Reviews of Southern Kitchen (Restaurant)

Shanta Sykes

The greens taste like can greens & the chicken needed more seasonings. The waitress was nice, but was lacking customer service . We had to keep waving for her attention & she would forget to bring out whatever we requested . The red beans & strawberry lemonade was great. Overall, it did not have the southern flavor or taste, or southern hospitality. #southerngirl

Acataphasia Grey

Service is slow and the food is very average for what you expect in this region of the South. The tartare sauce is too sweet for me. Big portions. I am confused by the gender of some of the staff, which is great! Out of town guests adore the catfish, ask specifically if this place is still in business and can we go? The fried okra is bland but not too slimy. The staff are very sweet. Don't expect your water to be refilled unless you ask. Pay at the register up front. They won't tell you until you have been waiting a while, but I honestly think it's because they don't want to rush you. Always too hot inside, but they will crack the windows on request. I took out my fan and they took out the window chocks they use to keep the windows closed. The collards are great!

Jessica Davis

Me and my family came here to eat and they where so friendly and welcoming! And the food was great!!

Marshea Middleton

❤❤❤❤ first time here most certainly not the last. I had the wing dinner with mashed potatoes, red beans and rice, and strawberry lemonade. Each meal comes with a corn cake, like a pancake but cornbread. Anyway its is super yummy. Be adventurous and add syrup. Not sure who thought to put whip cream on lemonade but. Kudos to them it is so tasty.

Dee L

Excellent customer service and the food was so, so good. The kind of place you go, over and over again.

Malorie Kennedy

Just like home. The tea is sweeeeet and the food is fried! Fantastic service and food

Dan Mcquiston

Quaint little family owned restaurant. Good food, friendly staff. Going back!

murray edwards

The OLD SOUTHERN KITCHEN is better then the new southern kitchen. I don't know why they just don't hire a new cook or follow the old receipts. Bought a $100 worth of NASTY tasting food, if the food was good I would not have been concerned about the price. I think they should hire a new manager or someone who can run a kitchen and follow the cook book that was there before them.. They are too expensive for the food to be that nasty. They should be giving there food away for free. #HAVE PROUD IN WHAT YOU SERVE YOUR CUSTOMERS!!!!!!!!! This what they call PEACH COBBLER..... MORE LIKE THEY JUST THREW THIS PIE TOGETHER AND IT WAS COLD LIKE IT SET OUTSIDE IN THE SHOW ALL DAY!!!!!!

Sara Jackson

Excellent and reliable in service and food quality. Love the atmosphere. Come hungry!

Doreen Marshall

The service was wonderful. We interacted with several different employees and they were all so helpful and polite. I will say that other reviewers comments on decor is spot on. I would definitely start in the bathrooms. The bathrooms overall appearance would leave some people to believe that they are not clean, which is not true.

Tom Kuehl

Amazing hole in the wall type place. The cornbread dressing was awesome. Found it on the Diners drive-ins & Dives app.

Natalie Rivera

This place will always be held close to my heart. I remember the smell and taste of their catfish, this was my go to place. The cornbread oh man is so yummy along with the chicken and basically everything I'd suggest stopping everything and trying this location today. Give yourself a weekend treat, don't forget the hot sauce if you get the catfish.

Andrew Jones

Everything about this place is great! The food, service and atmosphere are perfect!

sonja mitchell

This is exactly what Doug wanted. Fresh for breakfast; Fried catfish, fried eggs, grits and a homemade biscuit 4 inches high. My meal was amazing!!! The atmosphere was great and the place was clean, clean, clean

Angela Barr

The food is delicious. The service was top notch. They made us feel at home. I will be going back for sure.

