If you’re driving along Interstate 79 and have time to stray away for half a day, Marion County is an exciting Appalachian culinary destination.

Get a taste of local flavor at eight of our favorite foodie restaurants.

The Rambling Root 
Part restaurant, part bar, The Rambling Root is a local favorite. The menu is growing and changing, at Fairmont’s newly opened restaurant. The kitchen dishes out a melting pot of Southern, Appalachian, German foods and several Fairmont favorites. Their menu will change seasonally and they locally source ingredients when available.

On any given day, you may find a jam session going on at “The Root” or a pick-up game of corn hole on their outdoor patio.

The Rambling Root has an extensive selection of WV craft beer including Marion County’s newest brewery, Short Story Brewing.

Joe n Throw
What happens when a potter and a coffee roaster both enter a beard-growing contest? You get the coolest coffee shop/pottery studio in all of West Virginia! Joe n Throw is located in the heart of downtown Fairmont and is dedicated to promoting local art, culture, and food.

Stop by for lunch (which is often sourced from the weekly farmer’s market), a pour-over coffee, a WV craft beer or just to hang out.

If you have a little time, you can shop at the pottery studio or better yet, create your own masterpiece at a West Fork Pottery class. Joe n Throw is also a great place to catch a local band or perhaps an art show.

Noteworthy Sweets
Noteworthy Sweets is part bakery and part restaurant. Noteworthy’s culinary team prepares a daily special to keep up with what’s fresh and in season as well as a limited menu of regular dishes. You can find their “Culinary Compositions for the Soul” on their Facebook page. They also have a limited breakfast menu (limited in selection but not on taste!)

Noteworthy stands for not only their remarkable food but also for the occasional concert you’ll find after hours at the restaurant.

Whether you are looking for a sweet treat or a cool restaurant to meet friends, Noteworthy Sweets is a must when traveling in the area.

Aquarium Lounge
You may not find an actual aquarium these days at the restaurant, but you will find hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood, chicken, pork, and pasta dishes. Favorites enjoyed by Marion County natives include their chicken & roasted red pepper soup and spinach salad. They also have a fully-stocked bar to mix your favorite libations.

Aquarium Lounge is a delectable, distinctive Fairmont eatery that has been a favorite with locals and visitors alike since 1972. So whether you are celebrating a special occasion or want to spend an afternoon or evening with friends, this is a restaurant you’ll return to time and time again.

McAteers Restaurant
Located across from Fairmont State University, McAteers has been serving breakfast and lunch since 1958. So you know they’ve got this down pat!

You’ll find the traditional eggs, oatmeal, breakfast sandwiches with the usual sides prepared to your liking as well as sandwiches, burgers and soups. But what you won’t find elsewhere is homemade white, wheat and rye bread made fresh daily.

And the only place in Fairmont you’ll find a full authentic Irish meal of corned beef, cabbage and potatoes on St. Patrick’s Day is McAteers. It’s a pretty big deal!

Copper House Grill
Located right along Interstate 79, Copper House Grill is a great place to grab lunch, dinner or just a drink with your pals. If you’ll be in town for a while, you’ll also want to check out their regional and national entertainment.

Copper House has an extensive menu but some of their most ordered dishes include their raspberry, pecan chicken salad, Jamaican wrap and their Fairmonter. The Fairmonter is a pepperoni roll – WV’s state food – kicked up a notch. It loaded with sauce, cheese, a mix of sweet and hot peppers and mushrooms. You’ll also find great burgers, pasta, and seafood dishes.

It’s easy to find when traveling on the interstate – the restaurant has a copper roof! You also have the option of dining indoors or out (at least depending on the weather).

Say-Boy Restaurant
In 1960, Albert & Joan Sabo purchased Country Club Barbeque from her parents, J. Bernard (Punk) & Mary Purdy. They added two Y’s to their name and called their restaurant
Say-Boy. The restaurant served sizzling steaks, lots of pasta, broasted chicken, & a variety of home-style cooked specials including roasted turkey dinners with all the trimmings every Sunday.

In 2001, nephew, Kenneth Sabo purchased Say-Boy, extending the heritage and traditional favorites to a third generation. The locals still enjoy their hoagies, burgers, salads, and pasta dishes.

Be prepared to get a little wide-eyed when they bring out your meal because their generous portions will have you loosening your belt before leave the table.

Back to their broasted chicken. The technique is a little hard to explain but first, they pressure cook the chicken in its own juices then deep fry the pieces. It’s the best of both cooking worlds!

And for the look and feel of a great old-fashioned diner, DJ’s 50s & 60s Diner can’t be beaten.

So if you are trying to decide whether or not you should stop, take our word for it – STOP!

From ice cream to an unforgettable dinner, Marion County offers the chance to enjoy the local flavor.

 

Where will you be making your first food stop?