Local restaurant owner helps Montgomery Whitewater roll out redesigned Eddy's menu
As of Thursday, the restaurant at Montgomery's home for world-class artificial river channel adventures will give customers new food through an entirely new "fast casual" concept — one that won't leave active guests stuck at a table.
"This place is so unique in what it's going to become," said Bob Parker, a 14-year owner in Montgomery's downtown restaurant scene. He was brought in as a consultant for Eddy's Restaurant.
"He's a great resource and has a lot of good insight," said Megan McKenzie, Montgomery Whitewater's chief marketing officer. "He understands the vision of what we're doing here."
McKenzie said the work at Eddy's is part of the effort to make Montgomery Whitewater a year-round facility, with things to do even when rafting and kayaking are off season.
Along with new flavors, Eddy's is changing the way guests order and eliminating seating requirements in both inside and outside dining areas. Guests will order, pay and then can sit wherever they want, for as long as you want — all without having to wait on a server.
The food is coming to you in roomy paper bowls that you can carry with you anywhere on Montgomery Whitewater's grounds. The bowls are disposable, and extra trash cans are being positioned around the grounds.
"I care about Montgomery, and I want this place to be successful," Parker said. "Montgomery deserves it, but we've got to support it."
The Advertiser was given a sneak peek at some of Eddy's new menu items this week:
Crispy Fresh Pork Skins
Cost: $6
Verdict: Fresh, light, crispy and flavorful. There's a world of difference between these and the bagged pork skins you may have eaten. They're available in classic or Cajun seasoning.
Pretzel Bites
Cost: $9
Verdict: These are warm, soft and fluffy, and not oversalted. They're served with your choice of a tangy beer cheese sauce (which we tried and liked) or spicy mustard.
Frito Chili Bowl
Cost: $10
Verdict: Basically, the "taco in a bag" concept, executed well. Enjoyed the house-made chili, which was layered over a bed of crunchy Fritos corn chips and topped with melted cheese.
Grilled Greek Chicken Wrap
Cost: $10
Verdict: Mediterranean flavors are rolled into a grilled Greek chicken wrap, with spring mix, feta cheese, tomatoes, red onion, Kalamata olives, and Greek dressing, all wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Asian Bowl
Cost: $12
Verdict: This is a returning menu item from Eddy's featuring a twist. Now you get a choice of grilled chicken or salmon. We tried the perfectly cooked salmon, served with fresh greens, edamame, carrots, cucumbers, and crispy wontons tossed in a light and refreshing Asian ginger dressing.
Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel Bites
Cost: $8
Verdict: Same warm, soft pretzel bites served earlier, but these are coated in cinnamon sugar and served with three dipping sauces: icing, caramel, and chocolate.
We also sampled a couple of their new seasonal cocktails:
Naughty or Spice
Ingredients: Fireball, triple sec, orange slice, cinnamon stick, shaken with ice and strained, with a ginger ale top.
Verdict: Served with an essential big ice ball, this is warm and soothing. It'll go well with the fire pit settings Montgomery Whitewater has.
Santarita
Ingredients: 1 oz. blended cranberry syrup, 2 oz white cranberry juice, 1 oz tripple sec, tequila, 1 oz sweetened lime juice.
Verdict: Served with ice and berries, this is refreshing, jolly and festive. Enjoy this beautiful drink with friends.
Eddy's holiday drink menu has a couple of others that we didn't sample, but you might want to try this season:
Grinch Apple Mule: Apple cinnamon mix, Everclear, splash of Agave, 1 lime squeezed, topped with ginger beer, with a cinnamon stick garnish.
Mrs. Clause: Orange and cranberry juice mix, triple sec, 1 cinnamon stick, vodka, splash of grenadine, and a splash of agave.
Montgomery Whitewater is at 1100 Maxwell Blvd. It is free to enter and walk around the grounds. Eddy's seasonal hours will be:
Monday and Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
How Eddy's will work now
The basic concept behind Montgomery Whitewater is movement — a steady flow of people riding the roaring rapids and walking through the facility's beautiful landscape.
When spring comes around, Parker said he's excited to see how the fast casual concept really takes off for Eddy's. "The spring is crazy for downtown, and this is part of the downtown ecosystem," he said.
It's currently the off season for rafting and kayaking, but that was in full swing when Eddy's opened with Montgomery Whitewater this past summer.
"I think that we did a great job on executing the menu," McKenzie said. "How people used this space was a little different than what we were set up for at the time."
At that time, Eddy's had a traditional restaurant setup. People had to come in, wait to get seen to a table, wait to order, wait for food to arrive, wait on a server to get refills on drinks, wait for the check, wait to pay, and finally wait for staff to get back with a receipt and maybe change, depending on how guests paid.
"I think we have to be honest and say that there were some long wait times," McKenzie said.
"You're literally trapped here," Parker said. "You see your friends and they're telling you that you have to go raft... But you have to wait for a check from your server."
More: 'He never says no': Dreamland's Bob Parker builds a reputation for giving
That's not a problem anymore. Starting Thursday when guests arrive at Eddy's, they'll go inside to where the front host stand was. That's where they'll order and pay for their food, before walking to the bar to get their drinks.
"We'll have a big menu on that wall behind them," McKenzie said.
