Nellie’s Restaurant

Nellie’s is a spacious cafe that always has a crowd. If you do arrive later in the day, breakfast favorites are still available on the menu, but the lunch and dinner options are worth exploring as well. 

Start with fried green tomatoes. They are some of the best. The crunchy coating on the outside holds up to the firm tomato within. No sogginess here. 

A platter of fried chicken is so large that you may fear you won’t finish it. After one taste, though, you’ll prove yourself wrong. A half chicken is cut into pieces and deep fried to create a crisp golden coating. It’s tender and juicy on the inside, as the best fried chicken should be. Try the mashed potatoes with a choice of white or brown gravy with the green beans cooked in bacon for your sides. It comes with a corn muffin that is baked into a cross between a textured cornbread and a tender breakfast muffin.  

Along with dinner platters, the menu includes sandwiches and a few salads. The Philly Chicken Sandwich arrives as a huge grilled chicken breast topped with sautéed onions, mushrooms, and bell pepper with cheeses. It’s not too greasy nor does it create a mess when you it, yet it fulfills a craving for something indulgent. Opt for the potato salad as a side. The slight yellow hue indicates the dressing is a mix of tangy mayo and mustard and it’s studded with bits of bell pepper and bacon. 

Chicken Tender Salad is a good choice if you want to stick with a classic. Fresh, crisp lettuce is topped with chopped crunchy, fried chicken tenders and served with your choice of dressing. 

If the dessert case happens to be stocked with tres leches cake, don’t leave without trying it. The tender cake is soaked in sweetened milk with a thick layer of what appears to be a whipped cream frosting. Each sweet bite is laced with hints of cinnamon and spices. 

The dining room is large, so even if there is a wait for a table, it won’t take long. Before you order, be sure to glance at the chalkboard wall for daily specials that aren’t on the regular menu.