Manchester Tennessee is located halfway between Chattanooga and Nashville. And by the time we arrived in that picturesque small town we were ready to find a good local spot for lunch. So we did what we always do. We headed to the town square to look for the most “local” of their local restaurants. And what a pretty little town Manchester turned out to be!
The Southern charm on that Town Square was almost palpable.
And, once again, we were so glad we took the time to get off the four lane highway and make our way to the REAL part of town.
And that’s when I noticed the perfect person to ask about lunch…I spotted a Manchester police officer! I rolled down my window and called out to him.,,and I asked if he could answer a question for me. He sauntered over to our car and leaned in my window, and his smile was a mile wide when he asked in his slow Southern drawl, “Are y’all wantin’ to turn yourselves in?”
When we finished laughing I assured him that was not the case. I only wanted some recommendations for where to go for lunch! (Turns out this was not “just” a police officer. Mr. Yother is the Chief of Police in Manchester!)
Chief Yother asked what type of food we were hungry for, and after some discussion I asked about the little cafe we had passed on the square. He told us that would be a great choice so we thanked him for his help and we headed back around the square to the Mercantile Cafe.
The hand-lettered sign inside made us feel right at home.
And the eclectic mix of furnishings gave us plenty to look at as we headed for a table.
We checked out the lunch buffet, and Peepaw chose some Salmon cakes with several sides to go with them.
But I had noticed a sign that I couldn’t resist…
I must admit in my 66 years on this Earth I have NEVER eaten Chicken and Waffles! And where better to taste them than in Manchester Tennessee! And one item on the buffet had caught my eye. Another Southern gem…Collard and Turnip Greens with Smoked Ham.
YES! My decisions were made…and what great decisions they were!
The chicken and waffles melted in my mouth! That combination of salty chicken with the sweet waffles was a Southern song in my heart!
And those greens?
But these greens were AMAZING! Perfectly cooked. And the hint of smokiness from the ham added just the right notes. I could have eaten a gallon of them! And they paired perfectly with that sweet waffle.
The staff at the Mercantile Cafe were happy to share a heaping helping of Southern hospitality with us, and they made sure we enjoyed our lunch and our visit to their quaint little cafe.
I also had a great visit with a couple at the table next to ours. They told me we simply HAD to have dessert. I told them I couldn’t possibly eat another bite, but I jumped up to head over to see what the attached bakery had made that day. And what an array of desserts there were!
From Mile High Pies…
To Red Velvet Cake…
And a cake I had never heard of before…A Coon Hunters Cake that looked FANTASTIC! (I’ve since found a “Coon Hunters Cake” recipe online so I think I’ll try to make one of these cakes some day…so stay tuned for THAT adventure!)
So even though I didn’t order dessert, I think I gained ten pounds just LOOKING at their sweet creations!
Yes, I would say our lunch that day was one I won’t forget. And lucky for us our “brush with the law” didn’t lead to a stay at the “Graybar Hotel” in Manchester! But it DID lead us to the Mercantile Cafe. And the cafe’s motto says it all…
“Where Down Home Cooking Meets Southern Hospitality.”
Now that’s a law that’s easy to obey. (And thanks again Chief Yother. We LOVED your town…and you!)
Manchester is a neat little town, isn’t it? I would recommend on your next trip between Chattanooga and Nashville that you stop in my little town of Soddy Daisy, TN. We are located on Hwy. 27 just north of Chattanooga (in the same county as Chattanooga). As for places to eat in Soddy Daisy, I recommend the Blue Ribbon Cafe (yummy southern food), Mervs (great burgers), Steve’s Landing (located right on the lake), and Wimpies (great breakfast).
Good Morning Anne…and THANK YOU for your suggestion for our next road trip through the South! I would LOVE to visit your town…and to find out about it’s unique name. It sounds like exactly the kind of town we love to explore…and your restaurant suggestions will be filed away for future reference.
Thanks again…and you never know where we’ll show up next!:-)
XOXO
Meemaw
Soddy has a great selection of restaurants. I lived there a few years back. I don’t think I ran across a restaurant there that didn’t have mostly friendly services. This being said I am a native to Manchester and love my hometown.
Thanks so much for your comment Desiree! Soddy Daisy sounds like a wonderful small town too. I love to hear from my Readers who share ideas for more Road Trips! Peepaw and I look forward to more adventures down the road…so stay tuned!
XOXO
Meemaw
Did you have to post the pictures of those pies?? I’m drooling! I might have to visit Manchester!
LOL Bonnie! I know exactly how you feel! And thanks for making me laugh this morning! 🙂
XOXO
Meemaw
Next time you’re in Manchester, stop and eat at Pappy’s Country Cookin’!
Right off exit 114.
All you can eat Country buffet. Salad bar and dessert bar included. On your main bar there is 16 different vegetables!!!!(Greens included along with some Sweet potatoes! Yum) and then over 8 meats to choose from! You will not be disappointed with the food, hospitality, or your choice! 11-8 Tuesday-Sunday
Thanks for your suggestions Trystan. You never know…we may revisit Manchester again some day!
XOXO
Meemaw
I’m so glad you found (and loved!) Manchester. As a Coffee County native, I think the Manchester square is an oft-overlooked attraction, and I bet if you return in five years it will look WAY different, too, with everything the Downtown Movement has in the works. Thrilled you found the Mercantile—those ladies are the best!
Good Evening Kristin…and thanks so much for your comment! It’s small towns like Manchester (and the people who live there) that make our Road Trips so much FUN! We’re always searching for “the road less traveled”and a great Mom and Pop meal…and we’re so glad we found Manchester. We would love to experience the Southern Hospitality in your wonderful town again some day!
Thanks again for writing!
XOXO
Meemaw
We love our little hometown of Manchester! And the Mercantile Cafe has become one of my favorites. I love the “down home feeling” there. And the desserts, of course. Their “fried” coconut pie is so yum! And their cheesecakes are yummy, too! In fact, I have never eaten anything there that wasn’t good. Hope you come visit our town again! If you want a great burger, try the Jiffy Burger next time!
Thanks so much for your comment and suggestions Jill. I learn so much about the places we visit just by checking out what “locals” are eating in those towns! I had never heard of a Coon Hunter’s Cake before…and I was surprised when I Googled it later to find out it is a popular cake in many places! Food can teach us many lessons…especially when it’s made with a heaping helping of LOVE. And THAT’S why we search for Mom and Pop “local” diners and cafes. (And besides…we find the nicest “locals” in those places too!) Thanks again…and keep reading to see where we’re heading next! 🙂
XOXO
Meemaw
That coonhunters cake tastes even more amazing than it looks!
I bet it does, Laurie! Even though I was STUFFED after my wonderful lunch..I seriously considered giving into temptation that day! (Thanks so much for your comment!) 🙂
XOXO
Meemaw
I moved here with my boys a few years back, there is still so much I haven’t been able to do or see, but our little town is much more than it seems, we host Bonnaroo, we have beautiful hiking trails, and great restaurants… always a good stop when going down the interstate to stop
Thanks for your comment Lori! It looks like I’ll need to do some investigation to learn about Bonnaroo!? And I totally agree…the best idea on Road Trips is to get off the Interstate and see the REAL America! The Mom and Pop businesses that are the backbone of our great country! Thanks again…and all the best to your and to your boys!
XOXO
Meemaw