As is the case after each week's "Tastiest Town" profile runs in the Sunday paper, I start receiving calls, emails, posts and tweets early that morning from folks either suggesting additional restaurants to try on my next visit to that town - or asking that I stop by one of their favorites in the city that's up next.
This past weekend's feature on dining out in Lewisburg was no different.
"Really enjoyed the article on Lewisburg's eateries," said Judy Deegans. "The pizza at Del Sol is excellent, too, and we now have a new taco restaurant next to the Wild Bean [coffee shop]."
They were still putting the finishing touches on the taco spot when I was there, so that'll also be on my list when I return. Perhaps, along with another spot she recommends, on the drive to Lewisburg or back.
"Next time you are in our area, plan on dinner at The Meeting Place at the Alta exit. Their fried chicken is to-die-for," she said. "It is fresh (not frozen) chicken and tastes like the chicken my mother made in an iron skillet. Veggies are not much, but the chicken will be more than enough to sate your appetite. My friends also tell me their chicken-and-dumplings are great, but I haven't had them."
I'm on it, Judy!
"Day late and a dollar short, but I had one of the best meals I've ever had at Giovanni's in Lewisburg, or Fairlea to be exact," wrote reader Deb Meredith. "Fresh farm-to-table Italian fare - I highly recommend."
I've actually driven by that restaurant before and wondered if it might be as real-deal Italian as it looked. Good to know that may be so.
A little further south of town sits another gem recommended by a reader.
"I love your article on Lewisburg's restaurants and wonder if you have ever tried one just out of Ronceverte in a little place called Union," wrote L. Brown. "It's called The Hall Tavern and it's in a big two-story house. One side is a hair salon and the other is a small and quaint comfortable restaurant where you can go outside on a sunny day or inside if it's chilly. They have amazing crab dip and spinach dip - perfect with a glass of wine while you relax. Give it a try sometime when you go through that area. We love going there."
Sounds good to me.
Be sure to check out this Sunday's paper, when my "Tastiest Town" trek takes me up I-79 to Morgantown, delicious home of the state's beloved Mountaineers.
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I'd like to throw a shout-out to the friendly folks at the local Vandalia Rotary Club and the American Business Club of Charleston for each inviting me to speak at recent meetings at local restaurants.
Not only were they gracious hosts and attentive listeners, but they fed me well, too!
Steven Keith writes a weekly food column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail and an occasional food blog at http://blogs.wvgazettemail.com/foodguy/. He can be reached at 304-380-6096 or by email at wvfoodguy@aol.com. You can also follow him on Facebook as "WV Food Guy" and on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest as "WVFoodGuy."