Wheeling’s hottest new restaurant, The Wheel, has opened up where TJ’s once stood. It offers an array of different foods, some new and some classics, and upkeeps a staple restaurant that’s been a symbol of our community.
On first impression, the restaurant has definitely had a makeover. The seats, tables, and floors have been changed to give the space a new, sleek look. Likewise, a lot of the decor on the walls has been removed. This makes the space less overwhelming and easier on the eyes. There are still some elements that remain. The arcade and the billiard tables remain to entertain before and after a meal.
While the owner of The Wheel is not currently accepting interviews, Heath Miller, a senior at Wheeling Park, works at The Wheel. He tells of his experience working on opening weekend,
“It was pretty busy, a lot of people were excited to try a new place,” said Miller. “The kitchen is learning to make new food, some of us are still learning how to serve and deal with the new electronics… other than that it went pretty smooth.”
Overall, Heath enjoys working at the new restaurant, “This is my first server job and I’m enjoying it,” said Heath. “I’m moving around a lot, which is something I like doing.”
Other students have also gone to the restaurant for its opening. Connor Kiziminski talks about his meal, “I got the Mac and Cheese burger,” said Kiziminski. “It was very good. The mac and cheese was very cheesy and the fries were really crispy. I know the food is a lot better, but I am kind of mad the popcorn is not there anymore.”
I was able to go to The Wheel with my parents to try some of the food. We ordered two appetizers, two meals, and dessert.
For appetizers, we ordered the garlic cheese curds and the hot stuffed peppers. “Out of the two, I liked the hot stuffed peppers more,” said Federico Santini. “It was a surprise to me because it is a relatively simple dish, the tomato isn’t too overpowering, and it isn’t too spicy. This doesn’t mean the cheese curds were bad, they were really good. The hot stuffed peppers just did it for me.”
Elena D’Angelo ordered the Big T, a TJ’s classic, while I ordered the shrimp po’boy. Elena believes the food has improved from the previous restaurant. “The Big T has improved because the quality of the meat is better,” said Elena D’Angelo. “It’s less fatty and oily than it was before … The bread is also very soft and fresh.”
The shrimp po’boy didn’t taste bad, but it had very little shrimp flavor and tasted like a plain sandwich. A little more sauce or more shrimp would have been better.
The sides were to die for. The fries have improved in quality tremendously, with more spices for flavor and almost doubling in size. TJ’s specialty coleslaw tastes like the iconic one. “It is light and refreshing, just like I remember it,” said Federico.
To end the dinner, the three of us shared the beignets. We could all agree it was the best thing we ordered all night. “They’re fresh, hot, and the fudge goes perfectly on the side,” said Elena. “They perfectly resemble the ones I had at New Orleans.”
We were very satisfied with our dinner at The Wheel. The service was wonderful and the food even better. The best part of all, it still keeps the welcoming atmosphere that we all know and love. If you want a night full of good food and fun, stop by at The Wheel on 808 National Rd, Wheeling, WV, and grab a bite!
