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The Right Reverend Review, Concord, NC (2026)

05/09/2026

As we descended the steps into what we expected to be a cozy little “Cheers” experience, it became immediately clear this place had less “Norm walking into the bar” energy and a lot more “Stonewall Jackson may still be in the back ordering whiskey.” To be fair, we were in Wi******er — land of Civil War history, George Washington lore, the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival, and hometown pride for Patsy Cline. So honestly, the slightly historic tavern vibe checked out.

And thankfully, unlike some historic sites, the food wasn’t stuck in the 1860s.

The Three Onion Dip was basically French onion dip after finishing graduate school and learning proper table manners. Rich, savory, ridiculously smooth, and paired with house-made chips that were crunchy, golden-brown perfection. Not one burnt chip in the basket, which honestly deserves its own award in today’s culinary climate.

The Southwestern Duck Rangoon came out looking innocent enough, but this thing had layers. The crispy shell gave way to creamy filling, while the adobo aioli brought a smoky earthiness that played beautifully against the sweet corn. It somehow tasted both refined and like something you’d inhale at 1:00 a.m. after bad decisions. That’s a compliment.

Then came the Colorado Elk Meatballs — and this is where the kitchen started showing off a little. The elk was hearty and rich without a hint of that overly gamey flavor people fear. The wild mushroom velouté added deep earthy notes, while roasted grapes swooped in with just enough sweetness to keep the dish balanced and clean. Yes, I just described elk meatballs as “clean tasting.” Welcome to Wi******er Tavern.

And then there was the White Gold cocktail — bourbon, rum, saffron, honey, and citrus all somehow coexisting peacefully like the United Nations of liquor cabinets. You could absolutely taste the alcohol, but it never punched you in the throat the way some bourbon cocktails seem determined to do. Instead, the honey, citrus, and saffron lingered with a mellow sweetness that made the drink dangerously easy to keep ordering.

The R3 Team gives The Wi******er Tavern a solid Righteous!

05/03/2026

Whiskey Coop – Not Your Average “Coop” (Watertown, NY)

When the R3 team hears the word “coop,” we’re thinking chickens, gravel driveways, and somewhere deep in the South. So imagine our raised eyebrows when we stumbled onto Whiskey Coop in Watertown, New York. A coop… in upstate NY? We were intrigued—and a little suspicious.

But if you know upstate New York, you know it can feel a lot like North or South Carolina in the right spots—just swap sweet tea for snow tires. So, with mild skepticism and a healthy respect for anything with “whiskey” in the name, we decided to give it a go.

First impression: it’s tucked inside an older converted home—easy to miss, low-key, and exactly the kind of place that either serves frozen food… or something fantastic. Thankfully, this one leaned hard toward fantastic.

The menu? Creative, slightly chaotic, and full of names that sound like band titles or inside jokes—Seoul Sister, Hot Mess, The Dirty Bird. Naturally, we landed on The Competition, and let’s just say—it lived up to the name.

Picture this: crispy house-fried chicken stacked on a bed of creamy pimento cheese, layered with bacon, drizzled with honey, all tucked into a soft Kaiser roll. Sweet, salty, creamy, crunchy—it hit every note like a well-rehearsed choir. This wasn’t just a sandwich; it was an event.

On the side, house-made chips—crispy, golden, and unapologetically potato-forward. The kind of chips that make you wonder why you ever settled for anything out of a bag.

Now, because we apparently enjoy living on the edge, we paired it all with the Coop Fat-Washed Whiskey Flight. Yes, you read that correctly. Whiskey infused with popcorn butter, bacon fat, and brown butter. Go ahead, read that again—we did.

If that sounds intense… it is. Thick, rich, and lingering in a way that says, “I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.” It’s not for the faint of heart, but for those of us who appreciate whiskey—and apparently lipids—it was a full-on bucket list experience.

