Can't go wrong whatever you order. My son is partial to the fried chicken and Mac and cheese. This…read moreis his favorite chicken place. The grits in the shrimp and grits are to die for.

In the heart of Seattle's historic Black Americans Central District sits Simply Soulful, a black-…read moreand woman- owned restaurant. I tell my non-Asian friends that they should leave an Asian restaurant if you don't see any Asians inside. I am happy to say we were the odd ducks in this place! Love me some legit soul food. The menu is straightforward. We ordered at the counter. The food is brought to our table. The food took quite a while with big crowds coming in after us. I suspect they cook in batches as multiple groups received food at the same time. It was mostly self-service (utensils, water) until the restaurant quieted down, then we saw servers cleaning tables, etc. The Food: Combo Dinner with two sides, $26 - 5 Stars The combo plat offers two meat choices. I chose the wings and catfish. The wings are sizable and plump. Highly recommend. The catfish was a thinner cut and a bit dryer. I liked the very thin breading on the catfish, not greasy, and it tasted good with Tabasco. For sides, both the collard greens and fried okra are excellent. In fact, I say the okra is perfection! The little corn bread is just right for me. I thought the corn bread has good flavor while hubby said it was too dry. Catfish Dinner with two sides, $24 - 3.5 Stars Hubby complained the catfish was too thin. He's not a Tabasco person, so that doesn't help. I gave him two wings to calm him down. Lol. He loved the hush puppies the best. They are huge with a wonderful crisp. I agree with him! He thought the yams are too sweet; they do look sweet in the liquids but isn't that want yams are intended to be? I think he just needs to order differently in the future. Note they have a 3.5% service charge for credit card purchases. See line on the menu photo.

Nana's Kitchen earns 5 stars not only for the incredible food, but for the atmosphere and the…read morepeople who make it special. It's family-owned and operated, and you can truly feel that sense of legacy and love the moment you walk in. The food is absolutely amazing. My husband and I were visiting Washington for the weekend and ended up eating here twice--that's how good it is. The first time, we had the catfish nuggets, fried shrimp, and fried pork chops with collard greens, mac & cheese, and candied yams. Every single bite was on point. The second time, we made it just in time for the oxtail stew--and it was fire. You can genuinely taste the soul in the food. This place is something special. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!

this is a family owned southern restaurant. That is absolutely wonderful. The catfish is to die for…read morein the pork chops are wonderful. The greens are amazing and the cornbread hit your taste buds. If you want southern cooking and you're away from the south this is the place to go wonderful employees with a smile on their face clean restaurant great music, wonderful sweet tea you name it come here for southern cooking. they have numerous places to park, they are located in a safe neighborhood .You won't regret it. You got 5 stars from That review lady on yelp this is shut my mouth delicious. I'll be returning back over and over again and by the way, your waitress was absolutely wonderful.

Communion was, without a doubt, the best restaurant we visited during our Seattle trip. Located in…read morethe Central District, the food beautifully reflects the culture and creativity of the neighborhood. I was so excited to see Lao sausage on the menu, I knew we had to get that. The clams and mussels with Lao sausage were hands down my favorite dish - so savory, unique, and packed with flavor. I know it would be something my mom would have loved to try! The collard greens with neck bone meat were another standout. Every bite was unforgettable. The wait here is no joke, so I highly recommend making a reservation. I think we waited an hour and half to get seats for two, but worth it! We were fortunate enough to be seated after closing, and despite the long wait, the staff remained incredibly kind, welcoming, and accommodating. Their hospitality made the experience even more special. So shoutout to the staff! The only dish that didn't wow me was the trout - it was a little mild and could've used a squeeze of lemon to brighten the flavors. But honestly, everything else was some of the best food I've had in a long time! And I am a real foodie. If you appreciate cultural fusion, Communion is an absolute must visit in Seattle!

