Hot Chicken for the win! The best fries and fried pickles too! My favorite sauce was the scorpion…read morepepper! The wings were large crispy and juicy. Service was fast and courteous. Good spot, highly recommended.

It's inconceivable how on July 20th of this year it will have been a year since the grand opening…read moreof HCK Hot Chicken in Vinton, Virginia and I hadn't heard of it. I can say it's the best kept secret of the Town of Vinton, in Roanoke County, and it's about time that it no longer be a secret. I am determined to go try it out and spread the word. After being awarded the Triad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, I decided that this year I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those young established ones that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And HCK Hot Chicken is the perfect example. Located off East Washington Avenue, in one of the most beautiful areas of Vinton, near William Byrd High School, this restaurant is located inside a long standing convenience store, "Vinton Tobacco & Grocery," and in the same location of a bp gas station, but don't let this fool you, it has its own entrance on the side, its own parking lot, and a drive-thru lane for ordering. Besides this, its owner has done a great renovation job, that this is one of the cleanest gas stations/convenience stores that I have ever been to, and because of this it in no way detracts from the clean, bright, and contemporary ambiance of the restaurant itself. Founded in 2020, in Woodbridge, Virginia, the first HCK (Hot Chicken Kitchen) Hot Chicken restaurant had as its Mission: "Unity through Food." Recognizing the power of food to bring people together. Their belief is that "food unites us and can lift people up." There menu features succulent Nashville-style chicken sandwiches, classic and boneless chicken wings, chicken tenders, chicken and Belgian waffles, loaded fries, loaded mac and cheese, coleslaw, fried pickles, fried donut drops, and more. The owner of the restaurant who warmly greeted me when I arrived told me that all of their dishes are gluten and allergen free. With no MSG and no peanut oil.The chicken is farm-raised, fed only vegetables and grains, with no use of growth-boosting chemicals. When one enters the restaurant, it is nicely designed (with the colors red, black, and white), and with hardwood floors, wood tone tables and chairs, a well organized ordering counter, and a well lit menu high above the counter, as well as with large pictures of menu item just below the menu sign. The very friendly and knowledgeable order taker took my order from behind the counter. I ordered a Nashville Style Chicken Sandwich Combo with the mildest sauce they had. It came with their seasoned krinkle kut fries, a side of good sauce, and a drink. Not bad for $14.49, especially after you taste the food. The chicken was the plumpiest, juiciest, and tastiest chicken that I have ever eaten in a sandwich. The fresh toasted artisan potato bun complimented its flavor. The fries were crunchy on the outside and soft in the inside, seasoned to perfection. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review and see for yourselves because a picture is worth a thousand words. The welcoming and hospitable owner came to see how I had liked the food and I told him how amazing everything had been and that I looked forward to returning to try other menu items such as the Fried Donut Drops. In conclusion, I highly recommend this restaurant for a very unique and wonderful chicken dining experience. Amazing food, clean and comfortable environment, and excellent customer service.

