7.8.5 Kitchen - Topeka, Kansas 7.8.5 Kitchen is a small soul food restaurant in Topeka, Kansas with an open kitchen and several tables. It opened in 2022 during a time when Covid-19 was active and was carry out only at first. Meals are served in styrofoam for both dine in or out and there are plastic untentials. Chef/owner LaVale Jackson has been the only person working in the restaurant the three times we have visited so far. He takes orders, cooks, cleans, etc. Chipp, a friendly, young, emotional support dog has also been present two of the times we've been here, resting behind a gate at the back of the restaurant. With LaVale being interupted many times while cooking, food does not come out quickly, but frankly, it is worth the wait. Although the first two time we were there, most orders had been called in to go, during the most recent visit there was a mix of dine in and carry out. Most of the carry out had not been ordered in advance and LaVale tried to convince all of the carry out customers to take photos of the menu and call in their future orders. LaVale is from Topeka, but both of his parents are from Louisiana. There is a limited menu with fried catfish, wings, chicken legs. burgers, BLTs, chicken sandwich, chicken alfredo, salmon alfredo, and shrimp alfredo), priced from $10-15. The catfish is the only dish priced at $15 (including two sides). It is coated in cornmeal and like everything else on the short menu is made from scratch. It is so good, that one of us has had it every time we have gone. The country fried steak was above average. but not a standout. I like the wings a lot and they are surprisingly reasonably priced with 4 complete wings and two sides for just $12. The wings were flavored nicely with a dry rub which included cayenne. The French fries appear to be fresh cut and are very good, as are the red beans & rice. Other sides we have tried include gumbo, corn bread, greens, green beans, fried green tomatoes and yams. All of the sides have been good, with my favorite being the gumbo, which is the best gumbo I have had in several years. The cornbread is sweet little loaves and comes with gumbo or greens. The green beans included a slice of sausage. The catfish sandwich is a single large filet, served with Texas toast with two sides for $10.
copyright 2023-2024 by Keith Stokes |
