Tamarack: The Best of West Virginia

This is the best service plaza that I’ve been to. Not only can you get a home-​cooked tasting meal, but if you’re looking for just fast food, you can get that as well at the lower plaza. I got a delicious tasting steak salad from here. This place is more like a museum and super gift shop more than anything. Lots of souvenirs and handmade Native American products. If you’re looking to rest, be entertained and eat healthful food that won’t leave you heavy, then you’re in the right place.

Disappointed in lack of quality food and dirty conditions in restaurant areas.

The cooks here made every effort to make an allergy friendly meal for my daughter. They were amazing! My salmon was delicious and fresh. We had a good experience here. The hot dog/​fries was just ok but the meatball slider was made well with perfect bread.

I was intrigued by the signs, and by «easy on/​easy off,» and «fast dining, by the Greenbrier.» The food was a disappointment. It had been good, but was not fresh. If you leave fried green tomatoes around they get soggy. These were obviously well made, but had been hanging around too long. I also had a cup of mediocre chile (how do you get dry meat in a soup?) and okay brats and kraut.
Service was iffy. Prices were high.
Now, the crafts were pretty cool. Expensive, but very nice. I got a few small things and some packaged foods, and was very happy with the selection. But I’ll look farther afield for lunch next time. Essentially, it’s an upscale tourist trap.

This is a great spot to stop for good food, gas, etc. Skip the fast food, and eat in the Visitor Center (the round building on the hill). The food is MUCH better, just as fast, healthier, and only slightly more expensive (depending on what you want). I got a maple glazed turkey sandwich on marble rye bread, with amazing raspberry mustard. Added kettle chips, pickle, and a drink, under $ 10.
I’m not sure what some folks consider a tourist «trap», but if you have traveled much, this is NOT such a place. It is a great opportunity for true artists to showcase their wares. The stuff is quality, and expensive, but NOT touristy «kitsch». Even if you buy NOTHING, it is fun to walk around, for free, admire the goods, and watch artists at work. No trap. If you feel your time is wasted on such things, you should stay at the food court down below, and enjoy the Burger King and Sbarro’s.

well I’m not sure if it really is the best of W. Virginia, but having driven through the state, I can believe it :)
That said, it’s a mall. A very nicely appointed, very open mall. The goods are all hand crafted (food, pottery, wood work, etc) the artists often have a work space there too, which is kinda cool. Time it right and you see a potter working, etc.
If nothing else it’s a nice place to stop, stretch your legs, maybe spend some money. The actual rest stop is just down the hill a bit and has a starbucks, and some food places.
Not sure I’d stop if i wasn’t in need of coffee or a place to pee, but it wasn’t terrible.

Gotta say, the signs drew us in. We knew it would be a tourist trap, but there was also a stabucks!
It’s a round building, lots of «local» crafts. It was fun to see and see where the artists can work.
Plenty of parking and a nice place to stretch your legs. And there was an «all american» santa available for pictures around christmas!
Go if you need a stop, don’t go expecting the best thing ever!

Please just go to local craft fairs. This place charges 4 times what local crafters charge. A total disservice to craftsmen.

Tamarack is such a tourist trap. I should have read the signs. Oh wait, I did… every single one of them from Charleston to the actual travel plaza. It’s what made me decide, «that looks fun… I should stop there.» *FACEPALM* When did I turn 58 again?
If you’re deliberating on whether or not you should stop, I would say do so if craft shows in rotund buildings are your thing. You can walk out with the perfect West Virginia souvenir, such as a painting of the landscape, a book written by a local author, wooden utensils for your kitchen, or jar of moonshine jelly.

I don’t think this is the best of West Virginia. The food was average cafeteria style. There were loads of senior citizen tour busses dropping elderly groups off so it was pretty crowded. The prices were decent. Staff was nice. The place is really a huge gift shop with a cafeteria.
I had a fried green tomato bacon sandwich. The cheese made it soggy. It was just okay. It had a side of mashed potatoes with gravy that were pretty good. My husband had a burger. He said it was a step above fast food. The menu was limited.
The building is cool and it’s neat to walk around but no, this is not the best place to eat.

This is a cute little stop on the way to Beckley. It is a circular building that you can walk around and shop for all sorts of handmade crafts, such as jewelry, chairs, bowls, utensils, and paintings to name a few. They also have local jams, jellies, sauces, spices, and desserts for sale too. Everything is overpriced though, but it is what it is.
The cafeteria seems to be the highlight of the Tamarack, but I was not impressed. Standard cafeteria food that was average. I had a ¼ of baby back ribs, oven baked potatoes, and red bean soup. The best thing was the beans, which had a great spice to them. The potatoes were just ok. The ribs had a good flavor and were meaty, but unfortunately were very tough and dry (overcooked).

