Roots Southern Table in Farmers Branch is more than just a restaurant—it’s a deeply personal expression of Southern culinary identity. Chef Tiffany Derry’s upbringing in Southeast Texas touches every plate, bringing together elements of Creole, soul food, and refined Southern cooking with global technique. The menu reflects a reverence for tradition but refuses to be boxed in by it.
Each dish is layered, nuanced, and prepared with purpose, inviting diners to rediscover familiar flavors in unexpected ways. While the presentation is upscale, the soul of the food remains deeply comforting.
Chef Tiffany Derry is a celebrated Texas-based chef and restaurateur known for blending Southern tradition with global technique. Raised in Beaumont, she trained at the Art Institute of Houston and gained international culinary experience before rising to national fame through appearances on shows like Top Chef and Top Chef All-Stars. She is the founder of Tiffany Derry Concepts and co-founder of T2D Concepts, the hospitality group behind Roots Southern Table, Roots Chicken Shak and more recent, Radici Wood Fired Grill.
In recent years, Derry has earned widespread acclaim, including being named a James Beard Award finalist in 2022 for both Best Chef: Texas and Best New Restaurant. Roots Southern Table was also featured on The New York Times‘ list of top U.S. restaurants. In 2023, she was named to Inc.’s Female Founders 200 list, underscoring her growing influence as a chef, entrepreneur, and advocate for equity in hospitality. She is also the newest judge on MasterChef, been featured on Bar Rescue and judged Top Chef Jr.
Here are a few standout dishes that define the experience at Roots Southern Table, along with what makes them special:
- Duck Fat Fried Chicken: This is the star of the show, and rightly so. The chicken is marinated in a house-made Creole spice blend and fried to golden perfection in duck fat, which adds an incomparable depth and richness. The crispy skin is delicate yet satisfying, while the meat remains moist and flavorful. It’s served with fluffy drop biscuits and house preserves, making this a soulful dish worth sharing—or savoring solo.
- Crawfish Boil Ravioli: Inspired by the traditional Gulf Coast crawfish boil, this creative dish wraps all the signature flavors—crawfish tail meat, corn, sausage—into tender house-made pasta. A butter sauce ties it together without overwhelming the subtle spice. It’s imaginative yet rooted in cultural familiarity. You’ll taste both the heritage and the finesse.
- Cast-Iron Cornbread: Served hot and golden with smoked butter, seasonal preserves, and Steen’s syrup, the cornbread is a perfect balance of crumbly texture and sweetness. The use of cast iron gives it an irresistible crust, and the accompaniments elevate this side into a dish that feels indulgent and essential.
- Southern Greens: Braised in a savory blend of smoked ham and salt pork, this side is more than an afterthought—it’s a soulful, umami-rich tribute to heritage. Paired with hot water cornbread and baby turnips, it’s hearty enough to serve as a small entrée.
- Orange Juice Cake: Served warm, this nostalgic dessert is both citrusy and buttery, reminiscent of a Southern grandmother’s holiday recipe box. It’s not overly sweet, and the tang of crème fraîche gives it balance. It’s a gentle, lovely way to end the meal.
Of course, Roots Southern Table offers much more than what’s listed above. Their seasonal salads, such as the Spring Pea Salad with burrata and candied bacon, are bright and unexpected. The pork osso bucco, braised to tenderness and paired with a tamale and peanut sauce, brings a global sensibility to the Southern table.
Even appetizers like the black-eyed pea hummus and akara fritters speak to Chef Derry’s ability to merge African, Caribbean, and American South influences seamlessly. The cocktail and wine list is equally curated to complement the bold yet refined flavors of the kitchen.
Ultimately, Roots is not just a restaurant—it’s a culinary narrative. It tells the story of place, memory, and evolution through food that’s soulful, precise, and utterly satisfying. Visit our First Look at this restaurant.
Roots Southern Table | 13050 Bee Street, Farmers Branch| 214.346.4441
