Shekou may be thousands of miles from the Mississippi River, but some of the down-home dishes native to the Southern United States have landed on Sea World’s shores. If you are not acquainted with this cuisine then pull up a bench, roll up your sleeves and prepare for some big eatin’ at Bubba’s.
Occupying the newly renovated third floor of McCawley’s, Bubba’s is cheery, uncomplicated and calls to mind a side-of-the-road barbecue shack. The menu is equally unfussy, and meat-driven mains are organized by “pig,” “bird” and “cow.” A good introduction is the chicken and waffles with country sausage gravy (RMB65). Deep-fried, addictive chunks of chicken arrive on thick, chewy waffles with deep griddle marks to levee the gravy. Bigger fowl awaits in the pulled turkey with bourbon gravy and red onion marmalade (RMB82), a satisfying, smoky humdinger of a sandwich with a husky sauce highlighting another Southern-cooking trait: a heavy hand with booze.
We also sampled some ribs (RMB188) with a many-layered, mouth-watering sauce, served up beside crunchy slaw. Props for the invention of the Fat Elvis burger (RMB98), which uses grilled cheese sandwiches in lieu of buns. Partner these with a choice of sides like crumbly corn-shaped cornbread (RMB12), bacon-wrapped corn (RMB42) or the only salad on the menu, potato salad (RMB28).
The South bestowed Coca-Cola upon the world and a bit of fizz hits the spot with a root beer (RMB25) or Dr. Pepper Cherry (RMB25). Plop some ice cream into the pop and you have a soda fountain specialty, the float (RMB40). If you’re fixin’ for something boozy, all the usual suspects are available, plus the prerequisite mint julep (RMB50) and a selection of American craft beers like Rogue Dead Guy Ale and Saranac Pale Ale (both RMB45).
Bubba’s mains are served in paper-lined baskets on red plastic trays. It may seem unceremonious to those who are unfamiliar with dining in Dixie, but, as Southern chef Nathalie Dupree said, “I’ve never had a plated meal in a Southern home.” There’s nothing precious about this comfort food: the large portions are meant to fill hard-working bellies and are served up family style, with heaps of laughter and finger licking.
// Shop 118, Sea World, Shekou, Nanshan District 南山区蛇口海上世界118号商铺 (2668 4496)
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