The Main Dish Merdianville on Food Network's Restaurant Impossible July 18 + Bargain Mom's review

 The Main Dish in Meridianville on Food Network Show 03.27.12


The Main Dish restaurant in Meridianville is getting a $10,000 makeover from Food Network's "Restaurant Impossible" show will appear July 18. (The Huntsville Times/Glenn Baeske)

The Main Dish in Merdianville will be featured on

July 18 at 9 p.m. CST.

You may recall the show filmed and renovated the restaurant that's 10 minutes north of Huntsville on U.S. 231/431 in March.  Go

st.

Saturday I visited The Main Dish with my family to check out the changes, the menu and the owners

lynn of the main dish.jpgOwner Lynn Tverberg hugs thanks my daughter for stopping by the restaurant Saturday.

We didn't meet Ken but we did talk with Lynn who is beyond friendly and works alongside her staff with ease.

Lynn visited the table, chatted with my kids and others who had stopped by that night.

We were there around 5:30 or so -- we made reservations which is unusual for a small town restaurant to accept but I'm glad we did, the dining area filled quickly.



First impression --

The dining room met the needs of our party of seven comfortably including three children.

The outside of the restaurant looks the same as it did before the show visited but the inside is completely different.

Color scheme includes green, white, black and gray.

the main dish dishes.jpg

I personally loved the plates used as room dividers along with boxwood wall covering.

The food was delicious but there were was one misstep -- the free bread was dry and not warm.  That's minor comparatively speaking.

The children's menu is limited to hamburger or cheese burger with fries or a hot dog with fries.  The portion size is huge and the price is average at $4 which included a 16 oz drink of their choice.

We didn't order an appetizer but there were some interesting choices including crab cakes, shrimp and cheesy fries.


Entrees --

My husband and I ordered the hamburger steak with two sides for $10 which is a pretty good price for the portion size -- it included a side salad as well.

It was delicious.   Both of us ordered it medium well and it was perfectly cooked and seasoned.

the main dish hamburger steak.jpgHamburger steak at The Main Dish Merdianville, AL

I had turnip greens and slaw and both were seasoned and served properly.  The slaw was probably some of the best I've ever had.

the main dish panko catfish.jpgPanko catfish at The Main Dish

My dad had the panko breaded catfish with grits (however he substituted the cheesy grits for mashed potatoes) -- My dad enjoyed it, but he's not very descriptive and I do not eat fish so I will take his word for it.

the main dish tilapia.jpgThe Main Dish - Crab stuffed tilapia

My mom had the crab stuffed tilapia for $19 -- that price was a little off putting -- it did come with a substantial serving size, one side and a house salad and my mother said she enjoy it and would order it again.

the main dish salad.jpg

The salads were fresh and the dressings were good, the bowl was a tad small but sufficient.


Service --

We had an excellent waitress.  She started working at The Main Dish the day after they filmed the show in March.  She was attentive and polite and generally happy to be doing her job.  She was also patient with the children as they ordered their own meals.   The host was quick to seat us and was pleasant and professional.  He also thanked us as we left, which I like as well.

the main dish counter.jpgThe main counter and drink station at The Main Dish
Decor and amenities --

The decor is gorgeous in my opinion.  I love the wall paper, the colors, the repurposing of the light fixtures, the new cashier stand, bar area and the tables and chairs.  (No booths, I can't stand booths)

the main dish repurposed light fixtures.jpg

You can tell it's a Robert Irvine design which I like.  This stop will be unlike any restaurant you stop by in the area for sure.

cranky kiddo at the main dish.jpgMy cranky son who livened up later during the visit when crayons and paper were delivered.

They did have blank paper and crayons for the children however I didn't like the crayons being reused by each table.

If you feel the same way, bring your own crayons if your child likes to draw while they wait.   (Or take some Germ-X)

IT SHOULD BE NOTED -- I DIDN'T IDENTIFY MYSELF OR MY AFFILIATION WITH A NEWSPAPER, WE JUST STOPPED BY TO CHECK OUT THE PLACE BEFORE EVERYONE ELSE MAKES A TRIP UP 231 AFTER THE SHOW APPEARS.

I would definitely check it out if you're near Meridianville.

It was easy to find and there is sufficient parking.

Go

Hours: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm, 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Phone1 (256) 829-1334
Website    http://www.themaindishrestaurant.com

Their new site will launch soon, I hope.


SAVINGS --

Right now there are no promoted e-clubs, coupons, Facebook or Foursquare check-ins etc.  However they do have a new site launching soon and maybe we'll see at least a nod to a discount or e-club coupon offering.

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