FOR THE pinnacle of country cooking, look no further than The Bell Buckle Café. This world-famous restaurant is serving meals reminiscent of eating at Mama’s table for dinner — soul food only found in the South and guaranteed to bring back special memories with every bite.
I can hear the old wooden screen door slam. I can envision the stone step out front, worn down by thousands of hungry guests through the years. I can smell the food from across the street, and I know I’m in for something magical.
I cannot start my meal at the café without ordering fried green beans. Easily my favorite vegetable, these are perfectly crispy with a kick of spice that pairs harmoniously with the cool ranch dressing to dip them in. It’s always a tough choice between my two favorite entrées — chicken fried steak or the grilled chicken. Both are amazing, but the grilled chicken is a signature dish here at the café. With a perfectly smokey exterior and juicy interior, it has a taste that cannot be replicated at home, no matter how many times I try.
And dinner isn’t complete without one of their amazing desserts like the grits cake or oatmeal cake. Each is an out-of-this-world experience with a decadent taste. The grits cake may sound strange, but it’s the softest, moistest cake with a mouth-watering flavor and topped with fresh strawberries. If that doesn’t have your teeth rattling, give the oatmeal cake a try. This deeply rich dessert topped with the sweetest caramel sauce over a piping hot oatmeal cake will take your tastebuds on a journey unlike anything else.
Bell Buckle Café is most certainly a restaurant that most people are fond of. If you’ve never heard of it, then bless your heart. You’re missing out. So come hungry, bring a crowd, and enjoy all the Bell Buckle Café has to offer. GN