Gary "Big Hokie" C.'s Profile

I was pleasantly surprised. I wasn't expecting much because the only review I had heard was that it was average. But, the appetizer was really good and the portions were impressive. We got the half-size appetizer and it was huge. I can't imagine getting the full-sized version.

The salads were surprisingly good. The entrees were good, not great, but I enjoyed the friendly service, the atmosphere and the overall experience. I'm glad Blacksburg has a more upscale, yet affordable, sports bar and grille experience.

We will definitely be back.

Admittedly I am not a big beer fan. I have a few select beers that I drink, but outside of those, I just haven't acquired a taste for them. I tried their Pale Ale and it wasn't for me. The next time I'm there, I will try their sampler and see if I can find one that I like.

As for the food, I had the crab cakes and an appetizer that I couldn't find on the menu, but was recommended by one of the owners. It was like a pepper-crusted raw Mahi Mahi. It wasn't too bad actually and I do not usually eat raw fish.

Overall, I think Bull & Bones is a bit overpriced for most folks, but I have to say that the crab cakes were some of the best I've had this far inland. I think the restaurant is still working out the kinks and will improve over time. I am much more likely to hang out on the bar side where there are plenty of pool tables and a plethora of TVs for watching games.

I would really like to see this establishment survive in Blacksburg. It's no more expensive than Outback and it's locally owned and operated. Give it a shot!

I went to Backstreets with my 3-year-old son last night before the Virginia Tech women's volleyball game. I hadn't eaten at Backstreets since I was a student at Tech more than 11 years ago, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was very pleasantly surprised! The hostess was very nice and engaged my son in conversation. We were seated immediately, which surprised me on a Friday night at 6:15. Our server was a college-aged guy and he did a good job. The best part of the night was the New York Style pizza we ordered. It was outstanding! By far the best pizza in Blacksburg in my opinion. When we left, the hostess asked my son if he'd come back and see her ... most definitely, but mostly for the food! I can't wait to try their calzones and salads as Patrick M. suggests in his review.

I recently bought my first new bike in about 15 years and I bought it from East Coasters in Blacksburg. The staff was very courteous and knowledgeable. They asked a series of questions to get a better of idea of how I planned to use the bike. Much to my surprise, they didn't try to sell me the most expensive bike. Instead, they found the bike that was right for me and it happened to be at the low end of my price range. I was very pleased with the experience and would certainly buy from them again, though I don't think this bike will need to be replaced for a long long time.

The food is much better than the service, but if you need a little Cajun flavor to spice up your dining routine, then Boudreaux's is a good place to stop. They don't take reservations for times after 6 p.m. on the same day you call. If you call at least a day in advance, you can reserve a table after 6 p.m.

The food is pretty good, but the service is generally slow and the wait staff doesn't really seem focused on customer service. They rarely smile and seem to stop by tables when its convenient for them, rather than the patrons. I think the lack of personality can be attributed to the work environment. There never seems to be a enough wait staff to accommodate the dinner rush.

As for the establishment itself, it's a bit run down, which I guess for some is part of the charm. But, the upstairs men's room does not have a functioning lock, the tables and chairs have seen better days and they never seem to have enough pitchers; our waitress couldn't bring us another pitcher of beer until someone returned an empty pitcher. I'm sorry, but if you are a restaurant in a college town, you'd think the management would have enough cheap plastic pitchers on hand to accommodate your clientele.

Bottom line: Food = good. Service = Eh. Environment = Eh.

I had been looking for a good BBQ joint in the New River Valley and found Log Cabin in the University Mall shopping center. I've tried the pulled pork and the pulled chicken and I prefer the pork. The chicken was a little dry, but still good. The sauces are pretty good and their baked beans are very good. It's not Memphis BBQ, but if you need a BBQ fix while in the Burg, this is a good place to go.