Pilot Hill General Stores pleases with burgers, barbecue and more

Photos by Bryan Stevens                                                                  The Pilot Hill General Store has stood in the Philadelphia community of Washington County for more than a century.

If it’s July, it must be time for “Burger Month,” which is quickly becoming a tradition with my regular offerings of potential dining destinations in Northeast Tennessee, Western North Carolina and Southwest Virginia.

Last year’s “Burger Month” focused on the best burgers in Tennessee’s Carter County. I’m traveling farther afield this year, although I kicked off this summer’s burger destinations with my recent blog on Sycamore Drive-In in Elizabethton, Tennessee.

A Sledge Hammer Cheeseburger with crispy Onion Rings at Pilot Hill.

My first recommendation this year is to advise readers to make a visit, posthaste, to Pilot Hill General Store in the Philadelphia community of Washington County for some really delicious, done-right burgers.

It’s not just burgers, however, that are giving this establishment its well-deserved reputation for serving some flavorful food to really give the tastebuds a workout, as I will point out.

According to the story about the store’s origins (printed on the back of the menu), Pilot Hill has served as a country store as well as a post office and courtroom for a traveling magistrate for more than a century. George Walters, a Union veteran of the Civil War, built the store in 1902 after he received a land grant once the war ended. The store’s current owners, Donnie and Denise Hall, have created a must-try destination in the middle of the rural countryside of Washington County.

Customers dine in a painstakingly recreated version of a turn-of-the-last-century general store, with long counters and cubby-hole shelves stocked with a long list of assorted goods. There’s a conversation starter for nostalgic customers in any direction they happen to glance, from old-fashioned varieties of candies to toys, dolls and games.

Sledge Hammer Cheeseburger with Cheese Fries at Pilot Hill.

The choice of burgers includes the Hammer Burger and Hammer Cheeseburger (single patty), Sledge Hammer and Sledge Hammer Cheeseburger (double patties), as well as a Lil Jenny Hamburger and Cheeseburger. There’s also a Philly Burger for the meat-lovers, as well as a Mule Burger, which features thick-cut Amish bologna, fried or cold, served with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise on Texas toast.

St. Louis-style Ribs are available at Pilot Hill on Fridays and Saturdays.

Pilot Hill also serves some fantastic barbecue, including a Pork Loin sandwiches and platters, BBQ Chopped Pork Sandwich and a BBQ Sundae. This inventive item starts with a Mason jar filled to the brim with layers of barbecue pork and homemade slaw and baked beans. Best of all, Pilot Hill serves slow-cooked, dry rub St. Louis-style ribs on Fridays and Saturdays.

Burgers remain my main focus, but this is some really first-class barbecue. A friend ordered the ribs and, after some good-natured but determined coercion, shared a sample. They were finger-licking good, to borrow an old but accurate phrase.

The Philly Burger at Pilot Hill, accompanied by Baked Beans and Potato Salad.

Like the ribs, the burgers could be a messy proposition, unless you simply shed any inhibitions about manhandling your meal. Sure, some toothpicks through the bun take a stab at holding everything together, but these are two-handed burgers so just pick them up and start eating.

You cannot really beat the Hammer Cheeseburger, unless it is with the Sledge Hammer Cheeseburger. I have also tried the Philly Burger, which is going to meet your daily caloric intake in one sitting with its three ounces of grilled sirloin added to two grilled patties, complemented with grilled onions as well as American and mozzarella cheese. I sometimes think there’s a definite correlation between messy and tasty. At least that’s the case with this juicy, vibrant burger.

The menu also offers some appetizing sandwiches, including a Philly Cheesesteak, Chicken Parmesan Sandwich, Nolichucky Chicken Sandwich and a Big and Nasty BLT (yes, that’s really its name), as well as a couple of hot dogs, including the Snapp Dog, which is wrapped in bacon and deep fried for, as the menu describes this item, “O’Brother, what a dog.”

The menu is rounded off by some platters, including a Hamburger Steak Plate and Chicken Strip Plate, as well as some salads, including a Buffalo Chicken Wedge Salad and a BBQ Pork Salad.

