So doing an update to this one since it's under new management and it deserves a second shot.
Saw a post on Facebook the other day that this place was under new ownership/management and decided why not. Found myself most of the way there during lunch, so I stopped in for a try.
The decor hasn't changed a lot since the last time I was in. Very much the small home town diner vibe. Nothing fancy, simple decorations in a small dining area, maybe seating 40 people in a pinch.
Service was prompt and very friendly. I looked over the menu and special board and decided to go with my standard litmus test of chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, white gravy and green beans. If you can't do those, you probably can't do anything.
Food arrived very quickly and was hot and looked great.
The green beans were outstanding. Lots of ham chunks in there along with what must have been diced bacon bites. A very good offering there.
The mashed potatoes were scratch made, no doubt. Creamy and well seasoned. Gravy was smooth and had a decent flavor too, not thin, watery or bland.
The CFS was probably one of the better ones I've had of late. Easily an 8 out of 10 compared to other places. I asked my server if it was a frozen job or scratch made, and she took pride in telling me it was hand breaded to order. Crust to meat ratio was spot on, with no crust slippage, which is the bane of many CFSs. Good flavor, cooked properly.... almost fork tender. There was a couple of places the connective fibers in the meat were a little too much for the fork, but with a knife, it all cut like butter.
With a glass of iced tea and a $5 tip, total ran to just over $22. Maybe a tad higher than I would like, but I certainly feel I got my money's worth, so I ain't complaining.
My CC receipt shows the new name as Tay's Place, so I'd recommend being on the lookout for them if you're in the C'ville area, between breakfast and 2pm. read more