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!

There are many top restaurants in this Star City of Roanoke and I can proudly say that this is one…read moreof my favorites. I have been a loyal customer since the first day it opened. And every time I return, I keep wanting to come back for more. Located on the 6th and 7th floors of the Center in the Square building, this restaurant provides an elegant yet relaxed ambiance in which to enjoy an exceptional dining experience. Today I made an early dinner reservation on my OpenTable app for 4:45PM, asking to be seated at the same table that I always seat at if it's available. After parking my pearl white Lexus at the Center in the Square Garage, conveniently located next to the building where the restaurant is located, I went through a connecting door and took the elevator to the 6th floor. Once inside the restaurant, two friendly young ladies greated me at the Host's station and one of them remembered which was my favorite table and took me there. Soon afterwards the manager saw me and gracefully came by to say hello and thank me for coming to dine there. I responded with: "It's always a pleasure to do so." Not long afterwards my server Sam, another friendly and very efficient young lady, came by to greet me and take my order. To drink I had a Bees Knees Mocktail. They make the best cocktails there. That's why the bar is always full. To dine I started off with a Steakhouse Wedge Salad, followed by a Shrimp Cocktail, and then by the main course: a Filet Mignon cooked medium-rare, with a Grilled Lobster Tail Steak Enhancement. I asked for everything to be spaced appropriately and my server made sure that they were. The Steakhouse Wedge Salad was delicious with bacon lardons, cherry tomatoes, red onions, gorgonzola, and with house-made buttermilk herb dressing. The Shrimp Cocktail was amazing. It had 1/2 Lb. of poached and chilled fresh Jumbo Shrimps with Cocktail sauce and a slice of lemon. And the main meal was extraordinary. The Filet Mignon was cooked medium-rare to perfection and the Lobster Tail enhancement was just the right size of tender lobster meat removed from the shell and served with a little bowl of melted butter. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the high-quality food, well prepared. My server came by at the right moments to check on me, and the manager also came by my table to give me a visit and make sure all was to my satisfaction. For the Grand Finale I ordered the Bananas Fosters Beignets dessert: a fresh Croissant dough with Caramelized Bananas, served with vanilla ice-cream and Brown Sugar Caramel. Everything tasted amazingly delicious and I was able to enjoy an extraordinary dining experience. I highly recommend that you try this place out. Who knows, it might even become one of your favorite restaurants as well.

I really love this place and the views. At last dinner there, Grace was our server and she was…read morewonderful! I would definitely recommend going here. The food is delicious and well presented. They are also very attentive to the food and any special requests you may have. My 2 picky issues - had oysters on the half shell, they were sandier than they should be, and the "bread service", which is a paid item, I really don't get this trend, especially at such a high-end restaurant. Don't charge for your bread, it feels tacky and unnecessary, IMHO.

Brewery #443 Came in…read morehere after doing little hiking for lunch and some beer. My buddy and I started off with a flight of Brussel sprouts. What a great idea! We had 3 of their 4 versions with the hot honey and bacon version being my favorite. I then decided I needed to eat light, so I got a Southwest Sante Fe salad which came with avocado, tomatoes, corn, cheese and a delicious cilantro lime vinaigrette. The bartender convinced me to add pulled pork. So much for eating light! There was enough pulled pork on the salad to fill up 3 sandwiches. Three Notch'd does flights of 4 for 10.00 and you can add another small pour for 2.5 so I ended up with 5 beers. Their IPAs were solid, but my favorites were the Jazzfest ( I am from New Orleans and all) which was a Pecan Amber ale and the Stoked Goat which was a Doppelbock. Solid place with good food and good beer.

Slow service Sub par food that was lacking flavor. I don't…read morethink I'll be back. Nice waitstaff who did the best with what they could.

