delectable take on fried chicken . Crisp fried chicken pieces — a generous portion — are jazzed up with hot seasonings and sauce . Accompaniments include more southern classics : a fluffy homemade biscuit , a bowl of creamy macaroni and cheese , and collard greens cooked the traditional way in a vinegary broth with bits of pork .
The Wooden Spoon ’ s smoker creates some fingerlicking-good classic barbecue . Irecommend the Sampler Platter , with generous portions of three different specialties : tender
AT A GLANCE
• MOST ENTREES UNDER $ 20
• FULLBAR
• CLOSED MONDAYS
• BRUNCH SERVED
• FAMILY FRIENDLY
• ENTERTAINMENT
• HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE
• PRIVATEROOM AVAILABLE
• TAKE OUT
shreds of white oak-smoked pulled pork ;“ Texas Nekkid ” brisket with a nice tang and good bark ; and amazing house-made smoked sausage that had everyone at the table reaching over for more . Another delight for carnivores is Mama Duke ’ s Old-Fashioned Meat Loaf , juicy and flavorful , with sides of garlic scented mashed potatoes , and smothered green beans full of bacon and sweet sauce .
Be sure to eat your vegetables here , because even humble farm staples are deliciously transformed . Okra — not common in the northern states — is coated in seasoned cornmeal and fried until golden . In a nod to contemporary tastes , it ’ s served with a tangy chipotle dipping sauce .
A good , hearty breakfast is one of the most important meals to emerge from a true Southern kitchen , and The Wooden Spoon lets you experience it by serving “ brunch ” all day . Whatever the hour , you can ’ t go wrong with rich white sausage gravy poured over a giant split biscuit , topped by a fried egg ; the Wooden Spoon kicks it up a notch with a layer of that smoky pulled pork . During Sunday brunch , a large buffet is offered in the secondfloor dining room , with jazz . The Wooden Spoon also offers a bustling bar scene at night , and live entertainment on weekends . ■
FRIED OKRA
MAMA DUKES MEATLOAF
FRIED GREEN TOMATOES
MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE HOLIDAY 2017
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