I know – I KNOW – that I’ve blogged a whole lot about fried chicken over the last 5 1/2 years. I’m guessing that the only topics I’ve mentioned more are bacon and Mississippi State. And I imagine that if I ever find myself in a situation where I experience fried chicken, bacon, and a Mississippi State sporting event all at the same time, my head will spin around in circles and steam will pour out of my ears while I ring a cowbell with one hand and wave a chicken leg with the other.
Well.
I’m in Charlotte for a few days, blogging and helping out at Living Proof Live, and last night I went to supper with a group of friends who are also here for the event. We had reservations at a place called The King’s Kitchen, and before we got there I was so excited, mainly because I’d heard what they are all about – and that they serve local Southern food.
And also because I didn’t have lunch yesterday.
And also because I was burning up hot and really, really wanted some good iced tea.
Well.
As soon as I saw the menu, I knew that we were in for a treat.
I mean, listen. There’s no way to go wrong with something called “Aunt Beaut’s Skillet Fried Chicken.” So that’s exactly what I decided to order – with creamed potatoes, fried green beans, and collards. I didn’t even know what fried green beans would taste like, but the menu said they were “Rosa’s Fried Green Beans,” and in my experience a Southern dish that has someone’s name attached to it is almost always worth a try.
I was also encouraged by the restaurant’s slogan at the bottom of the menu:
OH, COME ON. Yes ma’am. Eat some chicken and feed somebody. Yes ma’am. That is a noble calling. I almost had to pick up my white napkin and wave it in the air.
Our waiter (who was darlin’) brought us biscuits and cornbread before the meal, and they were delicious. But would the fried chicken live up to my expectations? Would the food be underseasoned? Would the creamed potatoes be the real deal?
So the food arrived. I spent about a minute just staring at it.
And y’all – oh my goodness. It was the fried chicken of my life. OF MY LIFE. It reminded me so much of my Mamaw Davis’ that I felt a little teary-eyed. The chicken had the perfect amount of crust on it, and it had been dredged in some well-seasoned flour. I’m almost positive that it spent a day or two soaking in buttermilk (and maybe a little hot sauce) before it was fried, too. The creamed potatoes were buttery and delicious, the collards were fresh and hadn’t been cooked down so far that they’d lost all texture, and the green beans were perfection. I think they’d been cooked like normal in a pot, then reheated in a hot skillet.
Just FYI: I’d give anything to have a whole pot of them right about now.
Dessert was homemade banana pudding – complete with homemade vanilla wafers – and I have to quit talking about it because I’m making myself way too hungry.
So, to sum up: 1) incredible meal 2) fried chicken of my life and 3) FRIED CHICKEN OF MY LIFE.
I never even saw it coming. But oh, I’m so glad I didn’t miss it.
Hallelujah and amen.
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{ 39 comments }
Welcome to Charlotte! Had I known you were going to be here, I maybe woulda had to do a bit o’stalkin. :) Love your blog! And Fried Chicken!
Safe travels.
You are doing what you are MEANT to do! Your posts are the bomb!
AND that food looks DELISH!
Oh Lord. I love everything about this post. You are so Southern and fabulous and I just love it. I think I would fall in the floor with excitement if I ever ran into you at a Mississippi State sporting event.
This post makes me want to be in Charlotte and going to dinner. Loved the image of you with bacon, at State, with a chicken leg. I can see it happening. Love, love, love to read your posts.
What a timely post! I grew up in Charlotte and am taking my kids to visit my parents for a few days next week. I’m also meeting up with a friend from high school and was looking for an interesting place to eat. How perfect is this? Thanks, Boo Mama! I am definitely having the fried chicken.
Welcome to Charlotte!! I have heard about this place but haven’t been. Now I know what to get!!
Hope to see you tonight!
This is adorable and reminds me of how NOT southern I am, although I do enjoy a good piece of fried chicken. Love your enthusiasm. Thanks for sharing–but don’t share your sugared-up tea. I won’t put my lips to that:).
I love what they are all about. That is an amazing ministry – I wish I could go there now!
If you are ever in Northern Indiana it would be my pleasure to take you to an Amish
Restaurant …….they have wonderful fried chicken and raspberry pie!!!!!! Our local
Asian restaurant has great fried green beans….a little spicy….served over rice……YUM,,
ironically, the owner of that restaurant’s name is jim noble…and the proceeds from the restaurant feed the homeless…he is probably the best chef in charlotte, so you chose wisely….hope you have a fun time here
Everything sounds and looks great but…VANILLA WAFERS-homemade!! Oh man! I’m hungry now!
Oh, I’m so glad you didn’t go get mediocre mexican this time! I’ve never been to King’s Kitchen, but a long time ago I worked for the owner at one of his other restaurants, and His food is GOOD! Next time I’m in Charlotte, I’ll definitely be trying that chicken!
A perfect moment in gastronomic time – and to be feeding others at the same time!
God is Good.
Girl that meal was so good last night! I’d like to be eating at the Kings Table every week!
a woman after my own heart: ” if I ever find myself in a situation where I experience fried chicken, bacon, and a Mississippi State sporting event all at the same time, my head will spin around in circles and steam will pour out of my ears while I ring a cowbell with one hand and wave a chicken leg with the other.”
I can’t wait to try this when I go through Charlotte.
