This West Virginia Tavern Has Major Civil War Roots

There's nothing like enjoying some tasty grub at a restaurant with a side of rich lore. Foster's Main Street Tavern in Beckley, West Virginia may not be the oldest pub in the world or have ever served Vikings, but its American history bonafides are impeccable. During the dark days of the Civil War, two future U.S. presidents (Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley) enjoyed dinner at Davis Cottage, located at 121 Main Street. Back then, the men were a pair of Union officers and friends serving together in the 23rd Ohio Infantry Regiment. Precisely what they ate and drank there has been lost to history. In 1917, Davis Cottage gained a second life as a hardware store, which it remained for over 75 years. It wasn't until 1989 that Buzz Burke renovated the building, polishing up its original mezzanine and tin ceiling, bringing it back to its roots as a restaurant by opening Foster's Main Street Tavern.

With enough searching, you can find a few different eateries in America that have served 19th-century heads of state. Indiana's oldest restaurant, The Log Inn, once hosted Abraham Lincoln, for instance. While there's no record of presidents having dined at Foster's in its current incarnation — at least not yet, anyway — there's no denying that the establishment has an unmistakable air of timeless cool. Flower boxes line the wrought-iron gate surrounding the patio, while the restored brick on the inner walls lends both warmth and atmosphere. But Foster's does more than just look the part. According to social media, the food is noteworthy as well.

A look at the Foster's menu promises all the pub faves that you love, including burgers stacked with delicious toppings, loaded fries, and over a dozen varieties of chicken wings. West Virginia may not be acclaimed as the foodie destination for chicken wings that Buffalo, New York is, but Foster's brings the goods, with wings ranging from no heat at all to "Chernobyl," with BBQ and garlic-slathered in between. There are plenty of shareable baskets to accompany a cold drink as well, including fried ravioli, potato skins, crispy mozz, and ultimate nachos. As if you needed more reasons to visit, there is live music every Friday night and major league sports on the establishment's televisions. In its Facebook bio, Foster's compares itself to the legendary T.V. bar on "Cheers," promising the comfy, familiar vibes of a neighborhood watering hole.

Foster's scores rave reviews on Tripadvisor, with commenters dubbing the tavern "a fabulous little nook in the wall" and an "excellent little find." The great service, big portions, and wallet-friendly pricing all got specific shout-outs in multiple reviews. Happy customers sang a similar tune over on Yelp. "Pleasant, fun atmosphere with excellent wait staff. Very friendly. Food was really good," a Missouri visitor enthused. "Atmosphere is one of the coolest bars I've ever been to," raved another. Clearly, this is a historic hangout with style and substance in spades.