Texas Roadhouse (Lynchburg, Va)

 Yummy, how couldn't you say this about the Texas Roadhouse. This place is so good, I have to drive 45 minutes out of the way just to eat here. Located off of Wards rd. in Lynchburg, it can be easily found behind the Wal-Mart. For starters you get these great yeast rolls and cinnamon butter (pictured to the left) and the best part is they are unlimited. The table has peanuts, but don't be fooled they don't want the shells on the floor because they give you another bucket to toss them in.

Now on to the main course, pictured to the right is the 12oz sirloin topped with onions and mushrooms, green beans, and a loaded sweet potato (cinnamon, sugar, butter and caramelized marshmallows). This meal is total heaven to me and no other steakhouse yet has made me feel the same. If I could I would eat here on a weekly basis, but my wonderful town lacks this great restaurant. So come on Roanoke! Get some great restaurants like this and Chili's in the valley! The devouring scale would rate this as a 10 because of fantastic food, and great service the many time and different locations I have visited this chain. So sit back, relax and enjoy a little or a lot of Texas.

Harbor Inn (Roanoke, VA)

Located in the vast wilderness of Williamson rd., Harbor Inn is a great local seafood restaurant. Who doesn't love some good seafood, and this place sure has some great options. I love fried seafood and this place keeps the grease to the minimum. Service here is usually good, and they can keep your glass full unless they are very busy. The food pictured above is a combination platter with shrimp, scallops, and oysters (all fried), and hush puppies with french fries. Everything was superb and the cole slaw on the side is priceless. The prices here are very reasonable and as you can see the portions are good as well. So looking back I will give this place a 8 on the devouring scale due to pure taste. Beware though and check the hours because you will get hit by the rush if not careful, and the wait is horrible. However, the wait is worth it if you decide to stay. So come hungry, but you will leave stuffed and calling for mommy.

Hibachi Grill and Supreme Buffet (Roanoke, Va)

The simple pleasures of eating Chinese food can be such a relief, so when this place opened I had high expectations. Boasting enormous amounts of food and choices on their fliers, this seemed to be the end all of Chinese buffets. I arrived with my tummy empty and ready to gorge. The first plate pictured above had a little of everything (spring rolls, egg rolls, generals chicken, honey chicken, and lo mien). Needless to say this was very disappointing to my taste buds. Having such high hopes they were degraded to that of a mediocre take out place. Having thought it might have been my choices, I went back for the Hibachi option. Then I came back to then table, after 25 min of standing in line, took a bite and nothing. Simply bland and all the options on the grill side where empty. My gosh if you are boasting all these great things why not keep them filled for all our enjoyment. Looking back at the whole overall experience it was horrible, had to ask multiple times for refills on my drink and still didn't get it. Also, the food was very bland and needed to be filled in a more timely basis. Luckily they had a coupon for the dinner buffet....still not enough off to make a difference. Here is the break down... pricey, bad service, and bland food. On the devouring scale they would get a big 2, I have given you fair warning so eat at your own risk.

Sal's Italian Restaurant (Roanoke, VA)

 

So how to be nice at a place that I feel is very overrated? Don't! If you open a restaurant in a strip mall, Italian, and try to make it fancy...those things don't all add up. Sal's had me wondering, but then left me with a questionable look on my face once the bill came. Pictured above is the Steak and Cheese calzone with marinara. I know what you are thinking, how can you mess that up? Well the blandness of the entire thing can. I have had better calzones at Frank's pizza and  Mac and Bob's, they OWN in comparison. The price on this thing was a little steep also, even though the picture makes it look big it is not portioned to price. The only saving grace was the canoli (not pictured), it was just what a good canoli should be. Well then where does this leave Sal's on the devouring scale? That would be a big 4! If you wanna be so fancy then step up you food game. Till never again, unless forced by some meeting or friend gathering I bid you goodbye!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8

C L Asia (Daleville, VA)

As you may know I LOVE CHINESE Food!!! So when this new restaurant opened up in the Kroger Complex I just had to taste it. Needless to say I am bias when it comes to Chinese food and I rate my tastes in comparison to the local favorite Red Palace. So lets break the chopsticks for use and get started. The picture above is that of General Tso's Chicken with broccoli and fried rice. The sauce is superb with just the right heat and sweetness, the chicken was lightly fried and not crispy. I like the way that the chicken was prepared. The broccoli and fried rice are exactly what you would expect taste wise from a good Chinese restaurant. Now the break down, does it compare with the Red Palace....Yes! Everything about this place is similar if not better then the Red Palace. A little slice of greatness within the Daleville community. On the devouring scale this would top the charts at a 9. Yes a 9, due to great hospitality and great food. No need to bring your personal chopsticks, come on down and try the great cuisine going on here.