We chose Communion because of the positive reviews. My family of four went to Communion on…read moreThursday 8/13 at 5pm as this was the latest reservation available on Wednesday 8/12. There were people waiting outside when we got there and only a few tables were seated. They seemed to space out the seatings to give the kitchen time to prepare food for the tables. We had high hopes as we love Southern food. We ordered the Sweet Potatoes Hoe Cakes, Mac N' Cheese, Classic Greens, UNC's Wings, Pork Chops, and the Grilled Berbere Steak. The Hoe Cakes were the best 4/5 but tasted like buttery cornbread, good, but nothing special. The Mac N' Cheese was 3.5/5 and were tasty and very cheesy. The classic greens were tasty but came in a small ramekin 3/5. The UNC's wings were okay, tasty and crunchy, but we've had better wings at dozens of restaurants 3/5. The pork chops were decent but dry 2.5/5. The steak was a bit fatty, gristly and bland 2.5/5. A three rating being average. Service was attentive but nobody bothered asking how the food was or we would have openly told them. For the price, there are much better options elsewhere. Don't waste your time, money or stomach on Communion.

One of the best soul food I ever had! Hands down! Chefs in the kitchen thank you…read more The biscuit here... oh lord, prepare yourself for some mouth watering experience, bussssin! Everything was so good here, chicken juicy, mac to the catfish... delicious, this place makes you feel like home, service fantastic, these plates makes you full before you walk out that door, coming in they got some very cool photos and decoration, feeling like the 90s. Mama in here always knows best when you don't know what to eat cause she never disappoints!

First time at this establishment I was excited. It's been on my list of places to try in Seattle…read more I was really looking forward to supporting a community that is part of the LGBTQIA+ they are also a family business well-known in the community and of color. The restaurant is very clean, was greeted by two servers working, friendly atmosphere, noise level was average and it's a smaller establishment, please keep that in mind. We ordered the french fries which are shoestring fries, side of catfish, a side of red beans and rice, and a side plate of fried green tomatoes, which comes with four bite-size pieces. Being from the south born and raised, I'm a particular about my catfish and even though the breading had flavor, the catfish to me did not taste very clean plus there was a hair stuck to the breading of the catfish. It wasn't a small hair. The mystery hair either fell in the oil or it was in the batter is my guess. Because when I went to break the catfish apart, that is when it sprung the rest of it out, there was a small curl tip sticking out of the top of the fish. Unfortunately, the green tomatoes had absolutely no flavor. I will say the red beans and rice had the most flavor. I could taste the seasoning and the spice with a little bit of heat. I also really appreciate that there was some veggies mixed in with some meat as well. The shoestring fries it's either a hit for some or a miss and for me it was a miss, but I've had lots of different kinds of shoestring fries from multiple locations, and different states. It's a hard one to make. They were fried crispy and excellent. I would say it's more of the seasoning that was a dislike. The decor throughout the restaurant was beautiful to view. There are photos of the owners their family and friends. Not only could I see the love and commitment put into this restaurant, but also I could feel it as soon as I walked in. My takeaway is for the cooks to wear hairnets and if they have beards, to also put nets on their beards to further prevent hairs falling into people's food. Fried green tomatoes are not an item that can be found at most restaurants. It's easy to make but definitely the seasoning on it could be improved. Also, possibly just going simple with the seasoning like salt and a little pepper on the shoestring fries, sometimes keeping it simple is the best. A topic I want to touch on, not because I got it, but because going through the reviews prior to coming not too many people were discussing the waffles and this was a direct witness of what I could see. I did not taste it so I can't describe how the waffles tasted, but they look like they were cooked golden brown, which was nice but they are I would say more on the thinner side than what I usually see at places that serve chicken and waffles. If you are reading this review and you are looking for a place that serves you a nice thick waffle please do not come here because you will be disappointed, and I do not want people being disappointed when they are looking for something in particular and they end up ordering something that they did not want. Besides my recommendations, as I mentioned, this is a place that is full of love and commitment and I appreciate the community that has supported this establishment. It is not easy keeping a restaurant open and it's even harder these days being a person of color to even have your own establishment. As always, my friends be safe out there. Thank you for reading this review and I'll see you at my next bite *=*

First and foremost, the Chicken & Sausage Gumbo was amazing. I love gumbo, so finding this place…read morewas such a treat. When we were there in February 2026, we met Reginald. While we were talking, he learned where I work and what we were going through. Without hesitation, he wanted to help. I connected him with the right person, and he generously donated approximately 70 gallons of his Chicken & Sausage Gumbo, along with rice and spoons, for all three shifts. He is truly an amazing person, and his food is just as incredible. Thank you, Reginald--my coworkers and I are so grateful for your kindness and support!

