Cheddar’s, a national casual dining cafe, opened its first Chattanooga location in December. It’s my pleasure, after two visits, to answer your questions about the restaurant. If you’re hungry and don’t feel like reading this entire column, go. You’ll find something you’ll enjoy.
I want to eat at Cheddar’s, but I’ve heard the crowds are huge.
You heard correctly. During my first visit, a Friday night, the people waiting for a table spilled out of the restaurant and into the waiting area outside, which thankfully features a stone water fountain and comfortable benches. On my second visit, I wasn’t expecting a crowd on a Thursday for lunch, so I was shocked when I pulled into a full parking lot. There’s no doubting that people are curious about Cheddar’s, having heard about its famous food for months in advance of it opening.
However, what you might not have heard is the wait times are very reasonable. Despite the restaurant being stuffed to the gills on a Friday, my wife and I were sitting at a table and ordering appetizers in well under 30 minutes. I was skeptical during my lunch visit, but was seated after about a 20-minute wait. Considering the number of customers in the restaurant at the time, these were small miracles.
The restaurant’s secret to fast service? I don’t know, but it seems to have a large crew and a lot of seating.
How’s the decor? I enjoy eating at nice restaurants.
One word: nice! Cheddar’s looks like your standard casual cafe (think Applebee’s, Chili’s, or O’Charley’s), but cozier and with some nice touches that set it apart. A fish tank adds sparkle to the central dining area, which is visible throughout the restaurant, and large perpendicular ceiling fans in the same area stir the air without blowing a chilly breeze on anyone. Overall, the atmosphere at Cheddar’s is pleasant and comfortable.
I’m concerned about the service. With all of those customers, how attentive can the crew be?
I use the drink test to determine the quality of the service at a restaurant. At Cheddar’s, my Coke never reached the bottom of the glass before my server placed another fizzy glass on my table. I also knew my server’s name, got my money’s worth of smiles, and met the general manager, who seemed genuinely interested in making sure we were having a good experience.
So, how’s the food?
One word works here, too: good! All of the standard casual cafe fare is present and accounted for, and I have yet to try something I didn’t like. The chicken fingers are crunchy, meaty, and juicy, while the double decker club earned high marks, too. I especially liked the light and crispy onion rings, which came with a spicy chipotle sauce and a tangy ranch sauce, both of which were delicious.
At most restaurants, I latch on to one thing and order it every time. But that hasn’t happened at Cheddar’s, and I doubt it will because there are still several things I want to try. Cheddar’s is famous for its chicken pot pie, and the spasagna – and combination of spaghetti and baked lasagna - looks appetizing. If you visit Cheddar’s, you’ll spend a lot of time looking at what other people ordered and making mental notes to try what you see on their plates.
As good as the food is, Cheddar’s excels in presentation. As you wait, servers will pass you with dishes laden with comfort food, and when your meal arrives, your plate will be piled high with whatever you ordered.
During my first visit, I saw a couple sitting at a nearby table, their plates full of fried fish and chicken fingers. They were just talking, though. A few minutes later, their server brought to-go boxes to their table. I understood why when my chicken fingers arrived. There were enough for dinner and lunch the next day! My apologies to every casual cafe that considers four measly fingers a meal; Cheddar’s has you beat, hands down.
Sounds great. Sounds expensive, too.
Again, one word will suffice: nope! The prices at Cheddar’s are very reasonable, especially considering the amount of food they provide. My wife and I ate and drank our fill, and our bill was under 30 bucks. Cheddar’s’ prices are so agreeable, they could get away without offering any specials.
So, you’re recommending I try Cheddar’s.
One more time: absolutely!