I’m pretty sure I’ve said this time and time again. However, I have no choice but to bring it up once more for this restaurant review. Soul food is my favorite food category. Food that warms the soul. Check! Food that is full of flavor and earthiness. Check! Food that is created from a family recipe that has been passed down and tweaked, or not, over the years. Check!
The newest Fixins Soul Kitchen is located in downtown Tulsa and is one of three nationwide locations. Owner, and former NBA basketball player, Kevin Johnson is from California, but he has roots in Tulsa. The restaurant focuses on bringing soul food to the people while providing a chill and upscale dining experience that promotes black excellence.
David and I love deviled eggs. When we read that Deep-Fried Devil Eggs were an appetizer, we had to try them. Who knew a deep-fried boiled egg could be so yummy? The creamy yolk was whipped to perfection and was so pillow soft. A hefty dollop of yolk was placed beneath the deep fried egg and on top. You would think that would be enough. However, they sealed the deal with crispy bacon and a drop or two of hot sauce. I wasn’t planning to try the small salad that accompanied the eggs. But, David insisted I did. It had a light, sweet dressing that cut through the slight spice of the arugula.
David’s eyes went straight to the chicken & waffles on the menu. Fixins Soul Kitchen has three options for the chicken. You can choose either chicken wings, a 2-piece (light or dark), or a 3-piece. David chose a 2-piece with a chicken breast and a chicken thigh. According to the menu, the chicken is brined for 24 hours. This is a way to inject more flavor into the chicken and to make sure it remains moist. The most important thing for fried chicken is that the skin is crispy. This chicken did not disappoint. It was crispy and golden brown. The meat was cooked to perfection. There wasn’t any information on the flavor profile of the waffle. It was paired with syrup and a sweet berry butter. David loved the butter! However, he wished the waffle was a little thicker. He got a side order of candied yams. I got a chance to try them and they were good. They were nothing to write home about, but they definitely deserve at least 3 of 5 stars.
I love trying new foods. The fact that I got to try oxtails for the first time from a place like Fixins Soul Kitchen was great! I didn’t know what to expect. The oxtail had a light covering of brown gravy and rested on a bed of fluffy white rice. The oxtails were tender and fell off the bone. They were the right blend of savory and subtly sweet. However, the rice didn’t shine much. It made sense for the dish, but it needed a tad more flavor or at least salt. I ordered a side of collard greens. With my first bite, I had to close my eyes and simply enjoy the collard greens for a few seconds. They have to be a family recipe because these collard greens tasted like a beautiful history exploding in my mouth! I would get this dish again.
We tried the cornbread muffin. I expected something smaller. I was pleasantly surprised at the size and overall appearance of this cornbread muffin. It had the fluffy muffin texture with a cornbread flavor. It wasn’t dense at all. A sweet berry butter was provided, and although good, it isn’t something you have to have in order to enjoy the cornbread muffin. Having a few of these would be a great addition to any meal.
Fixins Soul Kitchen is open 7 days a week. They have a brunch menu that is available from 10a -2p. The full menu is available all day, so if you want to eat oxtails at 10am like I did…go for it! A full bar is available if you’re wanting a smooth transition into your day or you’re having a fun night with your girlfriends. Did I mention they have Kool-aid? They also have Adult Kool-aid which has a little bit of vodka just to turn things up a notch.
As soon as we left the restaurant, I told David that I hope they stick around. Tulsa has several soul food restaurants, and Fixins Soul Kitchen is a welcome addition. Is it the best place to get soul food in Tulsa? I think I need to try a few more dishes before I can make that determination. It’s for sure a great spot to bring friends and family. It has a great, upscale, but not over the top, atmosphere with good music and good vibes. If you’re in downtown Tulsa and looking for something familiar yet new, this spot is worth your time.
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