FATZ

I avoid chains as much as possible but when the local place I wanted to go to turned out to be out of business, I decided to stop here.  The best part of the dinner was that the waitress sat down and had a chit chat with me (after refilling my sweet tea and getting my food of course).  She took the time to give me great recommendations, told me places and things to do, and just welcomed me.  I loved it!

At her recommendation, I ordered several appetizers instead of a meal so I could try the best of the southern dishes.  I started with fried green tomatoes. Theres are served over grits and sprinkled with cheese. I hate to admit it, but these were a southern delicacy I could do without.  Even though the fried green tomatoes were a let down, the famous callabash chicken strips and that SAUCE, damn that SAUCE, were a delight. My favorite item included the Cajun Firecracker Sticks. Mmmm mmm mmm. Fresh, spicy shrimp, Andouille sausage, seared onions and peppers, spinach and melted jalapeño jack cheese rolled in tomato-basil tortillas. Crisp, fried to order and served with FATZ Onyum Sauce and spicy ranch.

This is your typical American food restaurant, like Applebee's or Outback, but I guess it's a southern chain and I did enjoy it.  I'd return for those firecracker sticks for sure!

Update 8/2/2013
My wife and I revisited this Fatz again for date night out. The improvements were astonishing. We were greeted at the door by friendly staff and seated promptly. Our waitress was super friendly, knowledgeable, and very attentive. The food was prepared to our satisfaction and the peach cobbler was outstanding.  Looks like management fulfilled their promise of change. I hope they keep up the good work.

This place reminds me of an Applebee's, but tastes so much better. Their cinnamon butter rolls, which are brought out before the meal, are absolutely delicious. I've never had a bad meal, and each time I bit into my food, the sounds "mmmmmm hmmmm" oozed out of me. The staff was incredibly friendly and snappy with your requests. If you're in the area, stop by... There's not much else in Rockingham to choose from