While other Cigar Lounges make you pay for a membership in order to enjoy the place. Here, as long as you purchase any item from the Cigar store, Bar, or Cafe. You have the right to enjoy the Cigar Lounge for free. The wife's, who is a Chinese native, and co-owner of the business, favorite food is the Chicago Hot Dog. So they decided that the Cafe specialty would center around the genuine Chicago-style Hot Dog, with autentic Vienna Beef Hot Dogs. This hot dog is inserted into a soft poppyseed bun and topped with mustard, Chicago-style relish, chopped onions, half-sliced tomatoes, a pickle spear, and a sport pepper, to give it that extra crunch and flavor. Besides this, they also have other Hot Dogs like the Chili Hot Dog, the Kraut Hot Dog, and the Original Hot Dog. As for me I like a good hot dog, so I welcome this new addition to the culinary lineup in the Star City. The menu also includes some Sandwiches, Breakfast Sandwiches, Bakery items, Salads, and authentic Fried Rice cooked by the wife. She is also planning on cooking freshly made donuts from scratch. The Bar they plan to have will only have beers (draft brews like Stella Artois and Heineken plus bottles and cans) and a selection of wines. The restaurant's space itself is a nice size and furnished with quality wood tables and chairs. They already plan to hold a group party their which will consume a selection of items from their menu. Today, I ordered two Chicago style Hot Dogs and a can of Dr Pepper to drink. And they tasted amazingly delicious. Specially the quality of the Vienna Beef franks, which is known for their signature snap, that you don't find in many other hot dog places. And the fresh and soft poppyseed buns that topped off the favor and texture of the dogs, not including the other wonderful ingredients. I'm not a smoker so one of my concerns going to eat there was if the smoke of the Cigar Lounge would reach the Cafe, and I can assure you it didn't. The door that devides the two is very tight. My other concern was the parking situation. But in front of the business they have several parking spaces for the exclusive use of their customers. I highly recommend this place for those who enjoy the different items I've written about in this review. The owners are so friendly and nice that we should give them our support. I'm looking forward to returning one morning to have breakfast there, and to trying out their homemade donuts and fried rice.

It feels so great to support a new business.. really great Chicago Hot Dogs, nice selection of…read morebeers, great set up with a couple of pool tables and even a cigar room. Parent place to chill with friends or just swing by for a quick bite to eat. I'd say it's also a nice spot to have a casual business meeting. I'll be back... need to try their chicken salad sandwich!

The Roanoke Weiner Stand is a classic family restaurant that has been around since 1916…read more Conveniently located in the heart of Downtown Roanoke, right next to the Center in the Square, and the Roanoke City Market, this place is full of local history and mystic. After all, hot dogs are deeply embedded in America's food culture. After hearing so much about this local family restaurant and the important role it has played in the lives of the people of Roanoke and its visitors throughout the years, I decided to go visit for myself, explore the restaurant, taste its food, study its interior design and ambiance, and experience for myself a taste of the famous Roanoke Weiner that everyone is talking about. First of all, I was very impressed by the cleanliness of the restaurant and how it managed to mix the old with the new in its contemporary interior design, furnished with new but furniture design from the restaurants of the 60's, and souranded with artworks and photographs relevant to the long successful history of the restaurant and it's founder. Branded as the Hot Dog King and Roanoke's Oldest Restaurant, customers of all ages will have memories of the time when they visited their old location and soon to be new customers as they visit this new location with a historic resilience. All focused on one simple but delicious American cuisine item: the hot dog. When I entered the restaurant for a late lunch it was already full of customers eating there; some arriving and others leaving. Some even mentioning how they have been customers of the place for years. Above the ordering counter was a large menu for one to study while the customers in front ordered their food. When my time came up to order, a young lady greeted me and took my order. I ordered a hot dog. A sloppy Joe, french fries, homemade banana pudding and a small drink of Iced Dr. Pepper. As the lady took the order, a gentleman prepared and brought it to the counter. I went to sit down at a table where I could see the inside of the restaurant and at the same time view through the front window the Historic Market Building. The hot dog was a quality yet simple hot dog served in a fresh and soft bun with mustard, chili, and onions. The French Fries were crinkle cut. The Sloppy Joe Sandwich was served on a Hotdog bun. The hot dog and fries were delicious. The chili was a bit too salty for me as well as the sloppy Joe. I would also have appreciated it in a burger bun. The Banana Pudding could have used more sugar. But the dining experience was very unique and worthwhile. And I discovered a great place to enjoy some time alone or with others.

