While going to Philly for a night out we wanted Soul food but didn't have time to sit down and eat. So we googled soul food. This place popped up and since it was 10mins away from Helium comedy club we went. Upon entering I noticed it was an Asian lady in there. Yeah first red flag. Second after ordering we heard buttons on the microwave, and the ding when it was done. Lastly when I ordered the #23 aka 3 piece whiting, 3 wings no dropping of anything in the grease. We pay n drive off. Look at the food n try it. Yeah...... generic boxed Mac n cheese, canned greens n cabbage, with you guessed it. Canned sweet potatoes. Oh and store bought cornbread (but that wasn't bad ). I don't care if it was an Asian person making my food, but when it's microwaved to heat up, and all the sides came from a can or boxed. I have an issue. Ps. I'd only rate this place a 2/10. read more

Good fried fish for the money. Max n cheese is a no tho...to dry..::: greens were ok. Potato salad is the way I like.

Soul food restaurant in south Philly that's actually pretty good! It seems to be a small family business but for a business their size, they're quite speedy with their orders. Their prices are pretty reasonable too, and value is what's important. In terms of the food oh my gosh it's awesome! Stumbled upon this place right after I moved to Philly and was quite positively surprised!! Would recommend the white fish -- it's so well done and well seasoned. Order about 15 minutes before you go and you're solid read more

Flounder is always tasty... as if it's aired fried. I've only ordered delivery and the service has been fast and efficient.-

Great for what it is. Asians run the place it's pretty good for what it is... soul food? ..the Mac and cheese is average, turkey wings always tender, sweet potatoes are just you know.. sweet potatoes lol... the ox tail is pretty good. The potato salad is good. The crab sticks are always good! You can not beat the price!! And it's a hardy serving of whatever you order. 2 ppl for under $20. And if you add 2 drinks and an app it's only $26. That's the top I ever paid with delivery!! I really give it 5 stars because they deserve it. Their so nice as well. read more

This is a Chinese takeout spot. Not soul food at all. Please correct this listing because we drove a nice distance in search of soul food that we hadn't tried before. We was all ready for max n cheese and fish, not wings and fried rice. read more

I don't know what kind of taste buds the other reviewers have but I could barley stomach what I ordered. I had a small mac n cheese, took ONE bite and didn't touch the rest. It was worst than kraft. My fried catfish tasted like overly greasy fried flour, had to do a double take to see if there was even any fish in there. Collard greens were decent but could not make up for the rest of the meal. The two stars is for the collard greens. read more

I am not sure exactly the palate of the other reviewers, but this place was the absolute WORST 'soul food' that I have EVER TASTED! My order is now in the trash; certainly hope my money was used as small donation to this food CHARITY! I had a turkey wing platter, that was horrible with overcooked black eyed peas and gravy. It came with over cooked, dark beige, translucent CABBAGE! WTH⁉The cornbread was overcooked and crumbled! The only highlight was the nice customer service by the driver and the young lady who took my order! read more

Soul Boat - In the trash! - Soul Food Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Okay, I went 1:30PM and got 3 pieces Whiting fish and 3 fried chicken Wings w/ two sides macaroni and cheese, potatoe salad and cornbread. It must have been good because I went back at 7:45PM and got the Whiting Fish and Catfish with sweet potatoes, greens and cornbread. Yes, if I went out and bought this and brought it home and you ate it you would not think this was not a black man, he is Chinese. read more

This place continues to amaze me! Platters are always good move. Fish is Delish. The chicken is to die for!!! So crispy and it falls right off the bone. The sides, oh god the sides. Mac and cheese that tastes like the amazing mac and cheese youd have at thanksgiving from aunt whatever and collard greens are good. It is classic soul food for a Great! Price! Owners are super nice and never mess up! This small litter corner joint is a must for anyone around town. read more

Soul Boat - Soul Food Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Recently went to this location yelp said it was open till 9:30pm, was there at 7pm and place was closed .... Maybe because of Covid went out of business !! read more

