Soul food — two words that immediately bring a smile to my face, a nostalgia reminding me of my Nana in the kitchen. Soul food is an offering that comes from the heart and feeds the soul. It’s more than just comfort food; it carries a powerful legacy. In all its fried, pork-laden, and simmered-all-day glory, soul food is a cuisine unlike any other, born from the resilience of Africans brought to America during the days of slavery.
Historically, soul food emerged from the tragic realities of slavery when the enslaved received cuts of meat and vegetables deemed inedible by their white masters. The Great Migration following the Civil War introduced this resourceful and flavorful cuisine to a wider world.
Today, soul food’s influence reaches every corner of the country. While many restaurants honor classic dishes, others add their unique spin. These 10 spots, spanning from coast to coast, serve up plates that will satisfy any soul.
Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen, Los Angeles
Adolf Dulan, known as the “King of Soul Food,” learned the art of cooking on his mother’s farm in Luther, Oklahoma. Watching her prepare fried chicken, collard greens, and countless other dishes laid the foundation for his future empire. Adolf Dulan’s establishment, with two locations in California (Inglewood and Los Angeles), is known for its generous portions. Personally, I’m a huge fan of the smothered chicken.
Esther’s Cajun Café, Houston
Prepare for a warm welcome at what might be the friendliest restaurant ever. You can expect to find generous portions of candied yams, oxtails, mustard greens, and cornbread. Esther’s legacy shines through its Cajun cooking, with a gumbo that truly honors the spirit of Louisiana.
Lo-Lo’s Chicken & Waffles, various cities
With locations in Arizona, Texas, and Nevada, Lo-Lo’s puts a unique spin on the classic chicken and waffles combination. The Baby Ray features three pieces of chicken, waffles, homemade gravy, and onions. Got a bigger appetite? Go for the KK’s, with waffles, chicken, grits, and eggs. At Lo-Lo’s, the mission is simple: infuse that fried chicken with as much love as possible.
Pearl’s Place, Chicago
As the Harlem Renaissance wound down in NYC in the early 1930s, a new wave of Black creativity began flowing through Southside Chicago, now known as Bronzeville. You’ll find Pearl’s Place here — the perfect spot in Chicago for soul food. The menu boasts Cajun dishes, as well as shrimp and cheesy grits, smoked ham hock dinners, and fall-off-the-bone short ribs. The shrimp po’boy at Pearl’s Place is simply divine, served on hot, crunchy French bread.
Sweetie Pie’s, St. Louis
If you’ve ever caught an episode of “Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s,” you already know about Sweetie Pie’s Upper Crust in St. Louis. The show centered around Robbie Montgomery and her dedication to spotlighting her delicious cuisine. Trust me, it’s the real deal. You’ll find crispy fried chicken and heaping helpings of creamy mac and cheese. Don’t skip the vegetables! And promise me you’ll save room for the peach cobbler, or you’ll regret it.
Sylvia’s, New York City
While many spots on this list hail from the South, New York City earns its place with the iconic Sylvia’s. This Harlem institution has been serving up soul food since 1962. The catfish, mac and cheese, and candied yams are legendary, and the ribs are always a guaranteed win.
Niecie’s, Kansas City
My hometown definitely brings its A-game to the soul food scene. Niecie’s specializes in soul food and offers customers fast, great service, having served Kansas City for over 30 years. Their motto: “Good Food, Served Right.” For me, it’s all about the fried pork chops (fried right), eggs, and grits.
Heard Dat Kitchen, New Orleans
Located in the heart of New Orleans, Heard Dat Kitchen puts a tasty spin on soul food by reimagining classic flavors with fresh, fun presentations. Owner Jeffery Heard Jr., also known as Chef Jeff, believes in creating good memories and delicious food, and he delivers. The menu boasts several meal options, many served with fries, bacon, ranch dressing, and perfectly spiced red beans and rice.
Benne on Eagle, Asheville, NC
Benne on Eagle in Asheville, North Carolina, serves upscale soul food with an elegant twist. And with unique cocktails, this restaurant is a perfect date night spot. The menu features delightful options like crispy fried green tomatoes with rich roasted mushrooms, candied lemon, and tart jackfruit.
Delilah’s Everyday Soul, Atlanta
This Atlanta spot features a Southern favorite: mouth-watering variations of fried chicken. Sides like fried green tomatoes and a mac and cheese recipe stamped by Oprah herself show up as key favorites. Add the freshly squeezed, homemade strawberry lemonade, and you’ve got everything you need. (Fun fact: Delilah also competed on the Netflix series “America’s Barbeque Showdown.”)
As we celebrate National Soul Food Month, we honor the heritage and history of the foods of Black people and people from the African diaspora. These culinary contributions have profoundly impacted the American menu. So cook up your favorite soul food dishes for family and friends, or visit a soul food restaurant in your city and support Black owned businesses!
