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.

The first thing that attracted me to this Shack was the graphic design of its logo. It was simple,…read moreyet very effective, to communicate what this place was all about. Yet never in my wildest dream would I have imagined that it was designed by a kid, the nephew of the owner. 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 Subshack in Salem, Virginia, is the perfect example. After arriving to this Sub Shop located in a small strip mall in the middle of nowhere, in Salem, Virginia, the friendly owner of the place, who has a wonderful personality, gave me a warm welcome and immediately, in a nutshell, told me the story of how this place came to be. Born and raised in New York and having lived for many years in North Carolina, the opportunity of opening up this business here in Salem, Virginia came up and he literally went for it. And aren't we lucky he did because it is an ingenious little Sub Shop, a product of two persons who let their imagination run wild and then worked hard to see their dream of owning a little restaurant come true. And don't be confused by its name, it simply means a small place where large Subs are made for people to savor and enjoy. Thus we have: the "SUBSHACK." This restaurant is mostly for orders To-Go, yet outdoor, in front, it has a picnic table, for customers who would enjoy eating there during the warm Seasons of the year. They bake their own Sub bread in-house daily, and also have daily Specials. Today's Special was: "BUY ANY LARGE SUB GET A FREE DRINK & CHIPS." So I ordered their large Italian Sub. The Sub bread was gigantic and their Deli meats were also quality and huge. On top of this there was a large list of ingredients you could add to the Sub. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review and see for yourselves. Besides Hot and Cold Subs, they also serve Paninis, Desserts, and Milkshakes and Smoothies. I can't wait to return and try their Cuban Panini. In conclusion I definitely recommend this Sub place as a very unique place if you're looking for good food, prepared in a welcoming and friendly environment, by a warm and kindhearted individual.

Excellent service and freshly prepared food tucked back into a small area off of Apperson. I was…read morereally impressed with their attention to detail and food quality. I will be back again. Highly recommended!

First off, any restaurant that serves up a nearly 18" sub as the LARGE is a winner to me…read more Try their turkey sub with the stuffing and cranberry sauce. It's Thanksgiving dinner on bready goodness. Very well done and anytime I have been in there, they are super courteous and provide excellent service. I've only eaten their food via takeout, so I can't say much to the ambiance to their restaurant, but it's nice and offers plenty of room inside. Their subs are superior - try them sometime!

Located in Cave Spring Corner, an open-air strip shopping mall in Cave Spring, Virginia, to my…read moresurprise, is this award-wining national franchised restaurant chain. 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 Capriotti's Sandwich Shop, is the perfect example. Capriotti's Sandwich Shop is known for its slow-roasted turkey subs, especially the "Bobbie," which was voted "The Greatest Sandwich in America" by AOL.com. The Bobbie features homemade turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and mayo on a soft roll. Capriotti's also roasts whole turkeys in-house nightly, hand-pulls the meat, and makes its own meatballs and coleslaw.  After discovering the hideout of this outstanding sandwich shop, and receiving many positive feedback from my friends that have eaten there, I drove up to the place to discover first hand one of Cave Spring's greatest secret. From the design of its outdoor sign to its interior design and decor, this sandwich shop calls attention to its focus on quality and uniqueness, and in being the best of the best. For example it uses American Wagyu Beef for its Cheese Steak Sub and Restaurant News has named this the Best Sandwich in Vegas. As soon as I entered, I was impressed by all the colorful signs with photos of their amazing sandwiches and references to the awards they have received, and how one of them even made a fan "cry while eating" it. One of their employees warmly greeted me and after I asked him, explained how was the ordering system. There was a size display sign to help you get a sense of the different sizes, and then high above there were three lit up menus of items from where to choose from. I ordered an American Wagyu Cheese Steak medium Sub, with fries, and a softdrink. After paying, I was given a paper cup to go serve myself my drink while they started preparing my order. In the meantime I walked around and documented the place with photographs and video clips to make my review more lively and real to the readers. When I was called to pick up my order. It came in an aluminum tray on top of a piece of paper. The Sub on one side cut in half anf the fries on the other side. I was first impressed by their fresh and soft bread, then by the quality of their meat and ingredients, and lastly by their fries. Their texture was crispy and light to allow you to eat them all without feeling heavily full. I immediately downloaded their app to take advantage of their reward program because for sure I knew I would return. I found out that they also offer catering and brought home a brochure about it. I highly recommend this amazing Sandwich Shop, for its friendly staff, its clean and comfortable environment, its pleasant ambiance, and last but not least, for their extraordinary sandwiches.

The turkey sub without cheese is alpha-gal friendly, and it's the only fast food I can safely eat…read more The staff here is great. They've always been really accommodating and never hesitate to make my sub at a separate station.

Had a very nice experience with Princess and Pink Hair! VERY accommodating and friendly especially…read moreduring a busy time of day! Great, fresh, customized sandwiches! Be back soon!

