Ever had one of those itches that you just had to scratch? A couple of months ago I was just itchin' for some fried chicken....and collard greens. Kinda weird, but I love good collard greens, smokey-salty-mildly bitter-and even perhaps a bit sweet. So first I headed down to.....
Bonnie Jean's Soul Food Cafe:
Off of the Euclid exit, right where it turns into 54th street. I've been here a couple of times, but for some reason it's starting to look a bit older.....
This little place has a whole lot of personality.........
As well as games and other stuff to keep you occupied...... because everything is made to order, which is mostly a good thing! Funny thing, I realized that I'd never had straight up fried chicken at Bonnie Jean's, I'd had it smothered, which I enjoyed (what's not to like), and with the Honey Pecan Glaze, which I recall not enjoying that much. What was even more interesting, was that on my last visit, not long after Canine Cologne's visit (please check it out here) which had me wanting my smothered chicken; I dropped by Bonnie Jean's.... and the place was full of Asian's!!!
Anyway, today I was after some straight up Southern Fried Chicken ($10.99). I went with just the dark meat, even though the menu says, ahem, "The Breasts Are Huge!!"
My chicken, greens, and mashed potatoes and gravy arrived after the usual wait, which gave me time to catch up on my reading. The chicken was as I remembered, the coating crisp and light, and the chicken adequately juicy. But without gravy, or a glaze, it tasted really bland, and I needed a good dose of the (not so) hot sauce on the table. I'll stick with the smothered chicken next time.
The mashed potatoes were decent.
The folks here were pretty heavy-handed with the black pepper today, but I had no complaints about the thick potatoes, and the even thicker gravy.
The one item that made this meal worthwhile were the collard greens, which looked on the dry side, but were the beat I've had in a long time.
I appreciated the fact that these weren't over done and mushy like creamed spinach. There were many bit of smoked meat, and after a goof look-over I'm pretty sure it was hamhock, not smoked turkey. They're pretty stingy with the "liquor" here, some I think they save it as the "mother liquid" for the next batch. The flavor is just about perfect for my taste.
I ended up buying a large order to go for the Missus, who scarfed it up in one sitting...... I'm sure to be back soon for more greens... and smothered chicken.
Bonnie Jean's Soul Food Cafe
1964 54th St
San Diego, CA 92105
By the way, if you think Bonnie Jean's has lots of character, check out Sister Peewee's if you haven't done so already. One of these days I'll do a post on the place.
As I was headed back to the 94, I noticed a new place had sprung up, named Annie Belle's...... I'll save that post for next Friday!
The fried chicken looks great but smothered sounds even better.
Posted by: Carol | Friday, 08 April 2011 at 06:59 AM
those collard greens have my mouth watering. yum!
Posted by: Lynnea | Friday, 08 April 2011 at 08:54 AM
Welcome to my 'hood.
Did you notice the new Popeye's?
Posted by: The Food Detective | Friday, 08 April 2011 at 10:24 AM
hey kirk - omg, u totally dug up an ancient post of mine! i want to go here again and also try that annie belle's place! O_o
Posted by: caninecologne | Friday, 08 April 2011 at 03:04 PM
The Smothered pork chops are a little piece of heaven there, I love them and get them every time I go there. Best sides I found were collards and the mac and cheese - yams were good too. Been too long since I've been there
Posted by: Loren | Friday, 08 April 2011 at 04:15 PM
Collared greens and potatoes with gravy are my idea of heaven!! yum!
Posted by: jayne | Saturday, 09 April 2011 at 08:13 AM
What is the chicken smothered in? It was funny that you mentioned this place was filled with Asians. I was at Honey's Kettle Fried Chicken in Culver City recently and that place was also filled with Asians. We do love our fried chicken, I guess... :)
Posted by: Rosa | Sunday, 10 April 2011 at 03:56 PM
ack! I "need" some fried chicken for lunch now :0
Posted by: kat | Sunday, 10 April 2011 at 05:30 PM
MMM... My favorite... I love Bonnie Jean's SO MUCH!! :D Have you tried their sweet potatoes? My soul literally escaped from my body and echoed the glorious chorus of angels thats surrounded me. Yeah. They were so good.
Posted by: Hannah J | Sunday, 10 April 2011 at 05:54 PM
Hi Carol - Yes....smothered!
Hi Lynnea - The collards were wonderful.
Hi TFD - Yes, you really can't miss it.
Hi CC - You should check out Annie Belle's, though I prefer Bonnie Jean's.
Hi Loren - So far, they've got my favorite collards.
Hi Jayne - Sounds a lot likev heaven to me too.
Gravy Rosa..... Gravy!
Hi Kat - I hope you got some.
Hi Hannah - Oh my. Yoso - Poetic! ;o)
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 11 April 2011 at 06:56 AM