JENNIFER JOHNSON: HECKLE AND JECKLE’S CHICKEN SHACK >>>

Sister to the original Bremerton location, Heckle and Jeckle’s Chicken Shack opened Oct. 1 inside the Caballeros Club, which anchors a dead end Tacoma Hilltop street. Heckle and Jeckle’s, a soul food restaurant, is open even when the nightclub isn't pulsating music.

Heckle and Jeckle’s menu swells with Southern cookin’ favorites such as hickory smoked barbeque ribs, brisket, seasoned pork chops, snapper, catfish and prawns, cornbread, collard greens, red beans and rice and macaroni and cheese. Most are made from scratch â€" like Sunday dinner at mama’s house.

Guilty pleasures include tangy sweet and tart blackberry lemonade topped with whipped cream made by co-owner Tonita “LuLu” Naylor. Along with her sister Nanette Lewis they cook up a storm, and are quietly gaining a loyal customer base thanks to quality ingredients and creative recipes.

Check out LuLu’s sweet potato puffs and her hot lick on a stick â€" similar to a corn dog it’s a spicy sausage hand dipped and deep-fried.

Heckle and Jeckle’s is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, until 2 a.m. Friday and 9 p.m. Saturday.

[Heckle and Jeckle’s Chicken Shack, 1516 S. 28th St., Tacoma 253.573.1778]