by Jackie Nunnery –
At Terrie’s Place, the first customers drove up almost as soon as the windows opened.
All regulars, they didn’t even have to place their order. In addition to knowing their names, owner Terrie Alderks remembered what they always have for lunch.
Terrie’s Place has built a loyal following by offering a menu of simply delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere. That she has such a loyal group of regulars is a testament to both her food and nurturing manner.
“I love food, but even more I love people and animals,” Alderks said.
Tucked behind another popular Kilmarnock hotspot, Stevie’s Ice Cream, the concession stand-style restaurant offers a varied, made-fresh-to-order menu, with burgers, tacos, quesadillas, crabcakes and southern favorites like chicken and waffles, and barbecue.
“I decided on a concession stand because when I saw a food truck, I thought, ‘you can eat there today, and they’ll be gone tomorrow.’ I wanted something more permanent. I wanted people to feel comfortable, that they knew you would be there, and you’re not going to run off,” said Alderks.
While the menu is varied, it rarely changes. “I don’t mess with what works,” she said.
Alderks does offer weekly specials. On the day I visited, specials included a mushroom swiss burger, gizzards and a fried bologna and cheese sandwich.
The standout items on the menu are the burgers, which are a “Best of the Rivah” favorite and often named after regular customers or those close to her. Sometimes they’re both.
With names like the Hanley Cheeseburger or the Kilmarnock Firehouse Burger, it’s Alderks’ way of paying tribute to those people special to her.
At Alderks’ suggestion, I tried Will’s Cheeseburger, named after her grandson. Made with a special blend of ground beef from Tri-Star Supermarket and topped with cheddar cheese and crispy fried pickles, this burger is more than enough to impress the most finicky burger lover. The pickles add a wonderful crunch—and just a kick of spice. The toasting of the hamburger bun keeps it from getting soggy and holds it all together.
If you’re in the mood for a burger but want a vegetarian option, Terrie’s Place also has a Beyond Beef Burger, which Alderks swears “you cannot tell the difference from real beef” and an Emma’s Veggie Burger.
The generously-sized crabcake sandwich is another popular item and a frequent “Best of the Rivah” winner. Although simple and straightforward, it is anything but plain. Moist and flaky, the simple ingredients, minus all the fillers, let the taste of the crab shine through.
Like all of the sandwiches and burgers on the menu, you can also get a combo, which includes, crinkle, sidewinder or waffle fries and a 24 oz. drink.
There’s also lighter fare for the hotter days that are sure to come. The Head’s Up Tossed Salad is a favorite of the stylists at that salon and features grilled chicken, cheese, cucumber and tomato. Alderks also serves a Salad Trio—chicken salad, egg salad and tuna salad (Terrie’s favorite)—that are made fresh.
Alderks also added a special touch to the children’s menu which includes chicken or fish tenders, mac & cheese bites, peanut butter and jelly sandwich and heart-shaped burgers, complete with heart-shaped buns.
Alderks also thinks a lot about her four-footed customers, who add to the casual, family-like atmosphere. “People love that they can bring their dogs and sit down to eat and they get to know each other through their dogs.” Alderks has a “dogs eat free policy” and on a recent visit, dog Jax ordered his favorite hotdog—cooked, not raw—and washed it down in a readily available water bowl.
Sharing the tight working space with Alderks is “cook and sidekick,” Tylynn Lewis. “We work really well as a team, we’re really in sync,” Alderks said. Lewis’ favorite item on the menu is the Couch Potato Burger, which has blue cheese in the burger and is topped with waffle fries and more melted blue cheese.
It’s not a regular menu item, but Alderks would never say no to a request. “We get some unusual ones, but if we have it, we’ll put it together for you.”
As a former pastry chef at The Tides Inn, Alderks, of course, also has desserts. She makes two types of cookies, chocolate chip and chocolate chip Oreo. I tried two different dark chocolate brownies. Both were moist, chocolaty and gooey, just how I like them. As if that wasn’t already enough, one also included bits of Reese’s peanut butter cups. It was the perfect end to the meal.
So join the regulars for lunch at Terrie’s Place and bring your whole family, including the dog. You’ll be glad you did and you might just become regulars too.