This was my very first time dining here, but after successfully purchasing a beautiful 2022 Lexus…read moreES 350 at Brambleton Imports, I sort of have developed an interest in many of the businesses located on Brambleton Ave. 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 Brambleton Deli in Roanoke, Virginia, is the perfect example. So today, I decided to have dinner here and try it out. Arriving a little before six, their front parking lot was already full. Luckily the parking lot continues around the side.of their building and into the back where it turns into an even larger parking lot. After parking my car in a safe spot, I walked to the front of the restaurant and entered through the front door after passing by their outdoor dining patio. There was already a long line of customers waiting to be seated. But with patience the friendly hostess got to me and brought me to one of the booths of the place. My friendly server Kelty soon arrived to greet me and take my order. To drink I ordered a Sweet Ice Tea. As an appetizer I wanted to have their Mini Corn Dogs but they were so many for one person that the server suggested I have the Kids Mini Corn Dog as appetizer and I did. For my main course I had their Pork Barbecue Platter, with Pit Cooked Pork, Cole Slaw and Onion Rings as side items. The 6 mini corn dogs were delicious, crunchy on the outside and soft in the inside, and having them made the wait shorter. The BBQ sauce came on the side. While the food was cooking my server came by to check on.me and give me a refill of Sweet Ice Tea. I asked her about where the bar was and she told me on the other side.of the restaurant and that some nights they have live music there. I figured if it was so crowded today on those nights it must really be crowded. By this time the food was ready and brought to my booth. The Pork was fresh and juicy, and after I spread the BBQ sauce over it, it was even better, the Onion Rings and Cole Slaw were also very good. And the Reese's Peanut Butter Pie was outstanding. After I paid the bill, I went for a walk to see the bar and the area where they play live music some nights. On the other side of the restaurant and next to the bar, this other dining area is more elegant and stylist in part for the quality of the furniture and lighting treatment. Can't wait to come again some night with a group of friends to listen to the live music. I definitely recommend this place as somewhere to go and spend some quality time in a relaxed environment, with good food at reasonable prices and to top it off live entertainment.

Always great food, great service and a lot of fun. Whether…read moreyou are with family or meeting friends you can count on a nice time.

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.

Sometimes in the least expected places you find the most delicious culinary treasures. This is the…read morecase of Bellacino's Pizza & Grinders, which I happened to discover while driving pass by the Old Country Plaza, in Roanoke, Virginia. 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 Bellacino's Pizza & Grinders, in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. When I saw a sign for this Italian Restaurant, there was something in me that told me I had to stop to try it. I arrived around 6:00 pm for dinner, as the gray clouds started to form. But even before I walked in, I ran into a customer walking out carrying his box of pizza and looking so happy and satisfied. So much so that I told him who I was and asked permission to take a photograph to include in my review, and he gladly obliged. Then I looked at all the signs they had on the windows and proceeded to walk in the restaurant. It had a comfortable feeling to it and you could tell that almost all the customers there were repeat customers. I saw a menu on the wall and began to study it. When it was my turn to order at the counter a very friendly and kind young lady greated me and took my order. I ordered an 8 inch Bellacino's Pride Pizza as my main entrée. It contained pepperoni, ham, sausage, mushrooms, green peppers, onion, black olives & mozzarella cheese. To drink they had Pepsi products so I had a regular Pepsi with free refills. As I waited I saw that all their employees worked closely together in teamwork. When my food was ready one of their employees brought it out to my table. That was a welcome gesture since in many pizza places you have to get up and get it. The Pizza was 8 inches, just the right size for one person. In most places they don't have this size. It looked wonderful and tasted amazingly delicious. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the quality of the food. It tasted so good. From flavor and texture of it dough to the freshness and flavor of its ingredients, and the quality of its sauce and mozzarella cheese. I enjoyed eating it so much that in the future I plan to bring a in a plastic bag some chorizo (Spanish sausage), and ask them to make me a pizza with this. In conclusion, I highly recommend this Pizza Place. For its relaxing ambiance, amazingly food, and excellent customer service, exceeding my highest expectations and providing an extraordinary dining experience. What a great pizza review to end the celebration of the National Month of the Pizza!

My wife loves this little restaurant. She loves the grinders and the pizzas. Once we're on this…read moreside of the town. We always come here. There are a lot of seats and room in the restaurant for large parties or get together family. The food is priced very reasonably considered the day and age. The service was great the staff brings it out to your table. We always have fun here.

