We sampled Proper for lunch one fine summer day. We were joined by our new team member, Max, and a couple of guests. It was a nice day, so we ate outside.
142 Waters Street
Boone, NC 28607
828-865-5000
Hours:
Mon -> Sat 11:00 am -> 9:30 pm
Sun Brunch 11:30 am ->3:00pm
Max: I was hesitant about a place described to me to serve “Soul food” (not to be confused with Seoul food) but I was pleasantly surprised.
I ordered a standard chick sandwich (Not the automatic) with a side of H.F. potato and an ice tea. The ice tea delivery was prompt and came in a Ball Mason jar with a slice of lemon. My meal took a little longer to arrive than I would have preferred but it was beautifully presented with a medium sized sliced tomato garnish. The sandwich bread was lightly toasted, flaky, and quite good. The chicken breast had been blackened, was very moist, and had a very small amount of an unknown white sauce on top. It was, as chicken sandwiches go, very good. The potatoes were hand cut and apparently fried. I’d claim that they were very good, if not a tad greasy, and came with homemade ketchup. The ketchup was flavorful and had a great texture
Ray: I had the meatloaf sandwich with a side of cucumbers & onions, and a cup of the Texas chili. The meatloaf came on a fresh kaiser roll with lettuce and tomatoes and a side of Proper’s very tasty homemade ketchup.
The meatloaf was quite good. It had no fillers I could detect. The meatloaf had just the right balance of meat and veggies in it, and a perfect amount of crust. The cukes and onions were likewise tasty, with just the right amount of bite from their vinegar dressing. This was all accompanied by a very nice glass of tea served in a mason jar.
Tom: I chose the $7.95 plate–in my case Catfish, with my sides being H.F. potatoes (home fried) and fried okra. I had hush puppies for the bread. Sweet tea, just right, washed it down.
The service was a bit slow (25-30 minutes), but worth it. Everything was fairly well cooked. The home fries were large, chunky, with skins and cooked perfectly. The okra seemed a bit tough but tasted good. The hush puppies were a perfect accompaniment for the fish, which may have been a tad on the dry side but otherwise fine.
How was the chili?
Ray: The chili consisted of lots (and I mean lots!) of chunks of stew-beef type meat in a great spicy tomato sauce in which I detected at least onions & garlic. No beans, but they are not necessary for this type of chili.
Tom: Overall it was a good meal that came in just under ten bucks with the drink included. The variety of different offerings that change through the week make it an interesting place to eat. This changing, eclectic menu seems a continuation of the tradition at Reid’s Café, the previous restaurant at this location.
Ray: The food was served on nice, simple china in large portions. The flatware was happily a cut above the tin-foil thin stuff most restaurants have in town. There are several outside tables under nice shade trees, along with a couple of tables on the porch. there are a few more tables, along with a cooler holding some delicious looking desserts.
The service was prompt, cheerful, and relaxed.
Max: As for my meal,this was, possibly, the best simple chicken sandwich I’d had in many years. For the price, this was a treat.
Ray: This is one of the best restaurants we have reviewed in Boone so far.
I will return again soon, perhaps during the supper hour to sample some the the enticing selections on the evening menu. I would not hesitate to recommend this restaurant to anyone, without reservation
Tom: And that’s good because I don’t think they take reservations!
Menu:
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