"At Fish Frenzy, we have something for everyone when it comes to seafood! From shrimp to sea bass, we take pride in using only the freshest ingredients, all expertly prepared by our talented chefs. Whether you’re searching for a nearby shrimp spot or just craving some delicious fish, you’ve come to the right place!" reads the website.
The menu is primarily composed of fried appetizers, sandwiches and seafood platter switch include shrimp, oysters, fish and crab cakes. Most come fried or grilled.
I ordered fried shrimp, hush puppies, and a crab cake. The shrimp had a light batter, which was not super crisp. I ended up pushing some of the coating off and enjoying the shrimp by itself. The hush puppies were a bit sweet and had a nice golden brown exterior. The crab cake was okay. For a quick, fried seafood bite, this fits the bill.
Grade: B
Boulevard Grill is a new addition to the downtown bar scene - complete with food menu, pool, darts and gambling machines.
It replaces the former Vino's Sports Bar & Grill located on Kanawha Boulevard. Think neon lights. Loud music. Giant TVs.
A small, but interesting, menu includes wings, pork rinds, fish and chips, sliders, jalapeno cheddar bratwurst, monte cristo, "schoolhouse pizza" and dino bites.
I enjoyed an Orange Oswald from The Freefolk Brewery, as well as mini chicken corndogs and yuca fries.
The mini corndogs were crispy golden brown and honey battered. Poppable little sweet and savory bites. The yuca fries surprised me. While it tasted similar to fries, it's a bit more interesting.
"In South America, Cuba, and other Latin countries, yuca, the edible root of the cassava, is a popular root vegetable. In the same preparation as potatoes, you can mash, boil, or fry them. There are two things to keep in mind when making yuca fries: First, the yuca is always cut into thick wedges as opposed to thinner French fries, which makes them crispy on the outside," according to The Spruce Eats. Grade: B
"In South America, Cuba, and other Latin countries, yuca, the edible root of the cassava, is a popular root vegetable. In the same preparation as potatoes, you can mash, boil, or fry them. There are two things to keep in mind when making yuca fries: First, the yuca is always cut into thick wedges as opposed to thinner French fries, which makes them crispy on the outside," according to The Spruce Eats. Grade: B
Sugar Life is a giant candy store for adults and kids alike.
Two main features are the ice cream bar and self-serve candy station.
There are giant containers of candy all over the store with everything from gummies and jawbreakers to chocolates and taffy.
I picked up a plastic bag and made my way around the store to see what I wanted to fill it with.
Pizza-shaped gummies. Chocolate covered caramels. Hawaiian punch fruity chews.
I threw all types of flavors and textures all in the one bag.
They also have giant versions of lollipops and gummy bears.
Remember the astronaut food from when we were kids? And super sour Warheads to prove how tough you were? Both there.
Plus a full-on jelly bean wall with all sorts of flavors - from Snapple mix to s'mores. Of course, there's a bit of risk with a billion hands likely reaching into the containers and touching every single candy.
Grade: B
7 Brew Coffee has entered West Virginia, and its ground zero is Beckley.
"7 Brew was born from a desire to change drive-thru coffee into a fun, mind-blowing experience for everyone. We dreamed of serving premium coffee in record time and making new friends while we’re at it. The dream came alive with our first “stand” in Rogers, AR and our 7 original coffees. Today, we’re cranking out all kinds of custom-hand crafted drinks in different locations throughout the country. 7 Brew is so much more than just a coffee stand. It’s the concept of cultivating kindness and joy with every drink – through our service, speed, quality, energy and atmosphere. It’s contagious and it’s changing the drive-thru coffee industry," according to the website.
I ordered a blueberry pomegranate smoothie, which was light and fresh and refreshing. Not too thick or overly sweet. It could even do with a bit bolder flavor. That would be OK in my book. Grade: B
"7 Brew was born from a desire to change drive-thru coffee into a fun, mind-blowing experience for everyone. We dreamed of serving premium coffee in record time and making new friends while we’re at it. The dream came alive with our first “stand” in Rogers, AR and our 7 original coffees. Today, we’re cranking out all kinds of custom-hand crafted drinks in different locations throughout the country. 7 Brew is so much more than just a coffee stand. It’s the concept of cultivating kindness and joy with every drink – through our service, speed, quality, energy and atmosphere. It’s contagious and it’s changing the drive-thru coffee industry," according to the website.
I ordered a blueberry pomegranate smoothie, which was light and fresh and refreshing. Not too thick or overly sweet. It could even do with a bit bolder flavor. That would be OK in my book. Grade: B
No matter where you go in the state, somebody claims to know who has the best pepperoni rolls. Many times, that place is their home. A business that no longer exists. Or a gas station.
