This is a nice local place to eat. I award it three starts because the take out is no where near as good as if you eat in the restaurant-it is always a smaller portion and very soggy even if you wait for it and it comes right out. The blackened tomato sandwich is unique and one of my favorites. I also love the Bridgeport brownie. It is definitely a dessert to share. The fajitas are good as well.
(3)
Eric K.
Excellent dinner. A madhouse and clearly a local favorite. Probably turned the tables three times on Dec 23. Bargain prices. Too crazy and family style for five stars but would go again. Good luck with parking!!
(4)
Tara A.
Great food! Nice variety on the menu. Definitely worth a stop.
(5)
Amber G.
We were looking for a non-chain restaurant that served more than sandwiches, something that is really hard to find in the area, so we ended up at the Alpha. The exterior isn't much to look at, and the interior is decorated like a scary-ass hunting lodge, but the food was really good. I had the fajitas, and my husband had the duck burger, both of which were excellent. The rest of our party seemed pleased as well. Try to ignore the dust on the animals hanging over your head- if I hadn't been bothered by it, this would have been 5 stars.
(4)
Joanna D.
This place was awful. We are from out of town and came here based off the recommendation from locals. If Robert Irvine were.to step foot in this place he would become furious with the million item menu and the horrible food. First, our waitress was very slow. We had to ask for things mutiple times. Second our food was awful. The drunken shrimp were swimming in a sweet sauce that can only be described as molasses. The ribs were dry. The fajitas were bad enough that two members of our party decided not to finish them. Also every dish had a pinapple slice garnish. Really? Even my chicken pot pie? Or.a ruben? Pinapples don't belong everywhere just under the sea. After the bad food, the service got worse when we were asked to leave our table early as a large party was coming. If locals like this food, I feel sorry for their lack of options. In fact we ate at Pizza Hut tonight and it was 100 x better and we had outstanding service.
(1)
Joyce O.
We did an early Saturday dinner at Ye Olde Alpha before attending an event in Wheeling. We unknowingly entered through the very dimly-lit bar but managed to find our way through the dining room to the restaurant entrance. I had the drunken shrimp, which came with delicious, crisp green beans and French fries. The shrimp was excellent and the portion size was generous -- I could barely eat all the shrimp. I would have preferred the fries to be a little more crispy but they were still good. My husband had the London broil. His request for mashed potatoes instead of fries was easily accommodated. He said his dinner was great. As far as the other aspects of our visit, our server was friendly and quick and the decor was comfortable although slightly dated. Everything was very clean and the price was reasonable. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a quality, filling meal in a pleasant environment.
(5)
Brent P.
I've been here several times. Service can be hit or miss, but the food has always been on point. The menu is huge and can be overwhelming. The greek pork shanks are excellent as are any of the burgers. The bruschetta appetizer is a half-loaf of Italian bread and is a meal in itself. Highly recommend. The sweet potato fries with truffle oil and their special BBQ sauce are awesome. They even hand-grate cheese on top of them until you tell them to stop. The chips and salsa are excellent. Chips are fried fresh in house and the salsa always has good reviews, but I find it to be too thin. The bar side is separated by a door from the restaurant side but you can get the full menu on the bar side as it has several tables for groups. What this place does need is some updating. Nothing is worse than dingy looking ceilings and outdated/dirty bathrooms. Other than those small issues, the food is excellent and it is worth a visit.
(4)
L P.
Over last two years, gone down hill. Use to order pork chop entree. Now it's tough and not prepared to same perfection. Tried more than once. Broccoli is continuously overlooked. The thought of eating in a place with sewage problems grosses me out.
(1)
Shari M.
Love the wings. Best around! Love the bruschetta, love the Italian hoagie, love the Mexican, love the Cubano, which is what I ate my first time here. However, the Philly cheese steak was nasty. The cheese was so funky tasting, and the sandwich was nothing but cheese sauce, I couldn't eat the sandwich. The few chunks of steak that was actually in there were really good after I scraped off all that cheese. That really disappointed me to waste almost $9 and not be able to eat it. It was take out, or else I would of sent it back. It won't stop me from coming back, but that is something I'll never order again, or I'll get it without that funky cheese sauce.
(4)
Eddie N.
I have to preface this review by saying I am not a local and thus am perhaps used to a different standard. That said, I cannot understand great reviews for this place. We started off with a cranberry salad, with the advertised "warm raspberry vinaigrette" tasting like like warmed up corn syrup sticking to and oozing over the vegetables. There wasn't a hint of raspberry to be found. Next was a bowl of "house made chili" that would make about any canned chili look great; it was watery with absolutely the blandest, uninspired flavor I have ever had in chili, including canned. For the main entree, mine came out 5 minutes ahead (Guadalajara steak fajitas) of my other dinner guest's. Cold tortillas, limp lettuce, and guacamole out of a week old container most likely, and fajita veggies that were either out of a freezer bag covered with grease or been sitting all day. The other entree was a chicken dish which was palatable but came with broccoli out of a freezer bag and was bland except for all the grease and salt added to compensate for lack of seasoning or flavor. The reason I am giving one star versus 2 here is the service. The waiter regularly did not refill beverages, left side, salad, soup, and entree dishes stacked on our table while chatting with coworkers in front of the kitchen, and showed zero interest in our concerns with the meal and offered nothing in the form of dessert or refund for this poor meal and awful service. If this is the best Wheeling can do, it is time for some new locally owned restaurants. I hate to say it, but you are better off with corporate chains that value their guests.
(1)
Paul W.
One of the best resteraunts in the Ohio Valley! The atmosphere is great and the service is friendly. Their steaks are delicious and their salads are great as well. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu here. I highly recommend eating here!
(5)
Jerod B.
While over at oglebay, we decided to see what yelp suggested. We try to eat local, and this place was at the top of the list. The old building made us feel at home, and the staff was welcoming even tho she was pulling a double shift The food was traditional, and was prepared very well. Our bellies were full and my request for a wheelchair was humorously denied (favorite joke of mine). We will gladly come back again!
(5)
Juliana P.
First stop on my trip across the country with my Dad. Came here because of the high yelp rating. I can only imagine it is bolstered by the locals. It really is like some sort of old lodge or rotary club of some sort that has been fashioned into an unattractive multi-room restaurant. Decent beer selection and a sprawling menu--so I had high hopes it would end up being a tasty dive. I ordered the Bison burger and it was honestly SO rare in the center (and I typically ask for medium rare and don't shy from raw meat) that it was inedible. Not only that, whenever we had to find the wait staff, I'd have to get up and wander through rooms to find someone. The stuffed animals on the wall are kinda cool, but you have to go to the bar for that. If I ever have to pass through Wheeling again, I'll try somewhere else.
(2)
Carl W.
It has been a long time since we ate food that was this unappetizing...how can they keep the doors open? they know families like us travel and stay here for a few days and want to go eat out other than fast food I feel compelled to share all the great food places and really really compelled to share the really bad especially for the out of towners like us. We were staying at a local resort and came here because the reviews were good when we arrived we saw a restaurant that has not been updated since Ronald reagan was president but went in because the "good food reviews" not the decor we were tired after being on the road all day it was 8 o'clock and we were hungry. I had fish and chips,the chips were actually v good......the fish however was straight from the freezer and had some pretty thick breading on it that tasted like cardboard."" Wife had the fajitas and her comment was it was the worst she had ever eaten" very bland and I caught hell for choosing such a dud,the kicker was our server said we have some "licensing issues" so we can't serve you a drink tonight. :(
(1)
Geneva B.
Our food was really good! I had the moose wrap, which was a warm pita club type of sandwich. It was so so yummy. My husband had The Eagle hamburger, it was a great mix of flavors. We ordered no sides to leave room for the dessert - The Bridgestone Brownie - however it was SO HUGE that we did not finish it! The waiter was very attentive.
(4)
Daralyn B.
This was one of the strangest places I've ever been, and not in a good way. The atmosphere is really what killed me.. Gross carpet floors, taxidermy EVERYWHERE, old... just not good. The menu was overwhelming.. There are about 100 things to chose from which is never a good sign. I order the duck burger which was surprisingly good, and a side of onion rings (based on Yelp recommendations) which were surprisingly NOT good. Our server was nice enough, but a little slow. I would recommend the burger, but that's about the only thing that saved this place from a 1 star review.
(2)
Debra G.
The server and service was terrible. She had an attitude and seemed annoyed that we were even there, and was "put out" when I asked for more salsa. Then couldn't find her to pay the bill. The food was over salted and I could barely find any lettuce in my salad. There was a can of corn dump on top of it! My husband like the bean soup though so that's why they even get a one star! Won't go back.
(1)
Tim G.
