Walton's Southern Table
Time of Visit: 12:30 PM, Lunch
Ambiance:
The seating at Walton's Southern Table is exceptionally comfortable, with each table feeling private due to the layout. The sacrifice of space for more customers is well worth it for the added privacy--I'd much rather enjoy a meal without feeling like I'm packed in with others. The lighting is bright, with a pleasant mix of natural daylight and overhead lights. Despite the moderate busyness, the background noise is nicely muffled, allowing for a relaxed atmosphere.
Food Quality and Service:
The quality of the food here is amazing, especially considering the reasonable prices. I ordered the Southern fried chicken with mashed potatoes, okra, macaroni and cheese, dumplings, sweet tea, and cornbread.
The sweet tea had a good flavor but could have been a touch sweeter. The chef was kind enough to come out and inform me that the fried chicken would take 9 minutes, which I appreciated.
Mac n Cheese:
It was a highlight--very cheesy, with perfectly al dente noodles. Unfortunately, it was served cold, which took away from the overall experience.
Mashed Potatoes:
These had an incredible stew-like flavor, possibly from being boiled in a stew before being mashed. The color didn't give this away, making for a pleasant surprise.
Okra:
The okra wasn't warm, but this didn't detract from the taste. I could easily enjoy a meal made entirely of their okra.
Chicken and Dumplings:
The chicken was perfectly tender and flavorful, though the dumplings could have been more substantial. The cornbread was moist with delicious butter pockets inside.
Fried Chicken:
The fried chicken was the star--crispy like Captain Crunch and incredibly moist, particularly the breast, which was surprisingly juicy. The portions were proportionate, and the chicken seemed natural, not pumped with steroids.
Dessert:
I ended my meal with a slice of pecan pie. While the pie and the fork were both cold, the flavor was great, and the pecans were a healthy size. However, I was surprised that there wasn't a cobbler with ice cream available, which I would have expected at a Southern restaurant.
Service:
The staff were happy and enjoyable, with servers being more mature in age, leading to a no-nonsense, quality service experience, albeit at the expense of speed. One downside was that no busboy came around to clear the table, which I prefer, especially when transitioning to dessert. However, it seems to be restaurant policy to clean up quickly after guests leave.
Décor:
The décor is a charming blend of colors, brick walls, and tiled floors, which all mesh well together. The plating was basic but appropriate for a Southern restaurant. I don't expect or need anything too fancy here.
Overall:
Walton's Southern Table offers a well-rounded dining experience with great food and a comfortable atmosphere. One idea that could elevate their service is offering a special, classy full-course menu on select nights. The quality of service and food here would lend itself well to such an event. read more