Tupelo Junction Review - Southern Home Cookin’ with a Cal Twist
March 10th, 2008 at 1:34 am (Cuisine-Soul Food, California Restaurants)
Mmmm-mmm. You’ll be whistling Dixie after eating at Tupelo Junction, a Southern style kitchen on Santa Barbara’s trendy State Street.
The menu is tantalizing with unique options that set this place apart from competitors. Where else can you find Pumpkin Oatmeal Waffles, Blackened Molasses Salmon, or Bloody Mary Braised Baby Back Ribs?
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Tupelo Junction serves up plenty of artery-clogging Southern favorites with a fresh, California twist. I recommend going on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Be prepared to indulge.
Start off with a Crushed Mint Julep Cooler served in a mason jar and some Fried Green Tomatoes with herb dipping sauce (pictured below) for some Southern nostalgia.
The tomatoes will come fresh off the griddle so bite into them with care.
If it’s your first time at Tupelo Junction, don’t miss the Fried Chicken Salad–this is something special.
Juicy, deep-fried strips of chicken are mixed in with fresh greens, crumbled cornbread, dried cranberries, and pumpkin seeds. It’s all tossed in a delicious herb buttermilk dressing. The pumpkin seeds add the crunch, the cranberries the tang, and the cornbread the soft sweetness.
The Fried Chicken Salad (pictured above) is the most popular item on the menu.
The Vanilla Dipped French Toast with Berry Syrup (top photo) is a crowd favorite as well, although a bit too sweet for my taste. The toast is a hearty portion of French baguette, perfect for sharing.
Tupelo Junction doesn’t take reservations, but if you call ahead before you come they will put your name on the list. This is a great place to come for a weekend brunch.
Open: Breakfast, Lunch 8am-2 pm, Dinner 5:30pm
1218 State Street, Santa Barbara
Phone: 805-899-3100