In the foodie mecca of Wheeling, WV (not), Alpha is a local favorite. Although the building, inside and out, has seen better days long ago, it does have a certain charm. It filled up fast for lunch with a mix of businessmen, families, and a lot of teenagers on what turned out to be their last day of school. My Pastrami sandwich was decent, but gets an extra star for the house spicy mustard which added a zip to an otherwise OK sandwich. One lunch partner got the signature Greek Chicken Wings. They looked great with the Greek dressing and crumbled feta. Our third for lunch had our least favorite meal, fish and chips. The best thing about this dish was the perfect symmetry of the square shape of the fish. Poorly cooked frozen fish was not what we expected when everyone else's meals looked so good. Overall, I would go back, but will stick with the sandwiches until I actually catch a square fish.
(4)
Russ K.
I was very impressed with the extensive menu with all the unique choices. I had pork shank, grilled wings, alpha salad and grilled shrimp. They were all delicious. The service was also excellent. The waitress kindly answered all my detailed questions about their food items and made great recommendations. I will definitely go back.
(5)
Courtney C.
Let me start by saying I've eaten here a total of 4 times and each time has been in the bar "section." Jason has been our server each time and he is probably the best waiter I've ever had. He has a dry humor to him, but I find that appealing and straight forward. Others may like an overly invasive waiter who is always up in your face..he's not like that. It's an awkward place to arrange for seating, but yet again it's on the bar side. No more than 5/6 if you plan to sit in that section. Although I think it's way better cause of the music and TVs available. There was a cool 80 ounce beer contraption that we ordered which was awesome. Need to get bruschetta for an app. Need to get the lobster mac and cheese if they have it. I would say for being in a less metro area than pittsburgh or DC, this would be a great place to hang with friends and eat great food.
Local favorite, the food is great, fantastic wings & huge selection of amazing salads. Nice beer selection however no Stella Glasses which is odd. The place smells of sewer gas & the restroom was dirty. The bar stools are uneven almost fell off my chair. Bar tenders are very slow service of staff very poor. This place used to have outstanding service but has definitely gone down hill. The place needs a good cleaning .
(2)
S S.
Ye Olde Alpha was recommended by our hotel as we were passing through Wheeling. We did not realize that there are two entrances, one for the bar and one for the restaurant. We went into the bar and got the last table. Everyone seated at "the bar" was only drinking while those seated at tables were eating and drinking. We had a very good waitress who gladly let us sample a couple of the local beers before we ordered. They have a very good beer selection; quiet a surprise for this small town. One of us had the duck burger and the other the Italian sandwich. Both were well prepared and very tasty. The burger was very juicy and tender. The Italian sub was chocked full of good cold cuts and veggies. We'd order both again. On our way out, we popped into the restaurant side to see what it was like. It seemed to be family oriented; i.e., lots of kids. If you want a quiet environment, you may want to sit in the bar. FYI, there was a very faint smell of cigarette smoke when you first entered the bar - we thought perhaps there was a smoking section that was not 100% contained.
(4)
Jared P.
Salsa and chips are great. The stuffed peppers had great flavor but needed a binding agent like egg and breadcrumbs it's more like loose ground meat in a light tomato broth. Very good otherwise. I had the chipotle chicken pasta and the chicken was beyond scorched. Completely inedible but the pasta and sauce were ok.
(2)
Sue K.
My favorite dinner stop in Wheeling. There is usually some special going, but Thursday is my favorite because of the soup contest. Get there early because it fills up fast. The chips and salsa are always a winner. I love the salads, I usually add shrimp or salmon. By time I've polished off my share of the chips and salsa, a soup, and a dinner salad, I never have room for a dessert, so I have no idea what the options are. My guy gets something different on every visit; last visit he had the liver and onions and was a very happy diner. I know there is a bar attached as part of Ye Olde, but I've never been in it - I'm here for the food.
(4)
Drew S.
Just a great family place. The duck burger, medium rare is excellent. It reminds me of a 'supper club'
(5)
Jon F.
I was referred to this eatery by a close relative, and I don't know why they never told me about it before! My food was absolutely delicious, but the service could've been better, ergo, four stars. On the other hand, other tables seemed to be getting nice service.
(4)
Marlena L.
I'm thinking I may have just discovered my go to place when visiting this area. The Yelpers and the front desk clerk at our hotel were all on point. You get a true neighbourhood feel when you enter. There are two entrances, one for the bar and the other for the restaurant. We did the kid friendly restaurant side. The place was packed - Friday dinner crowd. Parking can be an issue, they have a very small lot. It's tucked away in a neighbourhood so you may have to park on a side street and walk a little distance. The restaurant has simple decor and is quite cozy, you can hear conversations all around you. Service was very good, friendly and fast. The owner even made rounds to all the tables to see how everything was. The food was delicious! My Greek pork shanks were the best thing I've had lately! My entire family were satisfied with their meals. Portions are good, and the kids menu is super cheap! The only downfall was our seating. The place was packed, the only booth available was right by the back door and cash register. It was a little nippy, and busy with all the traffic from the servers. I'll definitely return, just ask for a different table. The food is worth it.
(4)
Brad G.
I highly recommend the alpha!!!!! I would like to talk about cleanliness service and quality of food. It was super clean maybe the bathroom floor need a little scrubbing but nonetheless i'm going to give it 3.5 stars. My servers name was eric. I give 4.5!!!! He hustled and made me feel important. When i come back i would ask for eric I save the best for last which was the food quality i ordered the jones. I had said to my girlfriend during the meal this is probably the best dish i've had in a restaurant ever.
(5)
Mary D.
We frequent the Alpha because of their great food. The many choices aim to please everyone. Desserts are phenomenal. This is a great place to have dinner. I highly recommend this restaurant to locals and even if you are passing through town.
(4)
Rick S.
This is a beloved place here in Wheeling but it missed the mark for me. My first thought of a review was: "You can come here, order food and drink, consume it and leave." Other than the animal heads mounted on the walls it's pretty unremarkable. The food was mediocre. They try to make it appealing but it's only OK, nothing more. The big warning sign for me is the menu. There are too many items on it. They're trying to please too many people. I had the $10 Burger and was disappointed. Bland taste and over cooked. Also you're ordering only the burger; fries or any other side are extra. I had a bottled beer with too and it was served without a glass. Beer with a meal is much better out of a glass instead of the bottle because you smell the beer's aroma. I'd hoped for something more. Oh well... The service was friendly and quick.
(2)
Bob C.
Had a great meal of wings and ribs. Met the owner Mark and he was very friendly and informative about the history of the restaurant and the surrounding area. Here for a reunion weekend. Nice friendly people!!
(4)
Paul S.
A good choice while visiting Wheeling. Better than most family restaurants. Lots of unique and tasty burgers as well as a wide variety of other ideas. Kids menus if you need them. Try the onion rings - very good!
(4)
Steven B.
Help! I'm a foodie and stuck in Wheeling for a week! Even the local Yelpers agree that Wheeling is not the place for fine dining. So is there a diamond amongst all that coal? Forgive me for the tiny WV joke! So I peruse the meager offerings in the Yelp Mobile App and these folks stand out. Off I go for a late lunch. I sit at the bar and as many reviews have mentioned, you need to be comfortable with taxidermy. I was sitting underneath a giant Bullwinkle head. This moose was huge. If it was any closer it could steal a gulp of my beer! I'm a sucker for a pastrami sandwich and there was one on the menu. Done deal. I ordered it as a platter so it came with excellent coleslaw and fresh cut fries. It was nicely grilled, piping hot, and served on toasted rye. It was delicious. It was so good I had to whack Bullwinkle's nose to keep it all for myself! This is pub grub at its best. I'd return in a heartbeat.
(4)
WV Joe M.
Ye Olde Alpha has done it once again in Washington, D.C. A big thank you to Charlie and the Alpha team for making the trip to Capitol Hill to provide your incredible cuisine for our West Virginia event. Your shrimp just keeps getting better and better, and the guacamole was perfectly flavored. We truly can not thank you enough for always coming through for us here in D.C. Hope to see you again soon. -Joe Manchin
(5)
Darrin W.
Great food and the service is just right. Being that it's in wheeling, the expectations can be low. However. this establishment has given me a new hope for this town. Yum. I'm coming back here every time I'm in wheeling.
(5)
Sharon R.
So glad that we stopped here instead of the usual stop at cracker barrel. Decent food and decent service. I guess I'd give it a 3.5, but I'm going to round it up for the good experience. The menu is huge. Lots of salads, sandwiches, burgers and other items to choose from. I had an Olympus burger which had a patty made of ground beef and lamb; not bad at all. I got a side of roasted garlic cloves yummm.
(4)
Christian S.
