Everything bomb in here! You want great soul food come get a bar of this! You will never be disappointed. And the staff is very helpful for first time customer. read more

The best in the IE Hands down And I am picky the restaurant is spotless and the family treats everyone like family just really good food and you won't be disappointed read more

I like this place. The food is good and the customer service is good as well. Thank God I don't have to leave Riverside to find soul food cooked by black hands with no Hispanic twist on it read more

First time here . I tried the jerk chicken, yams, and Mac n cheese with cornbread. I like the spice added to the cornbread and the Mac and yams were amazing! I also enjoyed the jerk chicken as it was a different taste for me and I'd never had it before. Definitely will be back ! read more

Messi Soul Kitchen - Jerk chicken, white rice, Mac n cheese, and yams - Soul Food Near Me - Riverside, California

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OMG OMFG LET ME TELL YALL I JUST MOVED FROM LA TO CORONA AND FOUND THIS PLACE WHEN I TELL YALL THE FOOD IS SOOOOOOOOOO GOOD IM NOT LYING!!!!! I'm pregnant and also have a 1 year old when I tell you this food is hitting the spot I mean it's like I'm at my gmas house Y'all don't even understand what my taste buds are doing right now I'm so happy I'm definitely ordering again whoever made this food BLESSINGS read more

Messi Soul Kitchen - Yams Mac n Cheese Collard Greens smothered pork chops rice and gravy - Soul Food Near Me - Riverside, California

Tried for 1st time. Pleasantly surprised. Got Ribs, Oxtails, Mac n cheese, Greens, Cabbage, Red Beans & Rice,Yams, and cornbread. The Ribs and Oxtails were meaty and very tender. The true test is the ribs had no sauce on them and were quite good. This food is flavorful and presented well. The waiters were courteous and offered samples, which I declined. My eyes told me the food would be good. Will visit on Friday when they have seafood on the menu. And the day we visited they were out of desserts. This place is for those who want the pure taste of soul food. This food is not overly sweet and heavily salted, like some other establishments. I am glad good soul food is in Riverside. I will gladly take the short drive. Highly recommend others to give it a try! read more

Great food..amazing service. Located next to a hotel we were staying at for a wedding. Able to walk over...while it's not large there were definitely lots of people there. read more

This place is so good! The owner and workers are super nice and the food is delicious!!! I had the baked chicken and Mac and cheese! I love to cook and I love eating here! read more

Went here for the first time & loved it!!!! The employees were super friendly and even offered samples.. read more

Messi Soul Kitchen - Smothered Pork chops, Mac n cheese & yams - Soul Food Near Me - Riverside, California

Freakin fantastic!!! My review is a little late but we went there and ordered to go this past mother's day. We almost ordered everything on the menu for Nana. Everything was great and the portions are nice sized. This place is a must try! read more

The smothered pork chops were so SALTY, I couldn't even eat it! The Mac and cheese was dry. The only thing that was good was the corn bread. I doubt if I return. read more

I really enjoyed my food! The restaurant is clean, the staff wore masks. It was a good experience. I ordered the oxtails with rice & gravy, greens & Mac and cheese. It was a good portion size and very flavorful. I will be back. read more

AbsolutelyEXCELLENT food!!!! They say they not from the South, but imma need them to check their 23&me cuz I swear the 'Sipp in there SOME where!!! read more

This place is amazing 1 customer service is great 2 the place is clean 3 the food was amazing. My son had a side of mac n cheese and I had a side of greens. Let's just say it was fabulous! Sorry no pics I ate the food read more

Got the oxtails Mac yams and greens. I wanted cabbage but unfortunately I couldn't wait. However the food was DELICIOUS! Was so happy the Mac was real and not that Kraft stuff people love to sell. Will be returning for more oxtails and bbq chicken! Keep up the great work black business read more

Very good food. Meatloaf and smoked turkey drumstick had tremendous mouth feel. Will definitely be back and will up date this review. read more

Messi Soul Kitchen - Meatloaf over rice, collard greens, and m&c - Soul Food Near Me - Riverside, California

the staff are very friendly and helpful! the food is yummy and the environment is quite inviting. loved it!

