Samay Cuban Restaurant was a small, beloved restaurant located in Williamson, West Virginia, but unfortunately recently shuttered. The restaurant offered a menu rooted in traditional Cuban cuisine, featuring dishes like ropa vieja, lechón asado and empanadas. Opened in 2023 by owner Samuel Ojeda, the restaurant introduced authentic Cuban flavors to the region. One of the most charming traditions at Samay Cuban Restaurant was its offer of free chicken soup to every customer, a gesture that reflected the owners’ emphasis on community and hospitality. The soup was kept warm in a crockpot right on the counter and was simple and comforting — tender shreds of chicken, soft noodles, and a light, savory broth that tasted like it had simmered slowly with onions, garlic, and a hint of herbs. It wasn’t fancy, but it was deeply flavorful in that home-cooked, nourishing way. We also tried a hot dog here, which had potato sticks, chili, ketchup, mustard and mayo. It was biiiiggggg, and the mayo added a touch of creaminess not usually reserved for hot dogs. There wasn't much flan left, so he didn't charge me for a serving. But he did generously offer what was available. The Cuban-style vanilla flan is a smooth egg custard with a soft, silken texture. It's sweet but not overly rich, with a caramel layer on top that adds a warm, slightly burnt sugar note. I also tried Chicken Fricassee with tostones and rice, which was one of the most popular dishes. The chicken fricassee is tender and flavorful, simmered in a savory, well-seasoned broth, letting the natural juices of the chicken shine. Crisp tostones. Delish. Grade: A

Located at 210 Logan Street in Williamson, West Virginia, Hurley Drug Company Inc serves the surrounding rural community of Mingo County. The independent pharmacy provides prescription fulfillment, over-the-counter medications, and home-medical equipment. The pharmacy drew national attention during congressional investigations into the opioid epidemic when data showed that between 2006 and 2016 the town of Williamson — including Hurley Drug — received more than 10.5 million opioid pills. Hurley Drug is more than just a pharmacy —it’s a local institution. But what truly sets Hurley Drug apart is its old-fashioned lunch counter, where locals line up for one of the area’s most beloved hot dogs. I got one hot dog with chili, slaw, mustard & onions: The slaw offered a creamy, slightly sweet contrast to the standard hot dog. The bun holds together well, keeping things from getting too messy. BLT: Thick, crispy bacon layered on fresh, lightly toasted bread with lettuce and tomato slices; the mayo adds a smooth richness and the tomato’s juiciness balances the salty bacon. Simple, clean, and full of classic flavor—no frills, just a solid sandwich done right. Grade: B

If you find yourself in southern West Virginia and need a really, really good sandwich, look no further than 34:Ate.

This Williamson restaurant is the cutest space in town. It's a colorful, shabby-chic cafe that serves up salads, sandwiches, soups and desserts. 

Our vision was simple. Food: just like we'd make at home. Fresh salads, creative sandwiches, comfort food, and of course, dessert. Watch our for "Pop-up" dinners & Brunch! Quick Facts: We deliver lunch within the downtown Williamson and South Williamson area. 34:ATE is owned and operated by Debbie Young, Robyn Gannon, And Natalie Taylor. The doors opened in September of 2014 and they have been serving up fresh lunches and hosting pop-up dinners ever since. Where did we get the name? The Bible! Psalms 34:8. Look it up! Our favorite places/food to eat - Debbie: Cru Cafe (Charleston, SC), Robyn: Spaulding Donuts (Lexington, KY), Natalie: Max Brenner (New York, NY) (ABOUT).

Psalms 34:8 says: Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.


Along the wall are a few two-top tables, so I had a seat there while looking over the menu. The special that day was pepperoni rolls, and it was tough for me to pass them up. But, I wanted to try something standard on their menu, so I ordered the "Turkey Bacon Blackberry," which comes with turkey, bacon, Swiss, mixed greens, and rosemary infused blackberry mayo.

Really love the mix of sweet and savory sandwiches on the menu. They're not your plain, run-of-the-mill sandwiches you'd whip up in your kitchen. They all have a creative spin. My sandwich was huge, packed full of layers of turkey breast. It was all fresh, and the bread was toasted perfectly.

If you're in the market for a darn good sandwich (with a side of ruffles chips!), look no further. Indulge. You're welcome.

Grade: A

As part of my effort to complete adventures from the 55 things to do in the Mountain State list, I convinced Tom to accompany me to southern West Virginia to see the Coal House in Williamson and check out the grave of Devil 'Anse' Hatfield, as well as stop in Matewan and try the Tunnel Drive-In. It was a first me to travel through Lincoln, Logan, Boone and Mingo. Woo!

1) The Devil Anse Hatfield grave is in the middle of nowhere, but we found it without too much trouble. I realize how tough it is to not rely on my phone in an area where I have no idea where I'm going. I'm actually surprised I didn't get more lost. We climbed a hill to see that guy right over there ----------------> and nearly died on the muddy hill, but it was worth it to see this near-life-size statue of Hatfield. Fun fact, my friend BJ is a relative.

2) The Coal House is pretty cool. It's, well, a house made out of coal and is also home to the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce. Inside, I bought a coal pig. The whole Hatfield/McCoy thing is a huge thing in this area of the state, so I figured a pig would be fitting considering it is rumored that a stolen pig is what helped start the war between the families.

3) Matewan, of Matewan Massacre fame, had a nice little area devoted to the history of the massacre, as well as more Hatfield/McCoy stuff. I bought the book on Matewan there, because it seemed fitting.

OK, food!



The Tunnel Drive-In is one of the few drive-ins left in the state. It's located in Williamson, and it took me a few tries to find this place. The address has it listed on the road down below (so I thought), but I happened to look past the road and saw it, thankfully. As soon as I pulled up, my car was beside none other than Don Blankenship himself sitting in his Beemer eating some drive-in food. I was a little shocked.








After some awkwardness about omfg, that's Don Blankenship in the car beside me, we figured out what we wanted from the menu and went inside to order. After being in my car for hours upon hours, I didn't want to sit in there to eat, too.

I wanted to order the Tunnel burger, considering the namesake, but they were out. I found out it is a 1 lb. burger, so I'm glad they were out. Somehow, they weren't out of regular sized burgers, so I ordered one of those instead with a side of fried mushrooms. And a strawberry milkshake.

My burger was not bad - the burger was kind of dwarfed by the size of the bun and a giant piece of tomato. It was definitely well done, bordering on crispy, but a slice of cheese masks some of that. But a burger is a burger. It's still good because you can't mess up a cheeseburger too terribly bad.

The mushrooms were aplenty, and the ranch dip wasn't a bad touch. I don't know if I've ever dipped mushrooms in ranch? It worked, but I kind of liked them all on their own.

The perfect touch was a strawberry shake. I can't tell you the last time I had one, but it was so delicious. What goes better with a burger and a side of fried food than a smooth, sweet shake? Nothing, I tell you. Nothing.


Grade: B