The Blue Ribbon Cafe is in Soddy-Daisy at 9705 Dayton Pike. Click to enlarge.
photo by Janet Wilson
Wayne decided we should once again venture to the Blue Ribbon Cafe in Soddy-Daisy at 9705 Dayton Pike. Our last experience there was less than stellar, but we found they have been under new ownership for the last couple of years, so we were hoping for improvement.
A very friendly server greeted us, which was an improvement right off the bat! She brought us menus and took our drink orders while giving us a few minutes to peruse the selections. On Saturdays, in addition to the regular menu, they also serve Brunch from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The menu listed some tempting Starters such as Fried Green Tomatoes, Parmesan Crusted Tomatoes and Macaroni Triangles (fried Mac & Cheese). Prices range from $3.95 to $7.25 (sampler platter of three). Wayne and I shared an order of Fried Mushrooms served with Ranch and Sabi (which was really good) dips ($4.95). Wayne said these were probably the best restaurant fried mushrooms he had ever eaten. The batter was light, not heavy, very crisp and hot – perfect.
There are six salads on the menu including Caribbean Salad (large salad, grilled chicken tenders, tropical fruit salad, toasted walnuts, craisins, and raisins, with Pineapple Mango Vinaigrette), $7.95.
Blue Ribbon has an impressive wrap selection featuring Smoked Salmon Caesar Wrap, Club Wrap and a Vegetarian Wrap, all of which include fresh cut fries or kettle chips. The other Sandwiches, served with the same sides, include a Grilled Reuben Sandwich, Homemade Chicken Salad, and a Spicy Black Bean Burger. Wraps and Sandwiches are price from $6.25 to $7.50.
Wayne and I decided to go with one of the Brunch specials. He ordered the Breakfast Burrito and I ordered an Omelet. Both are served with home fries. Our orders were delicious, but I was surprised that if I wanted anything on my Omelet, it was charged by the item – cheeses are $.50 and other ingredients are $.75. My breakfast was served with toast and Apple Butter.
If you go for dinner the menu consists of Shrimp and Grits ($11), Steaks, Poultry (including Chicken Marsala, $9.50), and Seafood. Blue Ribbon also offers a build-your-own Pasta from a list of numerous ingredients.
Each day Tuesday through Friday, Blue Ribbon offers two daily specials such as Monday’s Smother Chicken, Tuesday’s Chicken & Dumplings, and Friday’s Shrimp Poboy.
Blue Ribbon Café under this ownership, is definitely a place to visit.
Hours for Blue Ribbon Café are Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Catering is also available.
The loud music pet peeve has gotten a few more comments: (1) “As a member of the 'young hip' age group, I feel that many times the music is WAY too loud. When I go out to eat with friends, I typically want to hang out and talk with them. If I want to go to a loud place, I would choose a bar or club. But with dinner? Conversation please! And yes, I am in my twenties.” (2) “Strange, I was at the Hixson Outback Saturday night. Everyone agreed that the music was too loud. The group ranged in age from 31 to 56, mostly 30 somethings. I even have a signifigant hearing loss in one ear and it was too loud!”
Last week’s pet peeve regarding being referred to as “you guys” received a good number of responses. Here are a couple: (1) “I think she should understand that “you guys” is a term mostly translated to mean the same as ya’ll any place but the south. I hope people in other parts of the country don’t get as offended when she/he says ya’ll.” (2) “My biggest pet peeve is people who get so uptight about the way servers ask "Are you guys...ready to order". Do you want the ARE YOU GUYS person to take your order or operate on your brain? You get the point of what they are asking and these types of "manners or courtesies" may not have been integrated into many people's backgrounds. It's all about technicalities and people that complain about that are, in my opinion, wound up way too tight about life. I am thankful that I am more open-minded and don't stress over the diversity and differences of each and every person.”
Send us your pet peeves and/or comments you have on the pet peeves we have published – and we don’t make changes to spelling, grammar, etc.
READER’S PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK:
This week’s Pet Peeve is about restaurant cleanliness: “i will not use the salt and pepper shakers as they are filthy. many napkin holders are also. tables are usually merely swiped with a dirty rag and seats are never cleaned. i won't even go into floor and bathroom conditions or door handles. if dining rooms are like this i would hate to see kitchens. also most fast foods only wipe the trays and add the paper placemats. !no sterilization!
this maybe why we should worry about a flu pandemic.”
Cdojanet@chattanoogadineout.com