The food was sooo good. I love the esthetic of the diner I like old school diners so it was very…read morethat. had received several compliments from the employees who were all lovely including Megan (not sure if it is spelled different) our server. The service was so quick I felt like we ordered and food was there within minutes! I will totally be back!

I was visiting the Duke Gardens and searched on Yelp for a nearby place for lunch using the AI app…read moreon Yelp. Elmo's Diner came up nearby and with solid reviews. They also have a kid menu which I searched for. There was a long line plus it was grad weekend. Service was nice even with it being slammed. Parking took a bit. I settled on a Cobb salad with thousand island dressing. I really loved my salad and the price was just around $10.00 which was a pleasant surprise these days. This is a cute place and the locals seem to know all about it.

On the way to an event and thought I would grab me a quick bite. I ordered 9 Chicken Wings (all…read moreflats) macaroni & cheese, fried okra, 2 pieces of white loaf bread, & a raspberry lemonade. I got the hot honey sauce on the side. There was a 15 minuter wait for my food, however EVERYTHING WAS HOT (temperature wise)! I was able to make 2 meals out of my plate! If I'm ever in the area, I'm stopping by and having a plate!

If you're not going to be open on a Sunday, can customers please be informed ahead of time instead…read moreof not saying anything? I was really looking forward to eating here after church on Sunday (5/31/26), so it was disappointing to find out you were closed without notice. I understand things happen, but updating your hours online or making an announcement on social media would really help customers avoid wasting a trip. Hopefully communication improves moving forward because I was genuinely excited to try the food.

I was very fortunate to have a southern grandmother with a heart of gold, who cooked the most…read moreamazing meals usually all from scratch. Soul food (when done right) is expensive, time consuming, but most importantly a labor of love. Our Kale's Kitchen food didn't taste like business. It was something akin to what you would expect granny to serve Sunday after service. Our orders of Turkey Wing, and Stuffed Chicken were each accompanied with green beans and mac and cheese. I also ordered a side of yams. The Turkey Wing was tender and flavorful. The green beans (from a can, I believe) were cooked in a broth of some kind and well seasoned. Mac and cheese buttery and loaded with a mild cheese(s). The stuffed chicken is a very large breast stuff with a more complex cheese mixture similar to perhaps an artichoke dip. Yams thick not watery and well seasoned. Very, very, very good! Fun fact: I used to really be out here ordering from these Instagram chefs and Kales Kitchen was one of them. I think it was a 10 meal prep for less than $100.00. We had a quality issue and she was quick to respond and resolve and I love to see the growth. With that being said, you will have to be flexible. They are still working through process issues. However, for me, the food justified the inconvenience. Considering all the hype that isn't an easy feat. Soul Food 4.7

Was excited to try a new place but beware, their hours vary by day. I arrived where their website…read moresaid they were open till 3:59am only to be told they closed at 8:30pm on a Saturday... I was also told the menu changes daily... whenever I'm on this side of town maybe I'll give them a try but I won't go out of my way to visit a place that says download Instagram to see if they're open/what they have for the day. You're a restaurant with a website wasting a domain ... at least ATTEMPT to keep that accurate! Also, to clarify: If you check sanitation scores like I do - they used to be listed as KALE'S KITCHEN but are now listed as KALES AT JOE'S DINER. They do have a good grade though!! Just something to be aware of if you check places frequently like I do.

It was my first time here. I made a reservation so we had no issue getting seated on a Sunday for…read morebrunch. They had a jazz band playing which at times got a little too loud to have conversation. Other than that, I enjoyed them. I ordered a seasonal drink and the Bacon wrapped meatloaf. My meal was excellent. The meatloaf is a bit heavy on the ketchup for the topping. However, that's how my mom made it growing up so I thoroughly enjoyed it. They have a parking lot with like 4 or 5 parks but there is a parking lot behind the shopping center that is a quick walk to the restaurant. And the service was excellent. My friend had several questions and he did his best to answer them all and offer additional information. I'm definitely coming back to try other items.

