On their web site, EATS! declares, "American food...prepared in its traditional manner." Chris Rose and J.R. Scoggins, the owning partners, decided that their restaurant would feature "recipes and inventions recorded in historic cookbooks from different cities and regions of the U.S." They have stuff like macaroni and cheese, fried green tomatoes, Buffalo chicken wings, chili, Wisconsin Beer Cheese Soup, and a host of other items that could be considered as typically American.
When we stepped across the threshold we were directed to sit anywhere we wished. We chose a table in front of one of the 10 large screen HD televisions mounted around the room. Our server told us that it was Happy Hour and beer, wine, and cocktails were two for one. Well, alright then, let's start with a Sam Adams draft for me and a house Cab for my bride. Happy Hour runs from 11 AM to 7 PM daily in case you were wondering.
We contemplated an appetizer of Pineapple Fritters, Fried Dill Pickle Chips, or the appetizer sampler. When our beverages arrived they came with a bowl of home made potato chips and a house Ranch dipping sauce. This serving was large enough that it dampened the desire for an additional appetizer. The sauce was very good, the chips would have been perfect had they all been crisp. Some of the chips were limp from being undercooked.
For our entrées my dining partner chose the Hand-Tossed Chicken Fingers with a mustard sauce and a side order of macaroni and cheese. I selected the Sirloin and Crab Cake with a side of Grilled Asparagus. According to my bride the ubiquitous fried chicken fingers were very good, but the mac and cheese was bland. She said that it is really hard to screw up mac and cheese but that was accomplished with this order. It should be mentioned that she grew up in a Southern household where mac and cheese was a one night a week staple. She knows her mac and cheese!
My sirloin was prepared to a perfect medium rare. Unfortunately, to the tooth, it was far removed from tender, and it was rather devoid of taste. The Maryland style crab cake was prepared with a satisfying ratio of crab meat to breading. My side of asparagus leaned towards limp as opposed to having a slight fresh crunch.
EATS! is kid friendly and their web site mentions that they try to accommodate the younger crowd by having one of their TVs tuned to some sort of children's programming. EATS! also has complimentary sound boxes that can be dropped off at your table. Of that, we became excruciatingly aware as one table viewing a kid's movie had the volume cranked up to "entertain the entire restaurant" levels.
It is unlikely that we would return to EATS! for dinner, but as a sports bar this would be an ideal setting to watch a game and enjoy their appetizers and sandwiches. Oh, the staff and management were very friendly and accommodating.
Our bill for the evening with beer, wine, and a 20% gratuity came to $52.85.
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