Saturday Seafood at Hoochies Denton

Hoochie's Exterior

If there's one food that I love its seafood. Over the weekend I had the pleasure of dining at Hoochies Dining in Denton, TX. It's alright if you giggled at the name. I smile whenever I hear it. Interestingly, Hoochies was named after the Post World War I flapper girls in an effort to reflect the restaurant's less Americanized approach. The owner also wanted the name to be memorable to customers, and it most definitely is. I fell in love with the uniqueness, character, and charm of Hoochies.

Hoochies name isn't the only thing that makes it memorable. I loved the casual, comfortable, down home ambiance of the restaurant. You order at the counter, grab a table, and your meal is served to you. The service was impeccable and my glass never went empty. All of the servers were extremely friendly and accommodating. 

I also found Hoochies menu to be affordable yet expansive. Although, there were lots of menu choices I didn't find the menu overwhelming. There is truly something on the menu for everyone. Hoochies price point is affordable and I opted for the Weekend Catfish and Shrimp Basket Special which costs $7.95. 

Weekend Special

My catfish filet was huge and my steak fries were plentiful. The shrimp were also large in size and my meal came with hush puppies. If you've read some of my previous reviews you already know that I'm picky about my hush puppies. I'm proud to say that these were jalapeno free although, they still had a subtle kick to them. They were also unique in being square shaped. My catfish was effortlessly crispy and well seasoned. I also loved the shrimp which had a perfectly balanced amount of batter.

Shrimp Basket

My hubby opted for the Shrimp Basket and was very satisfied with his meal. He opted for the 5 piece basket. Hoochies also offers a larger portion, but the 5 piece was plenty for him. I also loved how our baskets were served with condiments. This might seem minor, but one of my pet peeves is having to ask for condiments at seafood restaurants. It was nice to have everything right in front of me when I was ready to eat. The service as Hoochies was also extremely fast. My meal was served within 10 minutes of ordering. 

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

Sam, the owner of Hoochies also brought out an order of their Mexican Shrimp Cocktail for us to try. If you visit Hoochies please do yourself a favor and order it. After the first bite, my mind started to become clouded with memories of my last vacation to Mexico. Seriously, Hoochies picked the perfect name for this dish because it tasted like it was straight out of Mexico. The Shrimp Cocktail was jam packed with shrimp, and I loved the chunks of avocado. Tortilla chips were served on the side and I loved everything about this dish! 

Hoochies is definitely a solid seafood pick. If you're in the Denton area go ahead and give them a try. I am looking forward to ordering a Po' Boy on my next visit and maybe some crawfish if I'm feeling adventurous. I'm actually a little scared of them as I have no idea how to eat them. Have you been to Hoochies? Go check them out and let them know Shasha sent you. 

Sam & I

***Disclosure*** I received a complimentary meal in exchange for my review of Hoochie's Denton. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Food Void: Yen Ching Chinese Restaurant

Last week, I took an unexpected trip to my hometown of Richmond, VA. Since this trip was short, I didn't have time to visit all of my favorite restaurants. However, I did get the chance to visit my favorite Chinese spot. Ever since I moved to Dallas, I've been unable to find a Chinese food restaurant that's similar to what I'm use to back East. My Dallas Chinese food void has been real.

Many of my friends who are Dallas Transplants have also commented that the Chinese cuisine in Dallas is also different from what they're used too. So maybe it isn't just me. I've tried countless restaurants with no success. If you have any great Chines restaurant recommendations feel free to chime in.  I'd love to try them. I'm confident that there's a DFW chinese restaurant that serves food in appearance similar to my photos below. I'll never forget when I tried one restaurant that put white sauce on my chicken and broccoli! I had no idea that brown sauce wasn't the norm! 

I love how Yen Ching's Chicken & Broccoli is so flavorful. It always has the perfect amount of brown sauce and the chicken is always nice and tender. 

