Photo credit: Nina Norwood

Waffles, jumbo shrimp and cheesy grits from Gritz N’ Wafflez sit at the center of a table between other dishes. Gritz N’ Wafflez is a restaruant in Koreatown that offers brunch favorites with a southern twist.

The first thing I noticed was the gold tile walkway. The shimmering flooring began at the doorstep and drew me in. Before I knew it, I felt like Dorothy on the Yellow Brick Road, but instead of trying to get home, my goal was to get brunch. And dare I say, I went to the perfect place: Gritz N’ Wafflez.

Located at 3183 Wilshire Blvd., Gritz N’ Wafflez is a brunch restaurant with a soul food kick. Despite being tucked between a busy street of shops, I could tell Gritz N’ Wafflez was a favorite in Koreatown because of the line of people waiting outside. I actually had to reserve a table a week in advance to make sure my family and I got a seat.

Upon entering through the doorway on that beautiful gold tile, I appreciated the restaurant’s design. The interior wasn’t expansive as tables were stationed pretty close together. But the billowy, white curtain positioned against the street-facing window and the walls painted in warm colors of yellow, brown and blue made up for it in ambience. The vibe was chic, but comfortable, and worth the early reservation.

After being seated, I looked through the menu and, wow, was there a lot to choose from. While the meals were mainly brunch-focused, the Southern twist on each recipe ensured there was a variety of things to try. For example, let’s say you wanted grits: you could have regular grits, cheesy grits, sweet grits or many other fun variations. Although picking what I wanted to eat was my own indecisive hell, I still appreciated the diversity of the options, as I feel many brunch places have repetitive menus.

My whole family seemed to have trouble choosing as well, so when the waiter came by, we decided to order our drinks and appetizers first. We ordered a plate of the Celestial Deviled Eggs and the fried green tomatoes for the table, and I got a glass of iced house-made lavender sweet tea for myself.

The deviled eggs arrived nicely on a simple, square black platter. Unlike regular deviled eggs, the Celestial Deviled Egg recipe called for the egg whites to be fried and the mixed yolk filling to be added afterwards. Having never eaten a deviled egg before (and never really wanting to), I enjoyed the dish a lot. The mixed yolk stuffing tasted of mustard with a pleasant herby undertone and paired well with the crispy outside of the egg. The Celestial Deviled Eggs were truly celestial.

For fried green tomatoes, on the other hand, I am a self-certified expert. The tomatoes came with a side of two housemade sauces: ranch and Cajun cream. The mellow taste and light breading of the fried green tomatoes balanced wonderfully with the flavorful sauces, but the tomatoes were a little firmer than I usually like.

Overall, the appetizers were delicious, as well as my lavender iced tea, which came in a clear glass that showcased the layering of the tea and lavender, creating a pretty mix of light brown and purple. The first sip sent me straight to heaven and I must say that’s where I stayed for the rest of my dining experience. Though I must warn those without a sweet tooth that the drink was pretty sugary, don’t fret — there was an unsweetened version.

When the waiter stopped by again, I was ready to order my main course. I decided on the jumbo shrimp with a vanilla waffle and a side of cheesy grits à la carte.

While I waited for the food to come out, I did some people-watching. From what I could see, Gritz N’ Wafflez is a place perfect for everyone. There were older adults, babies, women, men, young people and full families eating at each of the tables. The food seemed to bring people together, and every person looked very happy. This boosted the energy that the restaurant was already carrying and made for a great dining experience.

The staff also added to the good vibes, with each member — from host to chef — smiling and cracking jokes with the customers and constantly working to serve, clean and keep Gritz N’ Wafflez running smoothly.

I was pulled away from my people-watching when the food arrived at the table. I immediately recognized why this place was so full and why the line was so long: the food looked delicious! I first dug into my jumbo shrimp, which were fried perfectly: crispy and juicy on the inside with a bold, Cajun-inspired flavor.

The cheesy grits followed, and I was pleasantly surprised. The grits were warm, comforting and reminiscent of home. Then, I finished my visit with the vanilla waffle. The waffle was fluffy and chewy, sweet and buttery, and paired with the housemade syrup — everything you would ever want.

Before coming to Gritz N’ Wafflez, I read up a bit on the restaurant’s history and learned that the owner, Jurni Rayne — a Black woman who grew up in the South — was deeply inspired by her maternal figure, Mama Zula, who taught her how to cook. Each dish at Gritz N’ Wafflez is a tribute to Mama Zula and her legacy.

I have never met Mama Zula, but being at Gritz N’ Wafflez made me feel as though I was right there in her kitchen, being served food filled with soul and love.