One Night Only (Atl)

I’m not sure there can ever be a conversation about Atlanta without including a ten hour chat about The Soul Food Options. When I think of Atl, that’s the first thing I think of. I had the pleasure of experiencing Mary Mac’s Tea Room. We, my friend Towana and I, arrived early and the wait wasn’t as long as I imagined it would be.

Our waiter was spectacular! Truth being told, the food was amazing but he made my experience what it was with his charm and wit! On to the food! The menu is a bit massive, so get a start while waiting in the lobby for your table. Also keep in mind, you’ll be writing down your food choices, so don’t freak out! Cuz I was like oh God! This makes my choices permanent!

I opted for the meatloaf , which was divine and definitely southern. I believe there was a touch of sugar in the sauce but it blended well with the tanginess of the tomatoes. Whipped mashed potatoes weren’t as ‘whipped’ as I’d imagine them to be but still delish with the brown gravy. Added collard greens cuz … the south. A very good meal to devour before ending my night flying back to Dallas.

Have you been to Mary Mac’s Tea Room?

Tristan Jonez

When In … Milwaukee

If y’all didn’t know I am big on soul food. I know I know I need to be eating healthier but sometimes (most times) I like to indulge will I am on my overnights. So recently I was in Milwaukee, bored out of my mind, and not wanting to touch any hotel foods. Off to google, I went in search for the best of the best that Milwaukee would have to offer. Thanks to Yelp (I think) I was directed to eat Daddy’s Soul Food & Grille. There were a few negative reviews about there not being a menu, but being from the era of Copelands, I knew I should expect a formal menu. My to-go plate included Macaroni and cheese, Yams, Collard Greens and the very best Catfish I’ve ever had the pleasure of biting into.

Now as most of you know I do not usually eat yams, unless they are my own. People have a tendency of making them either too sweet, too dry or too wet. YUCK! The collard greens were good, definitely could’ve had a second helping but the macaroni, I could’ve passed on them altogether. I’m not sure what specifically made it a miss for me, but it was. The catfish tho! I wanted to smack someone’s mama! It was seasoned to the bone. Like the batter had been marinading for weeks, and it took the fish, like so! I’ve been trying to remember a time in life, If I have ever had catfish that good but I havent.

So When in Mailwaukee, Make sure you visit, Daddy’s Soul Food & Grille at 754 N. 27th St

Jonez

Hattie B’s (Nashville)

So I definitely misjudged Hattie B’s in Nashville! In my defense, for Hattie B’s to be a soul food eatery, there were NO black folk in line or in the patio, enjoying the meal so that gave me a slight reason for pause. However since I had paid my 6.57$ for my Uber to experience Hattie’s B, I was going to stay right there. There was about a fifteen minute wait, which felt a lot longer, as we were all standing in the rain. Come to think of it, I was the ONLY black person waiting in line. Don’t ring the alarm bells as I am usually, but that when I travel internationally.

Fortunately I did not let my prejudgement of the establishment stop me from sampling some of the best macaroni and cheese I’ve been lucky to have. The hot chicken, which Hattie B’s is known for, was spectacular. Very spicy, but it maintained Its flavor amongst the spice. I believe I also sampled the collard greens, which were nothing memorable but the Red skin potato salad was so bomb. It was so good, I couldn’t bare to put my fork down to take a photo!

When in Nashville or WHEREVER Hattie B’s is located, don’t think about it, JUST GO!

Tristan Jonez