Soup beans are a winter staple in Appalachia. Not exactly a soup, this dish is made with beans (often pinto beans) slowly simmered with ham, salt and pepper to a thick and creamy consistency, and served with cornbread for sopping up the juices. Depending on the recipe or restaurant, the beans may include diced onions, homemade chow chow or fried potatoes.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Beans & Cornbread in West Virginia are as follows:
- Pufferbelly's Ice Cream Station - Fairmont
- Dutchman's Daughter Restaurant - Fairmont
- The Grill - Charleston
- Harding's Family Restaurant - Charleston
- Tamarack - Beckley
- Bluegrass Kitchen - Charleston
- Tudor's Biscuit World - Multiple Locations
- Hometown Restaurant - Peterstown
- Ruby & Ketchy's - Morgantown
- Central City Cafe - Huntington
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning restaurants!
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The Experts
Nikki Bowman
Nikki Bowman, a West Virginia native, is the... Read More
Nikki Bowman, a West Virginia native, is the founder and owner of New South Media, Inc., which publishes the critically acclaimed WV Living, WV Weddings, Explore and Morgantown magazines. In January 2015, her company also took over the editorial and design of Wonderful West Virginia magazine, and in 2017, the company became the publisher of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Resource Guide. She was chosen as a Folio: Top Woman in Media in 2015 and was given the SBA’s 2014 Women Business Champion Award. Her company is the recipient of six Star of the Industry Awards given by the West Virginia Division of Tourism.
Nikki Bowman

Nikki Bowman, a West Virginia native, is the founder and owner of New South Media, Inc., which publishes the critically acclaimed WV Living, WV Weddings, Explore and Morgantown magazines. In January 2015, her company also took over the editorial and design of Wonderful West Virginia magazine, and in 2017, the company became the publisher of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Resource Guide. She was chosen as a Folio: Top Woman in Media in 2015 and was given the SBA’s 2014 Women Business Champion Award. Her company is the recipient of six Star of the Industry Awards given by the West Virginia Division of Tourism.
Candace Nelson
Candace Nelson, a West Virginia native, is a... Read More
Candace Nelson, a West Virginia native, is a marketing and public relations professional. She writes about Appalachian food culture on her blog candacelately.com and authors a food column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail. In addition, her book The West Virginia Pepperoni Roll is available for at WVUPressOnline.com or Amazon.com.
Candace Nelson

Candace Nelson, a West Virginia native, is a marketing and public relations professional. She writes about Appalachian food culture on her blog candacelately.com and authors a food column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail. In addition, her book The West Virginia Pepperoni Roll is available for at WVUPressOnline.com or Amazon.com.