Soul food is aptly named. It's food for the soul. It's comforting, nourishing and tells a story of home recipes.



"While not all Southern food is considered soul food, all soul food is definitely Southern.

Soul food is an ethnic cuisine traditionally prepared and eaten by African-Americans in the Southern United States. The expression "soul food" originated in the mid-1960s, when "soul" was a common word used to describe African-American culture. At its core, soul food is basic, down-home cooking that's been passed down through many generations, with its roots in the rural South.

The staples of soul food cooking are beans, greens, cornmeal (used in cornbread, hush puppies, johnnycakes, and as a coating for fried fish), and pork. Pork has been almost limitless in a number of uses in soul food, from seasoning vegetables and stews to dehydrating and pickling staples like pork rinds and pig feet and ears (DELISH)."



Wild Wild West Soulfood Express is a new soul food restaurant on the West Side that is carry-out only along Washington Street. I came across their Facebook page and called in an order: Homestyle Meatloaf dinner with sides of mac & cheese and candied yams. They also have options like fish, pork chops, chicken, black eyed peas, collard greens and more. 



There was a little bit of confusion on pick up and then paying, but after that was cleared up, I was able to take my meal home and dig in. The mac & cheese was by far the standout! Cheesy, thick and a bit sweet. Perfection. The yams were also delicious - makes me think of Thanksgiving dinner. The meatloaf was good, a touch on the dry side, but the flavor was there. Overall, not bad.

Grade: B

It's no secret that ice cream may be my one true love. But one secret may be that most ice cream shops aren't really making their own ice cream. Nay, often it's from Hershey's or some other bulk provider. So when there's an ice cream shop that makes their OWN ice cream. I'm there.



The Little Ice Cream Shoppe in Hilliard, Ohio, does just that. 



And, they have a bajillion flavors. You can check out all of the ones they cycle through on the blackboard wall. And then the current selections are in the cold case. 



As is always my challenge with ice cream - do I go fruity? Or chocolatey? I love both. But it just depends on my mood. 



Because it was a warm day, I went for a fruity choice. I ordered two scoops: one of a watermelon sorbet and one of cherry ice cream. Are you shocked it isn't salted caramel? Sometimes I switch it up.



And, I'm glad I did. This was so refreshing and flavorful. And not flavorful in the artificial, "essense of" way. But in the real watermelon-real fruit kind of way. 



While we were there, they were whipping up a mint ice cream that filled the entire shop with the scent. 



Have you been?

Grade: A

There are many Mexican restaurants in the Metro Valley area of West Virginia, but most carry pretty much the same menu with small changes here and there. So, they're not typically high on my list of "to-visit" places. But I had heard good things about West Tenampa Mexican Restaurant. 



While I didn't get a chance to dine in, I did get a carryout order. And, I started with the chips and salsa, as is standard. Nothing too out of the ordinary here. The salsa was fairly mild, very thin, but tasty. 



For my meal, I ordered the "Seafood Chimichanga" - Grande Chimichanga filled with Grilled Shrimp, Scallops, Crabmeat, cooked with Sauteed Onion, Tomatoes & Green Pepper, served with Rice, Beans & topped with Guacamole Salad & Sour Cream. Seriously, drown anything in queso and I think I'll eat it. This is no exception. It was so tasty - if not a bit too mushy (which may be my fault since I got it to go). But I appreciated a different filling. Overall, not bad. 

Grade: B

North Market is one of my favorite places to visit in Columbus. Not only do I love markets in general, but this one does it right. There are tons of different stalls, all offering something unique. So, here's a quick look at some stops I didn't hit during my first trip.



American Nut Company has all kinds of popcorn flavors - from jelly bean to dill pickle. I took some parmesan home with me.



Oh my gosh, Hubert's Polish Kitchen! 



I have very little to no experience with Polish food, so this one was really exciting for me.



I went for a whole plate with a very dense pierogi, this giant fried ball of sauerkraut and sausage, and some flatbread. So good and hearty.



Then, I had to go walk some of it off.



We came upon Destination Donut. 



SO many good-looking donuts. 



I loved the fruitier ones - like shortbread streusel with lemon curd and, the one I ordered, lemon blueberry.



Look at that guy! Big, light, and very summery sweet.



Omega Artisan Baking was up next because they had -- wait for it -- a pepperoni roll! 



It had all the right pieces, but was a bit more bready than I prefer. I like the perfect balance of pepperoni rolled with cheese and dough. When there's bread, and an air pocket and a mound of pepperoni, it doesn't get that delicious blend. 



They have plenty of other options - all of which looked delicious.



Finally, I completed my gastronomic tour with a stop at Block's Bagels, which was new to the market. 



It was a no-brainer. I needed that lox bagel. This one had added tomato, which is good, too. Mmmmm so good. 

This, my friends, is the very last Sam's Hot Dog location in West Virginia that I hadn't tried. Welcome to Lewisburg.



Honestly, I'm not sure why I felt it necessary to try all of these locations. It's a West Virginia-based chain, so I get excited about those. But a hot dog is a hot dog is a hot dog. Sometimes.



These hot dogs are not unlike the others - all beef, can get them with chili, or, if you want to be a super plain jane like me on this day - just ketchup. It may have been the sweet taste of victory from completing my challenge - or just a decent hot dog. But this one was good.

Grade: B