I had no idea what to expect here but, man, I'm glad I took the time to visit. I went on a Monday that happened to be Mexican Monday - a promo they do - and Cinco de Mayo. It was pretty busy and we waited for a table but it didn't take that long. Plus, we waited at the bar so we were doing fine. Anyway, we got out booth and the waitress was extremely nice and willing to put up with three people who had never been there before. We all ordered different things - I got pork chops - and there were no complaints around the table. We even got a visit from the owner who spent some time chatting with us about his history, the restaurant, and the region. That was nice. Oh yeah, definitely try the salsa. It's homemade and tastes beyond great!! The random animals on the walls are freaky and awesome at the same time.
(5)
Rachael P.
The menu options listed on yelp don't do this place justice. We went in a group of 15 and were easily able to find an abundance of options for everyone's dietary needs on their vast menu. It was such a treat- from the chips and salsa to the appetizers to the burgers, wings, pasta, pork and fish. Not to mention the staff was incredibly welcoming and accommodating. I will be sure to recommend the restaurant to any others in the area!
(5)
Roswell Einstein M.
Being from Pittsburgh area and stopping here on a whim, I was surprised how much I enjoyed the place. I was sucked in by the website about the "dead animal" thing. I can only say read the website and then stop. The bar food reminded me a lot of Creighton Hotel (Lower Burrell, PA) and Around Back (Creighton PA). Loved the bar!!! It has a great local neighborhood bar feel (because it is a great local neighborhood bar).
(4)
Missy A.
I recommend the Pork Shanks, Greek Style, and a 22oz Yuengling. Sit on the bar side, take a friend and share some laughs. This place is always packed so if you want a table in the dining room, call ahead for reservations. Finish your evening with a Bridgeport Brownie and 4 spoons. You'll leave smiling.
(5)
Scott R.
I have been going here for the past 30+ years and I think it will be a loooo-nnn-ggggg time before I go back. The past two times I have experienced both front and back-of-house issues. The reason I returned after the first set of problems was that I had chalked it up to just a bad night. Unfortunately, it is now more of a pattern. Let's begin..... The food quality, which was good, is now merely average. I last ordered a varietal burger with fries and slaw. The burger was overcooked (inexperienced cooks?), the fries soggy with grease (too low fryer temp?) and the slaw was mostly liquid (get a new purveyor?). Prices have crept higher on most menu items while quality has deteriorated. Service quality has always been spotty. Some wait staff are very good, attentive and customer oriented. Others seem disinterested or untrained. One never knows what one will get. I have recently had a hard time finding anyone who cared about (1) taking my order, (2) refilling drinks or (3) bringing dinner items to the table in any coherent order. My advice, if you want Applebee's or Cheddar's quality at the appropriate price, go to those restaurants. There is no reason to pay a premium because of some imagined ambience.
(2)
Kayre H.
Drove over to Wheeling last weekend to have dinner with a friend (who was himself just there visiting his inlaws). By the time we were ready to go eat it was almost 9PM, and it was Sunday. Alpha was recommended to us - not because it's spectacular, but because it was nearby and open =). No real complaints about it. Typical local restaurant/bar kind of place. I guess I was a little surprised at all the different food genres (Greek, Italian, Mexican...) because I was expecting it to be more of a burgers and steaks kind of place. We had some sort of chicken lemon soup, I had the grilled pork chops and he had an open face steak sandwich. Everything was fine. The waitress wasn't super attentive, but it was Sunday evening and it's not like we were in a hurry anywhere. Being out of towners, the decor did amuse us a bit. I'm not used to places with mounted deer heads on the walls =)
(3)
Jeff M.
What a great surprise. This restaurant came recommended and I have to say it exceeded expectations. I happened to be there on Mexican Monday. Great chips and salsa and the quesadilla I had was incredible. Service was good, not great. If you are ever in Wheeling, check it out.
(4)
Michael A.
Food = awesome. Atmosphere = awesome. YOA = awesome! This is totally a locals place. Seemed like everybody knew everybody (except us from Chicago) and it was a great time. The food was awesome, and our server was amazing as he walked us through every good item on the menu. If you are passing through Wheeling, go here. Dont go to some lousy national chain restaurant that you can get anywhere. Go to the Alpha.
(4)
Michelle H.
So driving back home from Ohio and my wonderful fellow yelpers helped us find a great place to eat. The French onion soup was fantastic. The man got the greek wings (based on a recommendation from a fellow yelper) and they were fantastic. The salsa was great too! I got the grilled vegetable salad, which was flavorful and healthy. The man ordered lemon meringue and the meringue was about 4 inches high! Just amazing....not too far from the interstate and definitely worth the very slight detour to eat here!
(5)
Karla L.
Hidden gem. This place has the BEST SALSA we've ever had. Ever. In fact, we stopped back the next day to get a pint to take home with us. Friendly staff and over the top service. The waiter was refilling our soda before we had to ask.
(4)
Sarah T.
Stopped in at Ye Olde Alpha Club while on a road trip--there didn't seem to be much to choose from in Wheeling and it had decent reviews. Definitely seemed to be popular with locals; the menu was extensive and the stuffed animal heads on the wall gave it a unique charm. I had the Blackened Tomato sandwich which was one of their specialties and holy-moly was it SALTY. The fries that accompanied them were salty too. My dining companion enjoyed his Alpha Burger but agreed about the saltiness of the fries, and that was after we enjoyed the extra-garlicky Artichoke Dip. Just a little too heavy-handed with the spices, we agreed. Service was good, and the price was right.
(3)
I.M. C.
Great atmosphere and good food. Gotta try: -the Old Bay and Greek wings. -Blackjack Burger -Citrus Shrimp appetizer -Mexican Mondays (killer burrito), -Thanksgiving wrap There aren't too many places in Wheeling to chose from so I'm glad this place exists.
(4)
Anthony I.
I found this place on yelp and in a town with few choices, this fit the bill, it was open, it served food, it had a bar. Other than that, I'd pass. the menu is eclectic with everything from burgers to fajitas to pasta, pizza and everything in between.
(2)
Ray B.
Sorry... But this rest. is over-priced for the medi-ocre food you get. I ordered the $10 burger. LOL far from it. What you get for $10.'s is a burger maybe the size of a qtr pounder. No sides, just the burger. All of their burgers were without sides and over-priced. We had a party of 10 one person had to send their food back. There were a couple of people who said it was ok though, but I think that all of us would not go back.
(2)
Scott E.
After my wife and I checked into our hotel, we asked at the front desk what the best place there was for dinner around Wheeling, WV. We were asked in return the kind of food we were looking for, and I said, something REAL. I hate eating at T. G. I. Friday's or Applebee's. I like to go a restaurant that represents a place and a people, with nothing that says chain or faux. And what we got was EXACTLY what we wanted. Ye Olde Alpha is a neighborhood restaurant (oh, there's a bar, too, but we never saw that side of it) that was packed with locals on a Sunday night. Everybody was friendly, and it felt like one of those places where everybody knows your name. As much as I was tempted by the Blue Suede burger -- a bacon cheeseburger with grilled onions slathered with peanut butter -- I decided not to be quite so adventurous, which I know will disappoint some of you. I went with the Olympus Burger instead -- fresh ground beef and lamb mixed with Greek seasoning and crumbled Feta cheese. My wife ordered what's called the $10 Burger -- "prime rib, sirloin, and beef brisket ground into eight ounces of joy; served on Texas toast." We had fries and onion rings on the side. Wish I'd studied the menu more -- I might have ordered the whole roasted garlic gloves. We loved the food, which tasted like comfort, we loved the atmosphere, we loved the feel of the neighborhood where we parked, and when we left, my wife and I agreed that Ye Olde Alpha was exactly the sort of place we were looking for after our long day. It was cozy and, yes, REAL, and if we've ever in Wheeling again, we'll be back.
(4)
Bryan H.
The 1st restaurant that has the word "ye" in the name or more than 50 items on the menu that I liked. I had the pork shanks, Greek style, and they were great. Friend had the Hot Brown and was happy.
(4)
Brian Y.
A friend who used to go to school in Wheeling brought us here. It was apparently his old local spot. Taxedermy overwhelms you, but I didn't mind it as I got to drink staring at a giant bull moose. The wings here are some of the best I've ever had. The house recommends (and now I do too) the Greek wings. Big wings, Crisp skin, Greek seasoning, olive oil and a serious topping of crumbled feta cheese. Fantastic stuff. After food, we played a round of pool in the back. There's a video gambling room if you're into that, seemed pretty sad though. Overall, a big time was had.
(4)
Elaine S.
The food and service were excellent! Greek wings, blackened tomato sandwich, pastrami, chips and salsa all great!
(5)
Missy M.
My significant otter and I returned to the Alpha on a trip back to Wheeling this past weekend. We started in the bar with a couple pints of Guinness. Then, we moved on to the restaurant and were lucky to get seats as the place started filling up around 6 pm. I was in the mood for a steak and got the strip. It was delicious. The Otter got chicken pot pie and really enjoyed it. Our meals were so big and in cleaning our plates we didn't save room for dessert. Our service at the bar and in the restaurant was friendly and speedy. This place is popular for good reason.
