THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED The Carolina Kitchen

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED The Carolina Kitchen Restaurant Review:

It's as casual as dropping into Mom's kitchen, but the food is far more plentiful, unless Mom was cooking for an army. As the name suggests, this is about Southern food, more specifically, soul food with a capital S. Counter staff greet newcomers with a chorus of hi y'alls while patrons line up at the steam table to decide on their options. Smothered chicken is a house special, but be sure not to miss the BBQ short ribs---actually, long beef bones---bathed in a sweet, dark sauce and cooked until the meat almost melts. Be sure to include the mashed potatoes, made from skin-on red-skinned potatoes and mashed just enough to leave the requisite lumps, plus the slightly sweet steamed collards. Other choices include macaroni, Mom's meatloaf, fried chicken, fried fish, and chitterlings. Desserts may include sweet potato pie or a fruit cobbler, but we'd always head for the white cake with gooey chocolate frosting. Can't find the address? Just check for the plaster-cast fat chicken squatting out front.