Fri, March 29, 2024

Real Restaurant Review: Doc’s Porchside Transformation

Editor’s Note: Wes Hennings never met a meal he walked away from and is an opinionated eater! Each Monday he shares the results of a business lunch he’s had with a colleague as a way to advise our business community on the good, bad and the tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let ABD or the restaurant know where he is going and his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he visits on a 1-5 scale with “5” being outstanding. We call this our “Real Business Lunch Review”.

Food Quality: 4.5
Service: 4
Business Meeting: 4
Value: 4
Combined Score: 4.125 of 5

Doc’s Porchside, Washington Road

The changes to the establishment may be minor cosmetics, but the former Wild Wing locations in Augusta and Grovetown just got a major flavor renovation. Doc’s Porchside is one of the newest dining locations in town, and I think you’ll want to visit to give this one a warm welcome.

eoy CAMPAIGN HEADER

ABD has done some great reporting on the business changes to these two locations as they transition from a regional franchise to locally-owned eateries, but we all know the true test is the taste test. So let’s get into it!

The first thing you’ll notice is that while almost everything on the  inside looks the same (with just a few paint color changes), the menu is drastically different. Wings went from the main feature, to three lines on the last page. Southern dishes are now the highlight from shrimp and grits to redneck eggrolls, and those eggrolls are a can’t miss. (See Main Photo above)

I met two colleagues for lunch and we all agreed that these were the best part of the meal: pulled pork and pimento cheese in a deep fried roll. Yes please.

From there, we split into different sections of the menu, grabbing an order of wings, a burnt pork ends sandwich, and a Mason-Dixon burger. The burnt ends are also served over a bed of grits if you prefer that to shrimp. While the review on the wings were a “just ok,” the sandwiches got the highest marks, meaning we can’t quite hit the top score (but almost).

Mason Dixon Burger

The Mason-Dixon burger is one of the best I’ve had in town, topped with pimento cheese and a fried green tomato. But I have to say that the super crispy waffle sweet potato fries actually stole the show on this plate. The thing they were lacking was a better dip than ketchup. We also attempted the Alabama white sauce, and found it a bit lacking.

If you are looking for a reboot of Wild Wing, you are going to be disappointed. But I was always disappointed with the lackluster options and flavors of the former tenant, so this change to me is much welcomed.

Overall, this continues to be a large establishment that’s a good place for a casual to mid-range business lunch. The prices are about what you’d expect for this kind of fare – big burgers and an assorted array of entrees, but it’s still hard for me to pay $15-$20 for lunch, even if it is becoming more common.

There’s much of the menu left unexplored by this foodie, so a return visit is definitely in store, and I hope it is for you as well. My recommendation? Pull up a chair at Doc’s Porchside.

Doc’s Porchside
3035 Washington Road, Augusta
5147 Bluegrass Trail, Grovetown
docsporchside.com

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