Before your stomach starts to churn at the thought of Southern Comfort, relax your gag reflex because we’re not talking about the sugary, fake whiskey that has ruined many nights at Midtown (yes, SoCo is made from whiskey-tasting flavoring rather than actual whiskey); we’re talking about savory, soulful Southern food. Since we’ve already given you a taste of the best BBQ in town, we decided to wrangle the most mouth-watering fixin’s from around Gainesville, so ditch Mom’s meatloaf and sidle up to one of these down-home country meals. Ye’haw bitches.
Emma’s Pick – Blue Gill Quality Foods
I’ve learned that when you’re dining in Gainesville, it’s probaby a good sign when you’re one of the youngest people eating in a restaurant (unless you’ve accidentally stumbled into a retirement home and are about to eat the Monday mystery-meat special). People with good taste tend to avoid the crowded student feeding frenzies that accompany Chipotle and Sushi Chao.
As the name suggests, Blue Gill has cornered the market for high quality Southern eats in Gainesville. With a casual vibe, but upmarket menu, it’s the perfect place for a date, family meal or dinner with friends. I started with a pre-dinner cocktail of tequila and fresh basil that is designed to spark the appetite (although that was hardly needed once I started drooling over the menu) and my companion slurped down a slighter fruity version of a Manhatten. With eyes much bigger than my stomach when it comes to appetizers, I order fried green tomatoes drizzled in smoked bacon dressing and florida shrimp with creamy cheddar grits, shrimp sausage and tomato sauce. The green tomatoes were firm, but juicy and the bacon added just the right amount of smokiness, while the shrimp lounged on some of the fluffiest grits I’ve ever tasted.
The main course consisted of some Southern classics. My beef brisket was covered in a cheesy garlic-poblano gravy and could be pulled apart with a fork or popped into my mouth in bite size pieces. It was paired with crispy potatoes chucks that were crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. My hot date chose the fried chicken and it was the juiciest game hen fried to perfecton and served with a savory, but spicy brown sauce perfect for dipping. As someone who has devoured fried chicken and waffles at Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles restuarant in ATL, I can honestly say this chicken was incredible. Its trusty side kicks were creamy mac-n-cheese, smokey collard greens and the most dense, but moist slice of cornbread to ever grace Gainesville.
I left Blue Gill much too full to even consider trying the fried chocolate cake, but the restaurant left me wanting to come back for another heavenly southern feast.
Kathryn’s Pick – Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grill
On the outside Harry’s looks like a high-class eating establishment, but on the inside it has a subtle casual quality that lets you chow down in a tee shirt and jeans. Harry’s is influenced by New Orleans-style cooking and the antique style dark wood reminded me of the French Quarter. I could definitely imagine a Mardi Gras parade going down the street if I looked out the restaurant’s large windows.
Via: tripadvisor.com
My roommate and I gulped down some serious Southern-style sweet tea (not the usual restaurant kind that tastes like Lipton or old Snapple) and devoured a French baguette served with creamy garlic butter. We dove into some Louisiana Fondeaux, a baked cheese seafood dip. It had smooth lobster bisque flavor, the cheese was not overpowering and the little, dark-red bites of crawfish melted in my mouth. While the dip was phenomenal, don’t sit around gabbing too much after it’s served; the warm temperature plays an important role in it’s deliciousness.
My next conquest was the Shrimp Scampi and I was not disappointed. The sauce was heavier than I expected, but was very buttery with a hint of tomato flavoring and a bit of a kick. I practically waddled out of the restaurant.
Delicious food aside, the service was fantastic as well. Our waitress never let our glasses become empty and even stopped to chat with us for a moment. I would definitely recommend Harry’s for a unique blend of Cajun, Creole and Southern flavors and a spot to laissez les bons temps rouler.
