Peck's Flame-Broiled Chicken Worth the Trip

While driving through Riverview the other day, my wife and I stopped in to a little place called Peck's Flame-Broiled Chicken for a quick bite.

I was pretty surprised at what I thought was going to be a less-than-memorable lunch outing. From the outside, it looks like any standard country mom and pop place where you can expect okra, greens and barbecue.

We parked in a spot with a sign painted on the parking curb that read: GET PECK'D, so my imagination is running wild at this point and I'm expecting something from a scene cut out of the movie, "Porky's", but we found so much more.

The actual address is 8203 U.S. 301 S. in Riverview, and if that's too much to remember, go to the Alafia River on U.S. 301 and look right.

As we entered through the side door, we were immediatelyengulfed by a wonderful grill smell. I turned to the right and saw a nice and clean open-pit grill with a cook grilling up some chicken quarters. I looked in and saw it to be a very clean area with no buildup of old sauces creeping around the edges--very important.

Above the open window was a small sign that read: "If the food is not the way you want it, let us make it right. You get what you pay for." I have only seen a couple of tiny restaurants with a mantra like this and they are all successful with solid followers.

I looked around and expected it to be a little less orderly but was pleasantly surprised. We walked up to the counter and met a young lady named Melissa--very personable with a quaint sort of charm and a good sense of humor. She knew we had never been there before so she pretty much walked us through procedures.

The menu had more of a Greek flair than a country thing but, after I went though the pitas, Greek salads and gyros, I found the okra and collard greens on the side section. They did have stuffed grape leaves and spanakopita right next to the barbecue ribs and I couldn't help but smirk a touch. I ordered the gyro platter with cole slaw and tzatziki sauce while my wife ordered the Greek salad with chicken. We ordered two small drinks and we got what would be called a large cup in most restaurants.

Melissa told us to help ourselves and the refills were free so, "make sure you fill up on your way out the door; it'll be too hot to go thirsty out there today"--very hospitable.

When the food arrived, I was taken back at how huge the two meals were. My gyro was overflowing with meat and fresh vegetables with the tzatziki on the side while my wife's was big enough that she ate the salad and took the two pieces of chicken home along with half of my lunch.

My gyro meat was a tad overcooked for my taste but was very flavorful, and the onions, lettuce and tomatos must have picked from the garden that morning.

My wife's salad was excellent with plenty of Feta cheese.

If you have been following the Patch for any length of time, you know how much I like cole slaw and I use it to comparison shop at every chance I get. This was not to be the exception. However, this was not like any cole slaw I have ever eaten as there was a good amount of horseradish in with the cabbage along with very little mayonnaise. I thought it peculiar as I sampled it and felt compelled to keep going back for more. It had the same effect on me that rum-raisin ice cream has; it's not my favorite flavor but I can't seem to put it down. Strange, interesting and delicious--I think?

While we sat there eating, there were so many people coming in to eat and I was impressed at how this small crew handled the crowd. It was a diverse crowd, to say the least, with families coming in as well as a group of businessmen and a crew from a local construction site, not to mention the stragglers. Everyone knew the menu so it was easy to tell they were regulars. I'd give this place 3 1/2 stars if for nothing else but its confusing Greek and country menu and country decor, not to mention the great food.  I'll be back.

1 Star--Wouldn't go back on a bet

2 Star--Would have to go back, but only on a bet

3 Star--If I was in the neighborhood and hungry

4 Star--Would go out of my way even if I wasn't hungry

5 Star--Would make reservations and wait in a line