Hot Stuff
Caption / Review
Originally published for The Infatuation
The team behind Turkey and the Wolf has done it again. This Maple Street spot feels like a mix between a high school cafeteria, a rustic fishing camp, and last season’s Storage Wars winner, and it’s perfect for a quick, quality meal on a budget, whether you’re catching up with a friend or dining alone.
While Hot Stuff is the epitome of fast-casual dining (you’ll walk in, get in line, and grab a tray for your meat and three), the food is more elevated than you might expect, with an inventive menu that highlights local ingredients. You’re here for things like tender meatloaf smothered in red sauce on a bed of mashed potatoes, fried catfish, smoked wings (only $1 after 3pm on Wednesdays), and much more. This must have been what Adam Sandler envisioned when he penned “Lunchlady Land.”
It’s not all about the mains, either—sides like their pickle cheese (basically pimento cheese but with pickles), collard greens, and mashed sweet potatoes are surefire hits. But really, nothing isn’t. The best part? Once you’ve loaded up and found yourself a seat—whether that’s in the main cafeteria or on the tin-roof-covered back patio—you’ll only be out around $20.