Please note that the meal was complimentary. However, I was not obliged to post and the opinions expressed in my blog are 100% my own!

I discovered South House two years ago, wanting to explore a bit what Jersey City had to offer, but the experience was not that great and I never went back. Until I received an email from one of the managers, Mike, who found the post and was saddened to read the experience I had, asking us if we would be willing to come back as him, and another manager, Taylor, made some changes to the place. So, we decided to give it another try, with the idea to order the same dishes as last time, allowing us to compare the experience. I like the feel of the place with its exposed bricks, wood beams and stairs, furniture and old photos or paintings, that make me think strangely about a place you would find in areas like Vermont, where you would look for warmth in a cold day, rather than a southern joint. Of course, this time was a couple of weeks before the Holidays, so they decorated the place accordingly…

To start, Jodi had a tea while I had the “Pick me up” cocktail that is like espresso martini, made with vodka, hazelnut liqueur (did not taste much of it), espresso and cinnamon. Well balanced, I drank it with some pickled veggies that they brought to the table.

They then brought us some freshly made biscuits with butter and raspberry jam. This was a bit of a problem: these little biscuits were so good that I could not stop eating them and, considering what was coming, it was a bad idea…In fact, few minutes later, came the fried green tomatoes that were quite large. Crispy on the outside, they were served with a sriracha mayo that had a nice kick and was not super spicy. They were good, but I admit that I had better. However, the farmers skillet that I ordered was really good (that was the dish I ordered the last time that I did not like), especially the brisket that they smoke for close to 16 hours: it was soft and juicy with nice burnt ends. This is a large dish: remember the biscuits I could not stop eating before? I did when I got that skillet that was composed of a layer of potatoes covered with cheese, topped with that delicious brisket and then covered with eggs and roasted salsa; you can choose how you want your eggs, so, instead of scrambled that is how I got them last time, I decided sunny side up, over easy, the perfectly runny yolk adding some creaminess to the dish. Jodi got their bean and cheese brunch tacos that are served with scrambled eggs, refried pinto beans and cheddar cheese. These tacos looked appetizing and were quite good: the scrambled eggs were well made, not overcooked and dry, and the soft tortilla had some nice char that added a bit of flavor.

Of course, we could not leave without trying again their banana pudding. This time, no weird taste: it was quite good, not too sweet, with crumbled Nilla wafers in the bottom that we mixed with bananas and the vanilla custard that was not totally set, but still addictive. A must have.

Banana pudding at South House in Jersey City

This meal was a total 180 compared to what we had few years ago and I am not saying this because it was complimentary: the food was pretty good and there are lots of things on the menu that look quite appetizing. This is a good restaurant to have on the map if you are looking for a brunch place in Jersey City. And if you go, ask for the biscuits…

Enjoy (I did)! If you like this post, the photos or the blog, please feel free to share it or post a comment. Merci!

South House - 149 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302

South House in Jersey City - redemption?

I Just Want To Eat!