And just when we thought things couldn’t get more interesting, out came the sides:

* Maple Brussels Sprouts – grilled, glazed in a maple reduction, and topped with candied pecans. Sweet, smoky, and just enough crunch to keep things exciting.
* Bloody Mary Deviled Eggs – because normal deviled eggs are apparently too boring here. These came loaded with horseradish, bacon, celery, and all the punchy flavors of a Bloody Mary. Each bite was like a flavor explosion with a little attitude.

Let’s be clear: this is not a place for the “I’ll just have the usual” crowd. The flavors are bold, creative, and a little rebellious—in the best way possible.

Final verdict? The R3 team walked in skeptical and walked out impressed (and slightly full of butter-infused whiskey).

The Right Reverend Review gives Whiskey Coop a bold and flavorful Righteous!

05/03/2026

Keaton’s – Where Getting Lost Is Half the Flavor

At R3, we stand with J. R. R. Tolkien—“not all those who wander are lost.” Sometimes you have to get a little lost to find something worth talking about. Case in point: Keaton’s, sitting out in the middle of what feels like nowhere—fields, woods, and just enough civilization to keep the GPS from giving up completely.

Pull into the parking lot and, if it weren’t for the cars, you might think the place closed sometime around 1987 and no one got the memo. The entrance looks like your grandmother’s front porch—welcoming, a little worn, and probably hiding something good inside. Step in and you’ll find zero frills: old tables, old chairs, and a front counter that looks like it was built from plywood, determination, and maybe a little duct tape. The menu board? Let’s just say it has history. And honestly, that’s how you know you’re in the right place—you’re not paying for décor here. You’re paying for flavor.

And where it matters—the food—Keaton’s shows up like an all-star.

Sure, the pork BBQ is excellent (as it should be in this part of the world), but let’s not pretend that’s why we came. The hot-dipped chicken is the headliner, the MVP, the reason you made that questionable turn off the main road. It’s juicy, tender, and absolutely drenched in a thin, spicy BBQ sauce that doesn’t just sit on top—it soaks in like it’s part of the chicken’s DNA. This isn’t thick, sugary sauce. This one bites back a little… and you’ll love it for that.

Pro tip: grab extra paper towels from the wall dispenser. This is not a “stay clean” kind of meal. The mess is part of the experience—and frankly, part of the charm.

Holding their own on the plate are the sides. The potato salad and white slaw are our go-to—simple, balanced, and perfect for cooling down the heat from the chicken. Others swear by the BBQ slaw and mac-and-cheese like they’d put up collateral to get another bite. No wrong answers here.

Pair it all with a cold Diet Pepsi, and suddenly you’ve got yourself a perfect little harmony of spicy, cool, tangy, and refreshing. It’s not just a meal—it’s a system.

While the Keaton family sold the place a few years back, the new owners have wisely kept everything that matters: the recipes, the atmosphere, and that down-home kindness that makes you feel like you’ve been coming here for years—even if it’s your first visit.

Final word? If you’re willing to wander a little, Keaton’s will reward you.

The Right Reverend Review team gives it a messy, spicy, no-regrets Righteous!

11/12/2025

Pump Social – Where the Gas Station Has Better Food Than Most Restaurants

Let’s be honest—we’ve all eaten at a convenience store at some point. Usually, it’s because we’re short on time or our health-conscious spouse isn’t around to stop us. But when we tell you we ate at a convenience store recently—and our spouse was there too—don’t picture us hovering over a roller warmer fishing for mystery meat.

No, no. This was something entirely different.

Welcome to Pump Social in Concord, North Carolina—a restaurant inside a converted gas station that somehow manages to be cool, classy, and downright delicious. Counter seating inside, picnic tables outside, and a vibe that’s equal parts neighborhood hangout and foodie hotspot.

But atmosphere only goes so far if the food’s just “meh.” Thankfully, Pump Social doesn’t do meh.

Before we even talk about the menu, we’ve got to mention the service. This little gem closes at 3 p.m., and the R3 team rolled up at 2:57. We saw the crew wiping down counters, lights dimming, fonal customers finishing up - but before we could turn back to the truck, the owner stopped us. “It’s not 3 p.m. yet,” she said. “Come on in and order.” And just like that, we were believers.

