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Writer's pictureSteven Keith

Popular Shape Shop Café closing after more than 40 years

A beloved Charleston café and take-out store specializing in healthier meals and treats is closing its doors on Friday, Nov. 22, after more than 40 years in business.

Chicken Tortilla Soup from Plaza Maya II in Kanawha City.






In a video posted on the Shape Shop Café Facebook page late last week, owner Millie Snyder talked about being the first to bring Weight Watchers to West Virginia back in 1969 and then opening a shop seven years later that sold food specially made for those counting their calories.


Seafood salads from Shape Shop Cafe

Leading up to her last day of business, Snyder said she hopes Shape Shop fans will come in to stock up on the café’s muffins, soups, pizzas, wraps, paninis and other grab-and-go options freshly made each day. “And of course,” she added, “our Dippy Dos.”


Dippy whats? For those who are unfamiliar, she’s referring to the Shape Shop’s signature low-fat frozen ice cream on a stick that’s dipped in chocolate coating to create a treat with a mere 100 calories and 1.5 to 4.5 grams of fat, depending on what flavor you choose.


Salmon cake sandwich from Shape Shop Cafe

Snyder herself invented the Dippy Do back in 1981, which became so popular through the years that it now comes in more than 20 flavors including chocolate, vanilla, chocolate peanut butter, butterscotch, orange delight, butter pecan, mocha, mint chocolate chip and many more.


“It will be our pleasure to see you and hopefully give each other a hug,” Snyder concluded.


“And to thank you – from the bottom of my heart – for all of the patronage and loyalty you have shown me over these many years.”


  • IF YOU GO: Shape Shop Café at 706 Central Ave. in Charleston is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday until Friday, Nov. 22. For more information, call 681-265-3938, visit www.shapeshopwv.com or check out the restaurant’s Facebook page.


Readers share their favorite Mexican restaurants


My challenge asking readers to share their personal favorite Mexican restaurants in the region drew the expected flood of responses – but no clear “winner,” as it were.


Chocolate Dippy Do from Shape Shop Cafe

As I said during last week’s review of the new Plaza Maya II and Los Amigos on MacCorkle Avenue in Kanawha City, folks tend to have a favorite Mexican restaurant they frequent even though most in the area offer pretty much the same menu and similar quality.


But it wasn’t always that way.


Reader Whitney Hess quickly reminded me of the late, great Chili Willi’s, a longtime Mexican cantina on Fourth Avenue in Huntington that really was a significant cut above all the rest for years before closing its doors. Oh, how I loved that place in all of its crowded, noisy, delicious glory.


For others who miss that iconic spot, chef-owner Ron Smith made a series of videos showing you how to re-create some Chili Willi favorites at home at https://bit.ly/4feUlR4. You can follow along in your own kitchen as Smith shows you how to make his original guacamole, traditional chili, Texas red chili, black bean soup and chipotle shredded beef.


Fresh wrap from Shape Shop Cafe

“But you are correct,” Hess added, “that the majority of Mexican restaurants in the area serve up a similar menu. All are good from my perspective, but two of my favorites are Casa Garcia in South Charleston and Guadalajara Modern Mexican in Nitro.”


Another fan put in a good word for Las Trancas out at Southridge.


“Las Trancas did not receive a mention among your favorite Mexican restaurants, but they just added Tacos Birria to their menu,” reader Gail Bellamy told me.


“I had them and they were to-die-for! Give them another look and try the Birria. Love your column!”


Based on Bellamy’s high praise, I raced out to Las Trancas the next day to dig into those unusual tacos for dinner. I hadn’t been there in a few years and this reintroduction was a nice one overall.


Birria Tacos from Las Trancas

The Birria (meat marinated in an adobo made of vinegar, dried chiles, garlic and herbs before being cooked in a broth) was then shredded and plentifully stuffed inside cheese-crusted corn tortillas.


After sprinkling your taco with the optional chopped onions and fresh cilantro served alongside, you then dunk each bite into a cup of the broth the meat was cooked in before eating it, creating a delicious consommé that bathes it like butter.


I still think I prefer the Tacos Birria at Los Agaves in South Charleston better, but these were solid contenders.



• • •


Steven Keith is a food writer and restaurant critic known as “The Food Guy” who writes a weekly column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail and has appeared in several state, regional and national culinary publications. Follow him online at www.wvfoodguy.com or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. He can be reached at 304-380-6096 or at wvfoodguy@aol.com.

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