The Mountaineer Week Arts & Craft Fair is such a fun time of year where there are all kinds of arts and crafts available.

Some of my favorite vendors are here each yet.

And, there are tons of food vendors, too.


So here are a few that were here this year!

Sweatman's BBQ was a whole different kind of bbq for me.

They do a buffet or a one-time plate. Since I was on the go (as always), I just went with one plate.

But clearly the buffet is popular - look at that line!

My plate was so, so good. There's the pulled pork, slaw, pork rind, rice hash...

And there's Carolina gold bbq sauce!

I don't even know what this rice hash was, but it was divine. And the Carolina gold? Amazing. To cap it all off, I had some banana pudding that was out of this world.

Poogan's Porch is named after a beloved pup. But the food isn't for the dogs.



"Tucked away on charming Queen Street, Poogan’s Porch is Charleston’s oldest independent culinary establishments, with a fresh approach to Lowcountry cuisine. Recognized by Martha Stewart Living, Southern Living and The Travel Channel among many others, this beautifully restored Victorian house is the perfect southern spot for daily brunch and dinner.
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Since opening in 1976, Poogan’s Porch has been a favorite of well-known celebrities, politicians, tourists and locals alike who rave about this Southern institution. Whether it’s a warm homemade buttermilk biscuit and sausage gravy, a bowl of she-crab soup, or our signature buttermilk fried chicken, your meal at Poogan’s Porch will be unforgettable."


The menu features fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese fritters, and everything I love from southern food.

So, I started with a biscuit and butter - just wow. I wish these were as prevalent up north as they are down here.

For my main dish, I went with shrimp and grits (one of my all-time favorites). The grits were a bit more watery than I prefer, but with the tasso ham gravy, peppers, onions, and sausage, you can't go wrong.

To round out my BBQ tour, I went to Scott's BarBQue to experience some whole hog bbq.


I ordered some pork, slaw, and potato salad.


This pork is characteristic of others in the area. Smoky, and the peppery & vinegary bbq has some kick to it.

It's tough for me to pass up a chocolate shop.


While walking around Charleston, South Carolina, I stumbled upon Christophe Artisan Chocolatier.


This shop is well-known for their handpainted chocolates - many of which inspire galactic images for me.


But they also have classic truffles - like vanilla bean, star anise and more.


And they have more than chocolate: coffee, croissants, macarons, pastries and more.


So I wanted to try a few different things.


First, I went for a praline macaron! Can never go wrong with a macaron.


Then I tried the salted caramel hand-painted chocolate.


Finally, I tried a canele, which is a small French pastry flavored with rum and vanilla with a soft and tender custard center and a dark, thick caramelized crust. It takes the shape of a small, striated cylinder up to five centimeters in height with a depression at the top, according to Wikipedia.


Everything was delicious.


But how can you go wrong with chocolate?


Have you been here?


What's your favorite?