Dunkin' is a survivor. Over the years it has survived all its competition. Yet its bakers have waken up early in the morning with the "Time to make the donuts" saying, and its customers have responded with "Dunkin' Donuts, its worth the trip." For years it has been the place where people would go for their morning Coffee and they kept on delivering great products at reasonable prices, until Starbucks came into the scene and became a strong competitor. But do you think they worried? They kept on delivering and today, in the busiest location of the Star City of Roanoke, Virginia (in the corner of Orange Ave and Williamson Road), they have opened their most reasant restaurant, literally right next door to Starbucks Coffee, and are positioned and prepared to show the world that "America Runs on Dunkin'." 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 new Dunkin' next to Starbucks in Roanoke, Virginia, is a perfect example. Few know that Dunkin' Donuts began as a mobile food truck business before opening its brick and mortar restaurant. It was founded by Bill Rosenberg in 1948 in Quincy, Massachusetts, and that now operates in over 40 countries and has more than 14,000 restaurants worldwide, It originally was called "OPEN Kettle" and sold premium coffee and donuts. In 1950 it was renamed "Dunkin' Donuts, for the simple reason that you dunk donuts in coffee. For years it was the place people would go for their morning Coffee until Starbucks came into the scene and became a strong competitor, but competition is what makes America Great. Today I was fortunate enough to be able to experience this important coffee moment of the Grand Opening of the Dunkin' next to Starbucks. As I entered their reasantly built restaurant, I was very impressed by the modern interior design of the building and even more by the enthusiasm of all of their employees. And their products never looked so good. Their donuts were perfectly displayed in bright new display cases, and their amazing variety of coffees and sandwiches were listed on their beautiful lit menus which included a running video of some of them. I invite you to view my photographs and video clips that accompany this review for a better sense of the place. As I reached the counter, their order taker, Sarah, greeted me with a smile and warm welcome and took my order. I ordered their $6 Meal deal. For less than what I would pay to purchase a coffee at Starbucks, I received a Medium Coffee with cream and sugar, a freshly made (not microwave heated) Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Bagel Sandwich, and a 6pc Hash Browns. I also ordered a French Cruller, and two Munchkins Skewers. Everything tasted so good and the relaxing environment helped make the dinning experience even better. I paid using a gift card that I had added to my Dunkin' app and that way I was able to get points for the Dunkin' Perks Reward Program of which I am a member. They had a table full of items from Dunkin' Rewards for customers who attended their Grand Opening to take one. Among their donuts there were some interesting Halloween ones. They also had some Cereal N' Milk Latte samples for those who wished to try one. I also was able to meet the Dunkin walking donut in person. It was an extraordinary experience. Sometimes the simple things in life are the most rewarding, and Dunkin' brings them within reach of all. read more