I wanted to like their food so badly! I live two blocks from this joint. Because our neighbors talk about it, but of mixed reviews, I wanted to try it. I got their wings and thighs, side of Mac and collard. Chicken texture was PERFECT. But my rating for this place lowers so much because there is literally no flavor or seasoning on the chicken itself. And the macaroni and cheese had no flavor either, which is nothing on the level of the best creamy mac you can make on your own. I mean, kraft mac n cheese would taste far better. I was upset because I really wanted this platter to taste at least fulfilling... the price was alright for what you get, but not good for the fact that the food isn't tasty at all. Collard greens were ok. Cornbread certainly tasted like it was sitting in the Saran plastic wrap for so long that it taste a little like the plastic itself... I get corn bread might not be fresh out of the oven, but it had a diluted taste and it was plastic-like in smell and taste. But I don't know if I really want to come back. The owners are kind, at least. Can't say much. I want to support local businesses, just hard to say I like Soul Boat. Perhaps on a rainy day, I will give this place a try again. I know they could do so much better. read more

Omg first time diner and I'm giving this place a ten!!! I ordered Fried flounder Mac and cheese and collard green with sweet potatoes. The food had an amazing amount of flavor. Portions were very big and the price was truly cheap... read more

Unassuming store front, but what a surprise with the quality of the food! Fried chicken was unexpectedly good. No, it was closer to great - really. Not greasy or oily, it matches the quality of Bud & Marilyn's --- at half the price, and not at all pretentious. Place would fit in the new Gayborhood easily, staff is friendly and still professional. We'll be going back there. read more

Soul Boat is such a HIDDEN GEM! The shop itself is kind of a hole-in-the-wall, but the food is fantastic (and a great value). Their menu is pretty extensive and there are many things I haven't tried. I can only speak for the things I have tried, which are mainly the fried chicken, pork chops, and BBQ chicken. I've also had most of their sides. I LOVE their gravy, which goes so well with the cornbread. On top of all this, it always amazes me how much food I get for the amount that I'm paying. When I'm not stuffing myself to bursting, the portions can easily last for more than one meal. When I'm in the mood for something hearty, quick, and affordable, Soul Boat is my go-to! read more

The food is good but the owner's wife has a very nasty, condescending attitude. I thought it was because she was pregnant at the time. That wasn't the case. I've complained to her husband about her and, I guess, he made her apologize. But, that apology meant absolutely nothing because she continues to have the same nasty attitude. read more

Delicious food. Fried chicken and fried whiting cooked to perfection. Good sides too!

Soul boat satisfies south philly's need for good "soul food" I don't know of many in south Philly that are consistent in taste, affordable and provide good Service. Delivery is quick and always hot. The food isn't AMAZING, but it is good. It's exactly what you want from a soul food place because people's idea of what good would food varies greatly..for some soul boat will need to be "doctored" up and for others it's just right. I don't eat meat but they will aka carte the side orders..that said, I never had the chicken or oxtail but I hear it's good. The only criticism I have is the homemade iced tea and the rice with gravy tastes exactly like the average Chinese food place. Not surprising as Soul boat is run by Asians. 4 out of five stars because the food isn't five star but the service is good deliver is fast and the food is better than expected. read more

I am a long way from Texas and this place does not disappoint with real southern/soul flavors. I have sat in here waiting for my food as folks come in from North Philly & Jersey just for their fried chicken wings and sides. My personal favorite is potato salad and the corn bread but the greens seem to be suuuuper popular. Thank you Soul Boat for giving me a taste of the south just around the corner!! read more

This place would get five stars, if the wait for food sometimes wasn't so dang long, even when I call ahead. Anyway, the fried chicken is a nice and crispy, the cabbage is yummy and the fries are thin cut. Also, all the food is very reasonably priced. read more

Fish & chicken is good the sides are soso. I'd recommend the fries as a side if anything. Also if your in a hurry call your order in.

Mac & cheese was awesome. Corn bread wasn't the best I've had. Chicken was good. Gravy sauce was amazing. Definitely want to go back and try their fish. We got two platters, extra corn bread, and a small onion ring for only $19.06! read more

See all

I made a yelp account just to rate this 5 stars. I am a changed man after eating the turkey wing platter.

While I am certain the food is great, I'm disappointed by driving over on Monday at 7pm, only to find the shop CLOSED. Lesson learned: Always call to confirm hours. Don't trust the published hours. read more

How do you run out of drivers on a Saturday night! We order all the time and will not do so again!

