Front Porch Restaurant

Don't make a trip just for The Front Porch. Make a trip for the rocks and enjoy the local fare.  My opinion of the food is slightly biased since the last time I ate here was 2 nights in a row after spending 12 hours climbing the rocks.  I have eaten here about 4 times total.  Grab a 6 pack from the General Store's surprisingly awesome beer selection and relax while taking in another one of WV's beautiful sights.

Kind of cool to eat above the general store on the porch, which isn't a front porch at all -- it's more of a side deck. But you get a good view of the rocks. The menu was more diverse than I would've expected out there in the middle of nowhere, and this was probably the best place we found to eat while in the area over the weekend. When you're in the Seneca/Smoke Hole/Petersburg area, you're really much better off just grilling your own food around a campfire because there aren't many great options that we've been able to find. But Front Porch had very good service and reasonable prices, and we liked the food.

The half-pita was stuffed so full, my girlfriend was glad she didn't order the full one. However, the chips that came with it were just generic plain Lay's -- and I can prove that because you can see into the kitchen where they keep dozens of bags of them lying around in plain view. I had the pizza, which was surprisingly good. They do seem to advertise themselves as a pizza place, and they supposedly make the dough fresh there daily. It was a VERY good dough, and they were pretty generous with the toppings. I really liked it -- BUT, the toppings were all canned, even the mushrooms. If they combined that dough recipe with fresh, locally sourced toppings, this place could potentially be off the chain.

I ordered hot tea and, whereas many places would bring you a selection of several teas to choose from or at least have a green tea, I got the most generic black pekoe tea imaginable. It had zero flavor but tasted a little better when I dumped a few packets of Sweet 'n' Low in it (no Splenda or Truvia here, sorry)! The ice water is DEFINITELY well water. Or maybe just that's how the West Virginia tap water tastes. I didn't actually mind it, but it's noticeable for sure.

If I'm ever back in the area, I'd probably go here and get another pizza, but only because there aren't any good restaurants around and because the only other pizza options are Hunt Brothers and Fox's (both gas station/gift shop chains) and Pizza Hut (ew) back in Petersburg. To sum it up, I'd say you can't go wrong with Front Porch if you're in Seneca because it's probably your best bet, but don't expect anything miraculous.

I see the confusion in the mix of reviews.  This is not fine dining folks.  It is On the porch of an old general sore with an amazing view of Seneca Rocks.  But it is really a  diner that has homestyle cooking with paper place mats.  Atmosphere is country.  The menu generally like that of a roadside eatery...burgers...a lamb sandwich, some subs...country style spaghetti (huge portions with like 7 meatballs)...and the pizza.  I was expecting crappy diner pizza and, instead, YUM.  The crust was chewy, tasty, perfect.  Sweet sauce, canned mushrooms.  It is what it is and it's good.

To the tourists that WV appreciates so much, this is really worth coming to.  Lower expectations that have been raised by reviews...this is not Wolfgang Pucks...it's not a slick NY pizzeria...it is not a chainly brick oven joint...it is a locally owned mom and pop who has found a really delicious pizza recipe that draws locals and tourists alike.  With loads of family restaurants along the highway to Dollys Sods and Seneca...that have seen better days, I'd pick here.  

And, if you want fine dining...go to Elk River Inn in Slaty Fork.Seriously.  AWESOME.