and Williamsburg, Virgina, most of it's a piece of 2 lane highway
called Highway 11. Traveling on highway 11 can get predictable,
every 15 miles or so the next town comes into view. The houses
get closer together, then you see a colorful box building with signs
promoting it's national or regional brand, some I've heard of others
are new to me. The colors change but the message is the same as
they promote cheap, mass produced food. Some even offer to wash
your car while you eat, that's a new one but not what I'm interested
in.
After about 2 hours I was starting to nod, the glory of farm fields
dressed in clover was waning. Not that interested in the next falling
down barn on the side of the road anymore either (as I had been earlier
in the drive). All I really wanted was a good reason to stop for something
hot and hand crafted. A good shot of caffeine and maybe a little sugar
at the end of the meal, just enough to carry me on, into the night towards
Williamsburg.
That's when I saw the signs on the side of the road in the middle of
no where, about 2 miles south of Murfreesboro, "Come on in Y'all" &
another one that said "Great Home Cookin'". I drove past so fast it
took a minute to slow down and turn around, no problem as it wasn't
rush hour yet. There were enough cars in the parking lot to suggest
they were open, not enough to cause concern that they'd be too busy
to chat.
For the second time that day I found myself in the warm embrace of
true Southern Hospitality. Stepping into the first dining room at Whitley's
is like returning to Grandma's house. The lighting is just a bit yellow,
the floors spic and span clean, the owner Dan Hunt smiling as his walked
through the kitchen door. With a wave and a nod he suggested I settle into
table in the main dining room which has a pond view out back, "we're in
between lunch and dinner but the buffets on and I'll give you the early bird
price" he said with enthusiasm.
In short time I was settled in, Dan and his staff took great care of me.
They allowed me to photograph the buffet while a handsome BBQ
sandwich was prepared in the kitchen. Walking around the room I
took notice of the wonderful variety of hot items, roasted chicken,
braised cabbage, caramelized acorn squash stemming fresh from the
oven as well as a variety of starters like fruit filled jello mold and
deviled eggs on a welcoming table in front of the line.
Dan Hunt is a proud man and he should be, his restaurant Whitley's
on Highway 11 is an American showplace. The BBQ was precisely
what I had asked for, a snack that would allow room for dinner 3
hours later. North Carolina pork BBQ is light, no smoke here just a
soft porky texture finished with red pepper, salt and vinegar. Dan
sent out a monkey dish of home pickled cucumbers and onions with
a slice of sweet potato pie on another plate to the side. Both as if
someones grandmother had made them in anticipation of a special visit.
I'm told that Whitley's has been around for about 50 years. It's first
owners, Mr. Robert Whitley and then his daughter Ruth took great care
to build an honest business that serves the community first. With 2 large
dining rooms it certainly can satisfy the crowds that show up after
church on Sunday. With the "Pigs Tailgate Specials" they are ready
to help you entertain at home too. Priced so moderately I couldn't
resist ordering a "combo"of the incredible fried chicken and the bill
still only came to $14.00.
As I drove north toward Williamsburg my car filled with the mouthwatering
aroma on home cookin'. By the time i reached the ferry to Jamestown I
couldn't stand it anymore and dug into that bag for a wing and a leg.
If you stop in to visit Dan please give him my best wishes and ask for
a combo to go too. You won't regret it for a second.
