We ate at the Porch last night and are pleased to report their Q is top notch! We sat outside (was indeed loud inside even early in the evening) and although they were full for reservations said they’d be able to seat walk ins on the early side with no problem, so we arrived at 5:30. My cocktail- a milk punch gin drink- was very nice, although the glass seemed a bit under-filled at $12.
For apps, the smoked wings with white sauce were our favorite. Really excellent wings- we haven’t enjoyed wings so much since the late Gargoyles duck wings. The sauce does have a real blast of black pepper heat that hits late, which we loved, but which the spring onions found a bit spicy so beware. We also shared a kale salad with grilled zucchini and peaches and candied pecans.
For mains, we had the burnt ends plate special on the recommendation of the waiter. Everyone loved the smokey chewy little meat nuggets. Definitely a winner. We also shared a half chicken with the Nashville hot sauce on the side (thanks @grumpyspatient). I would actually characterize the sauce as not hot at all- flavorful, but basically a mild sweet chili oil. In retrospect, I would have liked to try their hot sauce stirred in, but one flaw in service was a lack of any sauces on the outdoor tables. Only when I went in to wash hands did I realize that all the tables had 4 bottles of sauce inside and then we asked for some. The chicken was thick-crusted and very nicely cooked. I think I prefer it to Highland Fried’s, although I’d turn down neither in a dark alley!
Our sides were mac & cheese (concession to spring onions) which was fine, not amazing. Collards and green beans were both tasty, cooked to mush as is common in southern cooking and which I don’t dislike. I didn’t try a biscuit but everyone who did said it was good.
We finished with two desserts: peach cobbler and banana pudding. Neither are typical picks for me, being sort of a chocoholic, but both were excellent and there may have been some plates licked.
Service was friendly and competent, but it was overall a very long meal. Food took a long time to come out and we were there for over 2 hours which may be pushing it for some families. There is a cornhole set which kept the kids busy during waits, and being outside was lovely, but they need to work on their timing a bit. We ended up bringing our check inside to pay.
I never went to the Wakefield location, but I can see this being a place we might bring out of towners and although it is not on my overall life goal list to eat more fried chicken, I would definitely eat more of this fried chicken!