PASCHAL'S - ATLANTA, GA

After a tour of Atlanta, Georgia's downtown area, including a stop at the Martin Luther King Center, we found our way to Paschal's Restaurant. We were told that if we were looking for good fried chicken then no trip to Atlanta would be complete without stopping at this historic eatery. Originally started by brothers James and Robert Paschal in 1947 they are renowned for their southern cuisine and their consistently exceptional fried chicken. 

No longer in their original building their new space is chic with high ceilings and a warm southern decor. We went mid-afternoon, after the lunch rush and before the dinner hour. The staff was pleasant and helpful and the food was good. 

This time I ordered the Fried Chicken and Big Daddy ordered a burger. The meal only came with one side and I ordered the Macaroni and Cheese. I was not disappointed and for me the macaroni and cheese was the best part of the entire meal. It was your grandmother's mac and cheese! It was the perfect consistency, creamy as silk and made with sharp cheddar cheese. It was down home comfortable goodness! I loved it. The chicken was good as well but it was way too salty for my liking. For that reason and that reason only I can't give it our BEST award. Otherwise the outer covering was crispy and the insides moist and tender. I got three nice pieces - a leg, wing, and breast so it was plenty of meat. But it was highly seasoned to the point of just being a touch too much.

Big Daddy's burger was a lean, half-pound patty on a warm bun and was served with a sizeable portion of French fries. The meat was tasty but almost too lean and reminded us of the grass-fed beef we frequently purchase at our local health food markets. He was not disappointed and said he would definitely order it again. 

The sweet tea was sweet and home-brewed and we both drank gallons of it. Overall, I liked Paschal's. Big Daddy thought it was a touch pricey but we understood we were paying as much for the atmosphere as we were for the food. Considering we paid the same price for our meal here that we did at a Smyrna restaurant also reviewed on this site, this was by far the better of the two. 

Paschal's had a very nice vibe. It was upscale, Southern cuisine and we will definitely frequent this place again when we're in the area.

THIS IS IT! - SMYRNA, GA

So we took our good food search farther south, finding ourselves in the peachy state of Georgia! We found our way to THIS IS IT! Barbecue and Seafood via a television commercial that caught Big Daddy's eye.

Advertising that they had many locations had us searching for the closest one. It was a short ride to their Smyrna site and it was only after arriving that we learned this was their ONLY franchise location. 

The restaurant is located in a very nice shopping center in Smyrna. The building itself is extremely small and has probably seen better days. But we've never dismissed a restaurant because of its appearance so we forged forward. 

We were greeted at the door by the franchise owner. He welcomed us in as if we were old friends. He's a spirited, gregarious personality and was exceptionally likable. Over the course of an hour we learned just how passionate he is about his restaurant and the food that he serves.

I ordered the Fried Catfish with a side of Macaroni and Cheese and a side of Collard Greens. Big Daddy ordered the Fried Chicken, Macaroni and Cheese and Cabbage. I really don't want to say we were disappointed, but we weren't overly enthused. 

The consistency of the Macaroni and Cheese was near perfect. It was creamy and not at all dry. What was off putting was the red paprika that had been sprinkled too heavily on top. The paprika flavoring completely destroyed the taste of the mild cheese and neither one of us actually finished our portions. Big Daddy's cabbage was much better than the collard greens which were both just okay. Neither was anything to write home about. The fish was also okay, but there was nothing overwhelming about it that would make me want to rush back and have it again. 

Now the Fried Chicken had a nice bite to it. The crust was crisp but slightly over salted. What turned me off was the flecks of black, burnt batter that clung to it, indicating that the oil had not been changed in some time. But it was edible, just not overly memorable. The meal was pricey, both trays costing us over $30.

I think our expectations were too high because I really wanted to like this place if for no other reason than I really liked the franchise owner. Now, I did get a taste of the oxtails and the chitterlings. Both were extremely tasty and made me wish I'd ordered a serving of one or the other instead despite both being excessively priced for the portion sizes.

We won't discount THIS IS IT! just yet. The next time we'll try one of the corporate locations and hope for a better experience.