Over the years, I've heard several times that the Exxon in Glen Jean has some standout pepperoni rolls. Whilst in the area, I made a pit-stop to pick one up.
They did not have any hot ones available, so I settled for a premade one with pepperjack. It was fairly dry, which may be the style or may be due to it not being fresh. Flavor was average. Melty cheese would have changed the game.
Grade: B
Main Street Creamery is a '50s themed diner in Hurricane that serves up burgers, shakes and more.
Inside, it is decorated like an old-fashioned diner, complete with themed decor on the walls.
Their version of an ice cream blended with candy pieces is called a hurricane. I thought it was funny to have a hurricane in Hurricane. So I went with the pecan pie hurricane, which include pecans, caramel and graham cracker. I fully believe that graham cracker is an underrated ice cream topping, so I certainly enjoyed this. It was definitely on the thick side though.
I also tried their Smashburger, which comes with a half-pound patty, lettuce, pickle, and smash sauce. Plus, a side of onion rings.
The meal was good. The burger, I wish, was a bit thinner so it got crispy on the edges. But not bad. The onion rings are homemade and huge, and that can be hard to find.
Grade: B
I recently attended an event that was catered by Hungry Bear Catering in Fayetteville.
While the offerings were fairly simple - a sandwich, salad and cookie - I was impressed with the freshness of the components. Simple, but enjoyable. The salad had a base of cabbage, which I was a huge fan of. The cookie could have used more love, as it was a bit dry.
Grade: B
Located in a gas station travel plaza, Mabel's Family Restaurant is a sit-down restaurany in Mt. Nebo.
It gives off retro diner vibes, and the food follows suit. There is a wide selection of breakfast staples, plus a variety of lunch and dinner options.
I ordered a sausage, egg and cheese biscuit to go. While the sausage and egg were average, the biscuit was thick and clearly freshly made.
next time, I would just get one of those fresh biscuits with some butter and jelly and call it win.
Grade: B
I have often passed the pastel colored shed along 219 and finally caught them open. Bones & Cones serves ice cream for pets and people.
I ordered a salted caramel sundae with caramel, peanuts and whipped cream. It was overflowing with caramel, so it ended up a bit of a sticky mess. The peanuts were key, though, because they added some salt on top of the sweet, sweet, sweet. The ice cream was a little gritty, so I might try a different flavor on the next visit.
Grade: B
This past month has been difficult for my family. My father passed away suddenly, and it has been quite an adjustment - particularly for my mom. When I visited recently, I wanted to get my mom and grandma out of the house. Oglebay is not far from my hometown, so we had a day trip adventure that included waterfalls, an Almost Heaven swing, a scenic drive, and, of course, some good food.
"Welcome to Skyline Kitchen & Bar, Oglebay Lodge’s gastropub family dining experience inspired by nostalgic and regional favorites. Set against the stunning backdrop where the sky meets the horizon, Skyline Kitchen & Bar is the perfect destination for any meal, a casual seat at the bar, or a late-night snack and cocktail," reads the website.
After discovering our initial restaurant was closed for the day and then some navigation confusion, we parked near the West Spa entrance, took the elevator up a few floors and made our way to the restaurant.
Overlooking Schenk Lake, Skyline Kitchen & Bar does have a few stairs, which can be difficult to navigate for seniors. but once we were seated, I took in the beauty of the space. Large glass windows provide gorgeous views of the rolling hills.
I was initially given a dinner menu and was eyeing a pasta dish, but when the waitress
swapped it out for the lunch menu, that option was no longer available. So, I opted for the "Not Your Mama's Sloppy Joe," which I thought was kind of funny since I was actually dining with my mom.
First, we started with: Jalapeño Potato Croquettes - Mashed Potatoes, Jalapeños, Cheddar. I didn't find these spicy at all. I wasn't looking for that heat to be dominant, but I did want a little bit of flavor. They came off a bit flat. The roasted red pepper sauce helped.
The sloppy joe, though, really impressed me. My typical idea of a sloppy joe is Manwich, a bun and a slice of American cheese.
This was an elevated take on that. The meat was not as saucy, but it did have some nice spices and a touch of sweetness. There was a vinegary veggie slaw on top that balanced it out and provided some relief. The whole sandwich tasted fresher, yet with more complex flavors.
both my mother and grandma enjoyed the club sandwich. And they were thrilled that we could get waters to go.
have you been?
Grade: B
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