First off, when I spend money at a restaurant, I expect it to be as good, if not better than what I can make in my own kitchen. That being said:
There is nothing more exciting/terrifying about seeing Fried Green Tomatoes on a menu anywhere north of the Mason Dixon. Exciting, because I can't usually find them anywhere up this way. Terrifying, because I never know if they're going to turn out like mine, (not that great, half burnt, half mush) or the right way. As it turns out, I've found somewhere close that does it right.
Let me back up.
Rusty wanted Ice Cream and I was only slightly hungry when 'dinner time' reared its head. We talked out the options and ended up going to "The Treat." The chalkboard of specials was mostly ribs and other BBQ items, but there it was... "Green Fried Tomatoes."
I immediately started weighing my options, and debating on whether or not to order them. I was wondering if they were done right, would they be over or under cooked, or if I should even bother risking the disappointment. Rusty's blank stare and slight shake of the head made me aware of the fact that my pondering was out loud.
Sidenote: I had a lot of time to babble on about my decisions. We do love going to "The Treat" but the service is painfully slow. I do believe this has a lot to do with the kitchen making most everything as it is being ordered, and not so much to do with the waitstaff. This wait is even worse during peak hours. You've been warned!
I ordered my buffalo chicken wrap, and decided to take the plunge and order the tomatoes. What's the worst that could happen? Rusty ordered a peanut butter cup flurry for dinner. Sometimes, that's ok.
When the food arrived, I was initially happy that they looked right. I asked for a side of ranch just in case, and when that arrived, I now had two waitresses staring at me, intent on gauging my reaction to the plate. Apparently, they were just as excited/terrified as I was. I felt like I was a New York City food critic, tasting the special of a brand new restaurant on the first day it opened.
All of this, over 3 slices of tomato.
The taste test passed with flying colors. They were perfectly done, and not over seasoned. Browned, not burnt, and the right amount of crispy with the right amount of give. They definitely passed my test. I was half tempted to get another order, but they are fried, and my sandwich at lunch was on a grilled doughnut. That's another story for another day.
I assume that Rusty's flurry was good, because it was gone before I was done praising the tomatoes. I felt bad for my buffalo chicken wrap, as it had to take a backseat to the side dish spectacle. You did well, chicken wrap. You were tasty and spicy and smothered in bleu cheese just as you should have been, you just weren't the star of the show this time.
We had a good meal with a well executed side dish for $10 before tip. My taste buds and my wallet are pleased, and my husband is happy to have had ice cream for dinner. I'd say it was a good night.
