Open for 36 years, the Southern Kitchen has been serving country-style food to generations of diners who love home cooking with a southern touch.

Taking a trip to the south sounded like a great idea, so soon after we found a parking space in the tiny lot shared with a car repair shop, and we were seated at an oilcloth-covered table, looking at menus. Everything looked tasty,  and seeing orders coming to other tables, we had a hard time deciding. But we were there for breakfast and finally decided on country-fried steak with onion gravy, grits, one biscuit and two scrambled eggs ($13.95) and coffee ($1.95). We also ordered French toast with two scrambled eggs and four sausages ($10.95),  hot cider ($1.95),  and two pieces of fried chicken at $8.95.

The six triangles  of crisp, buttery toast were perfect, as were the eggs, and the warm syrup to dribble over everything was just the right addition. Yummy.

The chicken-fried  steak was crunchy on the outside, which gave the gravy loaded with onions a good base and set off the mildly spicy meat. The grits were a smooth complement, and the biscuit was light and fluffy and very hot. The fried chicken was extra crunchy but thoroughly cooked, with lots of flavorful breading.

Our server, Skitzo, who runs a Seahawk-themed entertainment company when he is not waiting tables (go Hawks), was happy to answer questions about Guy Fieri’s “Diners  Drive-ins and Dives” show from 2009, which still brings people from all over the country to try the food. Pictures from this visit, as well as many awards for excellence, cover one whole wall.

A visit to the Southern Kitchen is worth the limited parking and the crowds that show up daily to sample the time-tested recipes and enjoy the friendly atmosphere.

IF YOU GO

Southern Kitchen

1617 Sixth Ave., Tacoma (corner of Sixth and Sprague)

253-627-4282

Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to  9 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Carolyn Augustine, a freelance restaurant writer from Lakewood, writes the Senior Eats column for Senior Scene.