EARTHFARE - RALEIGH, NC

One of our favorite places to catch a quick HEALTHY meal is the hot bar at Earthfare. The health food store is a trusted organic and natural food market that is a bevy of good eats. They serve breakfast and lunch/dinner and none of their products contain high fructose corn syrup, trans fats, artificial colors and sweeteners nor are their synthetic growth hormones in their fresh meat and dairy.

At the hot bar they have daily specials including a really great kids meal special on Thursday nights. Buy one adult meal and get six (6) kids meals for free. Yes, I said six (6)! There are $5 sandwich specials on Mondays and a $5 rotisserie chicken deal on Fridays. 

They have a few highlights that I buy weekly at the deli counter including the Mango Chicken, the Cranberry-Pecan-Chicken Salad and the Roasted Gouda Pasta. And my favorite favorite is their juice bar. Big Daddy and I are both big fans of the Kale Lemonade. The fact that we can sometimes substitute spinach for the kale and oranges for the lemons and add fruits and vegetables as the mood suits us is an added plus. And our weakness is the dessert counter! They have the best Flourless Chocolate Cake and I could eat the vegan cookies all day long!

This place is a winner for us for many reasons. Although some of their items can be a bit pricey, they regularly run deals and sales that can make the purchase worth it. The food being healthy is definitely at the top of our why shop/eat here list and the fact that the food is delicious and a quick fix rounds out why we eat here on a fairly regular basis.

 

 

STEPHANIE'S II - GREENSBORO, NC

Every so often we find that one diamond-in-the-rough that turns out to be one of our favorite places. This weekend we found Stephanie’s II in Greensboro, NC. Stephanie’s II is home cooking done well. Just really good food without any frills or fanfare.  

The location is nothing to write home about. The building has seen better days and the inside isn’t going to win any decorating awards.  The tables and chairs are well worn and if you’re looking for luxury you will not find it here. It’s seen better times but with the first bite you really don’t care much.

We started with the Fried Chicken Wing appetizer. According to the menu they use Granny’s secret recipe to prepare three whole jumbo wings, fried to golden brown and served in a basket with celery sticks and ranch dressing. It was $5.99 or an order, $8.99 for a double order. Big Daddy and I both agreed that we could have eaten the fried chicken wings for days and I’m still kicking myself for not ordering a to-go order. Right now, hands down, Stephanie’s II has won the trophy for the best damn fried chicken since my own grandmother’s and Big Daddy’s mama fried chicken for us. It was that good! The ranch dressing is also homemade and some of the best I've ever tasted. This was truly a winning combination.

We were both in a fish dinner kind of mood so Big Daddy ordered a two-piece Fried Whiting Fillet with their world famous Macaroni and Cheese, Cream Potatoes and hush puppies. I ordered the two-piece Catfish with Collard Greens, Pinto Beans and cornbread. We washed it all down with Sweet Tea. Stephanie’s II makes real sweet tea, slow brewed with plenty of sugar. That in itself was a plus for me.

So where do I start? The whiting was much better than the catfish. Fried to a beautiful brown, it was seasoned to perfection. The portions were oversized and one-piece would have been sufficient. The macaroni and cheese was melt-in-your mouth perfection, creamy and homemade good. The potatoes weren’t spectacular but then I’m not a mashed potato fan like Big Daddy. The catfish was just okay for me. It was heavily peppered and I’m not sure why. Although I would order it again if necessary I would definitely order the whitefish first. Now, the cook(s) are truly Southern. The collard greens and pinto beans both were cooked with a hint of sugar. I’m not a fan of sweet pinto beans. I don’t mind it in the collard greens. I think the sweet takes away from the pintos so I didn’t finish them but the greens were nicely cooked and I enjoyed them. I would order the greens again. I also loved the cornbread. And that’s loved with a capital L! 

They have an impressive list of famous faces who've graced their dining room, including our illustrious President, Barack Obama. Not too shabby for a mom and pop hole in the wall! Stephanie’s II has a diverse menu of home cooked goodness that will not disappoint.

The whole meal was immensely satisfying. The portions were excellent and as my father would say, the chef put his foot in that meal! We’re already planning our next trip and my mouth is watering thinking about the Fried Pork Chop Dinner, and the BBQ Ribs, and of course, the Fried Chicken. And this time I will not leave without trying the Sweet Potato Cobbler!

