Chef Michael Catalano displays some vittles from House of Blues in a room filled with paintings and collages from self-taught artists in the county. (photo/lambertphoto.com)

That’s an awful big plate of food for such a skinny thing. Y’all going to be able to eat all that?” asked the rather sizable woman toting an overfilled plate standing in line next to me. “Don’t worry, I’m going to lick this plate clean, ma’am,” I assured her.

You see, I was invited to The Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues a couple of weeks ago and it’s an experience I won’t soon forget. Most everybody knows by now that House of Blues is a great venue for musical acts and that it offers a regular dining menu seven days a week featuring traditional Southern specialties like voodoo shrimp and baby back ribs. But a brunch buffet of fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, jambalaya and macaroni and cheese — now that’s what I call some good fixin’s.

After what seemed like an eternity, the House of Blues finally opened last May. The interior – bright colors, mosaic walls and one of the best collections of paintings and collages by self-taught artists in the country — provides the stage for some of the best musical acts (blues or otherwise) in the country.

House of Blues patrons line up for a brunch buffet of fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, jambalaya and macaroni and cheese. (photo/lambertphoto.com)

Tickets are available for the Gospel Brunch for two services (excuse the pun) every Sunday, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The brunch combines a pretty darn authentic all-you-can-eat Southern-style buffet brunch with an hour-long live musical program of top gospel groups from around the country. Musical choruses like “praise God,” “Mercy me” and “hallelujah” fill the room, so be ready to get on your feet and do some hand clapping as well. It is quite uplifting (even after all that food).

The food is traditional Southern fare, prepared using authentic Southern cooking methods — a lot of frying — and with no notice given the fat or calorie content. The result is some tasty vittles that are fun to eat. And besides, you’re going to work some of it off later with all that stomping, hand clapping and hallelujah-ing going on.

The cold station features salads, fruits, peel-and-eat shrimp and a crawfish “cheesecake” with pita bread for spreading. There’s a carving station with smoked turkey and prime rib, an omelet station and a hot line including the aforementioned fried chicken, macaroni, jambalaya and biscuits and gravy, along with sausage, bacon, spicy fried potatoes, waffles and everybody’s Southern favorite — creamy-cheesy grits.

To finish things off, indulge in strawberry shortcake, white chocolate banana bread pudding or white chocolate walnut brownies. The seating is family style and there are pots of hot coffee on the table, so help yourself.

The items vary slightly from week to week as do the musical acts, and that makes it something you can do more than once, each time having a different experience. It’s a wonderful idea for out-of-town guests.

Prices for adults are $33; children 6-12 are $16.50 while those under 5 are free. Tickets must be purchased through the box office and include tax and gratuity. A full bar is available.

— Terryl Gavre