Gina Hahn
Biscuit: In America, refers to small quick breads which often
use leaveners like baking powder or baking soda. Generally savory, with a light
and tender texture. In the British Isles, the term usually refers to a flat,
thin cookie or cracker. The Food Lover’s Companion.
With good-humored winks to my British friends, I would like
to say that biscuits as I know them do not come in tins, but come hot from the
oven ready to serve with butter and honey or soak in sausage gravy. Having said
all of that, I must also admit that a few years ago my seven-year-old
granddaughter was converted to saying, “boot” and “bonnet”, not to
mention “sorting things out” on a road trip to Chiang Rai with a friend from
the UK. The lines blurred with much laughter on the part of the adults.
So
when I tell you that I celebrated finding SoJo’s because of the delicious
biscuits, you will know that I am talking about breakfast and not tea, savory
and not sweet. And what a breakfast you can find at SoJo’s! Unique among the
items offered are sausage patties with the flavor and texture I remember and
love at 35 baht an order. The fabulous biscuits are 25 baht each (they’re
big), and wonderful breakfast biscuit sandwiches stuffed with tomato, egg,
bacon, sausage, ham or cheese start at 55 baht. Of course, you can also choose
among bakery items, breakfast sets, pancakes, and SoJo’s ‘Eggcellent’
dishes. The most expensive item on the breakfast menu is a big set breakfast,
SoJo’s Slammer, at 140 baht. You won’t go away hungry. Beverages abound and
start at 20 baht with fruit based drinks, and an assortment of coffees and teas.
Kirk and Gina Harbison, owners of SoJo’s, are natives of
Alabama in the USA. They have been in Chiang Mai for nine years, but running a
restaurant isn’t their only job. First of all, they’re raising children and
obviously enjoying it. Then they have an event planning and conference
production company as well as a catering company, www.samassist.com. They will
cater more than 4,000 meals this summer for conference participants and private
gatherings. While the first floor of the building they occupy houses SoJo’s
restaurant, a coffee shop and internet caf้ operates on the second floor
(the whole place is a registered “hot spot”), the event planning company is
on the third floor, and the family lives in the rest of the building. It’s a
great setup, and you’ll probably see the kids helping out in one or the other
business as you enjoy the food at the restaurant. As for the name, SoJo’s
reminds us all that we are sojourners in life, and the motto of the restaurant
is “Enjoy the journey”.
We certainly enjoyed food that we tasted. Salads, soups,
sandwiches, pastas, entrees and desserts are all on the menu. There’s a small
selection of Thai food also, as well as a Just for Kids section that includes
peanut butter sandwiches and corn dogs. The Thai food starts at 75 baht and the
kids’ food at 90 baht.
The Tennessee glazed barbeque pork was delicious. The sweet
and tangy sauce made this a hit with the whole team. At 170 baht, this dinner is
served with the house bread (homemade) and two side dishes. The SoJo’s chicken
cordon bleu dinner at 150 baht was fresh and delicious, and we loved the light
fried filet of fish with coleslaw and a twice-baked, stuffed potato. But we were
amazed at how flavorful and tender the Dixie marinated steak was. This sirloin
steak is marinated in a special combination of ingredients that both flavors and
tenderizes it. Delicious and only 240 baht for the dinner. Try the Greek salad,
the pineapple chicken salad, and the fried okra. Don’t leave out the
cheeseburger or the lasagna. And be sure to save room for the homemade desserts.
Absolutely delicious. Talk to Kirk and Gina if they’re there. It’s a
delightful experience you won’t want to miss.
SoJo’s, 16914/5 Sridonchai Road, behind the electronic plaza in the Night
Bazaar, Chiang Mai, 50100. Telephone 053-820-621/622 or 053-820-335/336. Open
weekdays at 10 a.m., weekends at 8 a.m. Parking is scarce; be creative.