a roanoke star life attraction.as child we used to go buy by bags.my my husband our daily…read moreattraction for any hotdog..there used to be a man hero star forever memory of roanoke..cozy friendly.views.decor.a must visit for roanoke va.

Tucked away inside the historic city market building the Laughing Bull has a variety of menu…read moreoptions and the staff was friendly and the food came out hot and quick. There are tables inside a spacious hall decorated with greenery and interesting architecture. I'm not sure I ordered the best thing on the menu, the Teriyaki chicken panini was lightly sauced teriyaki chicken and Swiss cheese on thick Texas toast type bread. It could have been better honestly, it had a weak flavor and was pretty messy and hard to eat. The French fries were good, maybe a little overly salted but good. I would give it another try.

In a word, OK. In the Market Building food court in downtown Roanoke, Va. comfortable common-area…read moreseating, staff brought the food to us after ordering at the window. Very nice staff, answered our questions, and were quite friendly. Ordered two gourmet burgers and a 'cheese steak' panini. All three came with fries and were visually appealing. The burgers were stacked, had nice veggies but the meat was rather tasteless, a real disappointment. The panini was inedible. The "steak" was strips of very tough and chewy meat that pulled right out of the bread, and the peppers overrode all other tastes. A real disappointment. The staff came and checked on us twice, very attentive. I would try it again, just to try another of their very creative dishes, but I am not running back. Good for a stop if you are downtown.

Today was the day that the hubs and I decided to take the plunge and try out this food truck. We…read morehave zero regrets in doing so, it was absolutely fabulous, two thumbs way up. The food was excellent. The customer service was excellent. The prices were excellent. Find them on Facebook to find their schedule, you won't regret it.

From the owner: I offer Nathans all beef hot dogs, 1/4lb beef hot dogs, and Sausage sandwiches with a variety of…read moretoppings. Multiple hot sauces, chili, sourkraut, mustards, bbq sauces, sweet and dill relishes, etc., in a unique hand built gypsy wagon that I have just completed building, and am now decorating with lively carvings, paint, etc. As I am now booking events, my page on FB shows when I will not be setting up at the Northwest Ace in Salem (Glenvar) VA.

There is no better place to go on a hot Summer day than to a shack that sells comfort American…read morehometown food like burgers, fries, and hot dogs, together with refreshing desserts like Hawaiian Ice and Ice Cream. 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 Hang 10 Hawaiian Ice & Cream in Roanoke, Virginia, is the perfect example. Located in Roanoke's Historic Wasena neighborhood, near the Green Goat Restaurant, in a quiet place off the Roanoke River Greenway, Hang 10 Hawaiian Ice & Cream is one of the Star City's greatest hidden gems. At first it was not easy to reach. I set my Lexus GPS to their address 805 Winona Ave SW, Roanoke, VA and it had me going in circles without really reaching my desired destination. Then I tried with my Samsung cellphone and finally I was able to reach the place. It has plenty of parking spaces off a wide street that leads to the neat shack. Just in front of the building it has a green grass area with bluish green picnic benches with red and blue patio umbrellas. The building itself is kind of a neat shack with aluminum panels as the outside wall with a light blue and red name sign hanging from one of those construction iron poles. But once inside, one finds a clean, colorful place with beach motifs like surfboards and a floatie in the shape of a pineapple that as you know is the symbol of hospitality, warmth, welcome, and friendship. The seating area is full of light blue color picnic benches, and there is a long yellow counter behind which is the open kitchen area where all the food and drinks are prepared. Two young gentlemen greeted me and gave me a friendly welcome. They briefly talked to me about the place and showed me where the menus were, which were enlarged and posted all over the place. Since I had already eaten dinner and had come for ice-cream, I ordered a scoop of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice-cream in a cup. As I ate my ice-cream, other customers came by, and I tried to photograph some of the interesting ice-cream creations they ordered. I invite you to look at my photographs accompanying this review for a better sense of the place and its very unique products they sell. From their Autentic Hawaiian Shaved Ice, to their Frozen Lemonade, to their Hershey's Ice Cream and Shakes, to their Soft Serve and Dole Whip, and more. All these not counting food items like their burgers, hot dogs, and hand-cut fries. In conclusion I highly recommend this "one of a kind" Eatery. It has a wonderful selection of comfort and refreshing food, desserts, and drinks, a friendly and welcoming environment, and excellent customer service.

