16 Meyers Pl
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Though
soul food isn’t known for its health benefits, I am entirely convinced that an
occasional meal of soul food is, as its name suggests, good for the soul. In a
lifestyle that is often heavy on the stress and light on the self-pampering, I
dare you to find a more agreeable moment than one where fried chicken is
involved. And whilst the name Mr Big
Stuff was an unwelcome reminder of just exactly what I would look like
if my diet consisted of more than the occasional rack of ribs, the lure of
traditional African-American food on a Friday afternoon was too good to resist.
Though
not generous on space, Mr Big Stuff has managed to nab themselves a very
fashionable spot in the CBD, and decked out the interior to match. Topping off
the warm and spontaneous vibe was an in-house DJ, mixing up tunes that matched
his kick-ass dreadlocks.
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| Egg Cream ($8.5, non-alcoholic)/Wicked Watermelon Kool-Aid ($8.5, non-alcoholic) |
I
was sold from the first page of the drinks menu, where an amazing selection of
traditional beverages that can all be made with or without alcohol beckoned. From
the dozens of iced teas and kool-aids, I eventually decided on the Wicked Watermelon Kool-Aid ($8.5,
non-alcoholic), a crisp watermelon juice cold-pressed to retain a glistening
freshness, fused with a hint of spritz and a squeeze of lemon.
Then
there was the Egg Cream
($8.5, non-alcoholic), which was like a chocolate milkshake but so much more. Instead
of a frothy milk and chocolate confection, we were served a drink so thick with
cream that it was an effort to get it up the straw. The cherry on the cake was
the splash of carbonated water, making for an indescribable flavour that has to
be tasted to be understood.
 |
| Pickled Okra ($4) |
Whilst
we sipped on our drinks, we were served up a couple of snacks to nibble on. The
Pickled Okra ($4) whetted the
appetite with its tang and crunch, and a smoky tingle from the house-made
habanero sauce.
 |
| Pig’s Ear Chips ($8) |
The
Pig’s Ear Chips ($8) is the
ultimate in beer food. Not only did they taste like moreish strips of salty
crackling, they had the added crunch from the thin band of cartilage, and the
fattiness of caramelised gelatine.
 |
| Fried Chicken And Waffles ($19) |
The Fried Chicken And
Waffles ($19) floated out of the kitchen born on a cloud, rainbows
trailing in its wake. The batter fell off the chicken the moment I touched it,
but I wasn’t expecting the way the meat fell off the bone too. Marinated
overnight in buttermilk and a spice blend of black pepper, cloves, and cayenne
pepper, the chicken was sweet and spicy, and unlike any other fried chicken I’ve
had before.
 |
| Fried Chicken And Waffles ($19) |
On the side were crisp, fluffy waffles with
deep pockets for maple syrup. Infused with cheddar cheese and pungent rosemary,
the slightly savoury waffles were amazing with the slightly sweet chicken.
 |
| Mac and Cheese ($12) |
 |
| Mac and Cheese ($12) |
On
the side we had a small pan of Mac
and Cheese ($12). Served piping hot, the chewy elbows of pasta languished
in a mixture of three cheeses, topped with crunchy breadcrumbs and a crust of
more cheese. Words can’t even begin to describe how luscious this was.
 |
| Blackened Snapper and Clams ($32) |
After
all that decadence, we decided to finish up our savouries with something
lighter; well, as light as soul food can get. Our Blackened Snapper and Clams ($32) was proof that food doesn’t
need to be thrown into the fryer to taste good. The flaky brick of fish was
encrusted in an explosive mixture of spices, pan seared, then finished in the
oven for a smoky aroma heavy with mustard seed.
 |
| Corn Bread ($6) |
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| Blackened Snapper and Clams ($32) |
The
fish was served with skillet Corn
Bread ($6); we were assured that it was absolutely perfect with the
snapper. The corn bread was fluffy and fragrant with corn husks, its sweetness
unbelievably delicious mingling with the brininess of clams infused into the
buttery sauce. It was, as promised, absolutely perfect.
 |
| Apple Pie ($10) |
We
had paced ourselves for the first time on record, and ended up with just enough
room for Apple Pie ($10). Though
not as pretty as a slice of pie would’ve been, these individual little pockets of
buttery pastry were coated in flurries of cinnamon sugar, the filling as tart
and juicy as the outside was sweet and crispy.
I
have a confession; the first time I checked out the menu online, I felt like I
should’ve emailed the owner and asked him to retract his invitation, as Mr Big
Stuff was bound to skyrocket to popularity without an ounce of blogger help.
Still, I am incredibly glad to have the chance to confirm that suspicion
myself. This meal was worth every gram of fat that migrated to my thighs.
Rating: 16/20 – big stuff.
This rating reflects my personal
experience at the time of visit.
Sweet and Sour Fork dined as a guest
of Mr Big Stuff.
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