South Restaurant

Have not written in a while because I was either lazy or did not find anything noteworthy. But my fingers are itching again so here goes.


Finally found an authentic southern restaurant in Orange County! South in San Juan Capistrano which is about 27 miles from Huntington Beach which ought to give you an idea how far we had to go to find good ole southern cooking.


We have been there twice now and I love the food! Last time we went, the waiter suggested the fried okra. I had not had fried okra in 10+ years! We heartily agreed and when it arrived, we downed the squishy crunchy goodness forgetting how many calories they had. OMG! I have missed fried southern food! The one thing they don't have is tattertots but I can live with that.


The menu is great. Between the two times we went we had corn bread while we waited for the food to arrive, hmmm my total weakness. Crab cakes and gumbo for appetizers -- very good. Blackened redfish and Fried chicken. The fish was heavenly the fried chicken was ordinary. The next time was the catfish and roast garlic chicken. Both dishes were very tasty except the chicken did not taste southern.


Dessert, which I have trying to stay away from beckoned deliciously from the menu. We gave in and had the key lime pie. That was worth waiting for. I am not a pie person, but the yellow tangy goodness topped with whip cream hit the sweet spot. It was divine. I would come back just for desert and next time try the chocolate pecan pie.


While it does not beat actually being in New Orleans, St. Louis, Atlanta, or Mobile the food is the closest thing I have found to good southern cooking here. While it is right off the highway, the location is not the best in the almost obscure strip mall with no tell-tale signs out front or on the street facing side.


With that, I am on to more exploring of Orange County. Next Santa Barbara.