Lunch in Sweetwater Tennessee

Recently I was privileged to accompany Laurie and Dawn Marie on a shopping mission over to Sweetwater Tennessee.  They were in a search mode for a birthday present for Dawn Marie…  We’d promised to take her shopping when she came to visit us in September…

First things first… We’d skipped breakfast and I needed all the energy I could muster.  Shopping is simply not something in my repertoire.  Like most males, I buy what I want when I must…with minimal 'shopping' from store to store. 

In any case, it was time for lunch!

 

This is Hunter’s Bakery and Café in Sweetwater Tennessee.  Sweetwater has been evolving into a destination for both Knoxville residents and a growing number of tourists.  Hunter’s Café is located right downtown…in the middle of the antique shops, boutiques and specialty stores.   It’s safe to say that this restaurant is part of Sweetwater’s growing success…

The town of Sweetwater offers several attractions as well as a growing number of major events.  Attractions include the nearby Sweetwater Valley Farm and Cheese Factory, the Lost Sea cave complex, Purdy’s Petting Zoo and the 500-booth Sweetwater Flea Market.  Events include “A Small Towne Christmas”, (with a Christmas Parade), a walking tour of the many historic sites, the annual Antique and Garden Show, a huge 4^th of July celebration and the National Muscatine Festival.  For additional details, go to http://www.visitsweetwater.com/.

 

This is an interior photo looking toward the front of Hunter’s Café and Bakery.  The décor is simple but it does have a bit of class.  The old wooden ceilings add a lot to the setting.  The bakery goods are displayed in the case at the front of the store…

Hunter’s Café and Bakery is open for dinner as well as lunch.  The all-day menu includes luncheon and dinner items.  Included among the dinner offerings are such entrees as a 14 oz. Rib Eye Steak ($18.99); Fresh Grilled Atlantic Salmon ($14.99); Beef Tips over Rice with sautéed onions and mushrooms ($7.99); Chicken Spencer…chicken breast topped with lump crab meat and tomato-basil vinaigrette ($14.99), and; Fettuccine Alfredo with grilled shrimp ($13.98).

We will definitely have to return to Hunter’s Café for dinner!

 

Laurie started out with a cup of French Onion Soup as a part of her Soup and Half Salad Combo. ($6.49) Since I’m not into onion soup…or mushrooms…or beets…she takes every opportunity to enjoy them whenever we’re eating out.  She was very satisfied with the soup! 

 

 

Laurie’s salad of choice was the Salad Trio.  She chose the chicken salad over the tuna salad…accompanied by a light pasta salad, seasonal fresh fruit and a roll.  She enjoyed it all…and it gave her the energy needed to go shopping in downtown Sweetwater!

Several other salads are offered.  These include is a Spinach Mushroom Salad ($6.99), a Greek Salad ($6.99), and a Caesar Salad ($6.99).  There are no less than 12 sandwiches and wraps on the menu not including the 6 burgers.  Prices range from $6.69 to $8.69.  For the vegetarians, Hunter’s offers a Portabella Wrap…portabella mushrooms sautéed with peppers, onions and cheese and served in a 12-inch flour tortilla. ($6.99)

 

Dawn Marie ordered the Club Sandwich…a pile of ham, turkey, Swiss and American cheese, leaf lettuce, tomato, bacon and honey mustard served on toasted white bread. ($6.69) She added French fries as her side dish.  We thought that her sandwich looked pretty good…and she confirmed our observation!

 

 

I decided to order the Black Jack Burger, Hunter’s signature burger. ($7.69) This burger is Cajun-spiced and it’s topped with pepper jack cheese.  All of their burgers are fresh ground beef chargrilled ‘to order’ and they’re served on a toasted bun accompanied with chips and a pickle spear.  I asked for the lettuce and tomato on the side…  I was a good boy and I ate my ‘veggies’ albeit separately.

Note my ‘to order’ as shown above… Chargrilled ‘to order’ for me would always be medium rare.  When I asked for my burger medium rare, the waitress told me that she’d see what she could do as they’re supposed to cook all hamburgers medium or well done.  I told her that if they couldn’t cook it ‘my way’, then I’d order something else.  She did deliver a very nice medium rare and very flavorful burger!

Oh yes…the cookies.  We bought the chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin…and well, the fudge brownies.  They made a nice dessert for us that night…very, very nice indeed!

Hunter’s Café and Bakery is located at 101 East Morris Street in downtown Sweetwater Tennessee.  The restaurant is right at the corner of US Highway 11 and Morris Street.  Phone: 423-351-1098.  For more information just go to their Website at: http://www.huntersbakeryandcafe.com/.

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them…

Thanks for stopping by for lunch… Oh…FYI, Laurie and Dawn did find that birthday gift they were looking for!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave