Jim's Drive In, one of the last remaining drive ins in the state, is located in Lewisburg and serves up burgers, hot dogs and milkshakes in true drive in style - from the comfort of your car. While many of the drive ins in West Virginia have a very small indoor dining area, Jim's is strictly car-centric, though there is some outdoor seating.

This is the first drive in I've been to where I actually ate in my car. Luckily, I was close enough to the front of the restaurant to see most of the menu. Besides that, I always do my research and knew they have their "famous ranchburger," which has sweet pickles, a slice of ham, cheese, tomato, purple onion, lettuce, tomato. Add a side of onion rings and a caramel milkshake, and my mouth is watering as I type these words.

I waited for just a little bit before my food was brought out. Again, I had never actually driven up to a drive in before. So. I didn't realize they actually attach the tray to your window. I thought it just hugged my door somehow. Imagine that awkward moment when the carhop has my food on a tray. I look at her. She looks at me. I look at her. She asks me if I can roll up my window a bit. Oh. OH. Okay. Sorry.

It's kind of nice having a little bit of privacy while dining out. It's the best of both worlds: having someone else cook for me, but being able to wear whatever I want and listen to music I want. The only downside is crumbs in your car. BUT I was in a rental. So.

The milkshake was delicious. Like, so delicious. Caramel + ice cream = me in love.

The burger wasn't bad. I didn't love the ham or sweet pickles on the burger. But, minus those, it's a pretty standard burger, so I wasn't unhappy. It's a good burger. The onion rings were also pretty solid - nice, crisp, not too much residual grease.

I think next time I could just opt for a regular burger. Because it in and of itself is pretty darn good.


Grade: B

I often talk about how Morgantown is a college town, and I, being outside of a typical college-aged student, feel out of place. Most of the events cater to this crowd, as do many of the restaurants. My absolute favorite event every year, though, is the West Virginia Wine and Jazz festival.

It's the perfect time to revisit staple West Virginia wineries and possibly find some new favorites. This year's event, which took place Sept. 19-20, featured Daniel Vineyards, Fisher Ridge, Forks of Cheat, Heston Farm Winery, Kenco Farms, Lambert's Vintage Wines, Potomac Highland Winery and West-Whitehill Winery. I've been to about half, and I hope to get to the other half as time allows. Some of my favorites are always Forks of Cheat, and I loved most Potomac Highland's wines, too.

Food vendors included Chico's Fat, The Cupcakerie, Garcia's Latin Market, The Greeks, Jersey's Subs, Lamberts Catering, Ramada Inn, Russ' Ribs and Slight Indulgence (who had a killer wine accompaniment with cheese and more).

I ordered the "Almost Heaven" from Chico's Fat, which had ... get ready for it ... two deep-fried macaroni and cheese planks topped with pulled chicken and pork with a chipotle cream sauce and cojita cheese. So, really, there's very little you could do to make this NOT taste good.

I also had a side of tortelini pasta salad from Jersey's, which was eh.

So, who went this year? What were your favorite wines?

I've heard the name "Jeff's Breads" tossed around in Lewisburg for a bit. I remember first hearing about Jeff's Breads when I visited the Stardust Cafe in Lewisburg; some of their bread was from Jeff's. The Food Guy wrote about Jeff's Breads. And I saw something about Jeff's Breads again when I had breakfast at The Bakery in Lewisburg. This local bakery, located just about 20 minutes north of Lewisburg, clearly has a strong connection to the Lewisburg community.

Jeff's Breads, located in Renick, offers European-style breads. The website says they open at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday and to go early for the best selection. So, I put the address in my GPS (218 Crane Road, Renick, WV) and went on my way. My GPS essentially led me to a house. I pulled up into the driveway, looking for any sign of a bakery. Then, I looked to the right and saw a white building (garage?). I crept toward it and finally noticed a small sign in the window that said "bakery." Whew.

There really isn't any name of the bakery or hours listed anywhere. So even if there was this random sign outside that said bakery, I was half concerned I would be opening a door into someone's home. It doesn't look like much, but as soon as I walked in, I could see an entire table full of dough waiting to be prepped. There's no waiting area; you step right into the bakery. It smelled great, and Jeff came out from the back to greet me eagerly.

My look of awkwardness probably gave it away that I was not a regular and indeed would like to see a menu. Jeff offers a number of beautiful breads, and I wanted to take them all home. Unfortunately, I still had another day left in Lewisburg, so I just needed some snacks, really. I asked for a pepperoni roll ($5) and a Mediterranean and Arugula Feta Roll ($7). Yum!

