Best of Roanoke 2011
This year’s Best of Roanoke awards yielded so many winners that we couldn’t even fit them all in the magazine! Here are the businesses receiving silver honors in the category of “Best Kept Secret.”
Angelo’s Mexican Restaurant, located in Vinton, is an authentic Mexican restaurant with a little something extra in the atmosphere.
Bubble Cakes, located in south Roanoke, is a local bakery specializing in cupcakes and other delicious sweet treats. Owner Lisa Lusk says, “it’s really a labor of love to give people sweet things with a smile.”
Burger on the Square is a local burger joint on Brambleton Avenue in southwest Roanoke owned and operated by Louis and Anita Wilson. “We see a lot of new faces now that we’ve moved and a lot of old faces as well.” (They used to be in the Market Building).
Coach & Four Restaurant, near the Roanoke airport, hosts a colonial atmosphere with a menu that is quite extensive.
Fork in the Alley is a brick-oven pub located in south Roanoke and offers hearty fare, brick oven pizza, live music and outdoor dining. For an event schedule and more information about the pub visit it their website at forkinthealley.com.
Full Moon Café & Cookies is a restaurant, bakery and bagel shop all rolled into one. Owner Francis Moon says, “our goal is to provide fresh and quality foods and that whoever comes in leaves happy.”
Local Roots Restaurant, next door to the Grandin Theatre, serves local organic foods, according to owner Diane Elliot. “We really want to tell the secret. We are proud of what we serve and how we serve it. Maybe our goal for next year will be to get Most Well-Known,” Elliot says.
Thelma’s Chicken & Waffles, now located at the corner of Market and Church streets in downtown Roanoke, is all about soul food. No matter when you go in, you will always feel like a VIP.
The Underground Gallery, next door to Frames ‘N Things on Brambleton Avenue, is all about artistic expression. “We wanted to have a place where unknown artists could come and display their work,” says manager Jessie Booth.