I don't know about you, but my favorite kinds of salads are the ones with tons of toppings. I'm talking egg, tomato, cheese, something crunchy, maybe some beets, I don't know. Something delicious. But, of course, that comes at a hefty price. That's why - sometimes - it's nice to go to a place where they assemble it for you.



If you're like me, then Rubi's Salad Haus may be right up your alley. This counter-service restaurant allows you to build salads exactly to your specifications. You can choose as many or as few ingredients as you would like from a very long list of options.



And, if you're not feeling a salad, they do also have soup, flatbreads, avocado toast and more. 



Their variety of toppings numbers more than 60. Peppers, carrots, onions, egg, olives, peas, mushrooms, beets, broccoli, cabbage, chickpeas, corn, tomatoes, cheese, cucumbers, nuts, fruit and other proteins.



For my salad, I went with a base of spring greens topped with egg, tomato, cheese, mushrooms, olives and some other things I'm probably forgetting. 



And, to top it all off, I went with Rubi's Haus dressing, which is like a sweeter vinaigrette. 

It's so fresh; I felt totally safe, and. I was excited to get to try something new. To make a salad like this at home, I would've spent a fortune in ingredients and would have to eat nothing but salad for a week so the vegetables didn't go bad. 



So, this is a cool option when you're in the mood.



Have you tried it? 

Grade: A

Located in Weirton, Sweet Temptations offers specialty cakes and dessert items, as well as light lunch fare like sandwiches and soups. 



I had already had lunch, so I was in the market for some dessert. I did see that they were offering chicken salad, meatballs, hot dogs, chili and more.



On this particular day, they had cupcakes, some turnovers, cakes, and a handful of other sweet offerings. The little temptation that stuck out to me was a strawberry cheesecake. It looks like a little tiered cake. How adorable is that? 



The dessert was good - though the texture wasn't as creamy as I had hoped. And, overall, the process of ordering was a bit odd - no one was in there, and then when the woman arrived, she was curious how I knew about the place. After I ordered, I was blocked in trying to leave. But, they make a decent cheesecake.

Grade: B

Like I mentioned before, there are a handful of T&L Hot Dogs locations in the North Central WV area. And, I can't leave a list unfinished. So, I made my way to the location on Old Bridgeport /hill.



This space has a real diner feel with neon lights, checkerboard decor and vinyl booth seating. 



First, I went for a cookies & cream milkshake. It was really thick, but also pretty good once it loosened up a bit. 



I went for a hot dog, as one should, and it was pretty consistent with the other T&L versions I've had. The bun is soft, the chili was a bit dry, and the slaw has a more loose consistency - I tend to like a more cohesive, almost paste-like slaw. BUT, overall, a decent hot dog for lunch.



Grade: B

Morgantown always feels like home to me. Like, I spent my young adult years here and truly grew a lot. Part of that growth, I think, is trying new foods. So, whenever I get to come back "home," I'm always excited to try new places.



Zeke's Breakfast & Bakes is located on High Street and is slinging coffee, breakfast sandwiches and other goodies. Think breakfast cafe - from some of Charleston's best beverage folks (Apothecary Ale House owner & latte artist).



The space isn't huge - but it's airy. It's clean, and it's pretty quick. I ordered a bacon, egg and cheese bagel, as well as a latte. The sandwich was tasty - if not just a touch over for me - but the coffee was phenomenal. I'm glad to see a spot with a new twist in this college town. Check out this straight-forward shop to fill your belly and start your day off right.

Grade: A

Broadway Sandwich Shop, located in Parkersburg, takes you back to a simpler time. 



From the outside weathered awnings and simple sign to the letterboard menu and cash-only signs, Broadway Sandwich Shop puts on no facade. 



And, the service - like the space - is a little rough around the edges. They don't want to wait, they want you to know what you want and they want you to move on. 



When I got to the front of the line, I recited the order I had been repeating in my head - one cheeseburger.



Almost as soon as I ordered, my burger was ready. It was small - maybe the size of my palm - and was wrapped in a cellophane paper. 



It didn't even really have time to melt the cheese, but I really enjoyed it. The experience was fun - though a bit intimidating - and the burger was a good pre-game to the bigger lunch I would have later in the day. It was just a few bites really - but it's also only a little over a buck - so well-worth it. Fresh flavors, no frills and a simple meal.



Grade: A