Restaurant suggestion (Roanoke, Salem, Troutville: homes, school, live)

[toobusytoday]

We're going to be visiting my son in Salem in a couple of weeks and spending the night. I'm looking for a restaurant suggestion that will satisfy the whole crowd. I was thinking of the Roanoker restaurant. We've eaten there before and liked it. Price was good too. But how about the Homeplace Restaurant in Catawba? That sounds a little more interesting and the setting sounds beautiful.

We're a mixed crowd as far as tastes. I'm going to offer to take son and his roommates - that's four guys in their early twenties - bottomless pits. My daughter, vegetarian, younger son, also bottomless pit. My parents - my Dad will eat just about anything, my Mom cannot tolerate anything the least bit spicy and is a slow eater. I'm good with anything but am not a big eater.

Would either of these be a good choice or is there some place else that would be better?

[Teebyrd86]

Originally Posted by toobusytoday

We're going to be visiting my son in Salem in a couple of weeks and spending the night. I'm looking for a restaurant suggestion that will satisfy the whole crowd. I was thinking of the Roanoker restaurant. We've eaten there before and liked it. Price was good too. But how about the Homeplace Restaurant in Catawba? That sounds a little more interesting and the setting sounds beautiful.

We're a mixed crowd as far as tastes. I'm going to offer to take son and his roommates - that's four guys in their early twenties - bottomless pits. My daughter, vegetarian, younger son, also bottomless pit. My parents - my Dad will eat just about anything, my Mom cannot tolerate anything the least bit spicy and is a slow eater. I'm good with anything but am not a big eater.

Would either of these be a good choice or is there some place else that would be better?

Good Morning!

The homeplace sounded like a homerun until you said your daughter was a vegatarian. I was a vegatarian for 3 years and trust me she will not be happy at the homeplace. The food is awesome, the setting is even better but everything there from the 3 meat selections offered to all of the veggies served has meat in it. The place is a definate when I have people visiting but not a place to take someone who dosnt eat meat. I would suggest taking everyone to downtown Roanoke so they can get a feel for our city. There are many cool resturants down there from Alajandro's Mexican grill (lots of vegatarian offerings, just about everything can be served with out meat) to Blues BBQ (not too sure about their vegatarian offerings either). If you go to Blues you have to check out their huspuppies served with peach butter!!! MMMM.. Have a great time here

[seanpecor]

The Homeplace is in a gorgeous setting:

homeplace restaurant loc: Troutville, VA - Google Maps

However I'm with Teebyrd, vegans are going to have a very limited selection.

Sean

[OuttaFlorida]

IMO, you can never go wrong at Fork in the Alley. Food is reasonably priced for your bottomless pit, best pizza in town, get it without meat and your vegetarian is satisfied. Great area, great environment. If you're looking for something a little more upscale though, I'd look elsewhere.

[matthews1965]

Brambleton Deli has it all and at a great price. Now this is really "eating" vs. dining but Cici's pizza at Towers Mall is about as much bang for the buck as you can possibly get. And the pizza buffet has ALL you could ask for including vegetarian. We've only been there twice but I ran into my doctor both times. this could be easy on your wallet and would certainly fill up the biggest eater. Last time we went it was maybe $5 per person unlimited.

[toobusytoday]

Thanks everyone for such quick suggestions. I guess I was trying to kill too many birds with one stone. I was thinking that the boys would like some home-cooking since they eat lots of pizza at Mac and Bobs and the Homeplace would be kind of special. My Mom really needs bland food too. My daughter can get by with just sides for a meal or two but not if there is meat in them so I guess that won't work.

We've all been to downtown Roanoke before. In fact, my husband and I lived there when our daughter was a baby and my husband worked for GE. After being on the road all day, I think we will just want a laid back dinner and a nice visit with son.

We're not looking for upscale, but it really can't be heavily spiced or my Mom won't be able to eat it. That means no barbecue and probably not mexican. *sigh*

Not meaning to sound negative, but I'm trying to make the whole group happy.

Cece's is not on the list - been there, done that, won't go back again.

The reason I mentioned the Roanoker and Homestead is because those are unique places unlike what we have up here.

[Erin1264]

I would still go with the Homeplace. Sorry to the vegetarian, majority rules in this case. The Homeplace would be the best restaurant for everyone else!

[Boomer15]

Why not the New Yorker on Williamson Rd? They have a variety of sandwiches including vegetarian options... I am sure that your son hasn't ventured out that way, I know that I didn't when I was in school.

I will also put a vote in for Fork in the Alley... Their pizza is second to none and puts Mac and Bobs pizza to shame!

[toobusytoday]

Erin, I kind of agree with you and will call the Homeplace to see just what they have on the menu. My daughter is not the type to complain about not having vegetarian food, she would just make do with what's available and then get her protein at the next meal. If that means mashed potatoes and biscuits, I don't think she would mind too much. I tried to call them just now but they're not open on Monday's.

The New Yorker sounds interesting but we most likely have better subs/hoagies here in the Pennsylvania. Besides, my daughter is moving to NYC in August. It would be kind of funny to go to a place called the New Yorker in VA.... The fork in the alley has great reviews on Tripadvisor and does look like something the guys and my daughter would like but I'm not so sure about pizza. We're stopping by Roanoke on our way to a family vacation in Florida with a bunch of other relatives and pizza is usually on the menu a couple of times already.

Alright, I'll stop wasting everyone's time here and instead read more on the great restaurant thread you all have going on. Thanks!

[headnsouth]

toobusytoday, I'm a vegetarian too, and I think the Homeplace is just too much of a local institution to pass up. Personally I wouldn't eat anything in the place, not even mashed potatoes and biscuits (made with lard maybe?), but I'd still want to go! So I'd just bring something with me to eat, and soak up the atmosphere while the rest of the family chows down on comfort food. Something tells me the Homeplace wouldn't mind seeing an occasional guest with dietary restrictions bring in a PBJ from home, when the rest of their party is ordering off the menu.