There’s a neighborhood restaurant and bar in Toringdon. You know, that comfortable, casual pub feel with really good food and friendly service? Yep, that’s the atmosphere at Eddie’s Place. Toringdon shopping area isn’t an obvious stop to a Ballantyne newcomer unless one is well versed in the virtues of Earth Fare, Eddie’s neighbor. But it’s clear that the locals are savvy to this welcoming, informal gathering hole that serves up a “unique blend of breakfast, lunch, dinner and bar.” Co-owners Eddie Gallant, a former chef and Judy Sturgeon, the numbers gal go way back, combining for thirty eight years of restaurant experience and a hands-on philosophy. The reality of cookie cutter restaurant concepts and a trip to New Orleans inspired Eddie to join the Cajun influence with classic American style in a whatever you want all day setting. Works for me! Eddie’s Place began in 1997 in the South Park/Cotswold area, its flagship location. Eddie came out of the kitchen for the endeavor. The strong emphasis on comfort food and a neighborhood atmosphere garnered the establishment a loyal customer base and spurred the team to expand to the south in 2005.

Intrigued by their story and menu online, my family and I venture in around 12:30 p.m. on a Friday to find a full house. Okay, being new in town, I’m a little slow on the uptake. Better late than never, right? The burnt red walls, generous wood finishing and six, yes six flat screen tv’s elicit visions of a Sunday brunch with golf rolling into an afternoon back slapping Panther fans during the game at the bar over fried catfish strips. English pub meets sports bar. We had opted to dine indoors, though a patio with umbrellas was available at the front. Small paintings of New Orleans lined the walls, interspersed with artwork from the students of Endhaven Elementary…quaint. In fact, their work was pretty good.

Following a dialogue with my fourteen year old daughter over turning off her cell phone for some “family time,” we settled on starting with Eddie’s Award Winning She Crab Soup and Fried Pickles. As a couple of urban girls, mother and daughter’s perception of fried pickles was a culinary adventure of Southern proportions, conjuring up thoughts of equally unimaginable fried green tomatoes. Could I bite into a honking dill surrounded by crunchy batter? Much to our relief, thin round slices of lightly battered, seasoned and delectable pickles arrived ready to be dipped into a creamy ranch dressing, for $6.25. The portion was generous and this mama was dominating for the last bite. Who knew? Oh my, the She Crab Soup. Did I mention award winning? The creamy mixture, full of long legs of crab was served with a bottle of unfamiliar origin…sherry, to enhance the flavor. This accoutrement cut through the delicious and thick mixture to become crisp, clean and refreshing…very clever, indeed. Enjoy a cup for $4.95 or a bowl at $6.95. Fried Seafood, namely shrimp, oysters, frog legs and catfish accompany red bean nachos, onion rings, bacon cheese fries, wings and potato skins as appetizers. Prices range from $3.95-8.25. Other soups include chicken and sausage gumbo and vegetable parmesan, from $3.50-4.75. Eddie’s Place offers six salads with varied additions available, from fried oysters to shrimp salad for $3.95-8.95+. The entertainment provided by my husband, who spent the rest of the meal pretending to be dipping into the cooking sherry: priceless.

We’re in the groove now. Striking up a conversation with our waitress, we discover that JoAnne is a Louisiana native who found Eddie while in search of a local Po-Boy in a moment of homesickness. JoAnne approved the authenticity of the cuisine and found happy employment in the process. JoAnne recommended the New Orleans Red Beans and Rice, seasoned red beans served over rice topped with smoked sausage, chicken, fried shrimp or oysters, for $12.95, including salad and bread. Also high on her list was Eddie’s classic, the Muffalatta Sandwich, served hot or cold. Evidently this is a specialty from the Bayou, combining genoa salami, mortadella, ham, swiss cheese and olive salad on ciabatta bread; whole for $14.95, and a generous half for $8.95. I didn’t know there were options for a Po-Boy, but Eddie offers them with fried shrimp, oysters, crawfish or catfish served open face, prices vary. Eddie’s Classics round out with something for just about everyone in a salad plate consisting of tuna, shrimp or chicken salad with veggies, a burger, a good looking Reuben and a score of traditional sandwiches, even a grilled Ribeye.

Though girded by my success with the pickles I decided not to push my luck, playing it safe with Jamie’s Creamy Cajun Pasta. Blackened breast of chicken and andouille sausage blended in a parmesan cream sauce over linguini, at $14.95 with salad and bread. I opted against the salad, and got a discount, which I thought was very agreeable. The portion was more than sufficient and once again, the flavor and weight was light, unlike usual creamy fare. Very enjoyable. If this was comfort food, it was doing its job. My husband and daughter ordered from the Daily Specials, two for each day of the work week, with drink specials daily. Fresh, fried flounder, with french fries and cole slaw at $8.95 were exactly what one would expect from a joint with a bent toward seafood. Dare I say a third time, light and full of meat; very fresh and a generous serving, arriving with tartar and cocktail sauces. But we all dove for the fries…how gauche. The seasoned potatoes were the perfect combination of crispy yet soft; we approved. The tasty, thick-cut cole slaw was clearly house made, as is 99% of the menu. Eddie’s entrees run the gamut, from the aforementioned rice and beans, to nine selections of various combinations of seafood, sausage, steak, chicken and vegetables. I was torn over the Low Country Shrimp and Grits at $12.95 and the Caribbean Jerk Pork Chops, two spicy jerk seasoned boneless chops served over collard greens, with baked potato, fries or rice for $14.95. Mmmmmm….next time. It should be noted for the health conscious, that Eddie uses no trans fat soy bean oil.

Eddie’s Breakfast Anytime serves up classic American breakfast with a Cajun flair, from 8:00a.m.-10:00p.m. The three egg omelet, breakfast sandwich, Ribeye steak with eggs, pancakes and French toast come with the expected sides, along with your choice of such items as red beans, Creole sauce and livermush! I’m not even going to go there, but it is probably as good as the pickles. For the final dizzying array of selections, dessert is over the top! All desserts are now made in house, save the Coconut Cream Cake, which the patrons insisted on keeping around when the items were revamped. Eddie himself makes the Frozen Peanut Butter Pie and the Oreo Brownie Sundae, Blondie Brownie and daily fruit cobbler descriptions were more than our full bellies could bear. With each reference to sweet laden goodness, we were salivating. But we were too full. When we get hungry again, we’re coming for one of the above.

Seriously, Eddie’s Place is a great venue for game days. The list of beers is fairly extensive (including Micro-Brews) while the wine offering is less so, but would suffice. Daily drink specials encompass hard liquors as well. The Fried Seafood Appetizer boasts a Large Appetite Combo for $25.95, serving many. Co-owner Judy sites their demographic as 28-88 years. My husband and I will be back, as we fall into that category. We can even buy a Panthers or an Eddie’s Place tee shirt while we’re at it. It’s game day, baby. Eddie’s Place proclaims that they are committed to consistently serving quality food, combined with good service in a warm, inviting environment. Even the kids are welcome and will be satisfied with hot dogs and plenty of other choices. My family thoroughly enjoyed an hour of epicurean pleasure and friendly conversation in front of the British Open; cell phones turned off. Priceless.

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S.C. is a regular contributor to connectwithcharlotte.com

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