Sometimes in the least expected of places one can find the tastiest of foods and the friendliest of…read morepeople. This is the case with Cafe Express, in Salem, Virginia. Located in a standalone building next to a 7-Eleven/Gas Station at 206 Apperson Drive, Cafe Express is a small, family-owned and operated New York Style Deli, run by a husband-and-wife team who immigrated from Nepal years ago and for 18 years have worked hard to make this small, unasuming deli, one of Salem's most precious culinary hidden gems. At first I didn't think nothing of it. Its storefront and location are not that impressive, but after driving by it many times, one day I just had to stop and try it out. From the very beginning, after parking in a space right in front of the deli, I was very impressed by its cleanliness. Its front windows and glass door were so clean and shiny that they were like mirrors reflecting their surroundings which in part was the gas station. But don't be fooled by this. In the past I've discovered exceptional eateries located at gas stations small strip malls. Once inside, I was fascinated by what I saw. There were three beautiful wooden relief carvings on the walls, framed magazine articles of the deli and its owners, framed Award Certificates including one from Yelp, a Buddha artwork on a plate, and a beautiful oil painting, painted by none other than by the owner himself. Both Prakash Malakar and his wife Sarojani gave me a warm welcome and made me feel at home. Eager to learn about their place of origin and culture I ask them about this.The owner explained how they came from Nepal, which is located in between China and India. Afterwards, his wife showed me the menu and the Specials written in colorful chalks over a chalkboard. I was attracted to their "Pastrami Royale and after she explained what items it had, I went ahead and ordered it along with some fries and a fountain softdrink. Not exaggerating, it was one of the most delicious sandwiches that I've ever had. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and its amazing high-quality food. For dessert I had a small bowl of their homemade rice pudding. After I finished eating I paid with one of my credit cards via my Google Pay which they accepted and left them a nice tip. In conclusion, I highly recommend this place for its warm and comfortable ambiance, great menu, exquisite food, and remarkable customer service by a kind and friendly couple.

Enjoy local raw unfiltered honey from Salem Va honeybees. Bring a jar home and enjoy some of the…read morehoney mustard sauce on a delicious sandwich or with yummy chicken tenders.

Delis are a dime a dozen, but sometimes in those rare moments in life, like finding a needle in a…read morehaystack, one encounters a priceless one, and that is precisely what happened to me when I discovered Mike's Deli. This very popular American deli in the Hollins area of Roanoke, Virginia came to my attention through word of mouth, and I couldn't resist to put aside some time to go have lunch there, and experience first hand what a one-of-a-kind deli is all about. When I arrived, I parked my Lexus in a parking space right in front of the deli. Even though it was established in 2012, its physical building looked like new with clean red bricks and a beautiful French window on the right of its freshly painted blue door, and an equally beautiful Bay window on the left, leading to the dining room. Inside, the owner Mike personally greeted and welcomed me with open arms. His friendly and cheerful personality made me feel at home right away. The place had a basic, clean, and unpretentious environment. It's dining room had blue tables with comfortable chairs, and positive, noble words on its wall like: "Thankful," "Blessed," and "Love conquers all things." The menu featured a wonderful, unique variety of hot and cold submarines, sandwiches, and homemade sides. Such as "The Farmhouse," a house specialty with chicken salad, crispy bacon, and creamy Russian dressing. Their homemade desserts such as Baklava and Banana Pudding looked delicious as they were displayed next to a variety of others. After looking at their menu, I ordered a Lemonade to drink, a Ruben Sandwich to eat, and a homemade Banana Pudding for dessert. The sandwich was exquisite, the drink was refreshing, and the dessert was truly amazing. And the service by the owner himself was extraordinary. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and its food, and highly recommend you give them a visit. I can assure you, you'll be forever grateful you did. I can't wait to return and try one of their other unique sandwiches on the menu.