Viva La Cupcake (Roanoke, Va)

So there is a new place in town that wants to take a piece of the cupcake action. Needless to say the competition has been well established, so taking a bite out of them will be tough. Even thought I love the taste of the Bubblecake, I had to remain objective while tasting. Pictured above are Cookies and Creme (Left) and Dreamsicle (Right). Both were moist but sadly tasted like boxed cake, but the icing was where it was at. The dreamsicle icing tasted just like the ice cream, but the cookies and creme icing tasted similar to Duncan Hines. If you are looking for a cupcake fix, this place will do. However for the real deal it is worth the drive out of the way to Bubblecake. On the devouring scale this would rate a 5, just OK with a big sad face.

Peking Restaurant (Williamsburg, VA)

  Authentic Chinese cuisine can be a dime a dozen in

most places, but finding that gem in the rough can be a daunting task. Many place have usually one thing that they are good for, when I go to a new Chinese restaurant I try to find that staple dish and compare it to some of the other great experiences and food I've eaten. So when searching the vast amounts of travel brochures, I came upon the Peking Restaurant which was ranked best in Williamsburg 19 years running. So with that reputation I just had to try this place out. Located near the K-mart off Bypass Rd., it can be tricky to get to so check your maps.  Needless to say I was not disappointed, there was a wide selection and variety. Everything from Mongolian BBQ (pictured first), all the way to General Tso's. You just couldn't go wrong here. I mean when you find McDonald's chicken nuggets on a all-you-can-eat buffet, then what else could be better. The food all tasted great and similar to my favorite Chinese restaurant in Roanoke, and that is saying a lot in my book. The service was very nice and attentive, and the decor was tasteful. On the devouring scale this would rank an 8, but I'm sure if I would have come during dinner it would have been a 9. There is no wonder this place was busy and has been the best for 19 years running. So let me read your fortune cookie to you....you will come and visit, and enjoy a great meal.

Chanello's Pizza (Williamsburg, VA)

Pizza, get your pizza here! Delicious pizza is another hard to find  food around the country. Many restaurant's have claimed to have the best pizza only to have the disappointing reality of not being that good.So going on a limb here my wife and I tried Chanello's in Williamsburg, VA. Located off of Richmond rd. near Chipolte, it is easily found. A small place that smelled of great pizza, and once seeing the menu I knew exactly what to order. Behold the Big Boy, a 20" hand tossed masterpiece forged from the pizza gods. Topped with pepperoni to keep it simple and analyze the taste, this pizza was huge. The taste was that of one great pizza, and what a pizza. The crust was slightly sweet and perfect, sauce was right on target and not spicy,and pepperoni was that of good quality. All this packed into the Big Boy box which has a team lift caution on the side, what more can you ask for? The service was very friendly and wait time for this monster was only 12 min. The price was fitting and slices were the size of shih tzus. After writing this it makes me want another, but sadly there are none in Roanoke. So if you are in the mood for a good pie in ye olde Williamsburg, drop in and behold the wonderment of the Big Boy.

Plaza Azteca (Williamsburg, VA)

Sometimes it is hard to come by a truly great Mexican restaurant, but this place is nicely done. While in Willimsburg Virginia, my wife and I stumbled upon this place when looking for an early dinner. Located on High St. off of Richmond Rd., you can smell the food from the road. Like the many other Mexican restaurants I have eaten at there are complimentary chips, salsa, and white sauce. All have a wonderful taste and not too spicy. The main dish pictured below is Pollo Azteca, a dish with chicken  covered in cheese dip, spinach, onions, and mushrooms. Paired with rice and refried beans this dish is to die for. Taste wise everything was perfect, and the real rave of this dish is the beans. They had a taste that is indescribable, so much you should just go and eat them to taste all the deliciousness. The food was beautifully plated and the service was immaculate. The inside of the restaurant was tastefully decorated and felt like a true Mexican hacienda. Ranking a 9 on the devouring scale, this is a no pass up place if you are in Williamsburg. So strap on your revolutionary garb and grub in this wonderful Williamsburg establishment.

Chili's (Williamsburg, VA)

Yummy... Chili's, of the major food chains this is always a staple of good food no matter where you go (except Staunton, VA). Usually when out of town I try to visit this place because it has no signs of life in the Roanoke Valley. A great starter is the bottomless chips and salsa with a big cup of ranch, this can be a meal in itself. A great entree would be the one pictured above. The honey chipolte chicken crispers, fries, and ear of buttery corn make the taste buds scream with joy. You cannot go wrong with that combination of appetizer and meal, never! The service was decent even due to the fact we came in just before closing time. Chili's always ranks high in my book and on the devouring scale as well. Coming in at a 8 on the devouring scale it is definitely a place to check out if you have never been. As for me, you might see me there when you do come because this is one place I love to grub on...except in Staunton.