 

THE FLYING BISCUIT - RALEIGH, NC

We discovered The Flying Biscuit while shopping for a dresser that I still haven’t found. It was mid-afternoon and the joint was empty. Big Daddy was looking for quiet so the timing was perfect. We had our choice of tables as there was no one else eating. Our waiter did let us know that this was not the norm and advised that the breakfast hour can be a whole other beast.

“We own breakfast in Raleigh,” he said somewhat emphatically. According to him breakfast on the weekends can include a lengthy two hour wait with many people trying to get in. And I can believe that.

Now breakfast is served all day long and they are renowned for their biscuits. They have great biscuits. And amazing cinnamon-nutmeg infused apple butter. Biscuits and apple butter are a lethal combination for my waistline and hard to resist. I’d go back just for the biscuits!

Now, I just knew Big Daddy was going to try the chicken but he surprised me and ordered the Turkey Pot Roast instead. So I ordered the chicken. Hands down, Big Daddy had the better of the two meals.

The Turkey Pot Roast was turkey slow-roasted and hand-pulled served in brown gravy with mashed potatoes and green beans. From start to finish every bite of this meal was melt-in-your mouth decadent. The turkey was tender, moist and the gravy perfectly seasoned. We were told the turkey is slow roasted some ten hours, then the au just gravy is made from the drippings and the whole shebang simmered together for another three-plus hours. I don’t care how it was made. I just know it was spectacular. The mashed potatoes were red-roasted potatoes mashed with the skin. They were flavorful and creamy as silk and the green beans were vegetable crack. They were lightly grilled, had a nice snap and were nicely seasoned. Big Daddy thought they were a little salt heavy but I think he was just being a little sensitive. On a scale of 1 – 10, this meal was a 100! I could eat this every day.

I ordered the Oven Fried Chicken and I was hopeful, having heard good things about their other dishes. The chicken was an herb-crusted chicken breast served with grilled macaroni and cheese and spicy collard greens. From a presentation perspective the meal made me think of some futuristic TV dinner. It all looked flat and uniformly perfect. The chicken breast was flattened and the crust reminded me of the boxed Shake-N-Bake my mother used to make back in the day. The herb flavoring was intense, the chicken breast surprisingly moist but I couldn’t get past the crunchy out of a box texture. The collards were spot on and for me, the best part of the meal. Big Daddy thought they were a little too spicy for him. He couldn’t get past the peppered heat to taste the greens but they had a nice bite and chew. The macaroni and cheese was a total fail for me. It was flat and square. There was a layer of cheese on top that was gummy and the pressed macaroni and cheese layer below was starchy and stiff. Macaroni and cheese should be decadently cheesy and gooey and this was a disappointment.

Reviewing the MENU I imagine that when they’re good they’re great but when they’re not, they’re a total bust. I also imagine it would be a lot of fun figuring out what’s good on the menu and what’s not. The vibe is super fun with a bright, feel good decor. The service was good and everyone was super pleasant. There’s a bar and as we were leaving there were a few people seated who seemed to be having a great time. We’ll do breakfast the next time and during their peak hour. I’m curious to see how they handle things. And I'm already fiending for some biscuits!

ED MITCHELL'S QUE - DURHAM, NC

 

Always on the search for good food, we were delighted to discover Ed Mitchell’s Que located in downtown Durham, NC. There to celebrate a favorite uncle’s 80^th birthday, I have to say we could not have found a better place. The old guy wanted barbecue and Ed Mitchell is a master.

The location is a real estate dream come true. It borders the Durham Bulls ballpark and sits across from American Tobacco Campus. There’s generous parking in the parking deck and its right in the middle of a lot of downtown action. They've capitalized on the people-watching opportunity with several bright red outdoor tables. Inside, the decor is slightly dressed up but comfortable and casual, feeling really down to earth. The background music was funky R&B and jazz and the whole vibe was just feel, feel good. The space isn’t overly large and we went at the perfect hour between lunch and dinner. There was no crowd, we had our choice of tables, opting to sit by the window and had our server’s full attention.

