In our foodie adventure through Fairmont, Joel and I made our next stop at McAteer's Restaurant. I hadn't even heard of this place before, but that's kind of the magical thing about small, local places. The locals know them and, oftentimes, few others.

We were there for breakfast, and I was trying not to get full. I wanted a taste of something - but not too much. So I ordered a single hot cake.


The hot cake, which eclipsed my plate, was flat and had a nice color - lightly brown in spots that touched the pan and darker around the center. A little dab of butter and a whole lotta syrup made for one tasty breakfast. Basic, but solid.

Oliverio's Marketplace has closed its location on Van Voorhis and is instead being run out of the main restaurant in the wharf - Oliverio's Ristorante. It's like two small businesses in one. The menu is exactly the same as what was at the Marketplace (literally, handed me a marketplace menu), but it's in the nice setting of the restaurant.

So, for me, this means I have a new lunch option in Oliverio's. Woo. Tortellini with pink sauce and a meat-a-ball.

P.S. We were literally the first customers. They just opened today. But more trickled in during lunch.

I have a few friends who rave about Hickory House. Kayla, in particular, may be the president of its fan club. Because it's a little ways south of Morgantown, I haven't been able to get there until recently when I was in the area for the Italian festival. Finally. My chance.

I'd try to explain how to get there, but I'll spare you. Google it.

The restaurant is actually much larger than I thought once I was inside. It's homey and country and fairly busy. The menu has mouthwatering bbq meals and sides. I ordered the pulled pork sandwich with a side of macaroni and cheese.

Two kinds of sauce were already on the table - a regular and spicy. I took a little of both and mixed them and dipped just about every bite into that sauce. So good. Tangy and spicy and thick. The pork was tender and the bun was nice and warm. Super good sandwich. And the macaroni and cheese - homemade.

All for a good price, too!

Grade: A

The birthplace of the pepperoni roll. Or at least one of the few rumored places. I wanted to come back to where it all started. What began as a portable lunch for miners turned into a symbol of the state. The pepperoni roll is unique to our state, and most outside of the area haven't had the pleasure of a warm, soft pepperoni roll.

Country Club sits back off the road in a nondescript building. There really isn't anywhere to sit inside. Instead, grab one or a dozen and head out. They also have other bakery goodies. That seems to be what most folks do, as I saw a handful of people park, walk in and walk out with a bag just during the few minutes I was in my car.

After Joel and I got our pepperoni rolls, he tried to explain to me how they were baked in order to get the perfectly fluffy but not too greasy bread as we sat in my car. I won't try to type all the specifics he had, but I know this: They're good.

Joel can explain to you why with how they are baked and what ingredients, etc. I'll explain what my mouth tells my brain: these are hot, with spicy sticks of pepperoni, and this bread is soft and only slightly chewy. They're good. They're the original and simple... But well-executed.

Grade: A

Little Sandy's is just a local place that folks in the area rave about. Good, home cooked food that isn't really anything special.

We went for breakfast - pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, biscuits and gravy. All that good stuff. County-fried steak caught my eye. I don't see that all the time. So I went with that + over-easy eggs, home fries and toast.

Before we talk food, let's talk atmosphere. Surly waitresses, slightly sticky tables and lots of flies. Greasy spoon.

The country-fried steak was tasty. Crisp and tons of gravy. How can that not be good? Home fries were flavorful, but I wish they were a bit more crisp. Some were soggy. And my eggs were a little Overcooked, but I still had enough yolk to spread around and sop up with the bread.



If you're looking for basic, home cooked food this is your place. But don't expect five-star service or unique dishes. Do expect a good meal at a good price that tastes just like home

Grade: B