I try to hit up all the Sam's Hot Dogs locations as they pop up. Pleasant Valley was the latest addition to that list. Set in a gas station - as most are - this Sam's stand was one of the smaller ones. They weren't busy and seemed to share just the one employee in the whole store. I ordered a single hot dog with everything, but they did not have slaw or onions. So, it just ended up being a chili dog with mustard. This was a bit sad. I did notice a new pepperoni roll here: Lola & Mila's Pepperoni Rolls in provolone and hot pepper cheese. Anyone know where these came from? Can't find much about them! Grade: C

Brookse's Bar & Grill in Winfield that features live music, line dancing and karaoke.



The interior had some generic chairs and tables, but also had a couple huge comfy, wooden chairs and tables that we chose.



The menu features typical bar and Grill fair: wings, sandwiches and burgers.



I ordered the Italian club, which came with smoked ham, pepperoni, provolone, banana peppers, lettuce, tomato, onions, and a side of Italian dressing. This was pretty average. I do like a good Italian sub, but I thought there could've been more filling in this one.



I also ordered the hot pepper cheese balls, which I will always get when offered. These were a bit over-fried, which makes the cheese kind of seep out a bit, so they're not super full inside.



Grade: C

Eatery A is the go-to destination in Iowa's capital city for Mediterranean cuisine with hints of Spain, Morocco, Egypt and Italy.

"Our culinary experts blend old-world and contemporary cuisine, serving dishes like bacon-wrapped dates with red pepper coulis, octopus with kale pesto and crispy leeks, and house marinated olives. Enjoy craft beer at our bar, as well as cocktails made with local spirits and eastern flavors—pomegranate, basil, mint and ginger," reads the website.



Eatery A is decorated with reclaimed wood. The centerpiece of the kitchen is a wood-burning oven, which perfects fresh pies.
I ordered the Shrimp & Grits - house hot sauce, charred onion grits, scallions, feta, plus a side of fruit.



I thought this dish was OK. The chart bits didn't necessarily appeal to me and made it difficult to eat. I would've loved some more acid inside the dish. But that's why I got a side of fruit.



Grade: B

Elkview Supermarket is the local grocer in Elkview, and they're known for some of their deli items.



To start, the deli has a seating area. So, once you get your goodies, you can dine in.



The supermarket offers homemade potato salads, pepperoni rolls and other pre-made goodies on the shelves, but the real star is the main deli counter.



That menu includes their signature potato wedges - or hillbilly taters. Plus other dinners, like chicken and pulled pork.



First up was breakfast biscuits. There were a handful of sausage and chicken biscuits, so I snagged one of each.



Both of these were OK. I enjoyed the sausage enough, but it ate a bit dry. The chicken wasn't the best quality so the texture was off.



I did also get a pulled pork sandwich with the famous hillbilly tater.



This I enjoyed a good bit more. It was a huge sandwich with a nice sweet, tangy flavor. And the slaw added a nice touch.



The potato wedges - or what I'd call jojo potatoes. A little crispy, a lotta potato.



What's your favorite thing here?

Grade: B

One of West Virginia's most iconic restaurants has reopened.



Secret Sandwich Society, located in Fayetteville, experienced a devastating fire several years ago that required rebuilding from the ground up. And now, they're back and better than ever.



Known for their creative takes on sandwiches and salads named after presidents and first ladies, Secret Sandwich Society has increased its space inside and outside to accommodate even more folks. It's a pretty popular place, so that is welcome news.



While this is my first visit to the restaurant since it has rebuilt, I had been to the previous restaurant many times. So, I have a good idea of some of my favorites on the menu. Though, truly, you can't go wrong.



I ordered the TRUMAN - turkey, peach jam, blue cheese spread & crispy onions on a toasted potato roll. The turkey was tender and flavorful, perfectly balanced by the unexpected sweetness of the peach jam. That little hit of fruitiness played so well with the blue cheese spread, which added a tangy, creamy bite without overpowering. And let’s talk about those crispy onions - they brought the perfect crunch and just the right amount of savory to round everything out. All of it came together on a potato roll that was soft yet sturdy enough to hold up to the layers of flavor. It’s sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy all in one bite - definitely not your average turkey sandwich. I’d order it again in a heartbeat.



Plus a side of parmesan truffle fries with a trio of dipping sauces: Roasted Garlic Mayo, Homemade spiced Ketchup and some pimento cheese for good measure. The roasted garlic mayo was rich and velvety with a mellow garlicky kick, the homemade spiced ketchup had just the right amount of heat and sweetness, and the pimento cheese - as always - was creamy, tangy, and totally perfect. If you’re a fry lover, this is the kind of side that makes the meal.



If you haven't been, what are you waiting for?



Grade: A