We ordered two sandwiches: El Puerco and Piggy Smalls—because with names like that, how could we not?
• El Puerco: citrus-garlic marinated pork shoulder, pickled red onion, shaved red cabbage, and creamy chimichurri all tucked inside a toasted ciabatta. Every bite was a flavor explosion—bright, tangy, garlicky perfection.
• Piggy Smalls: pan-seared hoisin-glazed pork belly (yes, pork belly), with fermented chili aioli, jalapeños, pickled veggies, and fresh herbs on a soft baguette. It was spicy, rich, and smoky all at once—the kind of sandwich that makes you briefly forget your own name.

And honestly, the review for both is the same: the bread was perfect, the pork was perfect, and every topping hit the bullseye. This wasn’t just a win—it was a clean sweep.

Add in that last-minute hospitality, and you’ve got a place that knows how to do everything right.

Pump Social has that rare combination of comfort and creativity—a “you’ll make friends at the counter” kind of charm with food that makes you want to lick your fingers in public and not even feel bad about it.

If you haven’t been, go. Immediately. if you have been then go back… Tell them to take all your money and let that delicious food replay in your head the rest of the day! This place will rewrite your definition of what a gas station meal can be.

Pump Social is a gas, baby! The Right Reverend Review gives it a big, bold Righteous!

11/12/2025

Flying Buffalo – The Gas Station Gourmet of Kannapolis

As much as the Right Reverend Review team loves to travel far and wide for great food, sometimes the best meals are hiding right in our own backyard. Case in point: The Flying Buffalo in Kannapolis, North Carolina.

If there was ever a place where the food is the star and everything else is just… there, it’s this one. Unless you’re really paying attention, you’ll drive by it twenty times and never know what you missed. It’s tucked next to a nondescript service station, the kind of spot that makes you wonder if the menu is 80% microwaved. We actually hesitated to park—weren’t sure whether to use one of the handful of spaces or just pull up to a gas pump and call it a day.

But one bite in, and—boom—real deal American comfort food. Everything tasted fresh, hot, and homemade. Not the kind of “homemade” that means someone opened a frozen bag, either.

Now, let’s be clear—this is not a “kale smoothie” kind of establishment. The Flying Buffalo is comfort food through and through, and it’s winning the game. The menu is surprisingly broad, and while it’s not all fried, you can safely assume everything on it is worth the calories.

The R3 team ordered a taco salad, some extra-crispy wings, and—because we’re weak—tater tots. The taco salad was huge, piled high with fresh ingredients. It was meant for two people, but somehow we powered through it like champs. The wings were perfectly crisp outside, juicy inside, and coated in spicy garlic sauce that made our taste buds sing and our pores sweat. The homemade blue cheese? Let’s just say we would’ve eaten it with a spoon if no one was watching. And those tots—crispy, golden, potatoey perfection.

Inside, the space is cozy… meaning tight. If you dine in, expect to get friendly with the folks at the next table, but that’s part of the charm. Good food brings good people together—and in a place like this, nobody minds a little elbow bumping.

Flying Buffalo is a reminder that some of the best meals aren’t served in fancy dining rooms but in unexpected corners where the owners care more about flavor than flair. They put their time, money, and energy into what really matters—the food.

The verdict? The Right Reverend Review team gives The Flying Buffalo a resounding, finger-licking Righteous! And yes… we’ll be back. Again. And again.

09/01/2025

Mini Right Reverend Review:

As we cruised the Wild Atlantic Way, nature called—not in a poetic “listen to the waves” kind of way, but in the “we need a pit stop before someone regrets that extra cup of coffee” sort of way. And let’s be honest: pit stops are just socially acceptable excuses to buy snacks.

Enter stage left: O’Donnells Relish and Cheddar Cheese Flavour Chips. Now, we don’t know who thought, “Let’s marry relish with cheese in chip form,” but we hope they got a raise. The relish hits first—sweet, tangy, and suspiciously addictive—while the cheddar waits in the background like an introverted cousin, only showing up when the party’s almost over.

