American Pie pleases taste buds, lacks television

A trip to an authentic pizza parlor near Bainbridge would seem impossible, especially with the sparse amount of good dining in the area. But, if you want to taste what real pizza tastes like, you've got to try American Pie Pizza.If you don't have time to wait on lunch, you can always call it in. I'd come inside to pick it up though, because the drive-in window isn't big enough to get a pizza box through, which means they have to turn the box sideways (which makes the hot cheese run to one side).Besides the humor of not having a window big enough for pizza boxes, American Pie is a great place to eat.

They also have menu that includes pastas, salads, hot wings, sandwiches and you guessed it, pizza. You can order it by the slice or by the pizza. Their 28-inch extra large pizza would be great for a Super Bowl party, or just having a good time with friends. The pizza is the best in Bainbridge and it's the only place you can get a pizza so big you could float on it down the river.

I had two slices of pepperoni that were hot out of the oven and dripping with melted cheese and covered in pepperoni. Each slice is so large that it takes up an entire plate by itself.

My lunch partner had the breadsticks and a drink for under $4. There were so many breadsticks that it took two plates to get them on. He said they were covered in garlic and butter and were full of flavor.

Not only is the food good, but the employees at American Pie are friendly, and usually good-looking. So, even if the food wasn't spectacular, which it is, then it'd still be worth going there to eat.

There are TVs in American Pie, but they aren't hooked up to any cable or anything, there just there. So, don't go there for the big game, or any game for that matter. Unless it's in the parking lot outside, you won't be able to watch it.

And Since they serve beer, you could always get hammered on your lunch break. But, I wouldn't recommend it with jobs being hard to come by these days.


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The Landing serves good food, good drinks and a good time

Wednesday nights at the landing there are $2 10-wing baskets and $5 pitchers of beer. But, I know what you're thinking? "The Landing serves food?" The answer is yes, and it is actually delicious. I would've never thought a bar would serve good food, but the hot wings are excellent. I'd say they are better than any wings in Bainbridge, and rival some of the best I've ever tasted.

Now I know you're thinking, he must've drank too many of those $5 pitchers and got tanked so anything would've tasted great. That my friend is incorrect. I did have a few mugs of beer, which were served in a frosty mug, but I did not get "tanked."

After the wings I even ordered curly fries thinking they could've just gotten lucky and had one good thing on the menu. But the curly fries were good too, especially with the ranch dressing that comes with the wings. You'll have to ask for it with the fries, but the friendly waitresses/barmaids will glady bring it out to you.

Some might think The Landing is kind of a sketchy hang out because of the recent bottle busting which went down there. But on Wednesday nights it's just a laid-back restaurant that happens to serve $5 pitchers. Of course there's always the one guy so hammered he can't stand up because he is staying at the hotel that night. But, hey, at least he's not driving.

So if you want a good place for a quick bite to eat, and maybe a cold beverage, the Landing is the place to be. It's located at the bar inside the Charter House Inn on Tallahassee Highway.

If you're really looking for a good time come on the weekends for karoke until 12 when the whole town shuts down. Then you'll have to go to Pud's to get your kicks.


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Betty's serves cheeseburgers, sweet tea and good service

Betty's Cafeteria in Bainbridge has a buffet every lunch and breakfast Monday through Friday and you'll probably never enter the place without most of the tables being filled. There's even quite a few folks you'll see every day, rain or shine.

It may be because of Miss Betty's down-home recipes or because the service is always great, but Betty's Cafeteria in West Bainbridge has been filling tables and glasses of tea for over 20 years.

I had a bacon cheeseburger because there was nothing on the buffet which I particularly cared for, but usually the buffet is the way to go.

You can get the cheeseburger alone but it is definitely better with the freshly cut fries piled high on your plate. There probably isn't anything healty to eat at Betty's, but that's why it's so good.

My burger was just off the skillet and the cheese was still melting off of the burger and toasted bun when it arrived at my table. It was so big and juicy that I thought I was going to have to change clothes before I finished it. But, I did manage to keep the excess on the table and not in my lap and only used about three rolls of napkins to stay clean.

As soon as your beverage has been touched at Betty's you can guarantee someone is going to ask you if you need a refill. That's just the way the service is at Betty's.

Fridays are usually fried catfish days and Shepard's Pie usually makes it on the line once a week as well. If you've never had any of the pie, it's something to write home about. Because you'll be staying for seconds and maybe thirds.

Next time I can give 2,000 calories to breakfast, I'll write about how good it is as well.


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