Farm to Fork
When a friend told me about Farm to Fork in Ringgold, I decided to find it and try it since this is a little hobby of mine. If you are not familiar with Ringgold, it isn’t easy to spot unless you are coming from the interstate. You can see it in the Remco Shopping Center on Shops Lane.
I went in and was seated right away. It was not busy and there was no wait. I grabbed my menu and my server Brett came to take my order. I needed a few minutes. I wasn’t in the mood for a burger or sandwich – I wanted a good meal.
But the sandwiches they offer are the Farm House Burger or Grilled Chicken Sandwich for $7 and a Shrimp Po Boy or Beef Tenderloin for $8. Aside from a few salads, they only had two appetizers listed, Fried Green Tomatoes or Loaded Cheese Fries. I didn’t want anything fried either.
I looked at the entrees and saw Crab Cakes for $11, Grilled Chicken for $9, Pork Chop for $10, Vegetable Plate for $5.50 or what I decided to have – the Beef Tenderloin Medallions for $10.
Brett came carrying an iPad. He took my order and entered it on his electronic pad. I thought that was pretty clever. I asked him about it and he said that, unlike other restaurants that take your order and go to a computer screen behind a counter to key it in and sometimes forgetting how you like your steak, this would cut a few steps. He said they run about $300 and are even shatter proof.
I thought the owner must really be up on things to have that set-up! Just a few minutes later – and I am not lyin’ – Brett came to me and said that his printer paper was out and asked me how it was that I liked my steak cooked!
I asked, “Is this a joke?” The young man with clear blue eyes and so charming was probably a jokester. I laughed ready to have him laugh with me but he, unembarrassed, said it was not a joke.
I had this amused look on my face telling him, “But you just said that it saves a step and you don’t have to ask someone about…” I trailed off when I realized that he didn’t see the irony or humor as I did and he just wanted to know – again, how I wanted my steak.
That didn’t really bother me but I wished he would have been more informed about where the Angus came from. Farm to Fork is proud to advertise that they buy from farmers in the community and they serve fresh food. Brett didn’t know.
The place was not very busy so I guess the staff was more laid back. A young man came out from the back and he had the awfulest mess of hair I had ever seen tied back into a ponytail. It looked like what my mother always called a rat’s nest! I had sure hoped he wasn’t the one cooking my steak! I just didn’t see how he could wash it; it was all twisted and such! I remember back when restaurants used hair nets. I try to stay up on the times and I know people don’t do that anymore, but I sure hope he put a hat on or something when he was back there cooking. I assume he did. To each his own.
Once my steak arrived, I asked for A-1 Steak Sauce. I never eat a steak without that! I tasted a bite first and I just can’t tell you what my mouth did! I believe a hallelujah choir went off inside! That was the best steak I believe I had ever had! I pushed the A-1 aside and never used it.
The vegetables of a squash and zucchini medley were stupendous! I also had as my other side, fresh fruit! I could not praise the quality of food or the flavor enough! My only real complaint is, since it wasn’t busy – they had time to wipe off the tables and mine was very sticky.
Although I was not asked if I would like a refill on my drink until after I was ready to leave, I was not charged for it. I think I must have gone at a slow time and they were taking advantage of a break before it got busy again, so I understood when Brett came out with food in his mouth asking me if I was ready for my check.
For two center cuts of the best steak you ever want to put in your mouth (and you might not be able to eat them both- I couldn’t!) and those delicious vegetables and fruit dish; the meal was $10 even!
Now, I like to kid sometimes, even though what I write is true - I don’t hold anything against the server who had to eat crow on the iPad boast or the boy that had the rock and roll hairdo. This place was fabulous! I loved it and I would definitely go back again and again!
Beef Tenderloin Medalions