Best Burger
FARMER’S DAUGHTER
The folks at this Capon Bridge favorite don’t just sell top-quality meat. They will cook it for you, too. The Farmer’s Daughter’s House Burger isn’t the fanciest sandwich—it’s topped with American cheese, pickled red onion, lettuce, and mayonnaise—but those minimalistic accoutrements only serve to highlight the star of this sandwich: juicy, dry-aged ground beef. Get yours Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 2908 Northwestern Pike, Capon Bridge, 304.856.2550, farmersdaughterwv.com, @farmersdaughterwv on Facebook
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WHISTLE PUNK GRILL & TAPHOUSE
35 East Main Street, Richwood, 304.846.2020, @whistle.punk.richwood on Facebook
TAILPIPES
417 High Street, Morgantown, 304.225.2535, tailpipesburgers.com
Italian Restaurant
MURIALE’S ITALIAN KITCHEN
This Fairmont institution is exactly what you want in an Italian restaurant: It’s cozy, the staff is friendly and attentive, there’s a great wine list, and the red sauce is out of this world. Be sure to try the lasagna and meatballs, which are both served under ladles of Muriale’s signature sauce. But no matter what you pick, it’s going to be delicious. There’s a reason Best of West Virginia voters have picked Muriale’s as the state’s best Italian restaurant six years running. 1742 Fairmont Avenue, Fairmont, 304.363.3190; murialesrestaurant.com, @muriales on Facebook
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OLIVERIO’S RISTORANTE
507 East Main Street, Bridgeport, 304.842.7388, oliveriosristorante.com, @oliverios on Facebook
ROCCO’S RISTORANTE
252 Main Street, Ceredo, 304.453.3000, roccosristorante.com
BBQ Joint
DEM 2 BROTHERS
This barbecue joint literally started with two brothers and a grill, set up on a street corner on Charleston’s West Side. It wasn’t long before diners were lining up around the block to get a taste of owner Adrian Wright’s ribs, pulled pork, chicken, and brisket. Although Dem 2 Brothers has since outgrown one brick-and-mortar location, moved into a second, opened a satellite restaurant in eastern Kanawha County, and launched two food trucks, the barbecue remains just as good as in those humble early days. 423 Virginia Street West, Charleston, 304.400.4977, dem2brosgrill.com, @dem2brothers on Facebook
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HICKORY HOUSE
1137 U.S. Highway 19 North, Jane Lew, 304.269.7373, hickoryhousewv.com, @hickoryhousewv on Facebook
TRAIL 12 BBQ
703 Twin Hollow Branch Road, Gilbert, 304.664.5050, twinhollowcampground.com, @trail12bbq on Facebook
Appalachian Cuisine
BLUEGRASS KITCHEN
Since opening in 2005, this Charleston eatery and its “elevated comfort food” have become staples of the Capital City’s dining scene. The menu is built around Appalachian tradition but eschews the chicken-fried cliches. Instead, Bluegrass serves up entrees made with fresh, local ingredients—the way our Appalachian great-grandparents actually ate. 1600 Washington Street E, Charleston, 304.346.2871, bluegrasswv.com, @bluegrasskitchen on Facebook
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CAFE CIMINO COUNTRY INN
616 Main Street, Sutton, 304.765.2913, cafeciminocountryinn.com, @cafeciminocountryinn on Facebook
THYME BISTRO
125 Main Avenue, Weston, 304.269.7177, @thymebistro on Facebook
Hot Dog
RITZY LUNCH
This Clarksburg institution has been dishing out “the best darn dogs around” for more than 80 years, served just the way folks in this part of the state like them—with onions, mustard, and a slightly spicy chili sauce. It’ll only take one bite to discover why the website Epicurious once named Ritzy’s dogs to its list of “10 best hotdogs in America.” 456 West Pike Street, Clarksburg, 304.622.3600, ritzylunchwv.net
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FROSTOP
