Ye Olde College Inn Dinner Experience

I haven't been to YOCI under the new ownership, rebuild etc... I used to go a lot for gumbo and poboys when I lived near it some years ago, so a visit there was going to be nostalgic.

The atmosphere is totally different, though I like what they've done with the place and some of the old stuff which still hangs on the walls. I think the "farm" next door really neat. it's a nice sight to see on that part of Carrollton.

The place was very busy and continued to fill up after our arrival at 7:30. I didn't get but a glance at the bar, but it looked nice and inviting. Folks were watching the basketball games there and looked to be having a good time.

Everyone was friendly and welcoming from the moment we walked in until we left. Nothing obnoxious. Just good old friendly make you want to come back treatment.

Our waitress was terrific. I was having a hard time deciding what I wanted for an app and entree and she told me to tell me what I was looking for and she'd make it happen. She'd just make a plate with what I wanted on it, like adding a few oysters to the shrimp and grits or a half and half plate. I was floored by the suggestion. It's not the norm. To make matters worse, some good looking poboys kept passing by us, but I decided against a poboy.

As I was deciding on an app, I asked her if the oysters were cornmeal fried or cornflour etc...she said cornflour, but if I preferred cornmeal only, that was easy to do and they'd be happy to do it. Geez, they aim to please.

I stuck with the program, though, and ordered the Oysters Bleu which was 6 huge fried oysters on a bed of lettuce with purple onion, blue cheese and blue cheese oil dressing. She added bacon at my request, which I loved. Oysters, blue cheese and bacon are great together. I would have preferred the cornmeal only fried oysters, but these were well done. I shared because no way I could eat that many oysters and my entrée. This salad was a meal.


Other apps were the bbq shrimp, crabmeat maison on grilled eggplant and a nicely dressed green salad with a delicious vinaigrette. All were deemed very good.




I haven't had any version of shrimp and grits in a long time, so I opted for that as an entree. I came with waffle croutons for dipping in the bbq sauce which was really good. Same sauce as is used for the bbq shrimp. The grits were very good and there was a generous serving of them with six very nice sized shrimp. I would order it again.

Other entrees were an app of shrimp remoulade over fried green tomatoes because the waitress said it was a very generous size which it was; sauteed puppy drum with crabmeat, roasted corn sauce, tomatoes and lemon orzo; and a pan sauteed puppy drum special with brussel sprouts and English peas, cous cous and crabmeat, I think. I can't recall the sauce but it was good whatever it was. All very generous entrees.




For dessert, we shared the fried bread pudding poboy and caramel custard. That bread pudding was so darn rich and good. The crispy outside with the soft moist inside and whatever that delicious sauce was nearly put me into a coma. I really liked it. The caramel custard was as good as any I've had before. It's one of my favorite desserts behind creme brulee.



The only snafu was that the entrees came before we were quite finished with the apps, but just barely. The waitress immediately apologized as she brought them. She knew it was too soon, but it worked out okay. I think two of the others were actually done.

Otherwise, everything about the place was enjoyable and I'd go back multiple times. I don't see much about it written here. I wish the place was open for lunch, though.

ETA: The drinks were good, too.