Sunday, April 7, 2019

Italian For Lunch – The Patio

Russ and Kathy had just returned from the Florida Keys, where Russ spends the winter in his motor home and after a get together the previous evening to share our winter adventures, they joined us for our initial 2019 trip to the Englewood Amish Market.  This was the market’s second week open for the season and they only had a few things – baked goods, sweet potatoes (likely left from last year), and greens (kale, chard, lettuce, etc) plus they had some great looking plants in their greenhouse.  We bought a couple of tomato plants, some potatoes and greens and headed back.


Part of the reason for the trip was to go out for lunch and since I was in the mood for Italian, I suggested the Patio in Madisonville, where we have only been once several years ago.  We were seated immediately and waited on promptly.



The drinks came quickly along with a basket of warm bread sticks and container of marinara – both were very good.

Russ ordered the Gyro – “Delicious beef & lamb cooked to perfection & layered on pita, served w/ lettuce, tomatoes, onion & cucumber sauce ($6.25)”.  No pic but he really liked his gyro meat.

Kathy ordered a small pepperoni pizza which she thought was excellent.


So we would have leftovers, Bev ordered the Patio Special pizza - Cheese, beef, pepperoni, sausage, onions, green pepper, mushrooms, tomatoes, black olives, feta cheese large 14" ($14.95) and we both thought it was very good with nice fresh ingredients.


Bev and Kathy both raved about their pizzas.

I had the Baked Spaghetti - Sauteed bell peppers, mushrooms & pepperoni over spaghetti covered w/ homemade meat sauce, topped w/ melted mozzarella cheese & baked to perfection ($8.35) and thought it was pretty darned good for East Tennessee Italian.


When it came, I was shocked at the size of my dish and after a bread stick and small side salad ($1.50 with the entrée) I could only eat half of it so we ended up with two boxes of leftovers – Bev only ate two pizza slices.  While this is not the "real deal Italian" that I really like, it was real good East Tennessee Italian.  This was definitely a good place to stop and with good portions of good food at a reasonable price (definitely the opposite of tourist food) and excellent service - we plan to return soon.

Photos can be enlarged by clicking on them and the blue words are links.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

Larry

4/5/19 event date

6 comments:

  1. Oh my that sure looks tasty, giving me a craving for some Italian. Love good food for a good price.

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  2. Larry, Thanks for the reminder about the Englewood Mennonite farmer's Market! We've eaten at the Patio Restaurant in Madisonville too...good East Tennessee Italian style food at a terrific price. How thick was the pizza crust? We love pizza but we haven't tried it at The Patio.

    FYI, Classico Italian at the Tellico Village Center has been Mama's Grits for breakfast and then it changed to Classico for lunch and dinner. As of 4/10, they will operate 2 restaurants, Little Italy for lunch and dinner at 316 Lakeside Plaza (off Ritchey Road) and Mama's Grits for breakfast and lunch at the Village center site. They are also opening a coffee/ice cream shop next to Little Italy mid-month. The Italian is very good as is the pizza. As per Dawn Marie, the grits at Mama's Grits are as good as it gets...and she loves grits! Love the sausage gravy too! However, prices at the Patio in Madisonville are lower than those for the Italian cuisine offered at Classico/Little Italy. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

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  3. Your meal looks incredible Larry. I do the same as Bev. Order enough for 3 people so I can have left overs.

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  4. I am looking forward to those farmers markets.

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  5. Wow! Huge portions and affordable prices. All of the food looks delicious.

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