How many times have you wondered about the origin of a restaurant’s unusual name? The opening of Georgia Blue in Madison in 2010 definitely piqued my interest. Not only did I want to know about the food, but I was curious about the name. I learned Georgia Blue (now with locations in Flowood and Brookhaven) was named for the owners' daughter. The combination of her name and favorite color was a natural choice when her father began searching for a special touch to his Madison restaurant. I was satisfied with the answer, and after sampling the food, more than happy with the food.
Georgia Blue claims it is a “wildcard in the restaurant world." They even go so far as to say, "Just when you think you've got us figured out we'll surprise you again!" I can attest to this statement. Every time I’ve dined at Georgia Blue since its opening, I’ve witnessed changes to the menu. Once thing hasn’t changed, though - Georgia Blue’s daily blue plate specials. I enjoy dining at the Flowood restaurant, but since my love affair with Georgia Blue began in Madison, I’ll focus on this location’s menu.
First, a little about those delicious blue plate specials. There's a daily rotation of fried chicken, fried catfish, country-fried and hamburger steak with gravy, pork chops, meatloaf, and roast with gravy. Sides include coleslaw, fried okra, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash and zucchini, grits, fried green tomatoes, and fries.
In addition to the blue plate specials, there’s something for every taste on the extended menu. Appetizers like fried green tomatoes, tamale bites, crab claws, loaded cheese fries, fried crawfish tails, barbecue nachos, and a cup of red beans and rice are favorite choices.
I was happy to see several long-time entrees are still available along with new dishes. My all-time favorite is Georgia Blue Shrimp and Grits. It’s literally one of the best renditions of this New Orleans-inspired dish I’ve ever tasted. I’m including NOLA and Gulf Coast restaurants in that assessment.
Georgia Blue’s signature dish is filled with savory jumbo shrimp sautéed with Applewood smoked bacon, caramelized onions, tomatoes, and sweet garlic corn cream sauce on top of roasted corn and cheese grits. If the description alone doesn’t cause you to head right to Georgia Blue and order this divine dish, you’ll soon be a convert once you sample it. It’s literally worth the drive from wherever you are.
Other entrees worth their place on the menu are bourbon glazed pork chop, Georgia Blue grilled chicken, red beans and rice, smothered chicken, hamburger steak with brown gravy, and, another favorite, Chef Robert’s bayou catfish. Similar to shrimp and grits, it’s composed of crispy fried catfish served over corn and cheese grits and topped with a tasty bayou crawfish cream sauce.
If you’re in the mood for a steak, you’ve come to the right place. Choices include a 6-ounce Angus filet, 12-ounce ribeye, and 10-ounce prime sirloin, each served with grilled mashed potatoes and choice of another vegetable.
Georgia Blue’s sandwich line is equally impressive with Chef Trey’s crab cake poboy reigning supreme as a standout in my book. It consists of golden brown crab cakes, fried green tomatoes, lettuce, and house remoulade sauce encased in Gambino’s French bread.
Other listings on the sandwich menu are the Blue’s and rodeo burgers, fried green tomatoes and praline bacon BLT, roast beef, and “hodge podge,” or a seafood combination poboy.
There’s also a variety of beef, pulled pork, and chicken sliders for those looking for smaller burgers.
Georgia Blue is also known for its innovative pasta dishes. I can easily recommend each of them, ranging from seafood linguine to chicken Parmesan to shrimp and fried chicken ziti.
Desserts include white chocolate bread pudding, cobbler, chocolate chip brownie dessert, and other delicacies.
Georgia Blue’s Madison restaurant is located at 111 Colony Crossing, Suite 130. The restaurant is open Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday until 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Other locations are 223 Ridge Way in Flowood (facing Lakeland Drive) and 107 S. Railroad Ave. in Brookhaven.