Texas Tavern is one of those rare dining places that has become practically a historic icon in the…read moreCity of Roanoke. This dinner is housed in an old but well maintained tiny building on Church Ave SW in the heart of Downtown Roanoke. Opened 24 hours, 7 days a week, it is one of the few places where you can go have breakfast, lunch, or dinner, any time during the day. For this review I decided to wake up early in the morning and go visit it while it was still dark outside. You know turning an everyday event like having breakfast into a one of a kind adventure. As I arrived I was impressed to see this old, small, brick building, very well maintained, painted white, and very well lit all around and highlighted with a red neon light all around it on top. There were two men talking in the corner outside and one inside talking to the employee there and who was just about to leave. The decor of the restaurant was that of an old American dinner. After all, it first opened in the 1930's, but very well kept throughout all these years, and extremely well clean. Even the counter and ten red stools had that antique look, but nice and clean. It was like stepping back in time, very surreal, with even a working Coke machine inside. Here they only take cash as payment, but to remind you of the present, it contained an ATM machine inside a corner inside to help you have access to cash. At this time there was only one employee working there, but he was so welcoming and with such a nice personality and positive attitude in life. He started working here 5 years ago, around the time of covid, after having to change jobs, but has loved and enjoyed this job ever since; and it showed. The dinner was full of signs on the walls, including the menus. One of my favorites was a cartoon that said "Texas Tavern HOME of the CHEESY WESTERN." Another said: "Since 1930 we serve only H&C Brand Coffee. They also had for sale some souvenirs of the place, including a book with the title of Texas Tavern Four Generations of Millionaires Club by Shari L. Dragovich. It was $23 and signed by the author. For breakfast, I ordered from the Club Breakfast Menu, 3 Eggs over easy, Bacon, and White Toast with Butter, and a cup of coffee. The eggs were small but had the yellow color of fresh farm eggs and tasted the same, and their white toast was fresh and soft, from Flowers, with butter spread on them that made them taste just wonderful. Sometimes it is the simple things in life that bring the most joy. The cup of coffee with cream and sugar was nice and hot and tasted amazing. I enjoyed talking with Ryan, the employee, while having my breakfast, and am looking forward to return to have their famous Cheesy Western, Hotdog Chile, Hotdog, and Burger. In this little hometown restaurant I had one of the best breakfast dining experiences of my life. Very memorable indeed. I highly recommend this place to all of you reading my review. You will not be disappointed, and it will be an experience you will always cherish and never forget.

A 24 hour cheap eats spot serving up burgers and dogs under $5. When you ask for a recommendation,…read morethey'll likely say the cheesy western which is a cheeseburger with pickles, onions and cabbage relish. They offer it with bean chili and you can get onions added in. The place is a 10 seat dinner and at roughly 2 am on a Saturday, will have at leave 15-20 people crowded it looking for a post bar meal. They employees were nice and will talk to you about what to get and make recommendations. I will say, this is somewhere I liked trying but may not return.

