We drifted off the beaten path to check out this place out traveling between Atlanta and Lexington,…read moreVA. It's a fair bit away from the Interstate, but I can tell you that it's worth the trek. When we got here for lunch, there was a line out the door and the smokers out back hard at work told us this was the place to be. We got served pretty quickly and found a table. The place is neat and clean with a decent amount of seating both inside and out. The missus had a brisket sandwich and I got the pulled pork with slaw, pinto beans and mac&cheese for the sides. The servings are HUGE and that smoke ring isn't just for looks. The meat was done perfectly with the smoky flavor and not dried out. I also tried one of their homemade sausages. Absolutely fantastic! Snappy casing with a filling that included creamy cheese hunks and a level of spicy that was just right. We pride ourselves in having high standards when it comes to BBQ, and this joint didn't disappoint! We've been to numerous BBQ joints including the famous award-winning Big Bob Gibsons in Northern Alabama and this place comes in well over that. We visited with the owner (Kelly) and had a great experience. The staff we interfaced with were both friendly and engaging. I would give this place 6 stars if I could. Highly recommended!

Yes--the main upgrade is adding the restaurant's no-frills character from your photo, sharpening…read morethe texture description, and giving the collards a more memorable moment. Here's the elite version: One look at Mama Jean's handwritten chalkboard menu told me this was a place that lets the food do the talking--and the fried ribs backed it up. The fried-rib special was the undeniable star. Topped with Buffalo sauce, hot honey, Gorgonzola cream sauce, Gorgonzola crumbles and green onion, these ribs were an absolute revelation. They were fried hard--the right way--giving the outside a satisfying bite while the meat remained tender inside. Sweet, spicy, tangy, creamy and savory, it was a bold combination that somehow worked beautifully from every angle. The pulled-pork sandwich refused to be overshadowed. The pork was moist, tender, well-seasoned and piled ridiculously high on a soft bun. This was a serious portion of properly cooked pork--not a sandwich relying on sauce to carry it. Then came the collard greens, which unexpectedly became the star of the sides. I expected them to play backup, but they had enough presence to stand beside the barbecue. The mac and cheese was good, but those collards were the side I kept returning to. Mama Jean's is not a barbecue spot you want to miss if you're anywhere near Roanoke. The setting is casual, the portions are generous and the flavors are unapologetically big. If the fried ribs are written on that chalkboard, don't overthink it--order them before they're gone. Top-notch barbecue

I'm a huge Mission BBQ fan. They ate one of the most consistent restraunt chains out there…read more This was my first trip, but will not be my last. Super and friendly service at the counter to kick off my visit. The dining room was spic and span. My order was a two meat platter of, pulled pork and lean brisket w/ side of green beans. It comes with cornbread. My son moist brisket, pulled pork w/ side of macaroni and cheese. Also cornbread. The manager expedited the food and was awesome! Then he came out to bring slices of smoked sausage samples. After learning we had a new customer/ to the store the desert flowed out by the manager. A cherry cheesecake. Our meals were amazing, especially our fave the pulled pork. Upon departing staff came by to take our trays. Otherwise it's self bussing. No reason to not elevate to full 5 stars.

The bbq was tender but nothing extra special. It was missing that tasty caramelized ring where the…read moreoutside of the pork crusts and the inside melts in your mouth. The traditional bbq sauce tastes like a bottle of sauce from the supermarket. I wasn't a fan of eating at a picnic table but I embraced it as part of the ambience.

I eat a lot of BBQ on the road, and often when walking in it seems it will be a leap of faith…read moreregarding the cleanliness of many BBQ restaurants. TLP was clean, bright and modern. Our server, Ginger, was helpful and kind answering any of my questions. Food came out hot, fast and was absolutely delicious. All was excellent, but the wings were certainly the star of the show - thank goodness I had the good sense to get a small order and share them with my buddy!

