First reviewed by kcavagnolo

• 

  anonymous
  Apr 16, 2008

  the real thing

  • Your Rating: 0/5 Stars
  • Average Rating: 4.0/5 Stars

  4.0
  

  If you really really love chain restaurants, don't go. This is in today a unique, no BS family owned and operated simple, but soulful diner.
  Do you know that the grill is fired up in the back yard daily? It's as homemade as it gets, folks!
  I just had a quick lunch... catfish, coleslaw and fries. If the fries that once where on the salty side, everything else was just what I wanted and expected. The place looks kinda fresh and funky too. Some of Verna's old vinyls and other great soul stuff is framed on the wall... don't get a shock, it's kinda colorful. And if you are lucky she's playing some old, or new r&b... just to go with your ribs or beans...
  Next time I'm in the area, I will return, trust me.

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• 

  kcavagnolo
  Feb 23, 2008

  It's authentic!

  • Your Rating: 0/5 Stars
  • Average Rating: 5.0/5 Stars

  5.0
  

  My wife works up the street from Vernadine's and had been there for lunch once before. She loved the food and insisted we go there for dinner. I was born and raised in Georgia, so I have skepticism about soul food in the North... but wow, Vernadine's is great!
  
  The owners are from Arkansas and so the food is legitimate;y southern and perfect.
  
  The ribs are smokey and sweet, with just a little bit of spice that softly lingers after every bite. The potato salad has the nice flavor of mayo and a good mustard finish. The mac and cheese is also well done, the pasta has a bit of chew and there isn't an overwhelming gel of cheese that you get someplaces.
  
  But the ultimate test is the red beans and rice (RBR) accompanied by cole slaw. Traditionally, RBR should be peppery with a long-lasting heat, and the cole slaw should be cool and crunchy. Eaten together, the cole slaw should put the heat of the RBR to bed. WOW, Vernadine's makes their RBR and cole slaw perfectly! Yes, sir, eaten together they are perfect.
  
  My only complaints are there's no cornbread or collard greens. But that's on big deal since all the other food is so great.
  
  My advice:
  ribs
  cole slaw
  red beans and rice
  iced tea

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