Almost Heaven Smokehouse is a BBQ trailer that was located in Mill Creek when I visited, but it also travels elsewhere around the state and beyond. They offer up standard BBQ fare like ribs, brisket, pulled pork, wings, burgers, brats, mac & Cheese, cole slaw, baked beans, baked potatoes and more. I enjoyed BBQ pork with mac & cheese and potato salad. They had several BBQ sauces from which to choose. The BBQ pork was tender and lightly smoky. The mac & cheese was creamy and mild, and the potato salad added a cool, tangy contrast to the plate. A straightforward, comforting plate that delivered as expected without any frills. Grade: B

King's Kitchen is a local restaurant and smoke shop located in both Cross Lanes and Hurricane.



In Hurricane, King's Kitchen has a whole dining area with dedicated menu that features wings, burgers, bowls and fried apps.



I ordered a number of things to try, staring with boneless wings. These were actually more so cut up chicken tenders. But the sweet, salty sauce was pretty tasty.



Then, I tried the cornmeal crusted fried green tomatoes with spring mixed and balsamic vinaigrette. I loved the vinaigrette here that added a bit of punch here, isntead of a more creamy remoulade.



We also tried the chicken southwest egg roll with spinach, black beans and corn served with spicy ranch. The outer wrapper crackled a bit more than it should have - so it was crumbling a bit before biting into it. But, the filling was flavorful.



Finally, my favorite bite was the honey hot cheese bites - lightly coated in crispy crushed pretzel and filled wiht a cheese blend tossed in hot honey over spring mix. The creamy cheesy inside with the crunchy outside - plus savory and sweet. This had me written all over it.



Grade: B

The original Second Bar + Kitchen began as a standalone New American restaurant in downtown Austin, opened in 2010 by chef and restaurateur David Bull. Over time the concept expanded with new locations — including one inside Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in 2017. The menu includes oatmeal and benedicts in the morning, alongside salads, sandwiches, burgers and pizzas later in the day. I ordered the baked brie with currant-apricot mostarda, basil, roasted garlic and baguette. This had a bit more funk to it than expected, but with the fruity topping, I was able to temper it a bit. Grade: B

Taco Beach is a casual Mexican restaurant and cantina located inside Long Beach Airport’s post-security concourse (North Concourse). It has a compact, airport-friendly menu focused on tacos, burritos, nachos, and quesadillas, with breakfast burritos and tacos available in the morning. I ordered a breakfast burrito, which comes with eggs & cheese for $12. Protein is an upcharge. It arrived cold and dry, with the tortilla brittle rather than soft, making it crumbly and hard to eat. The filling lacked moisture, leaving the flavors muted. Grade: C

Phnom Penh Noodle Shack is a family-owned Cambodian noodle restaurant in Long Beach, California, that began in 1985 as a tiny five-table “shack” serving simple Cambodian dishes, grew in reputation through the 1980s and ’90s under the Tan family, and was rebranded with a modern interior as Phnom Penh Noodle Shack in 2012 while continuing to share its rich culinary heritage with the community. Thw restaurant serves traditional Cambodian-style noodle soups and comfort dishes, featuring rich broths with rice or egg noodles, a variety of proteins like pork, shrimp, beef, and chicken, as well as stir-fry noodles and rice porridge that reflect the bold, aromatic flavors of Khmer cuisine.  I ordered the Phnom Penh Noodle House Special, which uses pork meat (sliced, ground, stomach, liver) and shrimp with big rice noodles. Served with pickled chili. The organ meats certainly give this soup an iron-y flavor. The plum soda was salty but so interesting - especially as a counter to the soup.

Grade: B

Sophy’s is a casual, family-oriented Cambodian restaurant known for its authentic Khmer and Southeast Asian dishes with some Thai influences, served in a comfy space located in Long Beach’s Cambodia Town. Sophy’s is a bit cluttered but clean. The neighborhood where the restaurant sits is the first Cambodia Town in the United States. The menu is large. Items labeled “Khmer” are intended to be traditional Cambodian. I ordered the "ahmok," which is a steamed fish curry and is the most famous dish in Cambodia. Catfish fillets are simmered in coconut milk with lemongrass, galangal, fingerroot, makrut lime fruit and its leaves. The curry is thickened with egg that creates an almost foamy custard. It's a bit funky, but it's also very interesting and delicious. Grade: A

Beercode is a gastropub located in the Airside Terminal of Pittsburgh International Airport and is known for its extensive selection of local craft beers from breweries like Dancing Gnome, Abjuration and Eleventh Hour. The food menu features items such as burgers, chicken and waffles, and pierogies. Wings, fish & chips, and even breakfast round out the menu. Pierogies are popular in Pittsburgh because of the city’s strong Eastern European immigrant history, especially Polish, Slovak, Ukrainian, and Rusyn communities who settled there in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These immigrants came to work in steel mills and coal mines and brought pierogies with them as affordable, filling comfort food made from simple ingredients like potatoes, cheese, and onions.