Bring your phones. Give your number when you order, and you'll receive a text when the food is ready to come pick up.
Guests also have the option of ordering and paying for food and drinks at Eddy Out, the restaurant's outdoor bar. When you order there, that's where you'll pick your order up from.
"Eventually, we'll have a couple of other bars like that throughout the park," Parker said.
Working this way means all guests are welcome to sit wherever they want in Eddy's indoor or outdoor dining areas, whether or not they're actually eating. Under the old system, that wasn't allowed.
Or you can take your food — in disposable paper bowls — and immediately go wandering. You might want to take advantage of the firepit seating areas they've sprinkled around the grounds.
"We've got to be fast and efficient, so they can get out there and play or walk or do whatever they want," Parker said. "While they're here, lets entertain them. Let's get them something good to eat and drink."
It should be noted that Eddy's is still the official food provider for all guests in Montgomery Whitewater. No outside food is allowed. They also cater all special events held at Montgomery Whitewater.
"Anything we do on the menu can be translated into a buffet," Parker said of the new menu.
More: Ripple effect: Montgomery Whitewater expected to have $36M annual impact across region
Weekend holiday fun at night this month
Thursday, December 7, 14 & 21 — Tacky Sweater Trivia at Eddy’s: Thursday nights at Eddy’s starting at 7 p.m. All night beer and drink specials. Extra points awarded to the team with the tackiest sweaters and best holiday themed team name.
Friday, Dec. 8, 15 & 22 — Christmas Village: Starting at 5 p.m., children can make reindeer food, write (and mail) letters to Santa, create a variety of crafts in Santa’s workshop, play holiday themed “reindeer games” — and even experience the wonder of “snow” falling from the sky.
Saturday, Dec. 9 — The Inaugural Cousin Eddy’s 5k & Polar Plunge and Santa’s Whitewater Arrival!: Santa’s arrival was rescheduled from Dec. 1 to Dec. 9 due to weather. At 9 a.m. runners will warm up with a 5k race through the park, followed by a kids’ fun run at 10 a.m. and a refreshing dip in the lower pond during the Polar Plunge at 10:30 a.m.. Afterward, St. Nick himself will make a grand arrival by raft on the whitewater course, led by his rafting reindeer. Youngsters can join him for lunch and pictures at Eddy’s from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and participate in the Alabama Scenic River Trail’s River Explorers Free Instructional Course, a safe, on-land whitewater introductory course for children 6-12. The Christmas village will open at 10 a.m.
Saturday, Dec. 16 — Christmas Cookie Decorating with Santa: From 3–5 p.m. Santa will put on his apron for a creative afternoon of Christmas cookie decorating at Eddy’s. Outside, the holiday magic will be alive and well in the Christmas Village.
More from Eddy's new menu
There are several menu items we haven't tried yet, but you may want to:
House Made Chips with French Onion Dip, Spinach Artichoke and Pimento Cheese — $10: Crispy, golden chips paired with signature French onion dip, zesty spinach artichoke and creamy pimento cheese.
House Made Chili and Cheese Fries — $10: A bowl of house-made chili, topped with melted cheese and served over a bed of crispy fries.
Buffalo Wings (8 wings) — $12: Tossed in traditional buffalo or honey buffalo and served with blue cheese or ranch. Served with a side of fries.
Hummus Duo — $10: Smooth, creamy texture of classic and roasted red pepper hummus served with cucumbers and house-made tortilla chips.
Fried Chicken Sandwich — $12: Crispy fried chicken on a soft brioche bun with signature honey buffalo sauce and tangy pickles.
Cheeseburger — $12: A juicy 1/2 lb beef patty on a toasted brioche bun, topped with melted white and cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and all the fixings.
Chili Cheese Slaw Dogs — $12: Two beef hot dogs topped with house-made chili and slaw for a delightful balance of flavors and textures.
Fish Tacos — $12: Grilled or blackened fish on warm corn tortillas, topped with signature pico de gallo, creamy avocado sauce, and tangy lime crema.
Grilled Caesar Chicken Wrap — $10: It's classic Caesar salad on the go with grilled chicken, romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, croutons, and house-made Caesar dressing, all wrapped in a flour tortilla.
Kids Meals with side — Chicken fingers $8, kid burger $8, grilled cheese $6, hot dog $6
Sides — Fries, House Chips, Mac & Cheese, Fresh Seasonal Fruit, House Salad +$2
Desserts — S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookie $10, Key lime pie $7
Cobb Salad — $12: With grilled chicken, hard-boiled eggs, crispy bacon, crumbled cheese, diced onions, shredded carrots, and cucumbers, all tossed in a light and creamy dressing.
Greek Salad —$12: Flavors of the Mediterranean with grilled chicken on a bed of spring mix, crumbled feta cheese, juicy tomatoes, red onion, Kalamata olives, and tangy pepperoncini, all tossed in a Greek dressing.
Caesar Salad — $12: Romaine lettuce topped with grilled chicken, crunchy croutons and Parmesan cheese, all tossed in signature Caesar dressing.
Dressings — Caesar, Greek, blue cheese, buttermilk ranch, and honey mustard.
Note: You can add salmon to any salad for an additional $4.
Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Eddy's Restaurant menu goes fast casual at Montgomery Whitewater
