Our History & Photo Gallery

The Roanoker Restaurant was started on July 1, 1941 at 11 South Jefferson Street in Downtown Roanoke by Crafton Warren and two friends. They began The Roanoker as a Limited Partnership with $ 600.

World War II broke out 6 months later and both partners were called to other areas. Crafton stayed to operate the Restaurant and serve as a civilian neighborhood volunteer and to pack food to feed the soldiers on the troop trains stopping in Roanoke.

After the War his partners sold their share to Crafton and the Roanoker continued to serve Good Food at Good Prices and had a staff of 10 people and seated 50. His cook Cordelia "Knookie" Clarkson had 4 sisters who would all work at the Restaurant at one time or another. He was never sure which sister would show up each day, but one of them was always there. At times they would call their Mother for advice and then write the recipe on the wall next to the phone. One night the Landlord painted the Restaurant and all the recipes were lost, but only for a few days until they decided to write them in a note book.

Buttermilk Biscuits, Sausage Gravy, Pies, Fresh Vegetables, Meat , Loaf, Macaroni and Cheese, Fried Chicken and Com Sticks all made from scratch and we continue to do it that way today. We have expanded our menu over the years to include Seafood, Great Sandwiches, Steaks, and much more.

The Roanoker now has 70 employees and seats 300 people in a comfortable building. We also host Civic and Church groups, Business meetings, family reunions and all our other Guests. People meet here to conduct business, discuss family, propose marriage, celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, graduations and ,retirements.

We are locally owned and operated and actively involved in The Boy Scouts, Rescue Squad, Relay for Life and Families in need, our churches, and in sponsoring Little League Baseball for over 40 years.

Our Guests and Staff make the History, Our Restaurant provides their needs, and we want you to feel good when you leave. COME JOIN OUR F AMIL Y, ENJOY SOME GREAT FOOD AND MAKE A LITTLE HISTORY WHILE YOU'RE HERE.