El Zocalo is a Medican restaurant in Wheeling that I checked out recently with mom and grandma. El Zocalo features all the familiar American-Mexican favorites, like tacos, burritos, chimichangas, and sizzling fajitas — along with a full bar featuring margaritas and other cocktails. I started with a watermelon margarita - salt rim - because some days, you just gotta get the margarita. Light, juicy and super refreshing. The salsa leans thin and smooth, more pourable than scoopable, with a mild tomato base and just a hint of heat that fades quickly. The queso follows suit — light, a little runny and consistently warm, with a mild cheesy flavor that coats the chips with a bit of richness. I ordered the tostones - crisp flattened fried plantains, topped with shredded chicken, shredded cheese and pico de gallo. The chicken adds some heft and a savory, seasoned layer to the dish. The fresh tomato, onion and lime cut through the starchiness of the plantains and the richness of the chicken. It is the key to adding brightness and a bit of acidity. Grade: B

Alpine Lake Resort is located in Terra Alta and features a few different dining spaces. Laker's Lounge, soon to be Hull's Pub, is a the sports bar-esque spot that I haven't had a chance to try yet. The Laurel Dining Room, soon to be La Tavola Restaurant, is the primary dining space, I believe. Finally, the Evergreene Dining Room is more of their event space, which is where I enjoyed a special Easter brunch. The Evergreene dining room is through the lodge front entrance and up the steps. It has views of the lake and the 10th hole of their golf course. I was seated a bit back from the windows, so I didn't see much of the view. The menu included: Honey Baked Ham, Oven Roasted Chicken Breast, Homemade Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Beans, Honey Glazed Carrots, Salad & Rolls and Assorted Desserts. I got a little bit of everything to try. My favorites were the honey glazed carrots. Have you been? Grade: B

The local Guadalajara restaurants were fast-growing and then had a bit of an implosion. So the Barboursville Guadalajara is no more, but I did get a chance to check it out before it closed. The Tanyard Station location leaned into a “modern Mexican” or fusion-style approach rather than strictly traditional fare. It opened in September 2024 as part of a small regional group owned by Sergio Lugo-Mata, who already had a following from other locations. The menu included a range of categories such as tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and combination plates with sides like rice and beans. Specific items listed include birria tacos, carne asada tacos, burritos filled with meats like chicken, steak, or carnitas, and fajitas served with peppers, onions, and tortillas. Additional offerings include seafood dishes like shrimp plates, chicken-based entrées (such as pollo fundido), soups, and house specials like chilaquiles and chimichangas. I ordered "Mom's Mole," which featured shredded chicken, rice, lettuce, cheese and sour cream. Mole is a complex Mexican sauce with a layered, savory-sweet-spiced flavor profile. I think this fit the bill, but I would love even more depth. Grade: B

At Pittsburgh International Airport, the outpost of Wigle Whiskey operates as a full-service bar and restaurant located post-security in Concourse A. Wigle, founded in 2011 as the first distillery in Pittsburgh since Prohibition, produces its spirits from regionally sourced grains and draws its name from Philip Wigle, a figure associated with the 1790s Whiskey Rebellion in Western Pennsylvania. The airport location serves a menu of cocktails made with Wigle’s house spirits, along with beer, cider, and a range of food items including breakfast dishes, flatbreads, and sandwiches. I was here for breakfast and had a perfecfly serviceable bacon, egg & cheese sandwich with home fries. The sandwich came on a standard bun with a folded egg, melted cheese and couple strips of bacon, while the home fries were cubed and griddled with light browning on the edges, served as a straightforward, no-frills side typical of airport breakfast menus. Grade: B

Cool Beans is a mobile coffee bar -- and so much more: teas, lemonade, and food like fried pies, funky spuds and biscuit bites. I ordered a cherry lemonade, which was flavorful, and it had these fun circular ice cubes. For a snack, I ordered the sweet corny niblets, which are like fried pieces of corn on the cob. With some southern spices & honey. This was tasty but stickyyy. Have you tried them? Grade: B

Kumo Japan in Fairmont (White Hall area) is a casual Asian fusion spot located inside the Tygart Valley Mall that blends Japanese, Chinese, and Thai influences. First up: Cream Cheese King Crab Wontons - Four house made cream cheese king crab wontons, deep-fried to a golden finish and served with sweet chili dipping sauce. I liked the sauce here; a bit on the greasy side. Then, steamed pork buns with bbq pork char siu. Very tasty but the texture was a bit dense and dry. Finally, the Monster Roll - shrimp tempura, cream cheese, avocado, topped with crab tempura, eel sauce, lobster sauce, and sriracha. I enjoyed this, though I could have done without the double tempura. Have you been? Grade: B

At Superhero Creamery in Barboursville, you'll find a superhero world full of frozen yogurt and ice cream. Think cookie dough-loaded scoops, cotton candy, peanut butter swirls, and bright, novelty flavors like “Superman." I went for the Pikachu flavor, which featured caramel and chocolate chip cookie dough. I enjoy both of these flavors generally, but these versions were not my favorite. The flavor came across a little tooon the artificial side. Have you been? Grade: B

Big Daddy D's is a roadside hot dog spot that focuses on specialty dogs and all the kitsch.



Located along Route 33/119 at the Calhoun/Roane line, the walk-up restaurant is plastered with license plates and doling out hot dogs topped with everything from chili and slaw to "crushed up Doritos."



I ordered their famous "Audrey Dog," which is bacon-wrapped with a housemade cherry sauce and cowboy candy.



It's a bit sweet right away from the cherry sauce, which is creamy rather than jelly-like. It’s balanced by the smoky bacon and the heat from the cowboy candy — sweet, pickled jalapeños that bring a slow-building kick. You get that snap from the dog, then a mix of sticky sweer, tangy, and just enough spice to make it interesting.



Grade: B

Angaleno's Pizza is a pizza restaurant in Buffalo known for its hand-tossed pizzas, calzones and other fried apps. The hometown joint has a solid pizza. The crust has just enough chew to give it some character without feeling heavy, and each bite pulls apart with that satisfying, slightly elastic texture. It’s generously layered with cheese — melty, rich and tasty. I was a little less impressed with the fried mushrooms. It’s usually one of my go-to apps — not for the breading or even the mushroom itself, but that in-between layer where everything comes together. That’s the bite I’m after: crunchy, a little umami-packed, and honestly the best part. Here, there just wasn’t enough of it to make it hit the way it should. Grade: B

Pizza Vibes is a casual, locally owned restaurant along Route 60 in Barboursville with a focus on - you guessed it - pizza. The menu goes beyond standard pizza offerings, including calzones, wings, pasta dishes, and a few unexpected items like chicken tikka masala. I ordered the pepperoni roll, which comes stuffed with mozzarella and a side of marinara. It's a giant roll with a few slits on top that could almost be mistaken for a baguette.

It's pretty tasty, though I think Graziano's has my favorite pepperoni roll in this category (giant, meal-sized) because they are absolutely stuffed inside and golden brown outside.

I wouldn't hate a bit more crisp texture on this one, and I like mine to have a bit more filling to bread ratio. Grade: B