Preview: Greer Fredericks is Coming Back to Norwalk to Open "Greer Southern Table"

At the tail end of December, I woke up to a text message from Greer Fredericks saying she’s coming back to Norwalk to open a southern themed restaurant. That style of cuisine in a sit-down restaurant setting is something I’ve thought this area has had a need for ever since Fredericks closed Peaches Southern Pub & Juke Joint in March 2020.

Fredericks, who most of you know from her hit restaurants in this city, Mama’s Boy Southern Table & Refuge, Jax & Co., and Peaches, is set to open her namesake restaurant, Greer Southern Table, at 7 River Street in Norwalk’s Wall Street area in the early part of 2023 to fill that void of down home southern cooking.

I caught up with Fredericks to see if she’ll spill some secrets about her new spot, because I, for one, was a big fan of Mama’s Boy, Jax, and Peaches and am thrilled to have her back, as I’m sure you are, too.

Bring on that bucket of chicken!

Some of us are still dreaming about Peaches fried chicken.

Photo courtesy of Greer Fredericks

First off, welcome back to the Connecticut restaurant scene! When you messaged me revealing the new spot, I was admittedly giddy! What brings you back to Norwalk?

Hi Andrew! Well, so much has happened, and to be honest I was not planning on coming back to Norwalk at all, but I had run into Jason Milligan who is a realtor investor and redeveloper in the Wall Street area of Norwalk. He’s responsible for so much positive change to the area. He invited me down to the old neighborhood to show me all of the progress that’s been occurring and I was blown away! I’m so impressed by his energy and his vision. I feel his enthusiasm truly mirrors that of mine and my team’s. It’s a great fit. The space on River Street is amazing. We are building out the space from the ground up, designing it exactly the way we want and are shooting for a spring opening. It’s across from a four-story parking garage AND no stairs! (The stairs at Peaches nearly killed me several times!) I was hooked right away! Here we go!

Deviled eggs with pickled okra and pork belly were a popular app at Peaches

I know you opened a fast casual offshoot of Peaches in NYC’s Financial District. Tell us what that experience was like, especially because I know you went through a lot during that time.

This is not an easy answer! NYC was a dream. It was the dream that I worked towards for many, many years. We designed a fast casual concept around fresh southern eats, and no doubt it was to be a huge hit. I chose the Financial District because three years ago the neighborhood was booming. We focused the design and kitchen mainly on catering to the thousands upon thousands of offices around us. Coming from Connecticut it was hard to wrap my brain around delivering food to 5,000 people on a single floor of just one building. But that was indeed the reality. Then COVID hit a month before we were due to open, and the world changed. We did, however, end up opening for a few months the following fall but offices were only at about 10% capacity at that time. I didn’t want to continue on at that time if our neighborhood climate wasn’t what we signed up for, so I followed my gut and prepared to pivot!

Southern style shrimp & grits was one of the signatures at both Mama’s Boy and Peaches. We expect this dish to return.

So, the reason we’re all here is for a teaser on your new spot, Greer Southern Table. A bunch of your fans around here are certainly hoping you’ll be serving some of the greatest hits from Mama’s Boy, Jax, and Peaches. Please tell me the fried chicken, shrimp & grits, and the Mama’s Boy cakes are coming back! And what else might we expect?

I love this question. Yes, we will have all of our “Low Country” favorites from Mama’s Boy, Jax & Co., and Peaches on this menu. From our now famous fried chicken, shrimp & grits, and yes of course the incredible cakes! You will also see new and exciting items from the “High Country” with some focus on the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountain range to the OBX (Outer Banks). If there is one thing that I have personally learned over the last couple of years it’s that it certainly does take a village!

For continued updates on Greer Southern Table, follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and online at greersoutherntable.com