The Big Easy Restaurant is located on 120 South Warren Street, just a five minute walk from Mercer’s Trenton campus. This local favorite is specialized in soul food, and during a recent lunch visit, business was busy.
The first thing you notice when walking into the restaurant is the mosaic tile floor that gives off an aesthetic feeling. Next there was a large chalk board lit with track lights, that displayed the daily menu and specials. The tables were neatly set for two with fresh flowers on each table.
After I was directed to a table by a charming young server, I asked for an Iced Tea and she promptly suggested a house special made with lemon and orange.
Items on the menu are reasonably priced. A typical meal with entree and beverage costs about $9 per person and they also have a $20 dinner menu for two. Some of their favorite dishes are turkey wings, salmon, jerk chicken, mac & cheese, fried fish, candied yams, and lobster.
I chose the grilled salmon which was delicious. It was cooked to perfection, seasoned properly and it kind melted in your mouth.
According to Andrea Baxter, a state worker for Taxation, who eats at Big Easy three to four times a week, “The prices are fair for the amount of portions that you get.” Baxter said that her favorite dish on the menu is the mac and cheese, salmon and the fried bass.
Baxter is not the only one who likes the big easy because of the prices. Alex Bethea, a Trenton city councilman, was back at the Big Easy for the second time for the lunch specials. “You can get a decent amount of food for a reasonable price compared to other competitors in the city,” he said.
The dessert menu includes carrot cake, sweet potato pie, red velvet cake and chocolate cake. I tried a slice of the House special which was a homemade red velvet cake and to be honest it tasted better than some of the cakes you would get from a bakery.
The owner of Big Easy is Olugbala Sababu who is a Trenton native. Sababu has been in the food business for the past 37 years and the Big Easy has been open for the past three years. In an interview for The VOICE, Sababu said that “business is good but it is a work in progress.”
Sababu said that he believes the success of his business is in the quality of the food. “We have the best product in the Trenton area.”
There are several other restaurants that serve soul food in Trenton, including Ila Mae’s, Howards, and HeaVenly Divine Soul Food. Compared to them the Big Easy is one of the best restaurants in the downtown Trenton area.
Besides the price, another attraction at the Big Easy is the lunch buffet. You can create your own meal or you can choose from a variety of many dishes and desserts.
Overall, Big Easy is a must go.They offer quality of food at reasonable prices, the perfect combination for a student on a budget.
INFO: The Big Easy Restaurant
120 South Warren Street,
Downtown Trenton, NJ 08608
(609) 989-7900
Cuisine: Soul Food/ Seafood
Hours:
8:00am-7:00pm Mondays – Thursdays,
10:00am – 10:00pm Fridays,
12:00 am – 10:pm Saturdays
( Closed Sundays)
Prices: $9 Lunch menu 11:30 – 4pm Approx. $20 Dinner for 2 – After 5:00
