I originally went out looking for a sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich and Googled "good breakfast…read morenear me." This spot came up, and although my wife and I have driven past it many times, we've never stopped in. Today, I decided to finally give it a try. After looking through the Google photos, I changed my mind and ordered a breakfast plate instead of a sandwich.
Parking was a little challenging. I arrived around 11:00 a.m. and had to circle the block a few times before finding a spot directly in front of the diner.
When I walked in, I wasn't sure whether I should seat myself or wait to be seated. All of the waitresses appeared busy, so I stood near the entrance. Once she was available, Marianna greeted me. Initially, I wasn't a fan of being asked whether I was picking up food rather than whether I was dining in or taking out, but I quickly realized they may be accustomed to regular customers who already know the process. Since it was my first visit, I explained that I wasn't sure if I should seat myself. Personally, I think a sign near the entrance would be helpful for first-time guests.
Since I was dining alone, I chose a seat at the counter and ordered the Sugar Plum Special with cheese grits and sourdough toast.
While waiting for my food, I noticed something that concerned me. The staff did not appear to be wearing gloves, and I observed food being handled after touching various surfaces, including condiments, plates, glasses, and trash areas. While I understand that food service relies heavily on proper handwashing practices, I personally felt uncomfortable watching bread being handled directly by hand. I requested that my toast be handled with a utensil instead, and my request was accommodated without issue.
When my food arrived, my eggs were cooked exactly as requested--scrambled hard--and the bacon was perfectly crispy. The bacon was a little saltier than I personally prefer, but that's more about my taste than the preparation. Overall, both items were flavorful.
Now, let's talk about the grits. I come from a strong Southern background, and we take our grits seriously. The presentation was fantastic. The butter melting on top and the cheese looked absolutely perfect. Unfortunately, the texture wasn't there on the first serving. The grits were noticeably gritty and undercooked. After a couple of bites, I sent them back and requested they be cooked a bit longer.
One of the waitresses explained that customers typically need to request the grits "well done." That was surprising to me because I've always believed grits should naturally be cooked until smooth and creamy. In my opinion, that's how they're meant to be served.
Thankfully, the second batch was much better. While they still could have been stirred a bit more, the texture improved significantly and was much closer to what I expected.
I also want to recognize Marianna for her excellent service. She was accommodating, attentive, and handled my concerns professionally throughout the meal.
Overall, I would return. The restaurant has a warm, family-oriented atmosphere and an old-school diner feel that is becoming harder to find these days. It reminded me of the kind of place you'd visit after church on a Sunday morning or somewhere you'd go with your grandparents for a comforting home-cooked meal. While there were a few areas that could be improved, the welcoming environment and friendly service left a positive impression on me.
