MELT! I've heard about this wondrous grilled cheese haven for years.

There are few things more soothing to the soul than a perfect grilled cheese - lightly brown and buttery on the outside with cheese oozing out the edges.

Maybe a large fuzzy blanket. Or maybe the way the sun beats on your back during a warm summer day. Those are both pretty soul-soothing. I think I'm just missing summer at this point.

But a grilled cheese is really the quintessential comfort food for me - add in a thousand different KINDS of grilled cheeses, and this is some sort of cheesy restaurant god.

Inside, it's not very big, which can result in a long wait time. We got there right as lunch started, so we were seated right away. No problem.

The feel inside is pretty cool. Kind of like a punk rock/alt vibe with funky lights and artwork.

The menu had me pretty split, to be honest. I had it down to the lasagna grilled cheese "Godfather" (which was on Food Network's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate") and the Parmageddon, which has potato & onion pierogi, kraut, sautéed onions and sharp cheddar. The latter was mentioned in many reviews, and is named after a nearby Polish town, Parma.

Ultimately, I went with the lasagna grilled cheese. Because, I mean, three-cheese lasagna, with fresh fennel-oregano pasta sheets, basil marinara, roasted garlic, provolone and romano. Plus I can get my pierogi fix in Pittsburgh fairly easily.

LOOK AT THIS BEAST. I don't know if you can tell how huge this is. But I had trouble finishing just one half. It's a solid layered lasagna sandwiched between two thick pieces of bread topped with some parmesan. So much oozing marinara and mozzarella. So messy. So tasty.

I couldn't finish it. But I sure enjoyed trying it. A damn good piece of lasagna loaded with more carbs and cheese - I don't need to explain how delish that is. Marinara is flavorful, but lets the ricotta, parmesan and mozzarella shine.

Grade: A

Sandwiches stacked thick and topped with slaw and a generous portion of house-cut french fries are the name of the game at Primanti Bros.

This iconic Pittsburgh restaurant has humble beginnings as a late-night cart dishing up sandwiches to truckers during the Great Depression. With success, the brothers opened a small storefront on 18th Street. When they happened upon a load of potatoes for the shop, they tried out putting them on sandwiches, and it became their trademark.

Since then, multiple locations have opened: Oakland (near Pitt), South Side, Market Square, PNC Park, Heinz Field, Consol Energy Center and more. It has 17 locations in the greater Pittsburgh area, and three locations in Florida.

And now, Morgantown, W.Va., is happy to call themselves home to the newest location. Opened just recently, the restaurant sits on the corner of a newly constructed row of buildings in the Suncrest Town Centre.

When Tony and I went, I was expecting the typical long-wait-for-new-Morgantown-restaurant-wait, but I was pleasantly surprised. Despite a full parking lot, our wait time was only about 10 minutes. They churn them out fast here.

The Morgantown location is brand new, so everything is clean and shiny (for now). There's a huge bar area that centers around the whole restaurant and to the left are garage-door type windows that I assume they will open when it's warmer. Oh, and a fire pit.


They're known for their sandwiches, but they also have wings, pizza, and, of course, beer. The menus vary by location, but they all have these sandwiches - which you can get with salami and cheese, or turkey and cheese, or roast beef and cheese, or pastrami and cheese. Their Pitts-burger is their #2 best seller (I talk about what is #1 at the other location I visited in Robinson).

To start, I had a beer. And they do have some local beer, which is always nice to see. And we ordered an appetizer of mozzarella wedges. They had a little outline around them so we thought they might be special. They were OK - nothing out of the ordinary here. Mozzarella stick with oozing cheese always makes me happy.

The sandwiches are prepped right in front of the bar area, so that's pretty cool to watch. The other items are shipped through the kitchen. But the sandwich assembly is pretty straightforward - select the meat, add cheese, top with some crunchy, tart coleslaw and then crisp French Fries all on Italian bread. Stick a knife in it (literally) and ship it out.

They are utilitarian. It's basic, requires two hands, and is monstrous. It's designed as this hearty, filling meal that you can eat in one go - instead of reaching for fries or anything else. It's all right on the sandwich. With that said, it's not full of complex flavors or interesting combos - it's a sandwich with meat, cheese, fires and slaw. It's good, for what it is.

The meat is well-seasoned, the slaw is tangy and crunchy, the fries are crispy and hearty. It's tasty.

I hear a good bit of chatter about these sandwiches having that nostalgia aspect and Pittsburghers needing them whenever they go home. But the other ice of the coin is that they're overrated. I think I fall in-between somewhere.

If you're in the mood for a decent sandwich, it's a good option. I did - gasp - add some ketchup to mine for zing and extra flavor. I know that's a cardinal sin, but with all the meat cheese and bread, it's nice to have something to tie it all together. So, it's kind of your average sandwich, supersized, with some added ingredients. I do love the environment - laid-back, boozy and comfortable. Plus local-ish. Check it out and let me know your thoughts.