You’ll want to leave room for some out-of-this-world desserts, including a variety of homemade pies. Some of my favorites have included the Apple Pie (just a heavenly version of this All-American favorite and Butterscotch Pie.

You can’t go wrong finishing a meal at Pilot Hill with a piece of Apple Pie with Ice Cream.

My friend, the one who enjoyed the ribs, also had a slice of Apple Pie and declared flatly after the first bite that it was “the best apple pie he has had in Tennessee.”

In preparation for making your first visit — don’t delay, trust me — be sure to take cash. Pilot Hill General Store doesn’t accept plastic or checks.

 

******

Pilot Hill General Store, 826 Snapp Bridge Road, Limestone, Tennessee.  Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 423-202-0289. Cash only.

Butterscotch Pie at Pilot Hill.

The interior of Pilot Hill harkens back to its roots.

Plenty of nostalgia greets visitors to Pilot Hill.

Grab some candy on your way out of Pilot Hill General Store.

Pilot Hill shows hints of its history as a traditional general store.

Cases of Coca-Cola bottles on the front porch at Pilot Hill.

Pies displayed beneath a glass case.

A little friend at Pilot Hill.

Take time to browse when visiting Pilot Hill.

Welcome to Pilot Hill.

Pies and pastries displayed beneath glass cake stands at Pilot Hill.

Pecan Pie at Pilot Hill.

 

Photos by Bryan Stevens                                             Placing an order at Sycamore Drive-In.

Sycamore Drive-In is one of those places you like to visit for some great comfort food, such as an old-fashioned hamburger or meatloaf sandwich.

Owner Gary Hicks and his crew have created a nostalgic environment to enjoy some old-fashioned favorites, whether it’s burgers or a densely-packed cone of delicious ice cream.

The restaurant’s history dates back to 1951 when it opened as a Tastee-freez franchise. Gary said the restaurant operated for about a decade as a Tastee-freez before it was purchased by Maxine Matherly. She and her husband operated the restaurant for about 30 years.

The interior of the Sycamore Drive-In’s dining room.

The name Sycamore Drive-In is a relatively recent incarnation for the restaurant. The original drive-in area now has been enclosed to form a small dining room.

I should emphasize the smallness of the indoor dining area. There’s a total of four tables with folding metal chairs, and a few extra chairs for those waiting for to-go orders. One of the tables can support a party of four. The three remaining tables are definitely two-seaters. The eatery does a brisk carryout business.

I usually like to eat at the restaurant. If Gary is present, he’ll always stop by the table to say hello. He and his employees are great at making people feel welcome. They know their regulars on a first-name basis.

I like to sit at one of the tables while enjoying my food and the nostalgic, small-town ambiance. While the decoration is relatively sparse in the small dining area, a few touches definitely add personality, such as a collection of vintage soda bottles prominently displayed behind the glass of the front counter.

I enjoyed a recent weekday visit with a friend to Sycamore Drive-in. We placed our order at the cashier’s window. The menu board on display behind the counter features a wide variety of burgers, sandwiches, side items, salads and dinner platters. I like that the menu items are listed with prices that include tax, eliminating the need for any mental arithmetic.

Cheeseburger with Crinkle-cut French Fries at Sycamore Drive-In.

The burgers deserve their top billing on the menu, and Hicks even has his own top-secret recipe for his burgers, which are hand-patted every morning. In addition to the standard Hamburger and Cheeseburger – both single and double versions – the menu offers a Bacon Cheeseburger, Bacon Double Cheeseburger and even a Bologna Burger.

In addition to burgers, the restaurant also offers sandwiches such as Grilled Cheese, Fish, Chicken, Egg, Ham and Cheese, Pork BBQ, Chicken Salad and Club. My favorite, which I have enjoyed on several occasions, is the Meatloaf Sandwich. The restaurant also offers an impressive Club Sandwich.

The Bologna Burger with Onion Rings at Sycamore Drive-In.

