While having breakfast in Ringgold a few weeks ago, we noticed the Courthouse Grill and Cafe, 33 Legion Street, so we made a note to go back for lunch soon. They are in the same center with Shop-Rite supermarket.

This wasn’t at all what we expected. We were expecting a little deli with sandwiches and possibly salads. What we found was much more! The restaurant was also a bit larger than I imagined from the outside, but still very nice and cozy.

The menu does consist of a lot of sandwiches and salads, but also pastas, appetizers, grill plates and desserts. The best part is they are homemade and all deli meats are Boar’s Head.

We were told that even though the names of the appetizers are your the usual you might find on any menu, such as jalapeno poppers, cheese sticks, etc., they are all homemade and breaded there in the kitchen – none of the pre-breaded stuff! Appetizers are priced from $1.95 for steak fries to $5.95 for several others.

The day we were there the soups were pinto bean and lentil. They were going to have potato soup, but were just starting the pot so I was told it would be close to three hours. I decided not to wait for that.

We decided to give the fried breaded mushrooms ($5.25) a try and found them to be quite good. I would have preferred a bit less breading, but they were still tasty; very hot and crispy, served with ranch dressing.

I wanted to check out their homemade chicken salad ($6.95), but I also wanted to try the crab cake, which is served as part of a basket ($6.95) with cole slaw and fries. Wayne asked if they could sell me one crab cake – so I ordered the chicken salad plate with a side crab cake.

Wayne wanted the meat lovers lasagna ($11.55), but at that point in time it wasn’t ready, so he opted for the club sandwich ($6.65) served with chips and pickle. The sandwich was very large and consisted of ham, turkey and bacon with melted swiss and cheddar cheeses. You have a choice of wheat, rye or croissant, and Wayne ordered wheat. This is the second time recently I noticed a club sandwich without that third piece of bread. Must be the “new” thing.

The chicken salad is ground rather fine and isn’t overly mayonnaised. I did enjoy the chicken salad and would order it again, only without the green salad that it was served on. It was iceberg lettuce and I always prefer leaf lettuces. The crab cake was hot with a nice flavor and crust, and the homemade tzatsiki sauce was delicious. I’ve been served some really watery tzatsiki at difference restaurants, but the consistency of this one was perfect – creamy and thick enough to stay on the item.

Our server was friendly and very knowledgeable regarding the menu. Other menu items you might be interested in are homemade spaghetti & meatballs ($10.85), and shrimp alfredo ($11.95), both served with garden salad and garlic bread sticks. Grill plates served with salad and baked potato are priced at $11.75 and $12.75 and include hamburger steak, ribeye, T-bone, or New York strip (all in a 12 ounce size). Of course the Courthouse Grill offers the American Burger (7 ounces) for $4.55, as well as grilled chicken (regular and cordon bleu). Deli sandwiches include pastrami, corned beef, homemade chicken or tuna and several others priced from $4.75 to $7.55. If you like gyros, you will find that, as well as souvlaki chicken or beef, and falafel.

And don’t forget dessert – homemade baklava ($2.79) and chocolate chip cookies ($1.59).

I know this is a place we will be returning to – hopefully they will have the potato soup and meat lover’s lasagna on our next visit. We were very pleased that the hot items were served very hot, rather than lukewarm as a lot of restaurants seem to be doing.

Hours for the Courthouse Grill and Cafe are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.

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cdojanet@chattanoogadineout.com