Came back again on our way through town and hubs was seated in the Bush chair. I can neither…read moreconfirm or deny if farting happened, but this time review coming more quickly so I can include some details. I love that they have a 1/3 rack rib option, as a small eater. I ate half of it and half of the delicious potato salad. It also came with hush puppies, which were just ok - a little doughy for me. My husband got vinegar based pulled pork and baked beans and he thought they worked well together. I prefer the KC bbq sauce to the other options, the tomato bbq sauce tasted more like a sweet weak salsa to me and I personally don't care for vinegar. I think I'd probably order the same thing again next time, though I was a little curious about the burgers (which come either as double 2oz smash burgers or a 5 oz regular burger for a small upcharge.) They also have lots of desserts that sound good but we didn't try any this trip. They have Cheerwine!

Food was delicious. Enough for 6+ people. I ordered the HAVE IT ALL. I ordered take out. When I…read moreopened the bag, everything was placed , just as the server described. Will recommend and eat here again.

Reasantly Due South Pit-Cooked BBQ was added to the "Most Loved" status on DoorDash, so today I…read moredecided to stay in and have someone bring me something tasty from a restaurant that since my first visit I have considered the best BBQ spot in Southwest Virginia. I invite you to read my first review of this restaurant and view my photographs accompanying it, which was one of my reviews that influenced in my selection as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025. As a DoorDash VIP customer, I pulled up Due South BBQ in their app and as I did so I still could remember the amazing taste of their BBQ food from when I visited them for the very first time on January 28, 2025 with a good friend of mine and gave them a 5 Star review. I decided to order the Big Slop which included a Jumbo Pulled Pork Sandwich with three sides and three hushpuppies. As my three sides I chose Mac & Cheese, Coleslaw, and Fried Okra. And for the two sauces I picked the Sweet Red and the Alabama White. I submitted my order with my DoorDasher tip included and waited for the delivery. Not long after the order arrived at the estimated time with a friendly DoorDasher who delivered it intact and still hot. It came inside one of those ordinary plastic bags with the words Thank you on it, with the receipt attached. I opened the bag in my kitchen and the food came in two see-through plastic containers. One with all the food and a small separate one with the bun on the side as I had asked for. Everything looked so fresh and delicious. Including the three cylindrical shaped hushpuppies. I got one of my plastic forks and placed some of the pulled pork on the bun with the sweet red sauce and still had some pork left to eat with the other items which were served in generous portions. Everything was amazingly delicious. Rare are the restaurants that can deliver their food and it arrive in a similar state as in the restaurant. Although I still prefer eating at the restaurant for its warm and cozy ambiance. Once again I highly recommend this BBQ restaurant and I'm sure that if you try it out the food will win you over and their amazing service will make you want to return back for more.

My sister and I stopped at Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint in Roanoke after two ladies at the L&L…read moreshop downtown recommended it, and it turned out to be an amazing experience. The place is small but quaint, with dim lighting, a full bar, and a fun mix of music genres that keeps the vibe relaxed but lively. I ordered the Gregg Brady, and my sister had the Doctor Gozo, both made with 100% Wagyu beef. You can taste the quality immediately. I added mushrooms and grilled onions for a small extra fee, and had my BBQ chips that come on it, on the side. We shared the crinkle‑cut fries, which came with their incredible house sauce. The sauce was so good I asked if they sold it, they do not, but the waitress sent me home with some samples for free. Service was fast and friendly. The waitresses were dressed in black tank tops, black shorts, and black shoes, and every one of them worked with a smile, like they were glad you came. The restaurant entrance itself is handicap accessible, but the bathrooms are not, they're very clean but also very small and too tight for a wheelchair to fit inside. One of the coolest things about Jack Brown's is their Beer Club. If you drink 100 different beers, you become a "Notcher." If you drink 1,000, different beers you become a "Saint." On Saint's Day, Saints get all food and drinks free, unlimited, with no tab. It's a huge part of their culture and adds to the fun, and a loyal community. Overall, the food was phenomenal, the staff went above and beyond, and the atmosphere made the whole visit top notch. I will definitely be coming back the next time I roll through this part of town. How to Become a Notcher (repeat for the Saints) To achieve Notcher status, individuals must follow these steps: 1. Visit a Jack Brown's location: Start by walking into any Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint. 2. Request a Notcher list: Ask for the Notcher list to begin your journey. 3. Try 100 different beers: Sample 100 different beers to reach Notcher status. 4. Join the community: Once you hit 100, you become part of the Notch Club, which includes various events and celebrations. This program encourages beer lovers to explore different flavors and styles while fostering a sense of community.

