Going Home to Evans Fine Foods
Written: Nov 04 '00 (Updated Nov 04 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Go there often enough, you'll be a part of the family.
Cons: If you want gourmet food, this isn't your spot.
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| wovengold's Full Review: Evans Fine Foods |
You don't go to Evans Fine Foods for the food as much as for the fine folks who work there.
Now located in its "new building" (circa late '80s), Evans has been a fixture in Decatur since 1946. In fact, the new building was constructed just a few feet from the old. And like the building, the people who work at Evans are there to stay -- no up-and-coming young artists just biding their time until they hit it big and leave these tawdry surroundings for the limelight. The customers are the same way: I know of many people, mostly older, who eat there once a day, every day. And there are a couple of regulars who eat almost all their meals there.
My Love Affair with Evans
I first discovered Evans in 1986. In my mid-20s and at the height of my "glamorous city girl" phase, I still hankered for some good old fashioned Southern-style vittles now and again. A new acquaintance took me there for coffee and cobbler, and a loving relationship was born. With the folks at the diner, I mean.
When I moved to Decatur from Midtown in 1990, I began visiting Evans at least once a week for a vegetable plate and corn muffins (a steal at $3.65) -- and a chat with my favorite waitress, Helga. Even after I moved to Tennessee in 1993, I visited about once a month and was always welcomed home as the prodigal returned. But now I live in Alaska, and no matter how much I miss that Southern diner, I don't get back more than once every couple of years.
Nothing Changes at Evans
And this is a great part of its charm. Decatur is rapidly transforming itself from one of Atlanta's most liveable bedroom communities to just another charmless, faceless suburb. So when I visited Evans Fine Foods last month, I was relieved to see that things were just the same as when I was last there two years ago.
Helga greeted me in her heavy German accent and with a great big hug, and even though the place was hopping -- as it usually is -- I felt like a celebrity. By this time I had overdosed on traffic and people and pollution. Whew! Home at last!
The Fine Food
Evans Fine Foods offers an amazing array of choices for a diner. The options change daily and are posted on a big board above the kitchen. There are usually at least 15 entrees and just as many vegetables to choose from. Typical entree offerings include baked chicken and dressing ($5.10), stuffed pepper ($4.25), veal cutlet ($5.25), country fried steak ($5.10) and spaghetti with meat sauce ($4.85). Vegetables almost always include mashed potatoes, cornbread dressing, rice and gravy, blackeyed peas, turnip greens, fried okra or squash, buttered carrots, pickled beets and cole slaw, among others. Full meals include entree plus two vegetables and bread -- and of course you can add more vegetables if you like.
Besides the above-mentioned vegetable plate (three vegetables and choice of corn muffins or rolls) at $3.65, one of the best values is vegetable soup with corn muffins at $2.25. Breakfast is available all day, and don't forget the desserts! The pies are good, but I highly recommend the blackberry or peach cobbler with ice cream, another steal at $1.95.
Now, this is fine food, but it isn't gourmet fare. Many of the veggies start out in a can, and the entrees are more like what you'd find on your grandma's table at home. And there is no "decor," unless you count the view of the stainless steel kitchen. But that's the point: Evans isn't all gussied up. It's home.
So, if you're visiting Atlanta and you get tired of the glitz and high prices of the trendy spots, visit Evans Fine Foods. The folks will "treat you nice" and the food will be hot and filling. Even if it's your first visit, I'll bet you'll find yourself right at home.
And tell Helga I sent you. She'll know exactly who you're talking about if you mention the girl who moved to Alaska.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
wovengold
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Member: Kristin Summerlin
Location: Two Rivers, Alaska
Reviews written: 34
Trusted by: 45 members
About Me:
Life's too crazy. Be back someday...
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