There's a new restaurant in Nitro that is serving up some monster portions. 1st Place Cafe is a small spot at the corner of 1st and 2nd avenues with dark windows with a handful of parking spots out front.



The interior has maybe a dozen tables sprinkled throughout the space, a couple TVs and the singular neon menu board that lists the options for the day. 



As soon as I walked in, the kinda gentleman running the show that day came out to explain each individual menu item to me - and he did so for each group that walked in. The menu boiled down to burgers, a chicken sandwich and a hot dog that all came with a heaping pile of fries. Drinks are extra.



I went with a cheeseburger, which he had explained is not just ground chuck - but sirloin. I also added a side of the blue cheese sauce he mentioned was developed as part of the chicken sandwich. But, I thought it could be a great dipping sauce for those fries. 



After a short wait, my order was up, and I whisked it away to the car to hurriedly unwrap my meal. The burger was wrapped in paper with a pick in the center to keep it all together. I'm not joking when I say I think this is the largest burger I've ever had in my life. Initially, I thought I could eat it while driving to my next errand. But upon seeing the size, there was no physical way that was going to happen.



Let me try to break it down - the burger is very wide. It's a two-handed experience at best, a fork-and-knife experience more likely. It has a large fluffy bun and a salad's worth of lettuce, tomato, onion and fresh pickle atop a hefty burger patty. There's cheese and mayo and mustard and ketchup and they are not skimpy on any of those ingredients. They combine to make a tangy sauce that just dripped with every bite. It was fresh and flavorful and like a tasty backyard BBQ burger on steroids. 



The fries are softer with a ton of seasonings - including a cajun spice that gives it a little kick. I wouldn't hate mine being more crisp, but the flavor is still good. I enjoyed dipping mine in the blue cheese dressing. This could easily be two meals - but I'm not judging if it's one.



Grade: A

My subscription box just came in this week - let's look and see what we got:

Mud & Maker - Flower Frog
Turn any vase into a jar! Ceramic discs are punched out to allow for fresh floral ((or dried, either would work)) stems to be arranged over any jar or vessel.

Tait Farm Foods - Thumbprint Cookie Mix
Thumbprint Cookies are a timeless holiday cookie and our Thumbprint Cookie Mix makes whipping up a batch something that happens in no time at all! The name 'thumbprint' comes from the fact that you use your "thumb" to make an indentation into each ball of shortbread-like dough. The indentation is then filled with your favorite Tait Farm Foods jam, preserve or conserve. This is one cookie that the entire family can create together at holiday time or any time! 1 lb. ​

Southern City Flavors - Strawberry Jam
This delicious jam is bursting with flavor of homegrown strawberries.

Charleston Bee Works - Hare Candle
Made with beeswax from Parsons, West Virginia’s mountain honey bees. These gorgeous candles are hand poured in Charleston, West Virginia. Available in Hare, Wood Grain, and Taper Pair.

Scamps - Milk Chocolate Toffee
Warm, rich, buttery toffee hand broken and enveloped in a traditional Swiss milk chocolate. Located in the idyllic village of Ligonier, Pennsylvania. Each bite is a marriage made in sweet heaven.

Mama Geraldine's - Pimento Cheese Fries  
Savory Classic Cheese Straws with Smoked Paprika and a hint of Olive.

Breathe Wine & Culture Co. is a cute beer, wine and specialty store in Cross Lanes.



The store has a great selection of local beer, unique wines and so much more that falls under that "culture" label.



They serve lunch Monday through Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with sandwiches, salads and sides.



They also have a cooler full of grab-and-go options like salads, charcuterie trays, hummus plates, chicken salads croissants and more.



And, they have flavored coffee and tea for purchase.



I took a few laps around, collecting goodies to purchase before taking a look at the lunch options. 



I ended up purchasing an assortment of items so I could try a few different things (my motto). 



I started with a pepperoni roll, which were packaged on the counter. I asked if they were made in house, but the person working wasn't quite sure. 



They were OK - a lot of bread, so a bit dry.



But, I also ordered a strawberry tea. I think I'm the only person south of the Mason-Dixon Line who doesn't enjoy sweet tea (though I do like Brisk), so I wasn't sure what to expect.



I ordered a strawberry tea, and it was pretty refreshing. It still has the bitterness of tea that I don't love, but the flavor of the strawberry helped.



The star of the show, however, was the charcuterie plate I bought that came with spinach dip, cheese, chicken, pita, grapes, chocolate, salami, olives and strawberries.



This is really my preferred meal, any time of day. I like snacking, and I love the creamy and the sweet and the bitter all together. 



Have you visited this place yet? If not, what are you waiting for?

Grade: A

I have seen Scragglepop Kettlecorn in shops or events in the area, but I had no idea they had their own space in the mall in Barboursville.



"A lifetime of being unhappy with the popcorn that was found in holiday tins and local events, owner Dale Scragg sought to change that with his own kettlecorn creation, Scragglepop. After 13 years, Dale found the recipe to cure his popcorn unhappiness by creating a kettlecorn that is gluten-free, has zero trans-fat and uses no peanut oil. He created a snack that is better for you, more flavorful, and will never be stale, unlike the popcorn that you normally find in holiday tins and in the chip aisle at the store."



The kettle corn comes in a few different varieties, like chocolate, caramel apple, blueberry vanilla and more.  I tend to like the original flavor because it still has the integrity of the popcorn flavor - just ab it sweeter. Which is your favorite?

In Barefoot Landing, Myrtle Beach, there are a bunch of little shops and boutiques that you could spend all day exploring.



And, I maybe did just that.



And, quite a few of them were food related, so I thought I'd share some finds. 



We already talked about River City Cafe, which is the only sit-down restaurant I stopped at. 



Though, I've never been to Dick's Last Resort so I thought about it. 



My first stop was Wee R Sweetz, which is "a family owed business that has been in operation for over 30 years. This family owned business proudly makes all their taffy, fudge, truffles, chocolates and gourmet apples. Come in and watch today! Be amazed by our world famous Salt Water Taffy made ON SITE by 100 year old machines! We are proud to announce that we were voted "Best Boardwalk Eats" by Rachel Ray Magazine." I purchased a handful of goodies here.



Next up was Pepper Palace. I was intimidated to walk in here, and I think they knew I didn't belong. "From hot sauce to dry rubs, BBQ sauces to salsa, and everything in between, if it's hot, it's at Pepper Palace" I passed on these.



The Olive Shoppe was more my speed. 



Specialty olive oils and infused vinegars and olive medleys - yum. 



I had a few samples - always love a good punchy vinegar! 



Next up is The Spice & Tea Exchange, which has lots of teas, seasonings, spices and more. 



I did end up falling in love with a few seasonings - like a truffle salt, and a garlic/onion mixture. 



I have been using both, and they've been a great addition to my spice cabinet. 



Moving onto IT'SUGAR. They have just about any candy you can think of - in giant form, tiny form and everything in between. 



I've been to one of these before, so I knew what I was getting myself into and may have left with some goodies. 



Okay, and one more spot that was opening just as I was leaving - The Fudgery. Why do tourists and fudge go so well together? I have no clue, but I'm not mad about it. 



There are tons of places here to satisfy your sweet tooth. Which is your favorite?