Jim's Steak and Spaghetti is one of those iconic Huntington restaurants that you just gotta try. And I've heard my fair share of Jim's being entirely overrated, so I was hesitant. But whenever someone downplays a restaurant, I think my propensity to like them increases. The inverse is also true - don't talk up a restaurant to me, or my expectations will be entirely too high.


After an assignment one day, my photographer friend and I were starving. We walked in and a waitress seated us at a green booth. It just so happens that President John F. Kennedy sat in that very booth. And they're very proud of it.

The menu features Italian fare and some "dinners" - steak, ham, fish. I ordered a small spaghetti. It came with a small salad (I ordered French dressing).


It wasn't too busy this particular day. Our food came out fairly quickly.

My salad was basic, but crisp. French was out of a packet, but I'd rather they give me that than no French at all.

I was actually surprised at how small the "small" spaghetti was. Granted,  I really didn't need much for lunch. But I didn't want to risk a large spaghetti. Anyway, it was good enough for this day. If you're bringing an appetite, you might want to get the large.

I know some folks aren't huge fans of the sauce, but I liked it. While many say it's capitalizing on the past or its reputation, I think the food is actually good. It reminds me of spaghetti my grandma made. The sauce is cheap. It's nostalgia for me - not for the restaurant - but for that type of food. And I missed it.

The sauce doesn't have a great depth. It's salt, pepper, garlic with some ground beef in a ketchup-based sauce. It's good.

I also got a few slices of bread and butter to go with the dish. Reminds me of home. Love that.

I wish I had been there for strawberry pie week, but alas, I settled for chocolate. Settled, ha. It was delish - indulgent. It's essentially pudding with a whipped topping and a crust. So lovely.

The worst part about this place is that it is cash or check only. There is an ATM there, so it's convenient.

Regardless, it's one of those places you gotta try. It's a classic.

Grade: A

Probably the most popular hot dog stand in West Virginia - whether warranted or not - is Hillbilly Hot Dogs. This fame is probably due to its um, interesting decor that has warranted attention from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and others.

There are a few locations, but the original - complete with buses to dine in - is in Lesage, just outside of Huntington.

You can tell there's a lot going on when you don't notice the bus in the tree when you first pull up (guilty).

This place is full of junk. Really. It looks like if you took a back road down some hollers, you would find old, rusted crap in someone's back yard. I can think of a few houses like this.


Parking is kind of confusing, but it's just a large gravel lot with random piles of junk interspersed. So I think you can really just park wherever. We made our way over the entrance, taking in some of the local "art."

When you go in, there's a precarious line you form, and that's when there's a chance to glance over the menu. They feature more specialty dogs than traditional West Virginia dogs. They have things like a deep-friend hotdog, one with bbq sauce, another with egg, a pizza dog, and their famous "home wrecker," which is 15 inches and has tons of toppings.

Being a native, I went with the "West Virginia Dog," which had sauce, mustard, onions and slaw. And a side of onion rings. They sing a "weenie song" when you tip. I paid and took my seat on the bus.

This bus has signatures all over it, so I had to add mine, of course.


My friends and I waited for our hotdogs - one of whom got a homewrecker (they say "we've got a homeeeeeeeeeewreckerrrrrrrrr when it comes out. You can try to eat it in 12 minutes for a T-shirt, but this was just to-go) - for only a few minutes before they called our names.

The thing is that this place is mostly operating off of gimmick - I think. And it's a fun gimmick. It capitalizes on a stereotype, and people love that stereotype and it's fulfilled for them when they come here.

I just want some damn good food.

This was okay food.

The sauce wasn't super exciting. The slaw was more like picnic cole slaw - very piecey with large chunks, rather than a more cohesive thick sauce. It kind of felt like I was eating a mini salad on top of a hotdog.

Onion rings were pretty good - though I wish a homemade sauce accompanied it. That's where you see the truly authentic flair. Anybody can fry some frozen onion rings.

But, really, the food is fine. It's fine. But people go here for the entertainment. I think I'm okay with that.


Grade: B

The Charleston Town Center Mall is one of the best - if not THE best - in West Virginia. It's huge and has most of my go-to stores.

It also has a Chinese place in the food court - China Max!

I know you all know my love for Chinese food, and while this isn't upscale, fine American-Chinese dining, but it is a great option for quickie American-Chinese food.

It's cafeteria-style in the sense that there are large trays of premade food kept hot, and you can choose what you like. I chose two different types - a honey type and a sweet/sour type. Both made with a thick, sweet, tangy sauce. Both quite tasty.

Chicken was of good quality, with a nice crisp coating, covering in that thick sauce.

I got a side of lo mein, which was fine quality. And a side of two crab rangoons - you can also get an eggroll - but nice they do these on the side rather than paying full appetizer price.

If you want good, quick Chinese food in the mall, this is a pretty good option. I've definitely had worse. 

Grade: B