Rachel, Elijah and I had lunch at the Irondale Cafe last Friday. (I took a much enjoyed/needed vacation day) You may remember that the Irondale Cafe was the inspiration for Fannie Flagg's book Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe which was made into the movie Fried Green Tomatoes in 1991.
Rachel had the fried tomatoes, mac and cheese, stewed squash and turnip greens. I got the country fried steak, mashed potatoes and turnip greens. Elijah had some bites of squash and greens. There was plenty of pepper sauce on the table for the greens. We got the rolls, but the cornbread looked good too. We skipped dessert, but not without regrets.
The train tracks are right across the street, just as Flagg wrote in her book. Elijah got to see his first train...close up. Two trains went through while we were there.My favorite scene in the movie was when the two hot young things cut Evelyn Couch off in the Winn Dixie parking lot:
Evelyn Couch: Hey! I was waiting for that spot!
Girl #1: Face it, lady, we're younger and faster!
[Evelyn rear-ends the other car six times]
Girl #2: Are you *crazy*?
Evelyn Couch: Face it, girls, I'm older and I have more insurance.
Have you read any of Fannie Flagg's books? I enjoy them for the picture she paints of the South the way it used to be; the sights and sounds and flavors which were unique to this region. Even though you may think we still sound different we are much changed. We're becoming homogenized, 1%. We used to be a buttermilk culture...thick and rich.
I remember loving that movie when it came out but I have never read any of her books...The Hair!...gotta love that big hair the young girls have:)
ReplyDeleteYeay for vacation days like this!
That sounds like a wonderful lunch, Stevie. Your little grandson is getting so big!
ReplyDeleteI loved "Fried Green Tomatoes" movie. Kathy Bates was so good in this movie!
Oh, I love that movie. How fun to have visited the cafe featured in the movie. I always wondered what fried green tomatoes taste like.;)
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Great video Sue. I felt for her! - Dave
ReplyDeleteSorry, I mean Steviewren - Dave
ReplyDeleteThat's one of my favorite movies and books!! I've watched it a dozen times and I never get tired of that scene. Kathy Bates is a great actress...I have never seen her be less than stellar in any role.
ReplyDeleteI also loved Welcome to the World, Baby Girl.
I agree with you that the Deep South ain't what it used to be. Oh sure, there are still pockets, mainly rural, but the big cities are muchly changed.
I love turnip greens, squash and cornbread!
I do believe that is my favorite scene too and possibly my favorite Kathy Bates moment.
ReplyDeleteI have eaten at the Irondale Cafe also. My daughter lives near there.
ReplyDeleteA high school group meets there once a month.
High School group of the 1950's no less!
Nice picture of Rachel and Elijah. Was Elijah excited when the trains came through?
ReplyDeleteFrom my English perspective, I get such a sense of the Deep South from this post Steviewren, your description of the food ... the look of the cafe and the train tracks crossing the street ... but more so in your last paragraph - wonderful! I haven't read any Fannie Flagg but feel the urge to now.
ReplyDeleteJeanne
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That may be one restaurant my boys would tolerate! Those passing trains would certainly entertain them! ;)
ReplyDeleteFried green tomatoes...yum..I make them at least once each summer.
What a great scene. I'm glad you had a fun day. That kidlet is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI still love buttermilk!
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