Lunch Break

Sampling dishes and diners in and around Miami County 

A Pep in My Step 

Although I didn’t quite make it out for my lunch break this week, I did stumble upon a delightful dinner with friends. Troy is home to quite a few upbeat and fun places to grab a bite to eat after work, but this was the first time I had a chance to try the delicious and cute downtown bar and grille, Mojo’s. 

The atmosphere at Mojo’s is inviting to a group of girls fresh out of their daily 9-to-5. The ambiance is reminiscent of an episode of “How I Met Your Mother,” and the cocktail menu has exciting concoctions for the girls, such as the “Pink Pony Club.” That being said, after a long day, I was more starved than parched. The Mojo’s menu has many exciting options. There seems to be no real theme either. You can choose anything from quesadillas and nachos to beer cheese and Reubens. I am a certified Reuben lover, but something about the affordability and summery tone of the shrimp basket caught my eye and eventually won my heart. 

The shrimp basket was delicious, with notably fresh and crispy French fries. The shrimp was the perfect balance of chewy, soft, flavorful, and filling. Both would’ve been delicious on their own when paired with the creamy coleslaw and cocktail sauce, but I’m just a ranch kind of girl. So, when I ordered a side of ranch, I decided I might as well try the house-made peppercorn version. This dipping sauce was incredible. I would go back to Mojo’s just to order a salad for the ranch. It was heavy on the pepper, but in the best way.  I’m a ranch and French fry lover until I die. However, the star of the table happened to be my friend’s beer cheese-loaded fries. All five people at our table snuck a bite or two of the delicious appetizer. The warm and salty beer cheese topped with sour cream, pico, and bacon was unmatched by even my delicious shrimp basket. I’m not sure how even a fraction of those fries made it into a to-go box, but I am sure that we were warded off like vultures as it descended into the Styrofoam. Everyone said at least once, “I’m definitely ordering those next time.” 

There definitely will be a next time. Not only are the fries still heavy on my mind, but the friendly atmosphere and our kind and bubbly waitress, Savanah, made going out to dinner in one town over an exciting and rewarding activity. So, when I’m in the mood for the best ranch I’ve ever tasted, and to absolutely demolish a shareable-sized plate of fries, I’ll be at Mojo’s faster than you can say house-made peppercorn. 

Mojo’s Bar and Grille, 109 East Main Street, Troy