I love Fried Rice that's fried to a nice brown. I've noticed that in Dallas my Fried Rice is always a little on the lighter side. Maybe, I'll start asking if they can fry it a little darker. Yen Ching's Pork Fried rice, is the type of rice that I have dreams about! It's flavorful, plentiful on meat, and I love how it's filled with egg. It's not overwhelmed with veggies, which is how I prefer it! 

Yen Ching's Kung Pao Chicken is excellent. it's not too spicy and you can have them adjust the spice level accordingly. I've been dining at Yen Ching for years at it's two locations. I've never had any problems with food quality or consistency during any of my visits. 

I love how Yen Ching serves it's diner's complimentary fresh orange slices after dinner. Oranges are known to aid with digestion. I love how refreshing, sweet, and light they are.

What's your favorite Chinese restaurant? Drop a line in the comments and let me know! Wanna know more about Yen Ching? Check them out here. 

Southern Goodness: Dining at Julia Pearl Southern Cuisine

Hello There!

Have you ever ate something so good that you felt like it touched your soul? I had that feeling after dining at Julia Pearl Southern Cuisine in Plano, TX. My dining experience was so wonderful that I ended up visiting this restaurant two weekends in a row. After finishing my meal I found myself entering a food-induced coma. I ended up cancelling my after dinner movie plans, because I couldn't fight the urge to go home and retire on my couch. 

I moved to Dallas about five years ago and I've always felt homesick over the lack of soul food dining options available here in Dallas. Don't get me wrong we have some good soul food restaurants here in the Big D. However, I find that there are more options available back in my hometown. Whenever, I have the opportunity to fly back home to Richmond I make sure that I grab a bite from my favorite soul food restaurants. I'm happy to report that Julia Pearl has fulfilled my soul food void!  I am so ecstatic to have a soul food restaurant that is not only close to home but has an upscale feel. During my last visit, I had the privilege to eat while listening to the sounds from the awesome Fingerprint's Band. There's nothing I love more than a great meal and some good tunes to go with it! 

The upscale yet comfortable vibe at Julia Pearl isn't the only thing that makes the restaurant special. The service is phenomenal. I loved how management constantly walked the restaurant floor to check on guests. My waiter Brody (who served me on both visits) was extremely accommodating and attentive. Vivian, one of the owners of Julia Pearl was extremely warm and friendly. She not only welcomed me with open arms (literally) but even made me a side of her famous potato balls which were delicious! Sorry, but I gobbled them all up before getting a picture. I even saw Executive Chef, Jermaine Brown greet many diners to check on their experience. Great dining experiences aren't always just about the food. Julia Pearl clearly realizes the importance of this and has proven that they are committed to making the experience memorable. I walked in the restaurant as a guest, but left feeling like I was a part of the Julia Pearl Family. 

Ok, sorry if I'm getting to sentimental. I know you all are ready to hear about the food. Since I visited this restaurant twice, I had the opportunity to try many of the menu items. 

Before ordering Julia Pearl serves up some amazing cornbread. The cornbread here is sheer perfection. Seriously, Jiffy ain't got nothing on Julia Pearl. I loved how the cornbread was soft, sweet, and delectable.

Deviled Eggs with Crispy Chicken Skin. Ok, is it me or does everyone have one aunt or family that makes awesome deviled eggs? Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about! Seriously, these deviled eggs tasted like they were made by one of my family members. However, the crispy chicken skin was a nice touch. I loved how it added flavor and crispiness to the deviled egg. I would definitely order these again. 

Jumbo Lump Crab Cake. If you've read some of my previous food reviews you'll know I'm especially particular about my seafood. I know all about Maryland Crab Cakes and I can taste a fake in a heart beat. The crab cake at Julia Pearl was amazing. Seriously, this thing tasted like it was straight out the Chesapeake Bay.  All my east coast foodies...REJOICE! this would definitely qualify as an east coast crab cake. 

Julia & Pearl's Chicken Wings

Chicken Wings. I don't know what to say about these except that you should order them. Julia Pearl's appetizer menu is on point. I would have no problem going there and just ordering appetizers and drinks because they are super tasty and plentiful. These wings did not disappoint. The lemon pepper was fantastic and the barbecue was also a hit. My husband actually ordered the chicken wings as an entree during our second visit and was full. 

