The 'Proper' way to serve southern

Angela Kelly knows about proper southern food. That much is evident as she stirs collard greens on a Thursday afternoon, in an iron skillet, of course.

"It just holds the heat really well," she said.

Kelly, ex-part owner of the late Reid's Cafe, has opened a new restaurant in its stead, "Proper Southern Food," and her collards with bacon are just one of the mouth-watering concoctions now on the menu.

"I love to see a bunch of empty plates," she said.

And it happens all the time.

"People love southern food," she said.

With classic comfort food menu items like meatloaf, pimento cheese and fried catfish, Kelly hopes to capitalize, both on the region and on High Country cravings. Still hungry? Try the BLT or fried chicken, made the old fashioned way, with skill and spirit.

"I just really like to feed people ... I love to cook. I love to eat good food. I love to make good food," Kelly said, and she's been doing it for 25 years.

It's a talent she utilized, both at Reid's Cafe and as the chocolatier at Espresso News.
Her favorite "Proper" item?

"It's a toss up between the catfish ... then on Sunday brunch I do chicken and waffles," she said.
Originally from Salisbury, she's been in the High Country most of her life and wouldn't have it any other way. When her Reid's Cafe partnership dissolved, she knew she couldn't stay out of the kitchen.

Proper Southern Food is located in the old jailhouse on Water Street in downtown Boone and promises a casual atmosphere of wholesome food, traditional desserts and moderate prices. Come hungry!

Proper's hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (828) 865-5000

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Got restaurant news? E-mail editor Frank Ruggiero at (frank@mountaintimes.com) , snail mail Mountain Times Publications, Attn: Frank Ruggiero, 474 Industrial Park Drive, Boone, N.C. 28607, or call (828) 264-NEWS and ask for Frank.