Sassy Sassafras adds a culinary magnolia along East Colfax

For a Californian, my taste buds are firmly planted in the South.

So, I was more than thrilled when Sassafras recently opened a second location at 320 E. Colfax, a few blocks from my abode.

I had heard about the legendary lines at the original Jefferson Park location at 2637 W. 26th Ave., and put it on my mental list to try at an off time some day. But then Sassafras came to my ‘hood, and not too soon.

I checked out the place Saturday for breakfast/lunch with my BBFF (best boy friend forever), Bradley Joseph. I ordered the Cajun Benedict, a sassy plate of jumbo lump crab cakes, house-made tasso, crawfish hash, poached eggs and smoked cayenne hollandaise. Bless its little Southern heart.

With my coaxing, my BBFF ordered the fried chicken, a simply named dish of marvelous marinated local free range fried cluckiness with a choice of sides: dirty rice or mac and cheese and pickled pepper slaw or collard greens. A fluffy buttermilk biscuit completes the plate.

Sassafras serves breakfast and lunch daily from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. No reservations, which I find annoying, so be prepared to to wait or grab a couple of seats at the bar (we did), and let the amiable bartender Abe enhance your dining experience with a guava hurricane and more Southern inspired cocktails.

More information at www.sassafrasamericaneatery.com or by calling 303-831-6233.

(Penny Parker photos)