Morgan’s Pick – House of Country Cuisine
When it comes to dining out, soul food isn’t usually a frontrunner on my radar. In all honesty I’m slightly skeptical of anything that’s been soaked in beige-colored gravy, and if I wanted a bland, uninspiring aftertaste I’d opt for depressingly chewing rice cakes over grits. Maybe its because my “mama’s home cooking” came in the form of taquitos and Totinos pizza rolls for the better part of my childhood. Maybe I’m just not in touch with my Southern roots, and frankly I haven’t lost too much sleep over it. However, when I happened into the quaint, understated House of Country Cuisine, I filled a culinary void in my artery-clogged heart that I didn’t even know existed.
The ambiance of the establishment, while altogether unremarkable in terms of your typical Southern-style eatery, is homey, comfortable and clean. And the service you ask? Impeccable. I ordered a classic sweet tea and noshed on some delightfully sweet, honey-dipped cornbread to start. Both exceeded my expectations and left me hankering for something a bit more savory to bring my taste buds off their sugar high. For round deux I went with the kitchen recommendation and crowd favorite: a baked portion of Eugena’s Famous Meatloaf and a side of collards. Meatloaf usually gives me the willies, but in the spirit of new edible ventures I decided to buck up and throw caution to the wind. I wasn’t even slightly disappointed. I would pay top dollar for whatever secret elixir gives this dish its tantalizing, robust flavor. The chopped vegetables were seasoned to perfection and the collard greens pungent, vinegar-drenched bliss. Did I mention they flaunt the rare, 32 oz. bottles of Louisiana hot sauce? Eat your heart out.
When it comes to good ole Southern nosh, Eugena hooks it up. One simple meal reminded me of the glory that is soul food and reopened my mind to explore a world outside of Chipotle and sushi. Get your hungover, carb-enthused excuse of a body over to House of Country Cuisine to see for yourself.
Molly’s Pick – Southern Charm Kitchen
Bustling with apron-clad servers, a worn, leather bible resting against the cash register and Mason jar chandeliers warmly greeting you upon entering the front door, there’s no doubt Southern Charm Kitchen lives up to its namesake.
Southern Charm’s menu boasts all the classics, like fried chicken and waffles and pulled pork sandwiches, but the first thing you’ll notice is its selection of vegan and vegetarian southern dishes. Despite the sounds of 100 Paula Dean episodes echoing in my head, I just couldn’t help myself: I had to go for the unorthodox. While my friends settled on the two previously mentioned southern staples, I took a chance on the watermelon pickle with grilled fish, described in the menu as “one of [their] best dishes.”
Every meal includes your choice of two sides, so I aimed for compromise with the classic corn succotash and a not-so-classic vegan mac and cheese. Our meals arrived promptly and fresh as can be. My white fish was delicately grilled and tender, perfectly complimented by the curiously pickled watermelon (trust me, it works) and light vinegar sauce. The corn succotash was equally as fresh and served in a coconut curry sauce, a delicious surprise, but the vegan mac and cheese was simply that… very vegan. My friends and I weren’t even halfway through our meals before deliberating the date of our next visit to Southern Charm.
This 10-table or so restaurant may sit a few miles outside your campus comfort zone, but Southern Charm Kitchen has a way of making you feel right at home.
Gytis’ Pick – George’s at Phil-Nicks
Walking in to the restaurant that sits quietly on Main Street, I wasn’t sure what to expect from George’s at Phil-Nicks. To be completely honest, though, I’m not sure if the restaurant knows exactly what to expect from itself.
I was told that I would be enjoying some southern dining at the establishment, which I did, but when I glanced at the specialties on the menu I was taken by surprise. Spaghetti and meatballs? Corned beef, cabbage, carrots and potatoes?
Where was I?
Needless to say, I was a little confused with everything, but I can’t say I was disappointed. I had a pulled pork plate with some zucchini and mac ‘n cheese. Pretty solid, but I can’t say there was anything to write home about.
Part of me thinks the issue with the restaurant is that it tries to tackle too much. On one of the signs inside, it says “Italian-African-American-Caribbean.” I’m no food expert, but I’ve been to a couple restaurants in my day. It’s tough to draw in a crowd when they’re not exactly sure what you’re doing.
Leaving the restaurant, I had a funny feeling that I wouldn’t be drawn to come back anytime soon.
