I was very fortunate to have a southern grandmother with a heart of gold, who cooked the most amazing meals usually all from scratch. Soul food (when done right) is expensive, time consuming, but most importantly a labor of love. Our Kale's Kitchen food didn't taste like business. It was something akin to what you would expect granny to serve Sunday after service. Our orders of Turkey Wing, and Stuffed Chicken were each accompanied with green beans and mac and cheese. I also ordered a side of yams. The Turkey Wing was tender and flavorful. The green beans (from a can, I believe) were cooked in a broth of some kind and well seasoned. Mac and cheese buttery and loaded with a mild cheese(s). The stuffed chicken is a very large breast stuff with a more complex cheese mixture similar to perhaps an artichoke dip. Yams thick not watery and well seasoned. Very, very, very good! Fun fact: I used to really be out here ordering from these Instagram chefs and Kales Kitchen was one of them. I think it was a 10 meal prep for less than $100.00. We had a quality issue and she was quick to respond and resolve and I love to see the growth. With that being said, you will have to be flexible. They are still working through process issues. However, for me, the food justified the inconvenience. Considering all the hype that isn't an easy feat. Soul Food 4.7 read more

Kales Kitchen - Stuffed Chicken - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Was excited to try a new place but beware, their hours vary by day. I arrived where their website said they were open till 3:59am only to be told they closed at 8:30pm on a Saturday... I was also told the menu changes daily... whenever I'm on this side of town maybe I'll give them a try but I won't go out of my way to visit a place that says download Instagram to see if they're open/what they have for the day. You're a restaurant with a website wasting a domain ... at least ATTEMPT to keep that accurate! Also, to clarify: If you check sanitation scores like I do - they used to be listed as KALE'S KITCHEN but are now listed as KALES AT JOE'S DINER. They do have a good grade though!! Just something to be aware of if you check places frequently like I do. read more

I traveled through Durham for business and decided to stop at Kale's Kitchen. I've been following them for a few years on TikTok, watching their growth and all the amazing-looking food they post. So without a doubt, since I was in the area, we decided to stop by and pick something up. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the staff and looked over the menu. We ordered three meals, which totaled roughly $100: fried fish with double mac & cheese (which cost extra), fried shrimp with cabbage and mac & cheese, and chicken wings with mac & cheese and baked beans. From what I'd seen on Instagram and TikTok, I knew the plates were usually packed with food, so I wasn't worried about the $30 price point. I even told my family we'd probably be able to eat off these plates for two days. When we got to the car, I was hyping up the food and told my family, "Let's take a look." But when I opened the boxes, I was highly disappointed. The fish was clearly cooked in old grease--it was overcooked and very dry. The shrimp weren't crunchy and were also overcooked, likely in the same old grease. The portions were smaller than what we expected based on what we'd seen online. Paying $100 for burnt food was very disappointing. I understand that restaurants can have an off day, but please don't serve burnt food with a smile. I would've respected being offered a replacement or at least told before it was handed to me. I genuinely go out of my way to support Black-owned businesses, especially when I travel. I love seeing us win, grow, and represent excellence in food and service. That's one of the main reasons I was so excited to visit Kale's Kitchen after following their journey for so long. I really wanted to have a great experience and continue cheering them on. Unfortunately, this visit didn't live up to the expectations or the standard I've seen them showcase online, and that was truly disappointing. I still believe in what they're doing and hope this was just an off day. I'd love to see them continue to grow and improve, because the potential and passion are definitely there. read more

Kales Kitchen - Fried Fish - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

The best Soul Food in North Carolina, period!! The baked beans, cabbage, mac n cheese, BBQ Roasted Wings, and Sticky Wings are delicious. Stop by, it's worth the travel. FOLLOW them on Instagram and Facebook for there weekly operating hours read more

Kales Kitchen - BBQ roasted Wings, Cabbage, and Macaroni & Cheese - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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customer service was ass food was NOT FRESH AT ALL paying that much for food that was not fresh nd soggy

I chose this restaurant wanting to patronize a Black owned restaurant on my way back to Virginia. First, I chose to use the directions in Google which took me to a residential neighborhood, 15 minutes off the highway. I then put the address in and it was 14 minutes away from the erroneous address. Only to arrive to see the place shuttered even though Google and Yelp says they are open. Waste of time. read more