Delicious sub at a reasonable price! The Bacon Cheeser Pleaser hit the spot and the Baklava was…read morefresh & delicious. The owner was friendly and down to earth. A welcoming environment and clean dining space. This place is a Roanoke original under the current ownership for 20 years. Was a short walk or shuttle ride from Southern Team where I was waiting on an oil change.

At one time this restaurant may have been "the place for submarine sandwiches", but sadly not…read moreanymore. Ordered a pastrami and Swiss sub and a ham and cheese sub. Wrapped in paper to go, we were anxious to try them. Foot long seeded roll was this side of stale, lean on the meat and cheese on both and fixings for a subs this size. Sadly $40 for 2 sandwiches and 3/4a went in the trash. Good concept...poor execution.

It pains me to give a deli this review but the pastrami was crazy salty and tough as hell, and…read morecorned beef had no flavor or salt like it was boiled to death, and looked like ham.?Loved the marble rye and kaiser roll, but when they asked me if I wanted lettuce on my hot pastrami I knew I was in trouble. I ordered a slice of cheesecake that they are known for but it was terribly dry and not sweet at all. Whole visit was a miss. There's nothing NY here. The best part of the visit were the two sassy cashiers that talked shit about all the customers and were clearly thrilled to be working there.

He thinks everyone loves meat... I mean, you can almost take his sandwiches home and make another…read moresandwich out of the meat that is on the sandwich. It is fabulous.

Nothing presumptuous about this hole in the wall deli located in a clean, small space, with hardly…read moreany decorations at all. Just a brochure menu with this saying on the cover: "Generous portions, made fresh, specifically for you." After being awarded the NC Triad Yelp Squad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, celebrating their contributions and accomplishments throughout the year, 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 Joe's Deli, in Salem, Virginia, is a perfect example. Located right next to the City of Salem Farmer's Market and its parking lot, where you can conveniently park for up to two hours, enough time to park and walk across the street to Joe's Deli to have something to eat.While I was walking, I noticed a mural with a rendition of people eating at Joe's Deli painted on the side of the building, which I found very interesting. Once inside, during around lunch time, the restaurant was modern and clean with a minimalist decor. The dining area had both regular size and high tables and chairs, and also a small bar counter with a large screen TV and a framed American Flag under it. On the wall leading to the ordering counter there was a poster with a QR code to be able to skip the line by ordering online on their website. Next to this there was another poster with the Roanoke College Wrestling schedule for the season. The atmosphere here was incredibly warm and inviting, making for a really comfortable experience. On top of that, this was by far one of the cleanest delis I've ever visited; it's clear they take take great take great pride in their space. I waited in line as a lady in front of me was making her order at the ordering counter and a gentleman was waiting standing up for his take-out order. While I waited I took a menu brochure from the counter and planned what to order. When it was my turn to order, a friendly lady greated me at the ordering counter and answered some questions that I had about what I was planning to order. I ordered a Reuben Pastrami that came on a white rye bread, and included a bag of chips. To drink I ordered a Pepsi since they carried Pepsi products. When my order was ready they called my name and I went to pick it up. The sandwich came wrapped in a nice, heavyweight waxed sandwich paper. When I opened it at my table, the sandwich was humongous, filled with a generous amount of quality Pastrami, Swiss cheese, Sauerkraut, and Thousand Island on a white rye bread, and was toasted. It was amazingly delicious! So much so that I went back and complimented the owner and chef of the restaurant, in person through the window that led to the kitchen. I highly recommend this deli for breakfast or lunch. For they have the qualities of a great Delicatessen, focusing on quality ingredients, generous portions, and excellent service.

Today, we visited Burger in the Square and arrived just in time to beat the rush. Our waitress,…read moreAlyssa, provided some of the best service we've experienced in a long time. Our drinks were perfect and served promptly. My wife ordered the Mushroom Burger, and I went with the Texas Chili Burger. I was absolutely famished, so I strategically took my burger apart and ate it in stages; it was simply too large to eat normally! The onion rings were excellent, offering a great crunch and fantastic flavor. My wife couldn't even finish her meal because the portion was so generous. The restaurant was clean, the tables were spotless, and the atmosphere was quiet enough for us to plan our next few days without distraction.