Whole-Cut up Bird. This was a LOT of chicken. My husband and I ordered the whole chicken and we quickly realized that we could've ordered just half and had plenty. We had tons of leftovers after our meal and I actually felt bad that our waiter had so much food to box up. The fried chicken was delightful. Perfectly seasoned with a slight kick of heat. The fried chicken was the epitome of down home cooking. I found myself looking through the kitchen window trying to check if there were a gang of grandma's in the back frying chicken. The fried chicken had a great home cooked taste.

Mac and Cheese. Just do yourself a favor and order it. I have been having dreams about it ever since I left. I can best describe it as creamy, cheesy, macaroni goodness. It also had a slight kick, which made the flavor even better. 

Mashed Potatoes. Perfection! Keep in mind that the sides at Julia Pearl are plentiful. My husband and I ordered individual sides but will share on our next visit. In my opinion, they can easily serve 2 people. 

Pork Chop. This pork chop was incredibly tender, and grilled to perfection. It honestly reminded me of steak. I've had a lot of good pork chops in my life but this one was memorable. I loved the amount of char on it. Also my macaroni and cheese nicely soaked up the juice from the porkchop and collard greens which really made the flavor of this dish amazing. 

Collard Greens. I love a good bowl of collard greens. Once again, Julia Pearl showed up and showed out with these. Was it Fantasia that had a song called Collard Greens and Cornbread? I found myself humming it as I ate these. Another solid pick on the menu. 

The Desserts. Whew! I am tired from all this typing! But let's get down to the real champion on Julia Pearl's menu. Do not leave the restaurant without ordering a dessert. I ordered both the Red Velvet & Lemon Pound Cake. I loved how both dishes were served with ice cream which was the perfect accompaniment. However the real MVP at Julia Pearl is........(drum roll please)

Red Velvet Cake 

The Red Velvet Cake! I have a had a lot of Red Velvet Cakes in my life but this one is a WINNER. This cake had me thanking God for giving me taste buds. Do not leave the restaurant without ordering it. Shout out to the Lemon Pound Cake for being runner-up. Now I might be a little biased because I love Red Velvet anything, but the red velvet  cake was lifechanging!

Lemon Pound Cake

Well there you have it! A detailed review about Julia Pearl Southern Cuisine. On both occassions, I left the restaurant feeling like my meal was "made with love." Do yourself a favor and check out Julia Pearl. Be sure to tell Vivian that Shasha sent you.

 I'm looking forward to visiting Julia Pearl again for brunch. I've got my eye on their Chicken and Waffles plus I'm dying to try their Brisket. 

Have you dined at Julia Pearl? What items did you love from the menu? Drop a line in the comments and let me know.

The Best Soul Food Restaurant in Richmond, Virginia: Mama J's

Hey Mama J! Do you know who Mama J is? If not, I highly recommend that you get to know her. I had the privilege of dining at this restaurant  and the experience was quite memorable. The food at Mama J's was so good for my soul that I'm keeping this review short and sweet. 

Mama J's is  quaint, yet gives off a very rustic yet comfortable vibe. It almost feels like your dining at your grandmother’s house. I visited the restaurant on a Sunday night around 7:00 pm and my wait time was about 30 minutes. However, be ready to experience higher wait times  if you dine on Friday or Saturday night. Once we were seated our orders were taken quickly and our food arrived in what felt like 15 minutes max. 

I love how Mama J’s menus are built inside the table which makes it easy for you to pinpoint what you’d like to order. I think this is a very creative way to display the menu offerings. 

On this visit I opted for the smothered pork chop with a side of candied yams, and macaroni and cheese. I won’t go into detail about how the food tasted because all you need to know is that it was AMAZING. The only bad thing is that I live 1,300 miles away from Mama J’s. If there was a way that I could teleport myself to Mama J’s every weekend I would. Does anyone out there have a buddy pass that I can borrow? If so, I’m hopping on a plane and going back to Mama J’s to get my soul food fix. This meal was the type of meal that leaves you speechless after you are done eating. 

