Georgia’s Restaurant

Why Georgia Restaurant’s New Brunch Ranks #1

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(Gerry Furth-Sides) Georgia Restaurant’s week-end brunch option, new this fall, ranks #1 in hospitality on all accounts. From the calls to the restaurant, first with a question about hours, and then to hold a table (no easy feat to find the place for an outside) on the phone with Manager Kimberly (below on the left), the sense of being a welcome guest reigned supreme. Happy faces at the full tables were proof enough.

Three ladies who work like ten at Georgia’s restaurant, Long Beach Exchange

This is no easy feat during a shortage of staff, and in a plain-wrap box of place with order at the counter service. Yet it felt at all times like a leisurely, warm place in the deep south. It was a welcome sight to see full tables inside and out of people of all ages, families and colors.

Southern Hospitality at Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach Exchange

Southern hospitality has always been a priority with the owners of Georgia’s restaurant, for any meal. Owner Nika Shoemaker-Machado told us, “We want people to come to our tables and enjoy a meal as if they were at our home. We are happy and excited about outside dining. Our staff is trained on hospitality, making each visit feel as warm as possible.” This is especially important since visits by Nika and Nana to the restaurants several times a week “to greet customers and give people a sense of family stopped with COVID restrictions.”

And “homey” is exactly what it feels like. Everyone we encountered was friendly and helpful, offering menu suggestions and asking if we needed anything.

A Bloody Mary while dining al fresco at Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach Exchange

Georgia’s newly expanded menu for brunch features Specialties, such as: Gretchen’s Jambalaya cooked to order with shrimp, andouille sausage and chicken, served over pasta or rice, and the Louisiana Tilapia & Shrimp made of spicy grilled tilapia and shrimp, with tomato Creole sauce served over rice.   

The sweet and savory signature layers Fried Chicken and a Belgian Waffle is served with maple syrup and honey butter. It is not an international favorite and one of the most popular regional exports from the deep south.

Fried Chicken on a Belgian WaffleGeorgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach Exchange

Each plate is served with a choice of two of Georgia’s Restaurant’s Soulful Sides. The list includes Red Beans & Rice, Collard Greens, Black-Eyed Peas, Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Potato Salad, Mac & Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Garlic Rice,Corn on the Cob, French Fries, and Nana Gretchen’s signature Cornbread served with house-made honey butter.

Nana Gretchen’s signature Cornbread served with house-made honey butter Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach Exchange
Mac & Cheese, one side choice at Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach Exchange
Fried Green Tomatoes, our favorite dish, at Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach Exchange
Pulled pork sliders at at Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach Exchange

Georgia’s Restaurant is named in memory of patriarch George, with the addition of a single letter from each daughter’s name. The founder of Georgia’s Restaurant is Gretchen Shoemaker (known to everyone as Nana), a native of Philadelphia who married her high school sweetheart, George, and moved west to Lake Forest. While raising three daughters, Gretchen created successful catering business built on family recipes.

A nod to healthy California greens at Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach Exchange

The business stopped when he passed away in the early 1990’s. And almost just as suddenly it was revived 20 years later into a brick-and-mortar restaurant by daughter Nika Shoemaker-Machado and her husband, Marlon Machado.

We met daughter Nika Shoemaker-Machado, co-owner of Georgia’s Restaurants, at the Newport food Festival in 2019! They were out of food early on!

Georgia’s at LBX: 4101 McGowen St., Ste. 155, Long Beach, (562) 420-5637, georgias-restaurant.com

Georgia’s at The Packing House: 440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Ste. 209A, Anaheim, (714) 906-1900, georgias-restaurant.com

Eat Authentic Regional Soul Food in Your Own Backyard

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(Gerry Furth-Sides, Photos courtesy Georgia’s Restaurant) Authentic soul food is all too rare these days, especially brunch fare. That’s why Southern Soul Food dishes are all the more welcome at Georgia’s Restaurant at the Long Beach Exchange.

Crusty fried chicken at Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach (photo courtesy of Georgia’s Restaurant)

The Georgia’s Restaurant menu is inspired by family dishes in Gretchen Shoemaker‘s successful catering business. Today the second of her three daughters,  Nika Shoemaker-Machado and her husband Marlon Machado, operate the enormously popular at lunch and dinner. Week-end brunch is their newest update.