(4)
James B.
Business permits me and my co-worker to travel to Wheeling every so often, and when we are in town, this is where we like to eat. 10/24 marks the third visit to YOA and we will certainly go back again next time we are in town. I am a huge fan, so it's nice to get a hearty Guinness on tap with my meal. I've tried several different items on the menu and everything is always good. I wouldn't say it's the greatest eats ever, but it's all pretty good. 2 out of 3 visits yielded excellent service, but once, it was less than stellar. Although, our first server (Pamela) remember us on our third trip, so between her and Jill today, my friend and I are convinced. We almost feel like 'regulars' now(!). This is the place to go for a good meal at a reasonable price. Plus, the location is close to Rt40/I-70, so travelers should take note.
(4)
Nicole Y.
The Alpha was always one of my favorite places to eat growing up, and now that I'm older it's on the top of my list of places to visit when I'm in Wheeling. I will inevitably run into people I know there at night, grabbing a beer. The food is tasty and everyone is friendly. I was surprised to find out that on Christmas Eve, the first drink is on the house at the bar! How can you pass that up?! The Alpha is chock full of sillyness, including animal heads all over the walls. In fact, you can purchase t-shirts that the servers wear that advertises their food, beer, and dead animals!
(4)
Tonya W.
We dined at Ye Olde Alpha twice while in town for the Half Marathon in May. The food was unexpectedly yummy. The marinated portobellos served with red peppers and goat cheese was phenomenal. The service was what you might expect. It was ok--friendly enough, but nothing special.
(4)
Sarah K.
The food here is great, a real gem in the middle of all the food chains in the Ohio Valley! They have creative dishes, and good service.
(5)
Kurt B.
The Cheese sticks still kick ass!! The rest of what I had so far is alright. Not great, but not horrible. Stills got that dark atmosphere that made it so cool years ago.
(3)
Chaundraya G.
Good food, good prices. Bruchetta is really good so are their wings. Tuesday night is wing night but go early if you want a seat.
(3)
Paul K.
Cheeseburger and French Fries!!!
(3)
Janet C.
It is what it is - a local burger joint and watering hole - very popular with the locals - if you make a reservation you can waltz right in - without it, you wait 20 minutes. The salad was good - I liked the sweet&sour dressing. Chips and fresh salsa made our group happy (and a damn good margarita made me happy!). We stuck to the basics - nothing fancy - did burgers - smart move - tasty and done to order. They kindly altered the chicken chimichangas to be vegetarian for our children - they gobbled them up. We had dessert - Lemon merigue and key lime - key lime won by a mile - nice and tangy - lemon was missing the zip. Service was timely and done with a big smile - it was a small bill for a lot of food and a good local adventure.
(3)
Cheryl H.
The Alpha was a go-to date spot for me when I was in high school - hell, we went here before prom one year. The restaurant side has a great atmosphere and delicious food - the spinach & artichoke dip is A-MAZING. My older friends always talked about drinking here, but I had never stepped foot in the bar side of the Alpha, and based on the restaurant I didn't imagine it was a big drinkin' spot. Wrong-o. This place gets PACKED on the weekends with the young and young at heart, united with the common love of getting tanked. If you live in the Wheeling area, or you visit the Wheeling area, you'll probably end up at the Alpha.
(4)
Mark M.
This place is Godmode. I grew up in Wheeling. Some of my best memories are going to this place for drinking and eating. It's probably the best bar/restaurant in Wheeling or most anywhere. The people are great. People in Wheeling are the some of the best people you will ever meet in your life. It's a microcosm. That means somewhere that doesn't exist anywhere else. The food is great and so is the beer and drinks. It has an old time feel to it that you can't get anywhere else. There are new owners so the menu has changed but it's still good. Don't miss this place. You will regret it if you do. Get the fatboy club sandwich or Canadien Whitefish sandwich and french fries with gravy. They are the best.
(5)
Robert M.
Nice restaurant with great food. My only complaint is that it can be slow sometimes during lunch time. Other than that, I've never been dissatisfied eating here.
(4)
Jennifer J.
The Thanksgiving wrap is amazing
(4)
Becky W.
This restaurant is a strong 4+. We made a reservation and it was needed. The menu has a wide variety of foods and we tried four different things. The owner/partner, Mark, came by the table and gave us some local history and made sure our dining experience was the best. We come to Oglebay Resort every year and will definitely be back to Ye Olde Alpha next year. Footnote: try the desserts!!! They are to die for.
(4)
M L B.
Let's face it, Wheeling is not the culinary capitol of the world. Having said that, the food is some of the best in the area with a diverse menu - (Greek, Mexican, American), in a friendly atmosphere. Where else can you order a Kentucky Hot Brown, grape leaves, pork shanks, steak, or Ahi tuna? The draft beer is ice cold but wine selection is limited. Make reservations if you are going on a weekend - it gets pretty crowded.
(4)
Matt C.
Not just a bar, but a great restaurant, too! This the place where we always take out-of-town guests, and they always ask to go back. Try the blacked tomato sandwich (very spicy) or the Pastime Pasta with huge cloves of sauted garlic. One word of warning, however -- the service is highly inconsistent.
(5)
Tim G.
Not terrible. Again this is an old Wheeling favorite. The locals rave about it but after 7-years in The Valley I remain unexcited. The food is good but the service is slow and seating crowded.
(3)
Colleen C.
"Let's all go to the Alpha (repeat twice)...... and have ourselves a beer!" Suzie is still there, along with the moose, deer and other furry ones hanging in the bar room. The gravy from the fries courses through my blood and I must go everytime I'm Wheeling. The menu has some of the old favorites, a club sandwhich with fried egg in it, and some new ones, the pulled pork is quite good. This place is so familar and I love it so much! As a child I would ask my family to take me into the bar so I could see the animals and I thought about the days I'd be old enough to sit down and order a drink. Seemed like a totally "adult thing" to do at the time. The bar is really a mini version of Cabellas with inexpensive drinks, good bartenders and friendly people gathered below the animals, surprisingly pleasant, faces. On your way through Wheeling, West Virginia (Hwy 70) stop off and grab a cold one along with some gravy fries. Mmmnnn, almost heaven indeed!
(5)
Amanda B.
My brother likes to hang out at the Alpha, my dad likes to hang out at the Alpha, people I went to grade school with like to hang out at the Alpha. I guess what I'm saying is, this is a small city, good neighborhood bars are few and far between. The Alpha has become a staple in my visits to Wheeling. When I turned 21 it felt like a rite of passage to enter this "olde" tavern. There are multiple reasons why I adore the Alpha 1. They not only sell beer, they sell candy! 2. The jackalope on the wall gets me everytime 3. Old people by day, young people by night 4. They have a juke box that actually plays what you request. Unlike some bars where you go, pop in a quarter (or eighty dollars) and wait over an hour to hear your damn song. 5.Everyone else you know is here or will be here at some point in the evening. What I don't like about the Alpha, the food. Granted I don't really care for most of the restaurants in this part of the country, the food here is not for you if you've ever eaten and enjoyed: Brie, Spinach, Prosciutto, Vegetables etc. etc. I don't really enjoy eating meat, although I'm a big fan of friend chicken. This is a problem for most restaurants in this area. All your veggies are fried, and your lettuce is iceberg. Salad dressing? Yes they have: ranch, bleu cheese, thousand island and french. Oh but listen to me bitching. I get it, the food in this part of the country can be delicious and not all veggies are fried. And yes it is a bar, what the hell was I thinking trying to get a meal at a bar? My suggestion, try it. Just go, get drunk with your old man and have a snickers.
(3)
Justin S.
The place to eat in Wheeling. Amazing menu, great staff. The ambiance is...not fancy. Dead animals on the walls which usually don't talk to you.
(5)
Pamela V.
I really like the alpha but it really is just a neighborhood bar, with regular bar food. Their mexican monday's are great and the free chips and salsa every night are as well. Alcohol is cheap!
(4)
Jeffrey L.
Atmosphere! Classic atmosphere, stuffed heads, old school pics. Excellent desserts including peanut butter pie, fried bananas. Tasty burgers including the Squeal- a bacon infused burger!
(3)
Niki M.
Good food, atmosphere was average or below average. Definitly one of the best meals we had in wheeling. We got a greek platter.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Amy K.
This is a nice local place to eat. I award it three starts because the take out is no where near as good as if you eat in the restaurant-it is always a smaller portion and very soggy even if you wait for it and it comes right out. The blackened tomato sandwich is unique and one of my favorites. I also love the Bridgeport brownie. It is definitely a dessert to share. The fajitas are good as well.
