When you think of Soul Food, you probably think of Leimert Park in the Crenshaw district. You probably wouldn’t consider Marina Del Ray a place you’d find fried chicken, collared greens, black-eyed peas and corn bread, especially in a mini mall next to a Panini and Jamba Juice. But we were destined to eat fried chicken at work on Friday and Aunt Kizzy was calling us in from the hot sun.
Aunt Kizzy’s Back Porch is tucked away in a strip mall, amongst your typical chain eateries and cell phone stores. As we walk in our eyes adjust to the dark room. The wood walls are adorned with kitschy decorations and photos of stars who ate there once upon a time. It’s a little disorienting at first, but we soon figure out that we have to make our way up to the counter where you order your food.
The menu is pretty simple, chicken, baked, BBQ, fried or smothered with gravy. There’s meatloaf, pork chops, catfish and snapper. Sides like collard greens, black eyed peas, creamed corn, mac and cheese and okra. They also carry other southern goodies, like hush puppies, candied yams, and various desserts. There were too many things to try. So I went with the standard fried chicken, mac and cheese and creamed corn. It came with a side of stuffing covered in gravy and some corn bread muffins. A whole lot of food for 8.95. All of the sides were delicious. The chicken breast was slightly dry and chewy, I may ask for all dark meat next time. Some bites seemed to have more flavor than other bites. So I’m not sure I would go back just for the chicken, but I will be going back to try some of the other soul food goodness.
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