Other menu items that tempted me included the Deluxe Chef Salad, Chicken Tenders Platter and Hamburger Steak Platter. All the dinner platters are served with fries, salad and toast. In addition, the eatery offers Beans and Cornbread, which are also served with slaw and a side of chopped onions.

On my recent visit, my friend ordered the Double Cheeseburger, while I chose something – the Bologna Burger – I have wanted to try for a long time. I’ve enjoyed the other burgers on previous visits. My favorite is the simple, old-fashioned goodness of the Cheeseburger although I occasionally splurge and try the Bacon Double Cheeseburger.

Cheeseburger with Crinkle-cut Fries at Sycamore Drive-In.

Of course, you’ll want something to go with your burger. In addition to Crinkle-cut French Fries and Onion Rings, other sides available to pair with a burger or sandwich include Tater Wedges, Fried Mushrooms and Mozzarella Sticks. I paired my Bologna Burger with Onion Rings while my friend chose the fries.

My friend’s Double Cheeseburger featured two juicy patties topped with bacon and cheese. It also included all the toppings – lettuce, tomato, onion and mayonnaise. As always, it was cooked perfectly. The bun held up pretty well, too, as he enthusiastically consumed the burger.

A cone of Butter Pecan Ice Cream from Sycamore Drive-In.

I also liked the Bologna Burger, which consisted of a grilled slice of bologna served on a bun with lettuce, tomato, onion and mayo. This item again reminded me of the value of the nostalgic menu at Sycamore Drive-In. I also enjoyed the ample serving of Onion Rings, which were fried to a crisp, golden brown.

No visit to this nostalgic drive-in can be considered complete without ending with one of the sweet items on the menu. Desserts include ice cream cones, shakes, sundaes, banana splits and Hot Fudge Cake. My friend decided to try the Hot Fudge Cake, which consisted of a slice of chocolate cake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, rich hot fudge, several dollops of whipped cream and a cherry on top. This mix of quality components made for a delectable dessert.

 

Hot Fudge Cake provides a sweet conclusion to a meal at Sycamore Drive-In.

Sycamore sells hand-dipped Mayfield Ice Cream, and milkshakes can be made from any of the available flavors or combinations of flavors. I considered one of the shakes, which are fantastic at Sycamore Drive-In, but decided on this sunny afternoon a cone of ice cream might be even better and selected a cone of Butter Pecan Ice Cream.

Another thing I like about this long-time Elizabethton restaurant is the way it appeals across various demographics. Customers included parents with young children, older couples, students and working people grabbing a quick and tasty meal for their lunch break. Several people picked up carryout orders, but a few elected to have a seat at one of the other available tables.

Vintage soda bottles on display in the restaurant.

The Sycamore Drive-In definitely serves up some solid, good-tasting burgers, as well as other items. I’ve never had anything on the menu I haven’t liked.

If it’s been a while since you’ve visited, why wait? If you’ve never had the chance to stop by Sycamore Drive-In, make an effort to change that soon.

If you go, let Gary and his staff know they come recommended by the Carter County Compass.

•••••

AT A GLANCE: Sycamore Drive-In, 213 S. Sycamore St., Elizabethton. 547-0166. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.- 7 p.m. Closed Sunday. All menu items $6.95 and under. Credit cards accepted. Carryout available.

The burgers are classic at Sycamore Drive-In.

Smoky Mountain Bakers will celebrate five years of doing business on Tuesday, July 1

Photo by Bryan Stevens Buffalo Chicken Pizza

The word is definitely out about the sensational pizza pies baked in the large brick oven at Smoky Mountain Bakers. This rustic pizzeria and bakery tucked away in the slow-paced town of Roan Mountain will celebrate its fifth anniversary next week with a full day of specials and musical entertainment.

 Although they have been baking for about five years in Roan Mountain, Tim and Crystal Decker — owners and operators of Smoky Mountain Bakers and Wood Fired Pizza — have slowly but steadily built up a loyal clientele throughout northeast Tennessee and western North Carolina for their delicious pizzas and other baked goods. Customers arrive from both sides of the state line, many of them driving quite a distance for what is unquestionably some of the best pizza in these parts.

