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.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (Roanoke, VA)

Who doesn't love a good burger every now and then? I do mean a good burger, not Hardee's or McDonald's. So the title of gourmet burgers can be a good bet for what you are hankering for. Located on the outside of glorious Valley View Mall, Red Robin has a variety of burgers and fixes for any appetite. Behold the first appetizer of the fried jalapeno coins w/ ranch. I am a man of heat, so having the fried goodness of fresh jalapenos was right on target. The

second appetizer is the Chili Chili con Queso, a delightful mix of queso cheese and chili w/ tortilla chips. The taste is more of chili and not of cheese a bit disappointing since there is more cheese. Now on to the main dish. the Pub Burger (Ale-braised onions and mushrooms, creamy peppercorn-ranch, melted Cheddar and Swiss cheese, on a toasty onion bun). This burger was tasty, but did have a bland taste. Other burgers that I have had here have a better taste for the patty, but this one seemed to be lacking. The best part about this was that bottomless fries. thought I only ate one round of fries it is nice to have the option.
The service was OK and friendly for it to be New Years Eve. So on the devouring scale, the Red Robin gets a 7. Need to work on the taste of the patties though to truly make this gourmet. So for a decent burger at a good price, then this is the place for you.

Outback Steakhouse (Roanoke, VA)

Yes another steakhouse chain has arrived on this food blog and the reviews  may or may not be what you are expecting. The Outback Steakhouse, located on 220 south, has the usual feel of all Outback's. From the overly priced menu, long and monotonous waits, and most of the time horrible service. So on the chance that you do get in to the place in under an hour, be ready to wait for your drink and beg for the free bread. So when I finally got the meal pictured above (8oz sirloin, lobster tails, and sweet potato) I was so hungry that i wasn't. The food was well prepared but can i get a refill on my tea here?! So lets break this down wait, wait, wait, good food, wait on check. On the devouring scale this restaurant rates a 5 due to food alone, service and wait is a 2. If you are just dying to eat here then go ahead just be warned you may have to wait.

Jersey Lily's (Roanoke, VA)

 

Steakhouses, a good one is hard to come by, but this one is a good option if you are in the mood. Located on 460 near the bicycle shop, this place brings a sense of Texas to the Roanoke Valley. The food selection is what you can typically find in a steakhouse, but with their own twist. Start off with a cool drink and free rolls w/ butter, who doesn't love rolls. The meal pictured above is the chicken tenders dinner with fries, cole slaw, and honey mustard. A fried food paradise, the chicken and fries are greasy but worth it. the cole slaw can vary from being sweet to sour depending on how it is made. Service here can be iffy and slow, but it also has a good side. On the devouring scale it would come in at a 7, but can fall to a 6 with food quality and service. It is worth a try for once, and if you like the experience try it again.

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!!!