We live in a world in which the mass production of food and quick access to a meal are a necessity. We’re busy, and the chain restaurants and fast food joints have a lot of mouths to feed, so we do the best we can to balance nutrition, taste and convenience. But in the rush to fill our stomachs and move on, we compromise the ability to savor a meal.
So, when you find a restaurant that serves truly satisfying food quickly, you latch onto it like a suckling baby. That’s why the people at Farm to Fork in Ringgold, Ga., have been seeing a lot of my wife and me. As the name of their restaurant suggests, they procure their food locally and then prepare it their kitchen, ensuring freshness. But more than that, they know how to cook the kind of meal that brings you back for more.
Positive word of mouth prompted my wife and me to try the recently opened restaurant about a month ago. Those of you who have read a few River City columns know I always hold my breath at a new eatery until my wife takes her first bite. She’s notoriously picky, and for that reason, prefers to eat at home. Thankfully, she’s also a phenomenal cook, but on the evening of our first visit to Farm to Fork, she’d put in a long day and lacked the energy to work her magic.
As we stepped through the door, I did a quick scan of our surroundings. Farm to Fork is not about atmosphere. It’s spacious and clean, but there’s not much in the way of ambiance, unless you count the classic rock playing in the background. Fortunately, the sweet smile and charming Southern accent of the hostess made up for the sparse décor, and within moments, we were seated with menus in hand and drinks on the way.
The menu is a single-sided laminated affair, making it easy to browse. It’s light on selections, though, which surprised me. However, it covers all of the bases, including seafood, chicken, pork and beef, so you’ll find something to match your mood. Farm to Fork also has daily specials not listed on the menu, so ask your server what else available in the way of entrées, side dishes and desserts.
My wife opted for the beef tenderloin medallions with red mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans; I chose the red snapper and sautéed fresh vegetables in an effort to eat healthy.
As we waited for our food to arrive, the place filled with families and older couples, which made the music, especially Queen’s chart-topping favorite, “Fat Bottomed Girls,” seem humorously out of place.
Before long, our plates arrived, heaped with steaming food. As my wife cut into her tenderloin, then used her knife to scoop mashed potatoes onto the beef, I watched with bated breath. Moments after she shoved her fork into her mouth, her face melted with pleasure. “This is really good,” she said, her mouth still full.
I breathed a sigh of relief and dug into my meal, which also was really good. The fish was tender, meaty and seasoned with the right combination of spices. The vegetables were sautéed to perfection, and had a buttery, peppery zing that made each bite a pleasure. Throughout the meal, our server checked on us regularly, and our drinks never dipped below the halfway point.
Like the entrees and side dishes, the desserts at Farm to Fork vary from day to day. On our first visit, we chose the cheesecake, which is the only thing on the menu not prepared on the spot. The owners import it from New York, which should be a plus, but it’s not. We could tell it had been frozen, as it lacked the creamy consistency of a freshly made cheesecake.
The disappointing finish hardly mattered. Within days, my wife and I were back, eager to try something else. We went with beef tenderloin hoagies and loaded hand-cut fries.
Wow.
When the server at Farm to Fork says the fries are loaded, she means LOADED – with real bacon, not bacon bits, a huge dollop of sour cream, and melted cheese. If you prefer ketchup and salt, you’ll still love these warm, crispy fries, which taste amazing. My hoagie, which came smothered in stringy melted Monterey jack cheese, was delicious, too.
We also took another stab at dessert, and were glad we did. The triple chocolate brownie with homemade whipped cream was ridiculously good. Take my advice, though, and order one for everyone. Stuffed with hoagies and fries, my wife and I ordered just one, but ended up sparring forks over the last bite.
While the food has taken us back to Farm to Fork a few more times, we have come to appreciate the service as well. Once, my wife wanted her tenderloins cooked a little more, and the server readily took them away and brought them back to order. On our next visit, she remembered how my wife likes her meat cooked. She also remembered I like a lot of ice with my Dr. Pepper. Those kinds of things make you feel special as a customer, and are the perfect complement to the great food.
Also pleasant is the bill. At the end of our first visit, I told my wife we’d eaten far less for a lot more elsewhere, and not enjoyed it nearly as much.
Although Ringgold is about a 20-minute drive from Chattanooga, depending on where you live, Farm to Fork is worth the trip. It gets you out of the city and into a small town for a couple of hours, and provides a gratifying dining experience without costing an arm and a leg. To get there, take 75 South to Exit 348, turn left at the light, turn left again at the Super 8 just off the interstate, and then hang another left at the first street and look for the Shops at Remco complex just past Cracker Barrel.
If my wife has worked a long day, and she’s not in the mood for one of the few things I make, you might see us there, melting with pleasure over beef tenderloins, loaded cheese fries or triple chocolate brownies.
Email David Laprad at dlaprad@hamiltoncountyherald.com.