Restaurant Review: Michael's of Etowah, Tennessee

Michael's of Etowah is a family friendly, casual restaurant. It is in a small strip mall on Highway 411 on the southbound side of the highway. You will probably smell it long before you see it, as they do their smoking in a huge smoker in the parking lot. They are known for their smoked ribs, BBQ, pulled pork, and beef brisket. They also smoke prime rib and steak. Don't worry, if your choice is grilled steak, they have several to pick from.

When we entered Michael's a server asked if we would like a booth or table. We took a booth. It was early for dinner and there were only a few other diners there. The restaurant was very clean and well maintained. Above each table or booth there is a Tiffany type fixture which gave a nice warm feel. The atmosphere was welcoming.

The server led us to booth and took our drink orders. She did not introduce herself, but from the name on our check it was 'Jeanie'. She was very pleasant and seemed to keep busy as it appeared she was the only server at the time. She answered our questions and seemed knowledgeable regarding.

I ordered sweet tea, but it wasn't anything to brag about. It was very weak and the glass was full of crushed ice, which diluted the tea even more as time went on. I did ask for extra lemon, which she provided. I politely said no to her offer of a refill.

My husband chose the ribs of course. He actually picked the Half Slab of Ribs with Beans and Fried Tater Wedges. A full slab would have been too much, but they do have 'to go' boxes. He said that the ribs were very good, but they were not 'falling off the bone' tender. He loved the fried tater wedges, they were crisp, had a mild seasoning and the serving size was huge. What he actually said was, "They were out of this world!" The beans, another of his favorite side dishes, were excellent. His platter was $13.95.

I ordered the 10 oz. Sirloin Steak, and asked for it to be cooked medium. The Baked Potato was hot and fluffy. My meal came with a Salad, which was fresh and crisp. The steak, which was lightly seasoned, was cooked well done unfortunately. It had good flavor, so I let that slide. My meal was $12.95.

Drinks were $2.29 each. They do not have prices on their on-line menu or on the take-out menu, but I will say they are in-line with what you would expect to pay. They have a nice selection of appetizers, pasta, BBQ, soups, salads and a good selection of side dishes.

They also served a small loaf of freshly baked bread, which was very good. It is always a special treat to receive bread in a restaurant, as many of them do not provide bread.

You can check out Michael's of Etowah's menu here. If you are in the Etowah area and you have a hankering for some ribs or even a burger or salad, stop at Michael's, you will be glad you did.

Even considering the overcooked steak, the food was very good, the service was excellent and the atmosphere and cleanliness were also excellent. We will be visiting Michael's of Etowah again. Next time I might try their Yard Bird (chicken!).

Michael's of Etowah

862 Highway 411

Etowah, TN 37331

Phone: 423-263-2603

Source:

Personal experience

Michaelsgreatfood.com