Review: Dine at Georgia’s Long Beach
As a lover of Southern food..:I could not wait to review Georgia’s restaurant in Long Beach. I discovered their amazing food at the Masters of Taste about 3 years ago. Each year since, I would tell my husband Richard, “We need to get to Long Beach to review Georgia’s.” Alas, life flies by, and we never got there. During this past Master’s of Taste, Georgia’s owner Gretchen Shoemaker personally served us fried catfish, and we were blown away. It suddenly became a foodie priority. So, we made the run.
Georgia’s Long Beach Review
Joshua Gonzales, the proud manager of Georgia’s Long Beach location greeted us. He was very in tune with the menu, the ingredients and the preparation. It was clear how much he loves being part of Georgia’s team. He was interested in what we were considering. We were interested in hearing his recommendations. With so many enticing options, it was hard to choose.
He started us with drinks by recommending a delicious Hurricane cocktail for Richard. I, of course, selected my go-to glass of red wine. I enjoyed a tasty red (2021 J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon). For our food selections, Joshua suggested several amazing entrees, a popular salad, various classic sides and a sampler of three Bites to start. For our “Bites” we chose the fried chicken wings along with fried shrimp as well as the onion rings.
Georgia’s Signature Cornmeal Crust
Wow…Georgia’s cornmeal coating is extraordinary. The crunch, the flavor, the texture and the nuance of spice, all combined together, created a magnificent result. The sampler came with several sauces…I especially loved the rémoulade which had a zing to it. Hot cornbread also brought the table to silence. Served as muffins, the center was warm and moist, while the edges were just a bit crispy.
The Shrimp Salad was a beautiful colorful presentation that tasted even better than it looked. Atop a bed of spring mix lettuce was fresh-shucked roasted corn, red peppers, red onions, tomatoes, citrus mango salsa and lots of shrimp. This was fresh and exquisite. The shrimp were perfectly cooked in buttery cajun spices. The sweetness of the mango, along with the raspberry vinaigrette, offered a unique merging of flavors. My husband loved the balsamic dressing and all of the crunchy red peppers and red onions.
Georgia’s Entrees
Our two main dishes further wowed us. The Fried Catfish (Farm raised, Creole seasoned cornmeal crust), which is what we came for, did not disappoint. That same unbelievable coating used on the sampler items engulfed the light and flakey catfish. It was a perfect marriage of tender and bold crunch with a wonderful mouth feel.
Next, Gretchen’s Jambalaya (shrimp, andouille sausage, chicken, rice) was to-die-for. This bold and scrumptious flavor mesmerized my tastebuds. The chicken, shrimp and sausage were swimming in a tomato-based velvety sauce that I wanted to dunk absolutely everything in. It came with a wedge of grilled garlic bread to aid in gathering each last drop of sauce.
Now let’s talk sides. My husband opted for mashed potatoes and garlic rice, while I chose collard greens and grits with cheese on top. OMG, the grits were so rich and buttery, and the melted cheese took it to the next level. Of course, the collard greens were wonderful as well. A touch of sugar, and that tasty bacon, mixed with all that cajun goodness, tantalized my taste buds. The garlic rice and the mashed potatoes were delicious as well. I especially liked the gravy that came with the potatoes. Joshua informed me that it was the same gravy used on Georgia’s Tri-Tip. It was delicious.
If you love soul food, head to Georgia’s. This is an upscale counter service restaurant. The cuisine is outstanding, with a great price point. In addition to the Long Beach location, there are restaurants in Anaheim and Eastvale. Visit the website for more info – https://georgias-restaurant.com
