Written By: Felecia Causey
Photos By: Felecia Causey
I recently visited Chandler’s Smokehouse Grill on Norman Bridge Road after seeing several videos with great reviews about their food. I love supporting locally owned restaurants especially those where family members work together so I was excited to finally try them. Every time I’d been on that side of town before, they were closed, so I made sure to plan my visit around their opening hours. I originally intended to grab just a couple of items, but when a place offers several of your favorite foods in one spot, you end up splurging. My family and I enjoy doing food reviews together when we can sit down for lunch, so I picked up enough for everyone to taste and share their thoughts.
I arrived a few minutes after opening. The restaurant appears to be in an old Hardee’s building, but it was clean and welcoming. I was greeted by a familiar face at the register, which was a nice surprise. You place your order first and pay once your food is ready. The gentleman at the register greeted every customer who walked in, which I appreciated. Since everything is cooked to order and because I had a large order it took about 27 minutes. They were just opening and already had a steady flow of customers, so the wait made sense. The cashier kept updating me, letting me know my food was almost ready.
I ordered a medium chef salad, a pulled pork sandwich, a cheeseburger all the way, a catfish plate with fries, and slices of both red velvet and key lime cake. Before I get into the taste, I have to highlight the portion sizes. Recently, I’ve visited several food trucks and restaurants where the prices don’t match the portions. Chandler’s is the complete opposite. For a little over $50, I received more than enough food, and it was worth every dime.
The chef salad was impressive. Too many places charge high prices for a bowl of mostly lettuce with a sprinkle of cheese and a few tomatoes. Chandler’s delivered a real salad loaded with fresh toppings and enough to share with three other people. Everything was fresh, crisp, and flavorful. It was easily one of the best restaurant salads I’ve had. If you love a hearty salad or want leftovers for the next day, this is a must‑order.
The pulled pork sandwich was another standout. The bread was extremely soft, and the meat was tender. I do wish I had asked for the BBQ sauce on the side, but the amount of meat on the sandwich was unbelievable. I was able to make two additional sandwiches from the leftovers. Both my son and I enjoyed it.
The cheeseburger I ordered all the way was really good. The bread was soft, and the burger was seasoned just right. I honestly didn’t want to share it with anyone in the house, but I had to. It reminded me of the burgers back home in the country simple, flavorful, and made just the way I like them.
The catfish plate came with four pieces of fish, fries, lemonade, and a slice of bread. I requested my toppings on the side, so everything was neatly separated. The catfish was crispy, fresh, and made from large filets definitely worth the price. My only complaint was the fries. They weren’t crispy. Next time, I’ll request crispy fries. The fish itself made up for it.
.jpeg)
Now, the cakes. Whoever baked these deserves a round of applause. The red velvet slice was moist, rich, and so good I didn’t want to share. The key lime cake didn’t stand a chance either. We don’t usually buy that flavor, but now I’m considering purchasing a whole cake for my household. The icing and texture made it clear these were not boxed cakes or store‑bought frosting. I’ve tried many bakeries and dessert spots, and these two slices easily rank in my top three desserts hands down. If you know someone who can beat them, let me know, because it’ll be tough.
Would I go back? Absolutely 100%. There are several items I want to try again and a few new ones I’m curious about. I definitely recommend Chandler’s Smokehouse Grill. A couple of small notes not deal breakers are that there’s a $2 fee for card payments, and I didn’t see soda options, only lemonade and tea. But overall, the food, portions, and service made the visit more than worth it.