Eugenia Wimberly

I am from Georgia. Years ago, I tried Southern Kitchen and there was nothing southern about this kitchen. While they serve yams, greens and mac n cheese, they lack the flavors of true southern cuisine! So, a couple of week's ago, my brother fraternity decided to go there for breakfast before our adopt-a-spot community service project. As soon as I found out the location, I was not happy! We usually go to Pacific Southern. Against my better judgement, I went anyway. How can anybody mess up catfish fillets? Well, they did. My sorority sister and fraternity brother both sent theirs back because the outside was cooked hard. The inside wasn't done. I don't like returning food. So, I kept my fish. I didn't eat my food...wasted $20. Fish should be flaky when cooked properly. There was way too much breading on it also. Needless to say, Pacific Southern will continue to be our location for the rest of our community service events.

Paul Davis

Love this place. All the comfort foods of southern food. The greens, beams, and grits are always delishious. Very reasonably priced.

Flora Ybarra

Best Place in Tacoma. Excellent Service,Ben is a Wonderful Server and

nancy xiong

1st and foremost the service was Excellent! Tariq was awesome. Right when we stepped in, he greated us like a guest in his home. Told us to sit wherever we wanted and waited for us to settle in before coming over. At one point during the meal, he glanced at me and saw me make a face. He quickly came over to the table to make sure everything was alright. It was. I was just too hungry and the food was freshly cooked, so it was just like it should be...hot. He checked on us multiple times but never did so in a bothersome way. Turns out he's the owner's grandson. He had a great friendly vibe and welcoming nature. I saw another guy come out from behind the bar to check on some of the other tables. He sat with them and chatted them up. Really welcoming place. Food. Honest review now: Buttered corn and collard greens were way too watery and less flavorful than I anticipated. The same batter seemed to be on everything. I wished there was a little more variety in the flavoring of the batter. But all in all, definitely coming back! Favorites: Corncake - with butter, DELICIOUS! Blackberry lemonade. Country fried chicken - simply yummy. Haven't tried the peach cobbler yet but will update post with a picture and details.

Roxanne Guevara

Went there for catfish came back wishing I'd ordered two instead. It was Sooooo YUMMY!!!!! We also had fried chicken it was so tasty!! Very light breading and not greasy at all. I am NOT a chicken person but this was Soo good I strongly recommend it. Try the okra, Mac and cheese, and the hush puppies they are all mouth watering . The Corn Bread pan cakes are a MUST!! I can't say enough about the service our waiter was the best.

Shannel Morales

The food is Home cooked so expect to wait a little longer . The lemonaid is to die for! With more than the best to choose from! $5.00 glass big enough to share!!

Victoria G

One of the best, warmest birthday celebrations ever thanks to the amazing service! The food was delicious, too.

Sadie Ouellette

Really great service. Very friendly and family owned. Reasonably priced. Great fried chicken. Could have been a little more spicy. Ooh but the sweet tea was refreshing and not found alot of places. Catfish served a bunch of ways. Super busy on Sundays tho!!

Kelson Smith

Amazing food, great atmosphere. Corn cakes are on point.

Charlotte Simmons

It was crowded more than usual. However I noticed some of the staff was ready to leave because their shift was over, but due to the high volume of customers they held it together and stayed and Ben the supervisor done a awesome job in making sure everyone's order was complete

melbertgrace alwaysmovin

Having lived in the South I can attest that this kitchen cooksbup great southern style food. The beverages (southern ice tea, etc) and corn bread are a must!

Sabrina Miller

Great food and service!!!!! Classic menu and plenty of choices.

larry Jones

This place right here is hidden gem in the PNW!! The food was to absolutely wonderful. As in I was full and felt like ordering a plate to go lol. They were super busy and the waiters still managed to keep everyone in their scope my saying hello or engaging in quick conversation. Did not feel forgotten in the fray of people and food. The mango lemonade is "WOW!!!" There isn't a bad thing on the menu and I will be going back soon. This place ROCKS.

Josh Zumsteg

We went to this restaurant for our second visit since discovering this gem. The food is amazing, the sweet tea reminds me of home, and the staff is very welcoming. Highly recommend!

Camilla Fondren

Good SOUL FOOD!!! If you're wanting some good ole Southern cooking this is the place!!

antoinette mikell

The service is amazing, the food is wonderful especially the the chicken & waffles, drinks are so delicious. Nothing, but great reviews from me and my husband.

