I recently learned via Twitter of a new restaurant in Indy’s historic Irvington district. I’d heard of Chef Dan’s Southern Comfort Restaurant before, except a few short months ago, it sat on wheels— typical for a food truck. The brightly colored truck has won fame for serving up flavors from the Mississippi Delta and Louisiana bayous.
Given its reputation, I decided to stop by Chef Dan’s brick and mortar restaurant one afternoon while visiting Indy’s Eastside.
Stepping out of the cold winter breeze and into Chef Dan’s building, which previously housed a bakery, I was greeted by vintage chandeliers draped with Mardi Gras colored beads, foot tapping jazz and a 1,600 square foot space to accommodate about 25.
The menu was divided into sections including “Mississippi,” “Starters,” “Louisiana” and many more. The restaurant offered a variety of sandwiches, such as the Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich, and the Mississippi BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich. Catfish, meatloaf, fried chicken, jambalaya and gumbo were also included.
I wasn’t overwhelmed by the array of choices, because I had done my homework. Before my visit, I searched the restaurant’s website and learned the dishes are made from authentic recipes handed down from Chef Dan’s grandmother who was born and raised in Lafayette, La. Once I read the restaurant’s culinary offerings included alligator and crawfish, I knew this was truly authentic.
Now, here is the point in my review where I discuss my food deprivations. While trying to decide what to order, I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a Po’Boy…or if I’d ever had one. I’m sure I have, just “maybe as a kid” I convinced myself. That thought alone helped me decided what to order, and since shrimp is my favorite food, I knew the Shrimp Po’Boy would be an experience. My meal came with one side and I chose macaroni and cheese. The other sides available included fried corn, candied yams, dirty rice, collard greens and others.
Less than seven minutes later, my meal arrived in a basket placed on a tin pan, “such a southern touch,” I thought. The macaroni and cheese was very creamy and cheesy, just the way I like it. Moving on to the Po’Boy, I faced a dilemma.
This may sound weird, but I don’t like to bite apart my food and always choose to break it off, no matter what it is (pizza, burgers, chicken wings…you name it!). I struggled to maneuver around my sandwich because pieces of shrimp were stuffed inside. The flavor was fantastic, the shrimp was very crunchy and somehow I managed to still break off pieces while enjoying my meal. Without a drink, the tab was about $12.
I briefly skimmed the dessert menu, tempted by the Banana pudding, Bread Puddin’ with caramel sauce, and Sweet Potato Pecan Pie, but finally accepted the reality that my stomach couldn’t handle any more food.
I’ve already decided my next visit must include the Banana Puddin’ as well as the Cajun Seafood Platter or the Cajun Penne Pasta.
Maybe you’ve tried Chef Dan’s while stopping by the food truck during summer, but you don’t have to wait to experience true southern food. Check out Chef Dan’s for a taste of the Louisiana Bayou.