1449 Hal Greer Boulevard, Huntington, 304.523.6851, frostopdriveinn.mapforfood.com, “Frostop Drive-In” on Facebook
HILLBILLY HOT DOGS
6951 Ohio River Road, Lesage, 304.762.2458, hillbillyhotdogs.com, @hillbillyhotdogs on Facebook
Brunch
IRON HORSE
This Morgantown favorite has the most popular brunch in town, thanks to a menu of innovative spins on breakfast favorites. Try the Cap’n Crunch French Toast or the Eggs Benedict, available three ways: traditional, vegetarian, and “Colonel Eggs Benedict” with two fried eggs, fried chicken fritters, and ham on buttermilk biscuits, smothered with jalapeno gravy. Iron Horse also offers bottomless mimosas and sangrias. It’s easy to see why readers of our sister publication Morgantown magazine consistently choose Iron Horse for Best Brunch in Best of Morgantown. 140 High Street, Morgantown, 304.296.6230, ironhorsetvrn.com @ironhorsetvrn on Facebook
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BLACK SHEEP BURRITOS AND BREWS
702 Quarrier Street, Charleston, 304.343.2739; 279 9th Street, Huntington, 304.523.1555; blacksheepwv.com, @blacksheepwv and @blacksheepcharleston on Facebook
SAM’S UPTOWN CAFE
28 Capitol Street, Charleston, 304.346.6222, samsuptowncafewv.com, @samsuptowncafe on Facebook
Fine Dining
CAFE CIMINO COUNTRY INN
This Braxton County gem has dominated the fine dining category every year, and there’s a good reason for that. Cafe Cimino began in a Sutton storefront but in 2007 moved to a renovated Colonial Revival mansion overlooking the Elk River. Make a reservation for lunch, and you’ll be treated to a variety of soups, salads, gourmet sandwiches, and brick oven pizzas. But Cafe Cimino’s white tablecloth dinners are where Chef Oscar Aguilar’s talents really shine. There’s no bad choice to be made here, but be sure to check out the Shellfish Pescatore: a platter of calamari, clams, mussels, scallops, and shrimp in a white wine and tomato seafood broth. 616 Main Street, Sutton, 304.765.2913, cafeciminocountryinn.com, @cafeciminocountryinn on Facebook
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LAURY’S
350 MacCorkle Avenue SE, Charleston, 304.343.0055, laurysrestaurant.com, @laurysrestaurantwv on Facebook
WONDER BAR STEAKHOUSE FARM
1012 Wonder Bar Road, Clarksburg, 304.622.1451, wonderbarsteakhouse.com, @thewonderbarsteakhouse on Facebook
Ice Cream
ELLEN’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM
Opened in 1997, this Capitol Street institution is a favorite hangout for Charlestonians of all ages. Whether you prefer classic vanilla or something a bit more extravagant—like raspberry chocolate chip—Ellen’s has a lengthy menu of all-natural ice creams, sorbets, and gelatos. Standards include vanilla, dutch chocolate, strawberry, and coffee, as well as gourmet flavors like Raspberry Chocolate Chip, Mocha Almond, and our favorite, Espresso Oreo. 225 Capitol Street, Charleston, 304.343.6488, ellensicecream.com, @ellenshomemadeicecream on Facebook
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AUSTIN’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM
1103 C Street, Kenova, 304.453.2071, @austinsicecream on Facebook
TONI’S ICE CREAM
1700 West Pike Street, Clarksburg, 304.622.3865, @tonisicecream on Facebook
Maple Syrup
FROSTMORE FARM
Talk about a throwback—this Pocahontas County farm sells its syrup through a roadside stand on the honor system. Owners Adam and Rachel Taylor also attend several fairs and festivals around West Virginia each year, where they sell bottles of syrup alongside maple cream, candy, maple coated nuts, maple cotton candy, and a maple balsamic vinaigrette. You can also order online. 14141 Frost Road, Dunmore, 304.456.4331, frostmorefarm.com
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RICHTER MAPLEHOUSE
3115 Hicks Ridge Road, Pickens, 304.924.5404, treewater.com
CEDAR RUN FARM
