Spring Break
Miss Shirley's offers tasty Southern comforts
Issue date: 12/4/08
I know my Southern food well. Growing up in North Carolina and frequently traveling to such culinary capitals as Charleston has introduced me to all kinds of Southern cooking. Classic Southern staples such as grits, fried okra and biscuits have been a key part of my upbringing, so I was more than thrilled to see similar offerings on the menu at Miss Shirley's Café and Bakery. This eclectic, gourmet home-style restaurant offers southern-inspired breakfast and lunch daily.
Miss Shirley's sits along a row of several respectable restaurants on Cold Spring Road near Loyola College. The area is about a five-minute drive from campus, or a short walk from the Loyola Collegetown Shuttle stop.
Miss Shirley's is named in memory of Shirley McDowell, a local cook who specialized in fresh Southern cuisine. She was a crucial part of The Classic Catering People, a restaurant group owned by the Dopkin family, who also opened this restaurant. The restaurant aims to reflect "the sassy charm and sheer joy in preparing food" that Miss Shirley possessed. The head chef, Bridgette Bledsoe, has worked with the Dopkin family to create a menu emulating McDowell's passion.
The restaurant's interior is tasteful and comfortable with bright walls splashed with red and yellow. Tables and booths are scattered throughout the rather large dining room.
During my visit, the room was decorated with Christmas wreaths and holly. "Silver Bells" played softly in the background. The open kitchen showed that Miss Shirley's has nothing to hide in terms of food preparation and quality.
The service at Miss Shirley's was excellent. Our waitress was friendly and attentive, and our food was ready in a timely manner. No complaints in this department.
I found the lengthy menu overwhelming at times, but nearly everything sounded delicious. The breakfast menu offers items à la carte, such as benne seed biscuits, chocolate chunk scones, gooey cinnamon rolls, apple-wood smoked bacon and fried green tomatoes. Fried green tomatoes are a delicacy in the South. I was excited to spot a taste of home!
Miss Shirley's sits along a row of several respectable restaurants on Cold Spring Road near Loyola College. The area is about a five-minute drive from campus, or a short walk from the Loyola Collegetown Shuttle stop.
Miss Shirley's is named in memory of Shirley McDowell, a local cook who specialized in fresh Southern cuisine. She was a crucial part of The Classic Catering People, a restaurant group owned by the Dopkin family, who also opened this restaurant. The restaurant aims to reflect "the sassy charm and sheer joy in preparing food" that Miss Shirley possessed. The head chef, Bridgette Bledsoe, has worked with the Dopkin family to create a menu emulating McDowell's passion.
The restaurant's interior is tasteful and comfortable with bright walls splashed with red and yellow. Tables and booths are scattered throughout the rather large dining room.
During my visit, the room was decorated with Christmas wreaths and holly. "Silver Bells" played softly in the background. The open kitchen showed that Miss Shirley's has nothing to hide in terms of food preparation and quality.
The service at Miss Shirley's was excellent. Our waitress was friendly and attentive, and our food was ready in a timely manner. No complaints in this department.
I found the lengthy menu overwhelming at times, but nearly everything sounded delicious. The breakfast menu offers items à la carte, such as benne seed biscuits, chocolate chunk scones, gooey cinnamon rolls, apple-wood smoked bacon and fried green tomatoes. Fried green tomatoes are a delicacy in the South. I was excited to spot a taste of home!
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