One of my favorite stops. I have gone here for years to get the best red beans, seasons and meats…read morefor various dishes. Today of course bought beans, seasons and meats. Walked out spending over $100. Will be returning of course. I bought the gumbo today for the second time. They make it themselves and OMG delicious. You get a side of rice and crackers. I did add my own crackers in this picture. Portion size is perfect. The customer service is always great and love all the hints of them on the walls. A must when you are in Kent or looking to try something new.

I hadn't realized that I had ordered takeout from this restaurant but I know this has been a long…read moretime bookmark for me as the food here looks absolutely divine. I finally had the pleasure of dining in as there was a concert nearby and this one of the only places that would be open afterwards. We arrived 40-ish minutes before they closed and it was still busy in the restaurant with bar full of patrons and half of the restaurant had tables filled. The restaurant itself was gorgeous as it was dim but they had hundreds of candles on shelves as well as lamps throughout the restaurant. There was booth seating, bar seating and more. My boyfriend and I arrived and waited a few minutes before we were seated and handed menus. Our waiter on Saturday (8/8) was not only professional but hilarious. We ordered a strawberry lemonade for the two of us, a Buttermilk Fried Chicken Burger with bacon for him and I got their seafood gumbo entree and a side of their cheesy grits. We got our food and the portions here are huge. The food was immaculate. My boyfriend said this was probably one of the best fried chicken burgers he had ever had and that the bacon portion was more than any other place has given him. I was very happy with the gumbo and the cheesy grits were so good, it had a puree/whipped potatoes consistency which was delightful. The strawberry lemonade was tart and sweet with the right amount of strawberry flavor. Definitely want to come back to try more of their menu as they have quite the extensive menu and a brunch menu as well!

Must try. Everything was delicious, the restaurant is very cute, and the they staff were all kind,…read morehelpful and attentive. We made a reservation, but realized it was happy hour which is only in the bar. The hostess was nice, and got us a table in the bar when we inquired. The downside, honestly, is the ridiculous menu!!! I always have a tough time picking what to eat, but where there are 100 options, it really stresses me out! lol the happy hour is also very extensive. This isn't probably an issue for the average person- look ahead if it is. We ordered oysters on HH (amazing deal!), fried green tomatoes (ehh), gumbo (very good), fries (good), and Brussels (not bad, but I didn't like the sauce). We also ordered wine and a Mexican mule. I can't believe it's taken me so long to try out. I'll absolutely be back to more things!

Really great southern food! I was by the airport and rarely ever come this direction but heard…read moreabout Jude's from a friend and decided to drop by. We walked in around 5pm on a Sunday night and was greeted by a very friendly waiter who offered us a few choices to sit. We ordered the gumbo, the grits plate w blackened catfish, and an eggplant dip appetizer. I'm from the south and didn't know seattle had southern food like this! The ambience was great and food absolutely delicious. Would definitely come again!

Great Cajun food with serious New Orleans vibes…read more Jude's is a great little Cajun spot that really delivers on the food. My wife had the po' boy, and it compared surprisingly well to a true New Orleans-style sandwich--definitely one of the highlights of the meal. Everything we tried was flavorful and well prepared. The ambiance is very Seattle, in the best possible way: casual, eclectic, and perfectly suited to its Rainier Beach Old Town location. The neighborhood can feel a little sketchy, but honestly, that's part of the setting and fits the vibe of the place, so I wouldn't hold that against Jude's. Service was good overall, although it was a little slow considering how small the restaurant is. Still, the food and atmosphere more than made up for it. Definitely worth checking out if you're looking for some solid Cajun food with a distinctly Seattle personality.

