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Published: Monday, Jul. 26, 2010 / Updated: Monday, Jul. 26, 2010 06:25 PM

Clover Grill soars, and that’s no phoney baloney

CLOVER -- 

Now I understand.

I’ve always wondered what all the hullabaloo was over fried bologna sandwiches. Sure, I’ve had bologna, but I’ve never bothered to fry it, let alone order it in a restaurant.

When friends and I went out to lunch recently at the Clover Grill in Food Lion Shopping Center on Bethel Street, I decided to give it a go. I am so glad I did.

The fried bologna sandwich with mustard (though you can get whatever you want on it) wasn’t the ordinary, blah bologna I’ve had from a package picked up at the grocery store. It was a thick cut of bologna, lightly fried but not too greasy, served between two big slices of lightly toasted bread. I ordered it as a basket with french fries, which were cut large and weren’t greasy either. For $2.95 for the sandwich, plus $1.50 for the fries, I was stuffed all day. In fact, I forgot to eat dinner that night I was so full.

My friends said the same thing. Mind you, we also ordered an appetizer of jalapeno fried pickles ($3.59) that we split three ways and still had a couple left over that we ate after they cooled down. Everything we ordered came out quickly and piping hot.

Our friendly server told us the burgers are the bomb. So my friends didn’t hesitate to order the jalapeno chili burger ($4.29) and the large 6-ounce burger ($3.50), making their meal a basket, too, with fries for $1.50 more. They could have doubled the meat for the same price. The burgers were thick and juicy. Both said they were excellent.

In fact, even a huge Fort Mill fan sitting among all the “Go Blue” — with a photo of the Clover High football stadium and the cook wearing a Blue Eagles baseball cap — admitted he’s now a fan of Clover. Well, Clover Grill, at least.

Clover Grill is very clean with white walls and blue border trim with several tables and lots of diners coming and going. We talked about what a great spot this would be before a game, especially since the service is quick, and you can call in an order to go.

The menu offers everything from little burgers to bacon cheddar burgers, sandwiches including ribeye, chicken, club, barbecue, fish and stacked ham, to hot dogs and plates, as well as appetizers, salads and a children’s and senior citizen menu. Prices range from $1.49 for a little burger to an 8-ounce ribeye steak plate with fries, Texas toast and slaw for $9.95. Clover Grill also serves daily specials.

The other cool treats at Clover Grill are the ice cream and desserts, like cheesecake and apple pie with ice cream. Our server said the ice cream is Breyers, so we couldn’t go back out into summer’s heat without each ordering a milkshake to go.

The shakes are hand-churned, ice cream-parlor style. Mine was very chocolaty, the way I like it. I also liked the straw with a spoon on the end. Nice touch.

Clover Grill is everything hometown and down-home. It definitely soars to the top of our dining options list, and that’s no phoney baloney.

Catherine Muccigrosso, Lake Wylie Pilot editor

Location: 837 Bethel St., Clover

Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday

Phone: 803-222-8990

Ambiance: Hometown proud diner