The Downtowner is a restaurant in downtown Ripley that is cash-only and focuses on homestyle food.



Think baked steak, mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese, fried bologna, philly cheesesteak, ham & cheese, soups, etc.



I went with a cheeseburger and fried mushrooms. Sometimes a diner burger just hits. It was not super thick, so it gets slightly crispy on the edges. Almost like a smashburger but thicker still. I just would have liked the cheese meltier.



The mushrooms were solid. I am nostalgic for fried and breaded mushrooms because we used to get them at DQ growing up. I don't know many DQs that serve them anymore. All they needed was a dipping sauce, preferably with horseradish.



Grade: B

Pizza Al's is a much beloved pizza institution in Morgantown that has expanded in recent years.



The newest location is near the Coliseum and offers a bar atmosphere on the side, in addition to the delicious pizza, calzones and sandwiches we've all come to know and love.



In the expansive dining space, there are a decent amount of tables, a pinball machine and a counter to place your order. I went with a small pizza with mushrooms, and I'm happy to report that the flavor is there. Robust tomato sauce, fair amount of cheese and a thin crust. A bit more color on the crust would have made it perfect.



Grade: A

Fonce's Produce is a local market in Wellsburg that sells fruits, vegetables, pickles, herbs and flowers. This shop has been around for as long as I can remember, but I don't remember setting foot inside. So I did just that. The shop has some pickles and spices from Pittsburgh. Chocolates from Anderson's Candies. I like the little bit of Pittsburgh influence because the city is so close to Wellsburg. As for produce, there was a variety of tomatoes, including mortgage lifters, hillbillies and more. There were also peaches, watermelon, apples, grapes, lemons, limes, cherries and pears. Also stuffed olives, pepperoni, cheese and drinks, too.

Kitzie's has two locations in Martinsburg. I visited the Spring Mills location and sidled up to the bar to peruse the menu.



The homestyle restaurant features breakfast favorites, comfort food and plenty of seafood options. While I narrowed down my choices, I noticed how busy the restaurant was with a constant stream of families entering and exiting. it's a popular spot amongst locals.



I started with bread and cinnamon butter. This was a nice little treat from regular butter and some sliced white bread.



I enjoyed a crab cake made with lump Maryland blue crab and a side of brussel sprouts. The crab cake was nice and moist with huge chunks of broiled crab. The brussel spouts could have been crispier and that could've zapped some of the sulfur flavor a bit more.



Grade: B

The Old Canal Smoke House is located in historic downtown Chillicothe, Ohio, and specializes in smoked meats. The renovated 1850s building is large with various dining areas. After a short wait, we were seated in the enclosed porch area.



We started with a brisket flatbread topped with cheese, smoked brisket and BBQ. It's a hefty portion; I personally would have loved some crunch, too. For my entree, I had a pulled pork platter with corn casserole, mac & cheese and cornbread. I enjoyed the pork - though slightly dry. Both of the sides were decent, but not super duper flavorful. As a whole, a solid dinner.



Grade: B

Smoothie King is a chain, but only has two locations in West Virginia: Morgantown and now Huntington.



Whether you're interested in energy or weight loss or flavor, there's a variety of smoothies to enjoy. I liked the "Kindness in a Cup," which had Strawberries, Bananas, Mangoes, Apple Pineapple Juice Blend, Turbinado, Dairy Whey Blend. It is sweet but light and oh so tasty. Pick-up took a few minutes but the result was worth it.



Grade: B

Scaffidi's Restaurant and Tavern is a family-owned and operated restaurant in Steubenville, Ohio, specializing in foods with an Italian flare.

I found them on DoorDash and placed an order for me & my parents. I had Italian wedding soup and some fried zucchini planks. I liked the soup. Not bad. I would've liked the zucchini a bit thicker. But most importantly - I was able to enjoy this meal with my parents. Peep my dad in the background; he just recently passed and I am missing him dearly.



Grade: B

The Clay Center has a new little cafe called Curiosity Cafe that offers some grab-and-go items.



The regular menu has sandwiches, salads, snacks and drinks. Plus pretzels, nachos, tater tots, chicken tenders, pizza and more.



