LAist: Leimert Park Eats: M&M Soul Food

Elise Thompson

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 06:35:10 -0800

When people were getting all fancy with polenta, I was thinking, "Come on man, it's still just grits." I went to the Inland Empire place, but last time I went looking I couldn't find it. I can ask my online friends. I was thinking of Bertha's across from the racetrack, but I am keeping mum until I get a chance to review it.

fabooj

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 22:29:16 -0800

LOL...I hope you're not talking about Brother's. I don't...scratch that, won't eat "soul food" at a restaurant here in LA any more. These past few years it seems that greasy = soul food and that's not how it has to be. So, I make my own food, I go to my friends houses. The place in the IE (I think it's called Maggie's/Mary's/Maybelle's), is okay, but my friend who lives nearby there, told me after I posted this that she thinks it's gone. Oh, there's Soul Food Kitchen (crap it's either on La Brea or Crenshaw) that's pretty okay. They have a line out the door on weekends and a quick bite it's fine, but I wouldn't take my friends there as a representative of soul food. On funny side note, my husband is from Romania (he's half Hungarian) and he'll describe a traditional Hungarian or Romanian dish like it's exotic and I'm like, "Dude, that's Southern cooking!" Poor people eat the same everywhere I guess. Except maybe China. I don't think they have grits there. :)

Elise Thompson

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:06:54 -0800

From what I can figure out, there are only these four M&Ms still standing. Does anyone else know? So, Fabooj, you holding out? Spill your soul food spots! (Does one of them start with a B?)

Tony Pierce

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:51:30 -0800

yes i see my green beans! also, i think the one by the airport got burned down a few years ago. i dont know if it ever was rebuilt. was it?

fabooj

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 12:45:23 -0800

I agree with the shopkeeper. People who love soul food (I guess that would be those of us raised on it) don't go to M&M...at least not nowadays. The last time I went to an M&M was probably in '99 or '00. It used to be okay, but now, not so much. Still, it's slightly better than the puke they serve at Aunt Kizzy's. Just like with BBQ, there are maybe two places in LA county to get quasi-decent soul food/Southern cooking, but you're better off finding someone willing to invite you to their home. Or drive on out to Riverside.

Elise Thompson

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:14:41 -0800

The one with live performances was out by the airport. Tony - I believe she meant that unlike when Mary was at the helm, there is not anyone in the kitchen who has a big personal investment in the place and puts their love into it. Of course we love eating there. Those are your green beans tucked under the chicken wing.

shanaynay11

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:00:59 -0800

Is this the M&M where Sterling Harrison used to perform? (Now I have to try to remember where 'South of the Snooty Fox' really is!) Long live soul - music & food!

shanaynay11

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:00:25 -0800

Is this the M&M where Sterling Harrison used to perform? (Now I have to try to remember where 'South of the Snooty Fox' really is!) Long live soul - music & food!

jessica_pauline

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:20:22 -0800

yeah....the mac and cheese looks pretty delicious!

Tony Pierce

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:16:21 -0800

ps i totally agree about the sides. when i dated a vegetarian, she went side-crazy and loved it.

Tony Pierce

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:03:27 -0800

Nobody loves the place? It's one of my favorites! I almost always get the smothered chicken and I make sure to get the string beans. I was told that they season the beans with turkey drippings and then add a cube or two of baked potato. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Deanna Adams

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:58:03 -0800

In my pre-vegan days, I used to frequent the M&M on Cherry (correct me if I'm wrong) in Long Beach. It definitely was one of the best soul food restaurants I've ever been too. Nothing can beat my mom's cooking, but they surely do come close!