fried green tomatoes Archives - There Goes Connie

Lucy Buffett and Her Famous Fried Green Tomatoes

07/08/2019 By: CCPearson1 Comment

A few months ago, I was invited by USA Today’s 10Best.com to contribute a story about fried green tomatoes, specifically as they apply to Alabama. And it was strongly recommended that I try to interview Lucy Buffett since her green tomatoes, after all, were voted by readers to be the best in the state. (Scroll to the bottom to find a link to the story).

Naturally, I was thrilled to have the opportunity, but I was a little nervous about trying to talk to Lucy Buffett. Her flagship restaurant in Gulf Shores — Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s — is phenomenally popular, even in the off season. Thousands of people wait in line for a table during peak summer months to get the freshest possible seafood, hear some great music, and, of course, sample her top-rated appetizer with WOW Sauce on the side. The parking lot is huge, and while visitors wait, they can browse the gift shop, stroll among gorgeous yachts and boats or let the kids play in the arcade and try their hand on the ropes course. It has become more than a restaurant. It’s a destination in itself. (If you’re going to be in Gulf Shores this summer and want to visit, I suggest you click here when you arrive in town and get your name on the list for the day you want to eat at LuLu’s).

Lucy Buffett’s Fried Green Tomatoes, voted best in Alabama. Photo used with permission from LuLu’s.

In recent years, Ms. Buffett has added two more restaurants — Destin, FL and North Myrtle Beach, SC.

How was I going to be able to actually TALK to someone so successful? Hallelujah for the help I was given by the great tourism folks at GulfShores.com, especially Mary Sargeant and Kay Maghan. They graciously agreed to get in touch with Ms. Buffett’s personal assistant, and an interview time was established. I started reading everything I could find about her and realized she has led an extremely interesting life. She’s worked very hard for her well-deserved success.

From the first “hello,” I felt as though I were talking to a long-time friend. Lucy was friendly, funny, forthcoming, helpful and oh-so-genuine. What I expected to last 10 minutes, went on for 30. It was delightful to learn that we have several things in common.

She, too, is a grandmother. Her twin granddaughters are deeply loved and immensely enjoyed.
We both play a musical instrument. In her case, it’s the ukelele! 🙂 She’s teaching herself to play and is insisting that her granddaughters learn an instrument of their choosing.

Lucy and her husband, as of about 10 years ago, no longer drink alcohol — not a drop. She does, however, enjoy an occasional, non-alcoholic, ginger beer. And, the pimento cheese she serves uses a little bit of honey ale brewed by Back 40 Brewing in Gadsden, but she’s never tasted the ale “straight.”

The recipe that sets her fried green tomatoes apart is found in her cookbook Gumbo Love and is NOT for someone who wants to whip them up right quick. The flour mixture alone has 10 ingredients, and the WOW Sauce she serves to accompany them adds another 5. But, believe me, her extra touches are what set them apart.

So, here’s my story. I’d love to read your thoughts.

https://www.10best.com/interests/food-culture/everything-you-want-to-know-about-fried-green-tomatoes/

Edgefield, South Carolina: Pottery, Great Food and TURKEYS!

09/10/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Allow me to steer you off of Interstates 20, 26 or 85 the next time you cross from Georgia or North Carolina into South Carolina. Edgefield is a jewel of a town with plenty to occupy you for several hours or a couple of days.

The National Wild Turkey Federation has its headquarters in Edgefield, and you will definitely want to designate an hour or two to visit their beautiful facility at 770 Augusta Road. The displays and exhibits are first-class. Even for those of us who have never been turkey hunters, it is fascinating to learn the habits and facts surrounding these interesting, albeit funny-looking, birds.

On display at the National Wild Turkey Federation

When you make the connection to the Turkey Federation, it is easy to understand and enjoy the painted turkeys scattered around the downtown area.

Standing around town.

Make a point of visiting downtown, specifically to see the studio and workshop of Old Edgefield Pottery at 230 Simpkins Street. There are actually three art forms that originated in South Carolina — Sweetgrass Baskets (popular in Charleston), Catawba Indian Pottery (which is on prominent display at the Catawba Cultural Center in Rock Hill, SC) and Edgefield Pottery which dates back to the 1800’s. At the studio, you can see examples of the original clay works and watch potter Justin Guy continue the process to make pieces today. You will be very tempted to purchase one of his beautiful pots for your own home.

Mural depicting Potter Dave from 200 years ago.

