When WVU was playing KU, I decided to head out to not only check Missouri and Kansas off my "state list," but also get some real Kansas City BBQ.

Unfortunately, we flew out in the middle of a blizzard and my top choices for Kansas City BBQ were a bit out of the way. Instead we opted for a closer option to get our fix.

Kansas City–style barbecue refers to the specific regional barbecue style of slowly smoked meat that originated from the pit of Henry Perry in the early 1900s in Kansas City, Missouri.

Kansas City barbecue is characterized by its use of a wide variety of meats: pork, beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, sausage, and sometimes even fish. Just about any type of barbecued meat served in the country's other barbecue capitals, from pulled pork to brisket to beef ribs and pork ribs in a number of different cuts, is served in KC-area barbecue restaurants. Burnt ends – the crusty, fatty, flavorful meat cut from the point of a smoked beef brisket – are much in demand.

Kansas City barbecue is rubbed with spices, slow-smoked over a variety of woods and served with a thick tomato-based barbecue sauce^[1], which is an integral part of KC-style barbecue. Most local restaurants and sauce companies offer several varieties with sweet, spicy and tangy flavor profiles, but the staple sauce tends to be both sweet (often from molasses) and spicy. Kansas City barbecue is also known for its many side dishes, including a unique style of baked beans, French fries, coleslaw, and other Southern-food staples. (Wikipedia)

We made our way to Smoke Box BBQ. I got some burnt ends and pulled pork all slathered in that tangy sweet Kansas City-style sauce.

What's your favorite Kansas City bbq?

Another TURNROW: Appalachian Farm Collective find was these pepperoni rolls!

G&G Heritage Farm produces three types of pepperoni rolls: mozzarella, pepperjack cheese, and SMOKED GRUYERE AND GOUDA.

That last pepperoni roll sold me. I had to try it.

They're all topped with a cheese, and inside, there's a few slices of pepperoni, and the cheese of choice. I can't say they each tasted a whole lot different, but the fancy one may have had a touch more of creaminess.

There's something about a colorful display of floor-to-ceiling candy bins. At the Charlotte airport, there is a Dylan's Candy Bar location that caught my eye.

Dylan's Candy Bar transports its guests to a modern day version of Willy Wonka's factory the moment they enter. Its pop art installations—such as the iconic oversized lollipop tree, candy cane columns, dripping chocolate shelves, kaleidoscopic candy wallpaper and candy-embedded staircases—embody the pinnacle of "retail-tainment". The ultra-sensory experience is enhanced with delectable smells, a candy timeline and a vast milieu of candy songs and commercials awarding customers not just a sugar high, but a sweet lasting euphoria.

There are so many bins with gummies, chocolates, sour candies and much more. And I got a little of everything. 

What's your favorite?

I went to Fat Ass Tacos just before they closed.

This peculiarly named restaurant in Vienna has a drive thru and features, well, tacos!

Unfortunately, they closed before I could visit again, as I truly enjoyed my tacos.

I ordered:

• Uncle Posey - Smoked Pork, Fresh Pineapple, Pickled Onions, Cilantro, Pepper Rings
• The Nucci - Shrimp, Fat Tacos Cabbage, Cilantro, Aioli Sauce

Did you get a chance to go?

As I begin traveling from Yeager Airport more often, I've been seeing more of the Charlotte airport since many flights are connected there. And, of course, that means more meals here, too!

I didn't have much time during a recent connection, but I did have enough to scope out a bagel shop. Have you heard of The Great American Bagel? I hadn't.

It turns out, there aren't any located in West Virginia and only about 50 across the country.

The Great American Bagel is an award-winning bagel bakery and deli concept specializing in big, fresh bagels mixed from scratch and steam-baked on premises daily. Since 1987, we have been using only the finest ingredients, offering a delicious array of fresh menu items served in a clean and friendly neighborhood setting.Whether it’s our homemade, hand-packed cream cheese varieties, made-to-order deli sandwiches or our signature line of Tomazzo® pizza bagels, our selections appeal to appetites of all sizes. Savory soups and fresh salads, in addition to gourmet coffees, juices and teas, have earned their place on our menu as well. Our unique holiday shapes and seasonal flavors have become landmark items. Extensive catering options make entertaining a breeze for corporate meetings, events and parties.Our privately held, Westmont, IL-based company currently has over 50 locations in more than 12 states. The Great Canadian Bagel, our affiliate, maintains 91 units across Canada. Our concept is easily adaptable to traditional storefront locations as well as non-traditional sites such as airports, universities, shopping centers and tollway plazas.

I ordered a salmon & cream cheese on asiago bagel (all their bagel flavors sounded delish!). Have you been here before?

The Freefolk Brewery is Fayetteville's newest craft beer destination.


The brewery has a number of craft beers on tap, which range from pale ales and blonde ales to IPAs and goses.

I ordered a flight so I could try a few of their unique brews - Ubiquitous, Pretty Polly, Moon Dog, and Gorgeous 876.

Here's what I went with - a bevy of light beers!

While I waited, I took a look around at the incredible art.

This space is truly phenomenal, with colorful art decorating the walls, as well as metal work outside.

My beer came out, and I sampled each. I was a fan of each and every one of them.

And, I needed some nourishment so I went with nachos topped with shrimp.

Look at that beauty! Some smokey and creamy and crunchy. One of my favorite snacks.

Have you been?

I've been to Kustom Kreams previously, but since they moved, I thought it was the perfect time to revisit.


This is a large space that has ample dining area. When I was there, there were quiet a few folks enjoying their ice cream inside.

After looking over the menu board, I decided on "Turtle Brownie" ice cream.

They took a brownie, chopped it up, layered in caramel, topped with nuts and ice cream!


What's your favorite flavors here?

I try to make the rounds to every beer festival in West Virginia at least once.

And Snowshoe's Blues, Brews & BBQ has eluded me for years.

That is, until this weekend!

I made it with my friend Maggie on the last day to check out the BBQ vendors and craft beer.

There were tons of vendors spread throughout, offering a good bit of local and not-so-local options.

Have you been?

In Huntington, there's a pho war of sorts.

And by that, I mean there are two pho restaurants right across the street from one another.

And recently I visited them both.

First, I went to Pho Noodle House, and then I went to Pho U & Mi.

The latter is the more recent restaurant, I gather.

I started with an order of crab rangoons (because of course), and then for my entree I tried banh mi: bbq pork.

Banh mi was sounding more exciting to me on this day than pho. But I do enjoy both! Which one of these restaurants do you favor?

Have you heard of The Strawberry Lady? She's known in the area for bringing fresh strawberries from Florida. And this past Valentine's Day, my valentine sent me a dozen chocolate-covered strawberries from Rock City Cake Company - made with strawberry lady strawberries!