Mara Zanette

From the colourful place to the amazing kindness of people... I really loved this place. Small price for a wonderful meal! I really enjoy the catfish! I’ll be back soon!

Jalissa Thornton

The food was spectacular and soooo flavorful. It brought me right back to the south that I love so much and it was a wonderful experience. The service was quick and the servers were pleasant. Will definitely be back and if you haven't tried it yet, well...what are you waiting for!?!?

Teresa Bradley

The food is good, but takes forever to get served even when the place is half full. It was 45 minutes before our food came out!

Andrew Berger

Always the best. Friendly and amazing food.

Melissa Pierce

The biscuits and gravy were not that good but the pancakes were AMAZING !

David C. Snell

Breakfast there this morning was a delight! Servers and chef are so friendly. And the omelettes were delicious and affordable. #8 years in business - must be doing something right!

Becky Davison

Prices way too high for the quality of food they are putting out their kitchen. The dessert was cold and just slopped in the container. Wait times are ridiculous. For a family of 4 I spent over $100. I am appalled at their customer service and quality. It used to be way different back in the day

Aric Cook

Absolutely fantastic food, I could sit here all day and graze on the food. Between my wife and I we had catfish, fried chicken, red beans and rice, collard greens Mac n cheese and jalapeño hush puppies. Everything was awesome, thanks for the great hospitality.

Dennis L

Chicken is super dry. Like you need a glass of water to drink after every bite dry. From New Orleans so I know what good chicken is and it's not here. Popeyes is way better. Brother's quick market chicken is superior to both. That being said the greens and catfish were good. Don't order the chicken.

Eric Olsen

Great food and atmosphere along with some of the best salmon that I've eaten.

George Garten

Absolutely fantastic food and service! It's so amazing I would wait in line an hour for a table If I needed to

Zart Cosgrove

Legit southern food. Good food, nice people, good service, big portions. I had the fried green tomatoes and chicken fried steak. My buddy had the corn called and ham steak. Everything we had tasted like it could have been from a good diner in North Carolina.

Martin Tame

We had the Cajun catfish strips, catfish fillet, bone-in chicken, fried green tomatoes, okra, candied yams, collard greens and macaroni and cheese. All were fantastic. One thing to note is that if you go during a high volume time, speed of service could be on the slow side. The quality of service and sincerity from the entire staff is great and makes up for the speed.

Dalena Parks

Thing going here for 30 years plus too many changes so I haven't been back. It's not for me to detail what I don't like here I'm just not going back. Other people may like it. So I can't speak on their food anymore I just don't like what I experienced before. That's one of them old school places that are still around. So

Crystal Carrigan

Delicious food, great service and quaint atmosphere! Ben was an amazing server. We’ll definitely be back!

Robert Milton

Best southern food here in the west

La Jean Smith

Good southern cooking style food. The staff was wonderful, it's a small place but worth it. Great catfish and okra. Negative was they didn't have some of the things on the menu like; bread pudding and blackberry lemonade. Worth the trip.☺

DJ Williams

The food was great, the service was nice. The place is a little small.

Skip Stocks

Great food, generous portions, reasonably processed, cool ambiance

Kelsi Brown

OMGosh the food was so good. It was a little pricey but will be going back.

dieuvil varice

The food was amazing. The ice tea was amazing. Service was amazing. Therefore, this is an amazing place to eat.

Shani Albright

Service was friendly and upbeat, menu was just as I expected. Did not try the fried green tomatoes and glad I didnt because I couldn't finish my food. I had 2pieces of fried chicken (they asked which pieces I prefered) those were the largest chicken thighs ever. The mac n cheese made w tillamook cheese was awesome, fried okra was great and my husband let me have his hush puppy. I enjoyed every bite but ended up taking half home for dinner. He had the catfish fillet w greens and beans and rice...all flavored to perfection. Didnt have room for desert but got peach cobbler to go. Parking is pain, prices arent cheap but we will be back as southern kitchen has southern cooking and that is hard to find here. Only 1 complaint--no honey! The corn cakes would be awesome in honey (or real maple syrup) not a fan of high fructose imitation syrup.

