The Pines of Alleghany

Found The Pines of Alleghany through a Yelp search during a drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Kitchy atmosphere, sweet and attentive staff, basic but super-budget-friendly menu, and clean bathrooms.  Stopped for an early lunch at 11am and learned that their popular lunch buffet for just $6.99 was about to be presented:  all you can eat fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, baked apples, cabbage, and salisbury steak, plus your choice of hush puppies or corn bread.  .  We figured heck - how could we turn down that many possibilities for just $6.99?  (Oh, and we added the salad bar for just a $1.00 more).   Honestly, I expected to pay the $6.99 for the entertainment value of the buffet, not the quality of food, but was surprised and delighted by how absolutely tasty everything was.  We had to physically restrain ourselves from going back to the buffet more than three times for fear we'd lapse into a blissful food coma and not be able to complete the drive.  The Pines of Alleghany - we are still thinking about your fried chicken.  Mmmm....

We were in Sparta on Sunday and were looking for a restaurant for lunch.  The Pines of Sparta was the only choice other than Hardees that we found to be open. Maybe there was a Mexican one too. The parking lot had a number of cars, so we decided to stop. The Pines has evidently been here for quite a while with litte "deep cleaning," updates, or renovations. We were greeted pleasantly and seated in a comfortable booth. The Pines seems to be the restaurant of choice for after church dining, and there were many senior citizens and families enjoying their meals.  Hubby had Calabash style shrimp, and I had hamburger steak w/mushroom gravy.  There were many sides offered and a fresh-looking salad bar too. We enjoyed our meal.

Stopped here for Sunday breakfast and was wowed by the ubber friendly staff at this restaurant that clearly has no competition....it's in the middle of nowhere! we had a party of 9 and got seated in a private room in the back.  The menu is standard southern with grits, biscuits and gravy galore.  Biscuits are to die for.  High points are crazy nice staff, super fast service, and reasonable prices.  The place could use a solid cleaning but it's absolutely worth the stop.