There is no need for me to describe how juicy the pork chops were, or how abundantly cheesy the macaroni and cheese was. The gravy on my pork chops was plentiful and caressed my pork chops in the perfect way. If you have the opportunity to visit Mama J’s do yourself a favor and get the pork chop. My husband ordered the baked chicken and had no complaints about his meal either.  Everyone in my party agreed that the food and service were phenomenal. The service was superior, and I have to say this was one of my best dining experiences thus far in 2016. 

I was so full from my entree that I didn’t order dessert but I have been told that they are just as good as the entrees. 

Have you been to Mama J’s? Is there a Soul Food restaurant that has your heart? If so let me know!

The King of Donuts: Krispy Kreme

The red light is on! If you’re a fan of Krispy Kreme you know exactly what I’m talking about. Have you ever made a quick u-turn when you've seen the red light glowing in all it's glory? I know I have. My love for Krispy Kreme is so strong that I avoid other donut shops like the plague. Dallas is flooded with many mom and pop donut shops that simply say “Donuts” on the signage. When I have patronized these shops I'm left with a troubled conscience. I end up feeling like my patronage is an act of disloyalty against my beloved Krispy Kreme. Now, I'm not saying that mom and pop donut shops are bad. From what I've been told there are some really good ones here in Dallas. If you know of one feel free to shout it out in the comments and I'll be happy to give it a try. 

Hot off the Press

Last year Krispy Kreme hit the Dallas Market and I was ecstatic.  I’ve had many debates with friends and coworkers who think that Krispy Kreme is just average. I don’t understand what could be average about a piping hot Krispy Kreme glazed donut?  

Whenever, I take my first bite into a Krispy Kreme I feel like a need a moment of silence to fully enjoy the experience. I have yet to have a comparable experience with another donut. 

On a recent trip, back to my hometown I had the opportunity to grab a Krispy Kreme donut fresh off the conveyor belt. I need to go ahead and download the hot light app, so I can step my donut game up for 2016. For me, no other donut comes close to the joy I experience from Krispy Kreme. Plus, the free hats and the opportunity to see production process is a nice treat. 

Are you a Krispy Kreme fan? Is there a mom and pop shop in Dallas that you think I need to give a try?  Drop a line in the comments and let me know. 

The Burger That Changed my Life

Have you ever ate something so good that it changed your life? This happened to me when a few years ago when I came across Shake Shack. 

During one of my DC adventures I stopped by the Shake Shack in Washington, DC. From that day forward, my life would never be the same. It was love at first bite. Me and my Shackburger shared a bond that could never be broken. Since I ended up moving to Dallas, (which is currently Shake Shackless ) I have to carefully plan my Shake Shack visits. 

LIFE.

I have no idea how their burgers are so amazing. I have even questioned if Jesus and his disciples are in the kitchen cooking burgers because the burgers are nothing short of perfection. Let's not forget that Shake Shack's crinkle cut fries are amazing and so are the shakes!

Shack Fries

Every time my hubby and I go back to the east coast we make sure that we have a pre-planned Shake Shack stop. When visiting other cities the first question is, Do they have a Shake Shack? Followed by how far is it from the airport?  I’ve gone out of my way to schedule late night flights out of DCA just to make sure that I always have enough time to get my Shake Shack fix in. Thankfully, my prayers were answered and Texas opened its first Shake Shack in Austin in last Spring. 

The Shackburger, Perfection Between Two Buns

During my time in Miami last November can you guess what the first thing was that I ate? Shake Shack! Some of my closest friends have converted over to Shack Fans which makes it even easier for me to get my fix in when we travel together. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said that a burger changed my life, well at least it always impacts my travel plans.

Shake Shack Miami, FL

If you haven’t tried Shake Shack you are really missing out. if you already have one in your city I’m super jealous! I know for sure that I’m not the only person in the world who has eaten a food that has changed their life. Do you have an experience that’s similar to Shake Shack? Are you a shack fan? Let me know in the comments. 

*This post was not sponsored by Shake Shack but is simply based on my personal opinion.