In 1805 revolutionary war vet John Hunt, lured by plentiful game and fresh water, settled on a bluff overlooking what the indigenous population had named “Big Spring.” The name Twickenham was soon imposed after LeRoy Pope purchased the land from underneath Hunt. Named after the home town of Pope’s distant relative and renowned poet, Alexander Pope. It would be less than a decade later that Twickenham was renamed Huntsville when anti British sentiment ran high. The town would grow slowly until the second world war when Redstone Arsenal opened. The population began to explode as Redstone evolved into a missile development site after the war. Eventually, with the arrival of German scientist Wernher von Braun, the arsenal would be the first home of NASA. The opening of the new main artery Memorial Parkway saw an increasing population and many businesses move west, away from the courthouse and spring.
One of the businesses to head west was the little diner opened in 1928 by Troy Baucom, Big Spring Café. Initially the café was located in an old boxcar by Big Spring Canal it would move to a brick and mortar home on Jefferson Ave. Baucom would operate the restaurant until the mid 40’s when it was sold to Hazel Beene. The restaurant has remained in the family through 2 generations and the move west in 1970 to it’s current location on Governors Dr. Another move to a newer location is in the works but as of the end of 2010 has yet to happen. Beene’s niece, Pam Milam is intent on keeping the feel of the old place.
Well, enough of the chit chat.
First off let me say I loved this place. The polite way to describe it would be to say it has “Character.” It’s a little grimy inside and out and it’s literally falling apart. There’s actually places where the brick is pulling away from the sheathing. You really do get a feeling of respect and nostalgia though. It just seems like this is the kind of place that’s seen what history can throw at it and it’s weathered the storm. Still standing, a little worse for wear but hasn’t lost it’s heart.
So on with the goods.
The slaw dog was interesting. A sweet ketchup and cabbage slaw with a Vienna style dog on a steamed bun. Not bad but nothing special outside of the uniqueness to it. It's on the list of "100 Things to Eat in Alabama."
I really liked the chili burger. Their regular burger topped with a ladle of their chili. The chili was more like taco meat in texture and flavour. All in all, quite tasty. It too is on the list of "100 Things to Eat in Alabama."
It’s not a cheeseburger, it’s a hamburger with cheese. If you order a cheese burger you get something different. Their burgers are cooked and then held in an au jus until serving. Bunned up and a quick trip to the sandwich press before serving. Very tasty and juicy. The standard is pickle and mustard. It’s slider sized and if you added mustard would be very much like a Krystal burger but much better. It ranks #5 on the list of "Huntsville's 20 Most Distinctive Dishes."
The double cola is pretty interesting. You could probably replicate the taste by combining 3 parts Coca-Cola with 1 part root beer. (maybe 4 or 5 to 1 but you get the idea).
You can find Big Spring Café at 2906 Governors Drive SW in Huntsville, Al.
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Well that’s all for now sports fans. See ya next time.
Davwud
Late in January of 1951 the Greater Nashville Area was pounded by snow and freezing rain for 4 days. In it’s wake, the storm left middle Tennessee under 8” of snow and ice, grinding it to a stand still. Roads were closed or otherwise impassable. Trees were downed taking power lines with them. Thousands were without power, heat, telephones and ultimately food for days.
One of the few businesses to remain open during the storm, Dotson’s Restaurant in Franklin became an oasis. The little restaurant kept the locals fed with the “Stick to your ribs” food that keeps you warm on a winter’s day. They also went above and beyond the call, making home deliveries to those unable to get out. For many of Franklin’s old timers, the “Great Blizzard of ‘51” and Dotson’s are forever linked in their memories.
Opened by Clara and Chester Dotson in 1949 serving home cooked meals (They’ve since relocated to the banks of the Harpeth River; 1978) the now 63 year old restaurant is an institution for the locals. The building and it’s wood paneling and creaky floors is pretty typical of a meat n 3 place in appearance. In other words, with most of them, the money is in the steak, not the sizzle. Decorated with autographed pictures (mostly country music stars) and memorabilia it’s almost a hall of fame. Perhaps the biggest stamp of approval is the framed face of Martha Stewart.
Rumour is, another move is in the works as the city tries to redevelop around the river.
So let’s get to the food.
I had the meatloaf, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes with gravy and cream corn. Mrs. Sippi went with chicken and dumplin’s with white beans and sweet potato casserole. We also sampled a piece for fried chicken.
The meatloaf, oft thought of as the best in Franklin was excellent. Nicely dense yet tender covered with a tomato sauce that tasted very much like salsa. A bit of an odd choice that seemed to compliment very well. The mashed potatoes were very good, simply seasoned and the gravy was excellent. I like my gravy a little on the salty side and this was perfect. I opted for the dinner roll to sop up any gravy or other goodness that may have been left on the plate.
The fried chicken was very tasty but not the earth moving experience I’d convinced myself it would be. Supposedly a perennial winner of best fried chicken it was simply seasoned and fried crispy but not VERY juicy. The cream corn is cut fresh off the cob in the kitchen and it shows. It had a nice bright, fresh corn taste and was easily the best part of my meal.
Mrs. Sippi’s chicken and dumplin’s hit the spot as she said. A rich chicken broth with dumplin’s, topped with shredded chicken. As down home southern as it gets. The casserole was tasty and not as cloyingly sweet as I’d expected with marshmallows as part of the recipe. The white beans were very nice with a simple seasoning to highlight the earthy flavour of the beans. She also very much liked the corn bread. Straight ahead southern.
The famous cream pies were fantastic. The meringue was nice and thick and the fillings were very creamy. The crust also had a very nice flavour.
Mrs. Sippi had the coconut.
I had the chocolate.
All in all, Dotson's doesn't measure up to the standards set by Stan's and Bell Buckle Cafe but it's still good solid food, worthy of praise.
You can find Dotson’s beside the Harpeth River in at 99 E. Main St. in Franklin, Tn.
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You can also “Like” them on Facebook
Well that’s all for now. See you again in the food court.
Davwud
