Your favorite restaurants in Roanoke (cheap, good)

[primetime00]

Originally Posted by TN Lily

Bigfoot424, the funny thing is that if you look up reviews for that restaurant there are plenty of glowing reviews. I think we've all learned that you cannot always believe the reviews. I am sorry that it was a bad experience. I have also read some awful reviews of that restaurant and it's on my list of places NOT to eat at.

There is another Red Palace near Tanglewood Mall. I ate there once. That was enough. It wasn't horrible. I did not get sick from it.

Hubby and I recently ate lunch at a "nice" restaurant off of Electric Road that has spectacular views from the main dining room. It was a pleasant lunch but the food was mediocre at best and bland. It did not live up to its glowing reviews and we won't go back. I went back and read the reviews. There were a handful that described the restaurant's food as bland, but most reviewers raved about the food. We had thought of going out to dinner there when all our kids were in town. Cross that off the list!

Thanks for all the replies.

I've eaten at Red Palace over the year many times. Honestly, it was better food several years ago, and the place has always been clean. This past year I returned there, and the food was definitely much worse. I would review it highly 3 or 4 years ago, but not anymore.

Also, you might check out Veranda Bistro in north Roanoke. It is connected to an Exxon gas station, but the food there is pretty good, and the environment is nice. We've known the owners for years, and they are great people.

[CapsChick]

Originally Posted by TN Lily

Hubby and I recently ate lunch at a "nice" restaurant off of Electric Road that has spectacular views from the main dining room. It was a pleasant lunch but the food was mediocre at best and bland. It did not live up to its glowing reviews and we won't go back. I went back and read the reviews. There were a handful that described the restaurant's food as bland, but most reviewers raved about the food. We had thought of going out to dinner there when all our kids were in town. Cross that off the list!

I'm going out on a limb and surmising that this was Carlos Brazilian. It is overrated. I think several of the highly-rated Roanoke restaurants are.

I like Blue 5 in Downtown Roanoke (though I have not been there recently) and Blue Apron in Salem.

[TN Lily]

CapsChick, yep, that was the restaurant. And I agree. It is overrated and there seemed to be no heat in the dining room on the day we visited.

I've heard good things about Blue 5, but was unaware of Blue Apron.

Primetime00, I'll check out Veranda Bistro.

[cumbriabeval]

We've only lived here one year but my partner, who is a sushi fanatic, can't believe all the sushi restaurants in Roanoke. Totally unexpected. His favorites are Cafe Asia (both locations) and Wasabi's is a great deal. Some restaurants we've liked more than average are Taaza, Hollywoods, Longhorn, Carrabbas, Sal's, Zoe's, Mission BBQ, Billy's, and Tizzone just to name a few.

We are really struggling to find some decent Mexican food. We moved here from Texas so our standards are pretty high, I guess. It's just more like Mexican TV dinners here so far and we've tried a few. Any suggestions?

I'd also like to find some good middle eastern / Mediterranean food and we might have picked the wrong day to go but the Greek place (Athens Corner Grill) and Cedars were not good. Bethlehem was OK but nothing special. The best we've found was a hole-in-the wall place in Salem called Zorba's Small World Cafe. We'd be willing to drive out of town to find some good middle eastern food if you can recommend restaurants in nearby towns.

We also recently went to Martinsville to visit the Virginia Museum of Natural History and there's another little hole-in-the-wall place called the Checkered Pig that was very good.

Anyone know where I can find some Eggs Benedict?

To be fair, Houston, Texas has some of the best restaurants in the country so our expectations were not that high for Roanoke but overall, we have found some good food here and been happy overall.

[Bigfoot424]

Originally Posted by TN Lily

Bigfoot424, the funny thing is that if you look up reviews for that restaurant there are plenty of glowing reviews. I think we've all learned that you cannot always believe the reviews. I am sorry that it was a bad experience. I have also read some awful reviews of that restaurant and it's on my list of places NOT to eat at.

There is another Red Palace near Tanglewood Mall. I ate there once. That was enough. It wasn't horrible. I did not get sick from it.

Hubby and I recently ate lunch at a "nice" restaurant off of Electric Road that has spectacular views from the main dining room. It was a pleasant lunch but the food was mediocre at best and bland. It did not live up to its glowing reviews and we won't go back. I went back and read the reviews. There were a handful that described the restaurant's food as bland, but most reviewers raved about the food. We had thought of going out to dinner there when all our kids were in town. Cross that off the list!

Thanks for all the replies.

