When asked what my favorite West Virginia restaurant is, I would always reply: Cafe Cimino. However, the owners have now retired, with just occasional special events scheduled at the restaurant.



But Tim and Melody don't really slow down. While they're not operating the restaurant daily, they do still hawk some delicious baked goods at local farmers markets under the moniker Bop & Nana's Bakery.



I planned a trip recently to the Sutton Farmers Market to get my hands on some. Melody set aside one of their delicious pepperoni rolls, a muffin and a scone so I could get a little sampler pack.



The pepperoni roll is pretty traditional, but every element is executed perfectly. The bread is delicious, but not too thick. The pepperoni is perfectly rolled up, and those spices soak throughout the whole roll. Delish.



The muffin and scone were both also tasty! 



I need to make sure I grab a loaf of their focaccia next time. 



If you haven't been, you should totally check it out.



There are other vendors, as well, including a stand that serves up hot dogs and coffee! 

The Corner Hoagies & Hops in downtown Huntington draws inspiration from classic Huntington landmarks. 



While it's in a nice modern space with large windows, greenery and long bar, it is serving up some classic sandwiches with cool local names and beer from local breweries. 



The restaurant is located in the former Highway 55 Burgers & Shakes space, but has a fresh vibe.



I ordered a few different things so I could get a good taste. To start, I tried the spicy feta, which was my favorite item I ordered. It has the little bit of creamy funkiness from the feta with a good bit of heat. And it is a very generous portion.



Next up: Let's try the sandwich. I ordered the "scoreboard," which has turkey, swiss, greens, tomato, onion, avocado, and garlic aioli on a hoagie. I was really hoping the garlic aioli would pack a bit of a punch of flavor, because without that, it's just kind of a standard sandwich. Nothing wrong, but nothing super exciting either. And thick white raw onion was a bit overpowering. There are a lot of yummy things I want to try next though - like maybe a hoagie with pork belly, spicy curry mayo, and balsamic glaze. Yum.



Both the potato salad and the pickles were fine for me. I think the potato salad needs more seasoning, and the pickles maybe a bit more time to absorb flavor. 



Grade: B

Did you know there's an actual Bob Evans Farm?



I had no idea - and even less so that it's not all that far way.



Located in Rio Grande, Ohio, the farm features historic buildings, a windmill, and, of course, a restaurant.



"Bob Evans, founder of our company, lived on the Bob Evans Farm in southeastern Ohio for nearly 20 years. He and his wife, Jewell, raised their six children in the large brick farmhouse known as the Homestead. Now on the National Register of Historic Places, the Homestead was once a stagecoach stop and an inn. Later, the Evans family opened The Sausage Shop in their front yard, which later became the first Bob Evans restaurant, still open today. The spirit of hospitality is deeply embedded in our company's history. Today, the Homestead serves as a company museum and historical center."



Some areas of the farm are closed still due to COVID-19, but they do have a festival here which is coming up soon! 



While driving through the area, I just wanted to check out the original Bob Evans. And really, it's like any other Bob Evans, but maybe on a more scenic landscape.



The menu was the same - but that doesn't mean it was bad! I had a turkey dinner, which was a treat. It was like a mini Thanksgiving with turkey, stuffing, carrots, mashed potatoes and rolls. I was just missing the pumpkin pie. Decent homestyle food overall.

I always love Chinese food. As I get older, I'm starting to realize it doesn't always love me back. But, it will never stop me from trying a new-to-me spot.



China Kitchen in Parkersburg was along my route on a recent adventure so I called in an order and picked it up. They are still pretty locked up regarding COVID restrictions. There is a small little door they've built into their main door where they put the food through. No entry at all. But I called in my order, picked up my food through the tiny door and was on my way.



I ordered "Grandfather chicken," an eggroll and crab rangoons. Grandfather chicken is deep-fried white meat chicken in General Tso's sauce. It's kind of the perfect combination of flavors. I don't love the stringy, less-than-stellar chicken, so this puts together all the best pieces. This particular sauce didn't have as much "oomph" as I'd like, but it was sweet and sticky, which are really the main components anyway. 



The eggroll and crab rangoons were both good by any standard. It may not be my new favorite Chinese spot, but it's a solid option in the area.

Grade: A

This trip to Gino's in Cross Lanes was quick and simple. All I wanted was some cheesy breadsticks.



This can sometimes be a tall task depending on where you're going - they can be too dry, not enough cheese, or worse yet, forget the marinara sauce. 



I'm happy to report none of those were the case in Cross Lanes. It was a perfectly satisfactory batch of cheesy breadsticks. There is even a nice layer of buttery garlic that keeps things moist and cheesy. An overall decent batch

Grade: B