Cheap Grits

Reviewer: Chris

Original Review Date: 01/06/2006

Rating: +2/+3(Goooood)

This is a low-key, relaxed place to go for lunch. I have been a few times, and can't image ever encountering a wait. It features traditional truck stop style fare and ambiance, including waitresses with big hair and a friendly attitude. It's like Denny's, but not as filthy.

First visit I had a trusty club sandwich. Nothing wrong with it.

Next visit I had breakfast. They serve breakfast all the time, and it's worthy of all day service. I got two eggs over easy, bacon, hash browns, grits and toast. It was all very good, with just a couple of minor areas of improvement (noted below). The eggs were cooked perfectly--no gloppy uncooked mucous egg white, as often appears on an undercooked over easy egg, and the yolk was nice and runny. Hash browns are the preferred variety--classic shredded potatoes, executed well with a crispy exterior layer. The three bacon slices were crispy. Grits were of the proper viscosity.

Breakfast was affordable at $5.49 for the basic package, and 99¢ extra for the grits (a reasonable grits surcharge, especially compared to the ridiculous price charged by The Original Pancake House for a side of grits). So the basic breakfast is as affordable as the equally good offering at Cafe Java.

The only areas of improvement I noted were that the grits could have been warmer (usually grits arrive at the table superheated--they posess amazing heat-retention qualities that should be harnessed by Science), and I would prefer butter over the Country Crock they serve.

On subsequent visits, I have opted for the cheeseburger and have been pleased with that choice as well. Comes wrapped in cool old-school waxy paper. Available with cheddar. Very affordable burger & fries.

So--a comfortable place to escape for lunch.