Dorothy and Leroy's: Hartford Soul Food

I really miss Chicago. And one of the things I miss the most is real food, which is what soul food is to me. Although I moved to Lincoln Square to be near Spoon Thai, if forced to choose one cuisine to eat for the rest of my life, soul food would be my choice.

Until recently, soul food in Hartford meant eating at home. An article in the Hartford Advocate steered me to Dorothy and Leroy's, a warm and welcoming cafeteria style restaurant that is conveniently located for the Sunday worshipers at the big North Side churches. The Advocate is our Reader wannabe-no competition for Sula & Co. here, though I should not be ungrateful; I am glad to have learned about Dorothy and Leroy's).



I went just after the Sunday rush, making sure to dress up a bit. The ladies at the next table were enjoying trying on these Sunday hats and teasing each other. Families came to eat, or to pick up dinner to take home. Business was bustling.



I decided on fried chicken, cornbread stuffing, and greens. All were excellent, but the stuffing stands out as some of the tastiest I've had, with a richness that only real poultry stock can give. It was moist, subtly herbed, and, and, and-- I must go back for more! Cornbread and chocolate cake rounded out the meal, though the cake went home with me for later.







I didn't get a chance to try the BBQ or the Cajun specialties. I'll have to go back. That stuffing is calling my name.

Dorothy and Leroy's
1051 Blue Hills Avenue
Bloomfield, CT 06002
(860) 242-7710
Tue-Fri 11:30am-7:30pm
Sat 12pm-7:30pm
Sun 12pm-6pm