If you're in Hartford looking for the real deal soul food, don't let the neighborhood fool you--Hot…read morePots has the best soul food sides in the city, period. This isn't Lilly's or any of the other "soul food" spots people usually talk about; this is the closest you're going to get to the quality and taste of Sandra's in New Haven. While I can't speak to their proteins, their sides are a masterclass in flavor and soul. My pro move is simple: grab a 20-piece suicide wings from Paul's Ranch House just down the block and pair them with the sides of your choice from here. Dinner is served. It's a fast-food environment, not fine dining, but the taste is elite and fits the budget perfectly. If you want authentic sides that actually hit the mark, this is a mandatory stop.

One of my favorite soul food spots. My favorites are the fried shrimp and fried salmon with mango…read morehabanero. The protein is made to order so it always comes out hot and crunchy. For sides I like the yellow rice, Mac and cheese, and corn on the cob. Sides can be hit or miss. Service is good but depending on the day and time, there's usually a long wait. Again, the protein is made to order so it can take a while if it's busy. I've waited 2 hours before. And even if you do call ahead, they probably won't answer. They're at a new location which has more space but there's no seating available (not a problem). Cashiers have always been friendly.

I can't even give them 1 star when I first ordered from them and it took 90 minutes I understand…read morethat it's a new establishment but it took 1 hour and 28 minutes today and forgot my potato salad on top of it I wanted to give them another chance because their food is amazing... If you can try it today I ordered food from them it has taken 3 hours and 9 minutes m still No food I am so disappointed please do better

My boyfriend ordered me food from here on a late night and it was the most disgusting food I have…read moreever ate. Don't bother wasting your money, there are so many OTHER and BETTER spots than this. I rather eat McDonalds.

The food here is great! I stopped in on a Monday for their $30 soul food special. The Mac&cheese…read morewas super cheesy, seasoned well, and easily my favorite thing on the plate. I appreciate the candied yams not being overly sweet. They paired well with the mac&cheese and collard greens. My least favorite thing on the plate had to be the chicken, unfortunately. The flavor was lacking but the crunch was good. What wasn't great about my visit was the fact that it took 3 hours from start to finish. I sat down at my table at 7:20 and didn't leave until 10:40 due to slow service. With the special you get a salad, a soul food plate, and dessert. The salad was great but was clearly from a bag... so I was confused on why it took 30 minutes to come out. From there, our server came over 30 minutes later to tell us the food would take a while because everyone in the place ordered at the same time. Our plates unfortunately didn't come out until 9:15. From there it was an exhausting task of trying to track down our server to get our dessert to go. No other servers wanted to help us which was actually so nerve-wracking. Since Frenchie's is new and easily accessible, I would possibly return but not until something is done about their service. Usually I'm pretty laid back but I was also sat next to a blaring speaker where I couldn't even hear who was across from me. Overall, the visit was disappointing.

Frenchie's Oasis Bar & Grille located on Main Street occupying the long time empty space that used…read moreto be Dunkin'. I was most excited to try this place out because it's been vacant for so long and I've seen the sign for a while and awaiting their opening. After hearing about a friend's experience, I convinced a couple others to make it over the next day they'd be open which was today, Monday. I looked it up and made reservations on Open Table. Today's the "Monday" and after getting off work.. waited an hour with friends who worked nearby, walked over to the establishment... I didn't even make it past the foyer despite having a reservation for 6p. We opened the door to the foyer and waited because that's where the host stand was. Assuming the inner door was locked which it actually was because a staff eventually unlocked the inner door. She didn't quite greet us, instead, she said that they won't be taking any orders until 7:30p because the kitchen hasn't opened yet. She also stood between the door and it felt like we were not even allowed in. She shut the door and conversed with her boss, offering us either to wait or get some kind of discount another time. I'm thankful for them trying to rectify the issue since I've already waited for them to open. I preferred to dine so we left. Also, I'm at a loss if I'll get penalized for the reservation I made on Open Table. She assured me I wouldn't be. She didn't take my name though I don't know about that. The entire thing was so disappointing. Their hours stated a 6p opening. There isn't a website for more information either. There is an instagram page and I wouldn't have known it was the same place if not for the address on the bio. The hours are mostly evenings only between Fridays-Mondays. It isn't posted on the door and again, information isn't clear. I'm not all too keen on coming back..

I recently visited Black-Eyed Sally's for lunch. It's been maybe a Decade since I've been, but I've…read moreprobably eaten there between 10 and 20 times. The space boasts cool Blues and New Orleans vibes. Only place I know in CT like it. Service was pretty good. There was a bit of a delay getting me started with water and a menu, even though it wasn't busy, but things went smoothly after that. My New Orleans Shrimp Po Boy was good. The shrimp were tender. The batter was a bit denser than I prefer, but good. I liked the shredded lettuce, pickles and zesty, creamy dressing. The bread was fresh. I don't remember any other places in CT presently doing Po Boys. So this is the place to get one. The Gumbo was OK. They got the blackened roux part right, but there really wasn't enough nuanced flavor. It could have used some fresh herbs. More salt. I would try something else next time. 3.5 Stars

It depends on the vibe you are looking for. We went to an after dinner vibe and it was old and…read moreslow! I know I'm not the youngest chicken but my girlfriend saw her church deaconess there. Now maybe that was just the night because there was definitely a live show happening. But we went in and came out. I can can't judge the food or drinks but it was definitely an older crowd vibe there.

Soul Food Sundayz is a hidden gem with family vibez & hospitality. The place is nice and very…read moreclean following all the new Covid rules. There is street parking and they have a ramp leading up to the door. Follow them on Instagram for daily specials and menu options . Pro Tip : order two meals, because your gonna want more later . I saw they had baked potatoes smothered with steak ,fried shrimp , cheese sauce & broccoli online so I had to come here and try it . They have jerked chicken to go ontop if you wanted ,basically anything you'd like. I don't know what seasonings they used for that steak ,but it was sooooooo good. Tender & flavorful I could have eaten that as a side alone . In the middle was a mound of cheese sauce with broccoli then golden fried shrimp on the other side. Great meal ! I also got a order of ribs and Mac n cheese . Totally worth it ,it tasted like a home cooked meal . Prices are right and worth the 30 min drive for me .

Great food and awesome vibes clean friendly and I loved the experience. Would recommend to anyoneread more

Best soul food around ! Portions are great and food is seasoned very well . Shortbread Banana…read morepudding is the best I've EVER had - A++ it is so good that another customer bought us TWO and said " it's not shareable". He was so right ! Service was great - very friendly .

My first and last dollar here. I ordered my food and was ready to throw down in the lot. I ordered…read moretruffle fries which i was told had a house blend or sauce . I called from the lot because it was pouring raining to inform them I was gonna come back in and grab the sauce . She picked up , said " we don't take phone orders you can come in " and hung up . No hello, no greeting. I called back and told her I need the sauce . She told me I'm crazy because I left already . I walked back inside and told her that I'm a 70$ paying customer , not a crazy lady . All I wanted was the blend for the fries I paid for. But She told me she not giving me sh!t . There were other customers inside. She's uncouth. Ghetto is too good of a word for her. Potato salad trash like the owner.