My middle son recommended we try this restaurant, he said it's just like eating at home. You know that says something when it's soul food. The atmosphere was pleasant and welcoming walking in, it was clean and although there was no eating inside, there's a nice patio area upfront. I'm funny about soul food spots because everyone can't cook, but you can never say this about Ella Mae's. I don't know the restaurant's back story, but I saw a dated looking photo on the wall and presumed the lady in the photo is the matriarch, Ella Mae. She's done a fine job preserving her legacy. You won't be disappointed. read more

Ella Mae's SoulFood - Turkey chops, black eye peas and greens. - Caterers Near Me - Beachwood , Ohio

See all

We as black people should support each other they cook good food but have bad customer.service as the price change I a Was inquiring because the menu said something different they hung up black people don't forget we make each other it doesn't cost nothing to be nice especially when it represent your company I'll never go back good service top good food to me read more

I ordered side dishes, greens, mac & cheese, and yams. The yams were all liquid. The greens were very salty. My first time and last time trying this place. read more

Definitely improvement can be made with Customer service, prices and portions . Portions are small for the ridiculous price they charge. The manager had very poor customer service read more

See all

Small servings. The food is average. Nothing to write home about. I had a chicken dinner, it was ok. I noticed the sides were kinda pricy as well. read more

Food is always good for the most part when I've ordered but overpriced for the portion size. I have been patronizing since they were on cedar in university Hts and I'm happy yall have a nicer location. I just don't know if I'll continue to patronize with those high prices. With prices like this i want the full dine in experience with customer service! read more

This place popped up on yelp when I sorted by distance and I am so glad I stopped by. I ordered fried chicken but I got baked chicken and I am so glad they messed up because the gravy on the baked chicken was beautiful. My taste buds are still singing. The yams were sweet and sticky and falling apart just the right amount. They paired well with the savory greens with sizable chunks of ham. I didn't know I would get corn bread which was a treat and helped soak up the gravy and the juice in the greens. Because it was takeout only I sat in my car and I am pleasantly full. It's not a huge menu, but what they do they do well! read more

See all

2 Year Update After not eating this for 2 years due to not living in the area anymore. I finally found myself going to be in the area. I actually found out they switched location due to a birthday party at heck's dinner ( shameless plug: heck's has great burgers) which they a near. I placed my order on door dash (pickup: there is no dine in area here) after 3 attempts of calling their phone and one picked up. The online order process was quick and fairly easy. When I finally pulled up to the establishment, I knew my food was not going to be ready! People hanging outside the establishment, people waiting in their cars with the doors open and people standing inside waiting. With all of this, I went to the counter in good faith, hoping my food, that I order 20 minutes ago (door dash said order would be ready in 7 minutes) would be ready. Sadly it was not. The customer service was terrible which is just due to them being understaffed I believe. Their was an older lady at the front desk and that just seemed to be a lot for her with so many people waiting and complaining. Honestly, I don't blame the staff however this is just a result of bad management. From when I called to when I got my food, it was about an hour. (Which is fine if they communicate this, however if door dash says 7 minutes and when people order, you tell them "give it 20 minutes", bad customer service = bad management) I got my food, took it to my destination, opened it up and got to it. I got the chicken dinner with yams and Mac n cheese. First, THE YAMS ARE FROM A CAN, that was very disappointing. Usually you think somebody auntie in the back would try to doc them up so they won't taste canned like my aunt does on thanksgiving but it was no shame here, they tasted straight out the can. The mac n cheese was Mac n cheese and not that soul food macaroni and cheese (if you know you know). The fried chicken was fried to perfection thus the 2 stars. Was it worth is, kinda In the future I'll probably just get fried chicken and be prepared to wait an hour. Also I forgot, the banana pudding is A1. Definitely top in the city! read more

I try to patronize local and small businesses often. This time I chose to support a minority owned business. We called to place an order and was told they were out of dark chicken, red snapper, desserts and one of the sides we wanted. We pressed thru and place three dinners. A fried turkey chops, catfish, and pork chops dinner was what we chose. Sides were Mac and Cheese, greens, cabbage and dressing. The meat was all great...those sides tho... Mac- great, creamy with some of those crispy pieces on top. Yummy. My favorite by far! Greens- good but too much salt. Cabbage- had a very interesting taste. Can't put my finger on it, but would give it a B-/C Dressing-pretty good would get again. All in all, we will return. Service was great. We would like to try other entrees and sides. Also will post pics next time. read more

