Tapatío Grill & Cantina is a Mexican restaurant in Elkview that opened in 2024. It is a family-owned spot inspired by the flavors of Jalisco, Mexico, and run by a husband-and-wife team with decades of restaurant experience. Atmosphere-wise, it’s casual and welcoming, with a cantina-style vibe, friendly service and generous portions. Of course, you can enjoy a sit-down meal, buy I chose takeout because I was on the go. I started with corn riblets, which is corn on the cob, cut into rib-like strips, cooked until slightly crispy and curled, and eaten like ribs. These are topped with mayo or crema, lime juice, chili powder or Tajín, cotija cheese, and cilantro. A little messy, a lot tasty. Arroz Trio is a solid, filling dish with steak, chicken, and shrimp over rice, all covered in cheese dip. The meats are cooked well enough and give you a mix of textures, while the cheese adds a creamy, salty layer over everything. It’s not anything fancy, but it’s satisfying and does the job if you’re hungry. Grade: B

Home Slice Pizza in Terra Alta is a small, local pizzeria right along East State Avenue, operating as a casual, no-frills spot focused on straightforward, affordable pizza. Inside, it’s low-key and functional rather than designed — more of a small-town pizza counter feel than a sit-down restaurant. The menu centers on build-your-own and specialty pizzas, along with calzones, hot and cold subs, and basic sides like breadsticks and mozzarella sticks. You’ll also find a few salads, simple desserts, and standard drinks. I ordered a small pizza with mushrooms. The cheese pizza leaned into a pleasantly chewy crust, offering just enough resistance to give each bite some substance without feeling dense. The mushrooms added an earthy depth that balanced the richness of the melted cheese. It was a simple combination that delivered on texture as much as flavor. Have you been? Grade: B

Tucked along Aurora Pike in Preston County, The Carriage House Bakery & Foods is small bakery and café is a relatively new addition to the area, opening in 2024 as a family-run business rooted in local heritage. The bakery sits on a property tied to the owners’ family history (once home to a grist mill, store, and post office), and the space is meant to feel like a gathering place for both locals and travelers passing through the area. The building looks like a modern farmhouse that blends seemlessly into the property. The outdoor space features rocking chairs, and the interior is simple but rustic-chic. They serve house-made pastries like croissants, cinnamon rolls, donuts, and cakes alongside coffee, tea, and simple breakfast and lunch items such as sandwiches, quiche, and salads. The focus is on fresh, in-house baking and approachable grab-and-go food, with gluten-free options available as well. The breakfast sandwich here is straightforward and built for consistency: egg with either bacon, sausage, or European-style bacon on a brioche bun or English muffin, with a gluten-free option available. It's a classic, no-frills bakery sandwich—moderate in size, reasonably priced, and designed for grab-and-go rather than indulgence. It's a solid, traditional breakfast sandwich that fits the setting—fresh, approachable, and more about reliability than reinventing the format. Have you been? Grade: A

Vicky's in Milton is a long-running party supply and candy-making shop that’s become a local staple. Known for its wide selection of baking ingredients, candy molds, balloons, banners, and event décor, it has become a go-to spot for everything from birthday parties to weddings. Have you been?

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