My friend and I decided to come to The Hatch restaurant on a Friday afternoon for an early dinner…read morebefore driving out to Rocky Mount. So much you could say about The Hatch and that it's popular for seafood. The menu was simple and limited. We arrived around 5:30pm on a brisk March 2026 Friday early evening. We found parking nearby and walked to the restaurant after over feeding the meter. We probably spent about an hour here before we paid for the bill and left the downtown Roanoke area. On this day, I decided to pay for myself and my friend, since he was celebrating his birthday. My friend and I spent about an hour here and it was a nice venue to have dinner with friends. My friend got the fried chicken thing with sides, whereas I got the ultimate po'boy sandwich with a side of fries. It seems like The Hatch tries to elevate Cajun / Southern food with familiar flavors and dishes in a more modern and lavish setting. For the price and perceived value I gotten from my meal, it was generally okay. I have had po'boys that was a tad cheaper but had more proteins stuffed into the sandwich. It was delicious and definitely nice to have after a day of touristing in Roanoke. The prices seem reasonable here in hindsight and the staff here was friendly and helpful. If you enjoy Soul food and Cajun cuisine with flair, consider coming to The Hatch in downtown Roanoke, if you're in the area. We happened to get here without minimal waiting for a table, which was a good thing. Definitely worth coming to check out if you're in the mood for something different than your usual burgers and fries or tacos. The overall experience here at The Hatch restaurant in downtown Roanoke, Virginia was decidedly good yet decent too. The ambiance was typical and quiet. My friend and i were sitting in the quieter side of the restaurant, which was nice and we had a nice conversation while waiting for our meals to arrive. It was comfortable and definitely air-conditioned. Not sure if they had Wi-Fi but I did not need it anyway. The restaurant itself was very decorative and clean. The meal I had was delicious and definitely. It was served with a smile from the server. I enjoyed every bit of the restaurant itself because it was a nice and quiet dinner and it was here in Roanoke. A quiet town in Virginia that is away from the hustle and bustle of Richmond and Washington DC, but has his own flare. Maybe it could've told something better than a po'boy or had other entrée at the time, but I decided to have that po'boy sandwich with weird version of French fries. It was an OK place to be although the mail was delicious regardless. I could recommend coming here, if you're really hungry, but I probably wouldn't come here again. If my future travels permit me too, though. Don't get me wrong, it is a good place, but it's not for me. Check it out, though, you may like it. The Hatch restaurant is located in downtown Roanoke, Virginia. They are situated physically at 32 Market Square SE in a busy downtown section. They accept major credit cards as well as cash. As far as parking goes, my friend used a paid parking lot that was a short walk away from the restaurant. He inadvertently overpaid for the time allotted but we got the time in that we wanted. There may be other spots in the downtown area but it may not be free. Decide what's best for you and head on over to The Hatch Roanoke. If you're like me and love public transportation, you can consider the Star Line Trolley that travels from the third street bus terminal. Other than that, you'll need to travel to the third street bus terminal from your point of origin. And of course, there is always uber and lyft to get you here comfortably and conveniently, if you decide to take that route. However you get here, you can come and enjoy. The Hatch seems like they're a casual eatery in downtown Roanoke. They try to be upscale with southern creole cuisine. It is a nice place to dine, of course. Check it out for yourselves. This place might be the hidden gem that you're dying to try in the heart of Roanoke. I liked it but it could have been a bit more better. 4.0 stars for the overall experience. Support local! B

The service was good, but slow. The deviled eggs were…read moreexceptionally delicious, but expensive. I'm not complaining though. I had the seafood tower and although the portions were small it too was very tasty. The macaroni and cheese was excellent! The coleslaw was good too.

We went in to do carry out. I'm not sure why the ratings for this store are so low. They were…read morepolite, welcoming, and had at least 8 people working in the kitchen. They were working as a team and getting the orders out. We ordered 4 mediums for $6.99/per pizza. They weee made to ordered and came out hot and ready to eat. I recommend this crew for pizza!

This Dominos is my go to for carry out pizza. I always use the app and my order is ready in the…read morewarming box. Easy, fast, and affordable. The wings are really good too!

No complaints. Ordered in app, dined inside, order was correct including modifications to standard…read moreitems. Server was friendly and food was hot and came out quickly. One star deducted because it's not very clean, but within normal levels for a typical fast food place.

Have visited Orange Ave. Roanoke location often. Lately the same cashier has tried to charged me…read morean extra 50 cents for ordering off the bag menu. The cost if $5.00 she wants to charge me 50 cents more. I refused. Today when there the same cashier tried to charge me 30 cents more and I refused. Mgr. came over and did not know what to say. Both then stated that the Dist. Mgr. told them to charge an extra 50 cents, today reduced to 30 cents per order. Looks like Wendy's has gone to the thieves!!!