This is my 3rd time coming to Lula and Sadie's. I absolutely love this place and their food. I gave…read moreit 5 stars on my first visit. Unfortunately, every time since it has gotten progressively worse. The food has still been good but the service, atmosphere and cleanliness almost made me leave this past visit. And it takes A LOT for me to want to leave. Sat down and my glass had lip stains all over it. Our waitress was not attentive and I didn't even have time to ask for a new glass before she left us. Took another hour for our half sandwiches and small salad for the lunch specials to come out. Gave the wrong dressing and when asked to get the correct dressing the waitress was rude. Also, had to ask for the canned beer she forgot. The food is always good here but the cleanliness and service is hurting this establishment. I would really encourage them to take away automatic gratuity. Even though I always tip and typically do 20% most restaurants that add it you can count on getting bad service. I don't know if I'll keep giving this place more chances, which is a pity because I always recommend it to friends and family.

The line is always long and it moves relatively quickly. Love sitting outside. Great ambiance. This…read moreplace runs like a well-oiled machine. This was my third time there. I always want the fish sandwich but they don't have the fish I want (picky! ). My son got the chicken sandwich which was really great. The bun was so fresh. My FIL got the Benedict. It was huge. Fruit cups all around. Huge chunks of pineapple. My son and I got the lemonade spritz. It was too sweet me but my son enjoyed both of ours.

This spot has a great indoor and outdoor space, and it's dog friendly, which is always a plus. The…read morefood was delicious. I absolutely loved the fish sandwich. It was grilled perfectly, and the fries were crispy and well seasoned. The coffee was made with freshly ground beans, and if you're a coffee connoisseur, this is definitely your spot. They also have a fresh bakery with so many options to choose from. My least favorite part of brunch was the soup. It could have used a little more salt and maybe some fresh herbs on top. It was served with a cold slice of sour dough bread , and I think grilling the bread would have made the dish much better.

Home Plate is a great choice for southern food! The food is served cafeteria style, you just let…read morethem know what you want in your tray and they will load you up. It's a homey restaurant and you can eat your food there or take it to go. The staff is friendly and helpful. The meals are very reasonably priced; you get a main, 2 sides, and your choice of hushpuppies or a roll for $9.20 (as of March 2026). The tray of food was really heavy, they really pack it full! The BBQ Chicken was tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. I enjoyed both my sides, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy and Squash & Onions. The Hushpuppies were perfectly fried and delicious. I also tried their Banana Pudding, I loved the chunks of banana and the cookies. The menu/offerings change by the day and are posted on their website. I can't wait to try something new on my next visit!

I saw the sign for this small family restaurant several times on my travels through this part of…read moreDurham. I was at a job near this location and thought to buy some dinner entrees to take home. The folks here load you up with good Southern cooking at blue-collar prices. They feature a rotating daily menu. For twenty bucks I got two entrees, each with two sides and hushpuppies. The staff prepare your orders for you like in a cafeteria. You can sit down to eat though most clients order take-out. I was in the group ordering take-out. Home Plate also has a drive-through window.

My Afro-Latina heart was so happy…read more I've been searching for really good Latin food since moving to North Carolina, and Boricua Soul absolutely delivered. From the moment we walked in, the vibe was on point. They were playing great music that made the whole place feel lively and welcoming, and I loved that you can choose to eat inside or enjoy the outdoor patio. My husband and I both ordered the Boricua Soul Bowl. He got the chicken, and I got the pernil. The pernil was incredible it was tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. The bowl came with arroz con gandules, collard greens, mac and cheese, and I chose the tostones. I had honestly given up on finding good tostones that I didn't have to make myself, but these were exactly what I'd been craving. Crispy, perfectly cooked, and absolutely delicious with the Guava Lava sauce. Since, I couldn't pass them up, we also ordered a side of maduros, and they were perfectly caramelized and sweet. The empanadas easily made my top five. Crispy on the outside, flavorful on the inside, and gone way too quickly. Also don't skip the watermelon lemonade, it was so refreshing and paired perfectly with everything we ordered. We'll definitely be back. There are still so many things on the menu I want to try, but I already know I'll be ordering the Boricua Soul Bowl. One tip for first-time visitors: if you're sitting inside and trying to get back outside , the exit is the same door you originally came in through on the far glass door. There is a sign, but we watched three different people accidentally try every other part of the glass first, so hopefully this saves someone a little confusion.