I read the reviews as well and was shocked how many good ones there were. I didn't want to eat there but I didn't feel like doing any more driving look for someplace. I can handle some of the food being no good at a buffet but this place just down right stunk.

[SWVA88]

Originally Posted by cumbriabeval

We've only lived here one year but my partner, who is a sushi fanatic, can't believe all the sushi restaurants in Roanoke. Totally unexpected. His favorites are Cafe Asia (both locations) and Wasabi's is a great deal. Some restaurants we've liked more than average are Taaza, Hollywoods, Longhorn, Carrabbas, Sal's, Zoe's, Mission BBQ, Billy's, and Tizzone just to name a few.

We are really struggling to find some decent Mexican food. We moved here from Texas so our standards are pretty high, I guess. It's just more like Mexican TV dinners here so far and we've tried a few. Any suggestions?

I'd also like to find some good middle eastern / Mediterranean food and we might have picked the wrong day to go but the Greek place (Athens Corner Grill) and Cedars were not good. Bethlehem was OK but nothing special. The best we've found was a hole-in-the wall place in Salem called Zorba's Small World Cafe. We'd be willing to drive out of town to find some good middle eastern food if you can recommend restaurants in nearby towns.

We also recently went to Martinsville to visit the Virginia Museum of Natural History and there's another little hole-in-the-wall place called the Checkered Pig that was very good.

Anyone know where I can find some Eggs Benedict?

To be fair, Houston, Texas has some of the best restaurants in the country so our expectations were not that high for Roanoke but overall, we have found some good food here and been happy overall.

Right across the street from Zorba's (connected to the 7-11) is a little place called Cafe Xpress and it is maybe the best place in the whole area to eat. Few people seem to know about it but it's a weird mix of traditional subs, and simple South-Asian dishes. The owners are from Nepal and are some of the nicest people around. They have fresh daily specials that are definitely worth the trip.

In regards to Mexican food, in my opinion there's only really two options. Alejandro's or Taco Rojas. Alejandro's is more your typical dishes but it's always tasted way better to me than the El Rodeo's/Toreo's or Rancho Viejo. I'd recommend going to the one in downtown Roanoke but if Salem location is closer to you it's good as well. Taco Rojas (located on Memorial) is a gem. I am positive it will meet or exceed your Texas standards for Mexican food. It doesn't look like much, located in what I assume was a little gas station at one point but they have very authentic offerings. My buddy from Mexico couldn't believe some of the things on the menu.

For Eggs Benedict perhaps Wall Street Tavern or Scrambled...they have big brunch crowds on Sunday and may offer that.

[Watchful]

Originally Posted by SWVA88

Right across the street from Zorba's (connected to the 7-11) is a little place called Cafe Xpress and it is maybe the best place in the whole area to eat. Few people seem to know about it but it's a weird mix of traditional subs, and simple South-Asian dishes. The owners are from Nepal and are some of the nicest people around. They have fresh daily specials that are definitely worth the trip.

Cafe Xpress was a HUGE surprise to us and indeed everything was so very good with substantial portions and reasonable prices. Don't miss the soups - just amazing.

[headnsouth]

Originally Posted by Watchful

Cafe Xpress was a HUGE surprise to us and indeed everything was so very good with substantial portions and reasonable prices. Don't miss the soups - just amazing.

What is it about the unassuming buildings that occupy that little curve in the road? We have never been to Cafe Xpress because we pop into Abrakebabra next door whenever we pass by. Falafel for me and gyro for the dude. So good. But we will check out Cafe Xpress soon.

Re: Chinese buffets, the only one around here I have been to that is not gross is the Dynasty Super Buffet in Salem, down by the Kroger/Walmart on Main St. It is not only not bad, it is very good! Lots of variety in the big pans, but also a Mongolian grill with many options for fresh veggies/meats/sauces/seasonings. And they do not kid around with the crab legs. I think they do sushi too.

[Tony in Roanoke]

For Middle Eastern give Petra a try. Owner use to work at Bethlehem, but while Bethlehem is a grocery with tables, Petra is a cafe with a few grocery items - more emphasis on the food, and it is better.

Second the recommendation for Viet Sub. Great sandwich and really nice owners, and they added more table space recently.

The lunch dish they call Wasibi Special is the best value sushi lunch you will find anywhere - the only place that does not fill the dish with scrambled egg on rice or other lesser sushi items.

[cumbriabeval]

Can't wait to try Petra! Thank you, Tony in Roanoke! Their menu looks fantastic!