Monday, July 2, 2012

Cheddars – Solid Fare/Good Prices

Since I’ve retired…with a fixed income…I’ve started checking out more of the large restaurant chains.  To date, Ruby Tuesday, Bonefish Grill, Romano’s Macaroni Grill and a couple of others have measured up, providing with good solid food at reasonable prices.  While we still prefer to seek out and dine at local favorites, there are times that it’s just more convenient to go to a tried and true branch of one of the better restaurant chains… Their standards and food quality have come a long way in the past 10 years or so.

On our return trip from Florida, we had decided to explore the back roads along the way.  This necessitated an overnight stay in Valdosta Georgia.  Where to eat...local or chain?

We’d eaten at the Cheddar’s restaurant in Alcoa Tennessee…and we’d liked it.  So, when we noticed a Cheddar’s almost right next to our motel in Valdosta, it was an easy decision…

Cheddar’s was founded back in 1979 when the first restaurant opened for business in Arlington Texas.  Texas is still the stronghold for this restaurant group, with over 40 locations throughout the state.  Tennessee is the state with the 2nd largest number of Cheddar’s locations…with 10 open and 1 about to open.  All in all, there are 113 Cheddar’s restaurants in 23 different states…

The interior of the two Cheddar’s that we’ve dined in are very warm and friendly.  They invested in pleasant surroundings and decorative accents.   

Most Cheddar’s locations are company owned although there are a number of franchised restaurants.  Moving forward, the company is not seeking additional franchise operators. 

This is the house salad, ($1.99), that Laurie ordered with her entrée.  The ingredients were fresh and given the price, it would be hard to beat. 

There are a number of appetizers on the menu ranging from $1.99 for chips and salsa on up to $7.19 for the ultimate nachos.  Dinner salads range from $6.99 on up to $7.59.  You can order a lunch combo…with 2 choices ($6.99) or with 3 choices ($7.59) An example of a 3-piece combo would be a bowl of soup, a house salad and a half double deck club sandwich.

For her entrée, Laurie ordered the Chicken Pot Pie ($6.49).  She thought that it was quite good, although she prefers to have crust on the bottom of her pot pies.  For some reason, this same pot pie costs a dime more at our Alcoa location in East Tennessee…

In addition to the entrees, Cheddar’s also offers Lunch Combos, i.e., sandwiches with one side ($6.79 to $6.99).  The menu also offers a selection of burgers.  A Burger with Fries would only cost you $6.68.

My dinner selection was this plate full of Buffalo Chicken Tenders with a side of broccolli. ($7.99) I’m not too sure that the healthy portion of my dinner completely offset the unhealthy portion… However, the Buffalo Chicken was certainly plentiful and it packed the heat that I wanted and expected!

The entrees on the menu listed under the heading, “The Classics”, started at $6.49 for the Chicken Pot Pie and they moved up the price scale to a full rack of ribs with 2 sides for only $12.99.  Cheddar’s also offers steaks and a number of combo entrees.  A 12 oz. Ribeye Steak with 2 sides is only $13.95!
The stated goal of the founders of Cheddar’s was to create inviting neighborhood restaurants offering handmade, high quality food at a reasonable price.  Laurie and I believe that they’ve achieved all of their goals.  While the food isn’t gourmet, it is very good and the pricing is definitely right!  We enjoyed our meals at both the Valdosta and the Alcoa locations…
The Valdosta Georgia location is at 270 Norman Drive.  Phone: 229-247-5551.  The Alcoa Tennessee restaurant is located at 250 Hamilton Crossing Drive.  Phone: 865-983-5582.  Cheddar’s Corporate Website is: www.cheddars.com.  
Just click on any photo to enlarge it…
Thanks for stopping by for a visit!
Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

5 comments:

  1. I have never heard of Cheddars...the food looks yummy!! we like to go to the chain restaurants too...the food is always what we expect and with coupons and specials the price is reasonable...

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  2. I've only eaten there once and enjoyed it - you know it's a good value when the parking lot seems to always be full.

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  3. It's good to hear about the franchise. I was not familiar with their restaurants, so it is nice to add another name to our list of possible eateries when wetravel. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  4. Dear Dave, This sounds like a wonderful place to eat. Their food looks delicious...it reminds me of true comfort food! Happy July 4th to you! Blessings, your friend, Catherine

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