This is not easily accessible from the interstate, as it requires a 15 minute drive, but if you're…read morenot in a hurry, this is the place to go for delicious burgers. One meal is about $20.

You rarely find a little restaurant in the middle of nowhere that makes you feel at home from the…read moremoment you walk in. Delicious food, a welcoming atmosphere, and attentive service, are the best words I can use to describe this gem of a restaurant. After being awarded the NC Triad Yelp Squad Yelper of the Year 2024 Award at the Yelpies Award Ceremony last year, an event that honored the highest-performing Yelp Elites, celebrating their contributions and accomplishments throughout the year, 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 entirety. And Lews Restaurant in the Hollins neighborhood of Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. From the moment I parked my car in their small parking lot and walked over to this cozy little restaurant with a slanted shaped roof, I was first welcomed by one of their customers who held the door open for me when he was entering the restaurant and saw me headed that way. That particular gesture was so meaningful to me that I abstained from taking a photograph of the outside of the restaurant and hurried along to catch the door. As I stepped inside, the unique architectural design captivated me. The slanted wooden ceiling, peaking in a true cathedral style, lent the space a feeling of immense height while still maintaining a warm, inviting atmosphere."  It didn't take long for me to notice the sign that read: "Please SEAT YOURSELF." But almost at the same time that I had finished reading it, a friendly young lady, who ended up being my server, greeted me with a smile and a warm welcome, and invited me to sit anywhere I wished. I chose a booth next to a collage of photographs depicting major scenes from the Star City of Roanoke. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and its food. My friendly server came by to take my order. Given that they sold Pepsi products, I chose an ice-cold Pepsi. Then I ordered the Tavern Burger and requested they add bacon. This burger was topped with fried egg, mustard, pickle, and American cheese, and served on a sesame seed bun with a side of their Beer Battered Fries. From the fresh and soft sesame seed bun,to the freshly fried egg, to the juicy and quality beef patty, and the thick, satisfying bacon and pickle, every component of this burger contributed to an amazingly delicious final result. Needless to say, my server checked back to see how I was doing at the appropriate times and provided me with refills of my ice-cold Pepsi. To my surprise the only dessert they had was Fried Oreos and no ice-cream to accompany it. I realize that many restaurants hold on having dessert to expedite customer flow, but at least for me, a meal isn't a meal without a good, sweet dessert. And I make the recommendation of adding a few unique desserts special menu such as Peanut Butter Pie, Vanilla Ice Cream to the Fried Oreos, and a Mango Crème Brûlée. You'll be surprised, you may have customers attracted to eat here just for any of these simple but unique and delicious desserts. In conclusion I highly recommend this little and cozy restaurant for its warm and friendly environment, its wonderful satisfying food, and last but not least, its excellent customer service. All contributing to an amazing dining experience.

If you are traveling in the area or even live near by, this is the place to stop. We do not live in…read morethe area but have had several meals here when traveling and even booked our hotel close by so we can be sure to grab a meal. From the white veggie pizza to the sandwiches all have been delicious. The staff may be young but all have been extremely helpful, polite and always a wonderful experience. The cook always does a phenomenal job and we will continue to stop by when passing every time!

It Never disappoints --- I promise you. Food is always fresh and well worth the money.read more

