These aren’t just french fries, they’re freedom.
Not in a circa-2003 “freedom fries” way though.
On a spring-like early-March afternoon, the experience of eating Cajun Shrimp Loaded Fries here at The Camp is a glorious escape from a winter spent huddled with takeout in COVID-conscious isolation.
The fries taste killer too.
Cajun Shrimp Loaded Fries ($9) are a texture trifecta. Thick-cut golden-crisp potato planks topped with gravy and shrimp. The bulbous satisfyingly sized shrimp benefit from cast-iron skillet sorcery. The gravy is the right EQ of funky and smooth.
Shrimp, gravy and fries aren’t an obvious combo. But as far as unexpected team-ups go, The Camp’s take is on the Aerosmith/Run-DMC top of spectrum, as opposed to the Lou Reed/Metallica nadir.
The Camp is ideally suited for those of us cautiously easing back into public dining. The setup is entirely outside. The seating areas are arranged like al fresco versions of interior rooms, so there’s social-distance between the clusters of chairs, tables, etc. here. There’s also plenty of sun. And plenty of shade too, with certain areas covered by canopies, umbrellas, awnings and such. During normal times, The Camp’s capacity is around 400. Scaled down for pandemic safety, it’s about half that.
If you’ve never been to The Camp, which opened in 2017, it has a charming laid-back elan evocative of something you might see in Austin, Texas or Nashville. The space is well thought out, but still feels easy and organic. During my recent visit, there was a solid number of guests for a Sunday afternoon - everyone had their space and people-watching was still in play, if you so desired. The Camp’s employees I interfaced with were cheerful, knew their stuff and diligent about wearing their pandemic masks. You order food at the bar, and pick it up a few yards to the right, in front of a repurposed train car inside the complex.
The Camp, address 5909 University Drive, is accurately self-described as “the gateway of MidCity,” a development home to both tentpole chains like TopGolf and local spots like Kamado Ramen. Next year, the in-progress Huntsville Amphitheater is scheduled to open, as part of a new city park to be built out here.
The Camp’s Surf & Turf Burger with fries. (Matt Wake/mwake@al.com)
On Sunday, I also checked out The Camp’s Surf & Turf Burger ($12 with fries). The Camp cooks their burgers on a big charcoal grill, which brings backyard-cookout smokiness. Beefy/hearty burger, well-executed on a quality bun. The twist, hence the “surf,” is this burger’s topped with crawfish and - in addition to lettuce, pickle, tomato - dressed with tartar sauce.
Tartar sauce is more burger-friendly that you might anticipate, adding some tangy zip. The burger is definitely the star in this surf/turf show. But the crawfish adds subtle flavor and texture, particularly when these little MFs fall off the burger and into the accompanying fries, making for righteous crawfish/fry forkfuls.
These culinary collages are courtesy of The Camp’s executive chef, Ruth Mercado. Longtime Huntsville dining enthusiasts should recognize Mercado’s name and fresh ideas from her time at the dearly departed Sandwich Farm and 3 Skillets.
Other items on The Camp’s chalkboard food menu this day include a grilled chicken po-boy ($10). The Camp’s food/bar hours are 4 – 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4 – 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Other food/beverage options inside The Camp’s footprint include The Greenroom, a coffee shop with a second-floor patio, and Superhero Chefs, a trailer-housed spinoff from a caped-crusader themed Tuscumbia restaurant of the same name. More info at explorethecamp.com.
On just a typical warm afternoon or evening, The Camp is a chill and savvy Huntsville hang. Over the last couple years, I’ve seen a few shows here too, as they’ve hosted a well-curated mix of local/regional musicians (Lamont Landers, Quantaphonics) and occasionally regional/touring acts (Taylor Hunnicutt, Dylan LeBlanc). The Camp just announced their March music schedule, with 7 p.m. shows some Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, featuring performances by the likes of bluesy guitarist Eric Rhodes and roots group Cotton and Clover.
Steered by Alabama real-estate venture RCP Companies, The Camp’s event programming is some of Huntsville’s most clever. Their Mardi Gras parties have involved legit New Orleans food/bev, and music from NOLA music royalty, Ivan Neville. The Camp’s done drive-in movies and colorful pop-ups too. Their Market at MidCity returns 1 – 5 p.m. March 14, featuring wares from farmers, makers, etc., and runs Sundays through Nov. 14. There’s a full event schedule on The Camp’s Facebook page.
Twelve months deep into pandemic, with the boredom needle pegged to redrum, Huntsville’s lucky to have better outdoor social options than it used to. And when the weather plays nice, those options don’t get more vibrant than out at The Camp.
The Link LonkMarch 10, 2021 at 03:57AM
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Topped with gravy and shrimp, these Huntsville fries rock - AL.com
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