Restaurant Close forHaven't tried the restaurant so I can't give it 5 stars or 1 star. During this lockdown time restaurants are allowed to be open. And I applaud Messi for taking a stand and shutting down. But they should state this somewhere on this yelp page or on their website so people don't drive 15 miles from home just to show up and be closed. read more

Messi Soul Kitchen - CLOSED - Soul Food Near Me - Riverside, California

Pot Roast. Macaroni and Cheese. Yams. This delicious meal is from @messisoulkitchen on a late Sunday afternoon in August. Facing a dread existential crisis about money and living expenses and the wonderfully desperate conundrum that is trying to live as a single 20 something in the world today, I was feeling a deep entrenched ache for home cooked Sunday pot roast like my mom used to make when I was growing up. The kind where you walk in the front door and the aroma of marinated roasting potatoes and sweet carrots and onions wafting from the crockpot hit you in the face. The kind that puts the whole family in an enchanted and delirious nap for the afternoon, where you can hear your dad snoring in his recliner from your bedroom. Preferably with a carby, mashy, side to go along with it. Soul food will give you that. So I yelped and googled until I drove my growling and homesick stomach to this location. I waited in a long line semi silently until I began chatting with some fellow patrons. The menu was small which means they know how to cook these dishes and cook them well. I got my food and enjoyed the good service with a smile even though the line was growing. Everyone seemed content to wait which is always a good sign. I drove home facing the waning sun and a golden wave of happiness broke through the gloom I had been feeling. As soon as I took a bite of the roast in the comfort of my depression cave I felt like my mom had wrapped me in my favorite hug on this planet. It tasted just like hers. The mac n cheese was a perfect accompaniment and the carrots held hands with the yams. I will be going back and am grateful for the bite of relief. read more

New to the riverside area, and this spot will now be one of my go to lunch spots! Soooooo good and reasonably priced. It was super clean, and the service was friendly! 10 out of 10 recommend :) read more

Messi Soul Kitchen - Soul Food Near Me - Riverside, California

The macaroni & cheese and collard greens are Fire!! The employees were soo sweet and gave us these items on the house! I will be coming back to try the fried fish and Oxtails tomorrow. You will not be disappointed soo much flavor! read more

Food was pretty damn good and the portion size was really nice.... but the Mac and yams were greasy and the pork chop had too much fat on it read more

Messi Soul Kitchen - Smothered pork chops, Mac and cheese, and candied yams (sweet potato) - Soul Food Near Me - Riverside, California

I was excited to try this place since all my other soul food places were closed down during covid.. unfortunately this place isn't somewhere I'd support any longer.. I was in line to order food for over an hour because the online orders were being prioritized the people in-line were not acknowledged. By the time it was my time to order they ran out of food, I understand. The thing I did not understand was when the food (macaroni) I waited for came out they were making plates for new customers walking in instead of getting my plate that's been waiting in the back counter, not the warmer like they stated it would be. I had to walk up to someone and ask for them to give me my food from the back before the macaroni was out again. This place was very unorganized, your lost just walking in. There's multiple lines so if your in the wrong line you'll end up waiting longer. After all this mess I was still short on my corn bread.. they ran out again after giving it to new customers that were in line way after me. I refused to wait even longer for a corn bread that should have been put next to my order when it was ready. read more

Great food! Great customer service. As first time guests we had lots of questions and the two young ladies patiently and honestly answered each one. The portions were healthy; we definitely felt we got our money's worth in terms of quality AND quantity. The mango habanero chicken was cooked perfectly... just the right balance between heat and sweetness. Having the sauce over the rice was de-lish!!! Yep. We're going back! read more

Nice little point black owned business food is cooked exceptionally well and it's nicely seasoned. Will definitely pay them another visit in the near future got my daughter the oxtails and she said they were very tasty so yes, this establishment will get my business again. read more

This family run restaurant is everything you want in a soul food restaurant. The mom and daughter welcomed us in a little before they opened and made sure I had my hearts desire and get back to work on time. This gem has good food and treat you like family. I would recommend and will be taking the drive often. I don't have a photo because the food was calling my name. read more

Can I just say if you have not tried Messi Soul Kitchen at riverwalk off Pierce you are missing out! Hands down the best soul food in the inland Empire, absolutely amazing! They put Hotlanta to shame. I got their sausage, their red beans, and their greens and I am freaking out man, it's delicious. Their greens are made with smoked turkey for my SDA family. The place is spotless, the portions are huge, and the service was outstanding. Y'all need to give Jay a raise, she is wonderful! I'm hooked! read more

