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WHAT: O'Charley's Restaurant and Bar
LOCATIONS: Five area locations
7030 Miller Lane, Dayton | (937) 454-9780
2260 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Miami Twp. | (937) 434-7639
3446 Village Drive, Middletown | (513) 423-6394
1830 N. Bechtle Ave., Springfield | (937) 342-1248
7866 Tylersville Square Road, West Chester | (513) 755-2448
Though O'Charley's Restaurant and Bar may be more known now for its steaks and comfort staples, several new menu items and old favorites hearken back to its Nashville roots.
Charley Watkins opened up the first O'Charley's across from Vanderbilt University in 1971, and since then, the homestyle recipes and flair have spread across the country. But the national chain, now with over 200 locations across the country, launched a new Southern Inspired menu on Jan. 4 that includes delicious new items and highlights classic O'Charley's Southern favorites.
We visited the O'Charley's location at 2260 Miamisburg-Centerville Road to taste a few of the new Southern-inspired choices and indulge in some tried-and-true dishes.
THE APPETIZERS
The new Fried Green Tomatoes and classic Tater Tot Fondue on O'Charley's Southern Inspired menu. VIVIENNE MACHI / STAFF
Do you get more Southern than fried green tomatoes? This brand new appetizer from O'Charley's ($5.99) is just what you're looking for, with juicy green tomatoes served up in a perfectly crispy and delicious breading. It's topped with the perfectly tangy O'Charley's Chow Chow Relish made of banana peppers and apple cider vinegar, and the house smoky sweet BBQ sauce adds a touch of heat. You can't eat just one!
We also tried the classic Tater Tot Fondue ($7.99), which is highlighted on the Southern Inspired menu. We couldn't get enough of the creamy cheddar fondue, with crispy bacon bits and green onions, served with sour cream. The tots were classic and crispy, but we could honestly just eat that fondue straight. The fondue dipping sticks are a nice touch.
THE ENTREES
The Farmhouse Chopped Steak and Savannah Crabcake on O'Charley's Southern Inspired menu. VIVIENNE MACHI / STAFF
Another new item is the Farmhouse Chopped Steak ($9.99), which you cannot beat for price. This tender 10-oz. chopped steak is cooked to order and is oh-so juicy. It is covered in brown mushroom gravy and topped with crispy onion tanglers. Even better: it's served open-face on a biscuit, and a bite of all that steak, mushrooms, onions and biscuit just screams Tennesee homecooking. We tried it with the new Seasoned Rice Pilaf side, a classic and hearty accompaniment.
An awesome thing about O'Charley's, especially if you're indecisive and want to eat everything like us, is that if you're torn between the crabcake dinner and something else, you can order just one Savannah Crabcake for just $6.99 with an entree! So naturally, that's what we did. That was one darn good pan-seared lump crab cake, topped with Old Bay mayo and served with a creamy skillet corn with bacon and tomatoes. Definitely a good side item to split.
Honey Drizzled Southern Fried Chicken with smashed potatoes and Steakhouse Button Mushrooms on O'Charley's Southern Inspired menu. MICHELLE FONG / STAFF
Another $9.99 deal that will transport you to somewhere more Southern, more warm is the Honey Drizzled Southern-Fried Chicken. As you might imagine, the buttermilk breading is crispy with the absolute perfect amount of sweet. The honey drizzle really makes this chicken stand out from your more traditional restaurant fried chicken. The portion was hefty, so you'll have plenty left over for the next day's lunch. The chicken comes served with smashed potatoes topped with brown gravy and a side item of your choice. We tried the brand new Stea$1.99). These sauteed mushrooms had a slightly buttery flavor and were simply scrumptious.
It was hard to choose a favorite, but we agreed the chicken is absolutely worth the trip.
THE DESSERT
The classic Double-Crust Peach Pie on O'Charley's Southern Inspired menu. VIVIENNE MACHI / STAFF
You must try this pie. O'Charley's is known for some pretty tasty, award-winning pie options, from classic pies including apple, pumpkin and pecan, to French silk, mint brownie and gooey gooey caramel to this amazing dessert. This tender, flaky double-crust pie is filled with deliciously sweet sun-ripened peaches. The crust is extra delicious with the sugar crystals. The peach pie, which just happens to be an American Pie Council blue ribbon winner, is served with a side of real fresh whipped cream. It only could have been better served warm. You can buy by the slice ($3.49) or you can advance order a whole pie for special occasions ($10.99).
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