Places To Eat

Dirty Ernie’s Rib Pit.  A popular après-rafting spot, this is the place for meat-lovers—ribs are what they do best.  It has a relaxed atmosphere and a menu that offers something for everyone. Kids love it because they can throw peanut shells on the floor; mothers love it because they don’t have to worry about what their kids do. The French Onion soup is a winner.  They can accommodate larger groups.  Closed Nov-April. Located just off Rt. 19 on Keller Ave.  304-574-4822.

Tudor’s Biscuit World.  Normally we don’t mention chain restaurants with much enthusiasm, but, aside from serving as the landmark for entering Fayetteville, Tudor’s has its place if you need a quick and greasy breakfast.  The Dottie is a Fayetteville tradition.  304-574-3820

Also available in Fayetteville:   Out on Rt. 19 where the sprawl is sprawling, the fast food joints are propagating like rabbits.  Suit yourself.

OAK HILL

Oak Hill is five minutes south of Fayetteville.  If you continue south on Rt. 19 you will come to a large strip mall, Fayette Square, on your right. K-mart and Kroger anchor this mall.

Cafe 110. Located on Main Street, this cafe is worth a visit.  A solid menu and solid service.

Rio Grande  Also located in the above-mentioned strip mall, this family friendly Mexican restaurant offers a sprawling menu, quick service and cheap prices.  They have recently undergone a significant remodel. 304-465-5434

Chico’s.  Our pick in the Tex-Mex department, this family-run business offers better chips and stronger margaritas as well as an extensive selection of Mexican entrees.  A friendly atmosphere and cheerful décor make you more inclined to smile at the goofy donkey mascot.  Kids are welcomed with crayons, a coloring sheet and a kids menu.  304-469-6505

OK Chinese Restaurant.  The name about sums it up—solid Chinese food, nothing to write home about—but it beats the Peking Buffet, also located in this mall.  304-465-8465

Oak Hill also offers the full complement of fast food restaurants if you are so inclined.  They are clustered at the Fayette Town Center Mall, the Lochgelly exit, or further south at the Main Street exit.

NORTH OF THE BRIDGE (NoBri as we call it…)

Mackies. Located across the road from the National Park Service Visitor Center is our brand spanking new version of a German beer garden. Featuring gourmet sliders and brats, this joint is kid, dog and hippie friendly. Outside seating and a casual atmosphere are a promising combo. While you are at it, take a tour of the big bridge from Bridgewalk, located in the same building.

Country Thai.    Ging is from Thailand and she knows what she is doing!  Authentic Thai food has come to Fayette County.  The menu is set daily and while you might not have choice, you will  most likely be happy. Located right off 19 on Ames Heights Rd. 304-900-1188

The Burrito Bar  When you wrap up your day at Endless or Beauty you will want to check this ideal post-cragging spot out, located right off Lansing Rd. next to Chestnut Creek Campground.   The menu is tightly focused, the food is fine, but the view, holy smokes, the view!  Best sunset opportunity in the county.  Props to the owners for booking terrific music regularly.  This place is relaxed and fun!  Check their website for band listings…impressive… www.theburritobarwv.com

Smokey’s on the Gorge  Located less than a mile off Rt 19, Smokey’s and its more downscale companion, Chetty’s, are Adventures on the Gorge’s terrific restaurants. While you are there be sure to check out the overlook which will give you a mind bending view of the New River Gorge Bridge.  Smokey’s is housed in a stunning timber framed pavilion with huge decks offering spectacular views of the gorge.  They offer a buffet that blends culinary sophistication with down-home West Virginia hospitality.  The salad bar will knock your socks off.  A full bar and a solid wine list complement the buffet.  The buffet isn’t cheap but the experience is well worth it.   304-574-4905

Chetty’s  Located on the second floor of Adventures on the Gorge’s reception building, this is a more casual, sports bar kind of a place.  Hearty sandwiches, wings and appetizers dominate the menu.  The atmosphere is lively and fun with the widescreen TVs tuned to sports or rafting videos.  A foosball table on the porch will keep the kids occupied until the food arrives, or better yet, they can rage around outside at the playground.  During the season, Wing Night is Monday and it is happenin’.  Cheap wings and loads of rafters/boaters/climbers make it the social night par excellence.  304-574-4905 or 304-574-0704

