El Rodeo ( 460 Location Roanoke, VA)

Here is another example of a good eats Mexican restaurant in Roanoke. Located on 460 near the Burger King, it can easily be found off the motorway. Like the other Mexican restaurants in the area, there are free chips and salsa, however the salsa has a bit of heavy pepper taste. The food is reasonably priced for the portions you receive. The entree pictured above is the Guadalajara Special. It consists of (1) chicken mini chimichanga, (1) shredded beef mini chimichanga, shredded chicken and ground beef on top of tortilla chips. beans, rice, lettuce, guacamole, and sour cream. All that food on one plate and right at $10, not bad at all. The service here is for the most part well, it has its days. The best part about this place is that if you go to Kroger on 460 and make a purchase, you are more then likely to get a buy one get one free coupon on the back of the receipt. The only bad thing it is only valid Sunday-Thursday. So I bet you are wondering where this sits on the devouring scale? Well it is a 7 due to the coupon, without that it would be a 6. This isn't my absolute favorite Mexican restaurant, but it is convenient. It is worth a try, so give it a whirl.

Rancho Veijo (Daleville, VA)

Comfort food at beginning of Roanoke Rd. in Daleville couldn't get much better,that is if you consider Mexican a comfort food.This restaurant has a lot of great things working for it, free chips and salsa is one of the great perks of authentic Mexican cuisine. Needless to say it has white sauce...yes white sauce. Pictured to the far left of the dip trio, (cheese dip in the middle and salsa on the right), this sauce is a Mexican style ranch that is to die for and comes free with the chips. The cheese dip is a hearty portion and salsa always has a mild, smooth taste. The reason I enjoy coming to this restaurant is for the main dish pictured to the right. This my friends are the Tacos a la Diabla. The menu describes them as three soft tacos with grilled beef marinated in chipotle sauce served with rice, beans & pico de gallo. I describe them as yummy, yummy in my tummy. I seriously cannot get enough of these things even with the disclaimer that they are hot. I am saddened when all the tacos are gone. The beans are well prepared and the rice has a great flavor and is nine times out of ten moist. The service here is nice and friendly and the restaurant is very nicely kept. On the devouring scale they rank very high for everything experienced at a 9. If you are ever in the Daleville area and needing that Mexican fix, drop in here and you maybe asking for seconds.

Jumbo Hot Dog ( Scotts Stadium: Charlottesvile, VA)

The hot dog, one of natures oddities. Strange to the eye, great in the stomach...well in moderation. Such a great snack food I just couldn't help not knowing what these things tasted like at the stadium.I begged (pestered) my favorite father in-law into getting me one.  Most event hot dogs have the same old taste...bland. This one on the other hand had a very unique taste, plump and delicious. The dog had the taste of being soaked in a chicken broth with other dogs, giving it such a staple taste. Sadly the bun was soaked by the juice of the dog and steam from the wrapper, causing the bun to be all doughy. As an overall this frank ranks as one of the better event dogs I have partaken in and  would rank a 7 on the devouring scale. I may not be a UVA fan but,  Go UVA Hot Dogs!!!

Blue Collar Joe's (Daleville, VA)

Ah doughnuts, what a wonderful treat for the soul. Who would think that fried dough would be so delicious. If you are in the mood for a more fancy doughnut than Krispy Kreme or Dunkin' Doughnuts then this is the place. Located on 220 in Daleville, this is a well known place for local food fanatics. A wide selection of gourmet doughnut in pretty much any flavor you can think of. Pictured to the left are Reese's Pieces on a chocolate doughnut (2), Nutty Buddy (crumbled waffle cones, peanuts, and caramel) on a chocolate doughnut(2), Zebra Stripe (White and chocolate icing) on a vanilla doughnut (2), M&M's (white icing and M&M's) on a vanilla doughnut(2), Blueberry Pancake Breakfast (maple icing with bacon dust) on a blueberry doughnut(1), Chocolate Covered Creme Filled on a chocolate doughnut (1), Cinnamon covered on a vanilla doughnut (1), and French Toast (maple icing with cinnamon and sugar) on a vanilla doughnut (1). As you can see from this the varieties cam be endless and delicious. Service is always quick and friendly. On the devouring scale this place would rate a strong 9 due to variety and taste. So if you are in the mood for a tantalizing twist for your taste buds head on down 220 and look to the left, stop in and enjoy a tasty treat.