Grace Truesdale

The food was fantastic as always and the service was top rated ...

Lisa Ottoson

Best grits in Tacoma. Great breakfast with insane portions. Love the atmosphere and service.

K C

The food & service, are the best!

Judy Passey

Absolutely the best chicken and catfish. Lots of food. Yummy fried green tomatoes! Restaurant is in the small side, also not good parking, but worth it.

Joe H

Hands down, the best service I have ever received. Food took a while but they were busy and was well worth the wait.

JJ

This place is amazing! Awesome local soul food and a very nice staff. It's not that big, nice and cozy. Funky decor, but it fits. Hot sauce is on the table for ya. You have to try the fried chicken, catfish, or liver & onions. Mashed potatoes and collared greens are solid sides and order a mango sweet tea to wash it all down. Or you could just order sweet potato pie or peach cobbler. All of these are must haves. Can't wait to go back!

Rayinna Duncan

Absolutely amazing food great servers

Cornel Thomas

Delicious breakfast cooked to order! Their lemonades are awesome!

Sweet Love

Was so good

Michael Kraak-Barnett

The food was great and loved the atmosphere. My entire family felt very welcomed, our waiter Ben provided a brand new coloring book and crayons for her and made her a brand new dessert dish. With staff members like that going all out, I would definitely recommend this place to anyone!

Ryan Hatfield

Worst chicken fried steak I’ve ever had. Looks like it came out of a Walmart freezer.

EUGENE F HASTINGS

Great food. Good people

Kevin Wisby

We will eat their deliciousness again!

T H

Today wasn't a good day. Normally my food is very tasty. Today my grits were warm and my eggs half cooked after requesting fried hard. They make me another egg and it came back the same. Will still visit because this us not a norm. Great staff!

Janette Lopez

Best fried chicken on the planet! Love the simple southern style decor. I've lived in the South most of my life and didn't expect to find food this good in Washington.

NATHANIEL BROWN

SIMPLY THE BEST OF ALL SOUL FOOD.

Aaron Howell

REALLY good food and service, not a lot of elbow room. Corn cakes: all the YUM of corn bread, none of the crumbly mess!

J N

Corn cakes! Taste so sweet and light. Strawberry lemonade, get cool whip on top!

Tylor Walters

This place is always a hit or miss. I am from a couple different southern states so I do love some of the food from this place. Some times the food lacks flavor and other times it's super delicious. The worst part of this place is the service. Every time I go it is always a long visit no matter how busy it is. Sometimes the food comes out cold. Would recommend trying just hopefully you go on a good day

Roger Williams

Not like it was when I first visited it in 1996. The food was ok but,you can't really change up the orders. The love isn't there no more.

Kyle Brown

Great food and great service. Walked in during the morning/afternoon rush on a Sunday. We were seated within 10 min and food shortly after. Everything was freshly prepared and was cooked perfectly. Thank you so much for an awesome experience. Will definitely return in the near future!

Mary Williams

Slappers! That is what my son would say! Everything about this place was on point from the decor to the food to the location, to the staff waving us welcome and come in from the parking lot. Food was exquisite, service was excellent, atmosphere was friendly and we talked amongst our table mates. Really made my job interview in Tacoma worth the drive to eat lunch here before we headed back to Seattle. Thank ya Ba-be!

nicole watson

This place is crazy om Saturdays, long wait, there service is all over the place...but I mean that with the upmost respect. It's a organized, crazy. It's kinda cool sitting at the bar and watching how they all handle this crazy place. With smiles,...sometimes. the food is worth the wait. I waited about a hour for my food, a to go order. But TBH it was worth the wait. Taste was on point. However...when I go back it will have to be on a week day. Just so I don't have to wait so long. Over all good food, nice place. Oh and the owner was there working. I like to see a owner getting her hands dirty with her employees that's amazing! Go eat here!!!! You won't be sorry!!!!

Kim w.w.

