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    Hankering Southern Kitchen

    4.7 (54 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    HANKERING SOUTHERN KITCHEN ATMOSPHERE

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    Matt M.

    We recently visted one of our old favourites in Aurora Indiana at Hankering Southern Kitchen. As the name implies they focus on southern cooking with smoked meats, fried catfish and made from scratch sides. They have a small menu but they focus on quality over quantity so everything they have is excellent. On this occasion I got their Hickory Smoked Pulled Pork Entree with 3 sides which for me were mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and kettle chips. The meat was excellent with a great bbq sauce really bringing out the flavour to it. The 3 sides were good too particularly the mashed potatoes. We also got a side of jalapeño cornbread which honestly may have been my favourite part of the meal. I've had some good cornbread before but this was next level delicious with the addition of the little jalapeño bits in there. Our waitress was excellent and took really good care of us so yay for that. The restaurant seemed to have grown inside from the last time I was there which was really great to see and everything was extremely clean. I can't speak highly enough of this gem of a restaurant. Very high recommendation.

    Catfish
    Adam E.

    The food was outstanding and great service. Had fried catfish. It had corn meal breading. Very flavorful. Ribs are also great. Now about the sides. Peanut slaw, yum. Indiana thing. Greens perfect. And Mac and cheese. Very Friendly and helpful server.

    Pulled pork
    R Z.

    Ok, shocked that this restaurant has been in Aurora for 4 years and we never had been there! This place is awesome, and now ranks top for BBQ we've found in the tri-state! Now for brisket, still Pig Candy, but for terrific baby backs and pulled pork, Hankering is it. Large portions, very fairly priced, awesome bbq sauce, nice sides, highly recommended!

    Smoked meatloaf sandwich with carrot salad with bourbon raisins.
    Lee L.

    Was really surprised. Barbecue places tend to get inflated reviews, but this place is fire. The fried green tomatoes are excellent as are the deviled eggs with ham. The smoked meatloaf sandwich is on point. Cheddar biscuits are great as well. The service was friendly and attentive. The place has been remodeled nicely and it has cute little patio. Everything was top notch. I am picky on barbecue, but everything was quality and well presented. Coming back.

    Applewood Smoked Chicken - Mac And Cheese - Mashed Potatoes - House Salad
    Samantha L.

    I've been wanting to try this place for a while now and I'm super glad that I did! It's a super cute place. Everything was DELICIOUS!!!!! I didn't get any pictures of the deserts I got the cheesecake was the best!!

    This is 2 orders of tomato soup.
    Amanda B.

    My dad had surgery recently and has t had much of an appetite but he really wanted tomato soup from Hankering's. I went in and asked for 2 orders of tomato soup to go This is what they got for $15. My mom said it was a much smaller container than they have got in the past and it was barely 1/2 full. We love supporting small businesses but will not support a business that is okay with treating customers this way.

    "Grown Up" grilled cheese, smoked tomato soup and collard greens
    Jocelyn X.

    Stopped by for a quick lunch, in and out in 25 minutes which was awesome. The green tomato pickles on the grilled cheese were a great addition. I'll probably order extra pimento on the sandwich next time simply because I love it. The smoked tomato bisque blew my mind, such a unique take on tomato soup. The greens and sweet tea were classic, and also very good. Staff was very kind as well.

    Little bit of everything!
    Andrew M.

    Best food and service! Absolutely delicious and we'll be back! Catfish was a winner and the cornbread was some of the best we've ever had.

    Catfish, Mac & Cheese, Peanut Slaw, Baked Beans, Cajun Tartar Sauce
    Emily H.

    Food was excellent and the service was great!! Everyone in the restaurant was super attentive and very nice. Some of the best catfish I've had in a long time. I literally ate it until I thought I was going to burst. The Cajun tartar sauce was a cool twist on a classic and we all really enjoyed it. The baked beans were very good and the mac & cheese was basic but tasty. Cole slaw was not my favorite- it was really salty. Made me wonder if it might have been an off batch? I'll give it another go next time because everything else was so good. Those jalapeño corn muffins though... wow. They came out piping hot and absolutely melted in your mouth. I'd make the trip back just to have those again. Can't wait to go back!