2032 Point Lookout Road, Friendly, 304.684.7936, cedarrunfarm.com, @cedarrunfarm on Facebook
Donut
THE DONUT SHOP
The Donut Shop opened in 1977 as a Mister Donut franchise. But owner Richard Comegy parted ways with the chain a few years later and proved he could make it on his own. Four decades later, the shop offers more than 50 varieties of donuts, all baked fresh daily. Flavors include black raspberry, blueberry cake, chocolate-glazed, coconut, Dutch apple, honey-dipped, maple, pineapple cream, and vanilla. 51 North Locust Street, Buckhannon, 304.472.9328, @thedonutshopbuckhannon on Facebook
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JR’s DONUT CASTLE
3318 Emerson Avenue, Parkersburg, 304.428.9097, jrsdonutcastle.com, @jrsdonutcastle on Facebook
QUALITY BAKE SHOPPE
1004 2nd Street, Moundsville, 304.845.3452, @qualitybakeshoppe on Facebook
Butcher Shop
FARMER’S DAUGHTER
This charming little shop off Route 50 in Capon Bridge, owned by husband and wife Pete and Kate Pacelli, offers fresh-cut steaks from sides of beef purchased from Mineral County farmers and fresh pork, chicken, and lamb from Hampshire County, as well as fresh-ground sausages and locally cured bacon. This local approach was inspired by Pete’s time in the robust food scenes of Asheville, North Carolina, and Portland, Oregon. In addition to the butcher counter, the shop also offers produce, breads, coffee, wines and beer, and daily sandwiches and specials. 2908 Northwestern Pike, Capon Bridge, 304.856.2550, farmersdaughterwv.com, @farmersdaughterwv on Facebook
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JOHNNIE’S FRESH MEAT MARKET
800 Smith Street, Charleston, 304.342.0224, johnniesmeats.com, @johnniesfreshmeatmarket on Facebook
MAPLE VALLEY MEAT MARKET
2600 East Main Street, Bridgeport, 304.842.9202, @maplevalleymeatmarket on Facebook
Farm-To-Table
FISH HAWK MARKET
Finding fresh ingredients is always a challenge for restaurants with a farm-to-table ethos. But it’s a little easier for chef Dale Hawkins, since he owns both the farm and the table: the 40-acre co-op Fish Hawk Acres as well as Fish Hawk Acres Market in downtown Buckhannon. This specialty market and cafe offers fresh produce from local growers, unique cheeses, and a case full of delectable baked goods as well as scratch-made soups, salads, and sandwiches, plus daily dinner specials. 5 West Main Street, Buckhannon, 304.473.7741, fishhawkacreswv.com, @fishhawkacreswv on Facebook
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CAFE CIMINO COUNTRY INN
616 Main Street, Sutton 304.765.2913, cafeciminocountryinn.com, @cafeciminocountryinn on Facebook
BLUEGRASS KITCHEN
1600 Washington Street E, Charleston, 304.346.2871, bluegrasswv.com, @bluegrasskitchen on Facebook
Pizza
PIES & PINTS
Pies & Pints now boasts 15 locations in six states, each of which features a big selection of craft brews and pizzas you won’t find anywhere else. Our favorite is the Cuban Pork pie, which features slow-roasted pulled pork, caramelized onions, fresh pineapple, jalapenos, feta, cilantro, and crème fraîche. Each of the restaurants has the same commitment to fresh ingredients and friendly service, but there’s still nothing like the vibe of the original restaurant in Fayetteville. 219 West Maple Avenue, Fayetteville, 304.574.2200, piesandpints.net, @piesandpints on Facebook
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LOLA’S
1038 Bridge Road, Charleston, 304.343.5652, lolaswv.com, @lolaswv on Facebook
PIZZA AL’S
Morgantown: 2952 University Avenue, Morgantown, 304.599.4040; 1407 Earl Core Road, 304.225.2222; University Town Centre, 304.599.9555; pizzaals.com
Sandwich
SECRET SANDWICH SOCIETY