You must wait so long BUT the food is Fantastic!

Natalia Stevenson

They always have great service! Food is amazing and I am never disappointed personally. Great place on the corner and I will forever recommend people to this restaurant.

Christopher Leslie

Staff is friendly food is great and the bacon is amazing

Nicole Koch

4 stars for great customer service. I got a omelet, which was not up to standards, and did not finish. I'm sure this was because New Years was last night, and people are usually not optimized for work the next day.....I paid, left, and one of the waiters comes out, and refunds my money! I'm not one to complain, so it was refreshing that they actually sought out how they can improve the food.

daren Morales

My fish was super thin and had more breading than actual fish. It was disappointing but overall everything was tasty and everyone else I was with had delicious food.

Lorraine Carrasco

Hearty portions of tasty food. I can't wait to go back.

Aaron Harding

Was expecting flavorful southern food, but everything was completely bland. Even the cajun catfish had absolutely no flavor. Couldnt even taste the cheese in the mac and cheese. Red beans and rice had no flavor and the chicken was flavorless as well. Very dissatisfied. The only thing that was good was the lemonade. $30 for food that I'm taking home to feed the pigs.

Andrew Wilkins

Excellent southern food. Fried chicken is delicious. Make sure to get one of their flavors of lemonade and some bread pudding!

Tia Newton

I really enjoyed this place the other night. Had the fried green tomatoes, greens, yams & catfish. Peach cobbler is on point. Food was good and the service was exceptional. Friendly peeps. Thanks guys! We'll be back.

Linell Jones

Yum! HUGE portions ofwonderful, wonderful food

Gail Millet

Good ol' southern cooking. I love their biscuits and gravy and mango iced tea...

Beth Anderson

This is the southern soul food restaurant I've been looking for since I moved to Seattle! Delicious everything - fried green tomatoes, fried okra, fried chicken, and the best dang collard greens I've *ever* had. Plus, free refills on sweet tea in Mason jars and a complimentary corn cake. Heavenly. Can't wait to come back, but it's gonna be a week before I can digest everything - I ate way too much because it was way too good. Go get some!

Brian Bassett

Don't come here for low-cal meals. Primarily fried foods including the Fried Green Tomatoes which have kept me coming back for over 20 years. Great catfish, cornbread, and Black-eyed peas. Great Southern comfort food including breakfasts.

Leila Marie

Great customer service. The food was delicious

Janet Adams

AMAZING FOOD AND SERVICE. The greens,Okra,corn cakes and omelets,chicken fried steak AWESOME!!! Paul was our server and he went above and beyond and made our Grandaughter special dessert . Thank you

Evil Satan spawn

This place is amazing I would recommend it to anybody. Good food good prices. If you haven't tried it I suggested it

Peter Calloway

This place is amazing!!! The food is perfect and more importantly it is an accurate representation of southern food and is delicious. Staff is attentive and very friendly and price wise I thought it was a good deal for a great meal and large portions. You should go

Matthew Walker

One of my favorite places in Tacoma.

j d

M m m hot day. Sweet tea. I am there. One of the best soul food restaurants in Tacoma. GO ENJOY!!!

Dominick

Wow. Incredible dining experience in Tacoma. I was skeptical of a southern kitchen so far away from the south but I was very wrong. Everything was prepared and seasoned perfectly. Service was immaculate. I loved the interior and the intimacy of a small place. One of the highlights of my trip, will send any friends visiting to experience it as well.

It's Raj-kun

Oh Heck Yea! This Place is sooo good with the best breakfast! You got nice waiters and the community is always nice. Its a nice place to relax and enjoy breakfast with good food!

Brandon Adams

Great food & Great Service thank you for a great birthday dinner

xopher Payne

Service, food, all excellent. Love this place. I travel a lot and tired, sick of fast food. Southern Kitchen is the best choice.

Jazmyn Hansen

Really nice wait staff nice place to have a sit-down lunch or dinner or breakfast

Donald Bradley

Very polite and delightful staff. Delicious big portions of comfort food.

