Soul food: fried catfish, hush puppies and cole slaw.
Soul food restaurants base their fare on recipes that African-American slaves developed before the Civil War using ingredients readily available to them such as cornmeal, chicken, catfish, ham hocks, black-eyed peas, collard greens, corn and peas. The term "soul food" originated in the 1960s when "soul" came into common use to describe aspects of the African-American culture. In Austin, soul food has evolved to Southern comfort food and down-home cooking while retaining its original ingredients and dishes.
Galloway Sandwich Shop
A gem of a place to find soul food is Galloway Sandwich Shop, which serves more than the name implies. Stephen Galloway and his mother, Laverne, have cooked and served breakfast and lunch there daily (except Sundays) since 1998. Stephen says their Southern comfort food offerings include pork chops, meat loaf, chicken and dressing, sweet potato pie (on Wednesdays), peach cobbler (on Thursdays), and a bunch of sides such as macaroni and cheese, stewed okra, potato salad, squash and green beans. Greens are served daily on a rotating basis. Choices are cabbage, spinach, collard, turnip or mustard greens. For breakfast, Stephen makes grits, Malt-O-Meal, oatmeal, eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon and biscuits. Another house specialty is barbecue (brisket, ribs and sausage). He's particularly proud of their barbecue sauces. Galloway's is a cash-only restaurant, so come prepared. Be sure to introduce yourself to Stephen; he is at work every day either cooking, serving, cashiering or all three.
Galloway Sandwich Shop
1914 E. 12th St.
Austin, TX 78702
512-482-0757
Nubian Queen Lola's Cajun Soul Food Kitchen
Nubian Queen Lola's is an intimate eatery in East Austin. Lola Stephens, owner and cook, learned to cook with her grandmother and mother in their Lake Charles, Louisiana, home kitchen. En route to California, Lola stopped in Austin a few years back and she has yet to leave. Her specialties are fried chicken, chicken and sausage gumbo, crawfish gumbo, catfish, shrimp étouffée, and mammoth burgers (single, double or triple patties). Sides include macaroni and cheese, yams, collard greens, and rice with beans. Lola's is closed on Sundays because that is when she serves the homeless for free.
Nubian Queen Lola's Cajun Soul Food Kitchen
1815 Rosewood
Austin, TX 78702
512-474-5642
nubianqueenlolas.com
Hoover's Home Cooking
Hoover Alexander is a fifth-generation Texan serving up award-winning Best of Austin hoe cakes (made from a batter of cornmeal and flour). As a young man, Hoover began his restaurant education at the locally famous Night Hawk. At his two locations, he serves Southern fried pork chops, chicken fried chicken breast, meat loaf, Elgin sausage, fried catfish and pork ribs. Veggie sides include black-eyed peas, mashed potatoes, buttered carrots, seasoned green beans, mustard greens, fried okra, candied yams plus many others. Homemade desserts are another specialty at Hoover's.
Hoover's Home Cooking
2002 Manor Road
Austin, TX 78722
512-479-0889
Hoover's Home Cooking
13376 Research Blvd., #400
Austin, TX 78750
512-335-0300
hooverscooking.com
Tags: Galloway Sandwich, Galloway Sandwich Shop, Home Cooking, Hoover Home, Hoover Home Cooking