Recently we learned about a 'spin off' appendage from perhaps the best restaurant and dining experience in East Tennessee. Foothills Milling Company in Maryville Tennessee is our favorite food extravaganza...excellent food and service! However, such quality does come at a price.
So, when we heard that the parent, Foothills Milling Company, had spun off a separate casual operation that is called Foothills Milling Cafe, we had to give it a try.
Located behind Foothills Milling Company, the Cafe is located on a dead end street. It isn't visible from any major street in the area. You have to know its there or someone has to tell you about it.
Yes, the Cafe is very casual. Customers order their meals at the counter after checking out the menu as well as any specials on a chalk board. The display counter is full of baked goods...cookies, torts, muffins, bars and even some of Foothills Milling Company's sourdough bread.
When your meal is ready, you pick up your food at this counter. Napkins, silverware, water, ice, cups and boxes for leftovers are on the counter to fulfill diner's needs.
This is the dining area, plain and simple...concrete block construction. As you can see, there is a patio dining area off the end of this room.
We've dined at Foothills Milling Cafe twice now. It is only open for lunch, from 11 AM until 2 PM Tuesday through Saturday. The menu offers a selection of 4 or 5 soups, as many as 9 salads, 28 different sandwiches along with 5 'specialty sandwiches'.
One our first visit, I ordered the White Cheddar Roast Beef Panini. Sandwiches come with a pickle spear plus a choice of Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad, Loaded Potato Salad, Sweet Dijon Slaw or Thai Chili Chickpea Salad. My sandwich with the Sweet Dijon Slaw side was $15.50. Laurie took the half sandwich photo to show that the beef was medium rare, shaved and plentiful. It was an excellent sandwich!
Laurie went 'off menu', instead selecting one of the Cafe's "Signature Specials". This was her Heirloom Caprese Chicken Salad. ($16.00) Homemade chicken salad on a bed of fresh greens along with sliced Grainger County heirloom tomatoes and sliced Mozzarella cheese...topped with olive oil and a rich balsamic glaze. It was almost too beautiful to eat, but consume it she did...and it was excellent!
Onto our second visit, this time on the occasion of my 'old-timer's birthday. What better way to celebrate than to enjoy good food! We arrived at Foothills Milling Cafe just after they opened for business for the day. I wanted to eat early enough that I could enjoy dinner much later in the day.
On this occasion Laurie ordered the Pesto Grilled Cheese Panini. ($12.50) This panini features Sharp White Cheddar, Mozzarella, Provolone, Roasted Divina Tomatoes and Basil Pesto on a pressed Sourdough Roll. For her side, she ordered the Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad. She loved her luncheon and she ended up bringing home half of her sandwich for another meal.
OK...it was my birthday so I looked for something special...and the "HBC" Sandwich covered all the food groups. ($14.50) This creation included Shaved Black Forest Ham, a plentiful amount of Benton's Bacon, White Cheddar Cheese, Arugula, a Farm Egg Over Easy (breakfast), Poblano Cream Sauce and Mayonnaise on a Grilled Kaiser Bun...plus the pickle spear. For a side, I just opted for salt and vinegar potato chips.
There was no way I could pick up this creation and devour it in sandwich form. First of all, it was too big. Secondly, if I had tried I would have had to go straight home and change into a new shirt. I ended up not eating the top of the bun and using a knife and fork to consume the rest of this luscious luncheon treat. The mix of flavors and textures made this a memorable meal. I was a very happy camper indeed.
On this second 'special' dining occasion, we did order desserts to take home for after dinner treats. Laurie ordered the Mini Key Lime Pie ($4.00) which she loved. I ordered a Chess Bar. ($5.00) It was very nice but too large and I spread it over a 2 day period.
FYI, two other sides are available. They included Truffle Mac & Cheese ($6.00) and Pimento Mac & Cheese. ($4.00) Foothills Milling Cafe is located at 612 Sevierville Road in Maryville Tennessee. Online ordering is at www.FoothillsMillingCafe.com. Phone: 865-315-3402.
Laurie and I would highly recommend Foothills Milling Cafe and this special dining experience. Their regular menu can be perused at https://foothillsmillingcafe.com/food-menu.
Take Care, Big Daddy Dave & Laurie