If you’re into sweet-and-salty combos (yes, like a hot dog pretending to be gourmet), these are dangerously good. The R3 team decided against a rating this time, but let’s just say we devoured the bag faster than a leprechaun chasing rent money.

Verdict? Pure snack gold. Forget the pot at the end of the rainbow—you’ll want a bag of these chips instead.

08/31/2025

JJ O’Malleys – Westport Keeps Raising the Bar (Literally)

At this point, we have to ask: does Ireland ever serve bad food? The R3 team hasn’t found it yet—and trust us, we’re trying. Our latest stop: JJ O’Malleys in Westport, a spot so authentically Irish it feels like a set piece from a movie where someone inevitably orders “just one more pint.”

True to form, we skipped the restaurant side and went straight for the bar. That seems to be our habit these days—the less polished and more rustic the atmosphere, the higher the odds there’s a guy named McGregor in the back absolutely destroying the kitchen in the best possible way.

Now, on to the food—because JJ did not disappoint:
• Irish Beef Burger – Thick, juicy, and packed with flavor. Every bite brought flashbacks of our drives through the Irish countryside—rolling green hills, happy cows, and now one very righteous burger.
• Chunky Fries – Yes, we’re predictable. Yes, we rave about fries a lot. But these? These might be the best yet. Golden, crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, the kind of fry that makes you want to write a thank-you note to the potato farmer.
• The Salad – And somehow, even the greenery was a star. Sweetness in the dressing made us do a double-take—and maybe even a little dance. Never thought lettuce could be fun, but here we are.
• Brown Sauce – A new discovery. Think vinegar, Worcestershire, and a hint of sweetness. Complex, confusing, and strangely addictive. My taste buds are still holding a committee meeting about it.
• Truffle Fries – Because apparently one kind of fry wasn’t enough. These came with a Parmesan-truffle drizzle that made us forget our table manners. Hands were flying. No regrets.
• Mediterranean Veggies – Light tomato sauce, perfectly cooked, and blended just right. Proof that even the side dishes in Ireland bring their A-game.

Just when we think we’ve seen it all, Ireland pulls another trick out of the hat. JJ O’Malleys wasn’t just good—it was legendary.

Final word? The Right Reverend Review team gives JJ O’Malleys an enthusiastic, no-doubt-about-it Righteous!

08/30/2025

The Olde Castle Bar – Where Donegal Serves More Than Romantic Harbour Ambience

Donegal might lure you in with its cliffs, castles, lighthouses, and national park—but eventually you’ve got to eat something besides mist and history. Just when we thought we’d already sampled Ireland’s culinary greatest hits, along came The Olde Castle Bar to prove us wrong.

The place was buzzing. Every table full, aisles so tight you could brush shoulders with half the town, and a lively hum of chatter and laughter in every corner. It wasn’t “fine dining silence”—this was Ireland, where eating out feels like joining a party you didn’t have to RSVP for.

The R3 team ordered with a bit of hesitation (because let’s face it, pub food can swing both ways), but we rolled the dice and hit the jackpot.

First up: the warm goat cheese salad. Melted, velvety goat cheese perched on peppery arugula, tangy pickled cucumbers, all glossed in balsamic vinaigrette. It was fancy enough to make you feel like you were eating healthy, but still rich enough to remind you this was pub grub with flair.

Then came the seafood pie. And folks, this wasn’t just dinner—it was a religious experience. Imagine piped mashed potatoes gratin, baked golden and crispy on top, hiding a treasure chest of the day’s fish and prawns swimming in creamy white chowder. The chowder alone could have been a meal, but instead it played backup, letting the seafood shine while still whispering, “you’re welcome.” Every bite was a perfect marriage of crispy, creamy, and fresh-from-the-sea flavor. Honestly, it tasted like it had been caught, blessed, and baked all in the same afternoon.

We’d been warned this would be a good meal, but good doesn’t cover it. This was flat-out fantastic.

The Right Reverend Review team, full and very merry, raises a glass to The Olde Castle Bar with an enthusiastic and well-deserved Righteous!!