I wanted to try all the appetizers because there was a really eclectic selection on the menu and they all had my mouth watering. Big Daddy, on the other hand was just ready for the entrees. I highly recommend the N.C. Charcuterie, an assortment of meats and cheeses from North Carolina.  There was a coffee-flavored sweetened goat’s milk caramel with pork rinds that was absolutely outrageous, plus an assortment of Brie, crackers, and other cheeses. Also tops on my list were Ryan’s Smoked Wings and the Tomato Pie. I could eat the tomato pie all day long! It was a delicate stewed tomato, mixed cheddar cheese in the flakiest crust.

We ordered rounds of full plates. Uncle ordered the Carolina Baby Back Ribs with French fries and the smoked vegetable medley. Big Daddy had Mother Mitchell’s Fried Chicken, fries and black-eyed peas, and I had the Beef Brisket with macaroni and cheese and collard greens.

For starters the portions were generous! We had no complaints about the amount of food we were served. The brisket was the highlight of my meal, fork-tender, succulent, melt-in-your-mouth perfection. All of the sides were okay, nothing spectacular. The collards had just enough bite and chew but was short on flavor. Nothing a good ham hock or smoked turkey neck and a pinch of salt wouldn’t help. The bread crumb topped macaroni and cheese was bland but edible. I make a killer macaroni and cheese and this didn’t come close to hitting the mark.

Big Daddy thoroughly enjoyed the fried chicken. The crust was crispy and flavorful, the meat moist and tender and they gave him two breasts and a wing. Again, healthy portions! Now, I thought the crust was a tad heavy. It had no flake but my guy had no complaints at all. He ended up bringing half of it home and it warmed up nicely later that night. Uncle’s ribs were on point as well. Moist, tender, and falling off the bone.

I’m not sure why but like many other barbecue restaurants, the meat was great but the sides left much to be desired. They weren’t bad but not a one left any kind of impression. But what did leave an impression was the dessert!

Big Daddy is a dessert aficionado. He loves anything sweet. Me? Not so much. Since it was Uncle’s birthday we let him take the lead on dessert and he selected the Pig-Pickin’ Cake which is whole-heartedly a Southern thing! The cake was slightly dense and exceptionally moist. It had the mildest orange and pineapple flavor and the icing was a sweet cream cheese confection. I could have eaten two slices! Loved, loved, loved dessert. I also wish I’d ordered the chocolate pecan pie or the homemade banana pudding but since I didn’t I’ll definitely have to make a second trip.

We thoroughly enjoy our meal. And kudos to Erin, our server. She was sugar sweet and just a sheer pleasure. I greatly appreciated her keeping my sweet tea glass filled since the sweet tea was some of the best I’ve had and their cute little mason jar glasses aren’t overly large. Erin went above and beyond to insure we had a pleasant experience and even made our birthday guy feel extra special. I can’t wait to do the QUE again and Big Daddy and I both highly recommend it. ALL THUMBS UP!

 

CHOPSTIX - RALEIGH, NC

Two days in a row I have dined at CHOPSTIX, a Chinese and Sushi restaurant located in Raleigh’s Creedmoor Crossing Shopping Center. Initially, I was reluctant to try this restaurant and simply because it was outside of our mission to find the best fried chicken. As well, Big Daddy isn't partial to Asian food, it being something he can take or leave.

Day One, it was just the two of us and since he adamantly refuses to eat sushi we ate from their food menu. Our waitress was very sweet but she was the only one serving and there was a nice crowd. Big Daddy ordered the General Tso’s Chicken and I had the Orange Beef. Thank goodness for the crispy fried noodles and duck sauce because it took a minute before we got our food. The waitress apologized for the delay and let us know that meals are cooked to order so they take a minute or two longer than normal to come out of the kitchen. The wait time wasn’t all that bad and since the company was good, neither of us was too bothered by it. Next time we’ll know not to wait until we’re famished to order our meals.

