It's always cool to discover new little groceries in West Virginia.

Mother Earth Foods is a grocery in the Mid-Ohio Valley that prioritizes healthy living.

The shop has a little bit of everything - olive bars to supplements to clothing items and herbs.

Mother Earth Foods is an independent, natural health food store located in Parkersburg, West Virginia.  Offering a wide variety of vitamins, supplements, foods, beauty items, pet supplies, cleaning products, and more, Mother Earth Foods has been a favorite place to shop for the people of the Mid-Ohio Valley for 40 years. We are dedicated to the total well-being of our customers, employees, and our community through education and informed choices, providing them with excellent service and quality healthful products (ABOUT US).

Mother Earth Foods is dedicated to the total well-being of our customers, employees, and our community through education and informed choices, providing them with excellent service and quality healthful products. 

Owner David Hawkins, aka “the Herb Doc” or “Healthy Dave”, is a Master Herbalist and Certified Nutritional Counselor who believes in providing the surrounding area with more than just a unique place to shop.  Under his direction, the store offers many educational resources to the community including a weekly talk radio show and monthly Healthy Living events.

They have essential oils, herbs, natural foods, products, vitamins and more. Oh, and beer.

Have you been? What's the best thing to get here?

Amy's Ice Creams is a quirky little ice cream shop that had folks standing outside waiting in line for it, so I knew it had to be good.

Established in 1984, Amy's handcrafts artisan super premium ice creams, dairy-free fruit ices and frozen yogurt! Home of the world famous Mexican Vanilla Ice Cream. With over 350 flavors in rotation your every visit will be a new flavor adventure! We've grown up in Austin, Texas and now have shops in Houston and San Antonio! Explore your favorite flavors and the fun of Amy's Ice Creams.

The menu has all sorts of flavors, including their famous Mexican Vanilla. But, in addition to that, they have "creations," too.

So, it was a pretty easy decision for me when I saw their seasonal menu had the "all time fave" as the Turtle - Mexican Vanilla topped wit hot fudge and pecan praline sauce. SOLD.

Wow, this was good. The photo doesn't do it justice. But imagine a nice, creamy vanilla base swirling in ribbons of chocolate and caramel. Yes, you're welcome.

Grade: A

The Station has a heavy focus on local, fresh and craft food. And, here, that's not just a buzzword - they proudly list the farmers they work with on their menus.

We are three friends whose common desire coincided with undeniable timing to allow us to realize our dream in The Station. We set out to build a restaurant and communal gathering spot that serves and educates our customers about local, seasonal food and beverages. 

We believe that people have a growing interest in knowing where their food comes from and how it is produced. We also believe in eating food that is produced in a way that is kind to what is being produced, where it is being produced, and to whom is producing it. Therefore we strive to create unique and delicious meals using thoughtfully sourced local ingredients that are respectfully and skillfully prepared. We delight in nourishing our customers while supporting our local economy because we believe it is the right thing to do and because it makes us happy (OUR STORY).

The space inside is lovely - we had a beautiful, reclaimed tree top on our table, there are some more unconventional seating spaces which were cool and sleek art.

Their menu features a varied display - yellowfin tartare, arancini, pickled yada, bangers & mash, shepherd's pie, steaks, local trout and more. It's a unique assortment of dishes that highlights seasonal items, while also featuring a wide range of items to appease any visitor.

Lisa ordered the pasta special of the day, which was gnocchi in a tomato sauce with a sausage and beautifully shaved cheese sprinkled overtop. She was a fan; I think it was good - just a touch softer than my personal preference. I like my pasta with a bit of a chew.

For my entree, I ordered the shrimp & grits. It's hard for me to NOT order shrimp & grits when I see it on a menu: Shrimp & Sweet Corn Grits ($20) - sauteed gulf shirmp, local sweet corn grits, chili garlic butter, sugar snap peas, green onions.

