It’s really nice to be rounding out a year of 5 Heart Ratings with such a nice experience.
I’d heard about The Dotted Lime from a friend who has lived in Columbia, Tennessee, where the restaurant is located, her entire life. It’s a bit of a drive for me so I’ve put it off for a while and finally got around to checking it out. Boy am I glad I did!
GPS took me on a bit of a detour before I found the restaurant in a nondescript locale in the center of a strip mall. The building itself has a nice, welcoming appeal that doesn’t stop once you enter. The young lady, “Paul”, who greeted me and took my order was beyond pleasant, comfortable with conversation and just a delight. (I was the only person in line at this point, which would soon change with the lunch crowd, so of course we started chatting. She explained the reason her shirt said her name was “Paul” and I told her about my years at Walt Disney World and the nametag situation and policy there. We both laughed at eachother’s stories and she told me how much she would love to visit the Orlando theme park.)
A little background about this wonderful restaurant taken straight from their website:
“The Dotted Lime is a new, family-owned restaurant in Columbia, Tennessee which is the brain child of locals Paul and Chrissy Jensen. Paul is a fourth generation chef with 25 years of professional culinary experience from 5 star/5 diamond resort properties to corporate entities and Chrissy is a 18 year veteran of dealing with food sensitivities, allergies and working within doctor prescribed food elimination diets for healing specific ailments.
Together with their 13 children the Jensen family decided to bring their particular brand of dining to the traditionally “meat & three” Columbia TN culinary scene. They are available for off-site catering, and private events at their location after hours.”
I hear 9 of their 13 children are adopted which I would like to confirm before I say this information is accurate. At any rate, there were at least 8 “children” working that day. All of whom seemed to genuinely enjoy what they were doing. I watched the dishwashers whom seemed to be quite young, wash the dishes with such enthusiasm I wanted to videotape them. I didn’t.
Some things were quite clear to me even in the short amount of time I was there: 1) There’s a ton of love in this huge family, 2) the parents clearly know what they’re doing in the kitchen and the biz, 3) a tremendous amount of pride in the menu and service is apparent and had by all, and 4) there is no doubt in my mind this place will continue to be very successful. There was a line 8 people deep until I left.
I ate my cinnamon roll so fast that I forgot to take a picture. I took their chicken wings home and again, forgot to take a pic. I hope you get a chance to see for yourself how great this restaurant is.
And as much as I feel kinda (just kinda) bad saying this, I think the kids at The Dotted Lime should train many of the servers in the Nashville-area “high-end” restaurants I will never re-visit. The Dotted Lime, I will not only re-visit, but will gladly make the 40-minute drive to do so.
Well done, mom and dad. Well done!
PS Maybe the owners/parents of this great establishment should teach parenting too!
This is so kind! Yes, 9 of our kids are adopted.
Thank you for your visit and for sharing how much you enjoyed your time here. We are thankful for your sweet review!
Chrissy, mom/owner at The Dotted Lime
Hi Chrissy! Wow I’ve gotten so many comments from people who read what I wrote about The Dotted Lime!! Oh and get this – since I have lived and traveled all over the place, I even got a comment on my FB page where a mutual friend recommended TDL to a friend of hers who lives in Nashville.
I hope you have tremendous success. I am one of 9 children and my youngest sister is adopted and my closest sibling. We got her when she was 3 days old, mixed-race. She has brought so much joy to my life. I am a huge advocate for adoption and have been a CASA for the foster care program in Southern California.
There is clearly so much love in your family and it just made my year to experience that first-hand. My friend Donna Wisener, has been telling me for months that I would love your restaurant, the concept, and especially the people. She was so right! She is a Columbia native and clearly a huge fan of yours.
Thank you so much for taking the time to write. I sincerely appreciate it. Please tell your kids they’re awesome. What I observed that day was so refreshing – eye contact, great conversation, attentive service, and great pride in what they’re doing. Wow. Just wow!
Jensen grandparents here… thank you for such a beautiful article. We are proud and blessed by Paul, Chrissy and family. What you saw is how they all are for real everyday. Glad you went to meet them.
Wendy
Hi Wendy! Wow I cannot believe all the wonderful comments I have gotten about TDL since blogging about them. Thank you so much for taking the time. I just love spreading the word about great businesses and especially the people behind them!!
Even though I haven’t visited the restaurant (I live in PA), I couldn’t agree more. I’ve enjoyed several meals prepared by Chef Paul. Paul an Chrissy are talented and creative and have hearts of gold. Keep up the great work and we’re keeping you in our prayers.
Hi Dorothy! Thank you for your sweet note!
Thanks for visiting Columbia and The Dotted Lime.. I’m a local resident and frequent diner @ TDL. Everything you said in your article is 100% true. The food is always outstanding and you didn’t even get to the best part about them being 100% Gluten-Free with award winning Father and Daughter chefs.. yup real awards in real cooking competitions against real food (non-GF) and they are WINNING!
Hi Dave, thanks for your comments! You’re right, I didn’t get into too many details as that is my practice especially with restaurants. I once ate at a restaurant with my daughter and halfway through the meal she asks: “You do know this is gluten-free right?” I was so shocked. In my opinion the very best chefs can create incredible meals no matter the special diet. Clearly, The Dotted Lime’s chefs are doing just that! I can’t wait to go back. And I am thrilled to have gotten so many raving comments on TDL since blogging about them.
Also, I love Columbia and its charm!