Papa Joe's Famous Meats is a small deli in Monongah known for their sausage recipe. Papa Joe’s Famous Meats, originally run by Papa Joe Manchin, debuted as a market back in 1969.



Though it looks as though they are not currently open, I was able to stop by to check it out. As an added bonus, they were a stop on the Pepperoni Roll Trail.



While I didn't get to try any of their hot prepared foods, I indulged in their pasta salad.



The classic Italian-style pasta salad featured various deli meats like salami and pepperoni, plus cheese and veggies (tomatoes, broccoli) in a simple but addictive dressing.



Grade: A

Sometimes, gas stations have some really good pepperoni rolls. The Point Convenience - Valley Point is one of those gas stations. Located in Albright, the gas station is maybe better known for its pepperoni rolls than its fuel. Why? It's a thick roll, which is moist and flavorful. There's nothing worse than getting a pepperoni roll that is all dry bread. Layers of pepperoni and hot pepper cheese. *chef's kiss* they're doing it right. Grade: A

Ellen's Homemade Ice Cream offered advent calendars for sale this year, which feature 24 different flavors of ice cream. Here's what we got: 1. Pumpkin 2. Spiced Apple 3. Oreo 4. Black Raspberry 5. Chocolate Chip 6. Pink Panther (raspberry, orange zest & black currant) 7. Orange Cream 8. Dutch Chocolate 9. Mint Chocolate Chip 10. Banana Chocolate Chip 11. Maple Oatmeal Raisin 12. Lemon ZestivALL 13. Cotton Candy 14. Raspberry Chocolate Chip 15. Vanilla 16. Blueberry 17. Brownie de Leche 18. Bubble Gum 19. Raspberry Sherbet 20. Coconut 21. Butterscotch Cream Pie 22. Sugar Cookie Crumble 23. Eggnog 24. Peppermint

The Berkeley Springs Farmers Market is a popular Sunday market in Berkeley Springs, WV, featuring local produce, baked goods, meats, crafts, and more from regional farmers and artisans. Here are some of the growers at this market:

Blue Mountain Farm – Chemical-free vegetables and greens, Cage-free eggs, Trickling Spring Creamery dairy products

Colorful Creations – Baked goods, breads, cookies, berries, some vegetables and cut flowers Faerie Springs Farm - Honey, annual and perennial vegetables

Farm of Peace - Pesticide-free locally grown plants and produce.

Glascock’s Produce – Winner of the 2011 Soil Conservation Farmer of the Year in the State of WV. Third generation farmer in business for over 20 years. Wide variety of vegetables and fruits; heirloom tomatoes, sweet corn, peaches, apples, bedding and vegetable plants, hanging baskets, potted plants, baked goods and preserves, Bar b q sauces, daiquiri mix and Bloody Mary mix

Gleason Orchard & Greenhouse – Perennials, Bedding Plants, Fall Mums, Pansies

Master’s Touch Plants & Produce – Old Fashioned and Exotic Perennials and House Plants, Flower and Heirloom vegetable transplants

Mock’s Greenhouse & Landscaping - Pesticide-free, hydroponically grown Heirloom Tomatoes, Bibb Lettuce, Basil, Watercress, Dandelion greens. Greens available year round. Tomatoes available from May-Dec. Vegetable and Flower Plants, 27 years in business, USDA GAP Certified.

Payne’s Berries – Raspberries (red, black & yellow), blackberries

Reed Farm - Fulton County, PA

Savage River

Saratoga Run Farm - Emu oil, Emu products: soap, lip balm, shampoo, facial serum, etc.

Thistle Glen Garden & Pottery - Organic grown fruit, vegetables, plants, flowers, herbs and Pottery.

Quail Hollow Farm – A wide selection of hard to find herbs, as well as many varieties of the familiar favorites. Homemade herbal soaps. I enjoyed a macaron from Cupcake Cottage, which also offers cupcakes, cookies, potato candy and more. Belle's Acres offered artisan goat milk soap, lotion and skincare products. Last, but not least, Grace's Family Farm offers pork, beef, chicken, goat & lamb.

Kashiwa Hibachi Express is a food truck in South Charleston focusing on hibachi favorites like chicken, steak or shrimp, veggies and rice or noodles.



I went the route of shrimp & scallops over noodles. Plus the veggies - because zucchini is one of my favs. The food was all good, but my main detraction is that everything becomes one soft texture. If there was a bit more of a sear, I think it would give the variance needed.



Grade: B