While passing through Ansted, I approached Dixie's Drive-In. This drive-in restaurant is named after the owners' late golden retriever. While the name "Dixie" is often associated with the Confederacy, I was happy to see cute drawings of the pup, rather than flags, adorning the building.
When I pulled into a parking space, it seemed like the restaurant was pretty busy - there were lines of people at the ordering and pick-up windows. It didn't appear they were offering carside service, which is a bummer because I think that's part of the charm of a "drive in" restaurant.
But as I approached the window to order, it was clear the restaurant is still "drive in" in concept - with milkshakes, sundaes, cones, and sandwiches, hot dogs, and burgers. I ordered a cookie dough sundae and after a bit of a wait, my number was called and the "Dixie Blast" (aka Blizzard) was in my hands.
They don't skimp, that's for sure. My cup was filled to the brim, and on this hot day, it hit the spot. It was melty before I left the lot, but you can't really go wrong with ice cream. Overall, a nice treat.
Grade: B
Chimney Corner Cafe is a fun restaurant that sits in this intersection right before Hawk's Nest.
I've passed it many times, but only recently stopped after checking out the gift shop across the way.
They have plenty of outdoor seating and even a pavilion area which would be perfect for shows.
It's even tiered so everyone could see!
The menu is simple, but they do have daily specials.
Their daily special on this day was pulled pork french fries. That seemed like a perfect snack.
And, here are some views after I went to Hawk's Nest! Never actually made it to this overlook before!
The tram is unique.
And, I even took a jetboat ride!
First stop: Kanawha Falls. I wasn’t even expecting this – I just saw a sign then all of a sudden this expansive body of water, so I turned around and went back. Folks were fishing there, and it was a nice little spot. Second stop: Cathedral Falls. I probably would’ve passed this little guy up had a friend not warned me about it. It’s in the bend of a road, and it kind of just looks like a stopping point, but if you walk just slightly back, you see some tall falls. Gorgeous. Serene.
Third stop: The Mystery Hole. This is a well-known tourist trap for folks on the way to Hawks Nest. It’s like $6 or $7 to go. I don’t really want to ruin the fun, but it’s an odd “gravity-defying” room. It was fun and kitschy, but honestly, having had previous issues with vertigo, it left me feeling very wobbly and uncomfortable. Not ideal. Fourth stop: Hawks Nest. We had a nice little view and checked out the gift shop. I got some post cards, a strawberry cowtail, and a WV magnet.
For dinner, we ate at Hawks Nest because we were starving. Hawk’s Nest Restaurant is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the off season and 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in season. They weren’t too busy, but their staff seemed beyond flustered.
I tried looking over the menu quickly and just opted for a bacon cheeseburger at the hefty price of $9. It’s a very small menu, with just a few burgers, sandwiches and entrees. Not a ton of variety. I also asked for sweet potato fries. A little while later, our plates came out. Mine, with regular fries. I asked about it, and she said the kitchen must have made a mistake. I said okay, can I just have ketchup in the meantime? And she said they were out of ketchup.
Out of ketchup.
OUT. OF. KETCHUP.
How is that a thing that happens? Ketchup is essential for my burger AND my fries. Okay, fine. Can I have ranch? That worked.
Until the table next to me asked their waitress for ketchup, and she gave them some. What the.
Our waitress came back with my sweet potato fries in a to-go container, which was fine. They’re just not nearly as good cold. I didn’t even bother with the ketchup ordeal.
So the burger was pretty juicy, and the toppings were crisp and fresh. It was very tasty, actually. The fries were thick, but they were okay. The sweet potato fries were clearly frozen and fried, but by the time I got to them, they were very soggy.
Really not too bad of a burger – I’d pass on the fries, though. And it was a little pricey, but worth it to me.
Grade: B
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