Walking into Champy's is like stepping into a Southern Gothic novel, where the air is thick with the scent of fried chicken and the promise of culinary delight. This isn't just a restaurant; it's a sanctuary for those who worship at the altar of crispy, golden perfection.
The food? Oh, the food. It's the kind of meal that makes you want to write home to your mama, if only to gloat. The fried chicken is a masterpiece, and each bite a symphony of crunch and juiciness that could make a vegan reconsider their life choices. The sides, from the mac 'n' cheese to the fried green tomatoes, are not mere accompaniments but co-stars in this gastronomic blockbuster.
Service at Champy's is nothing short of miraculous. The staff moves with the precision of a well-rehearsed ballet, each member playing their part to perfection. They greet you with smiles that are as warm as the cornbread, and their attentiveness makes you feel like the most important person in the room. It's the kind of service that makes you wonder if they have a secret training camp hidden somewhere in the Smoky Mountains.
And then there's the atmosphere. Champy's has managed to bottle the essence of Southern hospitality and sprinkle it liberally throughout the place. The decor is a charming mix of rustic and quirky, with enough personality to make you feel like you're dining in a friend's home rather than a restaurant. It's the kind of place where time slows down, and you can savor not just your meal but the company you're with.
In a world where change often means losing the soul of what makes a place special, Champy's stands as a beacon of authenticity. It's a reminder that some things are worth preserving, like the art of frying chicken to perfection and the joy of sharing a meal with loved ones.
So, if you find yourself in Cleveland, TN, do yourself a favor and visit Champy's. It's not just a meal; it's an experience that will leave you with a full belly and a...
Read moreWe had ordered take-out chicken from the Cleveland location earlier in the year and didn't find it memorable. Nevertheless, it was lunch time and we were close by, so yesterday we decided to give them another try. We were seated right away. As soon as we sat down, a young lady comes to our table and informs us that our server is in the bathroom, and that she will take care of us until our server returned. A fairly unappetizing way to start our lunch, I thought. Nevertheless, we ordered drinks from the fill-in server, and scanned the menu. Fresh from her bathroom break, our regular server brought us our drinks and took our order. My wife said what I was thinking: "I hope she washed her hands", and frankly that is all we thought about the rest of the meal. My wife ordered the fried chicken salad with ranch dressing. I ordered the Mississippi Delta Hot Tamales (6 for $15) and an order of hushpuppies. The food arived quickly. My wife's salad had no dressing on it whatsoever, and none on the side. It took several attempts to flag down our server to retrieve the missing dressing. The tamales were good, not great. They actually did not have a lot of flavor one way or another. The hushpuppies were quite tasty. Once she was able to dress her salad, my wife said it was "fine". The atmosphere is family oriented. In fact the family sitting across from us evidently felt so comfortable that they allowed their son, who was in the 8-10 year old range, wander around the restaurant barefoot. Several staff members passed by their table on numerous occasions and had to see it, but did not appear to be bothered by it. As I said at the beginning, we've had the chicken, and it was average.There are several places locally that, in my opinion, have better chicken. If you're looking for a step up from KFC, this is your place. If you're looking for really good chicken,...
Read moreWell, I was on a business trip in Cleveland, TN, and the bosses said to meet them for dinner. I passed many buildings, but when I made the right at the light and went around the bend, I knew I had made it to my destination. The craziest, tallest, and strangest building I've ever seen. It took me a min to find the entrance, but I did find it. As I entered, the awesome decor continued. An old barn combined with a large selection of items perfectly placed to look strangely out of place, yet each item is a perfect fit. I approached a group of young ladies and was politely pointed in the right direction to meet up with my group. I tripped over a few steps as I was taking in the decor, which continued to change ever so drastically with each turn. I sat down and was shocked to see several customers with a 40-oz bottle in front of them at the bar. Then I noticed the 40-oz koozies hanging around the bar, apparently for the frequently returning customers. I decided to join my co-worker in a relaxing sip of bourbon. The waitress was quick, polite and her smile was never missing at any point thru out my visit. They were slightly packed yet oddly quiet with no loud conversations I usually find in this type of restaurant. We were never rushed to order or bothered with random questions from staff. At no time did I not enjoy the atmosphere of this restaurant. I enjoyed my drink and I greatly enjoyed the catfish plate I ordered. Fresh, hot and only took a few minutes from ordering to the plate being placed in front of me. I will be back to cleveland and I will return for another sip of bourbon and a catfish plate. It's different, it's intriguing and between the good food and the staff it's an experience worth...
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