We've wanted to try this place for years, but it's never occurred to us during a Friday or Saturday, which are the only days they're open. Last Friday was one of those days we knew we needed to order out, but we were well on track to make a whole evening out of fretting over where to go. I don't know what it is, but sometimes absolutely nothing in the world sounds good. By some act of god, I remembered this place and our evening was saved. Their menu changes weekly, so we referred to their Facebook page for this week's options. I've only heard great things about them, so I had no question whatever we ordered would be good. No prices on their website, and money was definitely an issue on the eve of the St. Patrick's Day Parade, so we made kind of a flow chart in case pricing got crazy. Placing the order over the phone was difficult. They couldn't understand us, and they had to run every question by somebody else and get back to us. We ordered the jerk chicken and smothered pork combos, then threw in a pint of shrimp fried rice. I wish I could have tried everything; it was really tough coming to a decision. Cash only. I read so many reviews and everything they had online and didn't see this mentioned. Luckily I had just hit the ATM for the parade. The place is pretty small, take-out only. Easy parking, easy in and out. Everyone's super friendly. A lot of the appeal is how clearly they take pride in what they do. All around it just seems incredibly authentic and like nobody's cutting corners. So the food was great all around. We'd eaten garbage all week and were really going for that fresh, wholesome feeling, and they delivered in every way. The only hiccup was that they gave us Smothered Chicken (I think) instead of Smothered Pork. They labeled the box SP, but put the wrong thing in it. I was disappointed to see it because the pork was the first thing I knew for sure I wanted to get. Six seconds into the meal though, I truly didn't even care anymore. It was absolutely amazing. So tender it came right off the bone. It has to be the best I've ever felt about a chicken thigh entrée. I've only tried Jerk Chicken a few times, and mostly from a few Jamaican restaurants right here in town. I never really understood the point of it, like the taste just never amounted to anything I cared about. One bite of this one and it all made sense. Like, I now understand what they're going for with the flavor. Same perfectly tender chicken, and we absolutely loved the taste of both. We were curious about how the Shrimp Fried Rice would shake out with soul food, and it's definitely unique from Chinese takeout. Nowhere near as greasy, and it had a more savory, mildly smoky taste to it. No conflict with the beds of rice our entrées came on either. This wasn't our favorite fried rice, but it was good to have with our meals. My favorite side was the baked beans. Perfect texture, amazing taste. So soft and yet, so completely distinct. Didn't even know I could enjoy plain no-frills baked beans this much. The collard greens and yams were about average. I think for yams I'm used to a lot more butter and sugar than these ones had. Collard greens were just straightforward as well, no taste outside the greens themselves. Texture couldn't have been better though. Mac and cheese was good, but well past al dente. Super soft and didn't really pack enough flavor to make it top tier. The cornbread is standard issue - really soft and pretty dry with just the regular cornbread taste. I'd love to try some of the other things on the menu, but probably wouldn't for the price. There's nothing here I wouldn't be absolutely excited to have, but the experience wasn't profound enough to pull us back for $25 a plate. read more

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On my way to the airport to fly back home to Detroit, found this place and boy was it a home run!! Great smothered pork chops with green beans and collard greens. I will definitely hit this place up again the next time I'm in the area. Also the people were very friendly! read more

Chi’ Soul Food - Smothered pork chops greens and green beans - Soul Food Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Saw Chi's Soul food on yelp and had to try it. The food is just as delicious as the reviews say it is. Tastes just like the soul food we had at Sisters of the New South in Savannah, GA! We had the fried chicken, collard greens, Mac and Cheese, Shrimp fried rice and baked beans. All delicious. If you love soul food you'll love this place. Friendly and helpful staff. Mostly take out. You won't be disappointed! read more

These ladies know what they're doing. This was some great homemade food. The restaurant is only open Friday and Saturday, so make sure you get it while you can! They are very sweet and I'm so glad I decided to stop by. The portions are large. I can't wait to try what else they have to offer. You won't be disappointed! read more