The other day when I happened to be in downtown Roanoke, I decided to dine at the Inka Grill as a…read morefollow-up to my first visit. I love the decor of this restaurant. It's more modern and elegant than that of their first restaurant on Brambleton Ave. Although the service there is superb. When I arrived a young lady greeted me, took me to my table, gave me the menu and asked what I wanted to drink. After consulting with her on what they had, I asked for a mango drink. It was mighty good, like a mango juice served in a tall glass. For appetizer I order an Avocado Salad with Sea Salt. It was just slices of an avocado with salt on the side. It would have been better with some oil and vinegar as well. For ma main entrée I order.one of my favorites on their menu the Bistec a lo Pobre. This is basically a steak with a special rice, a fried egg, and fried ripe plantain. Inside of the special rice I asked for white rice and black beans. My server goes to the kitchen to see if this was possible, but comes back saying it would be a $2.95 extra to include the black beans. I told her to go ahead. When the food comes out she puts it on the table and leaves. I thought she went to get the black beans but they never arrive. The food looks great but when I cut the steak it was well done and I asked for medium rare. When she goes to bring something to another table I called her and tell her about the steak and the black beans that was missing. She offers to make me another steak but the piece of meat tooked so well and I was so hungry that I decided to eat it like that. She repeated that the black beans would be an extra charge. I told her I didn't mind. She finally brings me the black beans. The beans themselves were a bit hard and not as tasty. The ones I had at Panera Bread the other day were 100% better, but I pour them on top of the rice and eat them like this. For dessert I ordered a Passion Fruit Mousse. It was good but a bit dry and lacked sugar. I still enjoyed my meal but can't understand why they always overcook the steak when medium rare taste so much better. When I order it for delivery via Door Dash, most of the time it arrives well done as well. I still love the Peruvian cuisine of this restaurant, they should just train the new servers better so they can better communicate with the customers and chef. And I think the manager should have come out to at least apologize for the confusion. For this reason this time I'm only given them 4 stars.

While in downtown Roanoke, we decided to try this. The seating was immediate and we quickly…read morereceived our drinks and a small dish of cancha (fried corn) and Peruvian green sauce. We ordered the whole chicken with yucca and plantains and a side of black beans. The food was good and price was reasonable. With all of the choices in downtown, not sure I would make a special trip to eat there again. But if downtown and want to try a Peruvian meal, it is worth a visit. As I was reading the other reviews it reminded me that we, also, had to ask for the black beans after the rest of our food was brought to the table. They were good, nothing special.

Stopped by Table 50 with a coworker and had a really enjoyable experience. We started with a couple…read moreof appetizers, and they were excellen and a great way to kick off the meal. The entrées were right on par with some unique dishes. One of the biggest highlights was the bar. They have a fantastic bourbon and cocktail selection, and the atmosphere around the bar was even better than the dining room. It had a lively, comfortable vibe that made the whole experience even better. Overall, we really enjoyed our visit and would definitely come back.

Since a few years ago I've been celebrating my Birthday's Eve by dining at one of my favorite…read morerestaurants. This year I happened to go to Table 50, located on Market Street in the heart of Downtown Roanoke. Table 50 is one of those fine-dining restaurants in all the sense of the word. It is known for its upscale, progressive American cuisine that uses locally sourced ingredients from the nearby farmers' market. It offers an elegant atmosphere with features like copper tables and brick walls. Exquisite food like filet mignon. And exceptional customer service. After making my reservation through the OpenTable app, I showed up the following day right on time. A young lady hostess greeted me at the Host's station and after confirming my reservation took me to my table at a corner of the restaurant. My eloquent server Trent came by soon after to give me a warm welcome and take my drink order. I asked him to see if the bartender could make me a Pina Colada Mocktail. When he brought me the Mocktail, he took my food order. As a starter, I ordered the Seared Jumbo Sea Scallops served with a Parmigiano-Reggiano & Brandy Cream Sauce. Followed by a Mixed Green House Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing. And as my main course the Bienville Filet, a Certified Angus Beef 8oz Filet Mignon served with Fried Shrimps, Asparagus, Mashed Potatoes, and a New Orleans style parmesan cream sauce. My server then went to place the order and came back with a rectangular shape plate filled with a sliced baguette and little bowl of whipped butter. I always say that the quality of a restaurant's bread and water is an indication of the quality of its cuisine. My server did an exceptional job at bringing out all my items at the proper pace. And all was amazingly delicious. For the Grand Finale dessert, I asked for the Chocolate Mousse Torte. This is one of my favorites desserts out of all the restaurants around. My server brought it out on.a white plate with the words Happy Birthday written with a chocolate dip. It was delicious, even though this year they didn't include a candle on top. As if this wasn't enough, after paying and going to the restroom to wash my hands, as I was headed towards the door, my server runs by me and opens the door, thanking me for my visit on this special occasion and wishing that I come back soon. What a way to end an outstanding dining experience!