I went with their West Virginia special, which included Mountain Dew and pepperoni rolls from Rolling in the South. Snack size with slices of pepperoni - not too full, but a good portable bite.



Grade: B

Mt Top Convenience in Thomas is known for gas, soda and having some of the best pepperoni rolls in the state.



While the store offers traditional convenience store essentials, its largest draw may be the homecooking.



From burgers and meatball subs to General Tso's Chicken and surf & turf, the store stays churning out tasty meals. The pepperoni rolls are no exception.



They offer a variety: bacon & cheddar, American cheese & mustard, sauce & jalapeno... Some really interesting combos here! I tried every single one in the case over the course of a weekend, and there wasn't a bad one in the bunch. I appreciate the creative liberties. They've taken here, and it's fun to taste new takes on the pepperoni roll. The sauce with jalapeños especially was a nice play on both texture and spice.



Grade: A

Here is my seasonal box from J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works.

J.Q. DICKINSON SALT-WORKS
Applewood Smoked Salt
Solar evaporated and hand harvested in the mountains of WV this salt is perfect when you want to add a hint of smokiness.

ASHEVILLE TEA COMPANY
Cold Brew Tea
Made with a blend of local botanicals this easy to make tea is thirst quenching all summer.

WE MADE
Hummingbird Cake Mix
Hummingbird Cake is a delicious Southern Staple. WeMade is a social impact company providing workforce development for people with disabilities.

WILL ROWSEY
Wild Flower Print
West Virginia artist Will Rowsey hand painted these images. His delicate work portrays the wild flowers of the Appalachians.

SUNSET BERRY FARM
Freeze-dried strawberries
This family owned farm in Monroe County, WV grows the sweetest strawberries in the state. Freeze-dried for a great snack.

REDWOOD & CO
Hand Sanitizer
Covid may be in the rearview mirror but we all have the habit. This Staunton, VA company make the process very pleasant.

Berger Cookies are an iconic Baltimore dessert that I couldn't pass up while visiting the area. The history of Bergers Cookies began in 1835, when German immigrant Henry Berger arrived in the United States. A baker by trade, Henry came to The Land of Opportunity to follow his dreams, and soon opened a bakery in East Baltimore, reads the website.



Famous for their fresh-made Berger cookies, Market Bakery has been a Market staple since 1972 – owned by Greek immigrants Minus and Fannie Houvardas, and now their son Minas Mastrominas. Market Bakery serves comforting baked favorites like their beloved birthday cakes, cookies, donuts, bread pudding and elephant ears.



The cookies are made from an original, homemade recipe from the 1800’s with some minor adjustments to adapt to the processing of raw ingredients. The hand-dipped cookies have a soft, cake-like body covered in fudge icing.



I imagine these cookies are nostalgic for many and a tradition for some. For an outsider, they taste fairly simple. A basic cookie with fudgey topping. They were also a bit dry, which is a sticking point for me.



Grade: B

Gioacchino Vaccaro established Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop in 1956. He was born and raised in Palermo, Italy. Mr. Jimmy, as he was so aptly known, brought with him the recipes and the knowledge of how to make the finest Siciliano pastries Baltimore had ever seen. Soon after opening, it was evident that the cannoli and rum cake had created a sensation among Baltimoreans, reads the website.



Today Nick Vaccaro continues the family tradition begun by his father with the same Old World recipes brought over from Italy. Vaccaro’s has grown to include the new Pasticceria (pastry shop) which offers both carry out and a sit-down café to enjoy, a state-of-the-art production facility and warehouse, and three other locations throughout the Greater Baltimore area.



Because cannolis seem to be the big draw, I zeroed in on them. The shells and cream both are special in their own right.



Cannoli Shells – An authentic Sicilian favorite, deep-fried cylinder type pastry. Open ends for easy filling.

Cannoli Cream – Rich whole milk Ricotta Cheese mixed with sugar, flavorings and cocoa drops.



I went with the classic flavor, which perfectly blended the very lighty sweetened cheese filling with a crackly shell. So smooth and crunchy at the same time.



Grade: A