Joe Kennedy

Joe Kennedy is routinely named the region's best writer by readers of The Roanoker magazine.

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Lesson of the week:

If you ask people to recommend restaurants with local ownership, they will weigh in.

I asked readers on April 16. I received many replies. Not all of them fit the criteria. Some were accompanied by brief essays on the value of locally owned eateries.

There may be too many to mention. Some at the highest end don't qualify, because I solicited places that are cheaper. If by chance some work their way in, it'll be because I've been there and think them worthy of inclusion, or I have the space.

Let's get started.

Some might say that Cafe Soleil in Market Square North in North Roanoke County technically is a coffee shop, but it does serve breakfast and lunch, and people praised its sandwiches and soups as well as coffee.

Similarly with Coda in Roanoke's Grandin Village: good food, good coffee and other beverages, plus regular nights of live entertainment. Worth a visit, without a doubt.

Across the street, Rockfish is not low in price, but I like it as a dinner spot as well as a pleasant way station for a late dessert.

Mainstays

The Wildflour restaurants on Fourth Street Southwest and at Towers Shopping Center continue to earn compliments.

In Southwest Roanoke County, the Brambleton Deli has a strong clientele.

Charlie Cox, co-owner of Plantation Pride Foods in Salem, had a long list, but I'll mention one that surprised me, Blueberry Hill on Williamson Road, which he lauded for its lunch buffet. Cox likes the timeless Luigi's on Brambleton Avenue for Italian fare. He also digs Mulligan's Bar & Grill on Williamson Road for its breakfasts.

The White Oak Tea Tavern on U.S. 220 between Daleville and Fincastle is entirely new to me. Linda French calls it small and cozy, and that'll do.

Do you like adventure? If so, you can drive to Crazy Horse Marina at Smith Mountain Lake to try the Mexican restaurant on the premises. Bill Sledd recommends it but can't remember its name. (A quick check on the Internet indicates it's called Mexico Viejo.)

New to me

Kay Koehler's favorite Asian restaurant is Taipei on Melrose Avenue, next to Krispy Kreme in Northwest Roanoke.

She also likes Michele's on Main in Salem. It's not cheap, but it's a nice spot in the little city.

Here are three I've never been to: Lew's on Williamson Road in Hollins for subs and pizza, the North Star in Buchanan for big cheeseburgers and good breakfasts, and Chip and Jo's on Fourth Street in Salem.

The Community Inn in Grandin Village is a neighborhood bar with good cheeseburgers, I am told, and a lot of tradition.

Mary Ann Wyrick says Jerry's Family Restaurant on Washington Avenue in Vinton has good food for low prices.

Richard James touts the hot dogs at the Buchanan Family Restaurant. Someone else recommends Lentini's on Hollins Road for pizza and such.

The Coffee Pot on Brambleton Avenue has a popular lunch buffet.

Pat Good says Hollywood's in Hollins is good.

You may have noticed that a few well-known places aren't in this column. That's because they were in the initial piece. There are no seconds in this joint.

Teresa Barker covers the valley: Mama Maria's in Salem; in Roanoke, Norberto's Italian Ristorante on Memorial Avenue Southwest, the Coach and Four on Williamson Road and Alexander's on Jefferson Street downtown.

She also likes Teaberry's in Cloverdale.

Some of those are far from cheap, but I have space, so here they are.

The Westlake area of Smith Mountain Lake has Reds, Wines and Blues, says Gay Foster.

Also on the general list: Ippy's in Rocky Mount; Chateau Morrisette in Floyd County; Arzu, Trio and Table 50 in downtown Roanoke; Jim's Grill in Willis; and Stephen's on Franklin Road in Roanoke.

If you sent in a suggestion and it's not here, I have no idea why. If you have additional recommendations, save them. This is a one-time thing devoted to locally owned restaurants.

Thanks, y'all. You did well.