I discovered this charming little restaurant as I was driving around Roanoke, Virginia, in search…read moreof new places to eat that pop up all the time. 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, 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 uncover those found in hidden paths that for one reason or another have not reached the public in its totality. And Bless Ya Soul Soulfood Restaurant in Roanoke, Virginia, is the perfect example. Located off Williamson Road, this restaurant has a relaxed and warm atmosphere, a menu with soul comfort food, and it's owned and operated by a friendly couple. As soon as I entered the door, I was warmly greeted and welcomed by the couple. Was asked to be seated where I felt comfortable at, and was given a copy of their simple but colorful and well-designed menu. They also had a sign up with their Daily Specials and Sides. While looking at their menu I enjoyed reading their slogan "Food for ya soul," and the fact that they mention there that they're open to menu suggestions. I ended up ordering Onion Rings as appetizer and Fried Porkchop with Mac N Cheese as my side. The main course also came with a grilled Texas Toast. The size of the Porkshop was humongous. It was breaded and fried, and served over an aluminum foil inside a clamshell disposable container. I had some problems cutting it because even though it was big, it had a few bones inside which I could not see because they were covered up with the breading. I mentioned this to them but they told me that their customers like to see bones in their porkchops. The Mac N Cheese tasted good but the macaroni pasta was a bit crunched and mixed with the blog of melted cheese. The Texas Toast tasted delicious by the way they had toasted it on the grill. The Onion Rings were not evenly round nor evenly battered and some of the rings were broken into pieces, but the taste was what mattered. After finishing my food I felt full, after all this is how comfort food should leave you feeling. Let's support this young couple I as they eagerly attempt to bring a taste soul into our lives and by doing so even reach our souls.

It's a bit loud in here with the music, game machine, ac, open cooking area, and conversations so I…read morecouldn't hear the server too well. It's a small spot I almost missed while parking to go ro another establishment but decided to check it out since I love soul food. . I don't think it's suitable to dine in because it is so compact and the bar seating area is where they keep their personal items. One of the tables is being used to hold the specials of the day. There are two high seat tables. I tried sitting on it but the seats were not comfortable. The place itself is not large enough to accommodate a walker or wheelchair so any one with one might consider takeout instead. It has a small and limited menu. I was expecting standard soul food but the only a few items on it. The sides are standard and the pork chop is about there is for a standard soul food restaurant. I was hoping for some real soul fried chicken or cornbread. Service was good. Food took about 20 minutes so be sure to allot for time or call in advance. I wasn't happy about the long wait but the pork chop was delicious. Perfectly seasoned and cooked. One of the best I've ever had. Surprisingly a very nice gentleman paid for my meal. I had no idea and I wish I could have thanked him. It has been a rough day so his kindness went a long way with me. I will come back if in the area. I think the food quality should bring business once the word is out. I just hope the small space can accommodate for people wanting to dine in.

For our last night of our stay in Roanoke we wanted to have a special dinner at a local restaurant…read more I am really glad we found Hollywood's. Debbie, our waitress was fantastic. Great stories and excellent service. I had the Catfish Matrimony, my wife had the Club, and the rest had the half rack of ribs, filet and meatloaf sandwich. The portions were huge. The Catfish was fresh and cooked perfectly. The half rack of ribs was a large portion of very meaty, tasty and tender ribs. The meatloaf sandwich had enough meatloaf for another meal. The filet was great and my wife loved her club sandwich. We were all so full, we had to take dessert to go. The carrot cake cake was great. Thank you again Debbie, we had a great farewell dinner.

Excellent service and food. A local favorite in Roanoke. Desserts are divine! Highly recommend.read more

This is one of the few restaurants that can very well be deceiving. On the outside it is clean,…read morewith an impressive name and logo, and a nice dining room that isn't being used. A lady up front takes your order and all seems like everything will go well and you will have and excellent dining experience. That is, until the food arrives. At the ordering counter I ordered their most expensive item on the menu: Steak & Scallops Hibachi. And two Egg Rolls, and requested to dine in. As I waited for the food to arrive I had very high expectations on how good the food would be. And was looking forward for it to arrive so I could enjoy it. But when I was called to the counter to go pick it up, I had no idea of what a surprise I would get. At first when I opened the container where it came in, all looked nice and delicious. But when I started eating the fried rice didn't taste fresh. It was dry and felt and tasted like it was reheated. Then when I tasted the steak, it tasted like spoiled meat. I couldn't believe what I was eating. The mushrooms were not cooked well and some were even cold. And the slices of zucchini had stains on their skins. The egg rolls were dry. Like if they had been fried ahead of time and reheated. But the worst was the steak. It tasted like rotten meat. I couldn't believe it nor couldn't finish eating it. Just threw it away and left the restaurant. When I got home I brushed my teeth and washed my mouth to get rid of that horrible flavor from the rotten meat. What else I got I can only describe by having to run to the toilet. I don't like to write negative reviews, but in this case I feel obligated to do so, because of the spoiled food they are serving there and their lack of cooking knowledge. Another case of Don't judge a book by its cover. In this case the cover is deceiving the reader.