The largest rest area on interstate 77. Filled with lots of food options and a starbucks, thank goodness. The main reason to stop here is for the abundance of parking spaces to stop and stretch and of course, use the potty. The bathrooms are dirty and not enjoyable. I used a few rest tops along the way that are cleaner. Beware and just know the alternative is to eliminate on the side of the road, been there done that. (Not on this trip I might add)

Making my way back from vacation in Florida, I decided to stop in and see what the Tamarack had to offer and I wasn’t disappointed!
Throughout the building there are little shops that have hand-​made crafts that were all made in West Virginia. Some of the items were very cool to look and gaze over.
The more important thing I was looking forward to was the café. It is a great place to eat if you’re looking for some place while traveling! They have a lot of options to choose from and the prices are hard to beat! I had the chicken ceasar salad special and quite honestly, it was the best ceasar salad I’ve ever had!
The dining area was nice and clean and the service members were very polite and helpful!

I have passed the exit to the Best of West Virginia on numerous trips north and south on I 77. On this particular trip, I decided I was going to take the time and check it out.
Built in 1996, the facility is well-​maintained and very clean! There is tons of art and handcrafted trinkets. There are a few statues honoring those people representing the state. But by far, my most favorite thing about this place, is the food!
Served on Fiesta ware, from the Homer Laughlin China Co (Newell, WV), the food is fast and well prepared. The staff is friendly, and best of all, the food is priced quite inexpensively!
More often than not when I am driving between Pennsylvania and Florida, I am more concerned about getting where I’m going to, then enjoying the trip there. I am glad that I stopped and I will make it a regular destination when given the opportunity.

Fantastic food! Greenbrier chefs help prepare southern food such as trout, fried tomatoes, kale and salmon are my favorites. I love the quality and the clean restrooms.
Awesome place for a stop on 77!

While I would t make a special stop for this, it’s certainly a nice way to refresh if you’re on a long drive.
They have a great variety of things to eat, good coffee and clean bathrooms. They also ha e plenty of interesting exhibits to enjoy and crafts to buy.
We had 3 kids with is and they all enjoyed it — always thankful for that! And fry the pecan pie!

An interesting kitschy place to stop if you are traveling through on I-​77. You can get something nice to eat that is not crappy fast food, plus you get to see some West Virginia crafts and other treats.
I really do like the idea of showcasing local artisans and West Virginia crafts and products and the selection is terrific. Books, pottery, clothing, art and textiles. I like supporting local economies when traveling.

My wife LOVES this place. I can’t count how many times we’ve been here on our way to somewhere else. We typically plan to be by here for a meal. The restaurant is 3 stars and the place itself is 5 stars.
Showcasing local artisans and West Virginia crafts and products is brilliant and the selection is terrific. Books, pottery, clothing, art and textiles. There’s something for everyone and I really like supporting local economies where ever we travel.
The restaurant is ok. My complaint is simple. The use oil in everything and too much of it. Everything is greasy but not in a good way. We know now that corn and vegetable oils are really a problem. Animal fats are better for you. When you’re done with your meal here, there’s always an oil slick at the bottom of your plate. Green beans and mushrooms are the biggest culprit. Gross, I can taste the oil coating my mouth as we speak. Try some extra virgin olive oil and a bit of butter. I’ve seen containers of fake fats behind their line and they don’t belong here. Time to wake up, it’s 2015. The food quality here needs to be updated greatly.
The menu is really nice and mostly the food is good. Sometimes it’s not as hot as I would like and I think they should warm the plates so that it’s not cold by the time you get through the cash register and to your table. I want to love this place as much as my wife and we’ll be back so please step it up! It hasn’t changed in the 10 years we’ve been coming and it’s time.

Unfriendly people irritate me. Funny how one bad apple can spoil the barrel. Thankfully the very personable and friendly chef made up for the standoffish cashier. To the cashier, I realize Halloween is getting close, but there’s no need to be a wicked witch. For those of us new to the state, you aren’t giving us a good impression.
Okay, moving on. They were out of trout, bummer, so I tried the fried green tomatoes instead. 3 bucks for 3 slices. Delicious!
I skipped the coffee because it came in a Styrofoam cup. The east coast seems to be a bit behind in earth friendlyness.
It was early in the morning so no artisans were working in the studios/​fishbowls. It was fantastic though to see all that west virginian talent on display and for sale under one roof.

The Mountain Burger is great!
Stores: I enjoyed walking around and looking at all the items. I bought jewelry for my girlfriend behind the counter of one walk-​in store. It was handmade, sterling silver, nice earrings and a dainty bracelet. They were very reasonably priced and my girlfriend loved them.
Food: I ordered the Mountain Burger and it was one of the best burgers I’ve ever eaten. It had melted cheese on top, along with fried green tomatoes. The red potatoes were okay. I enjoyed the green beans with mushrooms.
Bathrooms: Very clean and smelled nice. The sinks in the men’s room didn’t extend far enough away from the counter. I really had to press my hands against the edge of the sink to rinse them off.