Photo by David Thometz                           Making some absolutely incredible pizzas in the kitchen of Smoky Mountain Bakers.

If you’ve been waiting to pay a visit, what better time than Tuesday, July 1, when this marvelous local eatery will celebrate five years of doing business in the community?

Smoky Mountain Bakers will offer live music all afternoon, including such local acts as Thistledew, The Kupos, The Roan Crows and many more area musicians.

Of course, the star attraction will be the fantastic wood-fired pizzas. To thank their loyal customers, the Deckers are offering $5 one-topping pizzas the entire day.

Photo by Bryan Stevens                                           A customized White Pizza at Smoky Mountain Bakers.

The Deckers lived and baked for many years in California, but have made their home and their workplace in Roan Mountain for the past several years. Tim has more than 30 years of experience as a professional artisan baker.

For those in the know, Smoky Mountain Bakers is a frequent destination, whether it’s to enjoy one of their sensational pizza pies or some other baked goods, including breads, croissants, brownies and much more. The eatery recently added breakfast hours and offers a variety of items perfect for starting the day with a bang, including English Muffins, Bagels and Cheddar Biscuits paired with a variety of meats, cheeses, grilled vegetables and spreads.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Smoky Mountain Bakers has been serving wood-fired pizzas for five years in Roan Mountain.

The business is almost entirely a carry-out enterprise, but there are a few tables inside. The restaurant has also expanded its picnic deck, which now includes an awning to offer some protection from the sun and elements. On pleasant evenings, such as the one we enjoyed during our most recent visit, this is really the way to enjoy your food while admiring the view of the surrounding mountains. Diners can also bring their own wine to enjoy with the pizza.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Diners can enjoy their pizzas on the airy dining deck.

The Deckers are quick to deliver orders, despite each pizza being hand-made fresh-to-order, and the service is always friendly and prompt, including fast drink refills and custom orders. But atmosphere and table-side service aren’t the reason people flock to Smoky Mountain Bakers – it’s all about the pizzas and other baked items that are the true stars, as well as the chance to watch the bakers at work.

The menu lists about 10 specialty pizzas (which can be customized upon request) as well as the make-your-own option that allows customers to create a pie with their choice of sauces and toppings. All the pizzas at Smoky Mountain Bakers are 12- inch pies. A pie with up to three toppings will cost you $10, four to six toppings are $11 and a pie with seven to 12 toppings tops the quite reasonable price scale at $12.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Every pizza is good to the last slice at Smoky Mountain Bakers.

The regularly available toppings include pepperoni, bacon, sausage, mushroom, tomatoes, spinach, garlic, ham, onion, banana peppers, chicken, green peppers, jalapenos, ground beef, black olives and pineapple. Daily special toppings are occasionally available, in season, including home-grown items from the Deckers’ own garden adjacent to the business, such as fresh basil and other herbs and vegetables. Cheeses include fresh mozzarella, ricotta and feta, with others occasionally available as specials, and the sauces range from tomato sauce to pesto and barbecue.

The specialty pizzas include pies to delight carnivores, including the BBQ Chicken Pizza, Hawaiian and Meat Lovers. There’s also a Six-Cheese Pie with shredded dry mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, ricotta, feta and fresh mozzarella. The “All the Way” pie offers a pizza loaded with pepperoni, sausage, ham, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, black olives, garlic, tomatoes, pineapple, banana peppers and jalapenos. The less carnivorous diners among us will find some pleasing pies with the Vegetarian Pie, as well as the Gourmet Veggie Pie, which offers spinach, kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, caramelized onions and feta cheese.

Photo by Bryan Stevens Smoky Mountain Bakers will celebrate five years of business in Roan Mountain on Tuesday, July 1.

