Smokin' Buns

Photo by Jasmine

Smokin' Buns, Dinner, Jacksonville
July 29, 2016

P
Combo plate: pulled pork, brisket, beans, fried okra, toast
Peach fried pie

J:
Combo plate: catfish, ribs, potato salad, coleslaw, toast
Coconut fried pie


Notes:
We went to Smokin' Buns at the suggestion of our loving hostess in North Little Rock.  And, catfish!  Oh my gosh, why didn't I think if this before?!  Catfish is abundant in Arkansas, so why hadn't I sought it out?  Thankfully, someone had my back.

I went for the catfish and ribs combo plate.  The ribs were okay, a little dry and overly smoky, but it didn't much matter because that catfish was delicious.  I loved every bite, and wanted more.  The cornmeal coating was thin, crispy and perfectly seasoned and the fish inside it, moist, flaky and not overly catfishy; exceptionally good.  The potato salad and coleslaw were both average, and not prepared in my favorite way (both were sweeter than I prefer), but it didn't matter much, because, catfish.

Patrick had the pulled pork and brisket.  He liked the pulled pork quite a bit - smoky, moist pork with a sweet-tangy sauce (and not too much of it).  Unfortunately, the brisket was very sad (because he was very dry and no one likes very dry brisket).  The crispy fried okra stole the show over the sweet baked beans, but both were good.

When our server came by at the end of the meal, we asked about the fried pies, mostly out of curiosity.  I was entirely ready to say no until she said "coconut", and then I had no choice but to order the coconut fried pie.  Patrick had a similar experience, except his trigger was "peach".  The pies arrived screaming hot and sprinkled with a touch of powdered sugar.  They looked so good, neither of us could wait to dig in and I'm pretty sure we both burned our tongues.  Derp.  We're new at this sometimes.  Both pies were remarkably good and a great end to a great meal.  Patrick's pie filling was fresh peach sweetened just right, and mine was like a coconut cream filling, that, when inside a flaky, fried pastry shell equals warm coconut puddin' pie.

Next time we visit Arkansas, we're coming back.  For catfish.  And fried pies.  And whatever Patrick wants.