burgers

Tuesday’s Treats #46

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Pack’s Tavern

Location: Asheville, NC

This restaurant is super cool, and it’s nestled in the heart of Asheville, right next to the Police Department. The atmosphere is great as is the staff. The place has a lot of character, and there are nights they have live music, too. The food is incredible, and the cheesy bread appetizer is a must!

They have a great variety on the menu, including salads, sandwiches, burgers bison meatloaf and shrimp and grits. We ordered bison burgers, fries and the shrimp and grits. I’m sorry I didn’t get any pics of the actual food. We were so hungry that I forgot once the food arrived. We really enjoyed the atmosphere and the giant windows that showed the beautiful surroundings. All the food was tasty, and the boys even got some ice cream for a yummy dessert. Honestly, the shrimp and grits weren’t my favorite, but I’ve learned when going to a burger place, and being so far inland, that’s the chance you take. It was edible; I’d give it a solid B-. The burgers are definitely great, and the cheesy bread appetizer is to die for! 😉

If you’re in the downtown Asheville area, it’s a definitely stop. I’d like to go again just to try another bite of that appetizer and one of those burgers! There looks to be a lot of yummy items on the menu, too. Here is their website for you to check out.

Tuesday’s Treats #44

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The Blue Otter Restaurant & Sportsbar  

The view here is spectacular! The restaurant is located right on the side of the highway, facing Lake Chatuge. The food is really good, too. I’d have to say it wasn’t awesome, but the view made up for the lack of luster. We had burgers, wings, pizza and a buffalo chicken wrap, all served with fries, onion rings and Tator tots (you choose one)…true Sportsbar type variety.  The sweet tea was good Southern style sweet tea, and the cherry cokes were true Roy Rogers, grenadine and all. 😉

The Hiawassee burger is good with bacon, pickle slices and BBQ sauce. It comes with ranch dressing, too, but I had it omitted. The wings were yummy, and my son ordered them with hot sauce; so, they were fire producing! Haha. The pizza was more bread than pepperoni and sauce, but the taste was good. The last time we went, our party got the big “Kitchen sink” pizza, with all the toppings, and it was loaded and yummy! The chicken wrap and ranch dressing was average, not really spectacular.

The atmosphere inside is really cool, but because it was such a beautiful day, we sat outside on the deck with a gorgeous view of the lake and mountains. The waitress seemed a little distracted, which made her a little on the slower side, but she was really nice. Everything was really good, and we will be back, I’m sure.

Here is their website for location and more information. 

Tuesday’s Treats #32

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Rumor HazIt

Location: Clayton, Ga 

This has been a local favorite of ours for several years now, and I’ll be honest, you can actually catch them on a day when they’re not A+ quality. However, I’ll have to say the majority of the time, you’ll get really good food and pretty good service.

You wouldn’t think you’d find a decent seafood restaurant in the hills of North Georgia, and if I hadn’t eaten here myself, I’d definitely be a doubter. We actually ate here yesterday, and the food was pretty good, about a B grade. We ordered the fried pickles, and they were amazing! We, also, ordered a small tossed salad and the shrimp bisque, both were yummy.

For entrees, we ordered the grilled chicken sandwich, chicken fingers, cheeseburger and the blackened mahi-mahi sandwich, all with fries. Everything tasted great; however, the chicken and mahi sandwiches were just a tad over cooked, leaving them both a little dry, but we’ve had these plenty of times before, and they were delicious. The fries were awesome; they’re like little potato logs. The ranch dressing, tartar sauce and the chipotle ranch sauces all taste homemade.

We’ve had the burgers before (pictured first above), and they’ve always been great. If you like beer battered onion rings, they’ve got some of the best. The fried cod sandwich has always been tasty as well. Oh, if you like dessert, you’ll really like their key lime pie, and there’s another dessert we’ve had there; however, I can’t remember what it was. 😜

The atmosphere is really done right with all nautical themes and a beautiful fish tank in the center of the room. The seating is very comfortable with both inside tables and half booths and outside patio areas.

So, try them out, and remember, if you happen to get bad (slow!) service that day, please, just give them one more try. You’ll enjoy the meals, and you’ll probably catch them on a better day the next time around. 😉

You can check out their website here.

