RESTAURANT REVIEW: The Blue Plate Cafe
The Blue Plate Cafe serves Mom's cooking
James Fluhler - Restaurant Critic
Issue date: 9/25/03 Section: Entertainment
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Huntsville's newest restaurant, Blue Plate Cafe, is another "dreamchild" of David and Rhonda Martin, founders of Steak-Out and Rosie's Cantina. They, along with three other friends, have created a diner-style restaurant reminiscent of the past. The decor establishes the atmosphere of a small-town, family-run diner.(Even the waitresses wear carnation corsages with blue ribbons on their uniforms.) The shine, however, isn't just on the new fixtures and countertops, it's on the faces of all the people that work there. We were greeted and seated immediately upon entering the restaurant by one of the owners, and it just so happened to be opening day (Yes, I planned to be there on an opening day).
I have to admit that I was in somewhat of a rush. Considering that it was 11:45 a.m. and I had to be at work by 12:30, I did not have a lot of time to eat. However, I didn't rush it, I really wanted to see what their normal speed of service was. Soon after being seated all of our drink orders were taken. I tried the sweet tea. which was not as sweet as some places.
The menus are also reminders of days gone by. The menu is only one sheet of paper and lists the choices of entrees and sides for that specific day. There were three choices of entrees the day we were there, Fried Pork chop, Chicken and Dumplings, and Meatloaf. The sides of the day were green beans, corn, black-eyed peas, mashed potatoes, hash brown casserole, and great northern beans. Simple, yet satisfactory, even the menu was a reminder of a different time in history which this establishment represents.
I elected to try the pork chop with a side of corn, and cornbread as my bread selection. One of my friends ordered the meatloaf with black-eyed peas, mashed potatoes, and green beans, she also tried the cornbread. My other two friends each chose the chicken and dumplings as their entree one with hash brown casserole, and the other with corn and mashed potatoes. They decided to taste test the biscuits for us. All of our entrees were great! My pork chop was cooked to perfection with very little fat to spare and a nice t-bone in the middle which gave it great flavor. The cornbread was soft textured and somewhat sweet in taste. (I could have eaten several pieces).
I have to admit that I was in somewhat of a rush. Considering that it was 11:45 a.m. and I had to be at work by 12:30, I did not have a lot of time to eat. However, I didn't rush it, I really wanted to see what their normal speed of service was. Soon after being seated all of our drink orders were taken. I tried the sweet tea. which was not as sweet as some places.
The menus are also reminders of days gone by. The menu is only one sheet of paper and lists the choices of entrees and sides for that specific day. There were three choices of entrees the day we were there, Fried Pork chop, Chicken and Dumplings, and Meatloaf. The sides of the day were green beans, corn, black-eyed peas, mashed potatoes, hash brown casserole, and great northern beans. Simple, yet satisfactory, even the menu was a reminder of a different time in history which this establishment represents.
I elected to try the pork chop with a side of corn, and cornbread as my bread selection. One of my friends ordered the meatloaf with black-eyed peas, mashed potatoes, and green beans, she also tried the cornbread. My other two friends each chose the chicken and dumplings as their entree one with hash brown casserole, and the other with corn and mashed potatoes. They decided to taste test the biscuits for us. All of our entrees were great! My pork chop was cooked to perfection with very little fat to spare and a nice t-bone in the middle which gave it great flavor. The cornbread was soft textured and somewhat sweet in taste. (I could have eaten several pieces).