It truly pains me to leave a negative review for a Black-owned business. I go out of my way to support Black and Brown entrepreneurs, and I really wanted to have a positive experience. But if there's one thing I value just as much as good service, is honesty--and unfortunately, I didn't get either from Kale's Kitchen. I placed a $500 order for a family gathering and drove an hour to pick it up. That alone shows the level of trust and faith I had in this business. While already en route, I received an email saying the order wouldn't be ready and asking if 7 PM would be okay. I responded that it wouldn't be, as we were already pushing it by aiming for a 5:30 PM pickup. Monica then asked if we could come at 6 PM, and I agreed. We arrived at 6:30 PM and didn't receive the full order until 7:30 PM. Most of the food was delicious, but the macaroni and cheese was nearly inedible--overcooked, dry, and burnt. It was disappointing and frankly, embarrassing. I contacted Monica with photos, and she was initially very apologetic, offering either a refund or a future meal. I chose the refund. Despite several follow-ups over the past month, I have yet to receive either the refund or a response. No longer bartering for my money or response, I opted to leave a review so others don't make the same mistake. I'm sharing this review not out of malice, but because customers deserve transparency--and businesses should be held accountable. I had hoped to give Kale's Kitchen a second chance, but after this experience, I'll be taking my support elsewhere. read more

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I've been a fan of Kales since Monica would meet you at a designated spot to deliver your hot plate. I'm glad there's a brick and mortar location and excited about the walk-in service. My daughter and I were driving by and saw the door open, checked the IG page and saw that it was a walk in night so of course we had to indulge. The service was friendly and our order was up fast. I ordered the barbecue wings, cabbage and Mac and Cheese and everything was seasoned to perfection! My daughter had a side of Mac and Cheese and she's picky and was very impressed. I can easily make this my dinner option at least once a week. read more

Kales Kitchen - Whole barbecued wings, cabbage, macaroni and cheese. - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Great pork chops and my person just loved the hamburger steak and gravy. We were on the way to the airport and I guess we have to stop here from now on read more

I have been wanting to try Kales kitchen ever since I learned about them on social media. They are a pop-up restaurant so they do not have regular business hours. When you follow them on social media you will be updated when they will be open. From the pictures that I see online there is typically a long line to get a plate unless you go during the late night hours. Luckily Kales kitchen just started posting pre-orders to prevent their customers from having to waiting in long lines. With this process the info regarding the menu & number to text is posted on their IG account. I placed my order by text and paid for it by cash app. Unfortunately the business had some issues with their equipment so orders couldn't be picked up on the original pickup day. I wasn't notified until a couple of hours prior to the start of the pickup times. On the rescheduled pickup day. I did not get notified until about 2.5 prior to my pickup time. The business is located in a shopping plaza near NCCU and Rally's. When I did arrive to get my food it was ready and I did not have to wait in a long line. My food was hot and was still hot 45 minutes later. I ordered the chicken wings over rice with Mac and cheese and greens as my sides. The business is called the home of the heavy plate and I see why. The box was literally heavy and packed with food. I had enough for several meals. The food was so good. The rice and gravy was good. The chicken was seasoned well and fell off of the bones. The mac was cheesy and tasted good. The greens were ok and could have been cooked longer. Outside of the late texts about pickup times that can prevent you from planning your day the process wasn't bad. Overall the food was amazing. It has been stated that they are working on ways to make the process better so hopefully that helps. read more

Kales Kitchen - Chicken wings in gravy over rice with Mac & cheese and greens - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Is the food great? ABSOLUTELY! Do they make it easy to get? Not at all. We ordered salmon, pot roast, mac and cheese, yams, and greens. As the home of the heavy plate, they did not disappoint. Everything was hot and full of flavor expect the greens. They were lacking. Mac and pot roast were top notch! Definitely getting those if I get the chance again. The process to ordering and pick up is not user friendly but hoping that will improve as the business grows. They were over 20 minutes late on the pick up time and didn't give any updates that they would be late. Didn't reply back to calls or texts. You find out about ordering and pick on Instagram. read more

Kales Kitchen - Location - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Had a southern comfort food craving and we found Kale's Kitchen online just in time to catch an IG announcement that she would be opening up within the hour. Their instagram page is really the only way to know when they'll be open. So we suited up and headed out on a mission. The parking lot is tiny, if you aren't there early, it's likely you won't find a spot. We came 20 minutes before opening time and were the 8th or 9th spot in line. My husband and I both got the BBQ chicken plate with mac and cheese, he did green beans and I did cabbage. For $29 a plate with tax, there was definitely some sticker shock when we saw the prices. Although they mean it when they say it's the "Home of the Heavy Plate", that price is enough to make this just a once in a while excursion. The food was still piping hot by the time we made it home and absolutely delicious. The wings were sweet and tender. The sides were banging, you can tell as much love went into the sides as the mains. The mac and cheese was creamy and delicious and the cabbage was seasoned to the gods. We'll be happy to return whenever the craving hits us again. read more

Kales Kitchen - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Great healthy FOOD!!! it's so hard to find places that is devoted to health and wellness