We were both served substantial portions of food. So much so that there was plenty to take home for a late night snack. The General Tso’s Chicken was a flavorful assemblage that showed some real complexity and a texture that balanced those crispy, juicy nuggets of fried chicken with the sauce. Now, Big Daddy is not a fan of white rice unless it’s served with butter and sugar. Don’t ask. All of their entrees only come with white rice. We asked for fried rice instead which they happily obliged for an additional $2 charge.

The Orange Beef was tasty as well. It was spicier than I would have liked and I’m told you can ask for it to be milder but the orange flavor was fresh, the sauce was thick and abundant and the beef slices were melt-in-your mouth tender. We were impressed with both dishes but decided Big Daddy’s chicken was better than my beef.

I have to go back to the service here for a moment. As we were eating, the waitress suddenly comes back to the table and decides that my plate isn’t positioned properly for me to reach my food and so she proceeds to spin it around for me so that I can better access my chicken. It was an eye blink moment as I held my fork in mid-air, the gesture coming out of nowhere. Big Daddy is still laughing.

Day Two I ventured back with Number One Son to try the sushi. Number One Son and I both LOVE sushi. Now, for me, this is where Chopstix set themselves apart from their competitors. We have a favored sushi spot in Durham, NC that we regularly frequent. The sushi has always been on point and their prices (Buy one roll – Get one roll free) can’t be beat. Chopstix, however, took their sushi to another level and now have two new converts.

I don’t know how to aptly describe the Itamae’s or sushi chef’s skills other than to say this man has the hands of a master and welds his knife as if it’s an appendage to his body. The boy is good! 

We started with the shashimi appetizer which was a beautiful presentation of ten pieces of fresh fish. The slices of salmon, tuna, and white tuna melted in your mouth like sweet butter. The fish was above par; fresh and tender with a rich taste and buttery texture. I could have done without the crab sticks which weren’t real crab, just that imitation processed white fish. I personally thought it distracted from the meal and should have been left off the plate but Number One Son enjoyed it.

And here is where I need to interject again about their service. The son and I were having a discussion about the fish that was on his list to try and our waitress suddenly appears tableside to tell us that they had just gotten an order of live scallops and wondering if we’d be interested in their scallop appetizer. Number One Son got very excited and after some wheedling, I agreed. Just seconds later the waitress rushed over with said live scallop, the oversized shell filling her hand, to show us that indeed it was very fresh and still living, awaiting the master’s blade. For a second the gesture threw me off and as my son jokingly teased it felt like it would if we’d ordered bacon and they’d paraded the pig in for us to see before they took it to slaughter. Nevertheless, I was duly impressed when minutes later we were presented with two succulent displays of thinly sliced scallop. The first was served on a bed of sliced lemons which intensified the sweetness of the shellfish. The second was a salad of scallop and cucumbers in a delightful sauce that had a hint of spice. The flavors burst in your mouth and both dishes were absolutely divine.

The scallop was followed by two rolls, the Christmas Roll (tuna and avocado inside topped with crunchy tuna outside) and the Tiger Roll (tuna, salmon, yellowtail, avocado, tobiko, and seaweed salad wrapped in a special seaweed). Both were phenomenal. Flavorful, sweet and amazingly fresh! What Number One Son was quick to point out was that nothing we tasted required soy sauce, ginger or wasabi to accent the flavors. They all stood on their own and were perfection. And the presentations were over the top. Everything was pretty, some of the dishes even coming with flashing lights and flowers rolled from paper-thin carrots and wisps of lettuce. Someone aced the class on garnish 101.

We had just waved the waitress over for the bill when she appeared at the table to tell us about the fresh conch that was on special and so we said, "why not!". The conch or sazae had wonderful flavor but the texture left much to be desire. Glad we tried it but not something I'd rush to eat again. 

Stuffed and ready for a nap we were just about to depart when that waitress showed up with one last platter. “White tuna,” she said. “On the house!” And this freebie was simply scrumptious! The tuna had been lightly seared and was served with a spicy ponzu sauce. It was something we both agreed that we would eat again.

I will definitely return to Chopstix and without a doubt will order the sushi before I order anything else. Although it’s not as budget friendly as my former go-to spot, the Buy One Roll-Get 50% off the Second, really isn't all that bad and everything about our meal was definitely worth breaking the bank.