A stuffed omelet at Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach (photo courtesy of Georgia’s Restaurant)

Co-Owner Nika Shoemaker-Machado’s personal favorite, the hearty Steak and Eggs, features top sirloin steak and a side of blackened country potatoes.

Steak and Eggs at Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach (photo courtesy of Georgia’s Restaurant)

Grilled French Toast is made the old-fashioned way, topped with powdered sugar and strawberries. Cinnamon Apple Waffle topped with warm sautéed apples in a luxurious cinnamon syrup, adds a dollop of whipped cream. 

French toast at Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach (photo courtesy of Georgia’s Restaurant)

Fried chicken is served in a variety of ways. Chicken and Waffles stars Georgia’s signature fried chicken, a process that begins with Co-Owner Marlon Machado’s Brazilian buttermilk brine and ends with a seasoned crispy cornmeal crust courtesy of Nana Gretchen’s very own grandmother, served on a Belgian waffle with creamy honey butter and maple syrup.

Belgian waffle topped with fried chicken at Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach (photo courtesy of Georgia’s Restaurant)
Fish & Grits at Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach (photo courtesy of Georgia’s Restaurant)

The vegetarian friendly Mardi Gras Omelet, featuring green and red bell peppers, onions, and cheese is joined by Georgia’s brand new Eggs Benedict.

Southern staples also include the Fish & Grits featuring Creole seasoned cornmeal crusted fried catfish, or the classic Shrimp & Grits made with Creole seasoned shrimp over a bed of savory grits.

Creamy, savory grits are a base for shrimp seasoned Creole style at Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach (photo courtesy of Georgia’s Restaurant)
Crab cakes at Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach (photo courtesy of Georgia’s Restaurant)

Brunch beverages include a Bottomless Mimosas, hearty Bloody Mary  plus Signature Peach and Seasonal Sangria. Red Wine and White Wine by the glass or the bottle, and craft bottled Beer round out the list. Georgia’s Restaurant also has a variety of just as colorful non-alcoholic offerings, including Coffee, Orange Juice, Apple Juice, Soda, Milk, and Iced Tea.

The Bottomless Mimosa and Bloody Mary at Georgia’s Restaurant, Long Beach (photo courtesy of Georgia’s Restaurant)

The first time I ate “soul food” was when I was a lifeguard in Detroit, working my way through college. I was one of only two (white) females on a staff of professional male (Black) athletes, and a couple of the them brought me as a joke. While they were joking around with each other during dinner, I had finished a fried chicken dinner plate! They could not stop laughing. I’ve felt the same about soul food ever since although it is rare to find these days.

Georgia’s Restaurant at the Long Beach Exchange is open for Brunch e from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. For more information, please visit www.Georgias-Restaurant.com or call Georgia’s Restaurant directly at 562.420.5637.

All-Americana Mother’s Day 2020 Stay-at-Home Edition

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Mother’s Day Boxes at our favorite The Raymond  in South Pasadena

Gerry Furth-Sides (all photos courtesy of Georgia’s, Gus’s Barbecue and The Raymond 1886).  Mother’s Day  at  Georgia’s Restaurant at the Anaheim Packing House andLong Beach Exchange features a Soulful Sunday Brunch with Georgia’s signature Cornmeal-Crusted Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Waffles, Shrimp & Grits, Mardi Gras Omelet, Grilled French Toast, Steak & Eggs, and Cinnamon-Apple Waffles.  Brunch-time Beverages, include stay-at-home welcome Mimosas, Bloody Marys, Georgia’s Sangria, Hurricanes, Wine and Beer.

