Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Cincy Soul

    5.0 (1 review)

    Cincy Soul Photos

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Cincy Soul

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration
    Photo of Leah S.
    310
    782
    1608

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Festivals 2,193 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Soul Secrets

    Soul Secrets

    4.3
    (274 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Love. If I can use…read moreone word to describe my experience at Soul Secret, that's it. Love Amore Besotted Take great people (Melinda was our server and the chef came out to check on us...more about Melinda later)... Combine it with great food and great ambiance, and you get this restaurant! The first thing that you notice when you walk in is that it feels like home. Some restaurants focus heavily on decor and leave a lot to be desired in terms of ambiance, the people, and the food. And in other restaurants, you walk in and feel as if you can stay there forever. This is one of those places. We stayed there for a while. Imagine being in Grandmom's living room with pictures on the wall and positive music playing in the background. That's Soul Secrets. The menu is big enough to make sure that everyone can find something to eat, but not so big that you will struggle to make a decision. From fried catfish and grits to French toast to salmon croquettes and the largest pancake on Earth, there is something for everyone. My niece ordered the French toast, and my sister ordered a special breakfast that came with a pancake, grits, eggs, potatoes, and sausage. I was still hungry from last night's meal, (and you can read about it in another review) so I just nibbled off of my sister's meal. The French toast came out first, and I could tell immediately that the chef knew what she was doing. The rest of the food came out, and again, they brought the largest pancake I've ever seen. My sister was treating us today, and I was glad that the menu prices were very reasonable. My niece said that the French toast was delicious, and she ate as much as she could. She has a dance performance tonight and made sure that she didn't put her show at risk. It was difficult for her because the food was so good, but she managed and took a box home to eat it later. Yes. My sister nibbled on everything else and thoroughly enjoyed it. I had the grits and some of the pancake, and I have to say that it was very difficult for me to stop eating because it tasted so good. The pancake was perfectly cooked and fluffy with crispy bits on the edge. The grits were creamy and flavorful, even without cheese. The coffee was great. I had several cups. All in all, it was arguably better than any breakfast I've had at any restaurant that serves it. Now let's get back to Melinda. So often, the dining experience can be directly related to the person that greets you when you take a seat. Thank goodness we were greeted by Melinda. She has one of those energies and personalities that makes you feel as if she has been in your family for years. Funny and friendly, but at the same time, dedicated to making sure that you have a good experience. Again, I felt like I was at someone's home rather than in a restaurant. She called me a "troublemaker," which means that somehow she was seeing the 20-year-old version of me instead of the person that I am today. lol So here's the summary. If you are in Cincinnati and you want a great meal, there are many restaurants to choose from. It appears to be a pretty decent restaurant town. But if you want to FEEL Cincinnati, while feeling right at home and having one of the best meals ever- Soul Secrets is one for the ages.

    I asked my 15 year old his rating. He said 4 because "they give too much food." He is clearly…read moreEuropean . I had the fried fish, he had the fried chicken.. Both plates could feed 2....

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Seafood Gumbo
    Seafood Gumbo
    Fried Catfish

    See all

    Fried Catfish
    Southern Grace Eats

    Southern Grace Eats

    4.6
    (103 reviews)
    4.1 mi
    $$

    I reserved seating for a large family party and was not disappointed in the least!…read more From the ample and available seating to keep us together, to our wonderful and attentive server (Ms. Rochelle), the fantastic menu and drink options, lunch, dinner and individual pricing and those that later assisted in our many to go orders, everything was fantastic and on point!!! The menu consists of numerous protein and vegetable options including vegan. The Mac N Cheese was a baked homey delight, the fried Okra was a well seasonend crispy goodness that tingled the taste buds with every bite, the collard greens cooked with smoked turkey and cornbread were perfection, the fried catfish was a visual delight; seasoned well and crunchy to the touch. My family members cooed over the cabbage, the sweet potatoes (not from a can), the chicken tenders, chicken wings with multiple sauce selections and the fried, flakey cod fish. I highly recommend the Watermelon Lemonade! Desserts were also on the menu without a doubt. A selection of pies, cakes, banana pudding and I must say the cookies and cream cheesecake cup was a chef's kiss at the end of a wonderful meal. This establishment knows homedown Soulfood and took us on a return journey to the kitchens and tables of our grandmother's and big momas. I can't say enough great things about my previous experiences at this establishment nor my most recent. Hats off and kudos to the owner, Nicky Nicole Stevenson; her staff and their knowledge of Soulfood cooking with great restaurant service needed in Cincinnati. I plan to frequent & bring more large parties in the future.

    Black-owned & doing the damn thing! Great customer service from the moment we walked in! You can…read moretell the staff is genuinely happy to be there. The restaurant was clean, though there were quite a few items near the front that probably shouldn't be visible to customers. The food was good overall! The yams and green beans tasted a bit like canned vegetables, but they were seasoned and "doctor'd up" really well. I'm definitely glad we stopped by and would come back to try more items on the menu!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Grippo, wings, fried fish and fries
    Grippo, wings, fried fish and fries
    Fried wings

    See all

    Fried wings
    Lucius Q

    Lucius Q

    4.0
    (414 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$$$

    This spot is legit. My family and I were visiting the Cincinnati area for the first time and came…read moreacross Pendleton Lucius Q as a good BBQ spot recommended by DDD. It was so good the first time, we hit it again this afternoon. Cool, relaxed feel inside, great service and great food. Jameela served us on both visits and she was awesome. Everything we tried was good, but my favorite was the Pendleton Porker and the banana pudding for dessert. If we're ever back in town, Lucius Q is on the top of our list!

