It seems like everyone these days is craving southern-style cuisine, whether it’s barbecue, fried chicken and waffles, or New Orleans-style shrimp and grits. The options are limitless—even in New England.
Yes, over the last few years southern cuisine has slowly but surely moseyed its way up north. Even if you haven’t experienced a good ol’ $4 “meat and three” plate, or a myriad of flavored BBQ sauces (mustard, vinegar, tomato-based, etc) south of the Mason-Dixon line, chances are you know where to find them in Boston.
And as a southern-born Boston resident, this makes me very happy. With multiple southern-style restaurants popping up throughout the Boston area in the last few years, it’s nice to know that I can find a little southern comfort wherever I go in Boston. My personal recommendations include: Hungry Mother in Cambridge, Estelle’s Southern Cuisine in the South End and Sweet Cheeks BBQ near Fenway (still not my mustard-based jam but it’ll do).
But the question remains, is this southern food trend just a passing fad? Or one that is here to stay? I’m hoping the latter, but needed confirmation—as well as a few area recommendations for the next time I decide to partake in lowcountry gluttony.
Fortunately, my quick fire question and answer session with Estelle’s Chef Eric Gburski gave me the answers I needed and the reassurance that the delicious trend is here to stay.
How did you get started cooking southern-style food in New England?
My start in southern cuisine came professionally at the East Coast Grill (Cambridge, MA). After years of experience with the cuisine, it is something that has become a part of my personal style as a chef.
Do you think southern-style cuisine is just a fad, or a trend that is here to stay in New England?
Southern cuisine is not just a fad. Due to the vastness of the south, it supplies a lot of different styles. New Englanders enjoy the bold, bright flavors that southern cuisine offers.
What southern-style food must everyone in New England try?
I recommend that all New Englanders try Gulf Coast and Cajun style.
Which southern-style food on Estelle’s menu is the most popular and which is your favorite to cook?
Our most popular dish is the Buttermilk Fried Chicken. However, my favorite is our Cajun Cornmeal Crusted Catfish.
What are your favorite southern meals in the Hub? Shout ’em out in the comments below.