    Meatloaf
    Amber S.

    What a hidden gem! You could easily walk past this place and not realize it was there, but don't make that mistake. I was so pleasantly surprised. If you're looking for southern home cooking, this is the spot! I ordered the BBQ meatloaf with Mac and cheese, fried green tomatoes and mashed potatoes. All of it was delicious. And the sweet tea is spot on! I stole a bite of my brother's apple cobbler and immediately regretted not ordering some for myself. We were the only guests in the dining room on a Saturday night which was hard to believe. The prices are also fantastic given the amount of food you receive. The owner, Tammy, served us and she was incredibly sweet. I'm telling everyone in the Aurora area about this spot and can't wait to go back.

    Deacy T.

    Food is really good! The pulled pork had a bit too much fat pieces in it for me but the sauce was really good! The food is very flavorful! The restaurant is a bit on the smaller side. Service was a bit slow but she was very nice and attentive! Would like to come here again and try other dishes!

    Smoked meatloaf with sides
    Ted R.

    It's been about a year since I've visited this restaurant on their opening day, and all I can say is WOW! This place has got it right. Service still friendly but this time most of the tables were full. That tells you all you need to know. They've got something special. Home cooking and at an affordable price! The portions and options you get to select from are huge. I mean...3 sides with your entrée? That's unheard of and definitely makes for sampling heaven. The smoked meatloaf was tender, fresh and with just the correct amount of smoke flavor. Collards with hamhocks was melt in the mouth delish! Hell! they have a commercial grade smoker parked just outside the side of the restaurant so you know they're coming correct. I can't wait to go back. And for sure it won't take another whole year to do so. Give this place a visit quick, fast, and in a hurry!

    Pulled pork

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    2 years ago

    Excellent food at great prices. I really like the smoked meatloaf. Support this local small business.

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    Tousey House Tavern - Tousey pasta got a thumbs up by the kiddo.

    Tousey House Tavern

    4.3(358 reviews)
    9.8 mi
    $$

    Wow what a wonderful find! Parking was easy, location and history were great! Service was top…read morenotch and the food was OH SO GOOD! Beautiful sitting in and outside. Tough decisions as everything looked and smelled so very good!! Fried pickles were great and had a fantastic garlic mayo sauce!! Green beans just like mamaw's!! Chunks of ham! Butch's bean soup was so flavorful, cornbread, HOT SLAW YUMMY, crispy chicken thighs were delish and the Tousey Pasta was spot on! Cherry cordial crème brûlée and blackberry cobbler to top it off!! Rebecca was out server! Fantastic personality and warmth! Great meal experience!

    We thought Tousey House Tavern was fantastic for lunch. There were five of us with a 12:30…read morereservation on a Wednesday. The place was hopping! We sat upstairs. The building is beautiful as is the interior. There are lots of little rooms and the tables are pretty tight. It was a bit difficult for wait staff to get around, but the service was still attentive. Two of us ordered the Pork Tenderloin Sandwich w/ fries. That darn sandwich was delicious!! It was sticky as all get out, but it was delicious! I'll apologize now; my pic is so blurry I hesitate to post it, but I'm going to anyway. The other person having the Pork Tenderloin also enjoyed it. Mark ordered the Kentucky Hot Brown. He said it was loaded with ham and it was salty. He finished every bite, but he did say he wouldn't order it again. One person loved her Cod (she didn't eat the bread) and another said the shrimp and grits were very good. The menu has lots of options. I mentioned we would be happy to come back sometime for dinner. We bought some chocolate cookies (they are by the hostess podium) on the way out. They had a nice chocolate and salt flavor, but should have had more chips.

