MOKA is a locally owned drive-thru coffee shop chain with several locations in Madison, Wisconsin, known for its quick service, creative drinks, and friendly atmosphere It offers a wide range of customizable beverages, including mochas, lattes, teas, smoothies, and seasonal specialty flavors, along with sugar-free and dairy-free options. In addition to drinks, MOKA serves breakfast burritos, sandwiches, locally sourced bakery items, and its signature MOKA Bites. I enjoyed a mango smoothie, which was suoer refreshing and a breakfast sandwich, which was pretty average. Some sauce would make a world of difference.

Grade: B

The Capitol Market Patriot Pop-Up is a new mini market that features a rotating lineup of veteran-owned and veteran-affiliated vendors from the Patriot Guardens program. Participating vendors include: Four Arrows Farm Knorrsgaard Jams Backyard Shenanigans Mama Rose's Kitchen Trillium Family Farms Tyler Creek Farm Muddy Mountain Flower Farm Black-Eyed Susie's

In this season's J.Q. Dickinson Appalachian Mercantile subscription box:

J.Q. DICKINSON SALT-WORKS
Bloody Mary Salt
Solar evaporated and hand harvested salt in the mountains of WV smoked with Applewood and mixed in house.

WILD WICK CANDLE CO.
Hand-Poured Candle
WV made! This hand-poured candle is made with natural soy wax and infused with gourmand or nature-inspired scents.

BROOKSTONE SOAPS
Body Butter
Infused with our nigari, a mineral-rich by-product of the salt-making process, for a rich & nourishing formula. Made in West Virginia.

CHOCOLATE MOONSHINE CO
Illegally Good Chocolate Covered Snacks
Tasty small batch snacks made in PA. Gluten-free and made with real ingredients.

BROWNWOOD FARMS
Bacon Ketchup w/ Bourbon
Made in Ohio, this ketchup is made with real applewood-smoked bacon and a splash of bourbon.

J.Q. DICKSINSON SALT-WORKS
Spice Blend
Our Allegheny Herb & Citrus blend is made with our salt and a high quality blend of spices. Perfect for fish, chicken, or veggies!

City Barbeque in Dayton is known for its competition-quality smoked meats served in a fast-casual setting that’s both approachable and consistent. The restaurant has a classic, laid-back BBQ joint feel—clean and welcoming, with counter service and plenty of seating. The pulled pork is tender and flavorful, while the smoked sausage has a satisfying snap and deep, smoky flavor. The soft, buttery bread is a great complement to the meats, and the green beans are seasoned well with a hint of bacon. The corn pudding is sweet, custardy, and a standout side, while the potato salad is cool and tangy with just the right amount of tang. The hushpuppies are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and make a great savory snack to round out the meal. Portions are generous, making it easy to share or take leftovers home. The variety of sauces lets you customize each bite, from sweet and tangy to bold and spicy. Have you been? Grade: B

Karen’s Kuchens is a small-batch bakery based in Larimore, North Dakota, where Karen Schwandt handcrafts German-Russian style kuchens from a family recipe.

I ordered through Goldbelly, which states: "Somewhere between a cake, pie, and custard, Kuchens came to North Dakota via Germans from Russia and are 100% better when made by a grandma."

Each kuchen features a tender, buttery yeast crust topped with a rich custard and fillings that range from classics like apple, peach, and prune to creative twists like almond crème and cotton candy. I had to try the juneberry, which was all-aroumd unique.