Cajun shrimp, hot browns and rusty dippers: My list of favorite local dishes expands

make no excuses for my love of good food, and I try as much as possible to get out in the Rome community and eat at different places.

I’ll eat pretty much anywhere. I am just as comfortable in a little hole-in-the-wall mom and pop diner as I am in a fast food restaurant or in a fancy-schmancy establishment. Although, truth be told, I try to avoid anywhere I need to dress up to go to. I’m all about enjoying my meal while being comfortable, and those who know me will tell you that I’m most comfortable in shorts and a T-shirt, wearing flip flops or my camo crocks. But I digress. This column is another installment of my favorite foods in Rome and Floyd County. From time to time I’ll list some of the dishes and delicacies all over town that I think are worth mentioning.

These are in no particular order and I’m always adding new places and food items as I sample them in and around Rome.

Shack Potato at Shane’s Rib shack — this is one of my go-to lunch items. It’s a big ole baked potato, but they put barbecue chicken or pork on top. So you get your carbs and your protein in one place. It’s so tasty and filling. I get a side of jalapenos and a cup of their peach tea and I’m in heaven. If I want to deviate from the shack potato every once in a while, I’ll get the grilled chicken tenders tossed in Buff-a-Q sauce with a side of sweet potato fries. The fact that the tenders are grilled and since sweet potatoes are a super food, it makes me delude myself into thinking I’m eating healthy. Don’t spoil it for me by telling me otherwise.

Hot Brown at Chick-fil-A Dwarf House with a side of baked beans and slaw. I also recommend trying their pork rinds with your meal.

Kabob plate at Jerusalem Grill — I really like this restaurant and I’m always finding something new I like there. I used to eat the kofta a lot, which is sort a meatball made with minced beef and lamb and spices. I also really like their kabob plates. The chicken kabobs are so good — you get several pieces of flavorful meat and a couple skewers of veggies on a bed of rice. It also comes with a little salad and some of their flat bread. Even if you’re a little hesitant about Middle Eastern food, I encourage you to give this dish a shot and see if you’re not convinced.

Chicken Rice Bowl at Bojangles — It’s always Bo-time as far as I’m concerned. Whenever I go for lunch I always get the chicken rice bowl. It’s a mixture of their flavorful rice and beans and includes cubes of grilled chicken. It’s filling and delicious. It comes with melted cheese on top but I ask them to hold the cheese. And I like to throw a little hot sauce on there for good measure.

Chicken soup at El Zarape — This is a mainstay on my Rome food list because it’s so good. I ask for no rice in my soup because I don’t like the mushy texture when you get to the bottom of the bowl, but if you like rice in your soup then have at it. The broth is so dang flavorful with onions, tomatoes, avocados and cilantro gracing your bowl.

Cajun Shrimp Salad at Rome City Brewing Co. — If you’re trying to get that beach bod and want something that feels a little lighter but still has a bunch of flavor, try this salad. The shrimp is so delicious with its Cajun seasoning and it comes on a bed of lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, red cabbage and topped with (I think) Parmesan cheese. It’s so good but you feel like you’re eating healthy. Pair it with one of the Brewing Company’s local beers and have yourself a great evening. SEVERO AVILA