Tuesday’s Treats #30

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Marlow’s Tavern

Location: several in the Atlanta area


Marlow’s is the BEST! This is one of my favorite restaurants. The ingredients are picked up fresh daily, and the choices are unique and diverse. They have some of the best shrimp and grits I’ve put in my mouth. Now, I switch up mine from their menu description. I order mine with the jalapeño corn grits rather than the grit cakes, but that’s just according to your particular taste. I like them both.

The Tavern burgers, chicken panini and chicken stack are all delicious, and the salads are different than any you’ll get at another restaurant. Beware, the salads are of large proportion, too! You’ll definitely want to start out with the kettle chips or the firecracker shrimp, and the warm chocolate cake is a delicious finish.

If your appetite isn’t all that today, you can even order a few small plates to custom make your meal. There’s jalapeño corn grits, fried okra, fresh fruit and white cheddar grit cakes, just to name a few. If you enjoy a little spirits with your meal, I suppose they have plenty of that, too, because it is called a tavern. That’s just not my game; so, I apologize I won’t be too helpful in that area. 😉
The atmosphere is great, and the seating is very comfortable with booths, regular tables, high tops and even a great patio area. We had a group of 35 meet here recently, and the patio area was so comfortable and accommodating. The fans oscillate and rotate, and the tables are a cool wood/metal decor, and they even have a couch a table area for the more relaxed conversations.

I believe you’ll enjoy your visit; so, I hope you’ll check them out soon. Oh, I hear they just opened a location in Florida as well! 😊 Here’s their website for all your information needs.

Tuesday’s Treats #24

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The Rookery

Location: Macon, Ga.


This place has a great atmosphere, and good food. It’s noted as #1 on tripadvisor.com; however, I think I might not rate it that high. Don’t get me wrong, please. We did enjoy it; it just wasn’t a “hit it out of the park” kind of meal. We ordered the spicy pimento cheese appetizer, the bacon cheeseburger and the a chicken sandwich with goat cheese, bacon and a fried green tomato (I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten the name!). The appetizer was amazing. The burger was good, and the chicken sandwich was pretty good, but very messy. My husband didn’t really care for the goat cheese taste on the sandwich. I’ve been told they are known for their milkshakes, and we should’ve gotten one. However, the waiter seemed to be a little slow, or distracted, and the wait time went over the time we had; so, we opted out. I guess, we’ll have to go back and try that and maybe try a different sandwich to see if maybe it was just an off day. The crowd was full during lunch time on a Monday, and the ratings on TA were pretty high; so, yeah, maybe we just didn’t get a good first impression…?

They have several specials each day, as well as, two or three daily soups. The shakes are supposed to be awesome, and the desserts did sound yummy from the descriptions. If you’re in Macon, stop by and give it a try.

Here’s their menu to check it out. By the way, the whole menu doesn’t seem to be listed on line. It’s pretty extensive. 😉

Tuesday’s Treats #19

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Bob’s Victory Grille

Location: Auburn, Al

This is a great restaurant right near the Auburn University. It’s become one of our regular visits when we’re passing through town. It’s got a great atmosphere and wonderful food.  

After you order, they bring you a serving of their famous slaw and sauce. I was hesitant, at first, because I’m not a huge coleslaw fan, but this stuff is really good. The best way I can describe this sauce is “thousand island with a twist.” It’s a great little appetizer.

They have a great variety of burgers, sandwiches, wood fire pizza, “blue plate” specials and more. Everything we’ve tried is delicious, and we will continue to stop by here when we’re in town. They also have key lime pie for dessert. Yum. Honestly, It’s not the ultimate best I’ve ever had, but it is very delicious!)

Check them out here.

Tuesday’s Treats #18

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Madison’s

Location: Highlands, NC

Madison’s is located inside the Old Edwards Inn in Highlands. They have inside seating, a wine garden with outside seating, and even a rooftop terrace where you can choose to have your meal. We have eaten both inside and on the rooftop terrace and enjoyed both immensely. We have friends who had lunch in the wine garden and just loved the patio feel with the sound of the waterfall trickling nearby.

