It’s lunchtime on Lake Martin – where should we eat?  When I was growing up on Lake Martin, there weren’t many restaurants around the Lake, much less on the water.  Families had to pack their on provisions and make do.  You drove to the cabin, unpacked everything, and lived on ribbon sandwiches, chicken salad, hamburgers, and BBQ.

Today we have many places to eat, with more on the horizon.  I eat a lot of lunches around Lake Martin, so let me suggest four great lunch orders, in no particular order:

1.     Cotton’s BBQ – a couple of miles south of Kowaliga Bridge on highway 63.  In my humble opinion they have the best Q the closest to Lake Martin.  When I am really hungry I go for a double cheese with a BBQ sandwich and polish it off with a slice of egg custard pie.  Otherwise I go for the sandwich with fries.  I absolutely love good BBQ, but I detest bad BBQ.  Cotton’s passes every time.

2.     Oskar’s – when in Lake Martin’s Blue Creek area, it’s a great spot.  I have tried almost everything on the menu, it’s hard to go wrong here.  If I’m in a big hurry I do the lunch veggie special.  Also I love the catfish fillet sandwich – but I get it blackened – not fried, with no sauce and no onions.  Oskar’s is a rare find in that they actually know how to cook fish correctly – juicy and hot yet not overdone.  Lots of restaurants, most of which charge quadruple their prices, could learn from Oskar’s.

3.     Kowaliga – You can call it Sinclair’s on the Lake or Cecil’s at Kowaliga or whatever, but it will always be Kowaliga to me.  The name has changed over the years, but the best lunch order has not.  Order the same thing we have been getting since they were in that old building with the carpet hanging from the rafters.  Forgo the fancy stuff and order a plate of onion rings.  Wash it down with a cold beverage and soak in the ambiance.  If you’re really hungry get a burger.  The rings and the view are the best on Lake Martin.  You won’t be disappointed.  In the springtime they are only open for lunch Friday through Sunday, so you may want to call to make sure they are open.

4.  Chuck’s – another Blue Creek gem.  Your order?  What else?  Pizza.  It’s very good, even by city folks’ standards.  Great atmosphere, too.  They sometimes have a band there, and it’s perfect for people watching.  Tip – call ahead from your boat to place your order if you want to grab and go.
 
Bonus meal – it’s a couple of miles north of highway 280 in Alex City, but Sho’ Nuff BBQ is worth a look if you are in the area.  Order the Sho’ Nuff Baked Potato.  It sounds weird but trust me, it will hit the spot.

 Can you think of a great lunch meal that I have left out?  Leave a reply, and share it with everyone else, too!