My sister ordered the Greg Brady and I had the Dr. Gonzo -- both burgers were delicious! The…read moreburgers are made with Wagyu beef, and while you can get a "regular" burger here, the specialty burgers are creative, varied, and definitely worth exploring. The crinkle-cut fries were good too, but one of the stars of the show was their house sauce -- a mayo-based sauce with herbs and spices that was so tasty we had to get some to go. Service was prompt and friendly, and for those so inclined, there's also a great selection of specialty beers. The atmosphere is fun and memorable -- the rock 'n' roll was loud enough to add energy but not so loud that we couldn't have a conversation. The decor is quirky and kitschy (think a skeleton on a bicycle and a chandelier made entirely of bras). The couple behind us also enjoyed their selections, with "The Elvis" being a standout. Even though it came highly recommended, I just can't bring myself to put peanut butter on my hamburger. That said, next time I'm in Roanoke, Jack Brown's will definitely be on my list for a return visit!

Tucked away inside the historic city market building the Laughing Bull has a variety of menu…read moreoptions and the staff was friendly and the food came out hot and quick. There are tables inside a spacious hall decorated with greenery and interesting architecture. I'm not sure I ordered the best thing on the menu, the Teriyaki chicken panini was lightly sauced teriyaki chicken and Swiss cheese on thick Texas toast type bread. It could have been better honestly, it had a weak flavor and was pretty messy and hard to eat. The French fries were good, maybe a little overly salted but good. I would give it another try.

In a word, OK. In the Market Building food court in downtown Roanoke, Va. comfortable common-area…read moreseating, staff brought the food to us after ordering at the window. Very nice staff, answered our questions, and were quite friendly. Ordered two gourmet burgers and a 'cheese steak' panini. All three came with fries and were visually appealing. The burgers were stacked, had nice veggies but the meat was rather tasteless, a real disappointment. The panini was inedible. The "steak" was strips of very tough and chewy meat that pulled right out of the bread, and the peppers overrode all other tastes. A real disappointment. The staff came and checked on us twice, very attentive. I would try it again, just to try another of their very creative dishes, but I am not running back. Good for a stop if you are downtown.

A nice specialty grocery with deli counter…read more I was too late to catch the deli counter but browsed and got a loaf of sourdough from a vendor. From my limited experience I would return.

Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined such an extraordinary Grocery and Cafe that opened…read moreits doors in 2019 after quality extensive renovations to Tinnell's Finer Foods, when it closed its doors after 82 years of serving the South Roanoke community. When I came to visit this place for the first time I had no idea that it had a close relationship to the River and Rail Restaurant which I reviewed last year, giving it the highest rank of my Five Star reviews ever. When doing my research for this review I found out that the long-time Roanoke residents, Whit and Lauren Ellerman, the owners of Crystal Spring Grocery, are also the owners of the River and Rail Restaurant, located on the same block as Crystal Spring Grocery. The Ellermans clearly have an eye for recognizing the possibilities of vacant buildings and the talents of others and a vision of how they can come up with something as wonderful as this establishment. Gourmet grocery store and Cafe is a short definition of what Crystal Spring Grocery Company is all about. But I must go more in depth of what makes it so special and unique beside being gourmet. First of all I was very impressed with the interior design of the building space. Simple yet beautiful in its simplicity. I particularly loved its shiny whitish gray floors, and the green furniture and design, throughout the Grocery as well as Cafe. Also, I was very impressed with the windows and lighting treatment of the place. Second, I was very impressed with the quality and organization of the food items and wines, in the Grocery area. Third, with the menu items and quality of the food coming out of the kitchen of the Cafe. I had an Iced Sweet Tea to drink, and a Chicken Sandwich with Fries to eat. Everything was amazingly delicious. And last, but not least, I was highly impressed with the quality of your employees; with the ones behind the counter up front and the ones taking the orders and handing them out in the Cafe area. They all were so friendly and welcoming and at the same time so knowledgeable and organized, providing exceptional customer service individual and working as Team players. I highly recommend this Grocery and Cafe to everyone reading my review and viewing my photographs accompanying this review. This place is another gem in the this neighborhood.

