The Family Table is at 3904 Ringgold Road. Click to enlarge.
photo by Janet Wilson
We decided to have breakfast recently at the Family Table, 3904 Ringgold Road. It had been several years since our last visit, and we remembered liking it previously.
They were doing a bustling business as there were few tables available, but we quickly located a booth. It was a few minutes before our server brought the menus, but it appeared she was the only one waiting on tables. There were a couple of others, but they only seemed to be cleaning off tables and occasionally bringing food from the kitchen.
Family Table has a large breakfast menu featuring items such as specialty Omelettes (including Gyro, Philly Cheese, and Italian), eleven regular-type omelettes (Fajita, Jalapeno Fire, Broccoli/cheddar), pancakes, french toast, Belgian waffles, sandwiches, cereals and southern style breakfasts. Prices range from $1.95 for one biscuit with gravy to $11.95 for rib eye steak and eggs. Egg breakfasts include home fries or grits, and toast and jelly.
Wayne ordered the House Breakfast Special (three eggs, two strips of bacon, two sausages and two pancakes) for $6.95. I ordered one egg with sausage priced at $3.95, plus $.75 to have cheese added to the egg. I thought that maybe, if they put cheese in the egg it would soften it somewhat since it seems nowhere can anyone prepare soft scrambled eggs. I only get those at home.
About 10 minutes after we placed our order another couple came in and sat across from us. They must have been regulars because the server got right over there with their drinks without even asking. You can also imagine how surprised we were when their breakfast orders showed up before ours. Yes, they had a complete breakfast with gravy, biscuits, eggs, etc.
Our plates finally arrived and I was right, it was a good thing I ordered the cheese because the eggs were nowhere near soft. I finally decided to dump the grits on the eggs and stir them together. That helped a little. Nothing could help the sausage that was so overcooked I had to use a knife to cut it!
The pancakes were quite large. Wayne’s eggs were cooked to perfection and he had a very nice breakfast, it was just a bit slow arriving.
The Family Table has a large Italian/American menu, in addition to an all you can eat pizza and salad bar ($5.25 lunch; $6.25 dinner). Salads include Greek, Chef, Antipasto, Tuna, Tossed, Athens and the specialty (a Greek salad topped with beef and lamb gyro meat). The Athens is an authentic Greek salad (no lettuce).
Also on the menu are appetizers, main courses (such as fried catfish and flounder, T-bones, rib eyes), Grecian specialties, Pasta, pizzas, Stromboli, Calzones, Pita sandwiches, regular sandwiches, subs and almost anything you want. Children’s menu is more than chicken fingers! The under 12 group can order spaghetti, ravioli or grilled cheese.
The menu is one that should attract all groups, as everyone should be able to find something they would like. Of course, I may not order sausage again.
The Family Table is open seven days a week and serves breakfast Monday through Saturday until 12:00 p.m., and on Sunday until 2 p.m.
READER PET PEEVE OF THE WEEK:
“The server brings you a menu and goes to get your drinks. The server returns, takes your order and heads toward the kitchen. Ten minutes or more afterward, the server returns with the food, but your drinks are all gone. Although your cups or glasses are obviously empty, you have to tell the server that you need refills. Half way through your meal and sometimes at the end, the server returns with your drinks.”
We look forward to receiving your comments and pet peeves. cdojanet@chattanoogadineout.com