So, really wanted some "Ancestor food" (Chitterings). Now, if you know, you know; they can't be…read morepurchased just "anywhere." After walking in (take-out only), and seeing that there were six people waiting for their food, I was convinced, this place CAN be trusted. So, staff, really nice. Informative, hospitable, and accommodating. As indicated, exclusively "Take-out," so not much attention given to aesthetics. All those waiting raved about the food. People there have been patronizing the restaurant for decades. Again, very good sign. Ordered chitterlings, potato salad, and collard greens. Initially thought $30.00 was a bit much, given I'd NEVER eaten chitterlings "out," BUT, thought about what it actually requires, and quickly changed my mind. The price point is fine. Everything was delicious. Everything. Including the Cornbread. Given I know how to cook, there were obviously some things I would have done differently. That doesn't even matter, this place is my "Soul Food" "go-to." If they can do chitterlings well, they can do anything. I can't wait to try everything else on the menu. I highly recommend.

Tried this place while in DC for a conference and I'm glad I did…read more It's more of a takeout spot but there is a counter where you can eat if there is room. Everything I ate was good and full of flavor, I even enjoyed the tea which was good old fashioned sweet tea. I would say this was worth my Uber ride to and from,.

Ordered the catfish combo with yams, rice, and collards. It was AMAZING! Being a Carolina girl in…read morethe DMV, it's been so hard to find good soul food. My Cup Runneth Over is one of my new favorites. Also, shoutout to Beth! The doll that took my order. She was kind, friendly, and gave quality suggestions. I'll be back in a couple of weeks with my bf to try the ribs and mac n cheese.

Wow! The bbq here is spectacular! Today I ordered the half slab of ribs with a side of Mac and…read morecheese and I didn't want to put it down. The ribs are tender and each bite is packed with the flavor. They're slathered with sauce which may be off putting to some. For me, it was that perfectly fine balance between enough and flooded. Oh and the portion size? Amazing! Definitely enough to get full for dinner. Pass out for a minute then finish the rest the next day. The Mac and cheese was great. No, these aren't hand made noodles but the amount of cheese, the seasoning, evening l everything else was done expertly. If you want to save yourself an hour or two of cooking mac and cheese at home, get it here. The atmosphere here is very home cooking. It doesn't feel like it's some massive cookie cutter operation. It's nostalgic. This is what comfort food is supposed to taste like. Eating it made me think about fun times with the family back in Florida. While I made the order online, I was greeted as soon as I walked up to the counter. My order was done exactly when it said it would be done and was made with my additional request. I couldn't it be happier and look forward to many more orders and glad to have this place in the neighborhood.

I stopped at this spot on a humble. I was surprised of the food and service. The place was clean…read moreand staff were nice. I ordered bbq turkey wings, cabbage and macaroni and cheese. To my surprise the food was actually good. I never tried bbq turkey wings and they were amazing. The place reminds me of Mid Atlantic on queens chapel rd minus the bar, I would definitely return again.

Cafeteria style ordering with lots of options…read more Collard greens were good. Barbecued chicken: It seems like they used last week chicken for this. It was tough and dry. It's a shame because the sauce was tasty. Mac n cheese tasted bland, like it came out of a box. Bathroom "out of order," but place and tables were clean enough. Wish I'd gone to an actual soul food place down the street!

EllaRay's was so good! I appreciate the fact that its one of those 'if you know, you know' places…read more From the parking lot, I don't think many would know that this is where this great spot is located. I was invited here for dinner with a high school friend who had been here before, and I text him appreciating the NEXT DAY, to say how good this place was. When you come in, you pass the bar and I'm sure someone has already greeted you by then. The customer service here was great! Throughout our entire hour.5 stay at EllaRay's, my table of 2 was probably asked at least 5 times if we needed anything - in the best way too, not the inconvenience type. The food is served hot-bar style, with someone there to present to you whatever you want. I ordered the smothered turkey, mac&chz, and cabbage, along with some red velvet cake and a mixed lemonade-tea mix that was sweeeeeet! The food itself was DELICIOUS. The smothered turkey was exactly that - see the picture of the portions too. The mac&chz was also that, cheesy, and the cabbage had a great spice to it, that I enjoyed! My friend ordered the yams, string beans and catfish - and from what he let me try (I was only interested in trying the catfish), I loved it! I think it would be something that I'd order as my side next time. For desert, I had the cake the following day and loved the fact that the icing was homemade - not heavy or thick. Now the only thing that I haven't noted was the service. Was the staff attentive and great with their recommendations, yes - but their line was just so long. Maybe I came during a rush but to get all of the delicious food offered, it did take a little longer than expected. Other that that, I loved this place! Pack your patience, and appetite!

This cafe is the best place to get good food. Not a lot of fancy but the basics! Love it!read more

Excellent food and outstanding service. The shrimp and grits were flavorful and perfectly prepared,…read moreand the cornbread was delicious. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made the experience even better. Highly recommend and will definitely return.

