June 15, 2008 Jackson, TN

My stepfather Larry's truck was in Jackson, Tennessee at the truckstop, and I also thought it was likely that restaurants in Jackson wouldn't be as crowded as Memphis, even on Father's Day, so after church, we headed out I-40 into Jackson. Larry had wanted to try a diner called Gunther Toody's, named for a character on an old TV series called Car 54, Where Are You. I had eaten there in the past and found it to be really good, but, unfortunately, when we arrived there, we found it out of business, and had to make other plans. I knew about a new place called the Flatiron Grille, so we headed there, and found it to be incredibly good. The restaurant was dark, with modern art and furnishings, and the menu was diverse, ranging from relatively inexpensive sandwiches and burgers to expensive steaks and seafood. Larry and I chose burgers, while my mother chose an open-faced prime rib sandwich, and then, for dessert, we all chose slices of chocolate-caramel pie. We were extremely impressed with the food and service, and the restaurant's owner and chef both came over to our table to talk with us. Afterwards, Larry had to drive some that day, so we left him at his truck and headed back to Memphis.