I stumbled upon Olivia's in Terra Alta recently. It's a tiny meat shop and deli on a small farm. This is not a constantly staffed spot. Rather, I made my way in to look around and after a minute or so, a gentleman who had been outside working came in to see what I needed. I was traveling, so I wasn't keen on driving around with raw meat. But, the cheese was calling my name. I took home a small slice of the smokehouse onion. Now, this isn't a housemade cheese. But, wow, was it tasty. Mildly tangy and creamy. Smoky with an almost umami finish. Grade: B

Portland Coffee is a coffee shop in Terra Alta, serving espresso drinks, drip coffee and tea, as well as baked goods, pepperoni rolls, and biscuits and gravy. The name “Portland” references Terra Alta’s original name in the late 1800s, tying the shop’s identity to the town’s early history. Its coffee is made from small-batch roasted, responsibly sourced beans, and the business donates 10% of its revenue to community and outreach organizations. I love collecting locally roasted coffees, so I picked up a bag of the 1863 to take home:

"1863 is Portland Coffee’s best blend yet! You get all the flavor of a light roast and rich color of a medium roast. This blend is comprised of beans from Nicaragua and Ethiopia and is so good that we had to name it 1863 to honor the great state of West Virginia. President Lincoln signed the bill admitting WV on March 26, 1863, and it was officially recognized as a state on June 20th of the same year. Representation of our state helped to ratify the US Constitutional amendment to legalize the emancipation of slaves." I ordered a Caramel Macchiato Latte, which is a "Luscious Latte made from a blend of creamy caramel sauce and of milk." It certainly has those lightly bitter notes of coffee, and the caramel could have been more prominent for me. This is a coffee-drinker's coffee. I did get a slice of banana bread with nuts, which satisfied my sweet tooth. This place has charm. Small town, locally roasted coffee and quality food -- a perfect community gathering space. Have you been? Grade: A

This Belle restaurant was having an identity crisis. On the outside, the sign said Las Cazuelas Mexican Restaurant. Inside, the menu said Los Habaneros Mexican Restaurant. And, now, both of those are closed and have been replaced with Guadalajara Modern Mexican, which I've not yet been to.



Some basic chips & salsa were served to the table. Simple. Serviceable.



For my entree, I ordered a "California Burrito," which I tend to think of as a giant cylinder full of ingredients. This was a flattened flour tortilla filled with grilled chicken, rice, beans and grilled vegetables. It was topped with queso and sour cream.



The dish landed more in the realm of routine than memorable. The grilled chicken was tender but lightly seasoned, blending into the rice, beans and vegetables without any one component really standing out. It was fine.



Grade: C

Demus Italian Specialty Foods is a food truck fit for a carnival with its giant lettering and multicolored bulbs. Usually, though, it is stationed in a gas station lot off Exit 125 on I79.



It started as a small neighborhood grocery store where they made their own house Italian sausage, building a loyal following for that signature flavor. Over time, the retail store closed, but the demand for the sausage never went away—so the business pivoted into a trailer/food truck operation. Now, instead of shopping for it in-store, people line up to get those same house-made sausages served hot, with peppers and sauce. Known for a coarse grind and strong seasoning, especially fennel and spices, the sausage is the star - but the steak hoagie is delicious, as well.



It's a foil-wrapped delight that's smoky, messy, and unapologetically old-school.

Grade: A

North-Central West Virginia is not wanting for wonderful Italian restaurants. So, when someone told me that Mama Di Roma in Fairmont is the best of them all, I got in my car and made a trip straight to the friendly city.



Outside, there are red, white and green stripes on the windows. Photos of the food. Lists of menu items. There's no mistaking what you're walking into. Inside, there are red vinyl tablecloths, placemats with a map of Italy, and some hanging baskets. Its decor is firmly rooted in an old-school Italian-American style, with no shortage of patriotic flair.



The menu at Mama Di Roma leans into classic Italian-American comfort, with rich red sauces, baked pastas, and plenty of pizza options. Think chicken parmesan, stuffed shells, hand-tossed pizzas, calzones, and classic starters like garlic knots and wedding soup.



The complimentary bread comes out in the form of those soft, buttery garlic rolls—warm, lightly golden, and packed with enough garlic to make them just as tempting as anything on the menu.



The wedding soup is warm and comforting, with a savory broth, tender bites throughout, and a slight richness.



I ordered the Shrimp & Crabmeat entree - Sautéed Shrimp and Crabmeat in a Creamy Garlic Sauce over Rigatoni. Plump, juicy shrimp and sweet crabmeat are coated in a creamy garlic sauce that clings to every rigatoni tube. The sauce is rich without being heavy, coating the pasta nicely and letting the seafood shine. Every bite hits that comforting, garlicky flavor you want from a dish like this.



Grade: A