For some time now people lined up in long lines with the hope of getting a taste of Mama Jean's BBQ…read moreout of their very popular Food truck. But today, they didn't have to, because the owner's dream of having one day a brick-and-mortar Mama Jean's BBQ Restaurant came true! 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. And Mama Jean's BBQ Restaurant, in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. At precisely 11:00AM this morning, the long awaited Mama Jean's BBQ Restaurant finally opened its doors to the public, and I was fortunate enough to be one of the first ones to be there for this momentous occasion. Located at 3404 Brandon Ave in Southwest Roanoke, it occupies the building where Jimmy V's Restaurant used to be, but with a complete renovation that went above my highest expectations. I arrived early at about 10:30AM when people were just starting to arrive and line up on a covered porch surrounding one side of the building. I quickly parked my Lexus in their conveniant parking lot and got in line. A gentleman standing in line next to me from Brent Mountain was planning on getting his Smoked Turkey and gravy, to take to their Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow, on Thanksgiving Day. As we waited in line to enter the restaurant, two restaurant's lady employees came around to take alcohol drink orders and credit card payments, and then brought back their drinks so they could drink while waiting. Along the porch, they had these warmers to warm the customers up in the evenings since they now planned to stay open until 7:00PM, The new hours of operation would be Wednesdays through Sunday 11:AM to 7:00PM. Inside, I was very impressed with the simple yet eclectic decor with artworks hanging from the walls which were a combination red bricks and white painted walls. The shiny flores and light treatment made the restaurant stand out. The bar was also decorated in very good taste. The small size of the place just gave it a warm and cozy ambiance in which one could enjoy their food and drinks. Most people were ordering their food by the pound to take out, but a few, like me, ordered ours to dine in and experience Mama Jean's BBQ in the comfort of a brick-and-mortar restaurant. The lady and gentleman, at the ordering counter were very friendly and helpful. When I explained I wanted to dine in and try a couple of BBQ items and sides, the lady suggested that I design my own try with one meat and two sides. Iincreased it to two meats: 1/4 lb of Pulled Pork and 1/4 lb of Brisket, with sides of Coleslaw and Mashed Potatoes. To drink I had a Cherry Coke. When the food was ready a server would call out our name and bring it to our table. On the condiment table they had the plastic silverware, together with the different BBQ sauces. The food was amazingly delicious. Now I knew fist hand what all the hipe was.all about. I would have had one of their banana puddings as dessert but it was getting late for my 12 Noon appointment for my haircut. I highly recommend this brick-and-mortar BBQ restaurant that used to be a Food Truck, and invite you to view my photographs and video clips that accompany this review to get a better sense of the place and the quality of its food.

Out on the road, I visit a lot of restaurants, because let's be honest, on the road, there's not…read moremuch better than a good piece of meat. Consequently, I end up at a lot of BBQ joints. On New Years Day, 2026, I found myself at a new BBQ hotspot in Roanoke, VA. Welcome to Mama Jean's. They started as a food truck, 2018. In 2025, they moved into a building. It reminds me of every BBQ joint in Alabama or Mississippi. If they have any problems right now, it's not enough seating. The menu glowed with all the BBQ mainstays, brisket, pulled pork... And then I hit something I don't recognize, baudin balls. This Louisiana specialty is a ball of pork and brisket and fried like a hushpuppy. For a BBQ lover, like myself, it is perfection. But I am distracted, let's keep going. The ambiance of this place is pure southern hospitality. Everyone knows your name and works together to make sure no one leaves this place unsatisfied. My own experience was brought to me by a lovely lady who will from this moment forward be known as, her Majesty, Queen Daphne. She took the time to make sure I understood what I needed and was pleased with the experience. This team understands customer service! And finally, the highlight of Mama Jean's BBQ, the meal! I ordered, well, everything. Brisket, pork, some ribs. Heck, I even bought the hat... From the moment I took my first bite of the brisket, I knew every cent I spent was well given. I mean do the kids need a college education? Maybe. Do I need this brisket? Definitely. It melted in my mouth. I took the whole sausage, not all at once mind you. You have to build up to that. You ladies understand. Make sure you don't forget the balls, baudin balls. Served five at a time, they are the perfect side dish for that moment when the flavor of the sausage veritably explodes in your mouth. Ah, Mama Jean, I will be coming back to Roanoke if for nothing more than your meat... Follow on note, this is a family friendly restaurant... ;-)