Cross another one off of the "must try and will return to" list!
We had been wanting to pay a visit to Bonnie Jeans for quite some time. T wasn't feeling so hot so I knew some honest-to-goodness, patch-you-right-up, just-like-mom-used-to-make soul food was just the ticket!
The cafe is only 3 miles from home and I can see that we are going to be regulars there. I can't wait for the day that I walk in and am greeted with a "Hi Diane!" just like some of the other guests are!
Like I said, I knew that this was the kind of food T needed to get back on track. Mashed potatoes are a favorite so I knew I wouldn't go wrong. Plus, I had been wanting some really, REALLY good fried chicken.
I ordered a "veggie plate" for T with macaroni & cheese, collards and, mashed potatoes with gravy. Came with cornbread. There was enough food on that plate that we split all of them so I could share my food too.
I ordered the 3 piece fried chicken dinner (all white meat) with collards and black eyed peas. Came with cornbread too.
When I placed the order I was told that all of the fried chicken is made to order so it would take about 20 minutes. Made to order fried chicken? Fine by me!!
I sat down to wait for my food and checked the place out. Lots of art hanging on the walls, board games to play and gospel music on the radio. I was loving this.
Pretty soon my food was ready and the bag I was handed smelled wonderful. You know the smell, fresh fried chicken - nothing like it.
I had tried to order red velvet cake and german chocolate cake but they were out. Same with the hot water cornbread. As far as I was concerned, this was just another reason to come here again!
I put that bag in my car and drove home with that wonderful smell in my nose the whole way. When I got home with the food, T was ready and we took the food out, plated it up and sat down to enjoy it.
I am a fan of fried chicken and this was the best I have ever had. The breast was HUGE and the meat inside was sooooo moist and wonderful. I ate that whole thing (well what T didn't take) and the 2 wings that came with it.
I love southern cooking and am capable of cooking up a mess of collards and black eyed peas too. The collards that Bonnie Jeans puts out are out of this world. I told T that I could just have had a big bowl of them with cornbread and have been quite happy. The pot likker was delicious after my cornbread soaked in it. The greens had so obviously cooked all day with several ham hocks. They weren't bitter at all and had the most wonderful flavor. One of the true comfort foods when done right. The other sides were good too but those collards really stood out.
The mashed potatoes were very creamy and tasty too and served with brown gravy. I am typically more of a fan of turkey gravy but I would never send these back!
The cornbreads were great as well - individual cakes with little pieces of jalapeno in them.
Just so you know, this food isn't light and it isn't diet. In truth I would avoid any place that claimed to serve light soul food. Really, what's the point?
I can't wait to go here again as there are several things on the menu that I must try. Maybe I will see you there too!
1964 54th Street
San Diego, CA 92105
Cusine: Soul food.San Diego, CA 92105
Dollar Value: Good.
Service: Good.
Would I return here: Yes! Can I go now?!
