Windy City Grille - Maryville TN

Windy City Grille

2641 U.S.  411, Maryville TN 37801
865-724-2508
http://www.thewindycitygrille.com/  

This will be a briefer than normal blog. The occasion was a Christmas get-together of Blount County ARES, a part of the ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Services, trained amateur radio operator volunteers organized to assist in public service and emergency communications. It is a group that I am proudly associated. When we get together we talk shop; radio and all that sort of thing. However most of the other members are unaware that on the side I am a foodie and do a blog. My family and some other friends are sometimes painfully aware that I take photos and ask questions about the food, the meals and the service.  On this occasion I strove to be not obtrusive with the camera and the questions (they will get to know that part of me later, I’m sure). This was my first visit to the Windy City Grille and I think that I did, however, get enough material to give you some insight into the Windy City Grille; a place you might one day like to visit.

Lou, our section leader, had made inquiries before but no advanced preparation had been made for our group.  Kaitlyn, the charming young lady who met us at the door and escorted us in, was more that up to the task. In just a moment she had pulled tables together and rearranged chairs.  She took our beverage orders while we waited for the others to arrive.

Our group came and departed at different times, we ordered a full range of dishes and beverages from the regular menu and we were Dutch treat.  That should be enough to drive any server into a panic. Our orders were taken in a timely manner, the orders when served were correct, drinks were refreshed as needed and bills were ready when asked and also were correct.  Our group enjoyed a carefree meal; we enjoyed the food and the company. An efficient server working in the background helps keep it all together and adds to the enjoyment of the night out to dinner. We were fortunate that Kaitlyn was our server.

The Windy City Grille is a casual café. Most of the menu is for pizza, burgers and sandwiches. There is bar service with a large selection of draft and bottled beer to choose from. Lou ordered one of their burgers with French fries.  All of the burgers seem to start with a half-pound patty.  Prices for the burgers run from $8.50 to 9.50 depending, and come with French fries or the house potato chips. Alternate side substitution selections are available at additional cost.

I’m not sure which one Lou chose but afterwards he said it was very good. They are juicy burgers and thankfully there are additional napkins available in the condiment tray in the center of the table. Another burger order down the table from me was with the in-house made fried potato chips.  They are apparently a well-regarded local specialty. Perhaps I’ll try then on my next visit.

My order was for the “Grande Shrimp Platter – 9 large breaded shrimp with side of fries and homemade cocktail sauce. No popcorn shrimp here! - $11.00.”  The fry cooks did a good job. The shrimp and the French fries were a nice crispy golden brown, cooked but overly so. The shrimp appeared to be butterflied 16/20 and had a nice flavor, no old cooking oil flavor there. The house cocktail sauce is excellent. There was adequate sauce for the shrimp but if I were to order this again I would ask for a second portion of the sauce as it is so much better than plain ketchup on the fries. It was an adequate portion and a satisfying meal. I was happy with my choice.

During the meal a management person came by the table to ask if everyone was happy with the service and the food. It is nice to see they have an interest and it seems to show in the performance of their work staff. As I mentioned, the Windy City Grille is a casual café, much more so than some of , for  lack of a better word, trendier brew bars and cafes in town. However, the food offered at Windy City Grille is on a par with the other restaurants and at comparable prices. There are many large screen TV screens and I could only guess that it would be a rollicking local hangout for local sports fans on big game days.

The online menu and the menu at the table are slightly different in the selections offered. The online version seems a bit more comprehensive. If you have a specific food in mind to order you may want to call ahead to see if it is available.

My only negative thought about the dining experience is the “re-purposed” theme; the ceiling not finished in the conventional manner but all of the ducting and piping exposed. It may be painted a dark color and positioned above the lighting fixtures but it is all there and the hard surfaces echo and reflect the sounds so that even a slight amount of activity can raise the ambient noise level significantly often making cross table conversation difficult.

 Amiable friends and colleagues make for an enjoyable evening meal.  I also enjoyed the meal and the surroundings. If the question arises, “Where should we go out to dinner?”  The Windy City Grille will definitely be one of the choices.

A last note in passing…  At the door to the café there is a Missing Man Table, sometimes called a Fallen Comrade Table. It is set symbolically as a remembrance and to honor those who will never be able to accept the invitation. It is frequently seen on Memorial Day and National POW/ MIA Recognition Day. Lost in service to Country those missing men have protected rights to dissent and eschew traditional things. But please remember they have also protected my right to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I fondly remember many friends and comrades for whom that table was set.  Thank you Windy City Grille for remembering and honoring them.

 

UPDATE: August 30, 2019

“The Windy City Grille is winner of the 2019 “Best of the Best” awarded by the Best In Town Network, a Knoxville-based restaurant marketing and survey company.”  Daily Times, August 30 2019.