Country fried steak & smothered chicken thighs

by Mary-Devon Dupuy

Next time you’re looking for a midnight snack in the Marigny but just can’t tolerate another night of bar food fare, check out Marie’s (2483 Burgundy St.) newest pop up restaurant, We've Got Soul. Open from 6pm-3am exclusively on Fridays, the latest creation of Chef Tres Barnard features a new soul food menu every week and has been getting rave reviews since it opened a month ago.

Barnard is from a small town called Tutwiler, Miss. It's also the place where he said his love for soul food was born.  The chef landed on his career path after moving to Oxford, Miss., where he worked for a catering company.

“I moved to New Orleans to go to culinary school two months before Katrina hit,” said Barnard. “Then I moved to Denver and worked hand in hand with a master chef for five years.”

Barnard decided to take his classical training back to the South, so he returned to New Orleans to work under Paul Prudhomme for a year at K-Paul’s. After his stint with the local food legend, Barnard got a job as a Sous-Chef at the Royal Sonesta. Now, Barnard wants to apply all of his fancy training to the down-home soul food he grew to love at his home in Mississippi.

“It’s a soul food base, but it’s also nice plate ups with complex flavors,” Barnard explained. Although locals are willing to wait in line at Willie Mae’s and Dooky Chase’s for their down-home cooking, the local chef said he saw a void in the New Orleans soul food scene.

“It’s true soul food. Fried catfish, collared greens, mustard greens, black-eyed peas, any type of pea you can imagine,” said Barnard.

One of the most important elements of the food at We’ve Got Soul is its locally grown focus.

“I use as much local produce as I can. I go to Crescent City Farmer’s Market, and I get most of my greens for my side dishes from Hollygrove Market. I use as much Louisiana and Mississippi products as I can in my food,” said Barnard.

The food is moderately priced, running from $5-$15 per dish. NoDef sampled the tomato braised chicken quarter with dirty rice risotto, accompanied by stewed okra and creole tomatoes. The flavorful cuisine was well worth $15, and far from what could be considered mere bar food. 

The menu changes every Friday, and they’ve had no trouble attracting customers.

“Last Friday, we completely sold out of everything by 10 o’clock,” said Barnard. “the Bywater came in droves and cleaned house. I can’t even describe how great a feeling that is.”

Customers who can’t wait until Friday for their soul food should show their love by showing up. Barnard said the amount of time he can stay open is directly related to the amount of customers that walk in the door. Those looking to pick up on Friday can call 206-398-9214 for take out.

“We’ll be open more as soon as I start making a little more money,” said Barnard. “It’s just me. I live from Friday to Friday.”