This weekend I took two happy hostages with me on a quick seven hour trip up the road to Troy, Alabama. The reason: surprise birthday party for my best friend Latofia. I was suspicious that she had a clue about this long planned event, but as it turned it out she was clueless. She was completely surprised. Before my mother, my husband and I could celebrate with her and the rest of her family we had to kill a little time in Troy.

I did all the driving on the way into Troy on Saturday morning so I was in extra need of a nap. The only problem was I couldn’t get a decent snooze in. I rested between glimpses of that Discovery Channel show, River Monsters. After everyone had gotten a nap besides me it was time to go hunting for our late lunch. In order to make this short jaunt into Alabama like a real weekend sight see fest we had to dine at a place that wasn’t a chain. Our first pick, Sisters was closed, so we headed over to Mossy Grove Schoolhouse Restaurant.

We arrived around 3:45pm to discover an empty parking lot and a historic looking building right next to the cemetery. These two observations raised grave concerns (no pun intended) until we saw that the opening hours were from 5-9. We went back to the hotel, got ready for the evening and then headed back to Mossy Grove around 5:45pm. We were met with a completely different parking lot scenario this time around. The place was packed and it was obvious that this was a local favorite.

I don’t want to go into all the savory details about this place, but I do want to share a few key reviews from the three of us. (This is in case whoever is reading plans on making the trip.) Service was warm, friendly, attentive and prompt. The atmosphere is comfy, cozy and filled with antiques and photos in the various rooms of the old schoolhouse. The food is cheap, delicious and filling!!! Seriously! Before we could even make our drink orders we were given a plate of hush-puppies and great northern beans. Sadly, most of it went to waste because we’re not big lovers of hush-puppies and eating the beans wouldn’t have been good for anyone on the road trip back to Florida.

We did try the beans along with the sweet pepper relish atop of each table. When gas isn’t an issue I’d go back and eat more someday. My personal favorite is the fried dill pickles. Don’t eat or order these if you are on any type of medication for hypertension. Oooweee. They were salty, but delish!!! My taste-buds were in heaven. My entree was a porkchop with steamed veggies. It was good.

From dinner we proceeded to the beating the birthday chick to her surprise party. We arrived around 7:30pm to find a few of the family members getting the last minute details in place. My mom and I exchanged hugs, smiles and conversations with folks we