Great Buffalo wings with real blue cheese dressing. It took 20 minutes to get them, so maybe order them rather than stopping by to wait for them. The sides typically could use better seasoning, but that's to each individual's taste I guess. The mains are usually spot on. I keep coming back! read more

Heard alot about this place, decided to give it a shot. Very reasonable lunch specials and the food was ready in about 7 mins. Great to have a soul food spot in sp, let alone one with great prices for the mid day working crowd. Dinner specials has a nice assortment and the prices are right also read more

Soul Boat - Baked mac, greens and gizzards - Soul Food Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

i was new to the area and craving soul food. i called in my order but upon picking it up i should have cancelled it immediately. there was not one black person in the building. only those of asian descent. i was highly confused but proceeded. i regret it. how do you have a soul food restaurant without the people who create soul food. the food was not good. i basically had chinese food. the mac and cheese lacked seasoning. the candied yams were bare minimum sweet. the ribs were ok but it was not bbq sauce. i just wont be back read more

This food is horrible mac & cheese bland , no taste, black eyed peas bland no taste, cabbage was ok , cornbread was white with no color . And these people are not black. read more

A friend of mine has been telling me to go here for about a year now, I finally went and I was pleasantly surprised. I ordered catfish on Friday and smothered pork chops on Saturday. The food was amazing, you really can't just a book by its cover. read more

Soul Boat - Soul Food Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I was a little skeptical about this place at first, but I order the fried chicken platter and it was good! The fried chicken was crispy and delicious, the mac n cheese is good, and corn bread is okay (I much prefer the ends of the corn bread). I've order other platters as well and they all were good. The place are owned by a nice Asian couple and are very friendly! They also deliver, but I live only two blocks away... so I usually pick up my food. read more

Small neighborhood take out. It was cheap and the fish Combo Platter was good. The fried shrimp was delicious as well as the fried carb stick and scallops. To top it all off- the platter had a scrumptious fried flounder! I would definitely go back. read more

I have nothing but good things to say about this place! We ordered on this past sunday. All the platters come with two sides. From collard greens (done right, a bit spicy), potato salad, coleslaw, mac n cheese...everything was slammin...I got the whiting, although they had 3 kinds of fish, I think just cut it down to one...my friend got the pork chop platter which was huge....I can't wait to get back to this hot spot that I feel like, you gotta be in the know...cheers! read more

New place in the neighborhood. The food is a great deal. Platters are big. Generous portion of chicken, and the fish was fried nice and light. I hope they stick around! read more

Never again the food is horrible and nasty the cannot make soulfood they need to get new chefs or get some better food

This place is closed but it says it's open on the site? Not sure why but can someone please correct it so that it shows the correct hours. I just came from work thinking that this place was open just to turn around. read more

This is good food, prepared fast, by good people. The variety is remarkable, and all the sides are delicious. When I need an emergency dinner because I've been out on a construction site all day and ate nothing, Soul Boat to the rescue. The price is quite right, too. For those looking for Lady & Sons level soul food and commenting on the quality, their expectations are unreasonable for the price you pay. Get the mac & cheese, thank me later..... read more

Excellent food, giant portions, and great service! I have been trying to find a good soul food place for awhile now and this place fills just that! Fried whiting is super good, Turkey wings melt in your mouth, the mac and cheese is killer, fried chicken is on point, it's all around super delicious. I totally recommend. Give this place your money! read more

Hubby and I had a craving for soul food today. Our close-by tried and true spot Aprons has sadly closed down, so I used Yelp to find something else near us. Soul Boat was fast and the prices are low for large portions, but I'd say the food was just decent. We ordered the fried catfish platter with Mac n cheese and collard greens and the fried chicken (leg and thigh) with Mac n cheese and string beans along with an extra side of rice and gravy. Pluses: not greasy, generous portions, varied menu. Minuses: lacked authenticity in flavors, veggies had no seasoning, rice was the same white rice used for Chinese food take out; instead of pleasantly marrying with the gravy, it just soaked it all up and was gummy. The catfish had a nice, light batter but not what I was expecting for soul food and the chicken was tender with a nice crispy coating but it wasn't a stand-out. It's fresh food but just more like "soul food-inspired." read more