Amy Ruth's Downtown

Amy Ruth's Downtown is an offshoot of the original Amy Ruth's, which has been serving soul food in Harlem since 1999. When my friend Dawn suggested an impromptu lunch yesterday, I finally had an opportunity to try it.

The menu features everything you'd expect (and want) it to: fried chicken and fish, pork chops, shrimp, ribs, collard greens, mac and cheese, corn bread, banana pudding, and more. Almost every dish is named for a prominent African American.

I ordered the Fried Catfish Sandwich, which was one of the few items with no name. Two massive, light, crispy fillets arrived, sticking out from a bun that wasn't nearly large enough to contain them (above). Dawn had the Hot Chicken Sandwich. Why is it called "hot?" The chicken is soaked in hot sauce before it's battered and fried. Both came with more french fries than we could eat, though not for lack of trying. The server recommended a side of green beans, which were tasty but maybe a little saltier than I'd like.

We split a slice of Pineapple Coconut Layer Cake from Lloyd's in East Harlem for dessert. By "split" I mean Dawn had to fight me to get just a couple of forkfuls. I've gone to Lloyd's and written about their famous Carrot Cake, but this might be even better.

Amy Ruth's Downtown isn't fancy. It's really a takeout place with seating. When I'm craving comfort food, I'm coming back.

Amy Ruth's Downtown, 39 West 14th St.