by Janet Wilson
posted August 16, 2008
) Photo by Janet Wilson The Southern Star has moved to 1300 Broad St. |
The new building is spacious (and noisy) and includes outdoor seating. We arrived early to find plenty of seats available, but within 15 minutes, the place was packed and people were waiting for tables.
They have the “set” menu featuring soups, salads, sandwiches and specialties, but they also have the daily Blue Plate Specials, which are listed on the chalkboards located throughout the restaurant.
To me, some (not all) of the prices seem a bit high for lunch, but I do like the food. They have wonderful Brunswick Stew ($2 cup; $3.75 bowl). Salads include BLT Pasta ($8.50), Chicken Salad ($8.50), and Turkey Cobb ($8.50), as well as several others.
Specialties, served with fries and slaw or any two of the sides from the chalkboards, include chicken fingers ($8.50), fresh oysters ($9.50), baby back ribs ($10 half rack, $16 full rack), and shrimp ($10 half dozen; $16 dozen).
Sandwiches are served with a choice of potato chips, sweet potato fries or French fries. The chicken salad sounds delicious, with toasted pecans and diced apples (made fresh each day, $8). Other sandwiches include roast beef and Virginia ham. There is also a Star Combo ($8.50) which offers you a (1) choice of Star Salad or bowl of soup with a whole BLT or pimento cheese, or half chicken salad sandwich or (2) a bowl of soup and house salad.
The daily Blue Plate special ($9) features one meat with three vegetables. On the day we were there, the choices were Meat Loaf and Fried Pork Chop, along with seven or eight vegetables.
Wayne ordered the pork chop (6 ounces), accompanied by mashed potatoes, cole slaw, and corn. I chose the meat loaf and had the same sides except that I ordered white beans instead of the cole slaw. All meals are accompanied by these little crispy, fried, lacy cornbreads. Maybe it’s just us, but these are always too greasy or it could be the fact that they aren’t served hot and you just taste the grease more.
The mashed potatoes are real (as opposed to instant) and very good. We were both pleased with the corn. Wayne liked the cole slaw, and I thought the white beans were good, but were not quite done. The pork chop was crisp on the outside and was not greasy. The meat loaf was much like I would make at home, topped with a ketchup-type sauce.
On the chalkboard were several desserts-of-the-day including Magic Cookie Bars, but to us, a trip to the Southern Star is not complete without Banana Pudding. Not being a fan of cold pudding, I really like this served at room temperature and topped with a toasted meringue. Definitely one of our favorite Banana Puddings! With 24-hours notice, they will prepare a whole cake or pie for you to pick up.
Southern Star has a children’s menu priced at $4 and $5. They have a full menu of soft drinks as well as tea, coffee, San Pellegrino and domestic and imported beers.
Hours for Southern Star are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. A good place to sample your favorite comfort foods.
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