Dot's Place
photograph by John Anderson The overflowing parking lot and legion of pick-ups parked up and down both sides of Orchard Lane at 11am every weekday are the first tip that something wonderful is happening in the kitchen at Dot's Place. Working men and women make convivial conversation as they patiently wait for their turn at the cafeteria line that spans one end of the restaurant. Most everybody is a regular, and many of them eat at Dot's more than once a week. Why not, when a meal and two vegetables with a roll or cornbread will only set you back $5? It's not just the price, though. I'm convinced the crowds would make the trek out to Dot's even if the prices were higher. This is Southern homestyle comfort food as an art form, and it just doesn't get any more comforting than this.