At last, after years of seeing them place in the local top places to eat, I finally paid them a…read morevisit. They're usually closed the days that I'm in the Upper Marlboro area, but not this time! It's in the same Plaza as the Amish market, so there's plenty of parking. I stepped inside and there were a couple of chairs for waiting along the window. Otherwise, it's a small open space and there are desserts on display, I'm in you to read, and very polite staff behind the counter. I decided to get the blackened salmon and shrimp entree with collard greens and mac and cheese. I got their salts at caramel banana pudding for dessert. I decided to use my insulated bag and wait until I got to my friend's house to eat. I love the shrimp and the salmon. They were seasoned well, but not to a point of tasting too salty, which can happen at a lot of soul food restaurants for me. Unfortunately, despite the good flavor, this was the case with the collard greens, whew. Also, there is turkey in there, so don't get it as a vegetarian option! The mac and cheese was good... Not sure where I would put it in my rankings, but I enjoyed it. That banana pudding.... Whoa. It was the perfect dessert, and I would happily get it again. The salted caramel and banana balance surprisingly well. Their top rankings are well deserved, and I am looking forward to trying their wings and other items next time!

Spent this afternoon at one of the local wineries and was in the mood for some fried fish…read moreafterwards and stopped here on my way home. The fish was seasoned very well...my fried shrimp were tooooo salty...the mashed sweet potatoes were ok...greens bland, Mac & cheese-eehhh & the potato salad disgusting. Smh...this place has definitely fallen off since I remember...WHAT HAPPENED?! lol Isn't the saying: "things get better with time" ??? Not in this case... Oh & my hush puppies were ok...& that caramel banana pudding was tooooo freaking sweet for me... I was disappointed... was rooting for this spot! I remember when the owners were first beginning... not too many good local soul food spots that have good potato around here... & the customer service needs help! Happy Yelping!

Our community needed this establishment. The food is not only delicious but healthy. There are so…read moremany options. My favorite is the yellow rice, collard greens, sweet potatoes, and 1/2 shrimp and 1/2 barbecue chicken. I have also fell in love with the cucumber lemonade drink and tropical fruit punch. They give you a generous portion. My daughter and I make a trip once a week. I will be trying something new the next time I go. The service and ambience is excellent. The food is like a party in your mouth! I highly recommend Spiced Black.

If Chipotle had a soulful, culturally rich cousin... it would be Spice Black. Period…read more I've been seeing this place all over social media, so when I found myself in the area, I had to see what the hype was about. First off, parking is easy. It's in a shopping center, so nothing stressful there, and the restaurant itself is easy to spot. Walking in, the first thing I noticed was how clean, polished, and classy everything looked. Even though it was busy, it didn't feel chaotic. The staff immediately greeted me and asked if it was my first time which I appreciated. They didn't just rush me through the line; they actually took time to explain the menu, how the bowls are built, and offered samples. That alone made the experience feel welcoming and intentional. Now let's get into the FOOD. Everything looked fresh. They have about four rice options (which is already a win), and I went with the pineapple coconut rice. For my protein, I chose grilled chicken, but they also offer shrimp, salmon, and even a mushroom option for vegetarians and honestly, the mushrooms looked so good I almost switched. For my added sides, I kept it simple because I really wanted to taste everything. Collard greens and sweet potatoes. But they also had plantains, and okra....real deal soul food options. Then you get into the fresh toppings. Slaws, carrots, pickled veggies. I kept it light. I finished my bowl with collard green pesto (which intrigued me, and I'm glad I tried it) and added an étouffée sauce over my rice... and listen!!!!! That combo? Chef's kiss. I grabbed a tropical punch juice, and just like everything else, it tasted fresh and well-made. Let me say this clearly: the food is a 10/10. If you're someone who will give Chipotle chance after chance, then you absolutely owe it to yourself to try Spice Black. 10/10. Worth your money. Worth the hype. Worth the experience.

Talk about a hidden gem, I was glad I stumbled upon it! I had a friend who wanted breakfast but…read morespecifically asked for a hole in the wall vibe. Google assisted with this hefty effort lol. Once we were there it was definitely giving good food and good vibes. Seat yourself space and reminder me of back home vibes. I will definitely be back!