Alexander's is located in the heart of downtown Roanoke. For my purposes I could not have asked…read morefor a better location. I had inquired with the restaurant a month or so in advance of my visit (I was concerned about the dress code) and they were spot on. I wore jeans and a buton down and was quite comfortable (and not out of place). It's a very nice restaurant, but it's certainly not "stuffy." Service was excellent. Food was phenomenal. Dinner started with some nice bread (and really good butter), and a salad came with my lamb ragu. It was all really good. The lamb was super rich and very flavorful. My only suggestion would be to serve the ragu over the polenta, and to add more vegetables. As it was, the dinner was "just enough;" I wasn't stuffed but I wasn's hungry, either. Really good dinner!

There are times when one encounters very special restaurants that can only be described as…read more"priceless." And every time one returns to dine there, it only serves to reinforce the perfect attachment that one has acquired from the very first time they dined there and had the pleasure of enjoying an extraordinary fine dining experience. After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I also was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to return to those special ones, that have made a difference in my life and highlight them, for the benefit of the public, so they too can have an opportunity to appreciate the qualities of a one-of-a-kind fine dining experience. And Alexander's, in the heart of Downtown Roanoke, is a perfect example. From the moment I arrived and walked through their door, I was greeted in such a way, by none other than Bjorn, the Dining Room Manager himself, that made me feel appreciated and immediately made me feel at home. Neither the coldness of the weather nor the accumulated snow could hinder me from my decision to dine here this evening. I was the first one to arrive after they opened their doors. Since the streets were still icy and filled with snow, I left my Lexus at home and took a Lyft to the restaurant, which was not far from my neighborhood, the Historic Old Southwest. Since it was a slow night due to the weather, the Dining Room Manager himself doubled as my server for the evening. To drink, we discussed my flavor liking for a Mocktail, and he came up with a special one, that ended up tasting amazing. To dine, I started with the Deconstructed cajunese california roll appetizer. It was amazingly delicious! Then I had a Salad vinaigrette, which was included with every entrée, and a French Baguette with a cube of butter. The baguette slices with butter were so fresh, soft in the inside and crispy on the outside, that they confirmed my view that the quality of a restaurant's bread and butter is a reflection of the quality of the restaurant and its cuisine. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the quality of their food. As my main entrée, I had the Grilled filet of beef, sauce marchand de vin, cooked medium-rare. The filet was cooked to perfection, just as ordered, so tender, juicy, and flavorful. It was a culinary masterpiece from Chef and General Manager, Boni M. Webb, who graciously came out to greet me, and gave me an opportunity to personally celebrate her magnificent cuisine. She reminded me of my Japanese student who obtained the best grade in my Business class at the university where I taught. She was very humble and kind. As the Grand Finale dessert, on the advice of my server and general manager, I ordered their Glace au chocolat. It was wonderful. What an outstanding dining experience I once again had in this outstanding restaurant with a unique combination of exceptional food, atmosphere, and heartfelt service. I highly recommend it, and can't wait to return.

