Carmi Family Restaurant

Chicken and Waffles. (and butter.)

Carmi Family Restaurant on Western Avenue is nothing short of brilliant. If the quality Southern cooking doesn’t steal your heart, the friendly and accommodating waitstaff most certainly will. This blend of deliciousness and hospitality has Carmi quickly climbing my favorites list.

The menu is packed with standard Southern comfort like fried chicken, greens, and shrimp & grits. The meatloaf dinner is a particular stand-out. I consider myself a meatloaf aficionado (meat in loaf form is just spectacular, no?), and Carmi’s perfectly seasoned meatloaf ranks among the best. Right behind grandma and mom. Entrees, like the meatloaf, come with 2 sides, soup or salad, and cornbread. The rich and creamy chicken and dumpling soup is chock full of all kinds of good stuff. No skimping on dumplings here! For spice, opt for the Southern fish stew. Be warned: It packs a powerful punch.

Baked macaroni and cheese. Can’t decide on a side? Order a bunch — ask your server about making a meal from sides!

Now for my favorite of all the favorites — chicken and waffles. Good gracious. If I didn’t value things like, oh, you know, my heart continuing to beat, I’d eat this dish every day. Carmi does it right: A waffle drenched in butter beside a crisp breast of fried chicken. The amount of butter almost negates the need for syrup, but it’s there for additional gloriousness.

Moral of the story? Go there now. I’ll see you there.