West Virginia University's student union - The Mountainlair - is home to a handful of restaurants. And, it's undergone quite the transformation since I arrived in 2007.

I remember the Chinese restaurant, Quizno's and McCoys. But, new restaurants have come and gone.

And there's a new crop that I hadn't tried yet. So let's take a look.

Tres Habaneros - This restaurant is "serving Fired Up Flavor with authentic Mexican cuisine. Guests can enjoy a burrito, rice bowl, tacos or a salad bowl and customize it with anything they’d like." I went for a bowl with barbacoa, cheese, black beans and sour cream.







Blue Tomato - This new restaurant features gigantic pizza slices. I tried one with macaroni & cheese.







Burgershop - This build-your-own burger stop has all the basics. I got a cheese steakburger with blue cheese, red onion and mayo.

I've visited Bridge Brew Works many a moon ago when they did not have a tasting room.

But now, they have an incredible outdoor dining area where you can enjoy a beer.

And, on many evenings, they also have food available.

I visited when they had the food truck Mountain Mamas serving. 

I started with an Iaeptus Gose, which is pretty neat.

For food, I ordered pierogies, which were stuffed with sharp cheddar and creamy mashed potatoes, topped with steamed onions and sour cream.

You're probably supposed to share these butttt...

I also ordered the "Two Gun Sid" which is a split brat and I got mine with Oliverio-style peppers.

What's your favorite beer or snack from the food truck?

I love discovering a new coffee shop!

Beckley is home to a new one called Top Knot Coffee, the second location for this business. The original is in Oak Hill.

This alpaca-themed coffee shop not only has coffee drinks, but it also has woolen goods.

I stopped by just briefly to try a coffee and a baked good.

Yum to a white chocolate mocha!

And, a blueberry muffin!

But there are more filling breakfast options - and tons more pastries that I can't wait to try!

What's your favorite?

Swiftwater General Store is the store component of Swiftwater Cafe, so you can get many of the same snacks at the store - including delicious pepperoni rolls!

But I came in search of a baked potato.

I don't know about you, but sometimes a loaded baked potato just hits the spot.


I looked around while mine was being prepared.

They have fresh fruits, pastries, cookies, peppoeroni rolls, candy, old-school candy, prepared salads, and more.

Yum!



By the time my potato was ready, I could have eaten the whole store. I got mine topped with cheese, green onions and sour cream.

What's your favorite thing here?

Cozumel has a location in Charleston, but when I was visiting my boyfriend recently, I decided to check out the location in Ripley.

They have a little shop, which is neat.

After a short wait, I was seated at a booth and looked over the menu.

My first goal: queso dip.

My second goal: Find a burrito covered in queso.

I ordered the Burrito De Lujo - which has grilled shrimp, onions, mushrooms, rice & beans and topped with cheese dip.

Goals = accomplished.

But I wasn't finished.  I also got a Mexican sundae. Mmmm.


What's your favorite thing here?