Yesterday as I was watching the News on TV, they mentioned that KFC is Japan's Biggest Christmas…read moremeal. This tradition started in the 1970s shortly after KFC opened its doors in Japan, and Takeshi Okawara, the first KFC manager in the country, and a graduate of Harvard Business School, came up with the idea of an impulse promotion for a "party bucket," to be sold on Christmas. Contrary to many stories out there, he got the idea after a kindergarten spokesperson came into his branch with the proposition that the school would order KFC for their Christmas Party if Okawara would deliver the food dressed up as Santa. He agreed, and other schools followed. In 1974, KFC Japan launched a massive national Christmas marketing campaign called "Kentucky for Christmas," that proved to be a huge success. So much so, that today, it is a core part of their tradition and has become the most popular meal for Christmas in Japan. But it really is about more than just the chicken. It is about entire families and loved ones getting together and sharing a meal. And this is something that is priceless. This amazing story inspired me to go visit and have dinner at the KFC on Orange Ave, here in Roanoke, Virginia. When I arrived, I was surprised to see that the restaurant had been totally renovated. The architectural design of its building had received a complete, very attractive, modern look, retaining the red and white colors of the original franchise. Inside, I was very impressed not only with its innovative interior design, but also with the quality of the furniture, ceiling main lamp, and wall display honoring the Original Celebrity Chef, Colonel Sanders. At the ordering counter, one could clearly see the well designed lit menu with beautiful professional photographs of most of their menu items. The manager himself greeted me and took my order. I ordered a #8 with 5 pieces of Chicken Tenders, the 2 sides being Cole Slaw and Fries, a Medium Drink, and Biscuit. And for dessert 4 Apple Pie Poppers. The soda chose was the New Mountain Dew Sweet Lightning (Peaches & Cream Soda). Once the dine-in order was ready, I went to pick it up at the counter and was asked what sauces I wanted for my Chicken Tenders. From the selection of 7 sauces, I asked for the Honey BBQ and the KFC. All the items I had ordered were neatly placed on a tray which I took to my table at the impeccable clean dining room. The ambiance there was so comfortable and welcoming, that it highly contributed to the enjoyment of the food. Everything tasted delicious. From their famous Cole Slaw, that can't be imitated, to the crispy and well seasoned fries, to the Chicken Tenders themselves, cooked to perfection. And the Apple Pie Poppers were such a treat. All their employees there were very friendly and kind. One of them, after coming in from delivering an order to a car outside, came by to say hi and talk about how he remembered when he was a kid he used to come here and eat at their buffet. This was one of the first KFC restaurants to have buffets. He lived near by and now that he was older enjoyed being an employee there. After I finished dining, I went to the restroom to wash my hands. The men's restroom was very clean but no soap came out of the soap dispenser. So I went out and asked one of the employees if he could refill it. He went to do so but it ended up being that the dispenser needed new batteries. So he suggested that I use the Ladies Restroom, which he had already tried out, and he place a yellow floor sign in front of the door so no one came in. And that's just what I did. Do I need to say anything else about customer service. The employees here are genuinely caring and helpful. I highly recommend this restaurant. It's one that the Coronel Sanders himself would be proud of.

Hands down the best KFC outside of Japan!! People were quick, professional and friendly. Food was…read moredelicious, served at perfect temperature and presented well. Place was clean and inviting for dine-in.

