During COVID19, I've been trying to support local restaurants with takeout and delivery. Not too long ago, I found Island Fixx on Charleston 2 Go, and I wanted to order everything. Literally everything. 



So, I ordered justtt about everything to sample. Let's start first with the drink at the top: Strawberry Vaifala, which is a milk-based drink with strawberry. It was like an iced milkshake - light, creamy, delicious. Next up is the spam musubi, which is kinda like a spam sushi roll. And it's delicioussss - spam on top of rice with nori. Just so tasty. 



Next up, let's talk the "Nanakuli Special," which is fried noodles with fries and this honey mustard-esque delicious sauce. I'm not even the biggest French fry fan, but if you put this sauce on it, I will eat it. 



NEXT is Spam fried rice. I didn't even know I loved spam - or fried rice - that much until I had this dish. SO flavorful, so moist, so much depth of flavor. If you're used to that dry, old oil rice, do not let that turn you off. Because this is an entirely different beast. A delicious one.



Moving on... The main entree I ordered was teriyaki chicken with sides of Samoan Sapasui with corned beef and taro with coconut milk. Each component here was good, but the preceding dishes set the bar real, real high. I've never had taro like this before, so that was fun. The teriyaki and noodles were good. 



Then, we had a bunch of sides. Here is mac n cheese and "rasta pasta," which is like veggie rotini pasta in a mayo base. The mac was creamy and tasty. 



But wait, there's more: Curry Coconut Shrimp with mac salad. The shrimp was good - it was my fault that by the time I got around to trying this one, it was cold. But the bold flavor was still there.



AND dessert, of course. First of all, this pumpkin crunch pie was out. of. this. world. That crunch is addictive. 



Finally, we also got the banana cream cake - also delish. If you get the chance, get some delivery from these folks because it was unreal.

Grade: A

Rachel's on 16th in Wheeling is a small diner that focuses on homestyle breakfast & lunch favorites.



The menu features paninis, club sandwiches, reubens and even the Rachel, which I felt was fitting. The Reuben is a grilled sandwich traditionally made on rye bread with a filling of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing. Instead of the classic corned beef and sauerkraut, the Rachel is usually made with turkey or pastrami and coleslaw. Both sandwiches are made with Swiss cheese and rye bread.



Typically, this is not a route I would take, but that's why I wanted to try it. Something different. This sandwich is messssyyyy so get the napkins ready. It has a number of different - but complementary - flavors. The rye bread has a sort of earthy flavor, the slaw gives it some crunch and tang, and the swiss is a bit creamy. It hits on some savory, hearty notes.



And, I also went for a side of Kraft mac & cheese - not quite as thick and creamy as I'd want. But still nostalgic. 

Grade: B

The Hollow Restaurant is one of the newer ones in Franklin and focuses on burgers, pasta, sandwiches and homestyle dishes.



So, there are a lot of standard items, like hot dogs, Italian hoagies, reubens, but then I saw one thing I've never seen before: "Pack Lunch Panini." This is jam, peanut butter, bacon, chips and banana on grilled panini bread. 

I ordered my meal to go in these COVID19 times and sat outside the local drive-in movie theater to dig in. Bonus points for creativity, but I wish I could've tasted all the components. I needed the jam to come through to get the sweet and salty, but it was mostly just salty. Still love the idea for something different, and I think just a bit more attention to the proportions could kick it up a notch. 

Grade: B

If you told me that I would have some of the best shrimp and grits I've ever had in a small community in Pocahontas County, I would never believe you. Alas, meet Dean's Den.



Dean's Den is really mostly convenience store where you can get road trip necessities. Their standard menu includes pizzas, salads, burger, hot dog, mac & cheese and chili. But, I think the specials are where it's at. 



For example, in recent weeks they've had specials such as stuffed pork chops with gruyere risotto, Thai lamb curry and shepherd's pie. 



It just so happened that when I happened to stumble upon this hidden gem, they were serving up shrimp & grits - one of my favorites. As a takeout dinner, my expectations were low. But they were completely blown out of the water.



First of all, it was a beautiful plate with green scallions, yellow corn, perfectly seared sausage and not overly cooked shrimp (I was complaining recently about how so many places overcook shrimp and a chef friend called them little hard caterpillars, and that's the perfect descriptor -- but not here!).

And then the flavor - like a beautiful, fresh symphony of flavors. So many fresh components plus the cheesy, hearty grits. The sweetness of the corn helped cut through some of the heaviness. I only wish this was on the regular menu - but I can't wait to try another special.

Grade: A

Here are the goodies from this month's J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile Box. The hot chocolate is less sweet than, say, Swiss Miss, but the flavor is good. I love this little stash box for salt. And that goat soap will make a great gift this holiday season!