A praiseworthy meal indeed!! I watched The Best Food I Ever Ate fried chicken episode on Food Network a while back and JOYYYYY!!! There was a little dive somewhere in California that makes coconut fried chicken! COCONUT FRIED CHICKEN!!! My 18 year old and I are VERY fond of Coconut Fried Shrimp. I told her we WILL make a trip SOME DAY to eat this deliciousness!
Don’t you just love the idea of King’s Kitchen?! I have been there several times and always had GREAT food! And the atmosphere is nice too when you walk in!! The banana pudding, oh heavens to betsy— it is marvelous!! Glad you went there!! You are not far from me :)
All I can say is wow. I am staaaarving now!
Charlotte’s a popular place this weekend and so close…yet so far. I love this. I’ll definitely look up that restaurant the next time I’m in the Queen City.
I almost went to LPL Charlotte and we had too much going on for me to come but I am hungry after reading and seeing your pics. Have mercy. Last night, I saw a shirt on tv and I immediately thought of you…the shirt said, I want bacon on my bacon. lol Back to the chicken, have mercy! Amen.
Damn. Now I want to go to Charlotte for dinner…and I’m in CALIFORNIA!
And cream cheese…you mention cream cheese a lot :)
Let me go ahead and say that my sweet husband would be right there with you when it comes to bacon, fried chicken and Mississippi State Sporting event! He would be in Hog Heaven!! Have you heard about the MSU Ladies Football Clinic? I heard Rick and Bubba talking about it the other morning! It sounds like it would be right up your alley! Enjoy Living Proof!
You made me lol and almost spit out my coffee. I don’t always comment here, but I do so enjoy your blog.
When I get to Gloryland, I fully expect my Mamaw Mullen to be standing there with a platter of fried wishbones and my Grandmother Robinson with her Apricot Nectar Cake. And that chicken on that plate looked an awful lot like Mamaw’s chicken. And I will be making a trip to the Piggly Wiggly tomorrow and getting the supplies for fried chicken and Apricot Nectar Cake. And maybe even some collard greens, green beans and creamed potatoes. If I can wait that long.
I just told husband we are definitely bringing Popeye’s home tomorrow after church. It’s not going to be King’s Kitchen but I will not be able to rest until I have fried chicken after reading this post.
My husband and I are planning to go there on our next date! Thanks for the recommendation. Please, please don’t eat any nasty mexican this time while you’re here. I highly recommend Cantina 1511 as an option for redeeming Charlotte’s mexican disaster of 2010.
Sophie, Ashley is right! I’m sure you are home from Charlotte now, but if you ever visit our city again, Cantina 1511 is absolutely the best Mexican food in town!
…And get the Enchiladas de Dennis and the Guacamole.
OH man. That makes me want to go to my momma’s house RIGHT NOW for some fried chicken and sweet tea.
Soaked in buttermilk you say?!!? I think I might cry.
Hope momma is cooking tomorrow after church…
I love a woman who loves good food and the South!!!!! Inspiring!!!
Just sent the Kings Kitchen link to my daughter who is heading for CLT tomorrow! Yum!! Thanks! Hope you had a fab time and can’t wait to hear all your thoughts about LPL.
I had my eyes peeled for you in Charlotte this past weekend at Living Proof Live. I thought you might be there! Glad you enjoyed the Queen City, your fried chicken and thrilled that you didn’t burst into flames from the insane heat!!! It was quite warm for sure!!! We are anxiously awaiting LP Live event scheduled for late August 2012 here in the Lowcountry (Charleston) – if you thought you were hot in Charlotte, hold onto your hat sister…..but don’t let that deter your visit. Hope you can make that one!!! It would thrill me beyond words to meet you and Big Mama!! Thanks for your wonderfully funny and uplifting words — a loyal Boo Mama reader.
My hubby and I went there after the conference for dinner and had THE BEST FISH AND GRITS YOU COULD EVER EAT! Nothing like a word from the Lord, your best girlfriends and some SUTHERN FOOD! I love that place and their mission! I’ve just been raving about it to my friends and family! Welcome to Charlotte! We’d love to have you anytime!!
Why. WHY?? did I read this when I started a diet. Excuse me while I crunch on a carrot.
Girl……….You know it – and you’ve got it – and I get ALL of this blogpost! I am a Southern woman and love to cook! Collard texture, perfectly seasoned and flour dredged fried chicken…all of it – it is an ART! Thank you for bringing all this to the attention of blogworld. I love you for it!
Your friend, G.J.
(Who has had her feet under your table and you’re a mighty fine cook yourself!!!)
Oh my goodness! I am laughing out loud at this post and wishing I had my own picture. My girlfriends and I were at Beth Moore in Charlotte this weekend. We ate at King’s Kitchen and I ordered the exact same plate! I was clapping my hands after every bite. I could have eaten triple portions of those collards. After sampling everything on everyone’s plate I determined that the entire menu was simply amazing. And a restaurant with a mission….priceless! Love it!
I heard from my friend Mary Kathyrn Tyson that you were at The King’s Kitchen. I just found this today and I wanted to write to say THANK YOU! We were thrilled to have you come in and please hurry back…and you must try the banana pudding. Thanks again for all the kind things you said.
Sincerely,
Karen Noble
(overseer of TKK with my husband Jim Noble)
I am lucky enough to live here in Charlotte and LOVE The King’s Kitchen!!
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