You probably wouldn’t notice the place if there wasn’t a big line of people waiting outside. Jestine's Kitchen is a tiny, little corner restaurant on Meeting Street, just north of the market. They don't take reservations and the restaurant only has about 20 tables, so starting about 5pm, that line starts to snake around the building. One thing that is a little unusual is that you don't put your name on a list. When a table empties, they just go outside and fetch the next people in line. So be patient! I always meet interesting people and have a nice chat.
Jestine's has a great history. It is named after a woman named Jestine Matthews, born in the area in 1885. Jestine moved to the city around 1900 and became a housekeeper for the Ellison family. The woman who owns Jestine's today is the granddaughter of those Ellisons. She was raised with Jestine's warm heart and wonderful cooking. She actually lived to be 112 - ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE! Incredible! So don't let anyone tell you that fried chicken and mashed potatoes are bad for you.
What I love about the place is the wonderful atmosphere they have managed to create. The walls are decorated with family pictures. The tables and window sills are crammed full of kitschy salt-and-pepper shakers of all shapes and sizes. We had some near us shaped like flip-flops. I had to restrain myself from taking them, they were so great. The back of the restaurant has a big industrial fridge with pictures drawn by kids on it. It feels like you are eating in a bigger, busier version of your grandma’s kitchen. And all the servers call you "sugah" and "darling," so it really hits home.
With all that, it would be devastating if the food wasn’t wonderful, but you won’t be disappointed. Jestine’s is one of those places where I can’t decide what to get. I stare at the menu and invariably change my mind a hundred times. Everything looks so good. It is all traditional Southern soul food. They have all the basics, like fried green tomatoes ($5 for a big plate), meatloaf ($6), fried cChicken ($9), and all kinds of Low-Country seafood. One thing that I hadn’t heard of is pecan-crusted whiting ($5) – a type of mild fish. It is really good! We don’t have that in Alabama. Of course, just about everything comes with fried okra – and it’s done right, battered in corn meal, not flour. You can also get a variety of other sides, like gumbo, red rice, or wonderful mashed potatoes (all $2). For drinks, make sure to try Jestine’s "table wine" (better known as sweet tea). Or, for a real treat, get a bottle of Coke or IBC Root beer, served icy cold.
You will walk out of here with a full belly and a big smile, thanking Jestine.