The Roanoker - July/August 2017 - 142

DINING | RED JASMINE & FORK IN THE ALLEY

Eakin also set the menu, decided on the wood-fire
grill, hired the first round of staff and helped make one
of the most critical decisions to Fork in the Alley's success: the addition of the outdoor patio.
"We had no intentions of building a patio," says
Dave. "It was a completely random conversation with
the builder."
Thank goodness for Sam Eakin and random conversations. The patio is what makes Fork in the Alley, well,
Fork in the Alley: a true embodiment of the Trinkles'
community vision. This, along with their wood-fired
brick oven and jazzed up pub fare, give Fork in the
Alley its distinct identity amongst Roanoke's restaurants.
Fork in the Alley is eclectic in their offerings. Their pizzas are great-wood fired, not greasy, allowing the topping
flavors to shine. Their burgers and dogs menu is fun. You
can choose from one of their specialties or build your own,
selecting from the substantial list of condiments and toppings running along the menu's side. Their salads are especially nice; chocked full of fresh, healthy ingredients and
not just a pile of greens. The Mediterranean and SoCal are
especially tasty. I usually pair them with the house made
balsamic or avocado lime vinaigrette.

Dave says even in their menu they pay tribute to
Roanoke's historic South Roanoke community: the
Lipes Burger is named after the old Lipes pharmacy
where Dave and Ann grew up eating burgers topped
with the same Tinnell's pimento cheese they use in
the restaurant today. Betty's Skettie is Dave's mother's
recipe. And The McClanahan is named after McClanahan Street-pretty straightforward.
Since opening FITA in 2005, the Trinkles have expanded to the Market Building (Fork in the Market),
and Roanoke's food truck scene (Fork in the Road).
This spring they opened a free-standing covered bar
in the front yard space of Fork in the Alley that offers
a menu of small plates Dave describes as Argentinian
goucho grill (literally: cowboy grill) foods-veggies,
meats, breads and cheeses.
Surely by now the Trinkles realize the restaurant
business is their thing, after all.
Monday - Thursday: 11am - 10pm
Friday - Saturday: 11am - 1am
Sunday: 11am - 9pm
2123 Crystal Spring Avenue, Roanoke
540-982 - 3675; forkinthealley.rocks

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4237 Electric Rd.
540-776-9884
Salem
211 E. Main St.
540-387-2686

Downtown Roanoke
120 Church Ave.
540-342-7231

Radford
510 East Main St.
540-731-487

110 | JULY/AUGUST 2017

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922 University City
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19 West Main St. 3744 Candler's Mtn Rd.
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The Roanoker - July/August 2017

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