I met up with my sweet chef friend, Emily Ellyn at the newly opened The Coop in Orlando (Winter Park), FL this past week. I was super excited to try some good Southern food while in Florida since being away from home for over a week.
We walked up to the restaurant in anticipation and were met with a line of people out the door and wrapped around the building. Obviously we weren’t the only ones excited to try the newly opened establishment. After scanning over the menu, I knew I was in for a treat and in trouble. How was I going to decide what to eat when everything sounded good! Decisions….decisions, there was fried chicken, meatloaf, chicken pot pie, shrimp and grits, and more. It all sounded good! Then the sides consisted of fried okra, greens, creamed corn, coleslaw, mac n’cheese, mashed potatoes, and more.
We finally made it inside to what felt like walking into one of my Southern family or friend’s house. I loved the mix and match tables and chairs.
The Coop’s counter is set up cafeteria stylish. I like that I could see the food before ordering. I have to tell you that it does make it that much harder to decide because everything look good! Oh yea and if you want to sample a dish before ordering, just ask! I sampled their grits and fried okra. Yum!
What I love about sharing a meal with foodies is that you can sample everything. Can I try your greens? Your mac n’cheese looks good! Can I try it? Yes, it becomes a food fest.
I ordered the fried chicken strips, creamed corn, hoppin’ johns, and the cornbread. The crispy exterior on the chicken was seasoned well and lightly battered. The chicken was moist and delicious. What I loved most on my plate was the creamed corn. The creaminess from what I guess was cream cheese and cream was so rich and then cut by the burst of the sweet corn. Emily called it on the cornbread. She detected bacon grease. The owner, John Rivers said bacon grease is added to the cast iron skillet first and then heated in the oven before adding the batter. The result is a flavorful, crispy edged, moist cornbread.
Dessert? Of course we had dessert! I always save room. We had a spread too! Mini pecan, coconut cream, and peanut butter pies, fried strawberry hand pie, berry trifle, banana pudding, and last but not least homemade peanut butter moon pies. Yes, I said moon pies! This nostalgic Southern treat came wrapped in a cellophane bag secured with red and white twine. We managed to consume one of the three. I couldn’t see the other two being left so I wrapped them back up in their cute package and carefully positioned it in my purse for later.
If you live in the Orlando area or planning to visit, definitely plan to have lunch or dinner at The Coop. http://www.asouthernaffair.com/ You won’t be disappointed.
Thank you John Rivers for a home away from home Southern meal!
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