The food was okay…read more Shrimp & Grits - decent Yams- good Turkey wings - they were cold, and not cooked to my liking I wanted to like this place as there are not many soul food establishments in Woodbridge and it's black owned. However, my experience there left a bad taste in my mouth and it wasn't just from the food. The waitress was phenomenal, friendly and efficient. I visited with my mother and one year old son, there were no high chairs but now worries because I held him and fed him. The waitress was super friendly and engaged with my son, and mentioned to the owner something along the lines of getting a few high chairs in the establishment and the owner commented that it wasn't a baby/child friendly establishment. Now, I get it, everywhere is not- but this place? Interesting as I didn't see lounge listed in the description. I was shocked and offended that it was said within ear range of someone who just spent money in the establishment. I guess "down home" for these folks don't include children. Which is fine, Della Js and Milk and Honey are closer, family friendly and the food is always on point.

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 item that was the most flavorful for me was the black eyed peas/hoppin John (minus the big pieces of fatty meat in them).

I was in town and decided to check out First Impression. Right away, I could tell it was a…read morefamily-oriented spot. They had some good soulful music playing in the background, and it gave off a real welcoming, at-home type of vibe. I believe the owner took my order, and broke everything down for me, which I appreciated. I ordered the fish and shrimp. The fish was very good and well-seasoned. The shrimp were jumbo, fried golden, and had a lot of flavor. Portions were solid -- I didn't even finish everything in one sitting and had some left for the next day. They also had a frozen fruit punched lol. That was a nice touch and fit the whole vibe of the place. Not a sitting area but this is a place you call your order in before you get there and take it back to the house. Overall, I was very pleased with my experience. If I'm back in the area, I would definitely come back and grab another plate. If you're looking for some good seafood (and more), this is a spot worth checking out.

My friend had First Impression saved on her list, and we made plans to check it out a couple…read moreFridays go for lunch. It's carry-out only and located on the top of mini hill with some auto repair shops surrounding it. Parking was a bit stressful, but the promise of good food made it worth it. The menu was pretty straightforward, and we got our food after a short wait. DINNER: WHITING - 20 + two sides: mac & cheese, coleslaw The fried whiting fish was thin, but perfectly crispy (even after a 20 minute car ride) and well-seasoned. Each bite was flavorful. The mac & cheese actually tasted 3D, unlike the bland, powdered cheese that is used at most places. It was on the thicker and chunkier side, the more I ate, the more addictive it got. The coleslaw was very refreshing and not too creamy. The portions were large, and my friend and I were full after sharing the platter. BREAD PUDDING - 4 This was fine, but not out of the ordinary. Probably wouldn't get it again. Overall, this is a hidden gem that is worth going to. I was worried the fried foods and heavier sides would irritate my stomach's sensitivity, but none of that happened here! Will definitely be back for other entrees and sides!

I was thoroughly impressed by the taste but the inside looked too hole in the wall unclean for me…read moreto return. The baked chicken with hot honey sauce on the side on a bed of rice with veggies on top, Mac and greens as sides was delicious! It was not salty and this is rare and also appreciated! Black ppl this is an approved level of salt usage for food right here! It was all cooked very well, balanced and flavors blending well together, nice cheese pull and not too oily. Nothing was salty it was perfect! Chicken was falling off the bone a bit nice and juicy baked to perfection. The hot honey sauce was pretty good that perfect sweetness. Wanted to support this well known black owned restaurant but they need a deep clean and proper upkeep. I did just hear after going that this location has rats so I fear that adds to my reason for not wanting to return. Go try this meal and I hope it's as good as the day I tried it!

A few days ago my friend from Houston can to visit and we were hated some soil food so we ordered…read more We had the smothered turkey wings with rice and gravy and collard greens. I was extremely disappointed. I could barely chew the turkey wing there were SO overcooked and hard! The rice and gravy were really good but that's it honestly! The greens tasted almost identical to glory greens which I hope is not the case. The portion size was great! So much food especially since it's kind of pricy to be served buffet style. Idk what the ambiance or customer service is like because I ordered delivery from an app but I don't think I'm going to try again unfortunately. I really wanted to love this place but this is like my 10th time trying their food and every time I'm disappointed.

"A Step Above The Rest" Now I've enjoyed Carolina Kitchen for quite some time now and that's a big…read morereason I patronize their establishments frequently. With that being said, the MLK Sea & Soul location is the Holy Grail of Carolina Kitchen's !! ( My first time eating here ) Their service is top notch and very engaging from the moment you walk through the door ( all smiles and ready to assist ) and when I say, the food is absolutely delicious... I mean from the presentation to the tenderness of the short tip beef ribs I was absolutely beside myself ( I actually did a 2 step after I ate the first rib and creole style rice ) Right now I'm planning my second visit to this particular location... but this time I want to dine in with the family, because the restaurant seating area seemed bubbly and full of life !! Plus I want to take my taste buds off land ( soul ) and venture into the Sea portion of the menu.

Oh, Lord!! 5 stars all around! I've always loved Carolina Kitchen, as I've been to their other…read morelocation in Hyattsville many times. I love how Sea & Soul has the food already prepared, but there are a few things that are made to order. There was quite a few people there, but most people got their food to go. My sister's and I dined in after getting our food, and luckily there's a lot of seating all around. They even have a patio area that I think was reserved for brunch. For my meal, I ordered the fried whiting, rice and peas, and collards. It also came with cornbread. Everything was delicious! I also tried some of my sister's Mac n cheese, and it was very cheesy and also delicious! I need to make another visit soon!

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!