When you live in the south (and you’re not on a diet or January juice cleanse), every day is Southern Food Day. But for the rest of the country, Jan. 22 is the designated day to celebrate. I think National food holidays were created just to sabotage our cleanses and give us an excuse to eat what we want. There are more than 300 different food & beverage holidays to choose from each year. Heavens to Betsy!

Crispy fried chicken, homemade melt-in-your-mouth biscuits, and chicken fried steak the size of Texas are just some of the South's most beloved food staples. For those that were lucky enough to grow up in Texas, these over-indulgent dishes taste like home. For those that were fortunate enough to relocate to Irving from anywhere else, you know that our Southern comfort food is some of the best out there. I’m fixin’ to tell all y’all where to go for some right good fried food and Southern hospitality in Irving this weekend. Bring your appetite and come and get it! The supper bell is ringing. 

 

Aunt Cissy’s Kitchen & Catering

2824 N O'Connor Rd | 469-594-7355 

 

The BLT from Aunt Cissy's Kitchen features chicken-fried-bacon.


 

Not all comfort food is Southern, but most Southern food is comfort food. And comfort food carries with it an air of nostalgia. At Aunt Cissy's you’ll find down-home cooking just like you remember growing up. And every meal gives you the Sunday feels. But today to celebrate southern eats, Aunt Cissy is cooking up a traditional BLT sandwich with a Southern twist  - chicken fried bacon! (served with a side for $10). Cissy’s serves up Saturday brunch from 10 am to 2 pm and bakes biscuits like the kind your Southern aunt might make - flaky and rich.  Might I suggest the platter with two large homemade buttermilk biscuits topped with Jalapeño cream sausage gravy and a side of potato hash? Eat the whole plate, and you’ll be full as a tick.


Mama’s Daughter’s Diner

2412 W Shady Grove Rd | 972-790.2778 

 

Mama's Daughter's Diner offers up southern classics like chicken fried-steak, turnip greens and cream gravy.



The stick-to-your-ribs Daily Specials at Mama’s are the epitome of Southern eats, and there’s a whole mess of ‘em to choose from like fried chicken, meatloaf, chicken fried steak w/cream gravy, chicken fried chicken w/cream gravy and chicken & dumplings. Plus, each main comes with a heapin’ helpin’ of three sides like mashed taters, turnip greens, candied yams, fried okra, baked squash and buttered corn. 

 

A slice of chocolate cream pie with a meringue topping from Mama's Daughter's Diner in Irving.

 

And if you’re hankerin’ for something sweet besides tea, you’ll be tickled pink to know that National Pie Day is tomorrow, and Mama makes darn good pies. Help Mama's celebrate National Pie Day tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 23rd, with 50% off a slice of pie with a meal!

 

Joe’s Coffee Shop

425 W Irving Blvd | 972.253.7335 

 

A cup of joe from Joe's Coffee Shop goes well with their famous fried chicken and waffle breakfast.

 

If you’re up and at ‘em early, Joe’s Coffee Shop starts pleasantly bustling at 5:30 am weekday mornings. This family diner has been serving Irving since 1969 with great coffee, homemade Southern-style breakfasts, lunches from the sandwich board or from the a la carte menu that offers Southern fried catfish and pork chops.

Joe’s is a serious pie contender too - with pies so popular, a year’s worth can sell for more than $2,000 at local charity auctions. Yes, you read that correctly. Two thousand-plus for pies.  

 

PJ’s Café

2301 N. O'Connor Road | 972.255.8400

 


PJ's is an award-winning, friendly, neighborhood café in the heart of Irving. It’s been voted the best place for affordable dining, home cooking, breakfast, dessert, chicken fried steak, catfish and iced tea! Woo wee! When you visit, you'll see why they're so popular. Great Food and Great Service. I do declare, you simply can't go wrong getting your Southern food fix at PJ's. Today’s Blue Plate Special is fried catfish, hushpuppies and your choice of sides. Let’s go!

 

Po' Melvin's

4070 N Belt Line Rd, Suite 100 | 972.255.3919 

 

Mel is the King of Southern cookin’ -  with a Louisiana flair. From spicy start to bittersweet end, at Po' Melvin's there are Southern eats sure to please any picky palette.  If you find your way to this Belt Line Road spot, be prepared to sift through a menu full of tempting options. Case in point: the Fried Shrimp. What makes this dish special are the tender Louisiana whites served with Mel’s sweet and salty horseradish sauce. One of the greats at Mel’s is and has been the chicken-fried steak, and his version is made with unmistakable heart. These customer favorites combined with mains like fried catfish, Po'Boys and soulful Southern sides like black-eyed peas keep patrons coming back. You’ll want to order a sweet tea or NOLA-style cocktail and stay for a spell. And don’t leave without ordering the bread pudding - you’ll regret it. 

 

Shorty’s Country Cooking

603 S Belt Line Rd | 972.313.1102 

 

 

An Irving staple for over 20 years, Shorty's is a local favorite that’s open for breakfast and lunch, 7-days a week. Cooked just like your Grandma made it, Shorty's uses fresh ingredients and the food is cooked with small-town Texas lovin' - large helpings and friendly service. Just stop by lickety-split, you'll be glad you did.
 

The Ranch

857 W John Carpenter Fwy | 972.506.7262 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by The Ranch at Las Colinas (@theranchlc)At The Ranch, they don’t beat around the bush when it comes to Southern sensations. This is the truth: If you haven’t been to The Ranch yet (but surely you have), you haven’t tried some of the best SMOKED fried chicken around. Darn tootin! I reckon’ it might could be the stuff of legends. Additional upscale Southern hits include fried green tomatoes, cornmeal fried Texas gulf oysters,chicken fried steak, fried catfish, shrimp & grits and chicken & dumplings. 

 

At The Ranch, they don’t beat around the bush when it comes to Southern sensations. This is the truth: If you haven’t been to The Ranch yet (but surely you have), you haven’t tried some of the best SMOKED fried chicken around. Darn tootin! I reckon it might could be the stuff of legends. Additional upscale Southern hits include fried green tomatoes, cornmeal fried Texas gulf oysters, chicken fried steak, fried catfish, shrimp & grits and chicken & dumplings. 

 

Whiskey Cake

3225 Regent Blvd | 469.941.2253

 

Deviled eggs from Whiskey Cake in Irving, TX are served up on an elegant wooden tray.

 

Whiskey Cake is a farm to fork eatery with a vibe that’s Texas chic. Sh' nuff, the rustic kitchen serves up dishes with flavors, ingredients, and inspiration straight from the local farms. Go for the fried green tomatoes and deviled egg starters and stay for the Chicken & Waffle and 3 Little Pigs - slow-roasted pulled pork sliders, whiskey BBQ, apple slaw, crispy onion strings. For brunch, go hog wild and order the pork, egg and grits for a Sunday splurge. And did I mention Whiskey Cake? Have the cake and eat it too.
 

Get Your Southern Soirée On Now

 

 

If you haven’t had a Southern food fix in a month of Sundays, give a nod to the Southern Food holiday at one of the above spots. The whole kit and caboodle offer dine-in or carry out, so there’s one that's sure to suit your fancy. No need to get all gussied up, but you might want to give 'em a holler for reservations if you’re dining in. Now, skedaddle and enjoy!