Customers pack Danny’s BBQ Stand on Dec. 20, 2022, as the restaurant, owned by former ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä mayor Danny Jones, prepared to permanently close at the end of the day. Jones, who served four terms as mayor, opened the restaurant in February 2020. It reopened under new ownership but with the same recipes in September 2025.
A new Pickle Palooza festival offering free samples, live entertainment, games and more will take over downtown ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s Slack Plaza from 1-5 p.m. on Sept. 20.
And as the news release cheesily proclaims, this is a really big dill.
Pickles and other pickled/fermented foods are having a moment in international culinary circles, prompting many cities large and small to host pickle-themed celebrations of late.
Our northerly neighbor, Pittsburgh’s own Picklesburgh Festival — featuring (I’m not making this up) a mechanical pickle you could ride — wrapped up its 10th year in July, being named USA Today’s top specialty food event in the country for the past four of those years.
Every guest will receive a free vote for their favorite People’s Choice pickle, with additional votes available for purchase. Special Mayor’s Choice and Judges’ Choice winners will be chosen as well, plus Ellen’s will be scooping up pickle ice cream!
The event will also feature live music from The Chucktown Allstars and The ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Rogues; competitions like the Pickle Toss, Pickle Bucket Game and Pickle Relay; and local artists selling their work.
Pickle Palooza is presented by Arts Amplified, the organization that helps bring music, arts and cultural events to “City Center Live at Slack Plaza.â€
“Pickle Palooza is everything we love about City Center Live — great local flavors, live music and a fun reason to come together downtown,†said Bryan Cooper, executive director of Arts Amplified. “Your support helps us invest directly in the artists who make ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä such a vibrant place to live, work and visit.â€
The event is free to the public and registration is not required to attend.
Recovery Sports Grill in ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä is shown on Aug. 5, 2025.
Recovery Sports Grill inside downtown ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s Four Points by Sheraton hotel has reopened after closing in mid-July for a multi-week makeover.
General Manager Greg Wolfe said the restaurant now features “a whole new look,†including the installation of video walls to replace the previous projectors that played sporting events, a new firepit and Adirondack furniture on the patio, and updates to the restaurant’s party room.
Customers pack Danny’s BBQ Stand on Dec. 20, 2022, as the restaurant, owned by former ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä mayor Danny Jones, prepared to permanently close at the end of the day. Jones, who served four terms as mayor, opened the restaurant in February 2020. It reopened under new ownership but with the same recipes in September 2025.
As promised, Danny’s BBQ Stand reopened last week featuring new management — but the former ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä mayor and his recipes still flavor the menu.
After running a string of successful restaurants throughout the Kanawha Valley, Danny Jones most recently operated Danny’s BBQ Stand before closing back in 2022.
Much to the delight of Jones’ many fans, new restaurant operator Benjamin Noel has reopened the old place and says the food is “the same as it ever was. [Jones] is our adviser and the recipes and everything else is exactly the same,†Noel told me on Monday. “We’d love for you to stop by and see us one day if you get some time.â€
Oh, you know I will.
Steven Keith is a food writer and restaurant critic known as “The Food Guy.†Reach him at 304-380-6096 or at wvfoodguy@aol.com.
