SECRETS OF THE SOUTH MAGAZINE

Barbara Jean's Homecookin'

by NANCY LAWSON REMLER

We all love traditional, home-cooked Southern meals. But, these days few people can spend hours in the kitchen preparing them. Now, we don't have to. We can take a short drive down Johnny Mercer Boulevard and visit Barbara Jean's.

That's right. The popular St. Simons Island restaurant has opened a local establishment-it's sixth location-on Wilmington Island.

"We're really good old American fare," said Howard Graham, Vice President of Operations for Barbara Jean's, as well as son-in-law to Jim and Barbara Barta, owners of the family-owned business. "Because of our geographic location, we've been cast as Southern, and we'll take that," he said.

Best known for it's crab cakes, some patrons order her crab cakes from all over the country-and Barbara Jean packs them up for some truly "long distance" home delivery.

In addition to crab cakes, popular menu items include She Crab soup, pot roast (cooked overnight), pumpkin bread, and Barbara Jean's famous Chocolate Stuff dessert.

Barbara Jean's emphasizes the importance of fresh vegetables and home cooking. "Everything is made from scratch from our kitchen every day. That's unusual for our price point," Graham said, noting that the average price for meals at Barbara Jean's is $13.00-$15.00.

Overlooking Turner Creek, just past the bridge on Johnny Mercer, Barbara Jean's offers delicious food in a breathtaking atmosphere along the marsh's edge on the Intracoastal. Just a short drive from home.