I had brunch on a Friday mid morning in March 2026 at this Panda Express location in Roanoke,…read moreVirginia. I was happy that I found this place after wandering around Valley View Mall. I enjoy having Panda Express due to its inexpensive options as well as its popularity across the United States. So to my surprise, I found a Panda Express here just outside the Valley View Mall in Roanoke, Virginia. I'm like, okay. At least it isn't McDonald's. And so, I walked in at around 10:15am on a Friday in March 2026. There was 2 people occupying tables but other than that, it was empty. I saw the lady behind the counter setting up and it was cool that I came here early enough so that things are freshly made and not sitting for too long. I ended up getting the bigger plate with noodles. Beef broccoli and orange chicken with string bean chicken was my order of the day. Along with a medium sized drink, the prices were decidedly competitive. It was delicious and typical Chinese American fare that many people enjoy. It was familiar to me as we have many Panda Express locations in Honolulu, where I live. I probably spent about 1 1/2 hours here enjoying my brunch and probably ended up refilling my drink cup 3 times before I departed. It was nice that they are okay with free refills, which made me happy as a clam. For the most part though, my time here at Panda Express was spent enjoying my brunch and being on vacation in Roanoke. It was a nice quiet time for me and definitely worth coming up here for a couple of hours. If you enjoy Chinese American cuisine and enjoy the aspects of quick and easy, you can consider Panda Express for your next meal in Roanoke. Definitely enjoyable and recommended if you're in the area and want to have something other than burgers and fries. Delicious and most definitely satisfying. The overall experience here at this particular Panda Express location was very good and quiet. It was nice that I came in on a regular Friday morning right after they had opened. No crowds or anything since I'd like to sit down and enjoy in a serene environment. The restaurant itself is fairly small but has enough tables to accommodate a small to medium size party and probably up to 35 people at any given time. What I liked about my experience here as mentioned before was the free soda refills at the self service drink machine. Definitely well worth the value for my money and I enjoyed that aspect of dining here. I enjoyed the comfort of dining alone during my time in this Panda Express in Roanoke. The service was good and fast. I even ordered my meal in Chinese and it was pretty cool. All in all, it was a delicious healthy enough meal. Everything was fresh and cooked with love. Definitely hit the spot when I was vacationing in the area. Panda Express really revolutionized the Chinese cuisine in America with its favorites options and the idea of having locations everywhere helped with my meal option that Friday morning in March 2026. I typically get the beef broccoli and the orange chicken with some type of noodles. Along with a drink, it's a nice way to have something light versus a bulky burger and fries meal. And so, if you want something as an alternative to the American burger and fries culture, consider Panda Express on your next trip to Roanoke. The ambiance was nice here and would come again, if future travels permit me to do so. This Panda Express location is situated next to the Valley View Mall in Roanoke, Virginia. Its physically address is 4809 Valley View Boulevard. It's right next to the I-581 and the Roanoke-Blacksburg regional airport is nearby. They accept major credit cards as well as cash. As far as parking goes, there's plenty of parking here since it's apart of the Valley View Mall complex. Best bet would be to come early enough to secure parking next to the restaurant to minimize the walking. If you are like me and love public transportation, bus route 15 will take you here from the 3rd street bus terminal in downtown Roanoke. It took about 45 minutes one way, which is not too bad and the cost was fairly inexpensive. Of course, there's always Uber and Lyft for your convenience and needs. And so, if you enjoy Chinese American cuisine and are in the Roanoke area, consider Panda Express as your go to spot for all things noodles and egg rolls, along other delicious favorites. Best thing you can do in Roanoke is party with egg rolls and noodles. And maybe some orange chicken and beef broccoli too. However you get here, get here fast and come hungry for sure. 5.0 stars for the overall experience. Quiet ambiance and a nice self service drink fountain. Support local! A+

Today was the Grand Opening of the new Panda Express restaurant on Valley View Blvd in Roanoke,…read moreVirginia. Even though I was not able to be there earlier for the official ceremony itself, I made sure to go as soon as I could in the early evening to have dinner there. When I arrived the festive environment was still there. As I entered the door covering my head from the outside rain, I noticed haven gone under a semicircle of red and white balloons with small yellow ones as well. And immediately after that the entire Panda Express started singing a welcoming song. One of their staff named Gian, from one of their stores in Pennsylvania, who has been with the company for over more than a year now warmly greeted me with a smile and handed me a leaflet that said if I downloaded and joined their app today, I would get a 20% discount on my meal this evening. I immediately did so and got in line to order as I viewed the menu that was hanged high above the ordering counter and the large TV screen featuring several of their menu item visually. When my time came up, another friendly staff behind the ordering counter took my order and as I was ordering he simultaneously was filling it. I ordered a Plate with Orange Chicken and Black Pepper Sirloin Steak as rhe two entries and Chow Mein as the side. Together with an order of Cheese Cream Rangoons, and a Medium Fountain Drink of Dr. Pepper. To my surprise, they also included a Fortune Cookie. I paid with my credit card, went and served my drink, and sat at a table to enjoy my meal. It was amazingly delicious. But it was the positive attitude and friendly engagement from all the Panda Express employees there that won me over to the brand. I highly recommend this place to all those reading my review. Quality food, cooked to perfection, and served by friendly staff, what else can one ask for?

