There’s a small stretch of US Highway 98 in Daphne, Alabama, where a former backcountry cook turned Michelin-trained chef quietly built one of the Eastern Shore’s most talked-about dining rooms.
Southwood Kitchen opened its doors in August 2017, and it hasn’t slowed down since.
This is how a “casual fine dining” spot became a genuine neighborhood obsession, one wagyu French dip at a time. 🔥
How Southwood Kitchen won Daphne’s hearts
The story behind Southwood Kitchen’s rise starts with chef and owner Jeremiah Matthews, a guy whose résumé reads like a culinary world tour.
He trained in two 3-star Michelin restaurants in France, including the legendary L’Arpège in Paris, before working his way through New Orleans, Jackson Hole, and back home to the Alabama coast. 🌍
When Matthews finally opened his own place in Daphne, he didn’t chase trends. He built a menu around freshly made-from-scratch dishes, locally sourced seafood, and top-quality cuts of meat, and let the food do the talking. 🥩
Southwood Kitchen has operated in the black since day one, even weathering the pandemic thanks to loyal regulars who kept buying gift cards and ordering takeout that traveled well. When restrictions lifted, business came back “bigger and stronger than ever.” 📈
In October 2023, Food Network star Guy Fieri rolled into Daphne to film an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, zeroing in on the restaurant’s wagyu French dip and pork shank.
Regulars who’d been quietly loving these dishes for years suddenly had national validation, and the whole town threw a watch party at the restaurant’s sister bar next door. 📺✨
It isn’t just star power keeping the tables full, though. Southwood built its loyalty the old-fashioned way, through consistency, community support, and a kitchen crew that sticks around.
Many servers and cooks have stayed five, seven, even eight years, and Matthews’ own son works shifts alongside him. That kind of staying power is rare, and diners notice it. 💛
Food Highlights
- Pork Shank: Braised until fall-off-the-bone tender, plated with horseradish Robuchon potatoes, heirloom carrots, and peas, and a crispy pork rind gremolata.
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Snake River Wagyu French Dip: An open-face sandwich piled with tender wagyu beef, mushroom and onion confit, melted provolone, and horseradish on a crusty baguette.
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Alabama Shrimp & Grits: Built around Conecuh sausage and creamy grits.
- Diver Scallops: Praised in reviews for their impressive size and quality, these scallops consistently show up as a seafood standout on the menu.
- Oysters: A recurring highlight in customer reviews, the oyster program reflects a commitment to fresh, well-sourced seafood.
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Wagyu Beef Bacon Cheeseburger: A lunch menu favorite loaded with wagyu beef and bacon.
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Black Angus Filet Medallion: Finished with a mushroom demi-glace, duck fat whipped potatoes, and fresh sautéed vegetables.
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Grilled Chicken Brioche: Featuring arugula, tomato, bacon, Swiss, and tomato caper aioli, this sandwich is a lighter lunchtime favorite for the midday crowd.
Atmosphere
Reviewers repeatedly describe Southwood Kitchen as offering “casual fine dining,” a phrase Matthews himself uses to sum up the vibe.
The dining room feels intimate and relaxed rather than stuffy, with diners noting a clean, welcoming space perfect for date nights or special occasions. 🕯️
A fireplace in the back adds warmth, and the overall feel leans toward a cozy neighborhood spot rather than a formal steakhouse.
It’s the kind of place where you can order a wagyu filet and still feel comfortable in jeans. 👖
Bottom Line
Visit for the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives-famous wagyu French dip, the fall-off-the-bone pork shank, and a genuinely warm, relaxed dining room.
Add a chef with a real Michelin-star pedigree, a loyal long-tenured staff, and glowing reviews for shrimp and grits and scallops, and you’ve got a Daphne institution worth the drive. 🚗💨
Address:
1203 US Highway 98, Suite 3D, Daphne, AL 36526
📞 (251) 626-6676
🕔 Open Tue–Sat, 11 AM–3 PM and 5–9 PM (closed Sun–Mon)