Southern Grub Comforts Downtown

It seems like the natural next step.

From his start with a food truck in 2015 to a brick-and-mortar spot a year later in West Park, Ken Hatfield has found success with his Southern cooking.

So when Cleveland Pickle closed its downtown spot earlier this year, Hatfield leaped at the opportunity, opening Hatfield’s Goode Grub Express in May. A smaller menu focuses on sandwiches and wraps with Southern influences.

The open-faced Kentucky Hot Brown ($11) requires a knife and fork to tackle the gut-busting tower of turkey, bacon, tomatoes, cheddar cheese and a Parmesan gravy. For something a tad lighter, try the Turkey Wasabicado ($10). What appears to be your average turkey sandwich benefits from sliced avocado, bacon and a tangy wasabi mayo.

Whatever you do, don’t skip the brown sugar bacon mac ‘n’ cheese ($5 for 8-ounces, $7 for 12-ounces). Yes, it’s creamy, cheesy and rich. But what we can’t get enough of is the touch of sweetness, which makes you rethink all your other mac ‘n’ cheese moments. 850 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 216-713-0788, hatfieldsgoodegrub.com