Obviously, it’s the time in the huge, hand-built, wood-fired

Photo by Bryan Stevens                               Smoky Mountain Pizza also serves breakfast baked goods, such as danishes and muffins.

stone oven that produces such a unique and interesting pizza. If you’re new to the process, know that the charred edges around the crust of the pie isn’t a sign that your pizza “burned.” It’s merely a sign of a healthy stay inside the confines of the oven. The crust is thin, with a delightfully chewy crunch. I’ve enjoyed all three of the sauces, but I’m most fond of the pesto. It’s a tangy, assertive pesto sauce that really provides the foundation to help you take note of other toppings.

On the White Pizza, that pesto sauce is accompanied by ricotta cheese, garlic and herbs, spinach, sausage and caramelized onions. This riot of bold flavors has been my overall favorite among the pizzas on the menu.

I also like the “Hog Wild” pie, which piles the sausage, ham and bacon onto a pizza with just the right amount of cheese and marinara sauce.

Another recent favorite has been the Buffalo Chicken Pizza, which features grilled chicken tossed in a spicy buffalo sauce and accompanied by onions and blue cheese. I like to add a few additional tangy toppings, such as kalamata olives or artichoke hearts to this pie.

Other specialty pies include the Mushroom Bacon Cheeseburger and the Hiker’s Surprise, which features a pesto sauce instead of a red sauce, as well as mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts, caramelized onions and gorgonzola cheese.

Photo by Bryan Stevens Diners can carry out or dine in during a visit to Smoky Mountain Bakers.

The restaurant’s menu doesn’t offer much to pair with your pizza other than fresh garden salads, which are made with mixed greens, tomatoes, carrots, feta cheese, a slice of hard-boiled egg and a few scattered radish slices and kidney beans. A variety of salad dressings are also available.

The bakery offers several daily specials. The Tuesday lunch special is two pizzas for $15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Fridays, get one pizza, two salads and two drinks for $15. People planning Saturday gatherings and parties might want to take advantage of the buy five pizzas for $40 special offer.

Photo by Bryan Stevens                                                                   A customized White Pizza ready for sharing.

If I’m visiting on a Wednesday or Friday, I never go home without some extra treat from the other baked goods offered at Smoky Mountain Bakery on those days. A recent Friday saw the eatery offering Sourdough, New York Rye and Pugliese with fresh herbs from the Deckers’ garden, as well as Apricot-Pecan Bread, Cottage Cheese Dill Bread, Triple Chocolate Cakes, Caramel Pecan Cheesecakes, Almond-Apricot Tarts, Lemon Tartlets, Blueberry Crumb Cakes, Lemon Blueberry Tea Breads, Brownies, Cookies, Scones, Muffins, Cherry Turnovers, and Strawberry Cream Cheese Rolls.

If you want to have dessert, Smoky Mountain Bakers does offer Cinnamon Walnut Strips, as well as any of the wide variety of the cookies, brownies or other baked items that might be available at the time of your visit.

Photo by Bryan Stevens                                     The Almond-Apricot Tart is an excellent pastry for concluding a visit.

My most recent dessert was the excellent Almond-Apricot Tart. It was a refreshing pastry and, while sweet, it was not overly so and the apricots provided it with just the right amount of tartness.

Nestled away in the quiet community of Roan Mountain near the Cloudland High School, Smoky Mountain Bakery was always too exceptional to remain a local secret for very long. Watch for the signs pointing from 19-E. If you live close by, so much the better. If you don’t, it’s definitely worth the drive to sample one of these pizzas. Make sure to also pick up one of the other baked goodies as well.

Photo by Bryan Stevens Be sure to take home some fresh-baked cookies.

Be sure to turn out on Tuesday, July 1, to help them celebrate five years of serving some of the best pizza in these parts.

••••••

AT A GLANCE: Smoky Mountain Bakers and Wood Fired Pizza, 500 Cloudland Drive, Roan Mountain. 957-1202. Tuesday-Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. All menu items $12 and under. Credit cards accepted. Carryout available.

 

Photo by Bryan Stevens Angkor Bistro in Johnson City offers some innovative Asian dishes.

In the crowded field of Asian-centric restaurants in the Tri-Cities, Angkor Bistro can lay claim to having carved out at least one unique niche. To my knowledge this is the only restaurant in the region with a focus on Cambodian (Khmer) cuisine and I can’t say enough food things about this delightful Johnson City restaurant.

