Dine in or take out at kid-friendly Guthrie's

IF YOU GO• Where: Guthrie's of Signal Mountain, 1235 Taft Highway• Phone: 423-886-4466• Hours: 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday• Price range: $4.29 for a chicken finger sandwich meal (with fries and drink) to $6.49 for a garden salad with grilled chicken. Chicken finger or wing platters and buckets range from $18.99 to $44.99• Website: www.guthrieschicken.com

photo The Grilled Chicken Pita combo at Guthrie's of Signal Mountain features a thick, 6-inch pita with hearty strips of grilled chicken, lettuce and the signature Guthrie's Sauce. It comes with a side, such as sweet potato fries, and a drink.

With only a handful of restaurants atop Signal Mountain, residents welcomed Guthrie's with open arms when it debuted three years ago.

I can't speak for the other locations in Ringgold and Trion, Ga., but Guthrie's of Signal Mountain has become quite popular, especially on Friday nights during football season. For home games, management provides a free meal to Signal Mountain High School varsity football players, whether they win or lose.

THE MENU

Known for its golden fried chicken fingers, the restaurant is also a popular go-to spot for wings, especially during tailgating season. A 40-piece platter sells for $30 and 60 pieces for $45.

The chicken finger meal packs includes five chicken fingers, fries, Texas toast, coleslaw, "Guthrie's Sauce" and a medium drink for $6.19. A snack box of three chicken fingers, fries, sauce and drink is $4.29. A Kids Meal includes two chicken fingers, fries, sauce, Oreo cookies and a drink box for $4.29.

Also among the selections are wings ($4.99 for five to $45 for 60) and a bucket of 25 chicken fingers ($19).

Customers wanting a lighter meal might try a grilled chicken sandwich or pita, or a garden salad with grilled (or fried) chicken, ranging from $5.99 to $6.49.

Desserts include slices of Reese's and Hershey pies for $2.99.

Soft drinks, iced tea, lemonade and coffee ($1.29 to $1.89) round out the menu.

Carry-out and drive-through services are offered at Guthrie's. In fact, 65 percent of the business is through the drive-through window, management said.

Customers who come in order at the cash register whether it's to eat in the restaurant or for takeout.

THE ORDER

I chose the Grilled Chicken Pita combo, which included a heaping serving of sweet potato fries, a 6-inch thick pita with hearty strips of grilled chicken, lettuce and the restaurant's own, and delicious, Guthrie's Sauce. I put the sauce on the pita as well as using it as a dipping sauce for the sweet potato fries. The meal came with a medium drink. I got iced tea with fresh lemon wedges. The price: $6.99 with tax. It was delicious and filling.

THE SERVICE

I got my meal to go, so my interaction with the staff was limited. But the woman who rang up my order was helpful and friendly.

THE SPACE

The 3,500-square-foot restaurant, located in a strip mall on Taft Highway across from Pruett's, is spacious enough to accommodate large groups. Tables are spaced out so that customers don't feel crowded.

The Eagle's Nest party room is available for groups with reservations.

Parking spaces are plentiful.

THE VERDICT

I will definitely go back to Guthrie's and most likely place my same order.

It's a good place to take children whether you eat in or take out, and it's super convenient for mountain residents to swing by and pick up something for dinner on their way home from work.

Contact Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6396.

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