(Caitlin Yilek -- The Beacon)
By Jocelyne LaFortune, Staff Writer -- lafortun12@up.edu
Restaurant Review
Have you been Po'shined?
We have, and take our word for it; you want to be Po'Shined, too.
After eating two meals at Po'Shines last week, we can't recommend this restaurant enough. Located on Denver and Kilpatrick in our very own North Portland, you do not want to miss this Southern soul food experience.
For lunch, we indulged in blackened catfish with sides of hush puppies and macaroni and cheese. We also enjoyed a fried chicken po' boy.
The blackened catfish exceeded our expectations. It was seasoned just to our liking and didn't taste too fishy. The hush puppies, made of fried cornmeal and veggies, were a new experience for us. They were sweet, soft and also a little crispy – a delicious treat to complement the mildly spicy fish. The macaroni and cheese was icing on the cake. To be clear, this was not your average Kraft mac and cheese. Creamy, cheesy and flavorful, Po'shines has this dish down to a science.
Rolled in corn flakes and fried to a golden brown, the fried chicken was an experience in itself. Topped with caramelized onions and a barbeque ranch sauce, the fried chicken po' boy could not have been better. Our only dilemma was how to eat it quickly enough to satisfy our stomachs – the fork and knife really slowed us down.
We were so impressed with our lunches we decided to go back for a second meal later in the week. This time, we sampled the breakfast menu.
We feasted on Chef Lorenzo's Down home Louisiana scramble. The menu said it was big, but really, it was huge. A plate stacked high with hash browns, peppers, tomatoes, eggs, gravy and our choice of bacon, sausage or ham, this scramble is not meant for the faint of heart – or anyone on a diet.
Delicious food is not all that makes Po'Shines worth a visit. In addition to a friendly staff with a sense of humor, the restaurant is partnered with the Teach Me To Fish: Portland program. This non-profit organization works with at-risk youth and young adults, teaching them skills necessary for employment. At Po'Shines, participants of the program learn valuable career skills and receive mentorship from employees.
It is hard to put into words how welcomed we felt by the staff of Po'Shines. We've already planned another visit for waffles and fried chicken.
For some delicious, home-style soul food and excellent service, and an experience you are sure to enjoy, we recommend you get yourself Po'Shined as well.
(Caitlin Yilek -- The Beacon)