(3)Eric K.
Excellent dinner. A madhouse and clearly a local favorite. Probably turned the tables three times on Dec 23. Bargain prices. Too crazy and family style for five stars but would go again. Good luck with parking!!
(4)Tara A.
Great food! Nice variety on the menu. Definitely worth a stop.
(5)Amber G.
We were looking for a non-chain restaurant that served more than sandwiches, something that is really hard to find in the area, so we ended up at the Alpha. The exterior isn't much to look at, and the interior is decorated like a scary-ass hunting lodge, but the food was really good. I had the fajitas, and my husband had the duck burger, both of which were excellent. The rest of our party seemed pleased as well. Try to ignore the dust on the animals hanging over your head- if I hadn't been bothered by it, this would have been 5 stars.
(4)Joanna D.
This place was awful. We are from out of town and came here based off the recommendation from locals. If Robert Irvine were.to step foot in this place he would become furious with the million item menu and the horrible food. First, our waitress was very slow. We had to ask for things mutiple times. Second our food was awful. The drunken shrimp were swimming in a sweet sauce that can only be described as molasses. The ribs were dry. The fajitas were bad enough that two members of our party decided not to finish them. Also every dish had a pinapple slice garnish. Really? Even my chicken pot pie? Or.a ruben? Pinapples don't belong everywhere just under the sea. After the bad food, the service got worse when we were asked to leave our table early as a large party was coming. If locals like this food, I feel sorry for their lack of options. In fact we ate at Pizza Hut tonight and it was 100 x better and we had outstanding service.
(1)Joyce O.
We did an early Saturday dinner at Ye Olde Alpha before attending an event in Wheeling. We unknowingly entered through the very dimly-lit bar but managed to find our way through the dining room to the restaurant entrance. I had the drunken shrimp, which came with delicious, crisp green beans and French fries. The shrimp was excellent and the portion size was generous -- I could barely eat all the shrimp. I would have preferred the fries to be a little more crispy but they were still good. My husband had the London broil. His request for mashed potatoes instead of fries was easily accommodated. He said his dinner was great. As far as the other aspects of our visit, our server was friendly and quick and the decor was comfortable although slightly dated. Everything was very clean and the price was reasonable. I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a quality, filling meal in a pleasant environment.
(5)Brent P.
I've been here several times. Service can be hit or miss, but the food has always been on point. The menu is huge and can be overwhelming. The greek pork shanks are excellent as are any of the burgers. The bruschetta appetizer is a half-loaf of Italian bread and is a meal in itself. Highly recommend. The sweet potato fries with truffle oil and their special BBQ sauce are awesome. They even hand-grate cheese on top of them until you tell them to stop. The chips and salsa are excellent. Chips are fried fresh in house and the salsa always has good reviews, but I find it to be too thin. The bar side is separated by a door from the restaurant side but you can get the full menu on the bar side as it has several tables for groups. What this place does need is some updating. Nothing is worse than dingy looking ceilings and outdated/dirty bathrooms. Other than those small issues, the food is excellent and it is worth a visit.
(4)L P.
Over last two years, gone down hill. Use to order pork chop entree. Now it's tough and not prepared to same perfection. Tried more than once. Broccoli is continuously overlooked. The thought of eating in a place with sewage problems grosses me out.
(1)Shari M.
Love the wings. Best around! Love the bruschetta, love the Italian hoagie, love the Mexican, love the Cubano, which is what I ate my first time here. However, the Philly cheese steak was nasty. The cheese was so funky tasting, and the sandwich was nothing but cheese sauce, I couldn't eat the sandwich. The few chunks of steak that was actually in there were really good after I scraped off all that cheese. That really disappointed me to waste almost $9 and not be able to eat it. It was take out, or else I would of sent it back. It won't stop me from coming back, but that is something I'll never order again, or I'll get it without that funky cheese sauce.
(4)Eddie N.
I have to preface this review by saying I am not a local and thus am perhaps used to a different standard. That said, I cannot understand great reviews for this place. We started off with a cranberry salad, with the advertised "warm raspberry vinaigrette" tasting like like warmed up corn syrup sticking to and oozing over the vegetables. There wasn't a hint of raspberry to be found. Next was a bowl of "house made chili" that would make about any canned chili look great; it was watery with absolutely the blandest, uninspired flavor I have ever had in chili, including canned. For the main entree, mine came out 5 minutes ahead (Guadalajara steak fajitas) of my other dinner guest's. Cold tortillas, limp lettuce, and guacamole out of a week old container most likely, and fajita veggies that were either out of a freezer bag covered with grease or been sitting all day. The other entree was a chicken dish which was palatable but came with broccoli out of a freezer bag and was bland except for all the grease and salt added to compensate for lack of seasoning or flavor. The reason I am giving one star versus 2 here is the service. The waiter regularly did not refill beverages, left side, salad, soup, and entree dishes stacked on our table while chatting with coworkers in front of the kitchen, and showed zero interest in our concerns with the meal and offered nothing in the form of dessert or refund for this poor meal and awful service. If this is the best Wheeling can do, it is time for some new locally owned restaurants. I hate to say it, but you are better off with corporate chains that value their guests.
(1)Paul W.
One of the best resteraunts in the Ohio Valley! The atmosphere is great and the service is friendly. Their steaks are delicious and their salads are great as well. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu here. I highly recommend eating here!
(5)Jerod B.
While over at oglebay, we decided to see what yelp suggested. We try to eat local, and this place was at the top of the list. The old building made us feel at home, and the staff was welcoming even tho she was pulling a double shift The food was traditional, and was prepared very well. Our bellies were full and my request for a wheelchair was humorously denied (favorite joke of mine). We will gladly come back again!
(5)Juliana P.
First stop on my trip across the country with my Dad. Came here because of the high yelp rating. I can only imagine it is bolstered by the locals. It really is like some sort of old lodge or rotary club of some sort that has been fashioned into an unattractive multi-room restaurant. Decent beer selection and a sprawling menu--so I had high hopes it would end up being a tasty dive. I ordered the Bison burger and it was honestly SO rare in the center (and I typically ask for medium rare and don't shy from raw meat) that it was inedible. Not only that, whenever we had to find the wait staff, I'd have to get up and wander through rooms to find someone. The stuffed animals on the wall are kinda cool, but you have to go to the bar for that. If I ever have to pass through Wheeling again, I'll try somewhere else.
(2)Carl W.
It has been a long time since we ate food that was this unappetizing...how can they keep the doors open? they know families like us travel and stay here for a few days and want to go eat out other than fast food I feel compelled to share all the great food places and really really compelled to share the really bad especially for the out of towners like us. We were staying at a local resort and came here because the reviews were good when we arrived we saw a restaurant that has not been updated since Ronald reagan was president but went in because the "good food reviews" not the decor we were tired after being on the road all day it was 8 o'clock and we were hungry. I had fish and chips,the chips were actually v good......the fish however was straight from the freezer and had some pretty thick breading on it that tasted like cardboard."" Wife had the fajitas and her comment was it was the worst she had ever eaten" very bland and I caught hell for choosing such a dud,the kicker was our server said we have some "licensing issues" so we can't serve you a drink tonight. :(
(1)Geneva B.
Our food was really good! I had the moose wrap, which was a warm pita club type of sandwich. It was so so yummy. My husband had The Eagle hamburger, it was a great mix of flavors. We ordered no sides to leave room for the dessert - The Bridgestone Brownie - however it was SO HUGE that we did not finish it! The waiter was very attentive.
(4)Daralyn B.
This was one of the strangest places I've ever been, and not in a good way. The atmosphere is really what killed me.. Gross carpet floors, taxidermy EVERYWHERE, old... just not good. The menu was overwhelming.. There are about 100 things to chose from which is never a good sign. I order the duck burger which was surprisingly good, and a side of onion rings (based on Yelp recommendations) which were surprisingly NOT good. Our server was nice enough, but a little slow. I would recommend the burger, but that's about the only thing that saved this place from a 1 star review.
(2)Debra G.
The server and service was terrible. She had an attitude and seemed annoyed that we were even there, and was "put out" when I asked for more salsa. Then couldn't find her to pay the bill. The food was over salted and I could barely find any lettuce in my salad. There was a can of corn dump on top of it! My husband like the bean soup though so that's why they even get a one star! Won't go back.
(1)Tim G.
In the foodie mecca of Wheeling, WV (not), Alpha is a local favorite. Although the building, inside and out, has seen better days long ago, it does have a certain charm. It filled up fast for lunch with a mix of businessmen, families, and a lot of teenagers on what turned out to be their last day of school. My Pastrami sandwich was decent, but gets an extra star for the house spicy mustard which added a zip to an otherwise OK sandwich. One lunch partner got the signature Greek Chicken Wings. They looked great with the Greek dressing and crumbled feta. Our third for lunch had our least favorite meal, fish and chips. The best thing about this dish was the perfect symmetry of the square shape of the fish. Poorly cooked frozen fish was not what we expected when everyone else's meals looked so good. Overall, I would go back, but will stick with the sandwiches until I actually catch a square fish.
