Not feeling motivated mid-week last, I needed to get out from behind the four walls that I call my home for 9 hours, 5-days a week and see what trouble I could find. Having no idea where I was going, I found myself driving towards Boiling Springs. Not being a fan whatsoever of Corporate chain run restaurants, I decided that Copper River Grill was going to be my hang out for the next hour and I could try to get an idea if this establishment fell in that category. Not really knowing anything about the food or restaurant itself other than the fact that I have driven past three of them now since living in the South I wasn't sure what to expect or what I was in for.
I walked into a very large open restaurant (it appeared to be twice the size on the inside as on the outside) and was seated just in-front of the wide-open show kitchen. While very flashy and all, the environment that they want you to feel is very clear and delivered very appropriately. Welcome to your Alaskan mountain lodge with a stone fireplace as your centerpiece.
While being totally set on ordering the Copper River Burger™: Giant 12 oz. patty with Monterrey Jack cheese, bacon, BBQ sauce, fried onion straws, lettuce, tomato & pickles for only $8.95, I changed my mind without even realizing what had happened when my waitress took my order (Yes, you did read that correctly, a 12 oz burger). I decided to go with the Over-Stuffed Po-Boy Sandwich: Piled high on a grilled roll with our secret Remoulade sauce, shredded lettuce, sliced tomato & pickles. Served with your choice of side item. Crunchy-Fried Shrimp - $9.95. You also have the option for Flounder or Chicken vs. Shrimp.
While having an open aired kitchen, you really cannot see any of the food being prepared. All you get to see are about twenty or so bodies standing around (at least that is how it appeared as I'm sure they were working very hard) staring with blank faces back behind the prep counter. With that being said, my sandwich arrived in just a matter of moments (as I did personally hear the chef belk out my order about 15 seconds after I had placed it) and appeared to be just that, a Shrimp Po-Boy.
The sandwich looked sloppy and didn't really have an appearance to it, but who cares about first impressions, how it tastes will be the deciding point. The bread, Oh My goodness, the bread was amazing. Just serve me up some of this bread, lightly toasted and we will be all set. I'm sure it is shipped to them from some major grocery/restaurant supply truck with 9 more stops along the way, but it was good. The shrimp, although very lightly breaded, they were very greasy. Extremely greasy to the point that I found myself pulling a classic from my wives playbook on "How to eat pepperoni pizza", I was blotting the shrimp. After a brief moment cleaning up my lunch, I was ready to give this baby a try. It was a shrimp Po-Boy. Nothing that made it stand out from all the other Po-Boys available, but it held its own and the bread was clearly the winner on this sandwich. As for being described as an "Over-Stuffed Po-Boy Sandwich" on the menu, I would almost consider this false advertising as the sandwich had plenty of room for more greasy shrimp. Would I order this sandwich again, probably not, but I wouldn't mind trying the fried flounder Po-Boy and returning in the near future for one of those 12oz burgers. Overall the sandwich was eatable and the dining experience was very satisfying. The environment was welcoming and makes you feel warm and comfortable while the service was almost as good as its surroundings if not better. I'm going to go out on a limb here, as my visit was during the lunch hour on a weekday, and say that this is a very kid and family friendly restaurant. I personally know that my kids would get a kick out of Copper River Grill and I will be taking them and the wife in the very near future (probably the Greenville location).
After doing much research on the Copper Grill, I have discovered that they currently have 7 or 8 locations open in the Carolina's and Kentucky with one coming soon in Ashville (not sure if this is the first or second location in Ashville). Still not sure if this would be considered a "Chain" that I run the other way from or if this is just a good local company with multiple locations? Nonetheless, it isn't your mom and pop shop that I keep running back too.
"We are restaurant operations people, and we understand how important the details are. Our intensity toward execution produces a dining experience in which our guests get great food, cooked to order and served when it is supposed to be, along with friendly and accurate service."
0 comments:
Post a Comment