Delicious...!!! Ella Mae's Soulfood is a welcome addition to University Heights. A clean, modern, eatery with warm, friendly staff, and tasty homestyle cuisine. I highly recommend the turkey chops which are breaded, juicy, and spectacular. The rice and gravy is warm, soft, and hearty. And the greens are just perfect. I am excited to return and try the beef dishes! read more

See all

Located in a strip mall behind the Porsche dealership. Found them on Facebook, went on a mission after work last week. Took about 15 minutes to find. Greeted warmly, decided to order the fried white chicken dinner with an extra wing, Mac, yams and cornbread. 5 pieces of chicken, 2 sides, and two cornbread was $20. Cornbread is sweet and moist. Everything was perfect and wasn't able to eat until an hour later. I was so hungry I forgot to get a pic. I went back again this week for a wing dinner, got dressing, yams, and extra cornbread. You can't go wrong with anything here, I live West and happily drive an hour. Fresh and homemade. Orders do take 20 mins, feel free to call in. read more

See all

10/10. Just bomb food. The only thing is charging for hot sauce. No one eat fried chicken with 2 hot sauce packets. I love this place though. I was only visiting, but I introduced my cousin to this restaurant and now she can't get enough. read more

I saw someone post Ella Mae's food on Instagram and it looks amazing! When came back to visit home, I made sure to stop by! I got the fried catfish, Mac and cheese aka SMACKaroni, dressing, and greens. My girl got the baked chicken, SMACKaroni, yams, and greens. That baked chicken fell off the bone with ease and probably was the best baked chicken I've ever had!! The food was seasoned and, unlike other soul food spots, they too risk beyond salt and pepper and it paid off. You can tell the food was made with love and the women who run the restaurant are some of the nicest people you'll meet. You won't regret it! read more

Oh my God this literally makes you want to slap your mama meat places in California has said they can make soul food this is the one don't need to try anything else I'm from Louisiana and when I tell you this is the best it is the best read more

I was pleasantly surprised by the oxtail. The mac and cheese tastes amazing and the greens are well seasoned. Don't forget to try the peach cobbler for dessert. My entire family is hooked. We've ordered three times during quarantine! read more

Update: I give. $18 for a 3 wing dinner is pricey to me. Taste great, but come on. We need some better alternatives.

Best damn chicken dinner I ever had. Okay so boom- right before this rona shit started happening and up until the day before we were put on lock down, I got Ella Mae's like twice a week within the last month my friends brought me here and we were looking to get oxtails but they were out so we ended up getting chicken instead. I was disappointed because I didn't think there could've been anything special about the chicken but it came with two sides and because I'm not a side girl but my favorite food is Mac&cheese, I got double Mac. Anyhow after that my friend got a side of baked beans- and we went and had drinks at her place and all of us were sitting there eating , talking about how good this stuff is. The best part is it's a reasonable price. I don't live with my momma anymore and haven't had any of her food in so long but Ella Mae's makes me think of my moms food, and so i went to get more, and more. I only get the chicken and mac now but I don't doubt that the other items on the menu are beyond expectations. The baked beans smack too btw. Love this place, and I can't wait till quarantine is over so I can come and get more. Maybe I'll get the oxtails next time. read more

They were good when they 1st opened. Now it's hit or miss. Last few times I had it, every was salty, even the yams. Why is salt being put on a candied yam dish? read more

OMG !!!! I'm from out of town found this restaurant and I have to say if I could give 10 stars I would the Catfish was off the chain and I will worn you You will get the "Itis." Everything was fresh and seasoned very well. I ate it so fast forgot to take a picture but trust when I say this is the best soul food I have had in a long time. read more

I placed a phone order, although, I had to call 3 times before they answered. I wish they had an online ordering system... Anyways... 7 months, and several orders later, they still reign supreme for soul food. That is all. read more

I ordered a host of sides including the candied yams, macaroni and cheese, dressing, and collard greens. It was ok for my tastebuds. Will probably try another soul food spot before returning. If there were a 3.5 star, this would be my rating. The banana pudding was my favorite. I would order the peach cobbler again too. read more

I hate to leave a bad review but quality control is a most if you have a restaurant . I've had good food here before. But TODAY my food taste like straight SALT. Salty fish, salty baked beans, and salty + runny macaroni. My food should NOT have been served. But someone still felt it was okay for to buy it.. I'm sorry but that's unacceptable hence the review. read more