Sports Bars there are many but none other like 202 Social House…read more After having been selected as number 4 of Yelp's Top 50 most prolific Elites of 2025, a year when I was also awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Photographer of the Year Award at their Yelpies 2025 Award Ceremony, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, and where last year I was awarded the Yelp Triad Squad Yelper of the Year Award, I decided that this year, as an All-Star Yelp Elite, I not only wanted to be the first to discover new restaurants and businesses, and bring them to the attention of the public, but also to uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And 202 Social House in the heart of Downtown Roanoke is a perfect example. 202 Social House is a lively downtown Roanoke sports-bar and American restaurant, known for its multi-level layout and vibrant social atmosphere. Ever since I moved to Roanoke, I remember walking by this restaurant and being attracted to their menu posted to one of their windows. When I finally had an opportunity to dine there, I immediately loved its warm, relaxed, and festive environment, amazing drinks, and wonderfully cooked meals at reasonable prices. With all of their large screen tvs it's also the best place to go watch live sport games. And with their outdoor patio and programed holiday parties, it's the perfect spot to socialize and have fun. Today I decided to have dinner there to celebrate my Yelp accomplishments, since my first review was influential in my obtaining the awards I did. After making my reservation through the OpenTable app, I showed up on time and the host took me to a perfect table situated in the middle of the restaurant with a wonderful view. Soon after I was seated, my friendly and efficient server Damita came by to introduce herself and take my drink other. I asked for a glass of iced water and if she could have the bartender craft me a Mojito Mocktail. Did did so right away and it turned out perfect. To dine I ordered a small House Salad with one of their most popular in-house made salad dressing. And as my main course, one of my favorites items of their menu: their Chargrilled Chicken with a side of smashed potatoes & coleslaw. The two Chargrilled Chicken Breasts with the SH signature sauce tasted amazingly delicious, like always. My server came to check on me at the right times to see if everything was of my liking and ask if I needed anything. As the grand finale of my meal I ordered their Reese's Peanut Butter Pie. One of my favorite desserts there. It was amazing. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the high-quality of their food and drinks. In conclusion I highly recommend this one-of-a-kind Sports Bar and American restaurant and look forward to returning another day for an extraordinary dining experience.

07/01-Levels of tv so loud we couldn't hear the persons next to us talking at our table…read more Soccer is a visual game and the noise levels were extreme. Several patrons asked management to turn volume down- they said no. Food was ok.

Great pizza!!! Loved the thin crust and choice of tasty toppings. Incredibly good tavern style…read morepizza (look that up--it's the other Chicago style). We had brussel sprouts as an appetizer and two pizzas for three people. The sprouts were not only delicious but a big serving--plenty of food for the three of us. Who knew that Roanoke would have such good pizza? Plus a delicious old fashioned made with Woodford bourbon. Check it out!

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.

I had the pork gyoza and the garlic tonkotsu ramen. It's a solid 10/10 from the eggs to the…read morenoodles! However, it's a bit saltier than I prefer. I wish it weren't so salty. That's just a personal preference. You can sit anywhere you like in this welcoming food court.

This place is soooo delicious! My favorite dish is the spicy pork belly Ramen. They aren't skimpy…read moreon the servings, plenty to eat in each bowl. I love coming here, you can taste the love in every dish you order.

So it was a very nice Sunday morning in Roanoke. Nice fall type weather and four big hungry dudes…read more One of us had seen some good reviews for Hatch. We were going to be ready at about ten o'clock and they opened at ten o'clock. We were worried there might be a line but happened to be the first table. They sat us in a nice both and the room was well lit. Music was kind of all over the place. Our waitress was Aubrey and she rocked. She answered our menu questions. She kept our drinks full and we all ate until we were full. The food was good not great. We got a big breakfast platter. All four of us. It was a lot of food. The waffle was really good. The eggs were bland but Texas Pete helped that. The potatoes were dry, Pete from Texas helped that too. They had a chicken on a gravy biscuit. The chicken was good but not nearly enough gravy. The Busch it was dry and crumbled and was disappointing.

I stopped in for lunch while I was in town for training and had high hopes based on the menu. I…read moreordered the fried green tomatoes and the creamy salmon with mashed sweet potatoes and hush puppies. Unfortunately, the food was disappointing. The fried green tomatoes and hush puppies were overcooked to the point that they were barely edible. While the salmon had a nice flavor, it was also overcooked. The mashed sweet potatoes had powdered sugar added, which made them much sweeter than expected and overpowered the natural flavor. The bright spot of the experience was the service. The servers were incredibly sweet, attentive, and made sure I had everything I needed. I truly appreciated their hospitality. I hope the kitchen can improve its consistency because the staff certainly deserves better food to serve.