In my role

as pastor I am often asked many pressing and urgent questions, especially

is, "Where's a good place to eat around here?" I don't know

if they ask that question because I've been around awhile (in the community

over 18 years) or because, at two hundred and plenty pounds, I look like

I enjoy a good meal.

First of all,

you have to understand that my tastes are simple. I'm a native Tennessean

and my mother was a wonderful country cook. We were a meat-and-potatoes

kind of family and proud of it. In fact, we usually had at least two different

kinds of meat on Sunday after church.

So, I don't

claim to possess an educated palate. I just know what I like. So, with

that understanding, I humbly present a few of my favorite places in Coweta

and Fayette counties, by category, to grab a tasty meal:

Best country

cooking. This has to be Shirley's Country Kitchen on the east side

of Newnan. Shirley's cooks food like my mother did, which is the highest

compliment I can possibly pay. The only choice I have to make at Shirley's

is what food NOT to put on my plate as I pass through the buffet. It is

also one the safest places to eat since, during an average lunch, at least

six police officers will stop by to enjoy the fare.

Best breakfast.

While breakfast is breakfast, in most cases, the value for the dollar

goes to Shadow's Restaurant in Peachtree City. I can eat two pancakes,

two eggs, and two pieces of bacon all for $3.10. And that's not even the

least expensive breakfast. And while the service is always great at Shadow's,

Wendy, who works the day shift, gets my vote for the best server in two

counties. Go there long enough, and Wendy will call you by name and bring

your favorite beverage, as soon as you sit down, without being asked.

Best country

breakfast. For a breakfast like Mama made, unless you are from the

North where they think that grits are the same as guts, the nod goes to

Crossroads Restaurant at the intersection of Highways 16 and 85 in the

little town of Senoia. They still even have "streak o' lean,"

which is bad for your heart but music to your taste buds. Bacon, sausage,

biscuits, gravy, eggs ... mmmm. Oops, I drooled on the keyboard.

Best Italian

food. My personal favorite is, for the moment, the Macaroni Grill

in Peachtree City. If you go early for dinner (say, 3 p.m.) you might

be able to find a seat and sample the delights offered at a reasonable

price. One of my personal favs for an appetizer is fried calamari which

is a fancy way of saying "deep-fried squid." A Southern boy

can even eat squid as long as it's deep-fried.

Best Ribs.

Ribs are a personal thing. Many Southerners like ribs with the tangy taste

of vinegar which only makes me want to spit it out. I'm a lover of ribs

with a smokey or a sweet flavor. Thus, Du Roc's in Fayetteville is the

place I stop for ribs in the twin country eating area.

Catfish.

The king of catfish is, without a doubt, Catfish Hollow at Thomas Crossroads

between Newnan and Peachtree City. The cole slaw has to be the best in

Georgia and the hush puppies will melt in your mouth. There's a great

many other things on the menu but, as a catfish lover, I just skip the

menu and get right to consuming the steaming whole catfish (which also

comes available as fillets).

Pizza. This

is a toughie. For "deliver to your house pizza," I tend to like

Papa John's. The things have enough cheese to clog your vessels plumb

shut and the toppings are wonderful and ample. On the other hand, I salivate

over Pizza Hut's offerings and, since they now deliver in my area, I eat

them more than I used to. My wife, however likes Domino's because they

have a crunchy thin crust that she likes. For sit-down and gorge, however,

Partners Pizza is at the top of the heap. No one has a better pizza buffet

when it is open and their baked potato pizza (I kid you not) is a savory

delight.

All-you-can-eat-buffet.

The Apostle Paul said, "I buffet my body daily." You pronounce

it your way, I'll pronounce it my way. If variety and amount is your bag,

Ryan's in Newnan offers a feast for the eyes and the bulging waistline.

You can consume the entire caloric allotment of Panama during an evening

at Ryan's. Golden Corral in Newnan is pretty good, too. A close second

in the "eat till you drop" category.

Best vegetarian

restaurant. No such thing. A contradiction in terms. Real men eat

dead animals.

Best steak.

For those who like the flesh of cattle, several choices are available.

In Peachtree City, Outback has great steak and a noisy environment for

those who like 'em thick and juicy. Longhorn's, however, in Peachtree

City, usually gets my dollar because of the choices (up to a 20 oz. hunk

of cow) and their ability to follow my directions for medium rare and

a "Diet Coke that never runs dry." Texas Roadhouse, near Newnan,

has tremendously tender steaks, however, so I make sure that I don't neglect

them for too long.

Best-looking

waitresses. I am a minister, so I don't notice those kind of things.

Besides, one pretty, young blond server said recently that I reminded

her of her grandpa. Ruined my whole meal.

Well, that's

a start. I'll have to consider the best Chinese, Mexican, burger, hot

dog, fast food, and the like at a later time. But these ought to get you

off your diet and into a pair of slacks with an elastic waistband. If

you like the establishments, tell them so. And don't forget to tip the

server.

[Father David

Epps is rector of Christ the King Church in Peachtree City. He may be

contacted at [email protected] or at www.ChristTheKingCEC.com .]