Last week on Connect-Bridgeport, the Web site www.onlyinyourstate.com had a story that we shared for our readers that several thousand of you clicked on. And based on the amount of comments received on the social media components of our Web site, there were plenty of opinions on it.

 

The Web site ran a blog called “These 26 Restaurants in West Virginia Will Make Your Taste Buds Explode.” Some agreed with the restaurants that were listed, some never heard of some of the places that were mentioned and some were repulsed to the point where they felt the need to even use profanity to voice their displeasure.

 

Of course, you likely didn’t read those comments since they’re deleted as soon one of the staff notices anything profanity laced. And of course, sometimes there are so many comments on certain stories that an occasional one will slip through. Certainly, most have the capability of being able to say you don’t like a certain place to eat without dropping an f-bomb.

 

I digress.

 

The feedback was strong enough that I thought I would feature a few places beyond the borders of Bridgeport, Clarksburg and Harrison County that you either have heard of or perhaps haven’t heard of. Remember, this is MY personal list of favorites so if you don’t like them, that’s okay. And if you don’t like them enough you feel the need to insult the business, please do so without profanity. I insult people regularly without profanity – it’s not hard to do.

 

I digress.

 

Since Muriale’s was listed in the blog from last week, I won’t go there. By “not going there,” I mean I won’t be writing about it. I will definitely be going there in the future to eat and suggest you do as well.

 

Once again I digress.

 

For starters, perhaps one of the coolest eating establishments is about a 20-25 minute trip up Interstate 79 North into downtown Fairmont. If you haven’t visited the Poky Dot on the main drag then you’re doing yourself a disservice. They have a menu that qualifies for a small book, unique food items, a great look and, well, if you’re into desserts you won’t be disappointed. In fact, they have some sweets offered on the menu that are large enough for a family – and by family, I mean up to eight people or a basketball team.

 

My other Fairmont place is one that is perhaps one of the smallest places you can dine with one of the biggest reputations. Ladies and gentlemen, if you haven’t been Yann’s Hot Dog Stand on Washington Street in Fairmont, you have missed an experience.

 

Actually, they’re menu namesake is truly hot and put the hot in hot dogs. And in fairness, when I was in college decades ago, everyone called them Yann Dogs. I still do to this day.

 

There is limited seating and a limited menu. Be wise and order a chocolate milk to drink if you order the dogs and there is one rule when ordering: Under no circumstance should you ask for ketchup.

 

Heading up into the mountains a bit, my wife and I once or twice a year like to go to Davis, West Virginia (Tucker County) for the scenery. Of course, the bonus is a stop at Siranni’s Café. You want a good slice of pizza up in the mountains, then this where you go.

 

They have plenty of other items, one of which I believe is the “mozzarella cheese plate.” Basically, it is mozzarella, tomatoes and some herbs with olive oil – and it’s the perfect way to get ready for the steaming pizza with the perfect crust.

 

From the “just found” category, let me take you into Upshur County. This one’s about 45 minutes south of Bridgeport and, trust me, you won’t be disappointed if you love comfort food.

 

Head south on Interstate 79 and then take the Lewis County exit to U.S. Route 33 and head toward Buckhannon. Once you get to the intersection where Jenkins Ford is on your right, you hang a right and drive a few miles. Eventually, you’ll see an oddly angled intersection with the name “Stonecoal Road” to the right.

 

Take the right and don’t let the road conditions fool you. You’re about a mile away from food portions so large that you’re almost certain to have lunch for the next day. My wife’s first steak at the Hillbilly Grill was about the size and thickness of a Major League baseball player’s catcher’s mitt, but certainly didn’t taste like leather. Although I eventually enjoyed a steak there, my first item was a “country fried steak” order that was also nearly too big for the plate.

 

The sides that I ordered? A huge salad, a piping hot and freshly baked roll similar to what you used to get in school, and utility shed-sized sides of mashed potatoes and green beans.

 

All at a good price too I might add.

 

Want more? I’m going to end with two additional stops that I like to make, including one I’ve only done a few times and one I do every time that I’m in a certain city.

 

First, let’s go back up north and into Morgantown where I will indulge in one of my favorite foods – sushi. For those who dismiss sushi as “raw fish,” do a little research and realize it’s not what you think and once you eat sushi for the first time (as I did by force by the spouse a many years ago) you’ll soon realize what you’ve been missing.

 

There are plenty of good choices in Morgantown for sushi, by my favorite is right in the heart of Morgantown on Patterson Drive. When you get a chance stop by Volcano Japanese Restaurant and order whatever you want off the menu. I say that because the few times I’ve been there, I’ve literally loved everything I’ve eaten. Big props to family friend Lori Thayer Martino for introducing us to Volcano as it may have been off the radar otherwise.

 

Finally, whenever we head to Charleston it is an absolute priority to eat at Ichiban on Capitol Street. Although it’s the only chain (at least the internet tells me that’s the case) on my list, it’s been part of my state tournament lineup and any trip to Charleston lineup for about the last 8 years.

 

Like Volcano, Ichiban has an unblemished record. The sushi, the sides, the salad – you name it – is off the hook. And if you get a chance, order the red snapper. I’m not certain there’s anything in Kanawha County that can top the snapper. And if there is, I’ll be glad to try it.

 

As mentioned, these are “MY” favorites, which mean it’s not an opinion. Besides, I’m leaving the floor open for the readers of this blog to allow yours truly and anyone else stopping by for a read to find other places to add to my traveling list within the Mountain State or to remind of some I may have forgotten about.

 

Please feel free to add comments – minus the profanity – in the section below or on our social media components. Bon appetit. 

 

Editor's Note: Top photo of the Poky Dot is courtesy of Russ Colley, while the second photo shows one of the Poky Dots unique creations. In the third photo, a batch of Yann Dog's are waiting for consumption, while if you see what is pictured in the fourth photo while in Davis then you need to stop. The hubcap sized steak in the fifth photo is from the Hillbilly Grill, while the sushi (taken from the menu) is one of the offerings at Volcano in Morgantown. All photos, with the exception of the first and last, are off of Facebook.