New Eatery in Rogersville, AL

My husband and I have lived 15 minutes from Rogersville for 6 1/2 years now.  Stanfield’s has a faithful following and is known for steaks, a big salad bar and LARGE slices of homemade cakes.  Savannah’s was a great place for lunch right on Main Street, but it closed last year, and we are all still waiting for a new tenant.  In the meantime, hungry folks have easily found McDonald’s, Hardee’s, Subway, Pizza Hut, Whitt’s and Fat Cat’s Seafood on the main drag of Highway 72 going through town from Athens to the Shoals.

But, in recent months, two new dining options have opened right next door to each other, beside the Foodland grocery store.  The Mexican place — Sofia’s Cantina — is under new management and has pretty much doubled its space since the new owners took over.  All of the expected items are on the menu, and the prices are reasonable.

Today, however, Steve and I took 3 granddaughters with us to check out The Back Porch.  We expected a menu more in keeping with its down home Southern name, such as a “meat and three” type of place.  But, that is not what we found.

Don’t get me wrong.  The interior is sleek and attractive. Both the stage area for live musicians and the bar area are made to resemble back porches. But, the menu has a mixture of barbecue, hamburger steak and catfish with sides such as a baked potato, a sweet potato, a stuffed potato, fries, Tater Tots, steamed veggies and onion rings.  And, oh yes, pizza is mentioned briefly. The salad bar is small, but there was a good selection of fresh veggies. Bear in mind that our order leaned heavily in favor of Kids’ Plates — grilled cheese, fish fillets, fries, Tater Tots, etc.  Steve really liked his grilled catfish, and the girls dove into the fries “with lots of catsup.” But, I think we probably didn’t order the true specialties of The Back Porch.  I saw a hamburger go by on a serving tray that looked absolutely amazing.  And, I overheard two waitresses reminding each other about the Butterfinger Cake available for dessert.  What’s not to love about Butterfinger Cake, I tell you.

Grilled catfish with baked potato and Texas toast.

Lots of fresh veggies from the salad bar.

Yum! Bethany heartily approved of the grilled cheese and fries.

The Back Porch is open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to midnight, and on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The portable board on display as we entered today mentioned a “Buy one entree, get the 2nd for 25% off” special, and according to their Facebook page, tonight’s entertainment will be provided by Dixie Thunder and should begin at 7:00 p.m.  Other groups mentioned who have performed in the past include: Bushwackers, Southern Breeze, Johnny Collier, Trippin Dixie and the Relics.  We tried to visit for dinner a few weeks ago, and the parking lot was overflowing.  These musicians must have been the reason for the large turnout.

I strongly suspect that we will visit again.  Next time I want a hamburger!!!