Messi Soul Kitchen - Soul Food Near Me - Riverside, California

Great food! Satisfied customer who will be back. I wish they were opened more. Please consider opening 7 days a week

Such a welcoming place. It was our first time and she walked us through the menu and asked if we wanted samples. The food was so delicious and the customer service was exceptional. Loved the pork chops!!! Hopefully we'll be able to come again in the future if we're in the area! read more

Messi Soul Kitchen in Riverside CA has some of the best #soulfood I've ever had. The Mac n cheese the best I've ever had, yams fire ! Ox tails fell off the bone and the pot roast was absolutely perfect. You have to try it. The customer service was top tier and they were so friendly and inviting, felt like catching up with friends lol read more

Portions are generously huge, you can easily have 2 meals for cost of one entree. All menu protein items are delicious: pork chops, oxtail, fried chicken, pot roast & others. A family owned business with a dash of southern hospitality. Their Mac & cheese is delicious and they serve you plenty of it with your choice of protein. read more

I was disappointed when I walked in and saw that the employees did not have their masks on properly. The first employee I saw had her mask down exposing her nose, filling hot sauce containers. The second employee came out of the kitchen with her mask down exposing her nose and mouth. One employee who was carrying the food to the table didn't have on a mask at all. We are in a pandemic and food service workers should use personal protection equipment!!! read more

Went in just to try spicy cornbread Spicy corn bread was great Customer service was great read more

Finally got the chance to try this place today . Me and my soul mate ; ) the little ones are at school and with grandma so we're taking advantage of our alone time . This was a great place for a middle of the day date . I had smothered pork chops , collards and black eye peas , she had Mac n cheese , collards , and meat loaf . All was great . We will return . read more

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Reminds me of my cookouts back in NC... One plate feed 3 of us we had Meatloaf, collard greens, black eye peas and yams!!!... Don't forget the Kool-Aid (yes i said kool-aid made just right) and you can't go wrong with the banana pudding!!! If you're out in IE this a is a must try soul food spot!!! read more

I was referred to Messi Soul Kitchen,MSK, by a friend, so I decided to give it a try. The first clue of how good it was, was apparent by a full house of customers eating with facial expressions reflective of contentment. When ordering my meal, the server was pleasant and personable. The selection was truly down home "soul food"!! The price was excellent for the abundance of food that was placed in the container. Once I tasted the food, oh my goodness, it was on point and hit every level of my expectations; EXCELLENT!! You HAVE to try it for yourself, you won't be disappointed. One drawback is that they need to be open 7 days a week. Awesome job Messi Restaurant! read more

Corn bread is the star of the show! But the sweet potatoes. Damnnnnnnn. Just damn good. Makes me think of my mom's. Never had a bad meal here. Customer service is on point. The young ladies at the front are lively and welcoming. Portion sizes are very generous. I always order to go but find myself taking a seat because I just have too sneak a taste. The music is a vibe as well. read more

One of my favorite places to eat. The food is delicious. There is usually a line at the door before they open. Highly recommend.

Certified . Best soul food I've had in Cali since I moved here! Customer service on point. Food portions on point and the price is on point too!! Stamped read more

What a find! In the middle of a low key outdoor strip of shops and eateries, this place is much better than what you might expect from this area. Nice, clean, bright interior with quaint decoration. But onto the food, I tried their standard combo with BBQ pork ribs, mac&cheese, corn and a side of cornbread and I added an extra portion of meat to try their fried chicken. The food is served from heated pans like a potluck (and on an off hour I could see this affecting the texture of the food) but the flavor hits all the right notes. The rib meat was tender, juicy and comes off the bone with a light pull of a fork. The mac&cheese has a nice texture and flavor and the corn had a nice tasty pop. The cornbread was a standout tho - came out foil wrapped and has a nice moist texture on top and crumbly goodness down low and comes with light jalapeños mixed in for flavorful bite. The fried chicken again tasted great. The fried breading could stand to be a little more crisp but I came a little off hours so I would imagine they would be spot on right out of the kitchen. Can't wait to come back and try out more of their offerings. read more