Justin Guy talking about Old Edgefield Pottery and its characteristics

Old Edgefield Grill is a restaurant I am happy to recommend right off of the main square at 202 Penn Street. Housed in a vintage Victorian home with a wide wraparound veranda and a yard full of magnolia trees, it exudes an air of Southern hospitality with the menu to back it up. They say that Shrimp and Grits is their signature item, but I’d put their Fried Green Tomatoes at the top of their offerings, as well. Two of the main dining rooms have important local connections. One has turkeys everywhere — in photos and decor, of course, not in live, gobbling form — and the other is a tribute to Senator Strom Thurmond, a highly-recognized and beloved U.S. Senator who was born in Edgefield in 1902, and died there a little over a hundred years later. Delicious upscale comfort food, elegant surroundings and significant art and decor items — what could be better?

Interior of Old Edgefield Grill in the turkey-themed room.

Statue of Senator Strom Thurmond

Edgefield is just one of the towns in the 5 counties which make up South Carolina’s Old 96 District. Check out the website. I’m positive you will find something that everyone in your family can see, experience and enjoy.

7 Places to Eat Just South of Atlanta

04/16/2018 By: CCPearsoncomment

Clayton County, Georgia calls itself “Atlanta’s True South,” and Henry County, Georgia describes itself as “Comfortably South of Atlanta.” The city promoters have done a perfect job with those terms. Clayton and Henry lie on either side of I-75 South as you head out of Atlanta. That means residents of those counties can take advantage of all that Atlanta has to offer (airport, professional sports teams, world-class entertainment possibilities, etc.) but enjoy a rural, small-town atmosphere full of history and quaintness.

During a recent visit to the area, I found 7 eateries you will want to consider when you plan a trip of your own. (Remember that I told you last week about the Road to Tara Museum in this post).

7 Locally-Owned Eateries the Whole Family Will Enjoy

15th Street Pizza & Pub — 2130 Jodeco Road, McDonough, GA. Pizzas take center stage, a fact that will please any youngsters or children you have with you, but you’ll also find salads, burgers, wings, subs, calzones and pasta. The Meatlover Egg Rolls caught our attention, so we added an order with our pizzas.

Meatlovers Egg Rolls at 15th Street Pizza and Pub.

Supreme Pizza at 15th Street Pizza and Pub.

Gritz Family Restaurant — 14 Macon Street, McDonough, GA. Good for breakfast and lunch on the square in McDonough, it is open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sundays. We had a delicious early breakfast in this homey diner.

Pancakes at Gritz Family Restaurant.

French Market & Tavern – 3840 Highway 42 South, Locust Grove, GA. French Market, tucked into a building that dates back to the early 1900’s. is closed on Mondays but is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday and for lunch on Sundays. The menu has a French/CAJUN slant to it with items such as Nola Boudin Balls and Crawfish Etouffee, but gourmet sandwiches predominate for lunch, and the dinner menu includes many seafood dishes, as well as pork, chicken and steaks. Click here to take a look at the yummy dessert offerings. Be sure to allow time to browse the boutique market displays in the front room of this attractive restaurant.

Zucchini and cornbread nuggets at French Market.

Chicken salad on a croissant and jalapeno slaw at French Market.

Pasta Max Cafe – 50 Griffin Street, McDonough, GA. Pasta Max is closed on Sunday and Monday and only open for dinner on Saturday evening, but Tuesday through Friday, diners may enjoy lunch from 11:00 to 2:00 and dinner beginning at 4:00 p.m. There is a cozy, Italian trattoria vibe at this popular eatery. You are sure to find your favorite Italian entrees here, along with fresh salads and special desserts. On my next visit, I want to try Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie or Strawberry Sabayon.

Garlic rolls at Pasta Max.

Pasta dish at Pasta Max.

Queen Bee Coffee Company – 58 Griffin Street, McDonough — right across the street from Pasta Max Cafe. Like Pasta Max, Queen Bee is closed on Sunday and Monday, but Tuesday through Thursday you may enjoy coffee and house-baked treats from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Fridays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. There is a pleasant outdoor seating area that is sure to be popular for the next 6 months. Queen Bee does coffee very, very well, and the pastries are decadent.

Kirby G’s Diner and Pub– 45 Macon Street, McDonough, GA. This is a fun 1950’s style diner with a burger voted Best Burger in Atlanta for several years in a row. Atlanta Eats, a website showcasing the best of the best that city has to offer, has featured Kirby G’s on numerous occasions. Everything on the menu is named after a term, movie star, song, movie, television show or popular phrase from the 1950’s. I was there for an afternoon ice cream treat, but I want to return soon for a full meal.

Ice cream treat at Kirby G’s.