The food hots yours soul Breakfast Li ch or Dinner Ms.K's is…read morea winner The price is right and you leave with a smile Get here early

The catfish was absolutely delicious. Macaroni and cheese was just okay. The green beans were okay…read moretoo. Brisket was delicious.

I really wish they were open more. I love this place. Everything is delicious. The potato salad…read morecould use a little more seasoning but thats nothing that i can't fix at home. I was finally able to get the turkey wings(they usually sell out quickly) and they were so good. I be waiting for the weekend so i can get some of that good food!!

Friendly & casual vibe with a counter set-up where you enter, grab a menu or look at well-lit…read morescreens above the action. You walk along counter admiring the selections of sides, deserts. You order at the end, and find a seat. Your name is called and you pick up at the side counter. The dining area has plenty of seating, a private room looks available to reserve? Dining area & restrooms are bright, clean and inviting. My brother ordered fried fish with a chicken wing,, cabbage and sweet potatoes. He loved the fish & chicken- well seasoned without feeling your blood pressure rise as you indulged- LOL. The sides were good. I did the smothered porkchops - WOW, best that I have had - really enjoyed the main entrée and my sides (greens, black-eye peas). Both meals came with cornbread (another option was a biscuit). I have to say the food, the Staff and the establishment has been my best taste of southern cooking in the DMV area. I ordered chicken wings (6) to go for wife & I to enjoy later. Definitely worth a visit, we will be back - The smothered chops are calling me already. Lunch for two with a take home order of wings & 2 deserts plus tip was around $100.

Been to the old location…read more Been to the new location. I don't get the hype. The food is basic at best. The fish (catfish and croaker) always tastes like it's been fried in grease that needs changing. There's no flavor profile in the food which is weird for a soul-food restaurant. The mixed veggies were absolutely disgusting-- gave them back. I paid $65 for fried catfish with two sides, fried croaker with two sides, a cookie and two drinks---and sadly, the only thing that was sort of worth it was the cornbread, but it tastes like it has coconut in it. I hate coconut.

The service was new but extremely friendly, efficient and attentive. The restaurant looks divvy,…read morebut once you open the door very welcoming. The bathrooms are clean, and more importantly the food was delicious. I had a crabcake that was lump meat.

Staff was very nice. Food was fresh. No frills just 'good' . Simple but properly prepared and…read morepresented.

Southern blue in Hanover is the best. !!! I give a big shout out to Rafael Great customer…read moreservice!!! From Sheba

Prompt customer service, great recommendations on food options…read more Turkey wing dinner, fried chicken wings, surf n turf, collards green beans yams Mac n cheese corn bread, grilled salmon, mashed potatoes Has a few booths for seating and some chairs for waiting. Clean walls and tables nice vibe with music playing in the background. Cakes on display in a case which looked delicious. The wait wasn't long... can't wait to dig in

Great quality comfort food for those nights you want a real meal but don't feel like cooking. Very…read moresouthern environment with friendly customer service, played great music and had many food options to choose from. I also love their daily lunch specials.

The food is always delicious, but what makes this place an "avoid at all costs" review is their…read moreservice. The staff are not welcoming like they used to be in the past. When I asked for an appetizer (wings) I was told "that's not something we can make right now" and was directed to order something easier to make from the buffet of options already out. I clarified I only wanted something small like wings. I was then told oh wait I guess we can make them but it'll be a 15 minute wait. Turns out it was a 45 minute wait, as they gave some of my order to someone else. It was also very clear the people taking my order were ready to go home as their shifts were almost over. What was supposed to be a quick stop in to a historically great restaurant turned into a bittersweet goodbye for me.

Another year, another 5-star review!…read more Johnathan yet again was the gem at the bar! Great service, drinks how we like them, and food worth another visit! Love this place!

Julep is a favorite of my family. We love to take friends here since we can always find seating…read morequickly and our food delivered with little wait. Most of their proteins are smoked meats so they have lots of yummy options for those that like southern comfort. We've been here loads of times and have never had anything we didn't enjoy. Most often we are too full to have dessert although we always try to leave room. I ordered a 1/2 rack! My husband was surprised by the portions. I always order their hush puppies (they come with a yummy honey butter). Their cream of crab comes with lumps of crab in their portions. Though we didn't get it this time, we've been known to enjoy their fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, chili (comes with brisket chunks in it), and blackberry chicken. Great place for families or gatherings of friends.