The common struggle of Radford University students on the weekend is: eating. Campus options are limited after three o'clock on Friday afternoon. It can be one of the most frustrating things about attending the University, but as a lover of the school and Southwest Virginia, I have come up with a list of some of the best places to eat in the area.
1. Pop's Ice Cream & Soda Bar -- Roanoke, Virginia
Pop's is the perfect place to grab a cone of ice cream. The restaurant environment takes you back to when slipping a quarter in the jukebox was just as common as looking down at your phone today. It may be a little bit further of a drive from Radford but it is absolutely worth it.
HOURS:
Wednesday - Thursday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday - Saturday: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
2. Jack Brown's Beer & Burger Joint -- Roanoke, Virginia
Jack Brown's has the perfect burger, and for those of you above 21 has the best selection of beer on tap in the region. Each burger flipped comes out perfect -- you can order a simple burger or order a masterpiece like the Greg Brady, a burger with Mac N Cheese and BBQ Potato Chips. If there is still room in your stomach after the delish burger, you can order a fried oreo to fill your stomach completely.
HOURS:
Monday- Sunday: 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
3. Radford Coffee Company -- Radford, Virginia
Don't let the name fool you - their coffee is totally the best in Southwest VA, but their food menu is also incredible. Radford Coffee Co has the classic coffee shop environment once you walk in the front door. The entire staff, a group of volunteers that only collect pay from the tips earned throughout the day, always have a smile on their faces while welcoming you into the shop. When it comes to food you can order something as simple as a grilled cheese or as complicated as a Teriyaki Steak Wrap. Regardless of what you order, your stomach will be happy with your decision.
HOURS:
Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
4. Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea -- Blacksburg, Virginia (and Roanoke, Virginia)
Mill Mountain is one of the staple coffee shops in Southwest Virginia. Their coffee and tea menu has an awesome selection from their very own Mill Mountain blend to a Kenya Ab Top Gitura roast. Their food is as top notch as their morning beverages, offering salads, sandwiches, and soups.
BLACKSBURG HOURS:
Monday- Sunday: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
DOWNTOWN ROANOKE HOURS:
Monday - Thursday: 6:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday: 6:30 AM - 12:00 AM
Saturday: 7:00 AM - 12:00 AM
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
5. Mellow Mushroom -- Blacksburg, Virginia
Are you sick of eating Domino's Pizza? Well take yourself to Blacksburg and grab a slice of gourmet pizza. Their menu is full of flavorful pizzas. Each time you stop by, try a new slice!
HOURS:
Sunday - Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Friday- Saturday: 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM
6. The Homeplace -- Catawba, Virginia
The Homeplace is the place for good southern cooking. This establishment is a family-style restaurant serving you the best of the best southern cuisine in Southwest Virginia. They serve fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits. What could be better than that? It's the classic place to head for brunch mid-day Sunday.
HOURS:
Thursday- Friday: 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Saturday: 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
7. Due South BBQ -- Christiansburg, Virginia
Due South BBQ has the best pulled pork in the area. Each bite you take out of your first BBQ sandwich will melt in your mouth. In addition to a pulled pork sandwich, you can get one of their many sides. This place is the best BBQ you can find in Virginia.
HOURS:
Monday - Saturday: 8:30 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday: 9:30 AM - 8:00 PM
8. The Cellar -- Blacksburg, Virginia
Blacksburg is the place to get the best pizza. The Cellar is one of the stand-out establishments to get a piece of pizza or a calzone. The Cellar is a local restaurant that offers a large Italian menu; from soups to salads to subs, The Cellar has it all.
HOURS:
Monday- Sunday: 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
9. Thelma's Chicken and Waffles -- Roanoke, Virginia
Chicken and waffles? What is a better combination on a Saturday morning? Make your way to Roanoke for the best Chicken and Waffles in Virginia. While there is more to the menu at Thelma's, you should absolutely order chicken and waffles. The waffles have a dash of cinnamon and the chicken is perfectly fried.
HOURS:
Monday- Thursday: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday- Sunday: 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
10. The Black Water Loft -- Floyd, Virginia
The Black Water Loft is the perfect place to grab a puffy pastry on a Saturday morning. Their food selection may not have as wide of a variety, but it is scrumptious. You can accompany the best pour-over coffee with a slice of coffee cake. One of the coolest parts of this place is that the coffee shop sits on top of a book store.
HOURS:
Monday - Friday: 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Hopefully, this list will help you the next time you and your friends are sitting around trying to figure out where to eat other than Dalton.
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