The establishment’s website emphasizes that fact, spotlighting the fact that Angkor Bistro is the first eatery in Johnson City to offer a selection of popular Cambodian dishes.

Named for the ancient Buddhist temple, Angkor Wat, this restaurant is open for business in a small strip mall along North State of Franklin Road. The menu offers a selection of appetizers, salads, soups and entrées.

Angkor Bistro quickly shot to near the top of my favorite Asian restaurants soon after its opening. I’ve been working my way through the array of curry dishes available, but many of the noodle dishes and stir-fries have also won my approval.

The eatery’s focus on Cambodian culture and cuisine extends to the pleasant, tranquil atmosphere of the restaurant. The dining area offers modern design touches, including seating at contemporary-styled tables with geometric, bright yellow, utilitarian chairs. Bright leaf-green and pale-gray walls offer a neutral and tranquil atmosphere. Some framed artwork of Cambodian scenes are also displayed on the walls. Decorative touches include potted bamboo plants and Buddha figurines.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Massaman Curry at Angkor Bistro in Johnson City.

A sampling of recorded instrumental music plays softly in the background to offer a soothing, relaxing atmosphere for diners. There’s also a wall-mounted television in one corner of the dining area that plays a continuous loop of scenic Cambodian vistas interspersed with photos of menu items. Free w-fi is offered for the use of patrons.

The servers have always impressed me as polite, friendly, and attentive, but not at all intrusive. They are more than happy to answer questions about menu items and even make accommodations to personal tastes.

In addition to soft drinks, the menu offers a mix of other beverages, including Thai Iced Tea, Thai Iced Coffee and a variety of Bubble Teas, a Taiwanese tea-based drink mixed with fruit and milk and served over small, chewy pearls of tapioca.

I like to start off a visit with an appetizer, and Angkor Bistro offers a modest selection of tempting meal-starters, including Egg Rolls, Fresh Spring Rolls, Fried Pot Stickers, or Gyoza, Cheese Wontons and Fried Shumai Dumplings.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
A sampling of appetizers at Angkor Bistro, including Spring Rolls and Egg Rolls.

The Spring Rolls rank as my overall favorite among the appetizers. These meal-starters consist of rice-paper wrappers filled with chilled shrimp, cucumber, lettuce, cilantro, basil and carrots. These light, delectable morsels are served with a peanut-peppery dipping sauce.

On a recent visit, a friend and I shared an order of Fried Shumai Dumplings, which consisted of five crispy morsels served with a flavorful soy sauce for dipping.

The Egg Rolls, which feature wrappers loaded with minced meat, herbs and spices and fried to a crispy, golden-brown, are another favorite. The same soy sauce for dipping accompanied this appetizer, but upon request, a bottle of hot Sriracha sauce will also be provided to spice enthusiasts.

As I mentioned, the eatery’s curry dishes have become such favorites of mine that I am sometimes hesitant to branch out beyond them.  Some new house specials, however, have persuaded me to occasionally deviate from my fondness for curry. The Braised Beef Rice Noodle Bowl turned out to be an amazing discovery.

This dish starts out as a rice noodle soup blended with a harmonious array of many of the common ingredients found in the Southeast Asia region, including lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, paprika, star anise and turmeric. These ingredients defined the color, aroma and amazing taste of this unique dish. Although the broth is red, it is not at all spicy like the kind of dishes flavored with hot chili peppers.

Still, I often find myself leaning toward the curry dishes. My favorite is the Panang Curry, which is an intensely flavorful blend of boiled potatoes, yellow onions, chicken and the perfect combination of spices. I’ve tried four of the five curry dishes. I still need to sample the Green Curry.

My most recent visit introduced me to the Red Curry, which is moderately spicy and features green bell peppers, yellow onions and squash sauteed with chicken and spices. I found the Red Curry a strong, sharp, fresh and flavorful dish, and a definite rival with the Panang Curry for my favorite. I prefer chicken as the protein for the curries, but other options include pork, beef, shrimp and tofu.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
The Red Curry at Angkor Bistro is exceptional.

