Just back from another lunch at the Back Porch. I like everything about this place. The wait staff is great. If your glass is ever empty it is because you blocked the attempts of the staff to keep it filled. They are very attentive without being assuming like some of the "franchise" restaurants. I have been to Lone Star Steakhouse many times only to find the waitress trying to sit down with us. Not at TBP. They are helpful and concerned about your dining pleasure without being pushy. The cliental is great. We see people from all over town, not just the downtown area. Suits and overalls dispersed equally across the dining room, sometimes at the same table.

The owners have created an ambiance that lends itself to friendly banter between patrons at adjacent tables, and some times across the restaurant. At the same time it is quiet enough to hold a private conversation at your table without the need to lean in causing you to sop up gravy with your tie (thanks a lot Cracker Barrel).

As I said in the last post, this was an excursion to sample the Wednesday Special which was macaroni and cheese, meatloaf w/ mushroom gravy and a buttermilk biscuit. It was excellent. I am accustomed (my mom's and Dream Girl's) to a meatloaf that is ketchup/BBQ based. This was a refreshing detour from my norm. Another excellent twist on the standard offering. I believe that is what sets TBP apart from other restaurants in town. The chef takes the time to make each dish a little different. His little twist. Not different enough to scare conservative eaters away from the table but enough to make each creation his own. I would rank Wednesday at #4 after Thursday (chicken fried steak), Friday (catfish) and Tuesday (BBQ). I haven't made it in on Saturday (brown beans and jalapeno cornbread) so the rankings are not finished yet. All in all, another great lunch at The Back Porch.

We also had lunch this week at Big Chef. Big Chef is an old fashioned diner with counter service as well as booths. It has been located in three or four different locations and held a couple different names but the food has always been the same. It has a very large menu and is open 24/7. At least it was in the past. I don't get out past about 8:00pm these days so I can't testify about the whole 24/7 thing. But I can tell you that most anytime it is open you will see local and state law enforcement dining there. You know what they say about finding a good restaurant. Look for the truckers and law enforcement. You will definitely find them at Big Chef eating together or separately at any given time you will find the county Sheriff, Lawton Police officers, OSBI and Highway Patrol. This is another melting pot for city and country folks to eat. Dream Girl opted for the cheeseburger and onion rings while I went for the open face chili burger with fries. They both arrived piping hot and tasted wonderful. Big Chef is always the same, good.