An icon lives!

When Shadows Restaurant opened in November 1985, I was one of its first customers. Restaurants were rare in Peachtree City in those days and the opening of a new one was an event to be cherished and celebrated. Over the years, I took hundreds of meals at Shadows as I met with other ministers, church members, prospects, family members, and friends. When the placed closed in 2003, I felt a strange sense of loss. When I learned that a new restaurant would be opened by the owners of Shadow's, I was not interested.

Mike and C's Family Sports Grill opened its doors on Highway 74 South at Holly Grove Road in July 2003 but it was quite some time before I sat down at a table. Partly, I was miffed at "my" restaurant closing and I didn't see how this new business could compare to the old. Besides, from my perspective, the drive was too far and they didn't feature outdoor dining during nice weather like Shadows offered.

Finally, I met a church member there for breakfast. I realize that "new and improved" are overused in today's market but that designation certainly describes Mike and C's. The "Mike," by the way, refers to Mike Healy and the "C," to Cece Coffee, the owners of the restaurant.

For one thing, Mike and C's is bright, well decorated, and "friendly-feeling." Most of the decorations celebrate local high school sports teams. There's a McIntosh jersey here, a Starr's Mill cheerleader uniform there, and various other paraphernalia related to the local sports scene on the walls. There are also items reminding patrons of Atlanta's professional sports teams in view. And the televisions! I counted 17 televisions in the restaurant but, fear not, there's no blaring noise as the TVs are muted with most having closed-caption capability.

A game room in the rear provides a place for the kids to spend quarters while the adults talk and there's even a "loaner" book shelf where one can pick up a novel or magazine and read it during the meal. Not finished with it? You can take it home to read, as long as you bring it back.

For me, there are several questions that need to be answered in evaluating a restaurant: (1) How's the food? (2) How's the service? (3) How are the prices? (4) Would you bring your friends here?

In my view the food is great. For a small restaurant, there's a surprising variety on the menu (which, by the way, is also decorated with photos of local high school sports activities; nice touch). Want a burger? You got it. Fried, grilled or blackened grouper more your taste? It's there too. Or maybe you'd like the T-Bone or the crab legs, or maybe even the crab and shrimp pasta in cream sauce. And, for the money, Mike and C's has the best breakfast around.

Most of the Shadows staff crossed over to Mike and C's, so the service is excellent. Go there long enough and the waitresses will learn your name and what you are likely to order. This week, Mike was even out filling up coffee cups when the crowd got heavy. Need to get in and out in a hurry? Just tell the server and you are likely to be accommodated. As far as prices go, there's nothing on the menu over $14.99 and that's the crab legs. Want an inexpensive breakfast? Try the Breakfast Special while gives you grits, two eggs, bacon or sausage, and toast for $3.89. Yankees can substitute hash browns for grits for 79 cents. And, yes, I would be glad to meet my family, friends, or church members there, which I do on a regular basis.

Such is my transformation, if Shadows were to rise from the dead, I would now go to Mike and C's instead. I still would like to eat outside occasionally but I can always get food "to go" and take it down by one of the lakes in Peachtree City. Oh, I nearly forgot; customers get a spoon with their silverware at each meal whether they need one or not. And for those who need to sweeten their tea or coffee, Mike and C's offers sugar, the pink stuff, the blue stuff, and Splenda, making it one of the few establishments in the area to offer such a wide variety.

So, rest in peace, Shadows. You made for some fond memories. But save me a table at Mike and C's! I'm in the mood for the 2-2-2 (2 pancakes, 2 sausage patties, and 2 eggs) served with coffee, ice water, and a heapin' helping of great service! There's a new icon in town.

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