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    Tousey House Tavern - Main dining room

    Main dining room

    Tousey House Tavern
    Tousey House Tavern - Upstairs renovation

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    Southern Grace Eats - Creole Blackened Catfish, Pinto Beans and Rice, Cabbage, and Honey Cornbread

    Southern Grace Eats

    4.6(100 reviews)
    24.2 mi
    $$

    I don't write reviews often, but Southern Grace absolutely deserves one…read more The food here is already well known for being amazing, so that part isn't a secret. Everything is seasoned perfectly, cooked right, and served hot. The fried fish was crispy and flavorful, the mac and cheese was rich and comforting, the greens tasted like they came straight out of someone's family kitchen, and the candied yams were sweet and done just right. It's the kind of plate that reminds you why Southern cooking is so special. But what really stood out to me wasn't just the food. It was the customer service. In most places, you either get incredible food with average service, or great service with food that's just okay. Southern Grace somehow manages to deliver both at a very high level. From the moment you walk in, you're treated with genuine kindness and respect. The staff is welcoming, attentive, and you can tell they actually care about the experience they're giving their customers. I have to make a special mention to one of the team members LaDon for his exceptional professionalism. That kind of consistency between food quality and customer service is rare. It makes the entire experience feel personal rather than transactional. If you're looking for authentic Southern food paired with top-tier hospitality, Southern Grace is absolutely worth the visit. Places like this remind you what real customer service is supposed to feel like.

    busy, busy, busy at lunch time........we lucked in to arriving just before the rush, but it was…read moresomething to see. Fried fish was wonderful, okra top notch and the cornbread, oh my. Definitely will be back to try more Great friendly service.

    Photos
    Southern Grace Eats - Inside

    Inside

    Southern Grace Eats - Grippo, wings, fried fish and fries

    Grippo, wings, fried fish and fries

    Southern Grace Eats - Fried wings

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    Fried wings

    Juniper on Main - Outdoor Pergola dining at sunset

    Juniper on Main

    4.4(580 reviews)
    91.1 mi
    $$

    Juniper on Main is an amazing restaurant, the food was fantastic and the staff were incredibly…read morekind, even on what was clearly a very busy night. That's actually why I feel compelled to say something - during my visit, I saw an adult man berate a young hostess over the wait time. No one deserves to be spoken to that way, especially not a teenager doing their job in a high-pressure environment. Unfortunately, I've seen this kind of behavior more than once at restaurants, and it needs to stop. If you're frustrated, taking it out on staff is not ok. A little patience and basic respect go a long way. As someone who used to work as a hostess, I know how stressful those moments can be, and I really appreciated how gracefully the team at Juniper on Main handled everything. They deserve a lot of credit. Highly recommend this place, not just for the great food, but for the hardworking, kind staff who keep things running. If you are someone that can't control your temper and you take it out on unsuspecting people, you should order in. Your frustration doesn't give you the right to behave so awful.

    My husband and I ate here for the first time today and we are SO UPSET! Not at the restaurant, meal…read moreor service but at ourselves for waiting so lonnnnggggg to try this delicious gem! We had the crab cakes and crab & artichoke dip for apps and our lunch entrees were the fried catfish sandwich with fries and the filet with mashed potatoes and collard greens. For bevvies, we tried their rosé and red zeppelin English ale. All of it, every bit and bite, was 10/10. Food breakdown: - Crab cakes: succulent lump crap meat within a lightly battered and flash fried coating. They come on a bed of arugula with a light dressing and dipping sauce for the cakes. Super yummy! - Crab & artichoke dip: ooey gooey deliciousness, perfect balance of cheese sauce too. You don't have to search for the crab or artichokes. And the fried naan chips were sliced long and thin, and could've been called naan fries actually. Perfect companion for the dip. - Fried catfish sammich: the piece of fish was huge and the batter was good. It came on Texas toast with fixins and tartar sauce. Won't lie, the only thing I wanted for was some hot sauce. That's a me problem... just gotta have hot sauce when I eat fried fish but I didn't ask for any while I was there (they may offer it) and still very much enjoyed the sandwich. - Filet: it was great... hubby got it medium and it arrived perfectly cooked. The Demi glaze sauce was so good and so were the sides. Their collard greens are seasoned up! I said does my auntie work here?! This cuisine is so comfortingly southern and didn't disappoint. Shoutout to our friendly and helpful server, Dan... our food and drinks came out quickly and so did our to-go box. His service was truly top notch. We have been living in Carmel for 5 years and this is one of the best restaurants here. If you're on the fence about trying this place, jump off and make a reservation. You won't regret it.

