Mario’s Restaurant & Lounge in Weirton is a beloved family-run institution that’s been serving authentic Italian fare since 1955.



Founded by Mario DiCarlo, an Italian immigrant who brought his passion for traditional cuisine to the Ohio Valley, the restaurant quickly became known for its homemade pasta, hearty lasagna, veal parmesan and perfectly seasoned sauces made from scratch.



Mario DiCarlo was a member of the same family that created the iconic DiCarlo’s Pizza and brought the family’s signature Ohio Valley-style pizza to the restaurant.



You know - the square pizza with cheese added after baking. Over time, the business grew into a full-service restaurant and lounge, offering classic Italian dishes alongside “DiCarlo’s Original Pizza.”



Mario’s remains family-run and continues to honor its founder’s legacy while maintaining a clear connection to the DiCarlo family tradition that began in nearby Steubenville.



The salad was fresh and crisp, with simple greens, tomatoes, and cucumbers that made for a light, refreshing start.



The fettuccine alfredo was rich and creamy, with perfectly coated noodles that delivered classic comfort without feeling too heavy.



The meatball heel stood out with its crusty bread, tender meatballs, and melted cheese, creating a hearty and satisfying bite.



The pizza rounded out the meal with a crunchy crust, tangy sauce, and just the right amount of gooey cheese — timeless, balanced, and delicious.



Grade: A

Route 22 Sports Bar is located in Weirton and is designed as a classic sports bar and grill, featuring multiple big-screen TVs throughout the space with live sports from any seat. The layout includes both ground-level seating and an upper balcony, giving it a roomy feel, while the large bar with a bottoms-up beer tap system is a centerpiece. The menu leans on American bar favorites with some creative twists - liks burgers, wraps, and wings. The fish and chips stick close to the classic with a battered fish that’s fried until golden and served atop a pile of fries. The portion is hearty, and the fish had a flaky interior that was a bit fishier than usual. The sliders come as a shareable option, offering smaller versions of their burgers with soft buns and juicy patties. They’re simple but satisfyinh. The ribeye was a bit chewy and gray, so I'd opt out of that next time. The buffalo chicken dip, though, was a hit. It was served hot and creamy with plenty of shredded chicken and a balanced kick of spice. Grade: C

Belmonte’s Italian in Weirton is a well-loved local eatery offering fresh, homemade pizzas, specialty Panwiches, hearty pastas, and pantry goods. When you first walk in, there's a ton of goods for sale - homemade pasta sauces, soups, and breads. Plus freezer-friendly meals like stuffed shells and lasagna. Belmontes Italian offers a plentiful storefront that feels more like a neighborhood deli than a sit-down restaurant. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the space is dotted with products for purchase. The food counter is efficient, though not designed for lingering. I packed one of the freshly made specialty pizzas from the rack. I'm not sure if pizza is the best term, since it was more like a bread with toppings and no sauce. While the crust was nicely baked and the ingredients were clearly fresh, the overall flavor fell a bit flat—I found myself really missing the richness and balance that tomato sauce usually brings. It wasn’t bad, just underwhelming compared to what I was expecting from a specialty pie. That said, I’d go back to try one of their more traditional pizzas or house-made pasta dishes, which seem to be where they really shine. Have you been? Grade: B

Tun Tea House is a boba tea & treats spot in Weirton.



Boba tea—also known as bubble tea or pearl milk tea—is a sweet, flavored tea-based drink that originated in Taiwan in the 1980s. It’s known for its chewy tapioca pearls (called boba) that sit at the bottom of the cup and are sipped through an extra-wide straw that is stabbed through the top plastic seal.



Black tea: Bold, malty, slightly bitter—pairs well with milk and sweeteners. This is what I usually go for.

Green tea: Light, grassy, slightly floral—often used in fruit teas.



I ordered a Brown Sugar Milk Tea which has light black tea, milk, brown sugar syrup and tapioca pearls covered in brown sugar syrup. Rich, sweet, caramelized.



Grade: A

Peking Nagoya is a Chinese buffet in Weirton. Fun fact: I used to work at the former K-Mart that was next door throughout high school.



So, I have been to this restaurant throughout its various name changes in various forms. The decor is standard for Chinese–American restaurants with some big chandeliers and half-wall partitions throughout the dining space. I haven't noticed much of a change in the food over the last 15 years, but I wanted to check out this latest rendition.



I ordered coconut chicken, general tso's chicken and honey chicken to split with the family. Plus, steak hibachi with rice & veggies.



Every entrée was pretty average. The quality of the chicken is usually what sets the food apart for me. But these were a bit stringy, at least as far as the chicken goes. The steak hibachi was OK. I did like the veggie mix, but the steak was just kind of steamed so it didn't get much of a sear.



The steak lo mein may have actually been my favorite because the steak seemed less soggy and the noodles had a slight bite to them.



Grade: C

Sometimes when I visit Weirton, it looks like a whole different world. When I was growing up, there was a Walmart where there is now a whole shopping plaza, which includes Crazy Mexican Restaurant & Grill.



This restaurant describes itself this way: "Authentic Mexican fair, margaritas, beers, main dining, mezzanine seating, patios and party room." 



I placed a big order for a bunch of different things to take back to my family. While I waited inside, I took in how large this place really is. There are colorful decorations criss-crossing the dining room, which drew my attention to the second level of dining. I don't know that I've seen a Mexican restaurant this big! 



I had to wait for quite some time for my order, but once it was finally ready, I was excited to take it home and chow down. First up: These hard tacos with steak. Hard tacos are not my favorite, but my mom enjoyed this slightly elevated take on the classic ground beef taco. 



One of my favorites was the arroz con pollo. Chicken + rice + queso = always tasty. I can only imagine how much better this dish could be if it was peppered with plump, juicy hunks of chicken breast rather than the slivers of chicken that are usually a bit dry.



We also had a burrito California, which is a giant burrito with all the fixins: steak, avocado, onion, rice, beans, etc. Dad was a fan of this with all of the variety. And the barbacoa street tacos - cilantro and white onion on corn tortilla - were tasty, but also a bit dry. 



Chicken chimichangas were topped with lettuce and tomato, and it. all kinda became a bit soggy, but it wasn't bad. I mostly moved those off to the side, because they don't add much flavor, and enjoy the simple chicken chimichanga.



Finally, a taco salad with ground beef. I didn't try this one, but mom enjoyed it. Overall, this place was fairly average - but I did enjoy the extra fanfare.

Grade: B

"Every summer Wednesday since 1969, members of the Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church Men’s Club have gathered at the Serbian Picnic Grounds along King’s Creek outside of Weirton.



In a long, cement block building, they mill about in the dawn light, eating donuts, drinking coffee, and reading the morning paper. They’re here for a weekly fundraiser they call a “Chicken Blast,” for which they roast 300-400 chickens and sell them to the Weirton community (WVPB)."



When I was young, my family would go here often during the summer. They have a little playground where I would have fun with friends, while the adults would chat and play cards.



It's really a simple fundraiser that has turned more into a cultural phenom. It's a whole process that the locals know by heart.



Staring at 6 a.m. on summer Wednesdays, people can call 304-748-9866 to reserve their chicken. They then have to be picked up by 6 p.m. and cost $8. My dad and I made the trip so I could relive this childhood experience. He knew just where to go, and we got in line, and our chicken was ready to go.



The chicken is like a small rotisserie chicken that is hot, tender and moist. Each person could enjoy their own. It as fun to participate again and get a tasty meal. Plus, we also saw this cool Peter Tarr Furnace on the way.



Have you been?