The owner is just such a sweetheart. First of all, come out and spend your money at this Black owned and woman owned business, not only to put your money where your mouth is, but also because the food is the bomb. My kids and I have had the chicken wings, shrimp, blackened chicken breast, steak, pot roast, Mac and cheese , yams , mashed potatoes, rice, green beans, seafood Mac, and cabbage. We drive 40 minutes for nothing more than to eat this food. Even when there's a wait, the food is worth the wait. Tips: bring your own utensils because you won't get any and you may want to eat in the car and either bring a drink to go or stop through a drive through to get a drink on the way to pick up your order, so you have something to wash your food down with. read more

Kales Kitchen - Pot roast, Mac and cheese, rice, and green beans - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Listen, y'all better set them alerts for Kale's kitchen IG post so you don't miss their weekly preorders. Preordering is the easiest way to avoid the long walk-in lines that they usually have, but you gotta be ready to send in your order when their post drops because they only accept a certain amount of orders. This salmon & shrimp pineapple bowl with yellow rice and stir fry underneath was INCREDIBLE! They always come through with a heavy plate so this was more than enough for me and Julius to share. read more

Kales Kitchen - Salmon and shrimp pineapple bowl - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I planned on the stuffed chicken, but it was sold out when it was my turn to order. I saw the stuffed salmon coming out of the oven, which I wouldn't normally go for. It looked SO PHENOMENAL that I had to order it, and I'm glad I did. Best cooked salmon of my life. My sides were the mac and the beans. Both excellent, but my friend had the cabbage and that's what I'll get next time instead of beans. I still want to try that stuffed chicken eventually! read more

Worth the drive and standing outside to wait for them to open as well. Lived up to their reputation, I prefer my cabbage to have a little more flavor but it didn't stop me from demolishing my plate. Well half of it, there's enough for dinner tomorrow leftover with such hearty portions. read more

Kales Kitchen - Stuffed salmon Mac and cheese cabbage dinner plate - Pop-Up Restaurants Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

The food was delicious! It's known as "The home of the heavy plate" and my plate held enough food to feed 3 people. This was a "walk up only, I should have gotten there 30 minutes before they opened . It will be good if/when this turns into a true restaurant, the 40 minute wait in a line to order was a lot and my mom had to sit in the car to wait as I stayed in the line. Once I ordered the food was served up quickly. The Macaroni and cheese was easily the best I've ever eaten at a restaurant and so were the greens with smoked turkey. If/when I do this again I'll get there earlier. Great food read more

Amazingly good actually great!!!! The best healthy soul food I've had since my mom passed!!!! The macaroni is unbelievable and I don't even like Mac n cheese but will eat Kale's Kitchen... The lamb chops and oxtails are 2 of my favorite... I give Kale's an A+ in presentation with the heavy plate I can eat on 2 or 3 times and taste is remarkable. read more

The food was delicious and the plates were very plentiful. I had so much food I had enough for the next day. We ordered the steak mac & cheese yams. I also ordered as the salmon with shrimp and greens. Everything was well seasoned and fresh. I'll definitely be returning for the turkey wing plates. The staff were really sweet and my food was ready when I got there. read more

Food is great!!! No more need to be said, I enjoyed my Mac and cheese lamb chops and green beans.

long story short, no. Finally went for the first time Saturday, doors were scheduled to open at 7:30, they didn't open to walk ins until about 8:15. Waited on line for an hour! Because iykyk this place line gets wrapped around the building and down the street. I got there and was 2nd in line! I ordered 2 plates, hubby got cat fish, mac, and greens, I got lamb chops, Cajun corn on cob and cabbage, came to $72!! I expected the price would be up there alittle, but not this much! However, they aren't skimpy on portions. my husband got 3 big pieces of fish, decent amount of greens, and normal amount of mac. Catfish was the best thing on his plate, crispy, big and flavorful. very good. Mac, bland! bland! bland! greens were just ok, definitely missing something. I received about 5 or 6 lamb chops, decent amount of cabbage and 2 corns. The corns was the best thing on my plate! Tender, juicy and flavorful! very good! cabbage was just ok, again, missing something, and the lamb had a bbq type sauce on them. I prefer my lambs, steak, etc with a well seasoned dry rub, not saucy. these were saucy so very disappointing especially with how pricey they are. Between the poor service and opening so late, the high prices and the disappointing food. I have no intention on going back anytime soon. I heard the oxtails, which is one of my favorite meats, is really good, I may give that a try with a pre order next time (if they offer it), and will go back for the catfish and corn. that's it. Maybe. They have repeat customers that go back, and God bless them. It's just not for me. I come from a family of cooks from Ny! Ive experienced a variety of foods and cuisines, this just wasn't worth waiting outside at night in the hood of Durham, cold, and for the price, not worth it in my opinion. I would give my plate 4/10, my husband maybe 6/10, the catfish saved his plate! read more

