If you live in the small town of Wheeling, WV or happen to be visiting family here or checking out the Festival of Lights in Oglebay you might want to pay a visit to some of our best local restaurants.
1. Elm Grove DiCarlos
It should be noted that that the DiCarlos in Elm Grove is ten times better than the one in downtown. (Although the one in downtown scores extra points for having a seating area.) This pizza isn't the typical kind; it is cut in squares, with a crispy crust and the BEST cheese that has ever graced this planet. You can order your pizza by the slice which is so much easier than having to buy a whole other pizza just to accomodate for everyone eating it. Rate: 8/10 because there's no place to sit and sometimes the wait is long BUT often times when it is, they give you an extra slice of pizza free of charge. Also can we talk about how ICONIC the lady in the picture is?
2. Ye Olde Alpha
The Alpha is everyone's go-to restaurant. Whether it's to just grab a quick bite with a friend or to indulge in a post-fall-play-performance meal with the entire cast, the Alpha is the perfect place. Personally, I recommend the blackened tomato sandwich or the portabella mushroom sandwich -- containing the perfect amount of feta cheese and pesto sauce cooked to a salty perfection. Other popular favorites include the Jones, Greek wings, and of course the well-known BRIDGEPORT BROWNIE.
3. Later Gator
Located in Centre Market in Downtown, Later Gator radiates a very "Wheeling Feeling" vibe, and it's perfect for homecoming dinner or getting lunch before seeing a play at Towngate. The restaurant is best known for their crepes - great for either dinner or desert. My favorite part about Later Gator is their vegetarian options and their cute as heck mason jars!!
4. Avenue Eats
Conveniently placed next to the Wheeling Coffee Shoppe on Washington Ave., Avenue Eats is a small restaurant with an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. Their specialties include sandwiches on ciabatta bread and delectable cupcakes. Avenue Eats has an outdoor dining area, perfect for lunch in the summer.
5. Cilantro
Although I might have written an entire article on why Chipotle is superior to Cilantro, I have to hand it to them, Cilantro is pretty good. Strategically positioned next to the Alpha and in the heart of Woodsdale, the Latin American restaurant displays numerous soccer jerseys. Popular favorites at Cilantro include their steak and Oreo churros. My favorite thing about the restaurant is their mango salsa in the summer.
So if you're ever visiting Wheeling or have lived here your entire life but have never gone to one of these places (I've lived in Wheeling my whole life but had never gone to the Alpha until last year) they are 100% worth trying. Food honestly brings together the Wheeling community so stay hungry.