(4)Russ K.
I was very impressed with the extensive menu with all the unique choices. I had pork shank, grilled wings, alpha salad and grilled shrimp. They were all delicious. The service was also excellent. The waitress kindly answered all my detailed questions about their food items and made great recommendations. I will definitely go back.
(5)Courtney C.
Let me start by saying I've eaten here a total of 4 times and each time has been in the bar "section." Jason has been our server each time and he is probably the best waiter I've ever had. He has a dry humor to him, but I find that appealing and straight forward. Others may like an overly invasive waiter who is always up in your face..he's not like that. It's an awkward place to arrange for seating, but yet again it's on the bar side. No more than 5/6 if you plan to sit in that section. Although I think it's way better cause of the music and TVs available. There was a cool 80 ounce beer contraption that we ordered which was awesome. Need to get bruschetta for an app. Need to get the lobster mac and cheese if they have it. I would say for being in a less metro area than pittsburgh or DC, this would be a great place to hang with friends and eat great food.
(5)Shannon W.
I've eaten at the Alpha several times and gave always enjoyed what I've ordered. The vegetable pasta is my favorite menu item: long pasta sautéed with tasty veggies and whole garlic cloves, it's delicious. The blue cowboy burger is amazing; I was really skeptical about a burger with peanut butter, but two bites in it won me over, and it was so filling I could only manage to eat half of it. The cole slaw is pretty bland, fries are good but nothing out of the ordinary. The bruschetta is a must; the bread is nicely toasted, and the spread under the bruschetta topping is perfect. The portabello mushrooms are huge and as filling as a burger, and they're stuffed with deliciousness. My only complaint about the place is the servers can be a little unfriendly. And this review is based solely on restaurant dining experience, not as a bar.
(4)Renee B.
Local favorite, the food is great, fantastic wings & huge selection of amazing salads. Nice beer selection however no Stella Glasses which is odd. The place smells of sewer gas & the restroom was dirty. The bar stools are uneven almost fell off my chair. Bar tenders are very slow service of staff very poor. This place used to have outstanding service but has definitely gone down hill. The place needs a good cleaning .
(2)S S.
Ye Olde Alpha was recommended by our hotel as we were passing through Wheeling. We did not realize that there are two entrances, one for the bar and one for the restaurant. We went into the bar and got the last table. Everyone seated at "the bar" was only drinking while those seated at tables were eating and drinking. We had a very good waitress who gladly let us sample a couple of the local beers before we ordered. They have a very good beer selection; quiet a surprise for this small town. One of us had the duck burger and the other the Italian sandwich. Both were well prepared and very tasty. The burger was very juicy and tender. The Italian sub was chocked full of good cold cuts and veggies. We'd order both again. On our way out, we popped into the restaurant side to see what it was like. It seemed to be family oriented; i.e., lots of kids. If you want a quiet environment, you may want to sit in the bar. FYI, there was a very faint smell of cigarette smoke when you first entered the bar - we thought perhaps there was a smoking section that was not 100% contained.
(4)Jared P.
Salsa and chips are great. The stuffed peppers had great flavor but needed a binding agent like egg and breadcrumbs it's more like loose ground meat in a light tomato broth. Very good otherwise. I had the chipotle chicken pasta and the chicken was beyond scorched. Completely inedible but the pasta and sauce were ok.
(2)Sue K.
My favorite dinner stop in Wheeling. There is usually some special going, but Thursday is my favorite because of the soup contest. Get there early because it fills up fast. The chips and salsa are always a winner. I love the salads, I usually add shrimp or salmon. By time I've polished off my share of the chips and salsa, a soup, and a dinner salad, I never have room for a dessert, so I have no idea what the options are. My guy gets something different on every visit; last visit he had the liver and onions and was a very happy diner. I know there is a bar attached as part of Ye Olde, but I've never been in it - I'm here for the food.
(4)Drew S.
Just a great family place. The duck burger, medium rare is excellent. It reminds me of a 'supper club'
(5)Jon F.
I was referred to this eatery by a close relative, and I don't know why they never told me about it before! My food was absolutely delicious, but the service could've been better, ergo, four stars. On the other hand, other tables seemed to be getting nice service.
(4)Marlena L.
I'm thinking I may have just discovered my go to place when visiting this area. The Yelpers and the front desk clerk at our hotel were all on point. You get a true neighbourhood feel when you enter. There are two entrances, one for the bar and the other for the restaurant. We did the kid friendly restaurant side. The place was packed - Friday dinner crowd. Parking can be an issue, they have a very small lot. It's tucked away in a neighbourhood so you may have to park on a side street and walk a little distance. The restaurant has simple decor and is quite cozy, you can hear conversations all around you. Service was very good, friendly and fast. The owner even made rounds to all the tables to see how everything was. The food was delicious! My Greek pork shanks were the best thing I've had lately! My entire family were satisfied with their meals. Portions are good, and the kids menu is super cheap! The only downfall was our seating. The place was packed, the only booth available was right by the back door and cash register. It was a little nippy, and busy with all the traffic from the servers. I'll definitely return, just ask for a different table. The food is worth it.
(4)Brad G.
I highly recommend the alpha!!!!! I would like to talk about cleanliness service and quality of food. It was super clean maybe the bathroom floor need a little scrubbing but nonetheless i'm going to give it 3.5 stars. My servers name was eric. I give 4.5!!!! He hustled and made me feel important. When i come back i would ask for eric I save the best for last which was the food quality i ordered the jones. I had said to my girlfriend during the meal this is probably the best dish i've had in a restaurant ever.
(5)Mary D.
We frequent the Alpha because of their great food. The many choices aim to please everyone. Desserts are phenomenal. This is a great place to have dinner. I highly recommend this restaurant to locals and even if you are passing through town.
(4)Rick S.
This is a beloved place here in Wheeling but it missed the mark for me. My first thought of a review was: "You can come here, order food and drink, consume it and leave." Other than the animal heads mounted on the walls it's pretty unremarkable. The food was mediocre. They try to make it appealing but it's only OK, nothing more. The big warning sign for me is the menu. There are too many items on it. They're trying to please too many people. I had the $10 Burger and was disappointed. Bland taste and over cooked. Also you're ordering only the burger; fries or any other side are extra. I had a bottled beer with too and it was served without a glass. Beer with a meal is much better out of a glass instead of the bottle because you smell the beer's aroma. I'd hoped for something more. Oh well... The service was friendly and quick.
(2)Bob C.
Had a great meal of wings and ribs. Met the owner Mark and he was very friendly and informative about the history of the restaurant and the surrounding area. Here for a reunion weekend. Nice friendly people!!
(4)Paul S.
A good choice while visiting Wheeling. Better than most family restaurants. Lots of unique and tasty burgers as well as a wide variety of other ideas. Kids menus if you need them. Try the onion rings - very good!
(4)Steven B.
Help! I'm a foodie and stuck in Wheeling for a week! Even the local Yelpers agree that Wheeling is not the place for fine dining. So is there a diamond amongst all that coal? Forgive me for the tiny WV joke! So I peruse the meager offerings in the Yelp Mobile App and these folks stand out. Off I go for a late lunch. I sit at the bar and as many reviews have mentioned, you need to be comfortable with taxidermy. I was sitting underneath a giant Bullwinkle head. This moose was huge. If it was any closer it could steal a gulp of my beer! I'm a sucker for a pastrami sandwich and there was one on the menu. Done deal. I ordered it as a platter so it came with excellent coleslaw and fresh cut fries. It was nicely grilled, piping hot, and served on toasted rye. It was delicious. It was so good I had to whack Bullwinkle's nose to keep it all for myself! This is pub grub at its best. I'd return in a heartbeat.
(4)WV Joe M.
Ye Olde Alpha has done it once again in Washington, D.C. A big thank you to Charlie and the Alpha team for making the trip to Capitol Hill to provide your incredible cuisine for our West Virginia event. Your shrimp just keeps getting better and better, and the guacamole was perfectly flavored. We truly can not thank you enough for always coming through for us here in D.C. Hope to see you again soon. -Joe Manchin
(5)Darrin W.
Great food and the service is just right. Being that it's in wheeling, the expectations can be low. However. this establishment has given me a new hope for this town. Yum. I'm coming back here every time I'm in wheeling.
(5)Sharon R.
