COOKIE JAR CAFÉ
Address: 1887 Kelly Cross Road in Dunlap, Tenn.Hours: Tuesday-Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST; closed Sunday and MondayPhone: 423-949-5852
When it comes to the weather, February is full of surprises, commented Cookie Jar Café owner Sue Ann Lockhart.
Indeed, late winter in the Southeast might be the most unpredictable season. All the more reason why your restaurant order should not be. Enter one of the South's most dependable dishes: chicken and dumplings, now served daily at Cookie Jar.
"It is a good hearty dish that is sure to keep you warm on these sporadic cold days we have," Sue Ann said.
Beloved cold-weather classics aside, Sue Ann said she is looking forward to spring, which is when the working farm on which the café is located comes alive - literally. The pastures abound with baby farm animals and fresh foliage. And inside the restaurant, there's new life, too, in the form of new dessert flavors.
Strawberry cake made with fresh starwberries at Cookie Jar Caféwill soon be in season. (Photo by Mark Gilliland)"Lots and lots of cupcakes! We have so many spring flavors we like to use; sometimes it's hard to choose," said Sue Ann, who admits that her favorite is the piña colada cupcake.
Then, around the end of February or the beginning of March, Cookie Jar begins to source fresh strawberries, featured in recipes such as its best-selling strawberry cheesecake, strawberry cake, strawberry shortcake and triple-stacked strawberry torte.
Until then, Sue Ann said, "We are keeping carrot cake on hand. It's so moist and yummy! Paired with our homemade cream cheese icing, it's a pretty hot seller right now."
It is also a delicious-sounding consolation to the final stretch of fickle February. And from now through March, Cookie Jar is hosting "Family Night" every Wednesday. Then, kids age 10 and younger eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée. The offer is limited to two children per adult entrée.
"Weeknights are so crazy for some of us," Sue Ann said. "We thought we could give back by encouraging a sit-down meal with the family during the week that won't break the bank."
And that is a value upon which your family should always be able to depend.