Ella Mae's SoulFood - The macaroni was extremely runny - Caterers Near Me - Beachwood , Ohio

We went for lunch and everything was piping hot and fresh. Ella and her workers are so glad when you stop by, so friendly. Pork chops, baked beans, collard greens, candied yams, and cornbread. I ate it all, so tasty. Keep up the good work. Whenever in Cleveland I'll be stopping back. read more

Good food but service is poor. They told me 30 minutes and I ended up waiting an hour in the middle of the day. Several people were standing around waiting for 45-60 minutes. Y'all gotta do better. read more

Our first time to try their food today. It was finger-licking delicious! I ordered to go the Ox Tail, the portion was generous, I had the greens and yams for sides and banana pudding and peach cobbler for dessert. My daughter got the turkey and mac and cheese. Definitely coming back! Thank you for making our driving all the way from Sagamore Hills so worth it! read more

The fried chicken was great! They said a half hour wait and it was a half hour wait which was okay. I had fried chicken dinner(dark with Mac and cheese plus greens. The greens were a bit salty/bitter, but the hot sauce made them better and they were tender. Mac and cheese was on point. I will definitely be back, read more

Absolutely amazing soups food but the customer service needs to improve. Being friendly to customers leads to us coming back more.

I've spent my money with this establishment too many times and despite the food being good the service has to be the worst I've ever experience. I wish I could say something better than the food is good. We'll that's not enough. Outside of being rude, inefficient and just an overall lack of customer care the food takes forever. Today is Sunday 9-25-22 this was my last day going there. I recommend don't eat at Ella Mae's SoulFood on Richmond rd in Beachwood, formerly on cedar in university hts, unless you like a piss poor performance. My recommendation to the owner! Customer service is paramount! Customer satisfaction is the only way your doors stay open. Retrain your staff! Better yet find better employees read more

catfish dinner &rib dinner catfish was cooked in old grease yams was sooo sweet made my teeth hurt and the mac and cheese was very old and sour read more

The food was just great, just like a home cooked meal. Wouldn't mind doubling back for more !

Absolutely fantastic!!!!! I literally eat here once a week. It's sooooo good. Catfish, yams, dressing and Mac and cheese are my go-to and it's consistently great every time. read more

The food was delicious I would ordered again the food taste delicious.I really like how the food taste ,It will season just right delicious and I really enjoy I wil tell my family And friends to go to Ella Mae's Soulfood they have delicious food and that you will love and enjoy read more

I've eaten twice from this restaurant and the food has been so good. The black eyed peas were a little on the salty side but I definitely still enjoyed them read more

Vey good food! Took 15 mins. Food was VERY FRESH and hot. The corn muffins moist and overall great good. I think the Mac n cheese was rushed but overall great taste! read more

Employees are very unprofessional and rude, the short big black lady who takes orders obviously can't read because she gave my order away to someone else and instead of just admitting that she messed up she acts crazy as if another person named "Latia" had came in to get the same order, I waited for my order for over 35 minutes and the big lady up front start to try to over talk me because of her mistake, the food was also nasty, over cooked and over seasoned read more

Definitely not worth the price. Doubtful most items are homemade. They should be ashamed for what they charge for fake banana pudding. We are encouraged to shop black owned businesses and they price gouge. read more

The fried pork chop was good. However, my Mac n cheese was extreme sour as if they added too much sour cheese or something. It was not baked well at all. My partner food was okay. Maybe I received a bad batch. Service is very slow. With some organization and appropriate management I know this place can do better. read more

Absolutely not! Not following covid protocol! You order online and they font know who's order is which. The lady was opening all the boxes of other peoples food to find ours. They need organization and to a visit from the health department! read more

Ive ordered food here for years and mostly its great, very disappointed today when I had to make a trip back because my Perch was rock hard and meatoaf was burnt but the Manager didn't think it was appropriate to replace my sides. Just to be transparent, the sides were not returned, (they were eaten by 2 hungry eldery people that didnt get a chance to enjoy their perch and meatloaf) however for my time, gas and frustration it wasn't taken into consideration to at least give them a new complete meal. The manager stood there with her arms folded, looked at me and told me she has 50 orders to get done!! Smfh. Horrible Customer Service!! And I wont start to talk about the sarcastic cashier. I guess this is how they represent themselves! read more

I've been a few times. The food was certainly decent. I didn't care for the yams and the gravy is a little salty other than that it was good. It's a nice ambiance in there and the staff was nice. read more