PHOTOS: Due South Aims to Bring ‘Larrupin’ Good’ Food to Navy Yard

(Updated at 4:25 p.m.) The owners of a new restaurant in Navy Yard hope that diners find their takes on classic Southern dishes “larrupin’ good.”

Due South, located in the Lumber Shed building at 301 Water St. SE, has created somewhat of a motto out of the phrase used to describe something that is delicious or excellent. Since it opened earlier this month with a limited dinner menu, the eatery from Jetties, Surfside, Bayou and Smith Point owner Georgetown Events has adopted the expression from Due South head chef and partner Rusty Holman’s grandfather, an Arkansas native, said Liz Bogie, a company director.

Until full service at the restaurant begins Sept. 8, Due South’s menu features smoked chicken wings with mayonnaise-based Alabama white barbecue sauce, squash puppies and lima bean hummus, as well as more traditional Southern fare like pulled pork and shrimp and grits.

“It’s a Southern theme with a few modern twists,” Bogie said during a tour of Due South Monday. “Everything has that home cooked feel to it. The vibe is very Southern and laid back, but still refined.”

The interior features distressed wood paneling, black and white tiles and black metal and wood tables. The restaurant can seat close to 100 customers inside and 120 additional diners on the patio, which stretches across both outdoor walls of the restaurant. Two TVs behind the bar will play Nationals games and, in keeping with the Southern theme, Southeastern Conference college football games.

The bar will feature 80 varieties of bourbon and 13 draft beers, including a Due South Lager and Due South IPA. Once it opens in full, the restaurant will serve lunch, dinner and late-night drinks during the week and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

Holman will split his time between Bayou in West End and Due South, serving as executive chef of both restaurants.

“We’re excited to be in Navy Yard because there’s nothing really like this in the neighborhood,” Bogie said. “Even if you’re not from the South, there are still so many options that people may have never even thought of before but may end up loving.”