ONE OF THE things I like best about O’Charley’s is that you can get out the door without spending a bundle. And you can get a good meal, to boot.

Sure, you could order a filet mignon for $18 at the new Central Park restaurant, but you also could order a small grilled sirloin for $10.

That’s what I did, and the 7-ounce sirloin was delicious and cooked just as I had asked for it.

Want to go O’CHARLEY’S Address: 1791 Carl D. Silver Parkway Central Park, Fredericksburg Phone: 540/786-9370 Hours: Dining room: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Bar closes at 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday; 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday; midnight on Sunday. Sunday brunch is served 10:30 a.m to 3 p.m. Prices: Appetizers (large enough for a light meal)-$6 to $8 Salads-$7 to $9.50 Sandwiches and burgers-$6.50 to $7.50 Entrées-$10 to $18 Desserts-$1 to $4.50 Children’s meals-$3.50 Atmosphere: O’Charley’s is overwhelmed by its own popularity early in the game. That means you might have to wait for a table in the spacious, carpeted restaurant. Families are welcome, the bar is friendly and service is prompt and attentive. Payment: Major credit cards

And I certainly didn’t leave hungry: The small steak comes with soup or salad, freshly baked bread and a vegetable.

The bread dough is mixed elsewhere and is baked on site in Fredericksburg. If you like sweet, yeasty dinner bread, you’ll love this.

I had the bread with the crunchy, fresh house salad and blue cheese dressing, but I could have chosen the tomato dill soup.

A taste of that creamy tomato bisque featured just enough dill to lighten it, but not enough to overpower it. Order the fresh soup of the day with bread for $3 to $4.

Though O’Charley’s operates more than 200 franchises in the Southeast and Midwest, the Central Park restaurant has done its part to make the chain look more local.