Georgia’s Chicken & Waffles for Mother’s Day

Georgia’s Mimosa & Bloody Mary

Shrimp & Grits, Steak & Eggs at Georgia’s Restaurant menu

 To order Mother’s Day Brunch please call Georgia’s Restaurant at the Long Beach Exchange directly at 714.906.1900; 4101 McGowen Street, Suite 115, Long Beach, CA 92630; 562.420.5637; for information on Georgia’s Restaurant at the Long Beach Exchange offers Takeout, Delivery and Curbside Pickup, please checkwww.Georgias-Restaurant.com

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Mom is treated to a family-favorite, Prime Rib Feast at Gus’s Barbecue in South Pasadena.  “Extras” extras”  for the entire family includes five pounds of Gus’s Boneless Smoked Prime Rib Roast, Creamed Spinach, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Creamy Horseradish Sauce, and Au Jus ($149.95). Guests can call Gus’s Barbecue at 626.799.3251 or email Gus’s Barbecuedirectly at SouthPasadena@GussBBQ.com to order by Friday, May 8th, 2020 and be given a personal time to come Curbside Pickup on Mother’s Day.

The Prime Rib Feast at Gus’s Barbecue

Sides for a Prime Rib Feast at Gus’s Barbecue

Beverages are also special for the day.  The list includes a MOM-OSA Kit (Six Servings – $24).  The Gus’s Bottle Barn features Top Shelf Spirits, Wine, Beer, Southern Sangria, and Bottled Cocktails. 

Gus’s Barbecue is also a one-stop shop so bring Mom a Half Dozen Roses ($9), or You Name It! and just email Gus’s for pricing and ideas on any additional Sides and Gus’s Barbecue Signature Dishes that you think Mom will love!

 Gus’s Barbecue South Pasadena offers Takeout, Delivery, and Curbside Pickup  Gus’s Barbecue’s Mother’s Day Prime Rib Feast can be ordered at Gus’s Barbecue at 626.799.3251 or email Gus’s Barbecue directly at SouthPasadena@GussBBQ.com to order by Friday, May 8th, 2020 and be given a personal time to come Curbside Pickup on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10th, 2020; 808 Fair Oaks Avenue, South Pasadena; 626.799.3251; www.GussBBQ.com

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Memories of the phenomenal The Raymond Pasadena garden remain while guests enjoy the food to-go (Photo by Gerry Furth-Sides)

The Raymond 1886, Pasadena’s beloved Craftsman Cottage is offering special prepackaged and prepped Mother’s Day Brunch & Dinner Boxes featuring a Salad, Entrée and Dessert for Takeout and Curbside Pickup (only) for families to assemble and cook at home.  The Raymond 1886’sMother’s Day Brunch Box for 4 ($50), featuries an Arugula Salad with radishes and a lemon vinaigrette. Favorite Quiches  either the Ham & Cheese Quichewith Black Forest Ham, caramelized onions, and Cheddar cheese, or the Veggie Quiche with Bloomsdale Spinach, tomato, caramelized onions, and mushrooms.

A spread of food fit for a Mother’s Day Queen at The Raymond Restaurant, South Pasadena

For Dessert, The Raymond 1886 bakes a choice of Pastries including either Pain au Chocolat or fresh Cinnamon Rolls.  Or for something savory in the early evening, Mom can enjoy The Mother’s Day Box for 4 ($90), startswith the Arugula Salad with radishes and a lemon vinaigrette. Mom can then choose an Entrée of either the House Dry Aged New York Steak or New Zealand Salmon, each accompanied with Fingerling Potatoes, and choice of Pastries, including either Pain au Chocolat or fresh Cinnamon Rolls.

Chef’s instructions on how to perfectly prepare this special Mother’s Day Brunch or Dinner at home with each Mother’s Day Brunch & Dinner Box.

The Raymond 1886 offers incomparable  MOM-Osas ($25) that includes a Bottle of Cava and signature Bloody Marys with all the fixin’s! Wine, Beer and Pre-Made Cocktailswill also be offered for Mother’s Day Takeout, Delivery, and Curbside Pickup. The three Cocktailsoffered are the 1886 Negroni, , the Remember The Maine or the Fair & Warmer, a blend of rums, Dolin Sweet Vermouth, house curacao, and lemon oil.

The Raymond 1886 – to go!

The Raymond 1886 offers their special Mother’s Day Brunch & Dinner Boxes for PRE-ORDER ONLY for Takeout and Curbside Pickup on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10th, 2020 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Please call The Raymond 1886 at 626.441.3136 or email Info@TheRaymond.com to PRE-ORDER. 

 1250 South Fair Oaks Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91105; 626.441.3136; www.TheRaymond.com

The bar at The Raymond 1886 – to go

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