I remember years ago, in my youth, when I was in Little League. Every time we won a game our coach…read moretreated us to a hot dog. Those they sold at the park. It tasted so good. Since then I have enjoyed eating this simple yet very American food. So today when I was looking for a place to eat and saw "Dillons Hot Dogs & More," I decided to stop by and give it a try. Located in the Brookside Shopping Center on 6431 Williamson Road in Roanoke, Virginia, This small, laid back restaurant, is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10:00am to 6:00pm and Fridays until 7:00pm. It serves lunch and dinner. I went on a Friday early evening and the first thing I noticed was how busy it was with people eating there and even more people ordering takeouts. Who seemed to be the owner was up front taking the orders from a counter at that time. He immediately greeted me with a warm welcome and after I told him this was my first time there, and he explained the value meals that included fries and a soda for a set price. I ended up ordering a Bacon Cheeseburger with Fries, and a Coke. And also a Hot Dog with melted cheese, chili, and chopped onions. He told me to take a seat at one of the booths and that he would bring me the food when ready. From the booth I was seated at, I could see the flames cooking the food back in the kitchen. A young lady was cooking at the time with another gentleman helping her back there. They handed me the soda as I waited and I reviewed a small paper menu that I took with me to the table. When the food arrived it looked and tasted very fresh and appetizing. The Burger bun was nice and soft. It contained a good size patty, with fresh lettuce and a nice big slice of tomato. The fries was crunchy on the outside and soft in the inside. The bacon on top was plenty and very meaty. And the Hot Dog looked and tasted just fine. It was a regular size good quality meat Hot dog with the right ingredients that give it flavor and served on a fresh and soft Hot Dog roll. I was going to have dessert afterwards because it said they were well known for there homemade desserts, but I only saw two types on the counter and decided not to. This is a good place, nothing fancy, but with good food, for when you're in the mood for good home cooking food. They also have Subs, Sandwiches, and Seafood Baskets. Everything at very reasonable prices. Come alone or bring along family and friends. And be ready for a good meal that will leave you full and satisfied.

After a miss at the New Yorker and trashing my lunch I headed to RT Smith's for a better outcome. I…read moreordered a corned beef reuben. Great marble rye, loaded with quality Swiss cheese and the sauerkraut was outstanding. The corned beef was a mid, just missing any flavor. Tasted like a horseradish sauce was also added which gave the sandwich a bit more life. Very so-so overall....nice owners, very friendly. Look for street parking. Lot at the corner next to the restaurant is $8/hr to park.

A friend of mine recommended this Deli to me and since this is one of the most effective ways of…read morediscovering interesting places to eat, I decided this morning to go check it out for breakfast. The only New York City Deli in Roanoke, Virginia; located almost in the corner of Jefferson Street and Campbell Avenue SE, it is centrally located with on street parking as well as a parking garage nearby. When I arrived to the building where the restaurant was located, it had a small restaurant front with windows on the two sides of the restaurant's door. It had its name painted in the window, as well as a black stand out sign with golden letter fonts: "R.T. Smith's Delicatessen EST. 2011." From outside it seemed like all small restaurant, but once inside, I found that its was actually a long space with an infinite amount of food products and many menus for breakfast and lunch. The restaurant was decorated with many interesting items, menu signs, and a collection items of Star Trek figurines. The owner greeted me with a friendly hello and asked me to pick a table, serve myself coffee, and take a seat. After reviewing the menu while sseated, I ordered the Hot Mess Omelette. It was one of the largest omelettes in the Breakfast menu. Later I found out that they also had Breakfast Add Ons to the Omelette at an extra price. But the Omelette I ordered already had 4 eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, and American & Gouda cheese. When the Omelette was cooked and served on the counter, I went to pick it up and pay the bill on the cashier counter. When I took it to my.table and opened up the container where it was served; I was amazed at the size of it. It was cooked perfectly. I put salt and pepper on it from the antique Coca Cola bottle shackers and began eating it. It was one of the best Omelettes that I have ever eaten! And I have eaten the best of the best. Another of my best was one I ate at the Boston Marriott Hotel that had Lobster meat, mushrooms, and brie cheese. Afterwards, I stayed for a while drinking my coffee and talking to the owner and his wife. They both have wonderful personalities and we talked about the business, their move from New York to here. How they import their fresh bagels from New York and soon they will be importing other items as well. Their hobby of collecting Star Trek figurines and other items. Before I left I made sure to tell them that they had just gained not only a new customer, but also a friend. I highly recommend this restaurant for breakfast or lunch. They serve quality food in generous portions and cooked extraordinary well. And provide with their wonderful customer service an amazing dining experience!