Busting a gut at Joe’s Southern Kitchen

Posted by winesleuth in All | 0 comments

If you’re slightly worried about your cholesterol intake or trying to lose a few pounds, don’t even THINK about visiting Joe’s Southern Kitchen. It’s true Southern cooking, tasty and totally unhealthy but with food this good, who cares? Live a little, as long as you don’t make a habit of going every night, you’ll be fine.

I used to live in Washington, DC which although it’s the capital of America, is below the Mason-Dixon Line which means it’s technically in the South. And that means there are plenty of chicken joints, corn bread and collard greens within driving distance. Joe’s has to be the closest I’ve come so far to good ol’ Southern cooking – unpretentious, filling and delicious.

This is Joe’s second location, the first being in Covent Garden, opened in 2013. They’re inspired by the American South and the fun, laid back atmosphere that you’ll find in any BBQ joint or Chicken & Waffle house. As a matter of fact, they have Chicken and Waffles on the menu which were divine. I especially liked the bourbon infused maple syrup.

The new menu at Joe’s Kentish Town will feature many of the favourites from the original venue, but the main focus will be the venue’s signature new recipe, Sweet Tea Brined Fried Chicken with Lemon Salt & Tabasco Honey. Most of the food is designed to be served “family-style” which I have no problem with whatsoever. The menu also features their famous Beef Short Rib and other Southern favourites like Devilled Eggs, Mac ‘n’ Cheese and Gooey Corn Spoon Bread.

Downstairs, they have new cocktail bar called the Jailbird where they’ll be serving up Southern cocktails with a twist featuring  innovative concoctions alongside original takes on the Southern classic Julep and Sazerac. I had both of Joe’s versions of those cocktails and they were delicious. They even made me a Mint Julep in a proper silver cup with lots of crushed ice and fresh mint.

I really enjoyed eating at Joe’s and if you’re hankering for some good ol’ Southern fried chicken or shrimp and grits, head up to Joe’s Kentish Town or the original in Covent Garden.

What we dined on the night I visited…

Gooey Corn Bread with clotted cream and Red Leicester cheese

Devilled Eggs with chicken skin mayonnaise and bacon crumbs

DEEP FRIED SHORT RIB MEAT LOAF – this was amazing! with red onion jam, poached egg and dijonnaise

24 hour sweet tea brined free range Fried Chicken with lemon dust and hot sauce honey

Curly macaroni, four cheeses and a biscuit crust

Stoneground cheese grits with shrimps, red onion, melted tomato, shredded house cured bacon and Camden ale jus

Collard greens

Buckwheat waffle with bourbon maple syrup

Chicken gravy