The end of times? End of the world as we know it? The end of the restaurants in their current form? The end of how we eat out? Or in? There are a lot of ends and unknowns going on right now, including coming to the end of the food journey I shared with the SO and figuring out what is next. And here I sit in the middle of the city’s “shelter in place” pouring out emotions about food, grief, eating and a place that probably is struggling and possibly temporarily closed as if it matters in the grand scheme of things.

Of course, this is what happens when one is sort of stuck inside (no mandatory lockdown—-yet) and alone with their thoughts. What better way to stay occupied and somewhat emotionally sane than writing about it to at least release it in some sort of way. So yes, maybe a little selfish, but a coping mechanism none the less that kind of helps with all that is swirling about these days. I know, heavy for a food blog, but sometimes, the food really is more than just eating. And my snark is never far behind.

It was a Saturday like most others, though we eschewed our morning jaunt to the Ferry Building for a lazy day sleep in. Which then turned into some late day restlessness, at least for me, and growing hunger pains for him. This is where I step to propose a place I’ve wanted to try for some time now and which is not in a part of the city we’d just casually be wandering in. Plus, I felt I had a leg up since I knew it would appeal to his food likes. Ok, so, he could find something to eat on most any menu, but this one would hook us both. Seriously, who can resist deep fried stuff?! Which made Frisco Fried a perfect little Sunday afternoon outing. And we get to go all the way down 3rd Street to Bayview/Hunters Point, an area of town with some pretty good eats folks should try.

Like many a neighborhood spot, you don’t really go there for the ambiance. It’s a sparse space with a few tables, I get the feeling they do a pretty regular to go business (something that is most likely coming in handy these weird days).

The in and out was pretty steady while we were there, which was a bit as they have kind of a full menu from which we wanted to get maximum benefit. And they cook everything to order, which means it will be hot and fresh. See, pluses already. After careful consideration of what we will both try, looks like it is gonna be a combo plate or two.

Yes, fried catfish, you know I chose this one. It’s the two meat combo, thus also fried chicken (duh, Frisco Fried specialty) collard greens and mac n’ cheese. It is as big steaming plate of food, which is good, as to be honest, at $23 a plate, it ain’t cheap. But as you can see in the pic, there was plenty to share with two.

Three pieces of chicken and three pieces of cornmeal catfish that are hot and crispy. The fish is light and flaky and the chicken suitably tender. For things that are deep fried, they aren’t greasy but done just right. A big thumbs up the collards for the tenderness and bits of bacon. The mac ‘n cheese was….just okay. Maybe creamier or cheesier or even a different cheese was needed? Something was just off flavor wise, and while not a total miss, there are other side choices on the menu.

Our second combo, the SO’s choice, was shrimp, chicken, corn and yams (same price). Five cornmeal battered shrimp which were quite good and reminded me of the salt and pepper kind of shrimp you get at Chinese restaurants. So crispy you can just pop the whole thing in your mouth and eat it, skin, tail and all. Might have been slightly overcooked but just a tad and still tasty. (They didn’t make the take home container)

The chicken I’m pretty sure was cooked with my batch and was still good. Super lightly battered, a little salt and pepper and voila—crunchy goodness. The corn was most likely canned but the SO likes corn and this enough, so there. But the yams were fresh and well, boy howdy, they went full on Thanksgiving version with tons of brown sugar and cinnamon. So much so, it was like dessert. The brown sugar had cooked into some type of syrup at the bottom of the cup. All it was really missing was tiny marshmallows melted on top. Total sugar overload that neither of us could finish, something I haven’t usually said in this blog.

I forgot to mention, each plate comes with its own cornbread muffin. They are petite thing and yes, I still needed more than just that dollop of butter for mine. I had kinda hoped it was gonna be bigger, because you know, gluttony. They were on the slightly sweet side and pleasant enough, if a little too brown on the edges and bottom, but at least not dry. Good cornbread. Not great, but good enough.

Between the two plates it was a lot of food and we had chicken and a couple sides left over for take home and snacking on later in the evening. All in with drinks (free refills), tip and tax it was around $55 so like I said, not a cheap dinner and the take home is nice. Yes, there were a few misses, but this place is all about the fried (it’s in the name!) and that they do really well and I was a big fan of the catfish and chicken. Plus the collards, they got that covered too. Am surprised they don’t have fried okra, but small things. And if you get the yams, you have dessert covered and between the fried and the sweet, you will be in for a good nap and a late lazy, hazy Saturday. (Practically perfect for a take-out or delivery order these days to gorge in the peace of your own abode)

And that was it. We went home. Back to work. Back to life and a week later he’s gone. Just like that. Life comes at you fast, even when you think the days are dragging by and suddenly everything changes and it is all turned upside down. Torn apart. Ground to dust. Leaving one to figure out how to pick up pieces that no longer exist. One year and five months later, the surreality has lessoned but still lingers. As does the uncertainty of what to do, what’s next, what now and the realization that this is my new reality without the SO is slowly (un)settling in.

Some days are better than others and some days it takes all ones energy to get out of bed and be superficially okay enough to get through the day. At least I can say I work at a job which is considered “essential” as the idea of having to brood around my currently temporary living situation day in and out would not be necessarily good for my still somewhat fragile psyche.

For now, I soldier on as the only path I know is forward. Even in these uncertain times (my last year has consisted of) which have now encompassed not just me but all those around me. Even writing this final dining post has taken me time to get through as it makes things—-final. And that is a tough word.

I’m not sure right now when my next post will be as I may need (or may not) some time to figure out a direction for future reviews (housing, job, you know, life stuff) as so much of this blog and the food itself, was tied up in us. So beyond the motivation to continue is also deciding whether I can still continue to get the kind of joy out eating and writing the SO helped push me to embrace. Everyone’s grief and struggle is different and their own and the current “shelter in place” (work, home, sleep, repeat) stuff does give me time to think what’s next. Whether that is good or not and what I decide to do, remains to be figured out. Till then……………..