Swing into fall
A cold front had moved in the night before, and that morning offered a pleasant breeze. Coupled with the cozy scent of Countryside Café’s wood smoker, that breeze helped invoke in me two thoughts: fall and football — which, for many Tennesseans, are synonymous.
“We are ready for fall,” said owner Marlene Geren. “Now, come and see the swing!” she added excitedly, leading me out Countryside’s side door to the parking lot where there sat a cedar porch swing, handcrafted especially for Countryside by local carpenter Matt Hilliard.
But this was not just any porch swing. This swing was enormous, with the ability to seat eight, and a bench so deep that when I sat on it, my feet didn’t come close to touching the ground.
“I think it just adds to the atmosphere,” Marlene said. “Front porch swings and country cooking just go together.”
Indeed, Countryside Café is swinging into fall with new seasonal additions to its downhome menu. For example, it will soon highlight more soups, such as potato, broccoli and cheese, and vegetable. There will also be new autumnal pies, such as fried fruit pies and, of course, pumpkin pie.
“I just love a fall special!” Marlene said as we continued to swing.
In addition to its forthcoming fall menu, beginning Sept. 1, Countryside will feature a football-themed tailgate party platter giveaway each week. The platters come with wings, pulled pork, house-made kettle chips, coleslaw, beans and apple pie — valued at $49.99 and enough to feed eight to 10 people.
To get in on the action, be sure to enter your name into the hat each time you stop by Countryside. A new drawing for a party platter giveaway is held every Saturday.
“Football is a really big deal,” Marlene said.
And after this summer, autumn feels like a big deal, too. In the meantime, if you need me, I’ll be at Countryside, swinging my way to cooler weather.