It was pretty phenomenal. The shrimp were cooked well, with a bit of a spicy seasoning. The grits were just a bit sweet, which created this perfect balance. And, oddly enough, the peas were a perfect addition because they added some crunch and freshness. Genius.

My only regret? Not ordering 15 more dishes. Can't wait to eat my way through the menu here.

Grade: A

We were inspired by the classic diners of the ’50s. A place for people to come meet, eat, drink and have fun. Only this is Austin — so we left out the standard cookie-cutter diner stuff. No fluorescent lights, chrome or a cheesy refurbished jukebox in the corner. We blended a mid-century modern design with a big helping of Austin eclectic. Just like our food, it’s a unique blend of ingredients that’s delightfully unexpected. 

Our crew is uniquely inspired as well. Chef and Texas native Andrew Curren was valedictorian of his class at the Culinary Institute of America in New York and worked alongside top chefs such as Danny Meyer and Jonathan Waxman. In fact, all our partners are Texans with discerning palates. We offer local, farm-to-table and organic produce whenever possible and quality food prepared immaculately. 

Come hungry any time of the day — or night. Our chef-inspired comfort food will make you happy whether you’re craving chicken and waffles, veggie hash, meatloaf with sweet onion gravy or a tasty bacon Gorgonzola burger (try it with a fried egg on top). You’ll get extra grins if you order one of our decadently rich milkshakes — or a pint of craft beer or glass of boutique wine — to top it off. 

Good atmosphere. Good people. Good food. Good drink. All in one convenient location at the corner of 6th and Lamar. The fact we’re neighbors with Austin icon Waterloo Records, well, that just makes it even cooler.

24 Diner is a very cool, very orange diner known for its chicken and waffles. It has been awarded time and time again for its classic - yet inspired - food, so I needed to make a trip here pronto.

When you hear the word diner, you probably think greasy spoon. 24 Diner is anything but. Essentially, we took all the elements of the concept we liked — classic American cuisine, good service, fun atmosphere — and turned it up about 10 notches. We offer chef-inspired comfort food, local & organic fare, a full bar and a killer beer & wine list. A finer diner, if you will. And you can stop in anytime. We’re open 24 hours a day and located downtown in the heart of Central Austin at 6th and Lamar.

The breakfast menu is always served, and there's where you'll find the dish: CHICKEN & WAFFLE Marinated, boneless, skinless fried chicken breast & thigh, brown sugar butter. Oh, and that Belgian Waffle? Made from yeast-risen dough with butter, Madagascar vanilla & raw sugar. Grade A light amber Michigan maple syrup.

This is just the small serving - and thankfully I did that - because it was more than enough. The chicken is perfectly crispy and moist and just delicious. That waffle is light and fluffy and once you top everything with maple syrup, and it's just a dream come true. Best chicken & waffles I've had. The perfect chicken - free of mess or chewy or fatty bits - just makes it. You won't regret it.

Grade: A

West Virginia doesn't have a shortage of cool burrito joints: Black Bear Burritos, Black Sheep Burritos, and now, add The Burrito Bar at Breeze Hill to that list.


The Burrito Bar was the perfect post-rafting meal. We made the short, winding trip up the road, over cracked pavement until we reached the restaurant. The beautiful, outdoor space is at the top of a hill, giving nice views no matter which direction you look.

It's also a great space for live music, which we missed just by a bit - but the winding wooden deck leads to lots of little nooks to gather and hang out.

The menu features a few different kinds of appetizers, tacos, quesadillas and burritos.

Some of the most popular choices include:

Pillow smoked chicken, seasoned rice, refried pinto beans, cheddar, shredded cabbage & chipoltle crema $9.50

Lost Paddle steak strips, seasoned rice, coffee’d black beans, pepperjack, shredded cabbage & red crema $11

It's cool they're named after some of the big rapids on the Gauley River. We went with the Iron Ring because it had a little bit of heat.

Austin is a really cool city and has a pretty vibrant downtown life. One place in particular that my friend Julia was set on trying was The Driskill, a historic hotel with incredible bar.

