By STACEY PATTON WALLACE
Before I write this week’s restaurant review, I have to tell you about something special, which happened to me on Sunday, Sept. 18, which was my Granddaddy Mac’s birthday.
After breakfast and before Mike and I started getting ready to go to Central Baptist Church, I, as usual, was reading aloud the daily column of Sean Dietrich, one of my favorite current-day writers; I’m so glad that The Observer carries his column.
This particular column was about a 10-year-old orphan and the woman who became her mother. As I’ve mentioned before in this column, Barbara Patton (not the former mayor of Opelika), my sweet Mama, went to heaven this past May 19.
Grief is a strange emotion. I am fine most days, and then something happens, and grief washes over me unexpectedly.
That morning, as I finished reading about the girl and her mother, tears began to roll because I miss Mama every day, even though God and prayers are helping me a lot.
After I pulled myself together, I got ready for church, as did Mike. The sermon, as usual, lifted me up. After the service, Mike and I headed to Susie K’s Kitchen, my favorite place for Sunday lunch (dinner). Mike stayed in the car while I went in to order a to-go plate.
After placing my order, I sat at an empty table. Beside me, a couple was finishing their meal. Being the shy person I am (I’m rolling my eyes), I began discussing the food at Susie K’s with this couple, who were really sweet and interesting. All of us agreed that we loved the restaurant’s food. I mentioned that I’d written about Susie K’s Kitchen for The Observer. This kind couple made my day when they said that they enjoyed reading my column, and I thanked them.
As the man got up to pay their bill, I asked the woman her husband’s name. “Bob,” she said.
“And what is your name?” I asked her. With a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye, she said, “I’m Barbara Patton.”
“That was my Mama’s name!” I exclaimed, thoroughly delighted that I was FINALLY meeting the former mayor of Opelika.
We chatted a while longer until Miss Barbara and Bob left. What a warm, wonderful couple! Also, God knew I was sad, missing Mama and needed a smile, so He had me meet Barbara Patton. I thank Him so much for making my day.
Now, on to my review. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Mike and I traveled to Orange Beach, our favorite beach in the world. On our first night there, we ate at Luna’s Eat & Drink at 25689 Canal Road, Suite B, in Orange Beach. I had previously ordered takeout from Luna’s, and it had been really great. Therefore, I suggested we dine there, and Mike agreed.
I loved the casual, homey atmosphere at Luna’s. Also, I enjoyed reading the signs on the wall: “Be nice or leave” and “No haters allowed.” Now, that’s my kind of place.
T.C., our server, was too wonderful for words. She was sweet, funny, helpful, patient and on the ball. I promised to mail her a copy of this review. Thanks again, T.C.
Mike and I each ordered a cup of seafood gumbo, which we love, and it tasted great. We also ordered an appetizer we had never seen before: pimento hushpuppies, which were served with house-made blueberry pepper jelly. Oh, my three times. That was amazingly delicious.
For his entrée, Mike ordered a 6-ounce filet, which came with mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts. Mike had groaned when he saw that his meal came with Brussels sprouts; he can’t stand them. However, he even enjoyed the Brussels sprouts; it was a culinary miracle.
I chose the buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatoes and collards. I, of course, added hot pepper sauce to my collards, as any properly raised Alabamian would do. You can’t eat naked greens; that’s just WRONG.
That meal was so good, it would make you slap your grandma two times. Again, I’m just kidding. As I’ve mentioned before, I would NEVER have slapped Pearl Coker Patton or Vivian Brooks McEachern Patton, my sweet grandmothers; that’s just a Southern hyperbole or exaggeration.
Besides our amazing seafood gumbo and pimento hushpuppies, Luna’s also serves diners a great selection of other appetizers, some of which include: crab claws, beer cheese dip, fried pork skins, tomato pie and Creole BBQ Gulf shrimp.
Luna’s also offers dinner salads, burgers and sandwiches, oysters and snow crab legs. In addition, some entrees include: the fresh catch, shrimp & grits, Jambalaya mac-n-cheese, spaghetti and meatballs and grillades and grits.
Trust me: run and do not walk to Luna’s Eat & Drink. Mike and I can’t wait to dine there again.
Miss Barbara Patton, former mayor of Opelika, this review was for you. As I told you on Sunday, “All Barbara Pattons are fabulous.”
Luna’s Eat & Drink is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Luna’s Eat & Drink 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.