So glad that we stopped here instead of the usual stop at cracker barrel. Decent food and decent service. I guess I'd give it a 3.5, but I'm going to round it up for the good experience. The menu is huge. Lots of salads, sandwiches, burgers and other items to choose from. I had an Olympus burger which had a patty made of ground beef and lamb; not bad at all. I got a side of roasted garlic cloves yummm.
(4)Christian S.
I had no idea what to expect here but, man, I'm glad I took the time to visit. I went on a Monday that happened to be Mexican Monday - a promo they do - and Cinco de Mayo. It was pretty busy and we waited for a table but it didn't take that long. Plus, we waited at the bar so we were doing fine. Anyway, we got out booth and the waitress was extremely nice and willing to put up with three people who had never been there before. We all ordered different things - I got pork chops - and there were no complaints around the table. We even got a visit from the owner who spent some time chatting with us about his history, the restaurant, and the region. That was nice. Oh yeah, definitely try the salsa. It's homemade and tastes beyond great!! The random animals on the walls are freaky and awesome at the same time.
(5)Rachael P.
The menu options listed on yelp don't do this place justice. We went in a group of 15 and were easily able to find an abundance of options for everyone's dietary needs on their vast menu. It was such a treat- from the chips and salsa to the appetizers to the burgers, wings, pasta, pork and fish. Not to mention the staff was incredibly welcoming and accommodating. I will be sure to recommend the restaurant to any others in the area!
(5)Roswell Einstein M.
Being from Pittsburgh area and stopping here on a whim, I was surprised how much I enjoyed the place. I was sucked in by the website about the "dead animal" thing. I can only say read the website and then stop. The bar food reminded me a lot of Creighton Hotel (Lower Burrell, PA) and Around Back (Creighton PA). Loved the bar!!! It has a great local neighborhood bar feel (because it is a great local neighborhood bar).
(4)Missy A.
I recommend the Pork Shanks, Greek Style, and a 22oz Yuengling. Sit on the bar side, take a friend and share some laughs. This place is always packed so if you want a table in the dining room, call ahead for reservations. Finish your evening with a Bridgeport Brownie and 4 spoons. You'll leave smiling.
(5)Scott R.
I have been going here for the past 30+ years and I think it will be a loooo-nnn-ggggg time before I go back. The past two times I have experienced both front and back-of-house issues. The reason I returned after the first set of problems was that I had chalked it up to just a bad night. Unfortunately, it is now more of a pattern. Let's begin..... The food quality, which was good, is now merely average. I last ordered a varietal burger with fries and slaw. The burger was overcooked (inexperienced cooks?), the fries soggy with grease (too low fryer temp?) and the slaw was mostly liquid (get a new purveyor?). Prices have crept higher on most menu items while quality has deteriorated. Service quality has always been spotty. Some wait staff are very good, attentive and customer oriented. Others seem disinterested or untrained. One never knows what one will get. I have recently had a hard time finding anyone who cared about (1) taking my order, (2) refilling drinks or (3) bringing dinner items to the table in any coherent order. My advice, if you want Applebee's or Cheddar's quality at the appropriate price, go to those restaurants. There is no reason to pay a premium because of some imagined ambience.
(2)Kayre H.
Drove over to Wheeling last weekend to have dinner with a friend (who was himself just there visiting his inlaws). By the time we were ready to go eat it was almost 9PM, and it was Sunday. Alpha was recommended to us - not because it's spectacular, but because it was nearby and open =). No real complaints about it. Typical local restaurant/bar kind of place. I guess I was a little surprised at all the different food genres (Greek, Italian, Mexican...) because I was expecting it to be more of a burgers and steaks kind of place. We had some sort of chicken lemon soup, I had the grilled pork chops and he had an open face steak sandwich. Everything was fine. The waitress wasn't super attentive, but it was Sunday evening and it's not like we were in a hurry anywhere. Being out of towners, the decor did amuse us a bit. I'm not used to places with mounted deer heads on the walls =)
(3)Jeff M.
What a great surprise. This restaurant came recommended and I have to say it exceeded expectations. I happened to be there on Mexican Monday. Great chips and salsa and the quesadilla I had was incredible. Service was good, not great. If you are ever in Wheeling, check it out.
(4)Michael A.
Food = awesome. Atmosphere = awesome. YOA = awesome! This is totally a locals place. Seemed like everybody knew everybody (except us from Chicago) and it was a great time. The food was awesome, and our server was amazing as he walked us through every good item on the menu. If you are passing through Wheeling, go here. Dont go to some lousy national chain restaurant that you can get anywhere. Go to the Alpha.
(4)Michelle H.
So driving back home from Ohio and my wonderful fellow yelpers helped us find a great place to eat. The French onion soup was fantastic. The man got the greek wings (based on a recommendation from a fellow yelper) and they were fantastic. The salsa was great too! I got the grilled vegetable salad, which was flavorful and healthy. The man ordered lemon meringue and the meringue was about 4 inches high! Just amazing....not too far from the interstate and definitely worth the very slight detour to eat here!
(5)Karla L.
Hidden gem. This place has the BEST SALSA we've ever had. Ever. In fact, we stopped back the next day to get a pint to take home with us. Friendly staff and over the top service. The waiter was refilling our soda before we had to ask.
(4)Sarah T.
Stopped in at Ye Olde Alpha Club while on a road trip--there didn't seem to be much to choose from in Wheeling and it had decent reviews. Definitely seemed to be popular with locals; the menu was extensive and the stuffed animal heads on the wall gave it a unique charm. I had the Blackened Tomato sandwich which was one of their specialties and holy-moly was it SALTY. The fries that accompanied them were salty too. My dining companion enjoyed his Alpha Burger but agreed about the saltiness of the fries, and that was after we enjoyed the extra-garlicky Artichoke Dip. Just a little too heavy-handed with the spices, we agreed. Service was good, and the price was right.
(3)I.M. C.
Great atmosphere and good food. Gotta try: -the Old Bay and Greek wings. -Blackjack Burger -Citrus Shrimp appetizer -Mexican Mondays (killer burrito), -Thanksgiving wrap There aren't too many places in Wheeling to chose from so I'm glad this place exists.
(4)Anthony I.
I found this place on yelp and in a town with few choices, this fit the bill, it was open, it served food, it had a bar. Other than that, I'd pass. the menu is eclectic with everything from burgers to fajitas to pasta, pizza and everything in between.
(2)Ray B.
Sorry... But this rest. is over-priced for the medi-ocre food you get. I ordered the $10 burger. LOL far from it. What you get for $10.'s is a burger maybe the size of a qtr pounder. No sides, just the burger. All of their burgers were without sides and over-priced. We had a party of 10 one person had to send their food back. There were a couple of people who said it was ok though, but I think that all of us would not go back.
(2)Scott E.
After my wife and I checked into our hotel, we asked at the front desk what the best place there was for dinner around Wheeling, WV. We were asked in return the kind of food we were looking for, and I said, something REAL. I hate eating at T. G. I. Friday's or Applebee's. I like to go a restaurant that represents a place and a people, with nothing that says chain or faux. And what we got was EXACTLY what we wanted. Ye Olde Alpha is a neighborhood restaurant (oh, there's a bar, too, but we never saw that side of it) that was packed with locals on a Sunday night. Everybody was friendly, and it felt like one of those places where everybody knows your name. As much as I was tempted by the Blue Suede burger -- a bacon cheeseburger with grilled onions slathered with peanut butter -- I decided not to be quite so adventurous, which I know will disappoint some of you. I went with the Olympus Burger instead -- fresh ground beef and lamb mixed with Greek seasoning and crumbled Feta cheese. My wife ordered what's called the $10 Burger -- "prime rib, sirloin, and beef brisket ground into eight ounces of joy; served on Texas toast." We had fries and onion rings on the side. Wish I'd studied the menu more -- I might have ordered the whole roasted garlic gloves. We loved the food, which tasted like comfort, we loved the atmosphere, we loved the feel of the neighborhood where we parked, and when we left, my wife and I agreed that Ye Olde Alpha was exactly the sort of place we were looking for after our long day. It was cozy and, yes, REAL, and if we've ever in Wheeling again, we'll be back.
(4)Bryan H.
The 1st restaurant that has the word "ye" in the name or more than 50 items on the menu that I liked. I had the pork shanks, Greek style, and they were great. Friend had the Hot Brown and was happy.
(4)Brian Y.
A friend who used to go to school in Wheeling brought us here. It was apparently his old local spot. Taxedermy overwhelms you, but I didn't mind it as I got to drink staring at a giant bull moose. The wings here are some of the best I've ever had. The house recommends (and now I do too) the Greek wings. Big wings, Crisp skin, Greek seasoning, olive oil and a serious topping of crumbled feta cheese. Fantastic stuff. After food, we played a round of pool in the back. There's a video gambling room if you're into that, seemed pretty sad though. Overall, a big time was had.
(4)Elaine S.