Beercode's pierogi plate includes caramelized onions and a sour cream sauce. I love pierogies. These were an OK version. The pierogies had some golden exterior, but they were a bit too greasy on the outside, which weighed down the first bite. Inside, the filling was dense and slightly dry, lacking the creamy softness that makes a great pierogi so comforting. While the flavors were there, the contrast in texture kept them from fully hitting their potential. Grade: B

Happy Little Teas is a cozy bubble tea cafe known for its wide variety of tea drinks (including milk teas, fruit teas, and smoothies) and fun toppings like chewy boba and jellies. Tiger Boba (often called tiger milk tea or tiger bubble tea) is my fav style of boba drink, and it's especially popular for its rich flavor and distinctive stripey look. This one featured brown sugar and creme brulee, which delivered a rich caramel sweetness with a smooth, indulgent finish. Grade: A

Local Craft Kitchen + Bar is located in the Pittsburgh airport and serves breakfast options like Cheddar Biscuits, Avocado Toast, and Egg Melt sandwiches. For lunch and dinner, there arw hearty sandwiches, including Pulled Pork, California Clubs, BLTs and Cuban sandwiches, along with a selection of soup and salads and side dishes that range from Mac & Cheese to Loaded Potato Salad. I had the Mr. Rogers Grilled Cheese - Granny Smith apples, caramelized onions, and brie on Texas toast, plus a side of tomato bisque. And, I can't lie. That comfort food hit the spot on a busy travel day. Plus, the sweetness from the grilled cheese elevated the dish a bit for me, adding new layers of flavor. Grade: A

Pei Wei Asian Kitchen is a fast‑casual Asian‑inspired restaurant known that is part of a national chain focused on delivering Pan‑Asian flavors in a casual, quick‑service environment. Founded in 2000 in Scottsdale, Arizona, Pei Wei was originally linked with P.F. Chang’s but has since operated independently and expanded across many U.S. states. The brand now has about 100–200 locations nationwide and continues growing, including airport sites -- like the one I visited in Las Vegas. I ordered the firecracker chicken - lightly battered chicken tossed in a sweet and spicy firecracker sauce and topped with scallions. The chicken is crispy on the outside but still juicy, and the sauce hits with a nice kick of spice without being overwhelming. There’s a little sweetness in there too that balances the heat. Not too shabby.

Your Family Restaurant is a family-oriented diner in Kenna that features homestyle breakfast options, lunch specials and dinner plates. The interior is simple with wooden chairs and tables filling the dining room and a some country decor. I ordered a western omelette with ham, cheese, green peppers and tomatoes. I was surprised at the amount of filling inside. It made me realize how much I could actually like omelettes! But, there needed to be more cheese to pull it all together. Grade: B

Last year, my friend Kayla and I decided to see Punxsutawney Phil for Groundhog Day. Groundhog Day is celebrated each year on Feb. 2 and centers on a bit of weather folklore: if a groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow, winter is said to last six more weeks; if it doesn’t, an early spring is predicted. The most famous celebration takes place in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where “Punxsutawney Phil” has been making his prediction since the late 1800s. After a very cold and adventurous morning, we found ourselves at Lonnies Restaurant & Bakery. Lonnie’s Restaurant & Bakery in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania is a no-frills, hometown diner where the bakery side of the building is just as much a draw as the grill. I grabbed an Italian hoagie from the grab and go cooler, as well as a variety of Groundhog Day themed sweets. I mean, when else can you enjoy a groundhog-shaped cookie? The sweets were OK - a bit dry, but that may have been because we were there mid-day. Grade: B

48 Donley is a modern American restaurant located in downtown Morgantown’s Wharf District, right along the rail trail and waterfront. Coincidentally, this is the same building I spent many years working in, so it was interesting to return to this space in a whole new way. The interior has clean lines and contemporary finishes that are softened by lighting and natural textures. The result is an upscale vibe that still feels comfortable. I enjoyed the Seabass - pan-seared seabass, truffle parmesan mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, balsamic tomato mint salad and beurre blanc. Each bite layered delicate, buttery fish with a luxurious, umami-rich creaminess from the truffle parmesan potatoes, lifted by the tangy-sweet balsamic tomatoes and fresh mint. The asparagus added a subtle char and crisp contrast. Grade: A