Mountaineer Roasting Co. has been producing coffee for some time, but they recently opened up a cafe where they serve it, along with other tasty treats. 



It's located in a new build along with other businesses. It has large windows that let lots of natural light stream inside. 



The design is lovely - trendy with light wooden shelves, dark metal brackets, chalkboards, marble-esque countertops and a minimalist vibe. 



I kept it simple with a latte and a blueberry muffin - a beautiful pairing.



If I'm getting a stronger coffee, I like to pair it with a sweet treat. If I'm just having a coffee, I'll add cream and sugar to it. 



The coffee is good - robust and strong. And look at that cute latte art! I alternate taking a bite of muffin and siping on the latte for some sweet and bitter flavors together.



The blueberry muffin (always one of my favorites) was extra sweet with an icing topping. But still moist and made for a perfect complement to the coffee.



Grade: A

I was listening to a great podcast from Food52 recently about Italian sandwiches: all the different terms we use for them like hoagie, grinder, sub, etc., as well as what makes them good.  



It had me thinking about my recent trip to Rubin's Deli, a Parkersburg restaurant that has been serving subs, sandwiches and salads for more than 50 years. 



This restaurant offers an Italian sandwich, but I actually ended up going with a Club, which isn't all that different: ham, turkey, bacon, swiss, shredded lettuce, tomato and mayo. But I wanted it cold. I tend to like my hoagies cold. I think of cold cuts with a dressing that I could pick up in a convenience store. I do like warm ones, too, like meatball - but I would call them a sub, not a hoagie. 



Fun fact I learned in that podcast: "Submarine" was given to the sandwich because of its shape. "Grinder" was because you have to gnaw with your teeth to get through it. "Hoagie" is a derivative of "hoggy" - as in, you have to be a hog to finish it. And "Hero" because you have to be a hero to finish it. 



In addition to my club hoagie, I got a bag of Mister Bees chips - a Parkersburg specialty. 



Rubin's has a good, solid hoagie. I liked that it was compact and not unwieldy to eat. It had amply mayo so it wasn't all bread. And the proportions were good. The fresh veggies were maybe a day or two past their prime - not as crisp or as flavorful as they could have been. But still a good sammich. 



Grade: B

When asked what my favorite West Virginia restaurant is, I would always reply: Cafe Cimino. However, the owners have now retired, with just occasional special events scheduled at the restaurant.



But Tim and Melody don't really slow down. While they're not operating the restaurant daily, they do still hawk some delicious baked goods at local farmers markets under the moniker Bop & Nana's Bakery.



I planned a trip recently to the Sutton Farmers Market to get my hands on some. Melody set aside one of their delicious pepperoni rolls, a muffin and a scone so I could get a little sampler pack.



The pepperoni roll is pretty traditional, but every element is executed perfectly. The bread is delicious, but not too thick. The pepperoni is perfectly rolled up, and those spices soak throughout the whole roll. Delish.



The muffin and scone were both also tasty! 



I need to make sure I grab a loaf of their focaccia next time. 



If you haven't been, you should totally check it out.



There are other vendors, as well, including a stand that serves up hot dogs and coffee! 

The Corner Hoagies & Hops in downtown Huntington draws inspiration from classic Huntington landmarks. 



While it's in a nice modern space with large windows, greenery and long bar, it is serving up some classic sandwiches with cool local names and beer from local breweries. 



The restaurant is located in the former Highway 55 Burgers & Shakes space, but has a fresh vibe.



I ordered a few different things so I could get a good taste. To start, I tried the spicy feta, which was my favorite item I ordered. It has the little bit of creamy funkiness from the feta with a good bit of heat. And it is a very generous portion.



Next up: Let's try the sandwich. I ordered the "scoreboard," which has turkey, swiss, greens, tomato, onion, avocado, and garlic aioli on a hoagie. I was really hoping the garlic aioli would pack a bit of a punch of flavor, because without that, it's just kind of a standard sandwich. Nothing wrong, but nothing super exciting either. And thick white raw onion was a bit overpowering. There are a lot of yummy things I want to try next though - like maybe a hoagie with pork belly, spicy curry mayo, and balsamic glaze. Yum.



Both the potato salad and the pickles were fine for me. I think the potato salad needs more seasoning, and the pickles maybe a bit more time to absorb flavor. 



Grade: B

Did you know there's an actual Bob Evans Farm?



I had no idea - and even less so that it's not all that far way.



Located in Rio Grande, Ohio, the farm features historic buildings, a windmill, and, of course, a restaurant.



"Bob Evans, founder of our company, lived on the Bob Evans Farm in southeastern Ohio for nearly 20 years. He and his wife, Jewell, raised their six children in the large brick farmhouse known as the Homestead. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, the Homestead was once a stagecoach stop and an inn. Later, the Evans family opened The Sausage Shop in their front yard, which later became the first Bob Evans restaurant, still open today. The spirit of hospitality is deeply embedded in our company's history. Today, the Homestead serves as a company museum and historical center."



Some areas of the farm are closed still due to COVID-19, but they do have a festival here which is coming up soon! 



While driving through the area, I just wanted to check out the original Bob Evans. And really, it's like any other Bob Evans, but maybe on a more scenic landscape.



The menu was the same - but that doesn't mean it was bad! I had a turkey dinner, which was a treat. It was like a mini Thanksgiving with turkey, stuffing, carrots, mashed potatoes and rolls. I was just missing the pumpkin pie. Decent homestyle food overall.