Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Oh So Tasty: Jack's Southern Comfort Food

Scott Jones with portraits of his parents
The press release I got started like a fairytale, "It all started with a biscuit. But by the time that Scott Jones got done making the world’s absolute best, can’t-beat-this-if-you-tried, shut-the-front-door kind of biscuit recipe, it was also the basis for the sandwiches. And the chicken pot pie and the breakfast casseroles. Even the desserts.

One biscuit took Scott Jones back to his roots, and the result is Jack’s Southern Comfort Food, a new restaurant and market that pays homage to this culinarian’s humble roots and his momma’s home cooking."  

They had me at biscuit...

“Jack’s has real Texas twang with a Louisiana drawl,” said Jones, who is well known for his innovative restaurant concepts, such as Screen Door and Cowtown Diner, which drew on years spent in his mother’s kitchen, watching her cook up the best food he has ever eaten from her Texas and Cajun roots.  “This is the restaurant that is a delicious mix of all my family favorites, done in a way that is easy to eat here and enjoy, or take home to your own family. Jack’s is the culmination of everything I’ve ever loved that I grew up on and wanted to serve.”



Keeping it all in the family, Jones named the restaurant after his dad – a spitfire who loves fast Mustangs -- and partnered with his sister to keep it real. Sandy Jones heads the bakery, specializing in fresh-made pies, fried fruit pies, pudding and other southern favorites.  Executive Chef Terance Jenkins carries out Jones’ vision in the restaurant while putting his own mark on weekend brunch. Texas Twang with a Louisiana Drawl Made-from-scratch home cooking with an artisan approach defines the fare at Jack’s Southern Comfort Food – including those amazing biscuits, of course. Jack’s Southern Comfort Food will feature fresh, local products and a seasonally rotating menu built around what is in-season and at its most delectable to complement signature favorites.

Signature items will include delicious Upside-down Pot Pies, a Biscuit Burger, the BLFGT (a buttermilk biscuit with fried green tomatoes, pepper bacon, lettuce and jalapeno tomato jam with mayo) and the Brisket Biscuit Dip. Signature salads include the Texasian (a refreshing medley of collard greens, cabbage, jicama, cucumber, carrot, red onion, smoked chicken, pecans and cilantro in a sesame lime vinaigrette), a Texas Caesar with specially smoked chicken; and a Chopped Wedge. Jack’s Southern Comfort Food also offers its own Waldorf Chicken Salad and BBQ Chicken Salad.

Don't have time to dine in? Jack's offers a wide assortment of his menu in a "grab and go" refrigerated case so you can take home your favorite casserole, pop it in the oven and serve it right at home. Hallelujah!



A line of retail items lets customers take a little piece of Jack’s kitchen home to their own. Jack’s Southern Comfort Food private-labeled products are a line of jams, jellies and butters with a specific Texas flavor: raspberry jalapeno jam, jalapeno onion relish, hot bread and butter pickles, apple pecan butter, pumpkin butter, strawberry jalapeno jam, hot chow chow, jalapeno whipped honey and even Mayhaw jelly. These products and more are available in 20-ounce jars priced between $7-8. Austin Roasting Company’s special Campfire Blend – served in-house at Jack’s Southern Comfort Food – also will be available for purchase to take home to your own kitchen.

Jack’s Southern Comfort Food is located at 1905 Greenville Avenue, off Dallas’s well-loved lower Greenville area. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information can be found online at www.jackssoutherncomfortfood.com or by calling the restaurant at 214.821.0900.