Camp Washington Chili is a historic chili restaurant in the Camp Washington neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio, known for its classic Cincinnati-style chili — a spiced meat sauce served over spaghetti or hot dogs with toppings like cheese, onions, and beans.
The parlor has been serving chili since 1940, making it one of the oldest and most beloved places for this regional specialty.
I tried a little bit of everything – from the chili and noodles to the cheese and onion - to get a real feel. A 4-way (spaghetti, chili, beans and onion) and cheese coney are clearly iconic and comforting, with a distinct flavor that longtime fans appreciate. It’s easy to respect why this is such a beloved staple, even if it didn’t quite win me over as a personal favorite.
Grade: C
Cliffside Restaurant & Carryout in Man, West Virginia, is a simple diner, convenience store and video lottery spot located along State Highway 10.
The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, with ample parking that accommodates larger vehicles and trailers—making it especially popular among visitors heading to nearby outdoor areas.
The menu features items like burgers, hoagies, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches.
I ordered a cheeseburger and picked up a candy bar I had never seen before while waiting.
The cheeseburger served on toast is simple, with the crisp edges of the bread adding a nostalgic diner-style crunch. The beef patty is thin, creating that classic melt-together bite. While it lacks the fluffiness of a traditional bun and a healthy dose of seasoning, the burger was straightforward and filling enough.
Grade: C
Big Bite Restaurant in Princeton, West Virginia, is located at 1210 Stafford Drive and opened in April 2023 with the goal of bringing a “big city feel” to the area.
Owned by Tarek Abdelwahed, the restaurant offers a wide-ranging menu influenced by Mediterranean flavors, featuring everything from pasta and seafood to burgers, subs and pitas.
The shrimp scampi is a generous portion of fettuccine tangled with sautéed onions and bell peppers, all in a little bit of buttery garlic scampi sauce. It’s a comforting meal that's basic and could use some zhuzh.
A side crab cake delivered a mild seafood sweetness with subtle seasoning - all in a thick, fried breading.
Grade: C
Route 22 Sports Bar is located in Weirton and is designed as a classic sports bar and grill, featuring multiple big-screen TVs throughout the space with live sports from any seat.
The layout includes both ground-level seating and an upper balcony, giving it a roomy feel, while the large bar with a bottoms-up beer tap system is a centerpiece.
The menu leans on American bar favorites with some creative twists - liks burgers, wraps, and wings.
The fish and chips stick close to the classic with a battered fish that’s fried until golden and served atop a pile of fries. The portion is hearty, and the fish had a flaky interior that was a bit fishier than usual.
The sliders come as a shareable option, offering smaller versions of their burgers with soft buns and juicy patties. They’re simple but satisfyinh.
The ribeye was a bit chewy and gray, so I'd opt out of that next time. The buffalo chicken dip, though, was a hit. It was served hot and creamy with plenty of shredded chicken and a balanced kick of spice.
Grade: C
Burger Time has 7 locations serving up "100% pure beef" burgers in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.
In the drive-thru, I ordered the Bigger Burger, which is their standard burger topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, pickle, and ketchup.
I also got a three-piece chicken strip order just to add some variety. The chicken strips arrived in a small paper bag, warm but slightly steamed from the packaging. While convenient for carrying, the bag softened the breading.
The burger was straightforward—soft bun, thin patty, and minimal seasoning, with toppings that didn’t add much flavor or texture. The chicken strips were lightly breaded and cooked through, but lacked crispness and was a bit bland. Overall, both were filling but forgettable.
Grade: C
Poppy's Smokin Grill is an Alum Creek BBQ joint that I was able to catch open recently - though they have since closed.
I walked up to the window to place my carryout order. They had smoked meats, burgers, chili dogs, and more.
I ordered wings and pulled pork fries. I was disappointed with the lack of bold flavor. I was looking for sweet and spicy and tangy. Rather, it was a bit bland. And maybe it was to let the meat flavor shine - but my personal preference is all the seasoning.
Grade: C
The 1588 Washington St. E. corner location on the East End of Charleston has struggled with restaurants over the last several years.
Most recently, East End Eatery & Catering occupied this space. They were previouslt in a different location, so it's a bit of a mysical chairs game. I haven't seen them open lately, so they may have already joined the list of bygone restaurants.
I visited with my friend Angelica. The space is lovely - updated, clean, and simple. But, they no longer sold the first item I ordered, and then they were out of the second item I ordered. So upon my third look over the menu, I settled on a philly steak, which was OK. I would have preferred it without the veggies and with some sort of sauce and onion to give it that unctuous flavor I was hoping for.
Grade: C
So. St. Louis is a new food truck in the area that features fried chicken and fish.
I ordered The Murphy Lee - Cod & Fried Shrimp. The fried fish and shrimp were just okay—nothing special. The breading was basic and lacked any real seasoning, leaving both the fish and shrimp tasting pretty plain. Everything was cooked through, but without any added flavor or standout texture, it felt like a missed opportunity, especially for $20. Not bad, but definitely forgettable.
Grade: C
Los Amigos is a new Mexican restaurant in Kanawha City, which is the third location from this particular local chain.
This space has been home to a number of restaurants over the years, most recently The Pitch. I think the sports bar decor is still evident in the current setup, but it is still general enough to be fitting.
The menu has all the basics: tacos, burritos, quesadillas, fajitas and the like. I saw a couple things that caught my eye, but they were actually out of them. So I ended up with steak, shrimp and chicken tacos.
I was looking for more flavor, more toppings, more garnish. Just more. Onions and cilantro and sauces helped, but not enough. They were pretty streamlined and simple.
The sides of rice and beans were fine; I ended up scooping some of the rice into the taco to fill it out a bit more. Some seasoning and balance would have turned this around for me.
Grade: C
"Since opening our first shop in London in 1986, Pret's mission has been simple. To serve freshly made food and good organic coffee, while also trying to do the right thing. That's why our food is made in our shop kitchens throughout the day and our unsold food is donated to food rescue partners at the end of every day. That's also why our coffee is always organic and 100% arabica (and always will be) and our Coffee Fund is supporting the next generation of farmers. It's (partly) what we think makes Pret special," reads the Pret A Manger website.
Freshly prepared sandwiches, salads and soups headline the menu here. It's giving Panera vibes.
I did a "Classic Cheese Toastie" - Mature Cheddar cheese, mozzarella & Italian matured cheese with spring onions and a dollop of tangy mustard mayo in seeded bloomer bread. Ready to be toasted.
The pre-made sandwich was just a bit bland for me. Not that craveable cheese pull. Thick bread that didn't taste especially fresh. And the two together didn't sing.
Grade: C
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