By Jessica Goldstein<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s Southern Kitchen, Kentish Town<\/p>\n
North London\u2019s Kentish Town is home to great pubs, delis and the odd bargain store. Loved by many (avoided by some), this long high street between urban Camden town and the suburbs of Highgate, has long been in need of something fun, fresh and new.<\/p>\n
For Kentish Town locals and office workers, the call of Pizza East, Dirty Burger and Chicken Shop has all too soon turned into a faint whisper, and Joe\u2019s Southern Kitchen has fast become the new go-to spot for those looking for something a bit more novel on a lunchtime or after work. This is the second restaurant of the group, with the first opening in Covent Garden just a year or two ago.<\/p>\n
For those who love a theme, this is the place for you. Think Deep-South meets Brixton warehouse. Texan-rock-folk-country music plays loudly in the background as very chirpy waitresses bound eagerly towards you to have you seated and comfortable as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
Eager and excited about the new venue and the brilliantly fun theme, the entire menu seemed all too enticing. \u2018Shrimp \u2018n\u2019 Grits\u2019, \u2018Blackened Cod Fish\u2019, \u20188 Hour Slow Roast Beef Short Rib\u2019, had everyone discussing what they thought grits were and that they\u2019d seen them in that movie one time.<\/p>\n
After much deliberation, we ordered the \u2018Fried Southern Bird\u2019 (\u00a313.95) accompanied by the most heavenly creamed corn (\u00a31.95) to ever grace this side of the Atlantic and Chicken Salt Fries (\u00a33.95); and the all too intriguing \u2018Joe\u2019s Prison Plate\u2019 (\u00a313.95).<\/p>\n
The fried chicken (bird) comes in a metal basket of sheer delight. The chicken is poached in buttermilk before frying which makes for a tender center and perfectly crisp skin. Sprinkled with lemon dust, the crispy coating is not for the faint hearted, but only the greediest of the group. Eye-rollingly yummy.<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s Prison Plate is likely more fun to order and take photos of rather than eat. Taking inspiration from the dinner plates served to those old-school Southern jailbirds, this dish is aesthetically genius but all a bit too wet when it gets down to the eatin\u2019. Beans, slaw, pulled pork, grits, someone hand me a spoon!<\/p>\n
Bring on the desserts! These are not to be missed, no matter how full you feel. Everything\u2019s bigger in Texas! We went for the Peanut Butter Fudge Pie with very American Chantilly Cream (\u00a34.00)\u2026 You can\u2019t go far wrong with chocolate and peanut butter but JSK have got it very, very right. Crispy, buttery, chocolately, peanutty \u2013 just indulgent dessert heaven.<\/p>\n
For a marginally lighter option, go for the Iced Honeycomb & Chocolate Parfait Sandwich (\u00a34.00). With crunchy nuggets of honeycomb and cream in every mouthful, it makes for a really quite scrumptious ending to a really quite scrumptious meal.<\/p>\n
For those making the journey to Kentish Town, JSK also serve great cocktails that can be enjoyed on their front terrace when the sun is shining! A real winner, and a welcome addition to these North London streets.<\/p>\n
Joe\u2019s Southern Kitchen<\/p>\n
300 Kentish Town Rd, London NW5 2TG<\/p>\n
020 7485 7331<\/p>\n
Nearest Station Kentish Town<\/p>\n