History buffs will appreciate this Fayetteville favorite’s creative menu: Salads are named after former First Ladies, burgers are named for Secret Service code names, and the sandwiches are named for former U.S. presidents. The sandwich dedicated to President Herbert Hoover—who once promised a “chicken in every pot”—is a fried chicken cutlet topped with honey butter, pickles, and greens. The Kennedy contains roasted pork loin, ham, pickles, Swiss cheese, roasted garlic mayo, and mustard. At any other restaurant, the dish would probably be called a Cuban sandwich. 103 Keller Avenue, Fayetteville, 304.574.4777, secretsandwichsociety.com, @secretsandwichsocietywv on Facebook
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FARMER’S DAUGHTER
2908 Northwestern Pike, Capon Bridge, 304.856.2550, farmersdaughterwv.com, @farmersdaughterwv on Facebook
THYME BISTRO
125 Main Avenue, Weston, 304.269.7177, @thymebistro on Facebook
Chef
OSCAR AGUILAR, TIM URBANIC, & ELI URBANIC
You’ve heard the old saw about “too many cooks in the kitchen.” But that’s not true at Cafe Cimino Country Inn in Sutton. There, you’ll find co-founder and chef de cuisine Tim Urbanic, executive chef Eli Urbanic, and chef Oscar Aguilar all sharing the same space, cranking out gourmet Appalachian twists on Mediterranean cuisine. 616 Main Street, Sutton, 304.765.2913, cafeciminocountryinn.com, @cafeciminocountryinn on Facebook
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DALE HAWKINS
5 West Main Street, Buckhannon, 304.473.7741, fishhawkacreswv.com, @fishhawkacreswv on Facebook
MATT WELSCH
1201 Market Street, Wheeling, 304.905.6173, thevagabondkitchen.com, @thevagabondkitchen on Facebook
Pepperoni Roll
TOMARO’S BAKERY
The oldest Italian bakery in the state, Tomaro’s Bakery has operated in Clarksburg for more than 100 years and was also an early manufacturer of pepperoni rolls. Its secret-ingredient recipe has never changed—it still features crusty Italian dough and sticks of pepperoni. Tomaro’s has started producing mini pepperoni rolls, though: bite-sized rolls with single sticks of pepperoni inside, perfect for hors d’oeuvres or tailgating. 411 North 4th Street, Clarksburg, 304.622.0691, tomarosbakery.com, @tomarosbakery on Facebook
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COUNTRY CLUB BAKERY
1211 Country Club Road, Fairmont, 304.363.5690, countryclubbakery.net, @countryclubbakery on Facebook
D’ANNUNZIO’S
1970 Williams Avenue, Clarksburg, 304.622.3492
Drive-In
KING TUT DRIVE-IN
The service at King Tut is fit for a pharaoh. The restaurant, which opened in the 1940s, serves up traditional drive-in fare—hotdogs, burgers, fries, and onion rings—as well as soups, salads, hearty dinner entrees including fried fish and chicken plates, giant hoagies, pizzas, homemade pies, and more. If you’re still not satisfied, the hand-spun milkshakes will transport you back to the days of poodle skirts and sock hops. 301 North Eisenhower Drive, Beckley, 304.252.6353, kingtutdrivein.com
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JIM’S DRIVE-IN
479 West Washington Street, Lewisburg, 304.645.2590, @jimsdrivein on Facebook
FROSTOP DRIVE-IN
1449 Hal Greer Boulevard, Huntington, 304.523.6851, frostopdriveinn.mapforfood.com, “Frostop Drive-In” on Facebook
Brewery
BIG TIMBER BREWING COMPANY
This Elkins-based brewery opened in 2014 and has quickly earned a reputation as a heavy hitter in the craft brew scene. Big Timber has developed a robust standard menu—try the Porter, an easy-drinking brew with notes of chocolate and coffee, or the cleverly named Logger Lager, a crisp and dry pilsner—as well as seasonal offerings like the Frost Notch, a smokey, malty beer that’s perfect for holiday parties. 1210 South Davis Avenue, Elkins, 304.637.5008, bigtimberbrewing.com, @bigtimberbrewing on Facebook
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BRIDGE BREW WORKS
335 Nick Rahall Greenway, Fayetteville, bridgebrewworks.com, @bridgebrewworks on Facebook
MOUNTAIN STATE BREWING CO.