It is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to midnight.

Grade: B

The Tea Shoppe is a loose-leaf tea shop where you can create your own tea blends, and it also has a small dining area for lunch. Located in the Seneca Center, this place is quite unassuming from the outside. Once you walk inside, there are huge glass containers full of leaves and trickling to the back of the store through creaky wooden floors are mismatched tables covered in lace linens and all sorts of different plates, cups and saucers that make up a small dining space. And one wall is even devoted to crazy Kentucky Derby-style hats and boas for patrons to use to really get into the spirit -- which explains why many folks inside the place on this day were older women or young girls. Those are the two main demographics who enjoy tea parties. Them, and odd British dudes.



First things first: the tea.  They have English, black, flavored black, green, white, herbal, red and specialty. Basically, a whole ton. I got a berry berry cup of tea. When they bring out the tea, they bring a set of hourglasses that are color-coded. They tell you how long to steep your tea. Kinda cool.

I liked it. It was fine. Is tea my first choice of something to drink? No. Maybe I'm not southern enough. But if you want water that tastes slightly like berries, this is probs for you.

Tony got a flavored black tea: ginger peach. His had a little less sweet flavor than mine, but he was happy with it.


The menu has a couple of pretty standard sandwiches, but they each have a little something that sets them apart from something you might make at home: turkey with cranberries, spinach and basil mayonnaise on ciabatta. Or maybe their special tarragon chicken salad. And tuna salad. And Brie with pear slices. Egg Salad. Classic Caprese. Oh, I know: roast beef, bleu cheese, mixed greens, red onion, tomato and horseradish mayo on ciabatta. Yep, that was my choice. Sandwiches come with a side of chips or house salad, or you can pay $2 for a cup of coup or their spinach salad. I ordered the french onion soup.

So I just kind of figured I wasn't a huge fan of french onion soup. Oh my god, this was so good. It was perfectly seasoned - rich with this cheesey, almost meaty taste. Hunks of bread to sop up the broth, some nice caramelized onions and cheese oozing up from the bottom. I finished off every last drop.

My sandwich was also quite good. Despite it being fairly small, it was packed with flavor. A good bit of the horseradish mayo gave it a kick, with some bleu cheese, sweet onions and a snappy tomato made for a light, yet really tasty sandwich. When I first saw it, I was not impressed by size or presentation, but simple flavors and fresh ingredients made for a good one.

For whatever reason, we decided we also needed the dessert sampler. That consisted of mainly whatever desserts they had on hand and felt like compiling for us. It came with a pot of tea, so we chose the Holiday Winter Spice - "Notes of cinnamon with a citrus finish." It definitely tasted like Christmas. Warm and cinnamon-y.

The desserts consisted of a minty brownie. A little too much mint for me, but meh.

The cookie had white chips and chocolate chips. Would've been better with just the white chips, in my humble opinion.

The peanut butter bar was a little dry.

The cookie with the jam filling was buttery and not bad overall.

Then, we also had a scone with a whipped cream and a lemon topping. I liked the lemon topping better - gave it some more tang. Overall, the desserts weren't overly impressive - especially  for $10 total (luckily we split), but I enjoyed the soup and sandwich enough to make up for it. A little on the pricier side for the amount you get, but give it a try.

Grade: B

Jay's Daily Grind has switched ownership and is now known as The Grind WV. It's my understanding that one of the employees at Jay's bought the shop, which makes sense why it's in many ways the same as the previous restaurant -- but in other ways, totally different.

The Grind WV is located right off WVU's campus and is an easy walk for students. For those of us who have to drive there, it's a little more treacherous - though two small short-term lots are directly behind the building. Good luck finding parking there during peak hours, though.

I have to say - it's worth it.


It's a small, but cozy inside. You order at the counter and take a seat to the right (where there are a dozen or so tables) or left (just a table and the trash area) and wait for your name to be called. This is just like Jay's.

What's new, you ask?

Well, they take CREDIT CARDS. YES. CREDIT CARDS. This is revolutionary, people. They also have wifi and extended hours!

They also have a little bit more creativity going on. Daily soups are a new thing, as are a few prepared hummus and pita sandwiches at the front. They have specials on their Facebook that include baked goods and other delicious items.

That's what drew me in. I saw a photo on their Facebook about a tomato bisque, and a friend texted me to tell me about it. Tomato bisque with candied pecans, reggiano parm and local rendered bacon. Good. God.

I also grabbed a hummus sandwich and sat at the window to people watch.

Let's just start with this sandwich. As simple as it sounds, it is so, so good. It's a delicious hummus with delicious pita and delicious red peppers. I don't know if it's homemade or not, but I know if I bought all these at the store, I couldn't even assemble it as good as this. I was kind of amazed at the flavor of a small sandwich. And I've had some very meh hummus. This was tasty.

This soup. I hope for your sake that they offer it again because wow.

