J&J Country Roads Store is a stop along Route 3 that doubles as a gas station and all-purpose country store. Inside, it’s a mix of quick groceries, odds-and-ends supplies, and a small hot food counter known for its hot dogs. I had to go classic here: chili, slaw, mustard & onion. I enjoyed this, but the slaw overtook things. The generous pile of creamy, slightly sweet slaw softened the bun and soaked into everything -- a bit more than I'd like. Grade: B

While I've been slowly checking off all the restaurants at Oglebay, I have never attended one of their specialty holiday buffets. Rather than being set in a restaurant, these buffets are set in an auditorium. And for good reason: We were joined by no less than 200 other attendees for the Easter brunch. I treated my mom and grandma to a tasty meal to celebrate family with good food. The first station consisted of all the salad options: Traditional Caesar Salad with Romaine, Shaved Parmesan, Croutons & Caesar Dressing; Garden Salad with Spring Greens, Carrots, Spring Onions, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Ranch Dressing or White Balsamic Vinaigrette; and Spring Salad with Spring Greens, Strawberries, Portobello Mushrooms, Red Onions & Raspberry Vinaigrette. Afterward, there was a carving station that featured Slow-Roasted Prime Rib with Au Jus or Horseradish Cream Sauce, as well as Oven-Roasted Bone-In Ham. The next station consisted of Shrimp Cocktail with Eastern Shore Steamed Shrimp, Classic Cocktail Sauce and Lemon, in addition to Smoked Salmon Tartare Toast Points. The Easter-Style Deviled Eggs were dyed vibrant blues, purples, pinks, yellows and greens. They were topped with shrimp or mustard or cheese crisps. I looped back around to dig into the Charcuterie boards, which had Artisan Meats and Cheeses, Assorted Breads and Crackers. There was a huge variety, and I loved fishing for unique bites. Finally, the main entrees and sides consisted of farmer-style green beans with onions. Rosemary & Garlic Fingerling Potatoes. Tuscan Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Spinach, Onions, Artichokes & Light Herb Cream Sauce. Garlic Roasted Lamb Chops with Root Vegetables and Pan Jus. Potato Crusted Salmon with Julienne Vegetables and Carrot Ginger Broth. Hearty Vegetable Soup with Parsley Gremolata. Dessert consisted of the Chef's Pastry Table - A Rotating Selection of Chef-Prepared Desserts. There was everything from carrot cake and eclairs to chocolate silk pie and cakes. It was all lovely. Have you been?

Fish fries during Fridays of Lent are a longstanding Catholic tradition tied to abstaining from meat. Churches and community groups usually serve fried cod or pollock with coleslaw, fries, and homemade desserts. Fried fish in the northern part of West Virginia often features a thick batter, creating a puffed, almost beer-battered shell that seals in moisture and keeps the interior flaky. South of the Mason-Dixon Line, it tends to be more cornmeal-crusted and often features catfish. I ventured over to Our Lady of Fatima in Huntington to try their fish fry. Fortunately, they accept both cash and venmo. But I had a crisp $20 bill - just in case! Here's everything I had: fried fish with tartar sauce, hushpuppies, green beans, baked potato and dessert. Have you been?

At Superhero Creamery in Barboursville, you'll find a superhero world full of frozen yogurt and ice cream. Think cookie dough-loaded scoops, cotton candy, peanut butter swirls, and bright, novelty flavors like “Superman." I went for the Pikachu flavor, which featured caramel and chocolate chip cookie dough. I enjoy both of these flavors generally, but these versions were not my favorite. The flavor came across a little tooon the artificial side. Have you been? Grade: B

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