Shortfield's opens in downtown Travelers Rest

Two thumbs up for Shortfield's, a new restaurant and sports bar that recently opened at 24 S.  Main Street, Travelers Rest.  After two trips to try out their menu, I can say that this will be one of my regular haunts for lunch and dinner.  And it's close(ish) to home. (Always a plus.)   And has something on the menu for everyone.

During the first swing through I tried the White Wings (Jalepeno Pepper Slice with Pepper Jack Cheese Wrapped in Chicken, Wrapped in Applewood Smoked Bacon).  Let me rephrase: I wolfed down the White Wings.  These things are dangerously savory, delicious! (Great for a party, by the way.)

I also tried the K.C. Wings (mini pork shank, fried and tossed in Bourbon BBQ sauce).  Have you ever heard of such a thing?  They were tender and amazingly flavorful.

You are quickly realizing that I had the all meat platter during my first round there, aren't you? I also tried their crabcakes.  LOVELY crabcakes.  Tons of crab, nicely seasoned, a little crispy on the outside with a roasted corn and a cajun aioli.  Chef Ken Frashier, who came from the Cliff's, is cooking up quite a nice menu of affordable lunch offerings, then kicks it up a notch with dinnertime offerings including Carolina Mountain Trout, Shrimp and Grits, Lobster Cake, and several nice looking cuts of steak and pork.  And I can't NOT mention they have Chicken and Waffles.  Mercy!

For the second trip, I rallied my Bible Study Girls, who were more than happy to help me sample the menu.  We ordered an Onion and Mushroom Flatbread Pizza, Crabcakes (again!), the Roasted Beet Salad, Chicken Fingers and Fries (for our little munchkin member), Wedge Salad, and the Fruit Nachos, which were the star of lunch.  We shared all of the plates, but everyone at the table couldn't get enough of the giant plate of corn tortillas, chicken, cheese, lettuce, jalapenos, sour cream, guacamole, fruit and pico de gallo.

As everyone sat back rubbing their bellies, a surprise arrived at our table. Owner, Cory Satterfield, sent over a dessert sampler.  He didn't want us to leave without trying their sweet offerings.  His mother-in-law makes many of the desserts on the menu, and they sell out fast.

Leave room after your meal at Shortfield's for one of these tasty treats: homemade pound cake with blueberry sauce, brownies, peanut butter pie or silky and rich cheesecake.  Our fave?  The peanut butter pie.  Oh, heavens!

I'm happy to see so many new things going on in my hometown of Travelers Rest, and it thrills me to have new dining options that will please even the pickiest eaters in my extended family.  Make sure you go check this place out, folks, and tell them you heard about them from Gap Creek Gourmet.

Cheers!