Colin Brander

Amazing food, great friendly staff with very reasonable prices. Comfort food at it's best!

Rhodora Megia

The staff is friendly and food is so good. I haven't tasted better chicken than from Southern Kitchen. Crispy on the outside and juicy inside. The spices vinegar as a condiment puts it over the top.

MJ Slade

They now have breakfast specials....great service grood food.

Dianne Varner

The foods wad good...wait staff very nice!

Super Man

The staff is awesome! They have really good fried catfish and chicken. Very good place to go for something different.

amaya Mason

I went here a few years ago after hearing the food was so good. We unknowingly came 30 minutes before closing on a Sunday They refused to serve us, they wouldn't even let us get to go. Told us they were closing come back another time. They werent even polite no apologies nothing. We tried again a few weeks later And to be honest it was not worth the retry. The macaroni was mediocre and the fried chicken was dry. I will never go again

Erika Rowley

The Chicken is stupid good, Juicy and perfectly seasoned. The mac n cheese was a little bland and the brisket was dry and in need if the loads of sauce and onions they top it with. Over all though it was a great experience!

Vincent Royster

Delicious food made with love, great service, great tea

Bob Chapman

Cornbread pancakes (oh myyyy) the best ice tea around AND homemade hash browns.dont go there expecting grumpy staff, Southern has the coolest staff in Tacoma.

jesse0317

Food was awesome as usually, they can be very busy with online orders now so be prepared to wait but it's well worth the wait. The service is excellent as usual.

Dave Richardson

One of the best places on the planet! When you're here you feel like you're at home with family and best friends! Food's good, but what makes Southern Kitchen amazing is the people. 6 stars should be an option on rare occasions.

Sherry Wallace

Southern kitchen has as close to a home cooked southern meal as you can get. Especially here in the PNW. I LOVE EATING HERE.

Matt Duran

I'll definitely be goin back, y'all are incredible. This place is a rare find

jake stappart

The biscuits and gravy were by far the nastiest I've ever had. And it's hard to mess up biscuits and gravy. The old Hispanic waitress is rude and condescending as hell. I've had better experiences at the Waffle House in Florida than there.

Lenei Jimenez

Cool little spot in Tacoma if you have a fix for deep fried Okra, chicken wings and corn bread. There is so much more. Southern Food is complety represented here with the decor and athmosphere of the old south.

Jasmine Da Roza

I've never had fried chicken so moist on the inside and crispy on the outside - the food and service surpassed my expectations! Worth the 2.5 hour drive.

Amanda Ford

Always great service and food at this cozy joint! We love returning here often over the years and drive 45 minutes each way to enjoy it!

Brandon Wreh

Foods pretty amazing. If you're looking for good soul food in Tacoma this is definitely the place.

Diane Hawks

Great food as always! Took a friend that had never eaten there before, she loved it! We had the greatest server Ben, he's the best!

D Romero

Friendly Staff, Food is down home southern cooking at its best!

David McDuffie

Good service, good food. Didnt take a long time to get food.

Jarrett Wattenburger

Easily the most welcoming restaurant I've ever been to. The food was great, service was great. I'll definitely be coming back next time I'm in Tacoma.

Lydia Rushing

OMG!!! THE FOOD IS SO AWESOME

Apollonia

You must have their strawberry lemonade. I'll admit, that was my reason for going to this restaurant. I had to try it and it was amazing!! The staff were very friendly, the atmosphere was warm, like your mother's kitchen. The breakfast was delicious. I'll definitely be coming back!!

limesha swanson

Best soul food in town love this place

Jamal Parker

The people are amazing and the sides are awesome but the breading on the fish is way to thick and the fish separates from the batter. Lighten up on the batter and it would be delicious.

Meghan Meyer

Lunch was amazing the atmosphere was so pleasant and inviting service was excellent and food was exceptional. Fried green tomatoes were delicious and fried okra and southern fried chicken was amazing, perfect sweet tea, and mashed potatoes and gravy and beans and rice were awesome all around 100 percent satisfied customer!!!!!!!! A must for all !!!!!