Anyone who has been in Murray County for more than five minutes knows that among it's citizens are plenty of requests for something "new"—new restaurants, new shops, new things to do. Wanting new options is all well and good, but have those wants blinded us to what is already here?
I recently came across a local news story about an employee at an IHOP in Fort Oglethorpe was apparently using down time to work on her side hustle. She was photographed administering a chemical hair treatment to someone there in a portion of the dining area. The incident sparked a lot of debate. While most people felt it had no place in a restaurant, others argued that under certain circumstances it might have been acceptable. Regardless, it was reported that the restaurant later closed.
Most of us have been to Fort Oglethorpe. The dining options there seem endless. They have Applebee's, LongHorn, Golden Corral, Chick-fil-A, Five Guys, O'Charley's, Fazoli's, Freddy's, and many more. In fact, many of those are restaurants that some of us would love to see established in Murray County.
But one comment in the discussion about this IHOP incident stood out to me.
"I hope we don't get another (common) restaurant. What we really need is a good restaurant with homestyle meat-and-vegetable options."
And there you have it. A place with nearly every restaurant option imaginable, including many that Murray's citizens often wish for, and someone there is simply longing for the basics.
I've seen similar comments on message boards in other cities, comments that seems unfathomable to some of us here in Murray: while it would be nice to have a few additional dining choices in Murray County, we have options here that have been lost to those in certain areas currently hosting these coveted restaurants.
Those meat-and-three restaurants that folks elsewhere long for can be found right here in Murray County—primarily at The Village Cafeteria, Edna's, and Pleasant Valley.
Am I suggesting Murray residents should limit their dining options strictly to Murray County dining? Of course not.
Am I suggesting it might be a little unfair to complain that we don't have this restaurant or that restaurant while at the same time admitting that there are Murray County restaurants we've never given a chance?
Probably.
Pleasant Valley not only serves delicious meat-and-three meals, but they also offer a terrific breakfast. If you're making regular trips to Cracker Barrel in Dalton and have never tried Pleasant Valley, this weekend would be a great time to change up your routine.
If you've avoided Edna's because someone in your party isn't interested in a meat-and-three meal, it could be because you/they aren't aware that Edna's also serves burgers, chicken fingers, sandwiches, salads, and fish platters.
And if you're constantly relying on fast-food drive-thrus because you're pressed for time, remember that a meal can often be picked up just as quickly at The Village Cafeteria. It's entirely possible to get the kids to the game on time while still making sure what's being put in front of them includes more wholesome options.
As always, if you're bored with your routine Murray County go-to's, try to expand and make sure you've given all 50-plus of our local establishments a fair chance. You may just discover a new favorite right in your own backyard.
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