B. Smith’s was not just a place to eat. It had style, warmth, and a grown-up dining room feel that made dinner seem dressed for the evening. The menu leaned Southern, Creole, Cajun, and American, with comfort dishes served in a polished way.
The original B. Smith’s restaurant locations are no longer operating, so prices below should be treated as a historical guide. Archived menus show dishes like fried green tomatoes, crab cakes, seafood gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp and grits, fried chicken, ribs, burgers, sandwiches, and brunch plates.
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Appetizers
Fried Green Tomatoes: $12.00 to $15.00
Crab Cakes: $15.00 to $22.00
Catfish Fingers: $10.00 to $15.00
Chicken Wings: $10.00 to $16.00
Calamari: $12.00 to $18.00
Spinach and Artichoke Dip: $10.00 to $15.00
Soup of the Day: $6.00 to $9.00
Fried green tomatoes were one of the signature-style starters. Crisp outside, tart inside, and served with a creamy sauce, they brought a sharp first bite before heavier plates arrived.
Soups and Salads
Seafood Gumbo, Cup: $7.00 to $10.00
Seafood Gumbo, Bowl: $10.00 to $15.00
House Salad: $8.00 to $12.00
Caesar Salad: $9.00 to $13.00
Blackened Chicken Salad: $14.00 to $19.00
Shrimp Salad: $16.00 to $23.00
Seafood gumbo was a fitting choice for a menu with Creole roots. It had that slow, dark, savory taste that feels like a pot has been working all day.
Seafood Entrees
Shrimp and Grits: $22.00 to $30.00
Pan-Seared Salmon: $24.00 to $34.00
Crab Cake Dinner: $26.00 to $38.00
Fried Catfish: $20.00 to $28.00
Seafood Jambalaya: $24.00 to $35.00
Grilled Shrimp Plate: $22.00 to $32.00
Shrimp and grits was one of the best orders for anyone wanting Southern comfort with a little polish. Creamy grits, seasoned shrimp, and rich sauce make the plate feel both homey and restaurant-worthy.
Chicken and Meat Entrees
Southern Fried Chicken: $20.00 to $28.00
Chicken and Waffles: $18.00 to $26.00
BBQ Ribs: $24.00 to $36.00
Short Ribs: $26.00 to $38.00
Grilled Pork Chop: $22.00 to $32.00
Meatloaf with Gravy: $18.00 to $26.00
Fried chicken was the kind of plate that matched the soul of the restaurant. Golden crust, juicy meat, and classic sides gave it the feel of Sunday dinner, only with white tablecloth energy.
Sandwiches and Burgers
B. Smith’s Burger: $14.00 to $20.00
Turkey Burger: $13.00 to $19.00
Fried Catfish Sandwich: $14.00 to $20.00
Chicken Sandwich: $13.00 to $19.00
Crab Cake Sandwich: $18.00 to $26.00
Po’ Boy Sandwich: $15.00 to $23.00
The crab cake sandwich was the premium pick in this section. The burger was the safer choice for lunch, especially with fries or a small salad on the side.
Sides
Macaroni and Cheese: $6.00 to $9.00
Collard Greens: $6.00 to $9.00
Mashed Potatoes: $6.00 to $9.00
Sweet Potato Fries: $6.00 to $9.00
Rice and Beans: $6.00 to $9.00
Cornbread: $4.00 to $7.00
Macaroni and cheese and collard greens were natural matches for fried chicken, ribs, and catfish. Cornbread added a soft, sweet edge to spicy or saucy dishes.
Brunch Menu
Sunday Brunch Buffet: about $30.00 per person historically
Omelet Station: often included with brunch
Waffles: often included with brunch
Fried Chicken: often included with brunch
Seafood Dishes: often included with brunch
Mimosas or Champagne: included at some brunch events
B. Smith’s brunch had a strong reputation, especially at the Washington, D.C. Union Station location. It was the kind of brunch where guests could linger, refill a plate, and let the room do half the talking.
Desserts
Bread Pudding: $8.00 to $12.00
Sweet Potato Pie: $8.00 to $12.00
Chocolate Cake: $8.00 to $12.00
Cheesecake: $8.00 to $12.00
Peach Cobbler: $8.00 to $12.00
Bread pudding and sweet potato pie fit the menu best. Both are warm, rich, and familiar, like the final chord of an old song.
Drinks
Soft Drink: $3.00 to $5.00
Coffee or Tea: $3.00 to $5.00
Wine by the Glass: $8.00 to $15.00
Cocktails: $10.00 to $16.00
Mimosas: $8.00 to $14.00
How Much Did B. Smith’s Cost?
Archived listings placed the average main course around $23. A lighter meal with soup or salad and a sandwich may have cost about $20 to $35 per person.
A full dinner with appetizer, entree, dessert, and drinks could land around $60 to $100 per person. Brunch was often a strong value, especially when buffet service and drinks were included.
Best Value Orders
The best value picks were fried green tomatoes, seafood gumbo, fried chicken, meatloaf, catfish sandwich, brunch buffet, and macaroni and cheese.
For a more special meal, crab cakes, shrimp and grits, ribs, short ribs, and seafood jambalaya were the stronger picks.
What to Order First
A first-time meal would have started well with fried green tomatoes or gumbo. For the main plate, shrimp and grits, fried chicken, or crab cakes would have captured the restaurant’s style best.
For dessert, bread pudding or sweet potato pie would have closed the meal in the right mood.
Bottom Line
B. Smith’s Restaurant was known for Southern, Creole, Cajun, and American comfort food served with style. The menu carried fried green tomatoes, gumbo, crab cakes, shrimp and grits, fried chicken, ribs, catfish, brunch plates, classic sides, and rich desserts.
Since the original restaurants are closed, today’s price list can only be treated as a historical guide. Still, the menu gives a clear picture of what made B. Smith’s memorable: graceful dining, warm flavors, and food that felt dressed up without losing its roots.