Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Grits and Groceries

After months of saying we were going to go, T and I finally made our way out to the town of Belton to eat at Grits and Groceries. The restaurant is owned by a husband and wife who were chefs in New Orleans. He worked with Emeril Legasse, she's a classically trained chef who even spent time studying in Paris. And now they've moved back to the quaint town of Belton to raise their family and run this small restaurant.

We arrived on Saturday around 11:45 prepared to wait, but luckily they had a few open spots at the bar.  T and I usually prefer to sit at a bar when it's an option at a restaurant.  You get better service, and in the case of G & G, you get to see what everyone's entrees look like before they go to the tables (the restaurant's bar faces into the kitchen). On Saturday, they serve from both their brunch and lunch menus.  T and I both opted for lunch items, but after seeing the Red Rooster Breakfast- a fried chicken breast with fried eggs, smothered in country gravy, served with grits and a biscuit- we both second guessed our ordering decisions.

I ordered the Fried Catfish Sandwich, T had the New Orleans Shrimp Po Boy, and then we both shared an order of their hand cut fries.  As we expected, both sandwiches were incredible and so were the fries.  The fish was cooked to perfection, and the creamy remoulade sauce served on it was just the right accompaniment.   T's Po Boy was just as great, although not as pretty to photograph.  The shrimp were lightly battered and fried, served on a toasted hoagie with the same remoulade and their house-made pickles.  I've never had pickles on a po boy before, but after trying it I may never order another one without.  Their pickles are so tasty, crisp and sweet with a hint of heat.



After our lunch as we were heading back to the car, we spotted this little jar on their front porch area.  We put our dollar in the jar and filled a small cup up with goat food.  Just across the street from the restaurant there was a pasture with several goats, so we headed over there to feed them.  Weirdly enough, I've always had a love for goats.  I've dreamed of having a lot of land one day with goats in the yard,  so getting to feed and pet the goats was one of the highlights of my weekend, along with those pickles.





G & G also has a great outdoor seating area, that's even dog friendly.  We can't wait to come back and sit out there in the spring.  In the warmer months they also serve their tomato pie, which I have heard is amazing.  I was bummed to not see it on the menu this time, but can't wait to try it when we return.




The town of Belton is about a 45 minute drive from downtown Greenville, but trust me, it's worth the ride.  People come from near and far to visit this place, and it's gotten a lot of local and national attention in the last few years.  I've inlcuded some links below to some probably better written, more descriptive, write-ups about this place.  You know, the professional versions.

Garden and Gun

CNN

The Greenville Journal

Our Upstate SC

Grits and Groceries on Urbanspoon



5 comments:

  1. Such a cute place! Dying to go! My parents love going there and said sitting outside is the best! Putting it on our list of things to do when we move back this summer - and definitely have to feed those cutie pie goats!

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  2. Oh my gosh, I've absolutely got to go!!!! It sounds amazing.

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  3. Anything with grits in it's name has to be good lol sounds delicious!! Yall are always visiting the best restaurants!!

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  4. Oh man, those sound delicious- I'm partial to a good po boy! And you should totally get some goats! My friend's family has 2 and they're the sweetest- I love that they're like pups!

    Heather | Style Prescription

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  5. My extended family lives in Belton-Honea Path. They actually had their company Christmas dinner at G&G. At our reunion they were talking it up! We were there for reunion on a cold, rainy Saturday afternoon and we were super full from eating the traditional spread of pot luck foods, but I intend on going back! Hopefully in the spring or summer to taste the tomato pie! :)

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