Several Cha, or Stir Fry, dishes are also available, including Snow Peas Stir Fry, Ginger Chicken, Bamboo Shrimp, Pineapple Fried Rice, Chicken Basil and Pork in Chili Paste. Most of the stir fry dishes can be ordered with the same choice of proteins —chicken, shrimp, pork,  beef and tofu — as are offered with the curries.

The stir fries and curries are accompanied by a choice of rice: jasmine, brown, fried or, for a modest additional charge, coconut rice. It’s worth the extra cost to get the coconut rice, but I’m also a big fan of the jasmine rice.

In addition, the menu offers a handful of noodle stir fries, including Drunken Noodles and Phad Thai.

Most of the dishes I have tried have been served warm, but Angkor Bistro recently added a cold salad dish to the menu that I think is a real winner: Vermicelli Rice Noodle Salad. This salad features lettuce, basil, cilantro, cucumber slice, ground peanuts and vermicelli noodles to which a couple of egg rolls, cut into bite-sized portions, are added. Chicken, pork or shrimp can be added to the salad, too.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
The Pad Thai at Angkor Bistro in Johnson City.

If I’m feeling extra hungry, I also like to add a bowl of soup to my meals when I visit Angkor Bistro. Choices include Tom Kha, a delicately seasoned soup blended with chicken, coconut milk, mushrooms and other vegetables, as well as the Tom Yum, an aromatic and hearty soup of plump shrimp, mushrooms, scallions and various herbs and spices in a rich, savory base. Tom Yum is a staple at most Thai restaurants, but this is one of the best I’ve sampled anywhere. I relish every spoonful of this bold soup.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Tom Yum Soup at Angkor Bistro.

Angkor Bistro deserves a loyal embrace from lovers of Asian cuisines. Give them try and get a taste of the cuisine of Cambodia. If you go, let them know they were highly recommended.

•••••

AT A GLANCE: Angkor Bistro, 600 N. State of Franklin, Johnson City.  929-1001. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Menu items $7.59 and under. Credit cards accepted. Carryout available.

This column is also available at http://www.cartercountycompass.com/

Photo by Bryan Stevens
Bamboo Shrimp at Angkor Bistro.

 

 

White Elephant a welcome gift for Elizabethton diners

 

Photo by Bryan Stevens
The Italian Sub at White Elephant Fresh Market in Elizabethton.

It’s time to talk about the elephant in the room when it comes to downtown dining in Betsy.

With a winning combination of fresh-made sandwiches and good-to-the-last-spoonful soups, The White Elephant Fresh Market in downtown Elizabethton has been winning over diners since its opening last November.

The White Elephant is a partnership between co-owners Michael Henley and Erik Kitchens. They’ve created a wonderful addition to the downtown Elizabethton dining scene with a creative menu of hearty sandwiches, sensational soups and, now on Saturdays during the Carter County Car Club’s weekly Cruise-in, a variety of tempting hot dogs.

I’ve enjoyed a handful of visits since this eatery’s opening, and my most recent one has reminded me that I need to frequent this eatery more often.

“We’re still building up our clientele,” Henley said, noting that business has been good since opening back in November of last year.

The White Elephant has been offering a menu of hot dogs targeted for Saturday’s downtown Cruise-In, which brings a lot of traffic and potential customers to Elk Avenue.

The all-beef dogs are all-natural and nitrate-free. They include the Volcano, which is smothered in the White Elephant’s homemade Pimento Cheese, and the Gut Grenade, which includes such trimmings as chili, kraut, onions, mustard and more of that Pimento Cheese. There’s also a Naked Dog, which is just plain, as well as the Sir Slaws Alot, a dog piled high with White Elephant’s wonderfully tangy Blue Cheese Slaw.

Through the week, the White Elephant focuses on the sandwiches and soups.

Sandwiches include a range of both hot and cold sandwiches, including an Italian Sub, Reuben and a Kentucky Hot Brown, which is served open-faced on white bread with applewood-smoked turkey and bacon, covered in cheese sauce and diced tomatoes.