    Tucked into the heart of Pendleton, Lucius Q is the kind of place that pulls you in before you even…read morereach the door--the irresistible aroma of smoked meat drifting out onto the street is enough to make you stop in your tracks (and immediately start craving barbecue). Every visit feels like a treat, but lately they've taken things up a notch with a lineup of signature cocktails. I tried the espresso martini, and it was outstanding--smooth, balanced, and the perfect complement to the bold, smoky flavors coming out of the kitchen. As for the food, it's consistently excellent. The dry rub wings are my go-to: perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of heat and flavor, and even better when paired with their bama white sauce. If you're leaning sandwich, you can't go wrong with a pulled pork or pulled chicken sammy topped with their Carolina gold sauce--it's tangy, slightly sweet, and completely addictive. And the fries? Thick-cut, crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside--exactly what great fries should be. Beyond the food and drinks, Lucius Q really shines as a place to gather. They have a fantastic event space that comfortably holds around 50 people--perfect for parties or private events. It's also one of the rare downtown spots with plenty of TVs, making it a great place to catch a game. Add in live music most Fridays and a great outdoor patio for those perfect Cincinnati weather days, and it's easy to see why this place is always buzzing. Lucius Q is one of those spots I simply can't walk past without slowing down and breathing it in. Whether you're a Pendleton regular or just passing through downtown Cincinnati, it's a must-visit that delivers every single time.

    Photos
    Lucius Q
    Smoked wings
    Smoked wings
    We shared a bbq sandwich

    See all

    We shared a bbq sandwich
    Catch Me If You Can

    Catch Me If You Can

    3.9
    (29 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    Omg this place is so freaking good. Quality ingredients. I was beyond impressed. The Mac was…read moreamazing. The fries with gravy and cheese is your hangover cure. Wings are SOLID! Great quality meat and cooked well done. Tenders are actually real chicken. Well done can't wait to order again

    Where to start?…read more... Came here for dinner expecting a lovely sit-down restaurant and was sorely disappointed. Imagine getting all dolled up to dine at the newest soul food restaurant in town then realizing you stepped into a souped-up chicken/fish spot. I gave it 3 stars simply for the food as the experience was a solid one. Upon arrival, there was no greeting and so we just found a table. A small group of folks were sitting at the tables near the front door waiting for their takeout. Honestly, that's what this place should be. A takeout joint with tables for those who want to eat their food there. Can you imagine ordering food to dine in and being presented with a set of takeout, cheaply-made plastic cutlery? Yep, that's what we were offered. I had to ask an employee walking by if they had "real" cutlery and he went to the back to grab us a set. The owner was working but unlike a fine dining establishment, did not come over to greet us, the only dine-in customers. That would have went a long way had she done that. The sad part is the food was actually pretty good (tasty yams, mac/cheese, fried whiting, and peach cobbler). However, the cabbage was under-seasoned. Take my advice and order your food to go until the training, customer service, and adequate staffing is present. You won't be disappointed if you do that.

    Photos
    Menu
    Menu
    Catch Me If You Can
    Catch Me If You Can

    See all

    Catch Me If You Can
    Ike's Barbecue

    Ike's Barbecue

    3.6
    (29 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $

    I heard rumors of a new vegan spot close by so I wanted to check it out. We don't have many options…read moreas vegans around this area. Maaaan, let me tell you!!! Ike's Vegan BBQ is my new favorite! The location is easy to get to with ample parking. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted by a very sweet woman who happened to be the owner's mom. Her son was slinging the vegan goodies in the kitchen behind her. The vibes were welcoming and warm! Now to the food. These Fried Oyster Mushrooms made me go from a mushroom hater to a lover. I woke up this morning craving them! Perfect peppery batter and crunch, but not too deep fried or oily. The vegan shrimp were delicious along with the French fries and side of poboy sauce. The greens and cabbage were cooked perfectly and with tons of flavor. I got the house organic lemonade which was the right about of sweet and tart, and finished everything off with the warm peach cobbler. I can't wait to go back for the jack fruit ribs and Mac n cheese, it was hard to decide what to order because everything looked incredible. Thanks for the comforting delicious vegan food, Ike's! You got a new customer for life.

    On my way home from a cheese pick up at Urban Stead on Woodburn Avenue, I passed by Ike's BBQ…read more Now, I'd passed Ike's many time over the years, but their new sign touting Ike's Vegan BBQ had me flip the car around. There is a clean, simple dining room, but I opted for carry out and in a quick 10 minutes, I was on my way with hot, fresh dishes to share with my husband. I'm vegetarian, not vegan, but I wish we had more restaurant choices for either. Ike's did not disappoint! I ordered jackfruit BBQ ribs and fried oyster shrooms. Each comes with two sides, so we had baked beans, French fries, kale greens and sautéed cabbage. My husband eats anything- and we both enjoyed every bite. There's plenty more on the menu we'll try in the future!

    Photos
    Ike's Bbq
    Ike's Bbq
    Ike's Barbecue
    Ike's Barbecue

    See all

    Cincy Soul - festivals - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...