One of my co-workers recently recommended Chow Time at 7444 Nashville Street in Ringgold. This place seems to have changed hands more times than you can count, but if this latest incarnation can get its act together, they might have a winner.
The building reminds me of an old Dairy Queen or Krystal-type building. The inside consists mostly of booths and a counter with stools. Very casual.
Of course, just our luck, we hit it on a night when some of their steamers were out of order and they didn’t have their usual daily special (well, the special was a footling hot dog with tots).
My friend tells me that they have wonderful daily specials ($5.75) such as Chicken & Dressing, Chicken & Dumplings, Chicken Fried Steak, and Country Ham. They also have quite a few plates on the entree section of their menu including Open Faced Roast Beef on sliced bread with mashed potatoes and slaw for $6.50, as well as Chicken Strips.
I decided to order Fried Chicken Livers. The problem came when I tried to decide what vegetables to order. Since the steamers were out, they had only a few hot vegetables, using the limited steamers that were working. My choices were mashed potatoes, corn and macaroni and cheese. I asked about the mac and cheese and was told it was homemade, not the “sauce from a box” kind. The description sounded so good, I was looking forward to giving it a try. Just my luck, they sold out while I was waiting. I really didn’t want whole kernel corn, so I went with cole slaw.
The chicken livers were delicious. They were just the way I like them, very crispy and crunchy on the outside, soft and moist on the inside. I would definitely order them again. The potatoes were good; no problems. I also liked the taste of the cole slaw – just a hint of sweetness and not overdone with mayo.
Wayne ordered a bowl of homemade chili with a grilled cheese sandwich ($1.89). The grilled cheese was nothing fancy, but like your mom used to make when you were a kid, although they do have one with lettuce and tomato for $2.19. He said it was very good with a lot of cheese. He also liked the chili. But – from appearances, it was WAY too thick for me. He said it had a good taste, not spicy, and he enjoyed it.
My favorite part of the meal was the cornbread. It is the fried variety with a wonderful taste (no sugar, I’m happy to report), was crisp on the outside and very moist in the middle. I always stay away from bread, but this was so delicious and not at all greasy I couldn’t resist trying it.
Other vegetables on the menu include turnip greens, green beans and pinto beans. Chow Time also features salads, burgers, and sandwiches. You can also find a variety of shakes; not just the standard vanilla, strawberry and chocolate. There is chocolate and peanut butter, chocolate covered cherry or strawberry and even creamcicle ($2.99). On the day we were there, homemade desserts were the Hot Chow Brownie ($3.25), which was described as a hot fudge cake, pina colada cake, banana pudding and peach cobber ($2.99).
We hope to go back when they get their steamers repaired and try one of the daily specials.
Hours for Chow Time are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. It is closed on Sunday.
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