So silky smooth, and creamy and amazing. The bacon and cheese and candied pecans are not something you get in most tomato soups. Just so, soo good. Please put this on as a regular item, because I'm not sure what to do without it in my life. Now, serve up a grilled cheese and heaven.

Grade: A

The secret is out.

I finally visited Secret Sandwich Society, a Fayetteville restaurant I've been coveting a visit to for months now - ever since I first heard about it. Just the name of it incites some sort desire. Secret Sandwich Society - it sounds like a collection of elite individuals who are part of the secret. Like a speakeasy. They're in the know.

That "know" in this case is some damn good sandwiches.

Secret Sandwich Society is located in Fayetteville, a super cool, super hip little town that I've kind of fallen in love with. I have driven through Fayetteville countless times on my trips to southern West Virginia, but I've only stopped here two or three times. Once was to try the original Pies & Pints. This visit was much more deliberate - I drove from Morgantown to meet my friend Carl here, and we spent a few hours exploring the town, too.


The restaurant is located on Keller Avenue, next to the park at the corner of Keller Avenue and Court Street. The restaurant is on the bottom floor of the building, so it was a little hidden from view.

After taking the stairs down the bottom level, it's clear this small restaurant can get packed judging by the number of stools outside on the deck that folks could use for a waiting area. On this particular day, we were immediately seated. Only a handful of tables inside and a few outside, too.

Like any good foodie - if I dare call myself that, and I know I'll catch hell for it since I don't cook - I studied the menu and read tons of reviews before going. The menu features some appetizers (like fries), some soups (like their soup of the moment), salads (which are all women's names - more specifically, first lady names - Lucy, Martha, Eleanor), burgers and sandwiches - the shining star.

Most of the sandwiches are named after presidents. And they're not your deli store sandwiches. Take that and turn the sophistication way up with delicious combinations. The Ulysses has roasted pork loin, peach jam, swiss and greens. The Polk has roasted chicken breast, their signature bacon jam, aioli, lettuce, tomato and onion on a toasted hamburger bun. The Quincy has seasoned and seared roast beef, balsamic onions, roasted garlic aioli and pepperjack cheese. The Lincoln is a create-your-own, and the Truman has turkey, peach jam, blue cheese spread and crispy onions. Mouth watering yet?



I ordered the McKinley - homemade meatloaf, their signature bacon jam, aioli and crispy onions. All sandwiches are toasted on a hoagie roll (unless otherwise stated) and come with Society chips and a homemade pickle.

They have local beer on draft - Bridge Brew Works! - as well some cool import bottles. And other beverages include natural soda, sweet leaf organic iced tea and coffee.

Interior was simple, but fun. They actually have a design and stick to it. You can see that in their website design - beautifully done. Unique, but comfortable environment here.

Our server was super cool and attentive. He was laidback and took the time to rattle off some of his favorite sandwiches when I inquired - instead of the canned "I love everything!" which doesn't help the customer at all. It's clear they put some consideration into the individuals they hire. Because he nailed it.


This sandwich: Comfort food with a fancy twist. Meatloaf was moist with a hint of heat. It had a bit of a different flavor to it in the best way possible. It was like my mother's homemade meatloaf with an extra dash of spices. The bacon jam acted as a nice sweet and smokey layer, and the aioli added that hint of garlic. Crispy onions perfect for the texture. Bread had a nice crunch to the top but soft inside. Delish.

Their homemade chips are a liiiittle thicker than store-bought, which I love. Thicker chips are the way to go. Decent flavor. Wish I had some extra sauce to use with them, though.

The pickle is homemade and has a different sort of sour. Very crisp and interesting. Unlike anything you'd buy in the store.

Carl got the Polk sandwich and thought it was really good. He was also a fan of the natural root beer pop. Root beer isn't my thing, but if it's yours, go for it. He seemed pretty pumped.

Can't remember how much the total bill came to, but both of our sandwiches were around $10, so it's not bad for the delicious dinner and cool atmosphere.

I've heard they do a fancy macaroni and cheese theme on Mondays, which would be amazing. And I've been dying to go to one of their Supper Clubs. If I knew exactly how this worked, I'd probably have a better shot at it.

Apparently it's a sort of special dinner that brings together a group of 12 people for a multi-course meal at a flat rate. I think it's held once a month, and they allow the first 12 people who email the restaurant or respond via Facebook to attend. After 12, you're put on the waiting list. How fun does this sound? The last time I saw them post it was in July, and I emailed but didn't hear back. So not sure the current status on it, but I want it. So. Bad.

I've been told it might be a little weird at first, but everyone bonds over the food and wine, and I waaaant it.

Secret Sandwich Society is open Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (CLOSED TUESDAY) and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Check them out on Facebook, Urbanspoon, and Yelp.

There are a number of other restaurants here I want to try, including Diogi's, Cathedral Cafe, Dirty Ernie's Rib Pit, Gumbo's Cajun Restaurant, Swirl ... and more. I'll definitely be back.

Grade: A