Photo by David Thometz
Michael Henley works on one of the hand-crafted sandwiches that are the specialty of the White Elephant.

My first visit at the White Elephant introduced me to this eatery’s version of The Muffaletta, a New Orelans-inspired sandwich made from olive salad, bologna, salami, ham and provolone cheese served on ciabatta bread with cheese and pepperoni baked in. This sandwich provided a fantastic fusion of some zesty flavors.

My most recent visit with a friend took place on a sunny spring afternoon. The soup of the day during our visit was Chicken and Dumping Soup, and I immediately wanted to try a bowl.

This soup featured an assortment of herbs and vegetables, including onions, carrots and celery, in a savory, creamy broth. My bowl contained several tasty, fluffy dumplings and I savored every spoonful.

Photo by Bryan Stevens
A bowl of Chicken and Dumpling Soup at White Elephant Fresh Market.

On previous visits, I’ve enjoyed bowls of the rich and hearty Broccoli Cheese Soup, which has been a big hit with regular customers. Other recent soup offerings have included Summer Squash Delight, Maryland Crab, Tomato, Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice, Chicken Tortilla and Cioppino, which is a type of Seafood Chowder.

Of course, I wanted to pair my soup with a sandwich, so I contemplated several of those listed on the menu, including the Turkey Reuben, French Dip and the Golden Gobbler, which features applewood-smoked ham and turkey, bacon, Swiss cheese and honey-dijon mustard, all served on white bread. The MD Pit Beef Sandwich, which features pit beef on a roll with horseradish mayo and thinly slice onions, also tempted me.

On the recommendation of another customer at the counter, I chose the Italian Sub. This cold sandwich is served on a toasted sub roll and features salami, prosciutto, capicola ham, lettuce, tomato, onion and oil and vinegar dressing. This is a great sandwich for those who enjoy zestier flavors.

My friend considered the Vermont, which offers applewood-smoked turkey, sharp cheddar cheese, bacon and maple-grain mustard on white bread, but decided on the White Elephant’s version of the Monte Cristo. This sandwich evolved from the French croque-monsieur, which is essentially a fried ham and cheese sandwich.

Photo by David Thometz
A tasty version of the famous Monte Cristo is one of many sandwiches available at White Elephant Fresh Market.

At the White Elephant, the Monte Cristo is served on buttery, toasted white bread, piled high with applewood-smoked ham and turkey, cheese and Dijon mustard and accompanied by a small container of currant jelly on the side.

Customers can also choose a “build-your-own” sandwich option that gives them the flexibility to choose their own breads, cheeses, meats and vegetables.

In addition to bags of potato chips, the White Elephant offers a couple of side dishes, including Potato Salad and Blue Cheese Coleslaw. I love the slaw, which is a refreshing blend of tangy blue cheese and creamy dressing tossed into a classic cabbage slaw.

Nothing that I have tried at this new establishment could be considered average or ordinary. Everything I’ve sampled has some creative flair that stands out.

There’s not a lot of seating, with only about four small tables in the dining area. The decor is completed with a vintage soda chest at the back of the eatery. A refrigerated glass display case at the front of the eatery showcases the meats and cheeses used for building the sandwiches. Decorating the walls are such items as nostalgic state license plates and shelfs displaying vintage soda bottles.

The eatery also enjoys a brisk carry-out business, and I am very impressed with the neat, precise way that the sandwiches are packaged neatly and precisely in white butcher paper.

It’s a certainty I will be back for future visits since there are still several sandwiches and soups I haven’t yet sampled. If you’ve not made a trip to the White Elephant, make a point to do so in the near future. Let them know they came highly recommended.

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AT A GLANCE: White Elephant Fresh Market, 602 E. Elk Ave., Elizabethton. 518-1111. Menu items $7.99 and under. Credit cards accepted. Carryout available.

Photo by Bryan Stevens                                                                                                                                    Unwrap a Muffaletta and a side of Blue Cheese Slaw from White Elephant Fresh Market.