Stuffed. That’s how I’m feeling right now. Managing Editor Taryn Chase, my daughter Anna, and I just got back from the new Fatz Cafe, which officially opens in Dublin near Exit 98 off I-81 (4586 Alexander Farm Road) on Monday. We were part of a preview dinner held on this windy, cold, and sometimes snowy evening in the New River Valley.

On the inside of Fatz (an appropriate name for how I feel), the temperature was warm and the food was delicious. We started out with some diet-busting cheese fries. Then Anna and Taryn both had the “World Famous Calabash Chicken,” while I had a steak and ribs combo. We finished up by splitting a giant bowl of peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream (pictured above).

Our server Anica (pictured below with Anna) was friendly and professional. The one flaw in the evening came when we were originally brought food meant for another table. I’ve never really understood the method of having someone other than your server bring food to the table, which is the system Fatz has in place. But that transgression was quickly remedied and the food we ordered quickly came to our table.

One interesting innovation that Fatz uses is an ESP System, in which a device is placed at your table and anytime you need your server’s attention you just hit a button and your server is buzzed. Anica was always attentive, so we never used the ESP System, but it’s good to know it’s there. Don’t you hate it when you’re ready for the check or you’ve just eaten some spicy food and you’re drink glass is completely empty and your server is nowhere to be found? Fatz has eliminated that problem with its use of the ESP System.

Fatz Cafe seats 168 guests and offers a full-service bar and a separate take-out entrance. The decor includes lots of well-framed black-and-white photos of the area.

We took some time to chat with Operating Partner Rob Keyes who said he is excited to be in the area. Rob came from a 5-year stint at another Fatz location. The company is now 20 years old, as the first Fatz Café opened in Spartanburg, S.C., in 1988. This is the first Fatz in Virginia.

For a boy from Alabama who likes some good food, Fatz was a tasty experience. At one point in the evening “Sweet Home Alabama” played over the speakers, so I always take that as a good sign. Oh, speaking of Alabama, the sweet tea isn’t nearly as sweet as the syrupy sweet tea I grew up with. Hey Fatz, dump some more sugar in that tea!

Beginning Monday the restaurant will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. If you visit, tell Anica (pronounced uh-NEE-ka) that the New River Voice says hello.

~ Tim W. Jackson is the Editor & Publisher of the New River Voice and likes to eat.