Hometown Eats: Bee Noodle’d - Alo Japan

TAZEWELL, Va. (WDBJ) – What started as a simple noodle shop has blossomed into the buzz of Tazewell.

Bee Noodle’d blends one-of-a-kind dishes with second chances. We’ll show you in this week’s Hometown Eats!

“This is the most unique restaurant you’re going to find, I think,” Bee Noodle’d said owner Erin Keene.

Buzz on down you busy bees to try some of the finest nectar you’ll find on the main drag. Welcome to Bee Noodle’d on Federal Avenue in Tazewell.

“Fun destination for everybody,” said Keene.

Erin Keene has been the queen bee since they opened in 2023, but her colony quickly grew. So, they went looking for a new hive before landing down the hill from Main Street.

“I ended up purchasing this building and now we have room for parties in the back and of course we have Stingers (indoor golf simulator) for people to have entertainment as well,” said Keene.

You might be wondering what in the world is up with all the bees, Erin says it all started with her baby bee.

“The bee theme comes from my daughter Bailey, so when she was born we just always called her our bumblebee and over the years people would give us everything bee theme so it just became a family theme so when we were going to open a restaurant we knew we would have to incorporate bees into it,” explained Keene.

And Erin means the whole family. She saw the honeycomb booths on the internet and took the idea to her father and his worker-bees.

“Showed it to my dad and said can you make these and he said honey I can make anything you want so my dad built these with his workers,” said Keene.

If you haven’t figured it out, they love to have fun around this place. There’s rarely a time when they aren’t celebrating something.

“We do a lot of themed things. Over the summer we did a carnival theme for our anniversary. We’ve done a pickle theme and this time we decided to do a Harry Potter. So, we just love to do fun things to bring the community in for something different,” said Keene.

But the biggest celebration for Erin is giving people a second chance. She used to work in recovery and is in recovery from addiction herself.

“Rather than sitting in an office where I’m trying to help people, now I get to actually be here and let people and let people see what recovery looks like. This is a safe place for people that are in recovery to work because they don’t have to worry about if there’s going to be people going to the bathroom and doing drugs. They know that’s not going to happen here,” explained Keene.

She feels this restaurant is her true calling.

“I’ve very overwhelmed with gratitude to have that opportunity. I feel that’s what God has me for is to help other people,” said Keene.

One way Erin and her swarm are helping is by serving dishes you won’t find anywhere else.

“This is our bee mac. Homemade mac and cheese comes with two hand breaded deep fried tenders in our house made teriyaki sauce. Hand breaded chicken breast, house made country mayo, lettuce, pickles and a drizzle of ranch. Firey dragon wings with cherry and habanero. It’s got a kick. Half pound burger with white American cheese and in house made bacon jam,” listed manager Vanessa Kisner.

“They’re called chick-a-bees. Honey teriyaki chicken tenders. Everybody just really loves those. I think one of the best things on the menu,” said Keene.

But it’s time you saw why noodles are in the name of this joint. The two they served me were their popular Asian Fusion and 10-hour slow cooked Pork Ramen. You can also “make it sting” by adding jalapeno peppers and a heavy hand helping of Sirichai.

“Our food is fantastic and you’re just going to feel welcome when you come here. We just love to be part of the community and to welcome in new people and our regulars,” said Keene.

Bee Noodle’d, a hometown eat you won’t buzz by again.