Mountaineer Week is one of my favorite times of the year. There's all kinds of people in and around the Mountainlair, a giant craft fair and activities celebrating our Appalachian heritage.

Did I mention food? Mmm kettle corn, Bavarian nuts, deep-fried Oreos, funnel cake... OK, I have no idea how this is related to Appalachian food, but it's delicious. And it's all over the place during this weeklong event.

Ali Baba Restaurant: The Ali Baba & The 40 Thieves Sandwich Challenge contains one giant sandwich with several Greek meats and sauces loaded with lettuce and vegetables. The 4 lb. sandwich must be finished in one sitting.

After my first Bridge Day and visit to Babcock State Park with Mary Kay, we were searching around for a place to have lunch. We were on the north side of the bridge, so it would be tough for us to get to any Fayetteville restaurants. Which is a bummer because there are a lot of good ones there.

Summersville it was. Maloney's Sports Pub & Grill had some good reviews, so we made our way there. There just happened to be a WVU game on, so it was quite ... active inside. The waitress handed us some menus and helped us out a bit.

Appetizer - fried ravioli. Crunchy, deep-fried with marinara. Not culinarily high-brow, but tasty.

Entree - bacon and blue burger. My burger came with bacon, blue cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion. The patty was cooked well and thin in the middle with upturned edges. But when it's piled with blue cheese, tomato, lettuce and onion, all I can taste is deliciousness. Fries weren't bad.

Overall, sports bar-esque food, but good.

Grade: B
 

I know 123 Pleasant St. has tried food a few times. And they've done small bluegrass brunches and things of that sort. 123 is the best place in town for local music, but for some reason, food just hasn't quite worked. I'm hoping the addition of Atomic Grill's satellite location will buck that trend.

Atomic Grill has opened up a small satellite kitchen in 123, serving up pulled pork/chicken/tofu or brisket sandwiches, "stuff inna cup!," Chico's Burger, The Fallstaff, Black Bean Burger, Ultimate Pork Skins, and sliders for the kids. It's a fraction of their full menu, but you can see the vegetarian-friendly options in an otherwise typically carnivorous menu. Currently, they're open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. until late.

We entered through the main doors and went to the right upper bar. Menus were scattered about on the tables. You place your order at the bar. I went for The Fallstaff burger, which says it is "payin' homage to one of the best burgers in town... cheese and fresh jalapeno slaw." I THINK this is referencing an older restaurant that used to be in town (before my time). But it was different enough to catch my eye. Afton got the Chico's Burger, and we split an order of the Ultimate Pork Skins, which have melted cheese, choice of meat or tofu and scallions over fried pork skins.

When the order was ready, I picked it up at the window to the kitchen in the back and brought it back to my seat.

The pork skins are pork rinds. I was thinking they would be like potato skins or something for some reason. I guess it's the word skins. It's a lot. Nacho cheese and pork rinds - maybe pulled pork would've been better. I'm not sure. But overall, it was just a bit too salty for me. But that's me.

My burger, however, was so good. I am typically a burger - tons of onion - lettuce - tomato - ketchup - mustard - mayo - all of the cheese person. And I frickin' love blue cheese on a burger.


Anyway, this one was just cheese and jalapeno slaw. But it was delicious. It doesn't need a ton of bells and whistles. Simple, sweet and spicy. Totally dig it. I will be back just to order this. I liked the sweet heat of the slaw with the thick slice of cheddar. Awesome flavor. Bun perfectly toasted.

I was surprised they didn't ask me how I wanted my burger done - so I'm wondering if they're not made to order? I don't know. It seemed like it was prepared fresh to me. And it was delicious.

Grade: A

NO, I'm not going to review Bojangles or Popeyes. I don't review chain restaurants unless it's like the only one in West Virginia. Also, I wouldn't be able to do nearly as good of a job as Marilyn Hagerty.

BUT, this is the first time I've ever had either. So, there's that. (I actually had Bojangles twice) (Bojangles was close to my hotel, and Popeyes was on the way home). I think I'm a fan of Bojangles - for what it is, of course.