The way me and my husband sat down and ate until we hit the plate ‍. Everything was absolutely delicious. We order the lamb chops, I got the green beans and collards, and my husband got the Mac & cheese with mashed potatoes. When I say I have started planning & plotting on an event so that I can book them for catering. Kales kitchen definitely gained 2 new customers. read more

Do not pre order with the promise of a staggered pick up its a lie everyone pick up at the same time and it's later than the time posted. The over priced and over seasoned food ain't worth the drama or wait read more

If you are thinking about booking this place for catering DON'T!!! My family spent a large amount of money for family size dishes for Thanksgiving and had the most chaotic and unprofessional experience of my life. We booked in October and was told through direct text communication from her that we would get a time to come and pick up our order the day before Thanksgiving. We never received said time slot so I went to the business because at that point because it was well past the cut off time put in the message and I was not getting any communication back when I called and text. I get there and there is a LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE STANDING OUTSIDE IN THE COLD FRANTIC ABOUT THEIR ORDERS AND WE ARE ALL BEING IGNORED BY THE STAFF INSIDE THAT CAN CLEARLY SEE US!!! When the owner finally comes out she has the nastiest attitude and simply tells us that she has nothing to do with the confusion because she just cooks and that either we can continue to wait for our food (at this point it's 8 pm) or forfeit our order. Not one time did she take accountability for all the chaos going on or even apologize especially to the people who drove HOURS to support her business. She couldn't even give us an estimate time of when orders would be finished and distributed. Finally at 10 pm .. yes 10 at night I gave up and just took my items RAW and undercooked because I could no longer wait outside in the cold at 6 months pregnant. She wouldn't even let this elderly woman who was waiting for her order use the restroom!!! Anyway, I got my items home and was severely disappointed!!! I could not in good conscience feed my family the food I was given. I even text and called back because we paid 100$ for gumbo and crab claws and got 4 skinny Walmart frozen legs dropped in a tray of rice and gravy!!! My mom had to recook the greens due to no seasoning, meat, and was under cooked. We cooked the turkey wings because again they were RAW!!! And the gumbo was unsalvageable. I will never be purchasing anything from this business again. read more

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They catered my Wife's and my reception and everyone young and old loved the food and still were talking about them months later. Their a great choice! -Quinton- read more

I love kales kitchen. It's pricy but the quality and quantity makes it well worth it. Honorable mention is the gumbo. Hands down the best!!!! read more

You won't be disappointed!!! Best soul food in the triad area! Big portions, worth the price!

I have been following Kales for a while but never wanted to take the drive to go try the food. Last week (Friday), I saw that she was doing preorders for Sunday & me & my bf decided to order. We spent $85 for 2 plates. He wanted stuffed salmon w Mac & green beans and I was getting steak n shrimp w Mac & baked beans. We knew that pickup would be between 6p-8p Sunday so we patiently waited. Sunday comes, she sends a message stating family emergency & needs to postpone til Tuesday. Tuesday comes, the weather is bad so she sends ANOTHER text saying that the power keeps going out so she needs to postpone AGAIN to Thursday. Wednesday, she makes a post on IG taking walk-ins. Today is Thursday...& my bf & I are awaiting our pickup time...only to get ANOTHER TEXT saying the stove caught fire and she needs to postpone until tomoro. At this point, no ma'am. Run me my $85 back. This is why it's hard to support black owned businesses. Instead of postponing your PREPAID orders, she SHOULD HAVE fulfilled SUNDAYS orders Wednesday so that u don't have people WAITING day after day!! Instead, as a money grab--u open for walk-ins, disregard the money you've already been given & expect to keep postponing people due to various issues. I am HIGHLY disappointed with the level of professionalism & lack of courtesy. It seems that if you wanna try this food, wait for a walk in announcement. Definitely don't preorder. read more

I have had the chance to try the heavy plates "the steak plate" & I must say I have been talking about the plate every since. I brag about the steak to my friends & family all the time I even watch the "Kales kitchen" IG page to see when the next heavy plates are coming. The BEST steak I ever had & the sides were amazing also! read more

I had the opportunity to finally try this place during one of their soft openings today for lunch. I've been trying to try Kale's kitchen for MONTHS but the preorders would always sell out and rightfully so. I was excited to hear that the owner was opening a physical spot in the area. I ordered the salmon plate with Mac & cheese, yams and a side of greens. The portions were plentiful and everything was delicious. Definitely worth the money! I will be coming back for the grand opening. read more