Almost a year ago Marti and Todd Martin opened up their restaurant, Southern Food Company, in Fayetteville. The culinary couple had high hopes. Now, as the first anniversary approaches at the end of May, they are very pleased with the first year.
"Business is good," Marti said. "We are serving breakfast, lunch and dinner five days a week. On Saturday and Sunday we serve brunch, which is a huge hit. Ninety to 95-percent, of the food we produce is made in house, and I think that has helped with the following we have now."
Marti said she is amazed at the number of loyal customers who come back again and again for the Southern Food Company Dinner Specials and Brunch.
"Brunch definitely draws a crowd," she said. "That's for sure.
Brunches on Saturday and Sunday are by far the two biggest days we have each week. It's a time for people to get together. People have worked a long work week and say... 'Let's go out, meet and catch up with some friends.' They want some one-on-one time with their spouses and enjoy a meal that will be different than what they would have at home."
Brunch a bunch
Marti has her own favorites on their brunch menu.
"I like the eggs benedict," she explained. "Either traditional, with fried chicken or with crab cakes. We serve a traditional hollandaise and a jalapeno hollandaise sauce. It's a unique option that isn't offered in West Fayetteville. I haven't seen it anywhere else in NWA Either. I personally like the wrapped egg, as well. It's a breakfast burrito, in case you don't want to have a ton of food. Avocado toast is a huge trend, and since we've added it to our menu, it's been in constant demand. It's such a craze. I don't know where it came from."
Like many Southern Food Company menu items, Marti puts a special twist on it.
"I love it with sprouts, red onion and capers," she said. "The Sprouts though, They're by far my favorite part.
Three meals a day
The crew at Southern food Company prides themselves on offering a variety of dining options, whether at breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner.
"Breakfast is big with our biscuits and signature dirty gravy, " she said. "We make a milk-based gravy. It is vegetarian and the 'dirty' part is in the secret spices we use. It's a little darker than traditional milk gravy. We also make an omelette sandwich, which is a huge weekday hit. We begin like a traditional omelette with sliced cherry tomatoes, green onions and eggs. We then top them with fresh avocado, cheddar cheese and dress it with toasted bread. This sandwich, like most everything on our menu, is completely customizable, and can be made anyway the customer would like it."
Lunch provides a lot of options, too.
"We've been serving a chicken and waffle dish for breakfast, lunch and dinner for a few weeks," she said. "It's been a hit. We have different burger options, and we do offer menu specials at lunch everyday. You can have what's on the menu or you can find out what each day's special is on our Facebook or Instagram. We have a rotation of seven to eight specials we serve at lunch."
Marti said that she is particularly proud of their soup options.
"All of our soups are made in house," she said. "Our soups are started from scratch daily. We rotate around and we try to have a variety with each of our recipes. Recently we had creamy minestrone with Andouille sausage. It was a huge hit."
Dinner bell
Dinners at Southern Food Company are a special treat. The Comfort Food dinner specials feature entrees that correspond with each day of the week. For Example, they serve Meatloaf and Chicken Spaghetti on Tuesday, Fried Chicken on Wednesday, Pot Roast & Chicken Pot Pie on Thursday, and Fried Pork Chops on Friday.
On Saturday night they change things up with the option of picking your dinner protein and sides.
"On Saturday we offer a Pick Your Protein Plate" she said. "You pick your protein. You can have it seared, blackened or fried. Then you pick three side dishes. We have mashed potatoes and Dirty Gravy every night of the week, but on Wednesday, since it's pot roast night, we cook the potatoes in with the roast."
Marti suggested pairing your meal with one of their craft or American beer selections, or opting for a glass of wine or a classic cocktail. Not up for an adult beverage, Marti has a suggestion.
"We always have great desserts," she added. "If there is a dessert you want, give us a call a couple of days ahead and tell us when you will be in. We will try to make it on that day."
Good to know
Open Tues --Sat, 8am - to 9pm
Sunday Brunch, 8am -- 2pm
Closed on Monday
3575 West Wedington Drive, Suite 3, Fayetteville
Phone: 479-313-7646
Online at SouthernFoodCompany.com
Questions? [email protected]
Get social: Facebook.com/southernfoodcompany
Ask about their Wednesday night BINGO starting at 7:30pm.
BOX pull out
Tuesday - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, vegetable choice, and bread, or chicken spaghetti.
Wednesday - Memphis Style Bone-in Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes, choice of vegetable, and skillet cornbread, or Salisbury steak.
Thursday - Pot Roast cooked with potatoes, carrots, and onions, vegetable choice, and yeast roll, or chicken pot pie.
Friday - Fried Pork Chop, mashed potatoes or hash brown casserole, vegetable choice, and skillet cornbread. A fish option is also available on Friday.
NAN Dining Guide Cover on 04/15/2018