Let me stage for you and tell you about one of our favorite moments here… Now just imagine: a lovely rooftop terrace, with beautiful shutters, table settings and cushioned seating, overlooking the little town, and a gentle summer breeze blowing in the “heat” of summer with ceiling fans gently rolling. The temperature gauge rising no more than about 70-72 degrees, because you’re at such a high elevation! The waiter brings you a pleasant cheese and cracker tray for an appetizer, “just right” sweet Southern tea, mini biscuits and cornbread made fresh daily, and your meal consists of fish and chips and the best shrimp and grits you’ve ever tasted. You sit around the table with family and friends and feel like royalty… Yes, it was that wonderful!

The food is incredible, and we haven’t had one thing yet that we didn’t like! As I mentioned before, their fish and chips are great, and they serve it in a really cool style. (See pic below) Their fries are more like miniature potato logs, and the dill/tartar sauce is great. I don’t have it pictured, but they also have a great cheese tray which comes with several cheese, currant and several other delicacies that are just fantastic. They have a pimento cheese burger that is just as fantastic, too.

As I’ve also mentioned, they have some of the best shrimp and grits I’ve ever put in my mouth…and being a Southern girl, that’s quite a bit! They serve the dish in a cute little crock/skillet; so, your grits stay nice and warm throughout the duration of the meal. However, they’re usually gobbled up so quickly, it’s difficult to let the grits grow cold anyway. Haha. The grits are so creamy, and the shrimp are just right, never chewy.

It is simply a fine Southern meal to remember! If you have time, and can afford it, be sure to stay a night or two at the Old Edward’s Inn, too. It is breathtaking!

I will include the whole website on this blog; so, you can find all your needs. When you go to the site, if you just want info on Madison’s, click on the little circle icon in the top right hand corner, and a drop down menu will appear they has “dining” listed. Click there, and it will direct you to the restaurant. If you’d like to know more about the town of Highlands, you can read one of my past Wednesday’s Odes telling all. It is a delightful little town!

Tuesday’s Treats #14

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Hilltop Grill

Location: Athens, Ga


Hilltop is a great local steakhouse restaurant in Athens that we love to frequent when we can. They have to best bacon-wrapped shrimp appetizer that you’ll put in your mouth! They have incredible burgers, sandwiches and a various assortment of different plates. One of their sides I love is their grits. Oh. My. Yum! Their sweet tea is good ol’ Southern Sweet Tea, and their dinner rolls are the delicious yeast kind that melt in your mouth with a little butter on top.

They have special “lunch plates” Tuesday-Friday for lunch, and the price isn’t bad at all. These are like roasted pork loin, meatloaf and even turkey and dressing. Their salads and soup are great; they usually have a special soup of the day. The “icing on the cake” is their hilltop brownie. Oh. My. Word! It’s to die for!! 😉 They have several other desserts, but that one is my favorite.

The atmosphere is really cool, too. It is nice enough for linens on the table, and you can come dressed “to the nines,” or you can come dressed for game day, and you’ll feel perfectly welcomed. Just know, if you come on game day, you better come early, cuz this place will be packed!!

Here’s their website to get more information.

Tuesday’s Treats #10

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Ted’s Montana Grill

Location: Several locations in the Atlanta area – Georgia

Since, this week is my birthday week, I thought I’d post one of my favorites for Tuesday’s Treats. Hope you enjoy! 😊

   
Yes, I started this post off with their yummy dessert, the Apple Pecan Crisp. Oh. My. Word. This will send you right over the top! My husband and I love apple pie; however, we’re hesitant on crisps, because, too often, those who prepare them lean too heavily on the breading crumbles (that end up being too soggy), or the filling is more like the canned-fruit-topping-fillings than something fresh and homemade. Well, this dish is incredible! They begin with whole, thick slices of Granny Smith apples, add a touch of cinnamon and make the crumble topping with pecans and oats; so, the combination tasted more like a fresh-out-of-the-oven, heavenly goodness!! Yum!