I'm from Charlotte and my friend was in the southeast visiting so we met up in Durham. ChatGPT…read moresuggested Boricua Soul as a part of our girls day. First stop. We never made it anywhere else lol! I'm so excited to write this review!! We chose it because when I reviewed the Yelp reviews they were stellar. But mostly I was super intrigued by the sweet potato cheesecake empanada and y'all it was everything I hoped it would be. It's small, you can maybe get 4 or 5 bites. The filling is sweet but not overpowering, good balance. The crust, crunchy and delicious. Came with a side of whipped cream. Drizzled in caramel sauce. I had the restraint to save it for last. We opted to split the shrimp sandwich and house made chips because we weren't too hungry and wanted to save room for the empanadas. Perfect plan. The sandwich can be ordered with a garlic, jerk or buffalo sauce. We were given a sample of the jerk to determine spicyness. Super spicy (which I loved) but my friend doesn't so we went with buffalo which wasn't spicy at all. The shrimp were a nice size, coated and seasoned well. The restaurant itself is small with about five tables but there is an abundance of outdoor seating shared with other businesses. We knew we planned to relax and catch up so we opted to eat outside. Despite the 90 degree weather, the entire area was shaded with a little wind so perfect. We got a number and our food and drinks were served to us. (Peach passion froze----yum!) Now. Boricua Soul is a great example of why I love seeking out and patroning local restaurants. The founders, Serena and Tori Fredericks, were both present, Serena managing the front, Tori managing the kitchen and both in and out of the restaurant serving people outside as well as inside. They were all over! Very welcoming. We were there for four hours and Serena's smile never left her face. She personally checked on us throughout. It felt like hanging out at your family's for the day. When we came in just a few people there, no line. Serena was at the register. I told her I came from Charlotte and she graciously gave us samples of the mac and cheese and collard greens as she described the menu. Both by the way, amazing! I don't think I've ever been able to find delicious perfectly seasoned greens with no meat. Before we knew it the line was to the door. By then I had the chance to experience her love for what she does and her heart for the community. Clean restaurant, beautiful and personable decor. Clean gender neutral private bathrooms. I took pics of the article on the wall about them, well worth the read. You too will drive miles to experience this Caribbean and Southern inspired restaurant! Im coming back and bringing people. There's so much more for me to try.

Had a fantastic experience here for my daughter's birthday. Absolutely Stevie K Certified Legit!…read more The chef here, Oscar Diaz, had been getting a lot of love and deservedly so. Especially since being recommended in the Michelin Guide for the American South. We all opted for the tasting menu and it did not disappoint. We tried the ceviche, birria dumplings, ham as à la plancha, spring asada, churros and capirotada. Every course was excellent and the asada was some of the best steak I have ever had. Also did the wine pairings and they were excellent. I opted for the Cava Rose, Albariño, rioja, Cabernet and Amaro Nonino. Foods paired very well with these options. This was my second time here and second time having the gambas, which are always fantastic. Service was excellent and made for a very special evening. I highly recommend! Bonus tip: they are right next door to The Durham Beer Garden where you can enjoy a beer if you have to wait for a table, as we did.

This was a gem. Went…read morehere recently for brunch with a friend who lives to eat. We locked out and got the prix fixed four courses and then split the birriaramen. It was too much food for one sitting but I'm not complaining. The butter on the biscuits was amazing for the first course Second course I had the salad. The picked radish was a nice touch but the greens were drowned in the dressing. My friend got the ceviche and was pleasantly surprised by the saltiness added from the caviar. This course she got the gambas over blue corn grits and I went for the duck chilaquiles. Excellent flavor. And the duck was cooked well. I def recommend this for a breakfast forward savory dish- it's served with two over easy eggs. Finally we polished it off with the bread pudding with homemade ice cream and churros. The mango ice cream tastes exactly like a frozen mango. The blackberry on was nice as well. Very fresh. The decor is gorgeous and makes for a cool vibe. Lots of black walls with gold accents and copper insets around the bar. I'll def be back for date night to catch the evening vibes. We sat inside but they also half a full garden area for seating too ( maybe when it's not 102 degrees and humid). Guadalupe was our server and super sweet. We were here chatting and eating for a full three hours and we're never rushed to turn over the table. Love.