For over a century, the big white building on County Road 222 that runs through the hamlet of Crane Hill has been a landmark for travelers and a meeting place for the small community.

Now, it has a new life as a restaurant. The name, Crooked Chimney, was inspired by the listing bricks of an antiquated chimney which was uncovered when the building was being remodeled prior to it’s opening in May.

“The whole thing was covered in paneling,” explained owner, Michelle Burks Sweatmon. “When we tore away the covering, we discovered this crooked old chimney and I knew we had the perfect name,” she said.

Michelle, who worked for a cable company for the past 17 years, has always cooked at home, but this is her first venture into the restaurant business. She based much of her menu on tried-and-true family recipes, such as chicken casserole, chicken and dressing, and meatloaf on her mother and her mother-in-law’s favorite dishes, which are already a big hit at the restaurant.

One couple strolled in about mid-afternoon. “She said I needed to come and try this chicken and dressing,” said a gentleman, indicating his wife, who had lunched there earlier in the day. Upon leaving, he smiled and nodded to Michelle, saying, “It was just as good as she said it would be!”

The menu varies from day to day and season to season, with entrées that include fried pork chops, meatloaf, fried chicken livers, country fried steak and gravy, barbecue chicken, and smoked sausage and kraut, and that all-time Southern favorite, fried chicken. Michelle uses fresh vegetables in season, makes homemade desserts with fruits in season, and dishes up some of the best country meals for miles around the Crane Hill community.

“The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Michelle. “We’ve gotten nothing but five-star reviews on Facebook.”

It’s hard to tell just what the best selling items are, because all of the dishes here are like sitting down and eating Sunday dinner in your grandmother’s kitchen, but the fried chicken, chicken casserole and meatloaf are always a big hit, and of course, what is country cooking without vegetables? There are more here that you can shake a stick at. Fixed the old-timey way, the way most baby boomers grew up eating them, they are a refreshing change from burgers and fries.

“We tried sandwiches along with the buffet, but it was too much to keep up with,” Michelle explained. “Someone once told me, ‘Pick one thing and do it great!’ so this is what we are doing.”

The building itself is an historic site. Built in conjunction with the Board of Education, the Masonic Lodge, as it has always been known, is thought to have been built prior to 1904, “But we only have records dating back to then,” said Michelle. “Although, we think it’s older.”

Michelle Burks Sweatmon grew up in nearby Water Valley, graduating from West Point High School in 1992. Her sister, Sherry Motes, teaches at Harmony School. Her husband, Tony Sweatmon, has been instrumental in getting the building in shape and the business started.

The beautifully crafted cedar tables, chairs and benches were specially made for the restaurant by Sweatmon Produce and Furniture, just down the road, and the antique bottles on display were found nearby at the old Crane Hill Head Mill site.

The walls are filled with pictorial memorabilia from the area, and with interesting antique farm implements and feed and grain sacks. The sign beside the road was made from an old hay rake.

“Records show that originally the building cost $450, split between the Board of Education and the Masonic Lodge,” Michelle reports. “It was the home of the Crane Hill Junior High School at that time.”

For locals, the restaurant has provided full-time jobs for three, and part-time employment for several others. For travelers, it means that they have come across the best meat-and-three in miles.

The Crooked Chimney restaurant is at 145638 County Road 222, and is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday. (256-620-3222).

The Crooked Chimney restaurant is at 145638 County Road 222, and is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday. (256-620-3222).