This not the same Country Cat that once existed in Montavilla. It may have the same name, but most…read moreof what made that place great is merely a shell of its former self.
That may sound like a harsh way to start off a four-star review, but I just want to make it clear to anyone who remembers the OG that their expectations need to be tempered somewhat. The food here is still great, just simpler: reduced to the bare essentials, it seems.
They're efficient too, but of course, in an airport, they have to be, otherwise they'd never survive: if their customers miss their flight because their eggs took too long to arrive, their whole operation would be grounded, so no worries there. In fact, that probably explains why their menu is as slimmed down as it is - crank out hot, fresh, delicious but uncomplicated classics, as efficiently as possible.
This efficiency does seem to run contrary to the actions of the staff, though, at least based on our most recent visit: our server seemed aloof and disinterested, almost lackadaisical, about taking our order and delivering it to the kitchen, which although I watched her, I never saw it happen...and yet somehow my wife's order showed up within 10 minutes, so...maybe the cook was eavesdropping? I have no idea. Regardless, the food was excellent.
I only had a Bloody Mary, which wasn't among the best I'd ever had, but it was alright. Seeing it mixed in large plastic tub right in front of me was a little off-putting, though. That was a first. Probably another compromise made it the pursuit of efficiency.
Really, all things considered, most of my nitpicks about this iteration of the Country Cat are just that: nitpicks. I mean, we were in an airport, for god's sake! Talk about First World problems, amirite? Yeah, this place is just fine. Just leave any of your preexisting baggage about the name at the gate, and you'll be treated just right here.