When Paula’s first opened and I heard the rave reviews, I had to check them out myself. The first few orders were ok. The oxtails are made the way my grandmother made them, in a thick Southern brown gravy. And that’s fine for a change on occasion.

However, my biggest issue is they do not know how to package soul food for delivery. If you are not there physically to tell them not to enclose fried okra in a tightly sealed container, you will receive soggy, soaking wet, drippy wet okra.

I mean, even one of my favorite restaurant nearby knows how to punch holes in the box with my fries so they stay crisp in transit.

But they don’t take tellin’, no matter how politely and privately you confide. So, I haven’t returned.

Soul food is not inexpensive. I buy my own oxtails more frequently now from 99 Ranch , which I’ve also reviewed and they’re fresh and delicious. Problem solved.