Despite rumors of its feared demise, CharlestonÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s is still alive and kicking. Mostly.
The liquor shelves are shown on Feb. 20, 2025, at the East End Pub in Charleston.
Courtesy photo
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œCould you please find out whatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s going on with the East End Pub?ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ reader Carrie Swing asked, repeating dozens of other similar calls and emails IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve received recently. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThe last two times my husband and I went to have dinner there, it was closed. We really liked eating there and it would be sad if the closure is permanent.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
I reached out to owner Suzi Chapman, who confirmed the restaurant is still open. TheyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve just had a rough go of it recently.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re having a major (and expensive) issue with the make-up air for our kitchen hood, so when the heat is crazy outside itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s hitting 90 degrees in the dining room,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ she said, referencing high temperatures that have dogged the area most of the summer. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œSo on those days weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve closed immediately following lunch service.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
She went on to say the pubÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s hours have also been affected by planned vacations, private parties and staffing shortages.
Hot dogs and fries from the East End Pub in Charleston are shown in this undated photo.
Courtesy photo
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œBut we are very much still in business,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ she said, ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œand are looking forward to cooler fall weather.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
For those who havenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t been, I ask: What are you waiting for?
On the southwest corner of Washington Street and East Avenue, several blocks east of the West Virginia State Capitol, the East End Pub is known for classic American bar-and-grill favorites like hearty apps, wings, burgers, sandwiches and more, plus signature ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œEast End EggrollsÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ that come in different varieties and with your choice of dipping sauces, while supplies last.
Fans rave about them all, but I can personally say the Reuben rolls are ... chefÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s kiss.
Other menu standouts include the Pizzadilla (a grilled tortilla stuffed with sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella, grilled peppers, onions and mushrooms with marinara), Loaded Tots (topped with bacon, cheddar, sour cream and scallions), the Luau Sandwich (grilled ham, pineapple and onions covered in melted Swiss) and grilled all-beef hot dogs on toasted Kristi AnnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s English buns topped with ketchup, mustard, onions, house-made chili and slaw.
Burger-wise, The Eastender is a two-patty, 1-pound (plus) whopper topped with bacon, fries, cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion and aioli. Among other combos, try:
Brunch Burger with bacon and eggs
Queso Crunch with red onions and tortilla chips
Scorcher with hot sauce, pepperjack AND jalapeños
Cowboy with bacon, BBQ sauce, cheddar and onion rings, among other combinations
Many small, independent, locally owned restaurants are struggling right now. So try to catch this one open and show it a little love. YouÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll be glad you did.
People come out for Dollar Dip Day on Sunday, July 16, 2023, at Austin's Homemade Ice Cream in Ceredo.
Ryan Fischer | The Herald-Dispatch
WV is the No. 2 ice cream state?
What better way to follow up last weekÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s love letter to hot dogs than with a final word on ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥¦ ice cream. Americans have a deep and enduring love for this all-American sweet treat, and it turns out West Virginians love it more than most.
In another one of those questionable surveys (this one by online casino SpinBlitz) researchers analyzed Google Maps listings to determine the number of ice cream shops per 100,000 residents across the country.
The #1 most-obsessed ice cream state was Vermont ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” the home of Ben & JerryÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s with nearly 19 ice cream shops per 100,000 residents ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” but the state coming in second? None other than West By God, with just over 18 shops per 100,000 residents.
I take offense to their surprise, but at least they appreciate our natural beauty. HereÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s what they had to say:
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œA dark horse in this race, West Virginia takes second place with nearly as many shops per capita as Vermont. It may not be a headline-grabbing ice cream destination, but this ranking reveals a quiet, yet passionate, ice cream culture tucked into its small towns and scenic valleys.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
, in order, were:
Rhode Island
Pennsylvania
Wisconsin (we beat the Dairy State)
Illinois
New Mexico
Michigan
New Hampshire
New York
Now that you know there are plenty of places to enjoy ice cream around the Mountain State, who scoops up your favorite?
Steven Keith is a food writer and restaurant critic known as ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThe Food Guy.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Reach him at 304-380-6096 or at wvfoodguy@aol.com.