You may not be the type for desserts first; so let me back up to the main entrees. They have sandwiches, burgers, chicken and steak options. It’s a real “man’s steak and potatoes” kind of restaurant. They are known for their bison burgers, which are incredible, and they have several different types to choose. Every burger variety has the option of beef, bison or chicken. One of our son’s favorites is the Red Rock Bison Burger. I’ve screenshot the monsteracity for you from the website. I usually can’t get a pic fast enough when my son’s involved! Haha.   

I have ordered the Farmhouse salad with salmon and with roasted chicken; both variations are amazing. That salad is huge, and I usually can’t finish it. The menus calls for roasted chicken, but I think I prefer the salmon more, because it’s a little more healthy for me…since, we also get an appetizer and that yummy dessert! Ha. 

Lately, I have also been ordering a side of their squash casserole. Oh. My. Goodness! This is made just as it should be!! The squash isn’t too squishy, cooked with buttery goodness, and it is topped lightly with a light bread crumble. Amazing. 

My husband usually gets the bison cheeseburger with fries, and our youngest has had their chicken fingers with fries. Again, everything is delicious! Oh, and the other day, my husband ordered  the daily special of bison chopped steak, green beans and roasted corn. Oh my word, again, it was all incredible, but that corn was out of this world!! It was roasted kernels with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. Amazing, again. 

The appetizer we often order is the Bison nachos with extra chili, because we love the bison chili that is on them! Oh, and there are three other things you’ll definitely want to try while you’re here… They put marinated cucumber slices “(homemade pickles 😉) on the table to begin your “Out West Experience.” These are so yummy. I could eat the whole bowl…well, I usually do, because they’re not so much the favorites of my husband or kiddos. They, also, have fresh squeezed lemonade, made just the way it should be: tart enough to make you pucker but sweetened just right. If apples just aren’t your thing, be sure and try the Kahlua Fudge brownie. I’m not real crazy about Kahlua; so, that was brought on the side, but Oh. My. Word. This is pure sin! (Lol.) It is so rich, you’ll want to share it or take it home, but it’s definitely worth ordering! 

(…I’m sorry I don’t have a picture of that yumminess. Our son dove into that while I was enjoying the apple pecan crisp, and I totally missed the opportunity!)

So, if you’re in The Atlanta area, be sure to look up Ted’s Montana and see if it’s located near you. Even if you have to drive a little bit, I promise you, you won’t be disappointed!   

Yeah, I left one more pic of that yummy deliciousness…

You can find all their locations and menu options here. 

**Note: the burger photo is property of Ted’s Montana, as shown by the copyright. I neither own nor possess this photo. Simply screenshot this from their website to display with written description of item. 

  

Tuesday’s Treats #6

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Lucky Dill

Location: Palm Harbor, Fl   
 

We went to the Lucky Dill a few years ago while we were staying in Tampa. Palm Harbor is just north of Tampa, almost like a suburb of the city. This is a Big Apple themed restaurant, and it is so cool!

The Lucky Dill fills up quick at lunch; so, get there early. They have a breakfast, lunch and late night menu, as well as, a wide variety of bakery items that are out of this world (see above photo)! Looking back at their website, it appears they have a pretty lively nitelife, complete with a bar and live music, if you’re into that sort of thing. We never went at night; so, I couldn’t really speak to that. 

But I can sure speak about their lunch menu and bakery! They have great big subs, great big regular sandwiches, Italian selections, a few seafood items (like fish and chips), salads, burgers and chicken sandwiches, and much more. It was really hard to narrow our choices to only what we could eat in one meal, especially when we went in starving! 

We started out with the Ba-Da-Bing Shrimp, which is fried shrimp tossed in some “bad sauce.” It’s got a little kick, but it’s not too bad. Then, we had a burger, the Hot Brisket, the Al Panino Panini and the kids burger (party of 4😉). Everything was delicious!! We were so full, but we still had to get some bakery items to take back to the condo with us!

Oh. My. Word. Just writing about this place gives me a craving to go back! Wish it wasn’t forever away, and we’d head out this week! Haha. We had some friends go there last year for breakfast, and they said it was just as wonderful. If you are ever on vacation near Tampa, or you live in that area, you don’t want to miss a trip to the Lucky Dill! 😉

Check out their menus here.