1 Nelson Boulevard, Thomas, 304.463.4500, mountainstatebrewing.com, @mountainstatebrewing on Facebook
Coffee House
TIPTOP COFFEE AND COCKTAILS
TipTop is the place to go for espresso drinks, wine, cocktails made with small-batch spirits, smoothies, and specialty coffees from around the world. Stop by on Friday for Burger Night or Sunday morning for brunch—complete with a Bloody Mary bar. 216 East Avenue, Thomas, 304.463.4455, tiptopthomas.com, @tiptopthomas on Facebook
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STONE TOWER BREWS
5 East Main Street, Buckhannon, 304.306.9586, stonetowerbrews.com, @stonetowerbrewsbuckhannon on Facebook
THE RIVER HOUSE
24 Rickie Davy Lane, Capon Bridge, 304.856.2440, theriverhousewv.org, @theriverhousewv on Facebook
Distillery
SMOOTH AMBLER SPIRITS
Started by TAG Galyean and John Little in Greenbrier County in 2009, Smooth Ambler Spirits and its line of “patiently crafted Appalachian spirits” quickly drew kudos—including “Best Single Barrel Bourbon in the World” for Old Scout Single Barrel Bourbon at Whisky Magazine’s 2016 World Whiskies Awards. Smooth Ambler makes its gins, vodkas, rums, and whiskeys using regionally sourced ingredients. It’s a Mountain State commodity that can be enjoyed around the world, specifically in 35 states and eight overseas markets. 745 Industrial Park Road, Maxwelton, 304.497.3123, smoothambler.com, @smoothambler on Facebook
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HATFIELD & McCOY MOONSHINE
297 James Avenue, Gilbert, 304.664.2821, drinkofthedevilmoonshine.com, @hatfieldmccoymoonshine on Facebook
BLOOMERY DISTILLERY
304.725.3036, bloomerysweetshine.com, @bloomerydistillery on Facebook
Cidery
HAWK KNOB APPALACHIAN HARD CIDER AND MEAD
Josh Bennett and Will Lewis are bringing authentic, old-school cider to a tap near you. Their cidery presses, blends, and ferments locally grown apples—including many old-school heritage varieties you won’t find in the produce aisle—to create several varieties of hard cider. The Barrel Heritage Dry Hard Cider is even aged in bourbon barrels for an added kick. Look for these products at your favorite wine shop and on tap at your favorite watering hole, or visit the cidery on your next trip through Lewisburg. 2245 Blue Sulphur Pike, Lewisburg, 304.651.4413, hawkknob.com, @hawkknob on Facebook
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SWILLED DOG HARD CIDER
639 Elm Street, Franklin, 304.358.0604, swilleddog.com, @swilleddog on Facebook
Winery
LAMBERT’S WINERY
Jim and Debbie Lambert didn’t intend to start making wine when they planted the grapevines at their Weston home—they just liked the way the vines looked. It wasn’t long before Jim began pressing the grapes and, in 1992, the family established Lambert’s Winery. The vineyard now boasts nine acres of vines. The Lamberts purchase grapes from other growers, too, but still do all their own crushing to create a long list of white, red, and blush wines. You can get a taste at their scenic tasting room, or order online and have the bottles shipped straight to your door. 190 Vineyard Drive, Weston, 304.269.4903, lambertswinery.com, @lambertsvintagewine on Facebook
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KIRKWOOD WINERY
45 Winery Lane, Summersville, 888.498.9463, kirkwood-wine.com, @kirkwoodwinerywv on Facebook
FORKS OF CHEAT WINERY
2811 Stewartstown Road, Morgantown, 304.598.2019, wvwines.com, @forksofcheatwinery on Facebook
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