Delicious sauces, wonderful people, and quality food! We always love seeing them at our favorite…read morebreweries!

From the owner: Catering, Full Service Caterer, BBQ, Barbeque, Pulled Pork, Rib, Brisket, Smoked Sausage, Chicken,…read moreMac&Cheese, Comfort Food, Smoked Products, BBQ Sauces, Food Truck, Competition BBQ Team, full service caterer, bartender,

Ordered the barbecue dinner last evening at Wildwood and it was excellent. Service was great, the…read morecost was exceptionally reasonable, the green beans and mac & cheese were well prepared and tasty, and the barbecue was the best I've ever tasted. in summary, I highly recommend Wildwood Restaurant at Oak Grove. R. C. Ewers Roanoke VA

We decided to try wildwood SH one night because the sushi place across the street was closed for…read morereservations. Upon entering it was like we time warped back to 1985. The ambiance was very vintage. The patrons we all older folks and we got stared at upon walking in. The menu was fairly simple, we ended having the sampler platter. The meats were ok. Nothing to write home about and my wife found the brisket too dry for her liking. Personally I thought their house BBQ sauce was barely more than ketchup. Service wasn't bad. It seemed like a lot of people in there were regulars judging by conversations we over heard. This is why I gave a "maybe" recommendation. Seems like some people really liked it, it just wasn't for us.

My 1st visit to Pok-E-Joe's was this week and it will most certainly not be my last visit. We were…read morea large group so they arranged the back semi-private dining space for us, which was perfect. We started with brisket nachos, Bavarian pretzels and wings (nachos are a MUST). My main course was the smoked turkey sandwich and potato salad for my side which complemented each other well and were amazing. Everything was cooked/smoked to perfection and incredibly tasty! The brisket and turkey were my favorites. There are 4 BBQ sauces on the table so I sampled all, the Texas BBQ sauce was my personal favorite but all 4 are uniquely amazing. We ended with the deep fried Oreos (OH MY), which were incredible and I highly recommend, so save room for dessert. Next time I'll opt in for the pie! Great family restaurant and they also have live music at times. Jordan was our server and he was extremely attentive to such a large group. I'll be back, you can count on that! Thank you for the wonderful and warm hospitality!

We actually came for breakfast at another place nearby but their website was not updated to…read moreindicate closed on sundays and noticed that Poke-e-Joes had a Now Serving Breakast sign so we came here instead. We were seated immediately and it smelled amazing inside. Waitstaff were prompt with one young man in tow for training. We ordered coffees and they came out in huge mugs- steaming hot. There are a lot of options for breakfaat and many are a make your own adventure which is great actually. My husband ordered a make your own omelet with two eggs, pepperjack cheese, brisket, mushroonms and onions- and also wheat toast. I ordered one soft scrambed egg and bacon and a biscuit. I fail here now as I neglected to take pictures! Meals were delivered in due time and wow - first time in forever I actually got soft scrambled! Bacon was crisp and the biscuit was perfect - and huge! And then my husbands omelet. Wow. Huge - with brisket inside and on top! It was very big for only two eggs and half of it came with home with us! We will be back and now want to try dinner too!