Fairhope, Alabama, is a charming town in South Alabama. It’s a growing area on the Eastern Shore and a popular tourist destination. Southern cuisine, as well as seafood, are celebrated in this part of our great state.

There are high-end restaurants with white tablecloths that are perfect for special occasions, but there are also no-frills places serving some sho’ nuff good food. These are the spots where the locals go every day, trying their hardest not to let tourists discover these well-kept secrets.

We Southerners visit these places to reconnect with our roots and enjoy those nostalgic dishes we grew up with. When I was a little girl, I learned from my Mama to say “yes, ma’am” and “no, sir,” “please” and “thank you.” I learned that to show respect, we called women “Miss” and men “Mister,” whether they were dressed in their Sunday best or working in their overalls on the farm.

Well, this past Monday night in Fairhope, Alabama, Cavin and I stumbled upon a little gem of a restaurant that truly deserves all due respect. This little farmhouse restaurant is called “Mr. Spud’s” and the term “Mister” is not just a formality – it’s a title that’s earned.

A friend had mentioned this place a few weeks ago. I tucked it away in my memory but didn’t think much about it until Cavin and I found ourselves in Fairhope at supper time. A quick search for restaurants led us straight to Mr. Spud’s and I could almost hear my friend’s voice saying, “Just give it a try!” We were only three miles away and had nothing to lose. We were about to meet Mr. Spud’s!

It was a rainy night, and the parking lot was full of cars and mud puddles. There was nothing special about the exterior of the restaurant. In fact, if I hadn’t had a personal recommendation, I might have talked myself out of entering through the nondescript door on the side of the building. But I’m so glad I didn’t!

Inside, the restaurant had a cozy, diner-meets-farmhouse vibe. Any reservations we had before entering were quickly dispelled as we were greeted with smiles and welcoming faces. The workers were dripping with Southern kindness and seemed to genuinely want us to love the restaurant. It felt as though we were being welcomed by friends we just hadn’t met yet! When we asked about the menu items, we were told, “It’s all good. You’re going to like anything you order.” It wasn’t a sales pitch – just the most genuine and honest answer that could be given.  I knew we were in the right place!

The menu was full of unique Southern selections – things like “Fried Green Beans,” “Uncle Ed’s Pork Chop Platter,” and “Maudine’s Country Fried Steak and Gravy.” After some deliberation, I ordered the “Prime Rib Loaded Stuffed Potato,” and Cavin opted for the “Signature Chicken Tenderloin Strips.” We both knew the best part of dining together would be sampling each other’s meals, something we’ve both come to love about marriage – no need to ask, just swap plates!

Before the main meal arrived, we were served complimentary homemade potato soup along with rolls topped with softened butter. That was just another thing that made me love this restaurant, and I hadn’t even gotten to the main course! On this rainy Monday night, a cup of warm homemade soup really hit the spot. And that butter on the roll… ooh la la! It’s the simple things in life.

Once we finished our soup, our meals were delivered with hardly any wait. The fried chicken tenderloins were homemade and delicious. They were perfectly battered and fried to perfection—crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The hush puppies were the best we’d eaten in years. The baked potato was overflowing with tender prime rib and topped with melted Swiss cheese, with peppers and onions on the side, just as I’d requested. The butter and sour cream really set it off.

We were full, but no Southern meal is complete without dessert. After hearing about the options, we chose the chocolate cake. It came with two forks to share. The cake was rich, moist, and delightfully chocolatey – the perfect end to the meal.

This was our first visit to Mr. Spud’s, but it certainly won’t be the last. We’re already looking forward to our next trip to Fairhope and a stop to visit our newfound friends!

Sampling the South…it’s the simple things!