When I arrived at Zaxbys for an early dinner I had no idea how it would be. All I had seen had been…read moretheir commercials on TV, but this would be the first time that I actually would be visiting and eating there. From the outside, the restaurant's building looked clean and inviting. Cars already were driving up to the drive through window and putting in their orders. And a few people were dining inside as well. I noticed that the windows and the glass door were very clean, and this fact gave a nice first impression of the restaurant. Once inside, I noticed the cleanliness of the place and contemporary, comfortable furniture: booths as well as tables and chairs. The color combination of gold and black made the place look elegant yet relaxed. The decor was minimalist with a wide screen color TV and a few signs decorating the walls, and a nice lighting treatment that came down from the black ceiling above. When I arrived to the ordering counter, I noticed all the employees were working very motivated and with a purpose, all doing their assigned duties enthusiastically. A young lady up front greeted and welcomed me with a smile and seemed very happy to hear that this was my first time here. She gave me some time to review the menu that was placed where all fast food restaurants have them. I ordered the Zaxseas Surf & Turf combo, and a Chocolate Chip Cookie for dessert. The order was efficiently taken and I paid with my credit card. It contained 3 Chicken Fingerz, 8 Shrimp with Zaxtail sauce, Texas Toast, Crinkkle fries, and a small drink of Dr. Pepper. Everything in the order came out so fresh and hot. The Chicken Fingerz were crunchy in the outside and juicy and tender in the inside. Same with the Shrimp. The Fries were also very well fried and freshly served. And the sauces were amazingly delicious. As I was leaving, I saw who seemed to be the manager seated at a table interviewing a young lady. I didn't want to interrupt, otherwise I would have told him how well he was running this restaurant. I just had an amazing dining experience here and this was only my first time. I highly recommend this place and am looking forward to coming back soon in the near future.

We don't live near a Zaxby's, so we look forward to this every time we're in Roanoke. Other than…read morewishing there were more fries in a "large" (cuz they're so dang good!), it was awesome. I love that they still have grilled chicken for sandwiches and salads. And both of those are amazing. My wife had the Cobb salad with grilled chicken and I had the grilled sandwich. But the diamond of the table was the new chipotle taco, which I couldn't resist trying. It was awesome. Service was great. Place was clean. People were friendly. And food came fast, was hot, and tasted great. All up, the whole experience was everything we were hoping for. Yum!!! Sorry I forgot to take pictures.

One of the first KFCs in Virginia to get back their buffet post-COVID. Let's just say I ate way too…read moremuch. Delicious potatoes, coleslaw, and fried squash. Chicken was "okay." The traditional style could've been cooked a little longer bit was otherwise alright. Dessert options are pretty limited but for a place that hasn't had a shot at a buffet in several years, it was passable for what you got. Staff were also helpful in keeping us supplied with plates. Hopefully this will pave the way for more KFCs to get their buffets back.

They charge 15 dollars for a buffet, hardly keep chicken on it. there choices of food on buffet…read more was horrible. desert, is pudding. no macaroni and cheese. food is cold.. 40 dollars for two people is outrageous given the experience wasn't the best. fried squash is soggy and cold. isn't worth it. id just buy a meal and call it a day.

really solid bar food!…read more I love the vibe here and the atmosphere makes you want to stay awhile. Definitely a great local spot if you're looking for good bar food and a fun, relaxed place to grab a drink.

We visited the Yard Bird Tavern in downtown Roanoke. Finding a spot can be a bit of a gamble;…read moreunless you're lucky enough to snag a space at the curb, you should expect to pay for parking. ​Atmosphere & Menu ​Upon entering, we found the restaurant pleasantly sophisticated, though it was nearly at capacity. While we opted not to explore the drink menu, we were eager to see what the kitchen had to offer. The menu itself is concise, focusing primarily on wings, sandwiches, and pizzas, supplemented by a few small appetizers. ​The culinary style is quite eclectic. They feature several unconventional toppings and flavor combinations that might seem a bit eccentric at first glance. ​The Culinary Experience ​I decided on a flatbread-style pizza topped with: ​Smoked chicken ​Pickles ​Peppadew-style peppers (which resembled small cherry tomatoes) ​A tangy, zesty sauce reminiscent of an enchilada base with an extra "zing." ​My wife opted for a "build-your-own" pizza featuring red onions, pepperoni, and bell peppers. Although she realized too late that she had forgotten to request light sauce, she noticed the oversight immediately upon the dish's arrival. ​Service Observations ​The service was a bit of a mixed bag. Our waitress was professional but remarkably brisk. She lacked the usual pleasantries or "small talk" one might expect, focusing instead on efficiency. While her haste felt a bit impersonal, I couldn't complain about her attentiveness--she was incredibly prompt at refilling my iced tea the moment my glass was empty. Make sure you bring your pocketbook this pizza brings a sting at the register.