By STACEY PATTON WALLACE
In last week’s column, I mentioned that my husband Mike and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary on Nov. 5. Well, we decided to extend our celebration by visiting our great state’s capital city on Nov. 6.
At 4:30 p.m., we took a two-hour cruise down the Alabama River. It was lovely; however, the loud music being played didn’t appeal to us very much. We liked loud music better in our teens, 20s and 30s, when we weren’t as concerned about hearing loss.
Also, the music genre was the blues, and Mike and I prefer upbeat songs. However, after hearing some of the songs two or three times, a few of them began to grow on me. In addition, an employee stationed on the third level of the boat was dancing to the music, which entertained us.
The next morning, we ate a hearty breakfast at the Hampton Inn and then set out for the Shoppes at East Chase. Being the happy nerds we are, we really enjoyed the huge Books-a-Million, buying books we didn’t need but wanted. Mike and I both love to read, and the bookshelves we had made for our bonus room are already overflowing.
Next, we went to the restaurant whose fried chicken had been voted the best in our great state of Alabama. Mike and I had heard about Martin’s Restaurant on WSFA Channel 12 News. Since I am a fried chicken freak, I knew that I had to go to Martin’s Restaurant at 1796 Carter Hill Road in Montgomery.
When we entered the restaurant, I felt right at home. Southern cooking is my favorite, and I especially love family-owned and -operated establishments. Mike and I met Miss Mary Anne Merritt, the owner, who was so sweet and helpful. She said that her family had owned Martin’s Restaurant since 1939. I admired the multiple Readers’ Choice Awards adorning the wall behind the cash register.
Jennifer, our server, was so kind, helpful and patient. After she left to get our drink orders, I noticed three ladies sitting behind us. Being the shy creature I am (My eyes are rolling back in my head.), I asked them if they were locals.
Mona and Mickie were born in Montgomery, and Zara, Mona’s daughter, was visiting from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mona said, “I married a Yankee who was in the military, so we lived all over. Zara was born in California.”
Mona remarked on my Auburn T-shirt. All three ladies were Bama fans, but they were really sweet and didn’t give me a hard time since both our teams had lost on Saturday; misery loves company. A cliché, but quite true.
Mike and I really enjoyed talking to these ladies. Again, one of my favorite things about traveling is meeting new people.
Zara said that her 105-year-old grandmother, who, unfortunately, had recently passed, loved eating at Martin’s and had been going there since it opened. Also, Zara said, “This is the only place I want to eat when I come home.” Mona said that she loved the wishbone, or the pulley bone, as we Southerners call it.
When our server Jennifer brought us a basket of cornbread muffins, Mickie said, “Their cornbread muffins are to die for.” Oh, my two times. Mickie didn’t exaggerate. Those cornbread muffins were AMAZING. Even Mike loved them, and he isn’t a cornbread fan. Again, I don’t understand his culinary preferences, but I love him dearly anyway.
For his entrée, Mike chose Martin’s Famous Fried Chicken (Chicken which is voted the best in Alabama must be capitalized.), dressing with gravy and mashed potatoes.
I was hungrier than Mike, who doesn’t often eat lunch (dinner), so I chose Martin’s meat and three. I ordered Martin’s Famous Fried Chicken (That’s why we came there.), dressing with gravy, mac and cheese and steamed cabbage.
Martin’s Famous Fried Chicken did not disappoint. It was “slap your grandma three times” good. Remember, I’m just kidding; that’s just an old saying.
The chicken’s crust was perfection. It was just the right amount of crispy; I didn’t have to chew it forever to get to the delicious, tender white meat. Everything else was delectable as well. The cabbage was unusual, having both pale and dark green leaves, which were really tasty. Of course, I added hot pepper sauce to them because no self-respecting Southerner eats naked greens or cabbage.
Besides their award-winning fried chicken, Martin’s Restaurant has other entrees each day that they’re open. Sunday’s other entrees include roast beef with gravy and baked turkey with dressing; Monday: baked turkey with dressing, baked meatloaf with tomato sauce, fried catfish filet and fried chicken chef salad; Tuesday: roast beef with gravy, baked barbecue pork ribs, fried chicken livers and fried chicken chef salad; Wednesday: beef tips on rice, fried flounder filet, Martin’s baked chicken and fried chicken chef salad; Thursday: chopped steak with gravy, baked pork chop with dressing; salmon croquettes (two patties) and fried chicken chef salad; Friday: country fried steak with brown gravy, smothered fried chicken, fried catfish filet and fried chicken chef salad. Trust me, run and do not walk to Martin’s Restaurant; it is definitely worth the trip traveling down I-85.
Mona, Zara and Mickie, this review was for you. You Bama gals were a complete delight and were so kind to Mike and me. Thank you and War Eagle!
Martin’s Restaurant is open on Sunday from 10:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Saturday.
Martin’s Restaurant makes the grade with an A+ from this retired English teacher. Remember, “Pooh-sized” people never lie about food. Enjoy!
Stacey Patton Wallace, who retired from teaching language arts for 30 years, is a professional diner. Her column, “Making the Grade,” will appear each week in The Observer. Stacey may be reached at retiredlangartsteacher2020@gmail.com