Rise & Grind Cafe is a small bakery that has been doing pop-ups in the area leading up to their anticipated opening in Elkview.



Cookies, muffins, scones and more. They offer the sweetest treats perfect for breakfast or snack.



I first tried the s'mores cookie, which instantly spoke to me. The chocolate cookie with the marshmallow dollop also gave off some like hot chocolate vibes. I would not have minded even more graham cracker.



I also tried the blueberry streusel muffin, which was as beautiful as it was tasty. The extra textured streusel on top took the standard muffin up a notch.



Grade: A

Ashland Company Store "was originally built in the early 1900’s adjacent to the present building. In 1943 the original company store caught fire and burned and was then moved directly across the street to what is now the Ashland Company Store. The company store had everything that the coal miners and their families could need or want including fresh produce, foods, clothing, toys, tools, and even dynamite. Not only did the store house necessities, locals say that it doubled as a social hall and an inn at one point where they would gather to visit and play cards with one another. In 1965 the Ashland Company Store was leased to Pocahontas Coal Company, being one of several stores that a consortium of coal companies operated. The present-day store is a glimpse into coal mining history as the building was well preserved and still has all the original structuring and most of its original interior design. Complete with a designed painted tin ceiling, two original walk in freezers, and three walk in safes, the building is home to many stories of coal mining’s past."



Now, the building is home to a shop and café, which both cater to ATV riders in the area.



The Coal Camp Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. I happen to be in the area around breakfast time, so I looked over the options of pancakes, eggs, biscuits and gravy, and more.



I ultimately chose a breakfast sandwich: egg and cheese biscuit. That, I figured, would be enough to keep me going for the morning.



I was impressed with the biscuit. I'm not sure if they're homemade, but they sure seem like it. Nice and fluffy and moist, too. The egg and cheese were both fine. All together, not a bad way to start the day.



Grade: B

In a town called Rock, there is a one-stop shop convenience store that caters to ATV riders with appetites.



Old School Grocery & Grill offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, dine-in or carry-out. Plus, of course, the necessities: groceries, beer and gas.



I ordered a loaded pepperoni roll with sausage, banana peppers, cheese, onions and green peppers. Think of a supreme pizza slice rolled up into one portable package. Because I'm getting big pizza vibes, I would have loved some dipping marinara sauce. But pretty good without it, too.



Speaking of: I also ordered the fried pepperoni balls with marinara. I enjoy the different takes on pepperoni rolls and plain pizza here. they are all tasty ingredients just put into creative vehicles.



It is not high-end by any means, but it is exactly what is sometimes needed. I think getting these pepperoni rolls right from the oven would be top-notch.



Grade: B

Quiet Delli Foods is a food store that has many Amish items, local meats, eggs, pottery, canning equipment, bulk flour & oats, and a deli.



From the outside, the building can be a bit offputting. There are a few windows, the parking lot is not standard, and it more so resembles a warehouse. But, once you walk inside, there are halls spanning the space, packed with all kinds of treasures to discover.



And, the deli is its own little treat. There is a case full of meats and cheeses, which you can get sliced to order or made into a sandwich. Best of all, they had sampler containers full of many of the different options from the cooler. Kinda like a portable charcuterie. And, it was so good.



Some of the other treats I purchased include divinity, which is a finicky southern dessert. I have never made it, so I was excited to try it.



There were also packaged dips, like this roasted red pepper cream cheese dip that I simply could not get enough of. Slighlty sweet and creamy, and perfect on a crunchy chip.



They even have local pepperoni rolls and bread.



Any sort of canned goods you may want!



Some hard-to-find items and unique items were the highlight of my trip.



Have you been?



Grade: A

Boasting 24 homemade flavors, Farm House Ice Cream in Bridgeport is a small, independent ice cream shop with big flavors.



The shop itself is clean and modern and is the perfect backdrop for your Instagram photo of your dessert. Menu options include cones, cups, milkshakes, brownies, cookies, and more. Ice cream flavors rotate seasonally, but some I contemplated were birthday cake, butter pecan, and cookie monster.



I ultimately ordered a specialty s'more shake, which was delicious. It's like a sweet vanilla base with the textured bits of graham cracker plus the sweet roasted chocolate flavor. Complete with whip cream and a cherry. Can't go wrong.



Grade: A