The Sub Shack  While Ansted is a small town worth checking out, you aren’t ging to find much in the way of restaurants!  However, this little spot does offer good, solid homemade sandwiches for the right price.   304-658-4027

Café Cimino.  We include this restaurant because it is widely considered to be the best in West Virginia.  You will have to drive an hour north to get there but, it is totally worth it–haute cuisine served in West Virginia’s trademark down-home relaxed way.  So, if you are celebrating something big and want to pull out all the stops, call for a reservation.  304-765-2913 or 1-877-9cimino

BECKLEY

There are surprisingly few reasons to head to Beckley to eat—lots of chains…but, sometimes you’ve just gotta have sushi so you have to head south…

Fujiyama A typical Japanese Steak House with knife-flippin’, shrimp chuckin’ chefs and darn good sushi.  250-0288

Kimono. the main reason you head to Beckley is for the Marquee Cinemas.  Located in the same strip mall, this restaurant does a nice job with sushi etc…Dinner and a movie anyone?

BARS AND PUBS

Well, we told you we’d give you the inside scoop so here it is.  The bar scene is limited at best and it is sure to give you plenty of local flavor.  There are only a few to mention, the others you can explore at your own risk.

• Maggie’s.  This charming and teeny little speakeasy is tucked into a small space located next to Studio B across from Dirty Ernie’s.  Full bar, unobtrusive gambling machines, and nice atmosphere make this a great location for a drink with friends in a non-smokey environment. No photos please, this places respects your privacy!  Congrats to Sharon Rynard for creating yet another cool Fayetteville business.
• Rendezvous Lodge.   Located in the Rivermen facility across from  Adventures on the Gorge.  This bar is super fun.  Great music, great atmosphere, well laid out, not smokey, young folks having big fun.  What more could you ask for?
• Charlie’s Pub is underneath the defunct Sherry’s in Fayetteville at the south end of town (ask anybody).  We doubt you’ll find a stiffer, cheaper highball anywhere or thicker smoke for that matter.  Friendly locals will make you feel right at home.  Feel free to show off your prowess at the pool table if you like.  RIP Charlie.  You were a good man.
• The Pub on Gatewood.  This friendly place offers karaoke Wednesday and Friday and a live band every Saturday.  Not as smoky!  And the kitchen stays open all night offering Philly steaks, burgers and sandwiches.  Lottery machines.  Located at Cantrell’s Ultimate Rafting about a mile out Gatewood Rd.  574-2500
• Elliott’s at the Quality Inn.  Your basic sports bar with basic bar food and karaoke now and then. 574-3443
• Rose’s Hideaway is another friendly local bar that offers solid bar food and daily specials.  Pool table, cheap drinks and a comfortable atmosphere, not far off Rt 19 on Smales Branch Rd, north of Rt 60.
• Tractor Bar.  Several years ago this bar was featured in Gentlemen’s Quarterly Magazine in an article titled “The Dirty Dozen:  the Twelve Wildest, Weirdest Bars in America Worth a Road Trip.” Located 20 mi. north of Fayetteville in Mt. Nebo, this well known tavern is in an old tractor dealorship.  You’ll find tractor seat bar stools, antique tractors and more tractor paraphernalia decorating the place.  Bands every weekend.  Owner Steve says that “We are the place that people who like to dance come to.”  There you have it! Happy Hour every day from 11-7.  Sunday $1 Bloody Marys and Screwdrivers.  Open mic night is Wed.  304-872-8100

Groceries and Snacks

Kroger used to be the biggest grocery around and is still the local favorite.  Oak Hill.  469-2921

Super Walmart  Yep, we have one too…Located in a big strip mall on Rt. 19 at Whitewater Avenue.  574-1086

Lansing General Store  You’ll pass Seth and Sierra’s packette (as convenience stores are called around these parts) on your way to Endless Wall or Beauty Mountain. This one is stocked with the tourist in mind—think s’mores, cold beer, charcoal and wood, but the new owners are definitely bringing a more healthy and holistic approach to stocking their store. Farm Fresh Eggs and local produce in season. Seems to be open whenever you need it!  574-1654