08/30/2025

Harbour Bar & Bistro – Where the Scenery Is Fresh and So Is the Fish

Portrush, Northern Ireland, might as well have been designed by a film director with a thing for quaint harbors and salty air. Picture this: little dinghies bobbing in the water, tied up with rope or chain, clinging to a rock wall like they know a storm is coming. Access? A sketchy little pipe ladder bolted into the stone. Add a backdrop of charming town streets that look like they belong in a novel, and you’ve got yourself a setting.

Into this scene we wandered, and straight into Harbour Bar & Bistro. The place was buzzing—locals laughing loudly, tourists pretending they were locals, and a general sense that this was the place to be. The service? Let’s just say it wasn’t quite the hyper-attentive, refill-your-water-before-you’ve-sipped American style we’re used to. But hey, we’re adapting. (Besides, Guinness doesn’t exactly need topping off every five minutes.)

Now, the food. We went straight for the fresh salmon—a thick, beautifully cut piece, cooked just right. On top, a golden patty of garlic butter slowly melted into the fish, basting it like a culinary love letter. Add a crisp salad with vinegar dressing, and suddenly the Atlantic breeze felt fancier.

We also ordered the fish and chips, because when in Ireland, do as the Irish do. The haddock was fried to perfection: crisp on the outside, tender and meaty on the inside, with that unmistakable ocean-fresh flavor. The fries—or as the locals call them, “chips”—were chunky and hearty, the kind of potato that reminds you you’re in Ireland, land of the spud. Maybe it was the freshness, maybe it was the salt air, but these fries had something extra.

And then there were the mushy peas. Normally, we’re not fans of “green wrinkly peas” masquerading as food. But these? Different story. They had a little kick—maybe garlic, maybe fairy dust—that turned them from sad side dish to plate-stealing superstar. In fact, one member of the R3 team swiped them off another’s plate and finished them off without shame.

By the end, between the scenery, the crowd, and the plates of seafood happiness, we were convinced: this is the kind of place you don’t just stumble into, you make a point to visit.

Final word? The Right Reverend Review bestows on Harbour Bar & Bistro a hearty and well-earned Righteous!

08/29/2025

“The Thirsty Goat – Where Comfort Food Meets Cloudy Skies”

If you ever manage to take all the wrong turns, board a red-eye, and somehow stumble into Belfast, Northern Ireland—you might just end up at The Thirsty Goat. And honestly? You should.

This place doesn’t just feel like an Irish pub—it practically smacks you over the head with it. Heavy wooden doors? Check. Dim lighting and leather chairs you sink into like a confession booth? Check. Guinness on tap, flowing like it’s piped in from heaven itself? Of course. Welcome to Northern Ireland.

The Right Reverend Review team went straight for two classics: the lamb stew with house Guinness wheaten bread and the Belfast Boxty.

Let’s start with the stew. Nothing fancy, just everything you’d want on a drizzly Belfast afternoon. Tender lamb floating in a rich stock that leaned more “gravy” than “broth”—the kind that makes you wish you had a shovel instead of a spoon. The wheaten bread, baked with Guinness, was hearty enough to double as a building material but soft enough to soak up every last drop. This was comfort food at its finest—warm, filling, and soul-healing.

Now the boxty—and if you’ve never had one, think “potato pancake leveled up.” Crispy on the outside, steaming and fluffy on the inside, it was the perfect starchy stage for the main act. Piled on top: thick slices of Belfast ham (meaty, flavorful, not salty enough to pickle you), a ladle of gravy, a scatter of cabbage, and—because someone in the kitchen really loves us—crispy fried bacon. And just when we thought it couldn’t get better, they tossed on some crunchy parsnips, which turned out to be the unexpected hero of the dish.

It was a plate that had everything: salty, savory, crunchy, hearty. Basically, the kind of meal that makes you forget you’re still damp from the Belfast drizzle.

Service? Attentive, cheerful, and quick enough that we didn’t have to glare longingly at someone else’s pint while waiting.

Final word: The Thirsty Goat doesn’t just feed you—it comforts you. For us, it was an easy call. The Right Reverend Review team gives it a full and joyful Righteous!

The Right Reverend Review

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