COLLIER CITIZEN

Watts for Dinner: Cracklin’ Jacks is down-home goodness

Will Watts

Correspondent

It doesn’t matter if you are in the backwoods of Tennessee, a small town in Texas or in the middle of the Everglades, down home has a certain feel and quality.

The "vittles" at Cracklin' Jacks, Naples.

Our next dining adventure takes us to that feeling, and sitting at a table are Cracklin’ Jack’s, I felt as though I could have been at any one of those places. The feel is authentic, simple and delicious.

We skipped the appetizer and headed right for the main course. Why? You’ll soon find out.

I ordered the catfish and spare ribs special that came with French fries and Cole slaw. But like all entrees, it came with vittles too, including: white beans, mashed potatoes, brown gravy, onion casserole, turnip greens and muffins.

The catfish and ribs platter at Cracklin' Jacks, Naples.

My partner in dine had the ribs platter, with all the vittles.

The catfish is lightly battered in corn meal and is perhaps the best I’ve ever had. The accompanying tartar sauce is fresh and decadent.

The ribs are also fresh, aromatic, fall-off the bone goodness. And the barbecue sauce. OMG! OMG! OMG! I dipped my fries in it; my hush puppy and I think I turned it up and drank it at one point.

The mashed potatoes are no frills, just simple goodness. The white beans have big chunks of pork that would make any Southerner proud. The turnip greens are strong, just like “mama” used to make; if you happen to be from the south, that is.

Save the muffins for dessert, whether it’s the corn or zucchini, they have a sweet, moist cake-like slant to them.

The spare ribs platter at Cracklin' Jacks, Naples.

The service is warm, friendly and down home as well. There’s indoor and outdoor seating and plenty of parking.

Tie on an oversized napkin (bring your own) and chow down on some Southern goodness; this is the real taste of the Everglades and it resides just on the outskirts of Golden Gate.

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If you go

Cracklin’ Jacks

2560 39th Street SW, Naples

239-774-6000