It has been a little over a year since I first learned about Krave Eatery & Dessert Shop through…read moreTikTok, which prompted me to travel over two hours to visit this viral restaurant sensation. Since my initial experience, I have returned on three additional occasions, sampling as many menu items as possible, since I never know when I might next be able to return.
Krave is operated by a family team consisting of a father, mother, daughter, and son, who clearly put their Christian values on full display as they demonstrate exceptional hospitality and professionalism in all aspects of their business (including a score of 100 on their recent Food & Services Inspection Report). During my first visit, their genuine friendliness and warmth was notable. Afterwards, I discovered that Khaira, the daughter, serves as a youth and young adults pastor, while her father, David, is the senior pastor at their church-which aligns with the attentive service provided.
During my initial trip, I was unaware of the restaurant's significant popularity; despite arriving an hour and a half after opening, I waited in line for 45 minutes and barely obtained one of the last available plates. Learning from this, I arrived earlier on my subsequent visits, twice being the first in line ;-)
KRAVE EATERY operates primarily on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with occasional Friday "pop-up" events. It is advisable to check their Facebook page for specific Friday openings, as each day features a distinct menu. To date, I have not attended on a Wednesday but did manage to visit on a Friday. The typical menu schedule is outlined below:
WEDNESDAY
* Jerk Salmon
* Jerk Seafood Pasta
* Sweet Chili Salmon
* Yellow Rice
* Grits
* Kale
* Spoon Bread
* Soup of the Day
THURSDAY
* Roasted Turkey Wings (THIS IS A MUST TRY ITEM)
* Smothered Pork Chops
* Braised Oxtails (THIS IS A MUST TRY ITEM)
* Collard Greens
* Sautéed Squash
* Yellow Rice
* Mac & Cheese
* Sweet Potato Soufflé
* Potato Salad
* Cornbread Dressing
FRIDAY
* Braised Oxtail Pasta
* Sweet Chili Pork Chops
* Smothered Baked Chicken
* Sautéed Green Beans
* Yellow Rice
* Mac & Cheese
* Sautéed Cabbage
* Sweet Potato Soufflé
* Red Velvet -- Coconut Velvet -- Nana
* Pudding -- Berry Peach Cobbler (THIS IS A MUST TRY ITEM)
[Please note that menu items are subject to change.]
I have sampled nearly every dish offered on Thursdays and Fridays, except for the sweet chili pork chops. While I did not prefer the smothered pork chops or barbecue chicken wings on separate occasions, the other dishes were consistently well-prepared, generous in portion size, and reasonably priced.
Having experienced a wide variety of southern cuisine, I can confidently say that Krave's oxtails, and turkey wings rank among my top five favorites, and the mac & cheese, dressing and sweet potato soufflé are high on my list as well.
[ FINAL THOUGHTS ]
Krave Eatery & Dessert Shop merits the two-hour journey, not only for its quality food but for the overall dining experience. I plan to return next on a Wednesday to sample the Jerk Salmon Seafood Pasta and kale, both of which come highly recommended by other patrons I have met while standing in line.