We had not been to S/T Hooligans in some time and recently went for dinner. Christina, a new…read moreserver, was absolutely wonderful--friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. She made sure everything was perfect throughout the meal and added such a warm touch to our experience. Good food, good atmosphere and great service from start to finish!

Damn that was good! The menu is a really unique fusion of Asian and Creole flavors with "elevated…read morecomfort food". Everything we tried was packed with flavor, from the gumbo and wings to the lumpia and fried chicken. And the tamarindo margarita... easily one of the best I've ever had. Perfect balance of sweet, tart, spicy, and smoky. Hard recommendation

Been waiting to give them a try and had an appointment in tukwila so I stopped in for lunch. This…read moreis a no frills, southern home cooked food spot with rotating specials. I stopped in about 30 mins after they opened on a friday and they had a lunch rush, everything is cooked to order so be prepared to wait at least 20mins. I ordered the 6oz catfish and chips which came with 3 catfish strips, fries, 1 hush puppy, chips and a drink ($16.99) I also got a side of mac&cheese. The positives: staff was kind, pastor at the counter would make jokes with customers and you could tell they had regulars during lunch time. Fries were well seasoned, hush puppy was good and Mac was acceptable. My only issue with the catfish was that it was overcooked and became a bit chewy (see photo). Sitting in there it seems like the wings were a customer favorite so I would love to go back and try their wings and other sides. Since my order took longer (there was a large order right before mines) the pastor at the counter thanked me for my patience and threw in a dessert.

This small & locally owned restaurant is only open a few days a week. It's run by a Pastor and…read moreyou'll catch him running the front of the house. The place is quaint and the people are friendly. And the food here delivers in every possible way. If you appreciate Soul Food and/or Southern Food then this is the place for you. The cabbage here was everything I could ever ask for. I wanted more when I was done. The Mac & cheese didn't look like much to me but man did it serve on tastes. It was cheesy, seasoned and cooked just right. The fried chicken was cooked fresh and seasoned to perfection. My breast was still juicy and piping hot. Call ahead for to go orders or you'll spend your time waiting for the chicken to be fried. The peach cobbler here is not my preferred way to have as I like a pie crust with mine but oh my goodness, I took one bite and couldn't stop savoring this dessert. Do yourself and get you some. Open Fridays & Saturdays, and the menu slightly rotates weekly so check their website ( southerngrill1.com ) to check menu and confirm hours. This place is everything and more that I could ever ask for when it comes to good ole soul food.

Holy smokes these bad boys are as big as my hand! My jaw was to the floor when they came out. Both…read moremy friend and I were wanting a sweet/savory combo; I ordered the ché and my friend the Willie Lee. I was a little turned away from ordering the gus with the fried chicken because of the price alone ($27 compared to the others which were $16-$19). You paid at the register and sat down with a number - the diner like seating was vibey. I loved that the garage opened to outdoor seating although your view was traffic and not the most comfortable seating. We ended up sitting inside and people watched the front and bar service area. We overheard in the kitchen they were running out for the day and how they had lots of leftover biscuits the day before but today they were bought out before closing. We went around noon on a Sunday. The biscuits did not dissapoint! Had a nice crust, soft on the inside and the jam/bacon combo is hard to beat. The Ché was a good sandwich but I my preference would be my friend's Willie Lee because it had way more jam flavor to it. Next time I go i'm eyeing the Varner.. I had to take half of mine home in the end and still felt stuffed after our meal. 10/10 recommend, nice spot and met all my expectations! :)

I would recommend everyone should try this place at least once. I had the GUS... fried chicken,…read morepickle, sweet onion, mustard, egg and sausage gravy. Its a lot... im a big guy and a big eater and I could only eat half. The biscuit was great, and the gravy tasted a lot like Cracker Barrels sawmill gravy. The service was fine...simple order at the counter and seat yourself. The decor was cute kind of between industrial and farmhouse. Would I come again? Im not sure. Maybe in the winter because the food sits heavy and the cost is a tad pricey BUT...I truly think everyone should try it at least once.