The Midwest is pretty good at these drive-thru coffee shops. It's perfect for when I have a day of exploring ahead and need a quick drink to get things started. Ziggi's fit the bill. "What started as a small coffee shop on the corner of Main Street in downtown Longmont, Colorado in 2004, has since grown to multiple drive-thru and coffeehouse locations across the U.S. From the beginning, Ziggi's mission has always been simple: To serve a convenient and superior cup of coffee with service customers can rely on," reads the website. The selection of "Fresherz" caught my eye because it was a warm day, and they seemed so, well, refreshing. I ordered the "MELON BERRY TIDE - Feel the breeze with this refreshing flavor of juicy watermelon, crisp cucumber, a hint of mint and real strawberry pieces." This was indeed refreshing - maybe a bit too light on flavor.

I also ordered the "EVERYTHING BAGEL BREAKFAST SANDWICH - Elevate your breakfast game with the combination of sausage, egg and gouda on an everything bagel." This is great in theory - but in execution, it just seemed microwaved and made everything soft and chewy. Grade:B

Pizza Ranch is a Midwest chain with more than 200 locations across 15 states.



I stoppped at the Peoria location and picked up my to-go order. I went with the "Tuscan Roma" - Sliced Roma Tomatoes, Spinach, Alfredo Sauce and I added mushrooms and a balsamic glaze. And, because I could, I added a side of stuffing.



"In the heart of every cowboy is a dream. Adrie Groeneweg had one that started in Hull, Iowa, in 1981 when he was just 19 years old. It was simple. Why does everyone have to drive out of town to get a pizza? With just six specialty and single topping pizza recipes developed around the kitchen table, Pizza Ranch was born. The residents of Hull flocked to the young restaurant for made-from-scratch sauce and dough and other fresh ingredients. As word spread, Pizza Ranch grew," reads the website.



The customizations I added to the pizza made it. The sweetness from the balsamic balanced the rich, cheesy alfredo base. The stuffing was disappointing - too mushy and flavorless.



Grade: B

K Brew combines locally roasted coffee with handmade bagels, with over 8 varieties prepared every morning at the Knoxville bakery.



"We prepare top-notch coffee and espresso drinks with our own roasted coffee, organic milk from a local dairy farm, organic syrups and organic chocolate. Our handmade bagels are made fresh daily, and don’t forget about our house-made cream cheese. With four locations in Knoxville, we offer blazing fast wifi with plenty of seats, including hammocks!" reads the website.



The hammocks were the first thing I noticed inside - how fun! But, knowing me, I would break one so I opted out. The rest of the interior was equally as cool, though, and trendy.



The menu consists of coffee, espresso, bagels, frittatas and more. Plus, teas, hot chocolate, chips and sticky toffee pudding.



I ordered their specialty coffee with juniper berries, fresh orange, rosemary, espresso and milk. It was a bit piney, a bit floral-y. Definitely different.



I also ordered a lox bagel sandwich complete with asiago bagel, salmon, cream cheese, capers and red onion. I think the only thing to make a lox bagel better is putting it on a garlic or onion or asiago bagel.



The sandwich was lovely. Sinking my teeth into it was so sayisfying, and each bite was salty, silky and creamy.



What are your favorite spots in Knoxville?



Grade: B

A pit stop in Oak Hill required a quick caffeine fix. That's where Pistos Coffee came in.



"Pistos Coffee is a volunteer driven coffee shop designed to foster community. Our goal is to deliver high quality products; while maintaining low cost in order to serve our community with our available resources. We offer a wide variety of espresso creations, teas, cocoas and baked goods for our customer's enjoyment. Whether you join us in our shop or just pop in for a quick to-go we stand ready to serve you," reads their website.



The entryway opens into a small craft area that features all sort of neat local goodies. The case at the front had lots of tasty treats: cakes, cookies, pudding and more.



I ordered a Heath toffee bar, which was sticky sweet deliciousness. Maybe on the border of too sweet - even for me.



I also had a caramel macchiato, which is probably sweet for many people's palates. But it was a nice mix of bitterness to offset all of the sweet.



Grade: B

When I think of the phrase "hot spot," I instantly think of a gambling establishment. In Arnoldsburg, this "hot spot" is also a full-service restaurant: Hot Spot Sandwich Shoppe.



I happened to be in town for a festival and decided to stick around to try a restaurant. This one was nearby and sounded interesting. While they did have a drive-thru, I parked and went inside. The interior has wood panelling everywhere and some cute country-esque decor.



The menu is made up of sandwiches, subs, salads and fried appetizers. I ordered a cheeseburger and fried mushrooms. They had run out of some ingredients, so the cook actually had left to go to the store. About 20 minutes later, he returned and started my order. I was the only one in there so it was a bit awkward.



The meal was definitely made to order, but was a bit lackluster. The burger could've used some salt and seasoning. The mushrooms were OK but don't hold a candke to the DQ mushrooms of yesteryear, which is my gold standard for fried mushrooms. Crunchy outer coating with a bundle of soft umami inside.



Grade: C