Chi’ Soul Food - Fried haddock, yams, and Mac & cheese - Soul Food Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Cute little restaurant that recently opened up on Syracuse's South Side on April 5th. They're only open on Fridays from 12pm - 8pm/9pm and Saturdays from 2pm - whenever they sell out. There's usually a pretty long line out the door before they're even open because the food is just so good! Their menu changes all the time, so you have to check their Facebook too see what they have for the day. The chi' in their name stands for Chinese, as there is a Chinese influence on the menu from when the owner's mom used to work at a Chinese restaurant and learned how to make some of the dishes on the menu: chicken/shrimp fried rice, ribs and rice, etc. We got there at 11:45am today and to our surprise, there wasn't a line yet! However, as 12pm started to roll around, the people started coming. There were maybe 20-30 people standing outside waiting. They were a little behind schedule today and didn't open till about 12:25pm. Oh boy. The crowd outside got haaaaangry! But once they finally opened, everyone was more than happy to continue to wait in line to order some food. So when you order, you order a main with two sides. You can also order some desserts, as well. A hearty portion of food is piled into 3-sectioned styrofoam containers. We ordered: - stew chicken with candied yams and potato salad - smothered pork chops with collard greens and baked mac n cheese - a pint side portion of shrimp fried rice (in a little Chinese to-go box) Ohhhhh boy! The food was sure worth the wait! The meat from the stew chicken and the pork chops were sooooo soft, tender, and practically fell right off the bone! The sauce they were in were so flavorful and absolutely delicious. The stew chicken's sauce was slightly too sweet for my taste, but it was still very good. The candied yams were beautifully candied with just the right amount of sweetness to it. The collard greens are savory and delicious. Definitely try these. The baked mac n cheese was also very yummy! The texture of it was a little too mushy for me, but the flavor is definitely there. My favorite side was definitely the potato salad. I don't know what they put in this, but I can't stop eating it! Oh yeah, you also get a piece of cornbread with your meal. It's a good piece of cornbread, but it was on the drier side for me. Seating is limited, as the store itself is relatively small. There are about 10 eat spots available along wall, but only 6 chairs to sit at. Most of the people just ordered their food and took it to go. This is a family fun business and maybe they're still trying to get into the groove of things, but the service itself could use some help with streamlining to increase productivity and speed. Other than that, the food is delicious and I would definitely come back to try some of the other items on their menu. read more

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Phenomenal food and fantastic staff if you are not sure what you want they can explain each dish to help your selection Greens to die for

The best comfort soul food I have tasted! I have had lunch/dinner here plenty of times and was never disappointed. Today I tried breakfast and my goodness! Every bite was heaven! She definitely cooks her food with a lot of love and her hands are truly blessed! 1000% recommended and I can not wait to use her catering services in the near future! read more

Chi’ Soul Food - Chicken and Waffles - Soul Food Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Incredible service and amazing food. The owner threw in a slice of cake and it's the best cake I've ever had. I'm starring at the slice as I write this review and I already miss it. I'll be dreaming of this lemon cake slice for the rest of my life. The chicken was juicy and the Mac was TOO GOOD. If you haven't tried this place you are doing yourself a disservice. read more

Fantastic food! I'm from philly but when I'm in the area, I love to make sure I grab some food. Best spot in the area read more

Chi’ Soul Food - Soul Food Near Me - Syracuse, New York

I'm from the south where soul food rules and I wanted that. After a recommendation from a local I decided to give this place a try and I'm glad I did! Even though I was not allowed inside due to covid-19 it was all good I didn't mind sweating it out lol! On to the food BBQ Jerk chicken was delish at its best and the Mac and cheese topped it of, the beans had a tad bit to much brown sugar and the carrot cake topped off my sweet tooth! If I'm ever in the area I'll come back definitely,friendly and fast service gets me every time!! read more

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For one I can definitely say great customer service the food was great hubby didn't really like the Mac & cheese I thought it was pretty good jus needed to be cooked a little more .. I think because they were soon closing they must've took it out a little before it's time but other than that foood was excellent!!!! read more

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Read a review in the paper and thought about this place all week. The husband and I took a little road trip today to try out the food ( about 40 min from Mexico). Arrived around 3 on Saturday. Warmly greeted by the owner who was excited that all of our picks were still available. She suggested that we call ahead next time. Fried chicken, Cajun corn and baked beans. Fried haddock, double Mac and cheese. Meatballs and rice and gravy, yams and collard greens. Waited outside for our dinners and chatted with some obvious regulars who suggested we may need a nap after all of the food we were about to get! Everything was delicious! Can't pick a favorite but was disappointed there were no leftovers the next day. Finished off the meal with pineapple upside down cake and had a fruit punch for the road. Perfect day read more

This young lady will NOT let you down. Food from the heart and soul. It's a must have! If you are visiting Syracuse and you want some good soul food, the best around CNY read more

Walked in to order on Saturday and got 2 meals. Turkey wings with rice and gravy, green beans and mac and cheese. Then jerk chicken rice and gravy, collard greens and tuna macaroni salad both with side cornbread...each meal did not disappoint. First impressions are lasting. Service was good and pleasant. read more

Well I have to start out talking about real soul food. I am please to say I had cat fish collard greens Mac and cheese dressing and this food was off the chain . Thank you for keeping s in soul sister . I only have one problem . That is I can't wait for Friday to eat this food again . This is now my place of choice . Then they say you have to have a back up plan . With this restaurant there is no back up plan so go back to chi all day everyday . read more

The food is 100% the real deal. I had the stew chicken, dressing with chicken gravy, green beans, and yellow cake with chocolate frosting. All tasted as if I were back in Memphis. Service was also great. i will be going back soon. read more

i had the Haddock dinner with Greens & Mac & Cheese. A side of potato salad was purchased because I had to meet a $20 min . The $20 min will apply when you use your credit card. Stop at ATM!!! lesson learned. Actually, I was surprised that the entire meal was tasty. My suggestion is that they fry the Fish when the customer places an order. The potato salad was really good. Collard greens were seasoned well. Mac & Cheese was a little dry but there was plenty of cheese. I will eat there again!! read more