RESTAURANT REVIEW: Shoo Mama's satisfies with inventive menu

Shoo Mama’s has taken over the space of the former JamBone, which closed in November 2009. JamBone is at the top of my list of favorite places that I’ve visited and written about, so I knew Shoo Mama’s had tough shoes to fill.

The menu was as far away as it could be from what Jambone had offered, but they still had a few very good similiarities.

The food

My friend and I dined at Shoo Mama’s for lunch. Since I love seafood, and Shoo Mama’s serves lots of it, I was a bit indecisive over what I should order. My friend, however, knew right away he wanted the Ultimate Fish Taco, touted as, “So delicious it needed its own spot on the menu!”

Our server, Meadow, helped me out. After telling us about a wonderful Oktoberfest special that featured a variety of sausages, homemade sauerkraut and German potato salad, all recipes from the German bartender’s family, I decide that sounded wonderful, but I wanted to try something off the menu.

I asked Meadow what was popular, and she said she always enjoys eating a Spaniard burger with the twice-baked potato cake as a side. I went with it.

I was excited to see what a twice-baked potato cake was since I’d never heard of it. Other interesting sides included the sweet potato puppies, corn fritters, and grilled rye bread.

They also serve sides such as fresh seasonal vegetables, seasoned curly fries, loaded baked potato, collard greens, baked sweet potatoes, cole slaw and salads.

Meadow said Shoo Mama’s proudly serves fresh ingredients, and on this day, the fish of the day was redfish. My friend Keith’s giant taco was loaded with this blackened fish plus creamy jack cheese, crispy lettuce, sour cream, and house-made mango salsa, served with a side.

My experience with fish tacos is limited and the only one I’d had before had way too much cabbage and not enough fish and seemed dry. This was not the case at Shoo Mama’s, the taco took up half of the plate and was filled with juicy, spicy fish.

My Spaniard burger came topped with fried jalepenos, guacamole and mango salsa. The twice-baked potato cake was about the size of a crab cake and consistency, too. However, inside the crispy crust was a warm gooey potato mixture.

The atmosphere

Shoo Mama’s has a beachy feel, with light, bright colors and paintings on the walls.

The service

Meadow was a consummate waitress. She was very attentive and knowledgable about the food she was serving.

A final taste

I, for one, can’t wait to go back to Shoo Mama’s and try one of their inventive meals.