Taste of Roswell: Greenwood's Restaurant

You could drive around looking for a place to eat until a restaurant sign draws you in. But we've got a better idea. Occassionally, Roswell Patch will pick a great restaurant either in town or nearby that is worth checking out. 

Here's this week's choice:

The facts

Greenwoods first opened on Green Street in historic Roswell during 1986. The restaurant serves southern-style food. They are located at 1087 Green Street, Roswell. The hours are Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday 11:30 a.m - 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Monday, Tuesday, Closed. Contact them at 770-992-5383 or by e-mailing info@greenwoodsongreenstreet.com.

The food

Known for its homestyle, southern cooking, Greenwood's small menu is chock full of mouthwatering favorites. Nevermind, new southern fusion, this is fresh, made daily, southern food that doesn't need to hide behind trends.

That's not to say the flavors are uninspired, boring or unoriginal. In fact, it's just the opposite.

Deliciously earthy combinations like the Pork Chops with sage butter** or the Rainbow Trout with lemon chive butter won't do your waistline any favors, but if you can forget about counting calories for just one meal, this is the place to do it. Of course, the Fried Chicken dipped in honey-pepper sauce, Pot Roast with gravy and Rotisserie Duck with plum sauce are classic choices as well.

Add a side of the famous Broccoli Casserole** and Cheese Grits** to your entree. Or, forget about the meat altogether and choose from a dozen "veggies" - if you can call grits or cole slaw vegetables.

The features

From the front, the nondescript brick house on Green Street is reminiscent of a home in the Florida Keys. With wild vegetation leaning out toward the street and brick-walled outdoor spaces, the restaurant has a natural, intimate air. But the traditional-meets-hippie-meets-rustic interior stretches the imagination beyond any preconceived expectations.

Peace signs and concert posters are juxaposed to the feeling of stopping by a old southern relative's house for dinner.

Most surprisingly, however, is the building itself. One part traditional brick home, the other an old cabin which looks as if Laura Ingalls might have lived there. Almost as if it slammed up against the original home in "Wizard of Oz" like fashion, owner Bill Greenwood has added a preserved 1790s log cabin as a built-on. The history of over 200 years practically oozes from the dark wood slats and bookend fireplaces.

This is not a case of identity crisis, however. Greenwood's seems perfectly at home with being a little bit old-fashioned southern charm and a little bit Deadhead hippie. It's a place where grandma, suburbanite, hipster and foodie can coexist. Heck, they might even sit down at a table and enjoy a glass of sweet tea together.

The claim to fame

While many rave over different aspects of Greenwood's, the restaurant is particularly famous for three things: giant portions, homemade pies and meticulously prepared fried chicken. In fact, the menu even cautions you'll need to wait at least 30 minutes for the made-to-order fried chicken.

The sky-high pies are also well-known throughout the metro area and often pre-ordered as a sweet addition to dinner parties.

**Recommended by Roswel Patch Editor Christine Foster.