Mountain Manor Restaurant is at 304 Browns Ferry Road in Lookout Valley. Click to enlarge.
photo by Janet Wilson
A friend recently recommended a “meat and three” restaurant to us. We had never been to the Mountain Manor Restaurant at 304 Browns Ferry Road and found it to be a good recommendation.
It’s a small, older building that you might not notice as you get off I-24; possibly driving right on by without even seeing it.
In addition to the regular menu, there are several daily specials. Our server informed us that they make everything from scratch.
Mountain Manor begins the day by preparing breakfast, which includes the standard fare of eggs, sausage, bacon, and country ham. You will also find tenderloin and omelets on the menu. And what southern diner would be without gravy and biscuits, grits and pancakes? They also offer what is referred to on the menu as “real French toast”, along with hash browns, home fries and a variety of other breakfast items.
The menu includes everything from burgers and hot dogs to rib eyes and T-Bones – and the prices are very reasonable. A larger hamburger is $3 (small $2.50) and the T-Bone is $8.50 (served with baked potato or fries and salad or slaw – or a choice of three vegetables)! Mountain Manor also has tossed or chef salads.
The day we were there, the specials were Fried Chicken, Turkey and Dressing, and Veal Cutlet. There was a long list of vegetables to choose from including mashed potatoes (which they say they make from scratch), corn, deviled eggs, green beans, and slaw.
We both decided to order the Turkey and Dressing with mashed potatoes. Wayne ordered green beans and corn, while I ordered macaroni and cheese and squash casserole.
The specials are $5.95 and you get your meat plus three vegetables and the dessert of the day! They do not skimp - these are large portions. I took home enough for lunch the next day.
The potatoes were good, but I really didn’t care for the gravy. We both agreed the green beans were winners. They are the wider, tastier green beans. The corn was your average canned corn, and the mac and cheese tasted like the kind that comes in a box and you mix in the little packet of cheese. I haven’t eaten any good restaurant mac and cheese since Blue Boys Diner closed. I’d love to get that recipe! The squash casserole was delicious with a nice, creamy texture topped with a cracker crust. We both enjoyed the dressing – it was definitely not Stove Top. The dessert of the day was Coconut Cake, which was moist and fresh.
Wayne said the cornbread wasn’t bad, but it was a bit too dry. The yeast rolls were light and fluffy – no problem there.
Hours for Mountain Manor are Sunday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 3 p.m. and on Saturday until 2 p.m. Breakfast is served until 11 a.m., except on Saturday when you can order it until noon.
If you like those “meat and three” places, you might want to stop in and check out Mountain Manor.
PET PEEVES:
I suppose loud restaurants don’t bother many people because we only received one response to last weeks Reader Pet Peeve: “Just wanted to give my two cents worth on the noise/music. I agree! When I go out with friends the goal is not only to enjoy the experience of dining out and good food, it is conversing and catching up. I often ask that music be turned down. Several years back before my mother passed away, I took her to the Outback in Hixson at 5:00 pm. She of course was a little hard of hearing. I asked that the music be turned down (the place was 2/3 empty) and the manager came to the table and stated "we have the music loud to attract our young / hip crowd!" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I asked if he knew that the baby boomers (myself) had the most spendable income of any demographic in the country. Of course, he didn't respond. I then told him I guessed he didn't need our money so I helped my mother up and we
left. This fact needs to be brought to the attention of all restaurants. My friends all complain about this. I'm the leading edge of baby boomers (60) so there are millions coming behind me that would also like to enjoy our dining experience that includes being able to hear our friends without yelling.”
READER PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK:
“My biggest pet peeve is servers who speak more casually than is proper. The worst is "ARE YOU GUYS" ready to order?.....whatever. Several times I have explained that not everyone at our table is a GUY, there are also some ladies and the GUYS should be referred to as SIR, GENTLEMEN...etc. What ever happened to common manners and courtesy?”
We look forward to receiving your Pet Peeves regarding restaurants and/or your comments on this weeks Reader Pet Peeve of the Week. Remember, we don’t make any editing corrections for grammar or spelling.
cdojanet@Chattanoogadineout.com