We stopped in for a drink and a small bite. The space is sprawling and comfy. Elegant - save for maybe some of the patrons on this evening.

Relax and unwind at the Driskill Bar, with a feel that is Texan through and through. From the décor to the delectable drink menu, our bar is the best spot to mingle with friends and relax amid your Austin explorations. Take a seat in one of the cozy nooks, surrounded by authentic artwork, or settle into a leather sofa. Choose from a lengthy list of cocktails, wines, and beers, and stop by for the lively happy hour scene. Throughout the month, the Driskill Bar offers live music, featuring jazz, folk, country, and more via its curated calendar. For a fun-filled evening in Austin, the Driskill Bar is the place to be.

Because it said it was the "Official Cocktail of Austin," I ordered The Batini: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Hibiscus & Ginger Simple Syrup, Agave Sweet & Sour.

You can call me a fan of The Batini. Sweet, but not too sweet. Beautiful and refreshing.

We also split a red velvet cupcake that was simply to die for. It was moist, perfectly whipped frosting and just delish.

This is a lovely place for a drink, and some Grade A people watching.

Grade: A

My friend Lisa and I traveled to the Fayetteville area to do some whitewater rafting (first time ever!) with Adventures on the Gorge, which was so super fun and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I wish I had more photos to show it off - but, you know, phones aren't super waterproof.

But, since we had to leave so early in the morning to make our trip, we stopped to get some coffee once we got close. Kool Beanz is a newer coffee shop in town, so we decided to check it out.

It's located in a building with a few other businesses, so we followed the "coffee" signs until we made it to the shop.

Kool Beanz is a hot new concept when it comes to providing options that are fun, healthy and unique. We combine favorite menu items such as teas and coffees to give organic flavoring as well as homemade syrups. This gets rid of the processed additives that are terrible on your body and leave a bad taste. We want to make sure you get flavor that is naturally delicious. In addition to beverages we also serve healthy lunches. Our variety of options make sure that you get the taste you want without the bad stuff. We also have a drive thru for those that are on the go. The coffee served in our shop is ground fresh for a taste that is never stale. We never want our customers to be served coffee that is poor in flavor. This is why we make sure each glass is roasted to perfection and heated to the right temperature. Coffee is the perfect way to jump start each day. For those long days at work or studying for school get the boost of caffeine that you need to power through. Add your favorite syrups and flavor for a flair that is perfect for you. For those that do not prefer coffee we also offer a wide variety of specialty teas. These range in flavor to provide different boosts. We have special blends made just by us for an exclusive taste that is like no other. Our teas are tasty and fragrant for our customers. For an extra added boost to get you going try out our espresso drinks. These are high in quality and caffeine to really get you pumped up. Enjoy our beverages and food today then discover the difference.

They space is actually quite large - complete with high-top tables, couches and a sleek vibe. The ordering space is small and simple - menus display syrups, coffee and teas.

Kool Beanz is a healthy food concept based in Fayetteville, WV. We are relatively new to the area but hope to provide customers their coffee, tea and smoothie fix.The items that we have in our store are homemade and organic. This means that no extra preservatives or additives are used. It maintains a fresh quality that tastes amazing. We have homemade frappe and flavored syrups that can create a custom drink you will love. See the many items we have to offer and taste the difference. Our staff is dedicated to providing customers the items they enjoy in a healthy way. Together we can cut out all of the things that are tough on your body. Wind down after a long day with our teas. Curl up with a great book and a custom blend that makes you feel peaceful. If you have a long night ahead of you then get a boost with our espresso. This is perfect for busy students or those that are always on the go. 

So, I ordered an Americano with a shot of salted caramel. An Americano is espresso and water - so the salted caramel gives it a little somethin' extra.

After a couple minutes, my fresh cup of coffee was ready. It was a great, strong cup of coffee with a hint of sweetness. Very good.

They do also have some food - like these crepes! We didn't get to try them this time, but maybe next.

Grade: A