First, if you're not from Columbus (like us), the place is inside the International Marketplace…read more Now with the housekeeping out of the way, let's get to the goody ...
After a really rough day on the lanes, we were hongry (yes, I spelled that correctly) and wanted soul food. The soul food place we'd visited the last time we were in Columbus closes at 6pm. It's a little after 7. So trusting my fellow Yelpers, I searched out soul food and Kays was very near our hotel. They, the Yelpers, as usual, got it right.
Those of you who know us, know that we go in hard. Especially when the place has good customer service reviews. Our fellow Yelpers did not lie.
The place is a kitchen staff by Kay herself and a young lady whom I'm assuming is her daughter? Nonetheless, her booming personality and jovial demeanor made us not care about what was cooking in her kitchen! We wanted it.
The hand written flipboard menu was nothing less than charming. Made me feel like I was at grandma's where she put a note on the refrigerator saying this is what's for dinner. Don't spoil your appetite before then.
Not an expansive daily special menu, which was cool, because when you haven't eaten since breakfast, you tend to go hog wild at the mere thought of food, and typically can't settle on anything.
Pimp had pork chops, rice and gravy, and greens. I had the catfish and macaroni and cheese.
When I say the silence was palpable when Pimp started chomping that chop ... He completely left the building. Him, pork chops, rice and gravy were in a different ethosphere. He did wish there was more gravy though. Greens were tender and well seasoned.
My catfish was rolled with hands that had done family reunion fish frys for a long time. Well seasoned, coated and fried to perfection. The macaroni and cheese had the creamy, stringiness that you like to play with before you fly it into your mouth. It definitely had personality.
But the coup de grace was indeed the service. I am completely angry, because we need to eat in this woman's kitchen at least once a month, and Columbus is 3 1/2 hours away from Detroit!
The Saraga International Market is interesting in and of itself, but I'll post a different review on that.
Kudos Ms. Kay. We're looking forward to them oxtails on our way home tomorrow and to many visits in the future.