Growing up in rural Catoosa County, I spent my fair share of time in a feed store. However, those bucolic country experiences did not prepare me for my trip to The Feed Co., the newest restaurant to open on the booming Southside.
The Feed Co. Table & Tavern is the product of the combined efforts of 1885 Grill owner Miguel Morales, Tremont Tavern owner Dustin Choate and well-regarded local chef Charlie Loomis, and it aims to combine the comfort and fun of a neighborhood bar with a proper sit-down dining environment under one roof.
Feed opened Aug. 4, and the owners and staff have gotten off to a good start at their location in the CraftWorks building on Main between Broad and Market streets. The atmosphere was fun and relaxed while still being classy, and the food was delicious.
THE SPACE
The Feed Co. Table & Tavern is really two spaces under one roof: The “tavern” bar area and the “table” dining area. The two sides are connected by a pair of doorways.
The tavern side is a cool bar area with some tall tables and a covered patio area facing Main Street. There is a small selection of video arcade games and pinball machines, and the bar televisions for watching a football game in the fall.
If you go
Where: The Feed Co. Table & Tavern, 201 E. Main St. Phone: 423-708-8500 Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday Price range: From $3 for tavern snacks to $37 split bone ribeye steak Alcohol: Full bar
There are several beers on tap, and a rotation of different craft beers is planned.
Despite the games and TVs, the bar area at The Feed Co. doesn’t give off the feel of a college hangout or rowdy sports bar. The wooden bar and tables help the space maintain a grown-up feel, not a place trying too hard to be a party spot. It’s just fun and relaxed.
The table side has a touch more sophistication. It’s quieter and more relaxed with tables for small gatherings to large groups.
The kitchen is open to the dining area, and there’s a special feature where a small group of customers can sit and watch the action in the kitchen while they enjoy their meal. Talk about dinner and a show.
THE MENU
Owners Morales and Chote have each brought a couple of their more popular items to the Southside. From Chote, the Tremont Burger – considered by some to be the best burger in town – has made its way from Tremont Tavern to The Feed Co. menu. From 1885 Grill in St. Elmo, Morales has brought his 1885 Chicken Wings up Broad Street for hungry patrons.
The rest of the menu is a nice mix of casual items with a few more-upscale offerings. Pub food like the burgers and wings are balanced by stuffed quail breasts, filet mignon and shrimp with pasta.
There’s a nice variety of dishes at various prices and a style of food for any type of meal or occasion. The owners use local produce wherever possible.
Now that I think about it, in that way it really is kind of like the old feed store in Ringgold – something for everyone.
THE FOOD
The meal started with the Buffalo calamari, which was prepared and presented simply. The Buffalo sauce had a nice sweetness which worked well with a seafood dish. For the main dish, a half rack of the St. Louis ribs was plenty enough. The sauce was tangy and sweet in a good combination and was served with au gratin potato casserole and bacon Brussels sprouts.
The ribs were very well cooked with the meat easily coming off the bones, and they had a nice smoky flavor. The sides were freshly prepared and well done.
THE SERVICE
Chote, Morales and Loomis are experienced restaurateurs, and they know how important first impressions are when opening a new eatery. Thus the restaurant was, if anything, slightly overstaffed, resulting in prompt service and multiple staff members checking on the table throughout the meal.
In addition, managers and some of the ownership stopped by to check on the service and quality of food. These are all nice touches that go a long way to building repeat business.
THE VERDICT
The Southside district is booming with new apartments, new businesses and new restaurants and bars. The Feed Co. fits in nicely with the new vibe on Main Street.
The prices and types of food provide a range that is welcoming to all types of dining experiences, and the service was great even in their first week of business.
Contact Jim Tanner at JFTanner@bellsouth.net. Follow him at twitter.com/JFTanner.