Anne and Bill’s Restaurant – 1057 Main Street, Forest Park, GA. You might want to bookmark this comfort food eatery when you are on your way in or out of Henry and Clayton Counties, because it is closer into metro Atlanta, just a couple of miles off I-75. Anne and Bill’s is open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday and lunch only on Sunday. Think country cooking, and you’ll have it figured about right. The menu has pretty much all of the Southern favorites you’d expect. There is a large dining area, but the locals fill it up quickly. This place “screams” Baby Boomers and Church Senior Adult groups visiting attractions in the area. Get the picture?

Fried Green Tomatoes at Anne and Bill’s.

Fried catfish at Anne and Bill’s.

Roast beef and sides at Anne and Bill’s.

Banana pudding at Anne and Bill’s.

A Tasty Find in Huntsville, AL – Walton’s Southern Table

02/03/2016 By: CCPearsoncomment

Recently, my Silver Fox and I decided to try for ourselves a restaurant that had been recommended by several friends. We found Walton’s Southern Table at the corner of Airport Road and Whitesburg Drive in a former Ruby Tuesday building. We learned that the property was originally owned by Walton Fleming and his family, thus the reference to him in the restaurant’s name. The Whitesburg Drive-In Theater also sat on this spot years ago, so it has a nostalgic connection for many.

We were immediately struck by the attractive, crisp, tasteful interior and the nice, soft, jazzy music playing. The atmosphere is pleasing and relaxing. We were greeted by Charles, a very friendly host and manager. He seated us at a table assigned to Sara, who was very knowledgeable about the menu.

My best overall assessment? Walton’s is “Cracker Barrel on steroids.” Their ingredients are fresh with no canned veggies and hand-cut meats.

I tried the vegetable plate with fried green tomatoes, hashbrown casserole, sweet potato casserole (all suggested by Sara) and cranberry congealed salad. Steve had meat loaf with pinto beans and turnip greens. He described the meat loaf as “melt in your mouth.” Charles told us, “I finally had to swear off of the meatloaf because I was having it every day and my waistline was suffering the effects.”

But, oh, let me tell you about those fried green tomatoes — quite possibly the best I’ve ever had. They were thinly-sliced and lightly battered with a touch of cayenne pepper. Awesome!

Steve and I didn’t have dessert, but my brother says their pecan pie is probably the best he has tasted. I’ll have to go back sometime and try it “to be sure.” Ha!

Walton’s offers a children’s menu and curbside service. Just call ahead to place your order, and they will bring it right to your car. Walton’s opened in December of 2014. I predict they will be successful.

Loveless Cafe in Nashville, TN — Where the Food Royals Eat

07/29/2015 By: CCPearsoncomment

There are hundreds of reasons to go to Nashville and all of its surrounding communities — entertainment, shopping, sight-seeing galore. But, even if you can’t think of a thing to do or buy or see, you might still want to work in a visit to the Loveless Cafe for breakfast, lunch, or dinner sometime soon.

I did my homework before my Silver Fox and I visited recently — which meant that I studied the website, double-checked directions, took note of suggestions (including one to arrive after 2:00 p.m. to avoid a long wait), eagerly perused posted recipes, and stared hungrily at the menu. You might enjoy doing the same thing. Only beware. We arrived at 2:00 p.m. on a Friday, and the wait was still over an hour. This is a VERY popular place.

The cafe itself is relatively small, which helps to explain the wait times.

But, there are other places connected to the cafe to check out while you wait.

I would have to compare the menu at Loveless to that of Cracker Barrel, only cranked up another notch. And, be prepared to spend a little more money for your meal. I’m not sure why they decided to serve alcohol, but it is available if you want it.

Fried chicken is a specialty, but I didn’t want to go TOO FAR off of the Health Wagon, so I opted for a veggie plate with fried green tomatoes being my splurge. It was very tasty.

Silver Fox chose the veggie omelet. I’m not sure why he waited so long in line just to order an omelet, but the point is that their ARE healthy options if you choose to take them.

The Loveless Cafe served its first batch of fried chicken and biscuits in 1951. According to the paper placemats on each table: “Today the Loveless Cafe serves more than 450,000 guests a year and makes up to 7,000 biscuits a day — still using Annie Loveless’s original recipe!”

When you walk into the lobby of the Loveless Cafe, you will be impressed by the floor to ceiling photos of celebrities who have visited this iconic Nashville cafe. I wanted to know more. After being served in a friendly, timely and helpful way, I asked our cute waitress Katie: “Who are the most famous people you have ever served since you started working here?” She thought for a moment and then said (rather modestly, I thought): “I’ve seen quite a few celebrities, such as Alan Jackson and Kenny Chesney, but the ones I remember waiting on personally were Al Gore, Paula Deen and Martha Stewart.” I don’t know about you, but Paula Deen and Martha Stewart rank among the Food Royals in my book. The moral of this story? If Loveless Cafe is good enough for them, then it’s probably good enough for the rest of us.

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