Macado's (Roanoke, VA)

Sandwiches anyone? This sandwich shop which is mostly indigenous to Virginia has three locations in town, this review comes from the better of the three (Tanglewood). The restaurant is decorated in nostalgia from around the years along with past items from Roanoke. The service is iffy and can be very annoying, but one good thing is the food is consistent. Recently portion size has increased which is always a plus in my book. The sandwich pictured above is a build your own version of the infamous Hindenburg. The Hindenburg is a sandwich that feeds four people and on Mondays you can get it half price ($8) from 4-close. This sandwich in the picture is constructed on french bread with ham, turkey, salami, provolone, lettuce, and Macado sauce (horseradish sauce). A very tasty combination for a sandwich for all you meat lovers, but for all the real men and women try eating the whole Hindenburg! I have on many occasions and you should too. The price is very reasonable, and with the service factored in, I would give them a floating eight. This means it could go up or down depending on the service. This is a must stop place in the Roanoke Valley, so what are you waiting for? GO!

Tijuana Flats (Fishers, IN)

I started out my quest for food going by the Google directions for Super New China Buffet. When I got there....nothing! There was no building nor buffet. Disgusted, I went on to another great cuisine...Mexican. Upon pulling into the strip mall, I wondered how great can this place be? No need to wonder anymore, I casually walked in and stood there. Then was assisted like an old man, because I looked confused, due to their inadequate ordering arrangements. I then placed my order at the counter and found me a seat in the small, overly decorated, dining room. Moving on to the food, the entree pictured above is the steak nachos with guacamole. The taste was that of American when I was seeking Mexican (What!?!). The only plus to this place was the salsa bar. They had every kind of salsa from low heat to super hot. Needless to say I was disappointed in the experience, and they will receive a 4 on the devouring scale. I was only kind with the number because of the salsa bar, if they didn't have that then a big 1! Sorry Tijuana Flats, next time I'll just go to Tijuana, Mexico!

Stake N' Shake (Fishers, IN)

Welcome to the Steak N' Shake population me. This was my first experience with the chain that has not graced the Roanoke Valley, and I must say it was a pleasant one. The atmosphere, for those who haven't been there, is one of a fifties diner with waitresses dressed in era attire. The service was good and attentive. The food was better than your average fast food joint.  The entree pictured is that of the Western BBQ' N Bacon Steakburger w/ Fries and Cheese Sauce. For a fast food burger it had a wonderful taste paired with the crispy onions and BBQ sauce, it made this burger a memorable experience. The fries and cheese are always a win win situation, and to top it off all that food for Five Bucks! Now what would a trip to the Steak N' Shake be without the shake? This meal was topped off with the beautiful mooness of the butterfinger shake. So creamy and sweet, it really hits the sweet tooth with a punch. Overall this was very nicely done and the devouring scale will be set at a 8 due to price, taste, and atmosphere. Next time I may have two shakes!

Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy (Roanoke, VA)

Ahh the experience of restaurant Tex-Mex cuisine. This place has it down pat with the wonderful flavors of their meals. From the free chips and fresh salsa, all the way to the delicious entrees. However the service has gone from being one of the best places to one of the worst. Over the few years that this restaurant has been open the quality of the experience has greatly changed, from having non stop attention to begging for drink. Enough on service lets talk about the food. The picture above is the chorizo stuffed chicken medallions with spinach casserole, and rice. The taste, like always, is one of the great wonders that tantalize the taste buds.The crispiness of the chicken paired with the soft spicy of the chorizo is a wonderful taste explosion. The spinach casserole is so creamy and filled with goodness, that they need to bring me a huge bowl so I can eat it like soup. The rice however was a little dry and needed that extra wow factor. On the devouring scale I would rate this as a 7 due to the good taste but steadily declining service.

Bubblecake Cupcake Shop (Roanoke, VA)

There can't be any thing better then a little piece of cake, even Marie Antoinette wouldn't disagree with that statement. Behold the glory above of what is scientifically called bubbelous cakeulous, or the gourmet cupcake from the Bubblecake Cupcake Shop. The cupcakes pictured are the Cheesecake (Left) and the Birthday Cake Chocolate (Right). Let us now do a little deconstructing which shouldn't be hard due to the deliciousness. The overall cupcake presentation is nicely done as shown in the above picture. The icing is a smooth, silky, and sweet combination to tantalize the taste buds. Now onto the cake, both cakes are similar one happens to be a yellow cake (right) and the other a vanilla (left). The cake for both is very moist and has a wonderful taste, definitely not of the box variety. On the devouring scale this would rate a 7 due to the overall yummieness of the experience. Needless to say this will be a place that will be visited more than once, twice, or even fifteen times. Located at 2123 Crystal Spring Ave, so fire up your GPS and head on down for a GREAT experience!

The Cheesecake Factory (Short Pump, VA)

When you think cheesecake you think of a wonderful dessert that makes you ponder the word yum. When you add the word factory it brings a huh to mind....what can this be? All that can be said is complete yummieness. Yes I believe this is a new and potentially great word for everyone to use. The food and atmosphere was spectacular, not to mention the service was great too. I had the privilege of eating the chicken and biscuits dish as seen on the blog picture. It was just like mom made it and in buffet style on a plate. On the devouring scale of 1 being served in a high school cafeteria and 10 being I've died and gone to heaven, it rates a solid 8. I will have to say the price is a little steep, but the portions are equivalent to pricing. Sadly I have to say there was no room for the illustrious cheesecake and I am very saddened by this, but it does give me a great excuse to go back. So look out Cheesecake Factory I will be back!