    Photos
    Juniper on Main - Southern coastal plate with low country crab-cake, grilled shrimp with sweet chili sauce, pineapple salsa, and lemon aïoli

    Southern coastal plate with low country crab-cake, grilled shrimp with sweet chili sauce, pineapple salsa, and lemon aïoli

    Juniper on Main - Outdoor dining

    Outdoor dining

    Juniper on Main - Indoor dining

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    Indoor dining

    His Place Eatery - North - Fried Chicken

    His Place Eatery - North

    4.6(218 reviews)
    90.4 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Casual dining

    This was me and my family's first time eating at His Place's newest location on the Northwest side…read more After experiencing this particular His Place, I must say that this is the best one and one of my top 5 places to go eat In Indianapolis. From the service to the atmosphere to the amazing food/ drink, 10/10!! 1. Atmosphere- The atmosphere was very modern, new, clean, welcoming, and home-y. I loved it! What I loved most was the stark difference of space between this location and their Eastside location. There was so much more space to be seated, order, and move around. I didn't feel too crowded or removed from the rest of the restaurant. 2. Service- The service was A1! Our waitress, Brandy, was phenomenal. She was timely, inviting, and nice. The other restaurant workers were also very nice and welcoming. 3. FOOD- The food?? Bussin! OMG. They outdid themselves during this last visit! I have been plotting my next visit ever since we left lol! So my son got the chicken wing dinner with fries. I got a the chicken wing and fried catfish combo dinner with green beans and mashed potatoes with gravy. My girlfriend got the fried catfish dinner with sweet potatoes and baked beans. We also got a side of macaroni and cheese and greens for good measure. We all also chose to receive a cornbread muffin with our meals. Yall... I'm not exaggerating I literally loved all of the food. The chicken wings reminded me of the homemade fried ones that I used to love so much when I was younger. My son tore his wings up, and he's a picky eater . So that says a lot. The fries were surprisingly so delish. Perfectly cooked. My FAVORITE side was the sweet potatoes!! I'm not even a big sweet potato girl but they were too good! I can't wait to slide my fork back through those smh ‍. This fish is and will always be a hit with me, and I'll always recommend it. I didn't get a picture, but they make an Uptown (sweet tea/ lemonade mix) that is soooo FIRE ! That is a must have from here forth. Lastly, for dessert we had their sweet potato cheesecake. Also, delicious! His Place easily earned all 5 of their stars.

    TL;DR: This place is fantastic. You need to eat here…read more My office has catered from His Place before, so I decided to dine in with another couple. I ordered the smoked meatloaf with creamed corn and stuffing, and I have to say, it outshined the meatloaf I make on my charcoal grill at home. The smoked flavor and taste of the meat was incredible, the stuffing was fantastic, and the creamed corn was perfectly done. Everyone at our table loved their meals. We were so impressed that we've been back three weeks in a row. Honestly, we haven't found a single thing we don't like on the menu. His Place is a must-visit. This will become a Indy staple, if it isn't already.

