Big Ed's Chicken Pit

Located at 105 West Peachtree Drive in High Point, Big Ed’s Chicken Pit specializes in fried chicken. It is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Food and drink specials change daily.

 

I’m hesitant to post this review given that I’ve yet to try Big Ed’s fried chicken. It could very well be a game-changer. However, the other offerings suggest a mixed bag.

 

Big Ed’s is a small-ish place with a gravel lot and somewhat closely packed tables inside. That and the dim and dated interior make it a better option for takeout than dine-in. On the other hand, the staff are friendly and welcoming even if the ambiance is not.

 

While fried chicken is Big Ed’s calling card, the menu also offers other chicken dishes, burgers, hot dogs, and salads. I’ve had occasion to try the double hot dog special and the chicken pie. The latter is available by the slice with two sides or as a whole pie to go (allow for an hour of prep time if you wanted it heated).

 

Boasting soft buns and a tasty, firm bite, the hot dogs are surprisingly good. A pair with your choice of toppings and a side (I went with fried okra, and it was a solid choice) are very affordable at under $8. The chicken pie is homemade and features an excellent flaky crust. While satisfying, it could have benefitted from more depth of flavor (black pepper, perhaps?) and smaller pieces of chicken (they are in large chunks). At $17+, it’s probably not something I would get again.

 

I will keep Big Ed’s in mind the next time I’m craving a hot dog or fried chicken, but it’s otherwise going to be an infrequent destination.

MJ's Restaurant and Catering

 

Located at 620 Dolley Madison Road in Greensboro, MJ’s Restaurant and Catering offers upscale cuisine with French and Southern influences and an emphasis on seafood. There is a full bar, and outdoor seating, private dining, and catering are available.

 

My last meal of 2021 was arguably the year’s best. Somehow, during the decade-plus I spent living in Greensboro, I had never been to MJ’s, but that changed when they were one of the few area restaurants still taking New Year’s Eve reservations come mid-December. Regardless of the circumstances, it made for an excellent dining experience.

 

A converted house (with limited parking), MJ’s is sectioned off into a patio, a bar, and upstairs and downstairs dining areas. We ended up in the upstairs section, and it felt cozy and intimate.

 

While MJ’s runs a small menu normally, it was further pared down for New Year’s Eve. That said, the few selections offered (including striped bass, Scottish salmon, prime rib) included several strong contenders. My wife and I went with an off-menu vegetable risotto (the chef can accommodate vegetarian requests, so don’t be afraid to ask) and a seafood and grits, respectively, followed by chocolate cake and caramel brulee cheesecake slices for dessert. The food was all-around very good. The risotto was cooked well and offered a medley of vegetables. The seafood and grits (a scallop-added take on their usual shrimp and grits) featured a delicious sherry tomato cream sauce, savory chunks of Tasso ham, and no shortage of shrimp. The grits were creamy and smooth, almost enough to make “grit” an ironic misnomer.

 

MJ’s also offered attentive and amiable service and a decent cocktail selection, but the experience doesn’t come cheaply. Entrees normally run in the mid-20s to mid-30s range, making this strictly a special occasion destination.

 

All told, MJ’s offers everything (food, service, ambiance) that makes for a great meal. Should you have an event worth celebrating, keep it in mind, especially if you enjoy the bounty of the sea