Food was great atmosphere was awesome and staff was on point.great service and great people made…read morefor a very enjoyable time

Today, just only two weeks after opening, I discovered a very unique family-owned business by two…read morevery friendly and unique husband and wife partners. 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 shops and 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 7 Stars Lounge in West Downtown Roanoke, Virginia, is the perfect example. 7 Stars Lounge is a very unique business indeed. It's a combination of a Cigar Lounge, Bar, and Cafe. After retiring, Larry the co-owner with his wife Mini decided to open a business that embodied the things that they enjoy most in life. The husband enjoys smoking a good cigar, relaxing in a leather recliner, while watching a large screen TV or talking with friends. So originated the concept of a Cigar Lounge. In their business, this lounge is located in a separate adjacent room with leather recliners, side tables, large screen TVs, and two pool tables. Just outside of this room is a humidifier room where they have a great variety of quality cigars for sale. While other Cigar Lounges make you pay for a membership in order to enjoy the place. Here, as long as you purchase any item from the Cigar store, Bar, or Cafe. You have the right to enjoy the Cigar Lounge for free. The wife's, who is a Chinese native, and co-owner of the business, favorite food is the Chicago Hot Dog. So they decided that the Cafe specialty would center around the genuine Chicago-style Hot Dog, with autentic Vienna Beef Hot Dogs. This hot dog is inserted into a soft poppyseed bun and topped with mustard, Chicago-style relish, chopped onions, half-sliced tomatoes, a pickle spear, and a sport pepper, to give it that extra crunch and flavor. Besides this, they also have other Hot Dogs like the Chili Hot Dog, the Kraut Hot Dog, and the Original Hot Dog. As for me I like a good hot dog, so I welcome this new addition to the culinary lineup in the Star City. The menu also includes some Sandwiches, Breakfast Sandwiches, Bakery items, Salads, and authentic Fried Rice cooked by the wife. She is also planning on cooking freshly made donuts from scratch. The Bar they plan to have will only have beers (draft brews like Stella Artois and Heineken plus bottles and cans) and a selection of wines. The restaurant's space itself is a nice size and furnished with quality wood tables and chairs. They already plan to hold a group party their which will consume a selection of items from their menu. Today, I ordered two Chicago style Hot Dogs and a can of Dr Pepper to drink. And they tasted amazingly delicious. Specially the quality of the Vienna Beef franks, which is known for their signature snap, that you don't find in many other hot dog places. And the fresh and soft poppyseed buns that topped off the favor and texture of the dogs, not including the other wonderful ingredients. I'm not a smoker so one of my concerns going to eat there was if the smoke of the Cigar Lounge would reach the Cafe, and I can assure you it didn't. The door that devides the two is very tight. My other concern was the parking situation. But in front of the business they have several parking spaces for the exclusive use of their customers. I highly recommend this place for those who enjoy the different items I've written about in this review. The owners are so friendly and nice that we should give them our support. I'm looking forward to returning one morning to have breakfast there, and to trying out their homemade donuts and fried rice.

Our waitress Susan was very helpful. She came to check on us. We will be back. I like how encourage…read moreshe was

Terrible service, do NOT order especially if getting to go. The first time my entire side of fries…read morewas forgotten, this time the actual dressing for a RUEBEN SANDWICH was forgotten. Real geniuses that work there with 0 quality control. Good job management! ​

When I first heard about this place, I never gave it much thought. A chicken salad sounded so…read moresimple, yet the power of an idea of creating the best for the enjoyment of the public in an amazing ambiance, gave brilliance to this idea, and delivered. 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 this Chicken Salad Chick, located in Tanglewood Mall, in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. Founded in 2008 by Stacy and Kevin Brown in Auburn, Alabama. They turned their love for chicken salad into a thriving business. Overcoming all odds and obstacles along the way, that led to the final result: a well polished restaurant dedicated not only to serving the best chicken salad around, but also with its true purpose of spreading joy through its innovative menu items and enriching lives through the warmth of Southern Hospitality found there. From the moment I walked into the restaurant I not only was impressed by its cleanliness and amazing decor, but by its welcoming atmosphere. I was greeted by friendly smiles that made me feel right at home, providing an exceptional dining experience right from the start. The order taker at the counter was very helpful in describing the menu and showing me how to order in this my very first visit, and I can assure you won't be the last, but first of many, many, more. I ordered the BLT Chicken Salad in a Cranberry Kelli Sandwich Croissant with a Pasta Salad side, and a regular counter drink. After paying with my credit card, they gave me the receipt, a cup which I later filled with Root Beer, and a number to place on the table for one of their employees to bring me my order when ready. I invite you to view my photographs accompanying this review to get a better sense of the place and the quality of the food; for a picture is worth a thousand words. The Pasta Salad was exquisite and just the right amount. The Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwich was extraordinary. And they even included a small version of their dessert cookie. One of their employees came around to check on us to see if everything was of our liking. In conclusion, I had highly recommend this restaurant, after having an exceptional dining experience. From the very beginning my expectations of the restaurant were raised and at the end, the dining experience far exceeded the highest of expectations.

Great flavors. I try something different every time…read more Service is great, people are friendly.