Was visiting Roanoke for the day and decided to stop here on my way home. I wanted to build my own…read morebowl, but that was not available. I ordered the veggie lo mein special combo which came with fried rice and spring rolls. The lo mein was delicious!! However, I was really disappointed by the "fried rice". It was just yellow rice with onions. There were no veggies or eggs like usual fried rice. The spring rolls were good too. Service was quick. Dining area was empty, I was the only person there. Wasn't bad, was just disappointed by the rice, I wish I had gotten just the lo mein instead.

Excellent Espresso Martini's! 3 beans with great foam. Love there Blacken Chicken on a salad…read more.. Very fresh Salads. Highly recommend.

Nice ambience, with good food and service at reasonable prices. Half-price burgers on Wednesdays,…read moredelicious shrimp, and grits are two of my favorites

Everything we had from here was flavorful, hot & delicious! The restaurant inside is beautifully…read moredecorated, it wasn't crowded when we arrived at 5:40pm on a Monday evening. They were doing a heck of a carry out business, and know I know why. My husband had the wonton soup - he must of enjoyed them because I didn't get to try them, however that broth - oh my delicious- I finished that - easily. I had an order of the crab wontons - mostly cream cheese tasting - wish there was a bit more crab/shrimp, overall tasty. We shared our first hot pot - ribeye, carrots, peppers, stewed tomatoes served with your choice of rice - we chose the fried. Our shrimp tempura roll was yummy! Oh and we also each had a strawberry sangria although they do have other cocktails - I totally missed out on a screwdriver but the sangria was good too. Service was excellent- very nice people. Look forward to returning in the future!

After being ranked 4th among Yelp's Top 50 Most Prolific Elites of 2025, a distinction recognizing…read moremy consistent community engagement and high-quality contributions, 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 go back and write follow-up reviews on those restaurants that impressed me the most during 2025, and Cafe Asia 2, in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example of one of them. This Asian fusion restaurant in the Cave Spring area of Roanoke, is definitely one of my favorite restaurants of all times. And my first visit and review is something that I will always hold very dear. When you finish reading this review I invite you to go back and read that review and view my photographs accompanying that review, for it was a very unique dining experience that I will never forget. From the time you arrive at this restaurant the contemporary building design seems to beckon you to approach and enter. I love their unique logo design made up of letters and a number of a particular font that communicates a certain air of distinction. Once inside, you're like in another world altogether. If the outside of the building was impressive, the interior immediately captures your attention and mesmerizes you with it's beauty. When I arrived today, a very lovely and distinguished lady, dressed very elegantly, welcomed me and led me to the table of my choice. Later did I find out that she was the owner of the restaurant, and I had an opportunity of talking with her about the restaurant, its Sushi Bar, and Sushi chefs. Soon after, my friendly server, who was from Indonesia, came to introduce himself and take my order. To drink I had a Vietnamese Iced Coffee. It was served in a tall glass and tasted marvelous. As appetizer, I had the Dim Sum Platter. It contained 3 shrimp dŕhumai, 3 pork dumplings, 3 pork wasabi shumai, and 2 roasted pork buns. One of those items was extremely spicy, I had to drink water to cool down. The others tasted reasonably good. As my main entrée I had the Lobster Tail Tempura Maki. It was very colorful and tasted, and completely filled me up. My original server did an excellent job serving me the food and coming by to check on me. But then he disappeared and another server, also Indonesian came to bring me my main entrée. I think it might have been a shift change, but feel the first server should have let me know about this fact. But if the first server wad excellent, the second was amazing. He answered all the questions I had about items on the menu, and while delivering special dishes to other customers, he allowed me to photograph this food for the benefit of the readers of this review. Then, at the end, he helped me choose the dessert to have for the Grand Finale of my meal: the Banana Basket. It was amazingly delicious and had slices of bananas, kiwi, mangos, whipped cream, and strawberries. And topped with caramel and chocolate sauces. Considering its friendly and relaxing ambiance, its extensive menu with a wide range of Asian dishes, from traditional Chinese entries to a full sushi bar with raw and cooked options, and its amazing customer service, I definitely highly recommend this restaurant from my own experience. Every time I've dined there I've had an exceptional fine dining experience, and as I'm leaving I'm already looking forward to returning.