Margaritaville in Pigeon Forge is a small world dedicated to Jimmy Buffett, and at the center is a full-service restaurant with: seafood, burgers, sandwiches, and tropical cocktails; a big outdoor deck overlooking the Little Pigeon River; and live music and a lively bar scene. Margaritaville is an escapism lifestyle built around the laidback, beachy world created by Jimmy Buffett. It takes its name from his 1977 hit song Margaritaville, which romanticized an easygoing life of tropical drinks, sandy beaches and not taking things too seriously. Bright tropical decor, neon signage and a steady soundtrack of Jimmy Buffett blares through the space. It’s casual, with guests in flip-flops, drinks front and center, and the experience driven more by atmosphere than the food itself. I ordered the Teriyaki Chicken & Shrimp - Grilled & basted, seasonal vegetables, basmati rice, grilled pineapple, sesame seeds. It may have been a mistake not getting the Cheeseburger in Paradise. The dish was OK. Something crunchy or creamy would have made the dish more well-rounded and exciting. But it is more of a healthier option that still had some flavor - so kudos for that. Grade: C

This Belle restaurant was having an identity crisis. On the outside, the sign said Las Cazuelas Mexican Restaurant. Inside, the menu said Los Habaneros Mexican Restaurant. And, now, both of those are closed and have been replaced with Guadalajara Modern Mexican, which I've not yet been to.



Some basic chips & salsa were served to the table. Simple. Serviceable.



For my entree, I ordered a "California Burrito," which I tend to think of as a giant cylinder full of ingredients. This was a flattened flour tortilla filled with grilled chicken, rice, beans and grilled vegetables. It was topped with queso and sour cream.



The dish landed more in the realm of routine than memorable. The grilled chicken was tender but lightly seasoned, blending into the rice, beans and vegetables without any one component really standing out. It was fine.



Grade: C

Munchies Eats & Sweets is an odd little spot featuring breakfast, paninis, fried snacks and desserts all in a shared space with Rita's Italian Ice in White Hall.



I ordered the "mac & cheese bites" for a snack, as it didn't look like they had many freshly made items on hand that day.



These were fine; my guess is they were frozen and deep-fried. That's not necessarily bad, though a housemade sauce or some fresh toppings would have elevated this for me. Otherwise, it's a bit one-note and predominantly tastes of breading.



Grade: C

Albuquerque Southwest Bar & Grill was a short-lived Mexican–Southwest restaurant located on Charleston’s West Side at 207 W. Washington Street. It was founded by restaurateur Sergio Lugo-Mata, who had opened the Guadalajara and Sergio’s eateries. The restaurant replaced the former Gonzoburger and Elk City Bistro sites, retaining the classic bar area of the historic Chris’ Hot Dogs space. Albuquerque’s menu featured burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, and house specialties such as red pozole, chile rellenos, tamales, and stuffed sopapillas. Signature items included the ribeye quesadilla. We started with some chips & salsa. The salsa was a bit watery, and it pooled, so not great for dipping. Flavor was average. For my entree, I ordered a "Medallion Burrito" filled with filet, rice, fries, pico de gallo and topped with queso. The idea here is fine, but the execution was just very average. Not enough seasoning, fries were not crisp, and it was just a bit underwhelming overall. Grade: C

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

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