Big Daddy D's is a roadside hot dog spot that focuses on specialty dogs and all the kitsch.



Located along Route 33/119 at the Calhoun/Roane line, the walk-up restaurant is plastered with license plates and doling out hot dogs topped with everything from chili and slaw to "crushed up Doritos."



I ordered their famous "Audrey Dog," which is bacon-wrapped with a housemade cherry sauce and cowboy candy.



It's a bit sweet right away from the cherry sauce, which is creamy rather than jelly-like. It’s balanced by the smoky bacon and the heat from the cowboy candy — sweet, pickled jalapeños that bring a slow-building kick. You get that snap from the dog, then a mix of sticky sweer, tangy, and just enough spice to make it interesting.



Grade: B

Angaleno's Pizza is a pizza restaurant in Buffalo known for its hand-tossed pizzas, calzones and other fried apps. The hometown joint has a solid pizza. The crust has just enough chew to give it some character without feeling heavy, and each bite pulls apart with that satisfying, slightly elastic texture. It’s generously layered with cheese — melty, rich and tasty. I was a little less impressed with the fried mushrooms. It’s usually one of my go-to apps — not for the breading or even the mushroom itself, but that in-between layer where everything comes together. That’s the bite I’m after: crunchy, a little umami-packed, and honestly the best part. Here, there just wasn’t enough of it to make it hit the way it should. Grade: B

Pizza Vibes is a casual, locally owned restaurant along Route 60 in Barboursville with a focus on - you guessed it - pizza. The menu goes beyond standard pizza offerings, including calzones, wings, pasta dishes, and a few unexpected items like chicken tikka masala. I ordered the pepperoni roll, which comes stuffed with mozzarella and a side of marinara. It's a giant roll with a few slits on top that could almost be mistaken for a baguette.

It's pretty tasty, though I think Graziano's has my favorite pepperoni roll in this category (giant, meal-sized) because they are absolutely stuffed inside and golden brown outside.

I wouldn't hate a bit more crisp texture on this one, and I like mine to have a bit more filling to bread ratio. Grade: B

Buddy’s All American Bar-B-Que is a barbecue restaurant that began in Huntington around 2000 and expanded to Milton. The latter location has since shuttered. But the concept is the same - a focus on smoked meats like pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and wings, paired with sides such as mac and cheese and coleslaw.

I went for the Bootanavan (Boo-tan-a-van), which is a garlic-herb tortilla filled with ground beet, fries, tomatoes, lettuce, jalapenos, cheddar cheese and ranch dressing. This one’s messy, filling, and honestly pretty fun to eat. The garlic-herb tortilla gives it a little extra flavor, and the combo of beef and fries makes it super hearty, while the lettuce, tomato, and jalapeños keep it from feeling too heavy. The cheddar and ranch kind of melt everything together into a creamy, slightly over-the-top bite. Grade: B

Wasabi Fusion in the Fairmont/White Hall area is a casual Asian restaurant that blends Japanese, Thai, and Chinese-style dishes under one roof. It’s located in the Middletown Commons development and is known locally as a solid, affordable spot. I ordered the Holiday Roll - Shrimp Tempura, Cream Cheese, Cucumber. Toping Shrimp, Spicy mayo, Sriracha and Scallion. The Holiday Roll is definitely on the heavier side, but in a good way if that’s what you’re after. The shrimp tempura adds a nice crunch, and the cream cheese makes it really rich, while the cucumber gives it a little freshness. The spicy mayo and sriracha bring some heat, but overall it leans creamy and filling more than balanced. Grade: B