Los Angeles

As a native Alabamian, I’ve been disappointed many times by what people here in the big city consider Soul Food. I ask you, what selfrespecting Southerner would eat fried chicken with a waf- fle? I’d never heard of such a thing until I moved to LA, where it’s considered as southern as a tornado in a trailer park. Like all true Southerners, I have a ritual New Year’s Day meal. One simply must have a plate of black-eyed peas and collard greens on January 1st to ensure good luck and money, respectively, for the coming year. Last year, I rolled the dice on a real touristy place that didn’t even serve blackeyed peas, and the way that year turned out, I was no longer taking any chances. Luckily for me, this year I found Aunt Rosa Lee’s, and this place is obviously the real deal because I walked out of there with a full belly and a new boyfriend! Don’t expect anything fancy, but the meals are large, delicious, and affordable. I haven’t yet tried the breakfast, but if it’s anything like the rest of the menu, it’s bound to be a great start to a lazy day where all you want to do is nap.

Photo:  Tonya Wise