With the recent debuts of Southern Proper (600 Harrison Ave., 857-233-2421, southernproperboston.com) and Bootleg Special (400 Tremont St., 617-451-1800, bootlegspecial.com), cuisine from below the Mason-Dixon Line is having a moment in the South End. While Bootleg Special—decked out with ornate, Big Easy-inspired fixtures and wrapped in wrought iron—focuses on fare and cocktails inspired by Louisiana (think crawfish boils and sturdy, rum-infused hurricanes), Southern Proper takes a broader approach, featuring dishes from across the Southern states like fried Virginia oysters, catfish, pulled pork and delectable fried chicken (pictured), all served in a comfortable, living room-like atmosphere accented in raw wood.