COMFORT TO YOUR STOMACH
A few weeks back, we went to Real Deal Soul Food, ordered some food stuff and drank some of their Kool-Aid™ (I’m pretty sure that’s trade marked!!!). Being the resident ‘ethnic’ of the group, I guess it was up to me to do the write up, so here I am.
It was really only a partial grouping since Casey and Daché couldn’t make it. They had other plans. So Megan, myself, and our design intern, Colton, went to meet up with Chris McGowan from the City of Waco Chamber of Commerce.
The restaurant is a bit off the beaten path, but if you go looking for it and find it… be prepared, because you are about to enjoy one of the best meals you have ever eaten!
First things first, when you get there, you can be subdued and order water, or one of the ordinary and grab a soda or tea, but why would you want to when you can order a TALL GLASS OF RED KOOL-AID!!!! I can hear you now… “Danny, did you order Kool-Aid?” and my response to your innocent query would be thus: OF COURSE I ORDERED KOOL-AID!!!
After enjoying a glass, the waitress came to take our order, and she was very helpful in assisting everyone with his or her selections for food. Megan ordered Beef Tips and Rice (but I’m pretty sure the waitress said it came with mashed potatoes), with three sides, which consisted of Mac N Cheese, Green Beans and Stewed Okra. Colton had the Fried Fish Stewed Okra, Mac N Cheese and Mashed Potatoes. Chris ordered Meat Loaf, Mac N Cheese and a DOUBLE ORDER OF COLLARD GREENS!?! WHAT THE WHAT?!?! Gotta admit, Chris is the whitest dude I know who will throw down on some soul food, so that makes him alright in my book! I ordered the Smothered Chicken with Mac N cheese ( I feel a trend here with this Mac N Cheese), Mashed Potatoes with Gravy and Collard Greens.
Some of the other items listed were smothered steak (like Salisbury Steak, only better) Pork Chops, Pot Roast, Baked Chicken (same as Smothered Chicken), and Chicken Spaghetti. The other sides were Yams, Cabbage, Potato Salad, Black Eyed Peas and Pinto Beans. Dessert was also on the menu and consisted of various cobblers and cakes… depending really on the day.
I thoroughly enjoyed my food and I need to get back there soon to enjoy some more. Colton liked his fish very much, and he even proclaimed that it was hard to find fish cooked correctly the way they had prepared it. I tend to agree with him, because good catfish is hard to find, but not impossible. Chris said his meal was great as well, stating that he loved the greens.
The only person who came away with a less than stellar impression was Megan. She said her meal was decent, but on the salty side to the point where couldn’t finish it. I can see that. I know that with soul food, there is a tendency to over season some items. But it’s part of the comfort food aspect that is soul food. It is an indulgence food and one should only eat it if they don’t really care about their health/blood pressure/diabetes/overall quality of life. Should you not care about any of that (like me!!!) then by all means, go there and go there often!!! It will be well worth your money and time trying to locate the place.
Though there was one item that everyone could agree was well worth the trip, and those were the cornbread pancakes that were served with all of our meals. These things were truly the icing on the cake; as I’m sure I witnessed everyone around the table completely devour them as soon as they came to the table after the food was served.
Here’s what the teams thought:
“Anytime you can get two different kinds of gravy in one meal, it is indeed a glorious day”~ Daniel 5
“I would eat that cornbread ALL. DAY. LONG.”~ Megan 3 (I definitely ordered wrong, everyone else’s around me looked so good!)
“Outstanding home cooking, thanks for letting me tag along lunch bunch”~ Chris 4.5
Insider’s Tip:
Take a friend, because someone is going to have to drive you home… because once you eat there, you will get really, REALLY sleepy!
Address & Directions:
Need a little more soul in your life? Get directions here.
821 Clifton St
Waco, TX 76704
We're Only Doing Dives 
MANNNN!! That place was horrible to me! First of all if you gone have a “moms and pops” restaurant I expect that southern hospitality vibe and genuine customer service. Some co workers and I went there to eat for lunch. Me and my supervisor got there after my other 3 co workers, and one of them was already talkin to the manager/owner who she knew. Apparently they were running out of sides that they wanted and then the waitress was rude, and threw up her hands and walked away. Then the atmosphere was weird u had ratched people lookin u all in your mouth while u talk!! Then when other people’s food came out it did not look good and presentation is everything. They had small portions because they were trying to savor what was left. My food came out and everything was hot but my broccoli and cheese, where there was what appeared to be a Kraft’s single melted on top with cold azz broccoli. I will say the meatloaf was okay!! The other waitress we had was nice but I don’t think she was genuinely being nice she was doing it because she HAD to. Then to top it off, when i went to pay for my food. I gave the owner my credit card, she swiped it and gave me the receipt. While I was signing the receipt she motioned like she was going to give me my card back, and then pulled it back close to her and implied that she was going to wait until I wrote the tip and signed before she gave me my card back! You do not play with peoples money like that!! So I politely asked her why she had to wait for me to do that before handing me my card and she threw my card on the table and walked to the back kitchen (where they used betty crocker bowls for all their food) She basically got smart with me and told me I needed to be more polite and that she was trying to be nice to me!! horrible behavior as a owner/manager! CUSTOMER SERVICE is the key
Went there today. Food was outstanding. Lady running the place was very nice. Will be back frequently.
Right?! You owe us big time for the tip 🙂