Pho King Store is a small Southeast Asian restaurant and market in downtown White Sulphur Springs. The specialty grocery shop portion offers a variety of products, like sauces and soup bases, instant noodles, crackers and candies, and other Southeast Asian pantry items. The restaurant portion offers items like pho, sisig, pancit, lumpia and more. But the menu rotates frequently, so it's best to call. Side note: The name “Pho King” is a pun based on pronunciation. The Vietnamese soup Pho is pronounced roughly “fuh.” When you say “Pho King” quickly, it sounds like “fuh-king.” So the name is a tongue-in-cheek joke that reads innocently on paper but sounds ... interesting ... when spoken aloud. I ordered pork adobo, which comes with white rice and lemon slices. It was deeply savory, tangy, and salty. The tender pork was braised in a combo of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves and peppercorns. I also ordered lumpia, which are minced pork spring rolls with carrots, onions, and spices wrapped in a thin, crispy, deep-fried wrapper and paired with a sweet chili dipping sauce. Have you been? Grade: B

Whistle Stop Cafe is a charming downtown Grafton café and coffee shop serving specialty coffees, teas, smoothies, baked goods and daily lunch items like soups, sandwiches and salads. The interior of Whistle Stop Cafe feels comfortable and familiar. Soft lighting, mismatched tables, and cozy seating give the space a lived-in charm, while small details and local touches nod to Grafton’s railroad roots. They serve hot, iced and frozen coffee drinks alongside smoothies and specialty espresso favorites, plus breakfast sandwiches and sweet morning staples like yogurt, muffins, scones and cinnamon rolls. Lunch features fresh sandwiches and rotating specials, and there are always grab-and-go treats like cookies, pretzels and popcorn to round it out. One of my favorite drinks is a frozen hot chocolate. I know it's a bit of a misnomer, but it blends rich cocoa with a wonderfully light, icy texture. Next up was a berry muffin. It had a fresh, natural berry flavor that was pleasantly tart. The crumb was tender and slightly dense. The tartness of the berries balanced the sweetness. I had a breakfast bagel with sausage, egg & American cheese. The only thing missed was a sauce to bring it all together for me. What's your favorite thing to get here? Grade: B

Every town should have at least one good local pizza joint. In Grafton, it's Capri Pizza Parlor. It’s a modest, no-frills restaurant with an old-school interior and straightforward menu: pizza, hoagies and salads. I ordered a small cheese pizza, which had a semi-thick - but crisp - crust. It was topped with a generous layer of melty mozzarella that stretches beautifully and delivers that classic, creamy cheesiness without being overly salty. Simple and comforting, though I would've loved some more zip in the sauce. Grade: B

Rise + Restore Coffee Co. is a family-owned coffee shop in Mineral Wells that also offers dine in and drive-thru service. Drink options include lattes, refreshers, smoothies, teas and more. I ordered a peach sunrise refresher, which features peach, pomegranate and orange juice. This had a great mix of sweet with tangy tartness. For snacks, they offer several kinds of bagel sandwiches: chicken salad, egg salad or buffalo chicken on an original, everything or jalapeno bagel from Box Bagels. My buffalo chicken everything bagel checked all the satisfactory boxes - some punchy sauce or crumbles of blue cheese would have pushed this into "exceeds expectations" range for me. Grade: B

Toasted is a gourmet grilled cheese restaurant in Inwood that puts creative spins on a childhood favorite. In addition to their brick-and-mortar space, they have a food truck -- which seems like it will be the focus for them moving forward. I ordered the Hot Hen, which has Homemade Buffalo Chicken, Homemade Ranch & Pepper Jack on Sourdough. It delivers a satisfying kick, with tender shredded buffalo chicken bringing just the right level of heat balanced by cool, creamy ranch. Pepper jack melts smoothly into the filling, adding a subtle spice while the sourdough provides a crisp, buttery crunch. It’s a bold, messy-in-the-best-way sandwich. Grade: B

The WV Artisan Market in Jackson County, is a retail space featuring handmade goods from numerous local artisans, offering a diverse selection of art, jewelry, home decor, and more, alongside a cafe and event space for activities like live music and crafting classes. There were some local freeze-dried candies and jams. After some shopping, I settled in with a menu on the cafe side of the shop. I decided on a small portion of their daily special, spaghetti with meat sauce, as well as some southwestern nachos to go. Both were decent but fairly average: the spaghetti was comforting and filling, though the sauce lacked depth, while the nachos had good toppings but nothing that really stood out in flavor or texture. Overall, it was a satisfying, no-frills meal that did the job without leaving a strong impression. Have you been? Grade: B

Route 33 Steakhouse in Spencer is a new-ish restaurant brought to us by successful restauranteurs in town. It's a modest, straight-forward space without a lot of frill. The steakhouse offers standard steaks, as well as a few appetizers, sides and entrees like fish, chicken and pasta. All in all, though, the menu is fairly compact. We were at a steakhouse, so I decided to go for it and order a steak -- even though it was lunch time. Sides of green beans and macaroni & cheese rounded out the meal. It was good — nicely cooked with solid flavor — even if it didn’t quite reach standout status, and while the green beans were a little watery and the mac and cheese slightly dry, both still tasty overall. Grade: B

You know those lists that are like "THIS little shack out in the middle of nowhere has THE BEST PIZZA"? I always fall for them. That's how Shade Creek Diner & Carryout made its way on my radar. Located in Creston, this small shop is not on the way to anywhere. So, I made a special day trip to check it out. The inside could be mistaken for a handyman's shop, with odds & ends all over the place. Plus some candy bars & chips for purchase. They primarily offer burgers, subs & pizza - including my favorite option: personal size. I ordered a cheese Candace-sized pizza and waited maybe 20 minutes or so before it was ready. It was truly made to order, which I appreciated. The personal size was a perfect portion to enjoy on my way back home. It had a puffy crust, so not for thin-crust lovers. It had a mild sauce and plenty of cheese. I will say it was a decent pizza, though not necessarily memorable. It is kinda like a homestyle, grandma-style that is common in small hometown spots. It's comforting and was piping hot. But not quite as exciting as I'd like. Grade: B

La Banca is an Italian restaurant and bar housed in the historic former City Bank of Milton building. The name “La Banca” means “The Bank” in Italian, and the restaurant blends home‑style Italian cooking with craft cocktails. It opened in late 2024 and is locally and veteran‑owned. The menu features a wide variety of classic and elevated Italian fare, including handmade pastas, artisan pizzas, grinders (Italian‑style sandwiches), salads and soups, seafood, and hearty entrées like lasagna, chicken piccata, and steak. I enjoyed a pappardelle bolognese, which had a hearty, comforting feel, with tender noodles that held the sauce well, but the flavor came across a little flat — missing that rich, meaty punch you hope for in a bolognese. The texture was spot-on, though, and a sprinkle of cheese added a nice touch, even if the overall sauce could use a bit more depth. It’s satisfying, just not quite as bold as I expected. Grade: B