The food and service were excellent! Greek wings, blackened tomato sandwich, pastrami, chips and salsa all great!
(5)Missy M.
My significant otter and I returned to the Alpha on a trip back to Wheeling this past weekend. We started in the bar with a couple pints of Guinness. Then, we moved on to the restaurant and were lucky to get seats as the place started filling up around 6 pm. I was in the mood for a steak and got the strip. It was delicious. The Otter got chicken pot pie and really enjoyed it. Our meals were so big and in cleaning our plates we didn't save room for dessert. Our service at the bar and in the restaurant was friendly and speedy. This place is popular for good reason.
(4)James B.
Business permits me and my co-worker to travel to Wheeling every so often, and when we are in town, this is where we like to eat. 10/24 marks the third visit to YOA and we will certainly go back again next time we are in town. I am a huge fan, so it's nice to get a hearty Guinness on tap with my meal. I've tried several different items on the menu and everything is always good. I wouldn't say it's the greatest eats ever, but it's all pretty good. 2 out of 3 visits yielded excellent service, but once, it was less than stellar. Although, our first server (Pamela) remember us on our third trip, so between her and Jill today, my friend and I are convinced. We almost feel like 'regulars' now(!). This is the place to go for a good meal at a reasonable price. Plus, the location is close to Rt40/I-70, so travelers should take note.
(4)Nicole Y.
The Alpha was always one of my favorite places to eat growing up, and now that I'm older it's on the top of my list of places to visit when I'm in Wheeling. I will inevitably run into people I know there at night, grabbing a beer. The food is tasty and everyone is friendly. I was surprised to find out that on Christmas Eve, the first drink is on the house at the bar! How can you pass that up?! The Alpha is chock full of sillyness, including animal heads all over the walls. In fact, you can purchase t-shirts that the servers wear that advertises their food, beer, and dead animals!
(4)Tonya W.
We dined at Ye Olde Alpha twice while in town for the Half Marathon in May. The food was unexpectedly yummy. The marinated portobellos served with red peppers and goat cheese was phenomenal. The service was what you might expect. It was ok--friendly enough, but nothing special.
(4)Sarah K.
The food here is great, a real gem in the middle of all the food chains in the Ohio Valley! They have creative dishes, and good service.
(5)Kurt B.
The Cheese sticks still kick ass!! The rest of what I had so far is alright. Not great, but not horrible. Stills got that dark atmosphere that made it so cool years ago.
(3)Chaundraya G.
Good food, good prices. Bruchetta is really good so are their wings. Tuesday night is wing night but go early if you want a seat.
(3)Paul K.
Cheeseburger and French Fries!!!
(3)Janet C.
It is what it is - a local burger joint and watering hole - very popular with the locals - if you make a reservation you can waltz right in - without it, you wait 20 minutes. The salad was good - I liked the sweet&sour dressing. Chips and fresh salsa made our group happy (and a damn good margarita made me happy!). We stuck to the basics - nothing fancy - did burgers - smart move - tasty and done to order. They kindly altered the chicken chimichangas to be vegetarian for our children - they gobbled them up. We had dessert - Lemon merigue and key lime - key lime won by a mile - nice and tangy - lemon was missing the zip. Service was timely and done with a big smile - it was a small bill for a lot of food and a good local adventure.
(3)Cheryl H.
The Alpha was a go-to date spot for me when I was in high school - hell, we went here before prom one year. The restaurant side has a great atmosphere and delicious food - the spinach & artichoke dip is A-MAZING. My older friends always talked about drinking here, but I had never stepped foot in the bar side of the Alpha, and based on the restaurant I didn't imagine it was a big drinkin' spot. Wrong-o. This place gets PACKED on the weekends with the young and young at heart, united with the common love of getting tanked. If you live in the Wheeling area, or you visit the Wheeling area, you'll probably end up at the Alpha.
(4)Mark M.
This place is Godmode. I grew up in Wheeling. Some of my best memories are going to this place for drinking and eating. It's probably the best bar/restaurant in Wheeling or most anywhere. The people are great. People in Wheeling are the some of the best people you will ever meet in your life. It's a microcosm. That means somewhere that doesn't exist anywhere else. The food is great and so is the beer and drinks. It has an old time feel to it that you can't get anywhere else. There are new owners so the menu has changed but it's still good. Don't miss this place. You will regret it if you do. Get the fatboy club sandwich or Canadien Whitefish sandwich and french fries with gravy. They are the best.
(5)Robert M.
Nice restaurant with great food. My only complaint is that it can be slow sometimes during lunch time. Other than that, I've never been dissatisfied eating here.
(4)Jennifer J.
The Thanksgiving wrap is amazing
(4)Becky W.
This restaurant is a strong 4+. We made a reservation and it was needed. The menu has a wide variety of foods and we tried four different things. The owner/partner, Mark, came by the table and gave us some local history and made sure our dining experience was the best. We come to Oglebay Resort every year and will definitely be back to Ye Olde Alpha next year. Footnote: try the desserts!!! They are to die for.
(4)M L B.
Let's face it, Wheeling is not the culinary capitol of the world. Having said that, the food is some of the best in the area with a diverse menu - (Greek, Mexican, American), in a friendly atmosphere. Where else can you order a Kentucky Hot Brown, grape leaves, pork shanks, steak, or Ahi tuna? The draft beer is ice cold but wine selection is limited. Make reservations if you are going on a weekend - it gets pretty crowded.
(4)Matt C.
Not just a bar, but a great restaurant, too! This the place where we always take out-of-town guests, and they always ask to go back. Try the blacked tomato sandwich (very spicy) or the Pastime Pasta with huge cloves of sauted garlic. One word of warning, however -- the service is highly inconsistent.
(5)Tim G.
Not terrible. Again this is an old Wheeling favorite. The locals rave about it but after 7-years in The Valley I remain unexcited. The food is good but the service is slow and seating crowded.
(3)Colleen C.
"Let's all go to the Alpha (repeat twice)...... and have ourselves a beer!" Suzie is still there, along with the moose, deer and other furry ones hanging in the bar room. The gravy from the fries courses through my blood and I must go everytime I'm Wheeling. The menu has some of the old favorites, a club sandwhich with fried egg in it, and some new ones, the pulled pork is quite good. This place is so familar and I love it so much! As a child I would ask my family to take me into the bar so I could see the animals and I thought about the days I'd be old enough to sit down and order a drink. Seemed like a totally "adult thing" to do at the time. The bar is really a mini version of Cabellas with inexpensive drinks, good bartenders and friendly people gathered below the animals, surprisingly pleasant, faces. On your way through Wheeling, West Virginia (Hwy 70) stop off and grab a cold one along with some gravy fries. Mmmnnn, almost heaven indeed!
(5)Amanda B.
My brother likes to hang out at the Alpha, my dad likes to hang out at the Alpha, people I went to grade school with like to hang out at the Alpha. I guess what I'm saying is, this is a small city, good neighborhood bars are few and far between. The Alpha has become a staple in my visits to Wheeling. When I turned 21 it felt like a rite of passage to enter this "olde" tavern. There are multiple reasons why I adore the Alpha 1. They not only sell beer, they sell candy! 2. The jackalope on the wall gets me everytime 3. Old people by day, young people by night 4. They have a juke box that actually plays what you request. Unlike some bars where you go, pop in a quarter (or eighty dollars) and wait over an hour to hear your damn song. 5.Everyone else you know is here or will be here at some point in the evening. What I don't like about the Alpha, the food. Granted I don't really care for most of the restaurants in this part of the country, the food here is not for you if you've ever eaten and enjoyed: Brie, Spinach, Prosciutto, Vegetables etc. etc. I don't really enjoy eating meat, although I'm a big fan of friend chicken. This is a problem for most restaurants in this area. All your veggies are fried, and your lettuce is iceberg. Salad dressing? Yes they have: ranch, bleu cheese, thousand island and french. Oh but listen to me bitching. I get it, the food in this part of the country can be delicious and not all veggies are fried. And yes it is a bar, what the hell was I thinking trying to get a meal at a bar? My suggestion, try it. Just go, get drunk with your old man and have a snickers.
(3)Justin S.
The place to eat in Wheeling. Amazing menu, great staff. The ambiance is...not fancy. Dead animals on the walls which usually don't talk to you.
(5)Pamela V.
I really like the alpha but it really is just a neighborhood bar, with regular bar food. Their mexican monday's are great and the free chips and salsa every night are as well. Alcohol is cheap!
(4)Jeffrey L.
Atmosphere! Classic atmosphere, stuffed heads, old school pics. Excellent desserts including peanut butter pie, fried bananas. Tasty burgers including the Squeal- a bacon infused burger!
(3)Niki M.
Good food, atmosphere was average or below average. Definitly one of the best meals we had in wheeling. We got a greek platter.
(4)