I've always been a big fan of local chef Chris McDonald. He was churning out delicious specials at Stefano's for years and whenever he participated in local competitions, the food was always outstanding. The Italian food was delicious, but I always looked forward to seeing his creative spin on dishes.



So I was excited to see him branch out to his own food truck, Von Blaze. And now, it's a brick-and-mortar. If you've been around Morgantown for a long time, you'll be familiar with the former Maxwell's location. That restaurant was a cornerstone of Morgantown dining, along with the likes of Glasshouse Grill and Richwood Grill. And those are the kind of restaurants that Chris grew up working in, so it makes sense that his own restaurant is now inhabiting one of those iconic spaces. 



Von Blaze is located downtown between Chestnut and High Street off Wall Street. It can be a bit hidden, but that adds to the charm. The interior is basic with some wooden finishes, mismatched chairs and modern light fixtures. 



Beginning in 2021, Locals Chris McDonald, a 25 year veteran of Morgantown restaurants, and April Passaro, a Fairmont native with years of hospitality experience, set out to create what Chef McDonald has dreamed of since his first real cooking job at the Morgantown staple "The Glasshouse Grille" in 1999.  Working for and with great cooks in Morgantown WV and Greensboro NC, McDonald honed his skills in the kitchen and his love of a wide range of regional and international foods. By his side with constant support, his fiance April comes from a small business and customer service background with a love of making people happy and a charismatic energy that makes you feel at home. 

Von Blaze was fortunate to be able to move in and renovate a once loved Morgantown location in the former Maxwell's restaurant space.  It took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to get to where it is today but being built by the owners allowed them to create exactly what they envisioned. 

What Von Blaze hopes to have put together is a local restaurant serving comforting but elevated, high quality but affordable food in a welcoming and unpretentious atmosphere.  Serving local brews and great food, we hope to be one of Morgantown's favorite little dining spots.



The menu has some weird things, and I say that in the best way possible. Drummies - which are frenched chicken drumsticks in your choice of sauce. Soups, salads, hand-cut fry plates, sandwiches. Above is the Cubano fry plate that my friend Kayla ordered: Cuban style seasoning, smoked pork and ham, M-80 pickles, white cheese sauce and brown mustard. I tried the pickles, which are, so good.



I started with garlic parm drummies. These are addictive. There are two per order, but they're large and flavorful: creamy garlic sauce with Shaved Parmesan Reggiano and black pepper. So, so good. I was licking the sauce from my fingers... and my plate.



Then I also got the "Mr Cheezle," which is a five-cheese grilled cheese on buttered sourdough. They had a crab soup special that day that I subbed for the tomato bisque it usually comes with. Definitely rich, so indulgent, and a powerful punch of flavors. Now, I just need to go back and try everything else on the menu.

Grade: A