They were actually frozen, so I couldn't eat them right away. But I paid (cash!) and headed toward the WV State Fair for the day. I set the rolls on my dashboard to thaw. When I came back in a few hours, I had two snacks!

Let's start with the pepperoni roll. Fluffy, with a perfect golden brown crust on the outside.

The Mediterranean Roll, though, is something I would travel again for. LOOK AT IT. It's FULL of feta, arugula, olives. Dear god, it was savory and buttery and incredible. It reminds me of what I used to be able to get from New Day Bakery. I love these rolls. My only regret is that I didn't get more of them.

For more information, call Jeff's Breads at 304-497-2768.


Grade: A

Chef Ohlinger, the former chef/owner of Richwood Grill, hosted his fourth dinner in the 2015 Appalachian Global Dinner Series on Sunday, Sept. 27. The goal of the Appalachian Global Dinner Series is to highlight the role of Appalachian cuisine in global culture, and to bring West Virginia recognition as a culinary destination, as per the website. Chef Ohlinger would combine dishes he's learned through his travels with an Appalachian twist during the inventive dinners at Richwood Grill and while he's searching for his next permanent location, he is completing this year's dinner series in a host of guest kitchens in the area.




The "One Mile Meal" dinner was held at 3 p.m. at Round Right Farm (145 Dream Field Lane, Terra Alta, West Virginia). It was bring your own beverage (and cup) and bring your own chair. The dinner was prepared using only ingredients grown on the farm within one square mile.



Come enjoy an al fresco Dinner at Round Right Farm. The Dinner will be prepared using only ingredients grown on the farm. The menu will be created the weekend of the event based on what is ready for harvest. We do know that asparagus-fed smoked goose will be featured for the carnivores, along with a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes. We will provide all plates, flatware, napkins, linens, tables, etc; however, if you BYOB you will need to provide your own glass. We would suggest crisp white wines, ales on the hoppier side, and clear liquors such as gin, cachaca, or moonshine as accompaniments. Entertainment will be provided by Mother Nature as we watch the full harvest moon rise, followed by a full lunar eclipse for those who wish to stay a little later. The Dinner is reservation only, $35 per person, not including tax and gratuity; payment may be made by cash, check, or credit card at the event. Reservations can be made by email at chefmarion@yahoo.com or by private message on this facebook page.



After a beautiful, winding drive through the hills of Preston County, we arrived at Round Right Farm. We were early, so we took a small tour of the farm, which seems to span for miles. Due to some pretty fierce wind and the threat of rain, the dinner was held in a high tunnel next to rows of veggies. Tables were lined with burlap, mason jars dotted the tops and a mish-mash of chairs were arranged on each side.



The menu featured goose, greens with an apple cider dressing, balsamic eggplant, a potato quiche, roasted root vegetables, roasted butternut squash, corn on the cob and a squash, apple and maple syrup dessert.

















Everything was served family-style with various members from our table going up to collect dishes to then bring back for everyone. At times, it was hectic, but fortunately, it was a fun time with good people.

The Asylum is a new addition to my Lewisburg to-visit list, as it just opened in 2014. I penciled it in for dinner on my second night in town.

The Asylum is located just back off the main street at 114 East Randolph St. I'm not totally sure the background on the name or theme, but the interior is pretty nice. Tall, tufted benches and dark wooden tables and tall round high tables. Some dark blue accent walls. A few TVs are placed around the dining area with some comfy seating, too.

My coworker Jayne and I sat at the bar and looked over the menus. They also have a fairly extensive craft beer and spirit menu. Jayne is a bit (lot) more discerning about the food she eats, so her decision was pretty simple - black bean burger.

I took a bit more time. They offer typical fried appetizers: basket of fries, calamari, house-fried potato chips, spring rolls and their version of twisted nachos, sidewinders. There were a few salads; a build-your-own-burger section; sandwiches like a club, ham and cheese, West Virginia hot dog, and Philly steak and cheese; and entrees like fish and chips, Angus ribeye and fried chicken.

I landed on their namesake burger: 8 oz. of beef, house-made pimento cheese, sauteed onions, bacon and bbq sauce on toasted split top bun. With sweet potato fries. The burger was pretty good, but it was pretty greasy, too. I was really hoping to taste more of the pimento cheese (because mmm), but I didn't get much. Bacon could have been crisper to give some texture variance. Sweet potato fries were tasty. Overall, pretty average. I didn't dislike it, but I think there are other places in Lewisburg I would go first if given the option.

Grade: C