    Photos
    His Place Eatery - North - Smoked BBQ Ribs

    Smoked BBQ Ribs

    His Place Eatery - North - Churro Chicken & Waffle

    Churro Chicken & Waffle

    His Place Eatery - North - Turkey Manhattan

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    Turkey Manhattan

    Libby’s Southern Comfort - Smoked Bologna sandwich, Mac n cheese, and fried chicken skins

    Libby’s Southern Comfort

    4.1(431 reviews)
    21.1 mi
    $$

    Came to Cincinnati for a concert, initially planned to go elsewhere to eat but couldn't find…read moreparking anywhere. We stumbled upon Libby's and we're so glad we did! They had parking, and although they were full on reservations, 2 spots at the bar opened up and we grabbed them happily! First, the food was FANTASTIC! I had the Willy Burger and my husband had the fried bologna sandwich and we both loved what we ordered and vice versa. The sauce on the burger was phenomenal! The drink menu was extensive and looked so good but we were in a bit of a hurry and I'm 6 months pregnant so we settled for waters. Second, the service was excellent. Everyone was so kind and helpful. The ambience was great, I loved the big open garage door and patio seating they offered. The decor was so cute! We are bummed that brunch reservations for tomorrow are full, but we will absolutely be back!

    This is our second visit. We went when it first opened. Our neighbors recommended it…read more So we had reservations and were seated on the patio enclosed and heated. Wobbly table, several groups were there. (I guess service guest service is a dying profession) ? I don't understand why a restaurant resorts to plastic cups from Pepsi or paper napkins? Prices don't reflect that. Sorry I digress Service was slow and she forgot our order, eh? No suggestions for menu options or anything. We chose fried green tomatoes and deviled eggs. Oil for fgtom tastes old. Not delicious eggs with ok. Service is sloppy slow. ( do I keep the fork I used for tomatoes for my entree? I'm at a wobbly table, service is slow and you had to ask for drinks silver ware. I had the 2 piece dark chicken. Good but really spicy and I like spice but this is extremely intense. The Charlie Brown entre was a lot of melted cheese and burnt bacon.our guests had the shrimp and the salmon. It was so loud, screaming across the table loud and there were all of 8 people besides us. My chicken would have been good if it weren't so overbred and over spicy. I had to ask for more beverages. I just don't understand how a restaurant that charges these prices and is mediocre. Paper napkins tv everywhere and not on LOUD, outdoor tables and no cloth. Service that connects with the patrons. This is not greyhound or tousey house. . WHAT KIND OF PLACE IS THIS. Overpriced and cut the attitude with a machete. Many restaurants do exactly the same menu and well. Purple Poulet is one

    Photos
    Libby’s Southern Comfort - Patio

    Patio

    Libby’s Southern Comfort - Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding and Key Lime pie

    Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding and Key Lime pie

    Libby’s Southern Comfort - Greens

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    Greens

    Purple Poulet - Sweet Potato Beignet

    Purple Poulet

    4.3(258 reviews)
    22.1 mi
    $$

    We've been here quite a few times. First few times was in the original location…read more Very nice place, great food and good service.

    We read about how good the fried chicken is, so we called to make reservations for a Saturday night…read more(you must call). The place is small and had a very weird vibe between fine dining and kitschy. White tablecloths, but then lots of purple and pictures of roosters everywhere (I realize the name, but hmmm). Our server was lovely but would disappear for too long between times when she should have been present. We ordered our drinks at 745pm, and I watched them sit at the end of the bar. Finally, at 805pm, I went to the bartender and said, "those are our drinks that have been sitting there for a while". Our server brought them over like we ordered them 5 minutes prior. But the lovely owner/manager came over and said the "drinks are on me" because we waited so long. We appreciated that! The fried chicken was good, but the breading was very salty. The green beans were almost inedible because they were so salty. The mashed potatoes were average. The biscuits were fantastic. The fried deviled eggs were okay. A regular deviled egg is better. The shrimp and grits had a lot going on. The shrimp was lightly battered and fried (?) and the flavor of the dish was bold. I think sauteed shrimp and a little less gravy would make it perfect.

    Photos
    Purple Poulet - The bar!

    The bar!

    Purple Poulet - Pork Belly Bruschetta

    Pork Belly Bruschetta

    Purple Poulet - Very clean and well remodeled older establishment!

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    Very clean and well remodeled older establishment!

    Hankering Southern Kitchen - southern - Updated May 2026

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