Author: gatorgirl.outoftheswamp@gmail.com

Arnold’s – Nashville, TN

A friend of mine who works in Nashville told me I had to try Arnold’s the next time I was in town. I was warned that I needed to get there early for lunch because they are known for long-lines out the door.

Arnold’s is the classic southern Meat & 3 place (but I ended up getting the smaller version, Meat & 2). I was lucky to be there on a Friday because one of their menu items was chicken and dumplings. I knew I had to try this since I have loved chicken and dumplings ever since my dad had me try them on a trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee when I was younger.

It came in a nice size bowl and not a single drop was left because I used the home made corn bread to wipe the bowl. They had so many sides to try it was hard for me to narrow it down, so I asked the server for their recommendations. He did a great job in suggesting the homemade mac & cheese and the green beans that were cooked with nice pieces of salty bacon.

I was lucky enough to meet the owner when I was there. He was very nice and  took a picture with me and of course gave me a hard time because I am a Gator.  We also got photobombed in by the server who suggested my side dishes. It really seems like everyone has a fun time working there.

Check them out at www.arnoldscountrykitchen.com for their list of daily menu items. Even if there is a line, it’s worth the wait.

Enjoy!

T

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Cafe Coyote – Old Town San Diego, CA

San Diego has tons of great Mexican restaurants to choose from but when I was out there visiting some friends, they brought me to Cafe Coyote in Old Town. Old Town is considered the birthplace of California because it is the site of the first permanent Spanish settlement.

Naturally you can’t have Mexican food without enjoying a house made margarita – and not a small one. At Cafe Coyote they make them huge! It tasted wonderful with the homemade tortilla chips and fresh salsa.

We sat outside on the patio so we could enjoy the sunny San Diego weather. We also had built in entertainment as we watched the ladies make homemade tortillas right there on the sidewalk. It was perfect for passer-bys who just wanted a quick snack instead of coming into the restaurant.   The tortillas were so light and yummy that I ended up eating so many I didn’t need to order an entree.

Visiting Old Town is a must for all of it’s rich history and you will definitely work up an appetite walking around so make sure to stop by Cafe Coyote.  Checkout their website at: www.cafecoyoteoldtown.com

Enjoy!

T

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Scalloping – Steinhatchee, Florida

As you know I love going out and trying new foods. However, I also love cooking myself.

My favorite time of year is scallop season in Florida, usually July thru September. Every year I go out with family and friends to gather up fresh scallops and have a cookout. They can be hard to find in the water, they like to hide between all the sea grass. You definitely have to work for them, but it is worth all the work when you are eating them.

They are super easy to cook – just a little butter and garlic helps brings out the sweet flavor of the scallop. Since bay scallops are small they cool in just a few minutes. If you over cook them they can get tough. And they are super easy to freeze so that you can enough them after scallop season is over.

If you are interested in more information about scalloping in Florida get all the details on the Florida Recreational Regulations at www.myfwc.com

Enjoy,

T

 

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The Colonnade Restaurant – Atlanta, Georgia

The Colonnade is one of the oldest restaurants in Atlanta.  During the week they are only open for dinner. On Saturday’s they are open for lunch, so I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity.

I was really hungry for fried chicken and I was told that The Colonnade has fantastic chicken fried chicken that would surely satisfy my craving. When my dish came out I couldn’t believe how big the piece of chicken was. I knew I wouldn’t be able to finish it, but hey, that’s what doggie bags are for!

The chicken was so crispy and juicy. I didn’t even need to use the country gravy because the favor was so impactful but I wouldn’t be a good southern girl if I didn’t have some of the chicken with the gravy.

In keeping with the tradition of a classic diner, at the end of lunch my waiter came by with the dessert that came along with the meal. You can’t go wrong with an ice cream sundae and vanilla cake!

The Colonnade has a large diverse menu so if you are planning on checking them out make sure you are hungry since there are so many items to choose from. Check them out on their Facebook Page: Colonnade Restaurant, Inc.

Enjoy!

T

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Welcome to Gator Girl – Out of the Swamp

I want to keep my blog simple and to the point. So to start, you can call me T. I love traveling across the US and the world. One of my favorite things to do when traveling is enjoying local cuisine, while taking in the sights. The best places to go to are what the locals recommend. In my experience they always seem to have the best suggestions. But you also can’t go wrong with suggestions from television and magazines. If it looks good and sounds good, I have to try it.

I have been to many places across the USA but I have not been to every state yet. My goal is to hit at least one place from each of the 50 states.

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on where I have been. I want to share those experiences  with people and hope it inspires everyone to get out there and explore the world around us, even in our own back yards.

Enjoy!

T

Gator Girl - Out of the Swamp