By Chef Chantel Jackson
Two words. I wasn’t ready.
Look I know that’s three words, so don’t come for me. Clearly I can’t count, but what you can count on is the fact that Estou Duce has the best Po’boy this side of the Mississippi.
I wasn’t ready, no seriously I walk into Soulfood Dishes Located off 18th & Yessler, in the Central District of Seattle, there’s a line out the door…. which is expected. It’s the grand opening of an on going Pop-Up, great marketing on Social Media, so everybody and their momma was there. Literally. For every one person in line, there were 3 aunt Lucile’s, Myrtles, or whatever Baptist church mother name you come up with.
When I finally made it to the counter I was greeted with a warm smile by the cashier, and I placed my order of two combos, one Catfish and one Shrimp Po'boy.
When my name was called to receive my order, I was greeted with a smile “Sup Teach”. I failed to mention earlier he was one of my students from my How to Start a Food Truck program at Highline Community College. We took pictures, I dropped some seeds of encouragement, because I was truly so proud of him, grabbed my plates and I was on my way back to Tacoma.
I didn’t even make it past 23rd without digging into the seasoned fries and popped a piece of shrimp from the sandwich in my mouth. It came on New Orleans Leidenheimer French Bread, with large crispy fried shrimp, lettuce, a creole remoulade sauce and pickles. I am so over restaurants that serve gritty over cooked shrimp cooked in cornmeal, this perfectly assembled sandwichhich was refreshing. Especially the bread! French bread that was crisp on the outside and yet so soft and fluffy on the inside.
I also want to make a special shout out to the Seasoned Fries, they were the perfect thickness and cut, I found myself dipping them in the extra “secret sauce” that was dripping from the sandwich.
I have to say this truly was a delicious sandwich. So, if you’re in the mood for a good culinary experience give it a try. I have a feeling you’ll like it more than you think.
To find out where he will be next follow him on Facebook @calistescreolecuisine.