The day was my first visit Friday, June 6. The best catfish I've ever had. I will be going back.

If you're ever in Gary, do yourself a favor and stop by Kelly's Soul Kitchen. This spot became a must-visit for me every single time I was in town--and for good reason. My go-to plates were the fried catfish and the jerk chicken, both packed with flavor and cooked to perfection every time. The collard greens and potato salad were absolutely on point--true comfort food done right. Everything on the menu just hits. What really made this place special though was the people. After a few visits, they started calling me "New York," and from that point on, it felt like family every time I walked in. The owners are incredibly welcoming and genuinely appreciate their customers. One of my favorite moments was being introduced to their strawberry banana pudding. I'll be honest--I was hesitant at first because I'm not big on banana flavor, especially when it tastes artificial. But this? Completely different. It made me a believer. So much so that now I even make my own from scratch at home. That's how good it was. It's a small, no-frills spot with just a couple of stools at a bar-style table--no real seating--but honestly, that doesn't matter. When the food is this good and the people are this real, you don't need anything fancy. Whether you're grabbing food on the go or standing there enjoying every bite, it's an experience. Kelly's Soul Kitchen isn't just a place to eat--it's a place you feel. read more

Kelly's Soul Kitchen - Wall mural. I like it! - Southern Near Me - Gary, Indiana

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It was a super hot day and the family and I just got thru a beach day at Ogden Dunes. Hubby and I were feeling hungry so decided to stop by at Kelly's Soul Kitchen. We are both big fans of rib tips and haven't found a place that compares to Stevie B's in Wicker Park that closed years ago (RIP lol) and decided to check this place out. We shared the rib tip platter and it came with Mac n cheese, sweet potatoes, cornbread, and we ordered an additional side of collard greens. Everything was about $22 and the portion for the price was pretty good. The rib tips were decent - nice flavor, soft but could have been more "falling off the bone" status lol. The sides were also pretty good. Decent food, nice portion, good price. The restaurant is small. Hubby was the one that placed the to go order while I stayed in the car. He said not really a place to dine but more of a carry out spot instead. Our order came out pretty fast - about 10 minutes. read more

Kelly's Soul Kitchen - Southern Near Me - Gary, Indiana

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Had Catfish and it was home made and delicious. Ordered through a delivery app and it was packaged well and came hot, I live very close too. I will definitely order again. read more

Place order everything that was ordered was so dry I mean the cabbages were dry no juice jerk chicken looks burnt ordered the pork chops with gravy no gravy I understand food not being seasoned there are people who are diabetic but to pay almost $70 come on. Will not ever eat at this location again. I don't recommend read more

Kelly's Soul Kitchen - Pork chops with gravy and dressing Pork Chop Dinner - Southern Near Me - Gary, Indiana

I ordered through Yelp powered by GrubHub and everything went smoothly. I paid for my order and received an email that my order was received. When I went to pick up my order I didn't have to wait in line. The had a guy on the side with my order already packaged and ready to go! I ordered the Catfish dinner and the Pot Roast dinner. I was pleased with both. The food was well seasoned. I would have liked cornbread for my greens. The mac and cheese was creamy too. The helpings were big! Great place to go for Sunday dinner! read more

Food is so good and worth the trip. Outstanding customer service, cashier was very helpful with the menu and even helped a disable man to his car. Catfish, chicken wings and lamb chops were seasoned so good, didn't need to add the sauce that came with it. Candied yams, collard greens & baked beans were also good. However the small amount of gravy over white rice was not enough, and the muffin was sweet but dry. There's a wait after ordering because they cook it fresh, but worth it. Overall I will definitely return to try something else. Thanks! read more

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I've eaten here before over a year ago while visiting and the food was great. Not this time though. The rib tips had no smoked flavor whatsoever and several pieces were fatty. The potato salad was more of a mashed potato salad with 3 chunks of potatoes. The potatoes were clearly overcooked. The dressing was good but a little salty. I was highly disappointed with this meal. read more

The food was so good!!! The fish, pork chops, greens, yams, cornbread muffins were delicious!!!

If you're looking for a good place to pick up some bbq, this is it. Food is delicious. I have tried everything on the menu and have yet to be disappointed. read more

Maybe I ordered the wrong things but disappointed is about the best I can say for what I experienced here. I didn't finish any of the dishes. read more

I stumbled across this little gem on a drive to Chicago. I loved everything I ordered and even ordered dessert, which I don't usually do. How can you turn down strawberry banana pudding though? Never heard of it but so glad I tried it!!! read more

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Went on a Sunday before work & the wait wasn't long at all, maybe 5-7 mins. Price wasn't bad either; like $11 and a pop came w it too. And yes name brand pop too . I didn't get a chance to eat while hot so I had to reheat. The chicken was good; juicy and flavorful the macaroni is a no for me unfortunately it tasted box & a little saltycould've had some black pepper to tone it downthe greens were bland I tasted no seasonings whatsoever the muffin could've been cooked a little bit longer too. I plan on revisiting & trying something else soon. The customer service is great & plenty of street parking too. read more

Kelly's Soul Kitchen - Baked chicken, macaroni, greens & corn muffin - Southern Near Me - Gary, Indiana

This food was so good. I ate it slow just to enjoy it more. It was my first time but I will definitely be back! read more

Kelly's Soul Kitchen - Catfish, collards, mac n cheese, cornbread - Southern Near Me - Gary, Indiana

Yum! Delicious. Good people! I'm from the south and your food reminds me of home! Keep up the good work!

I don't give 5 stars reviews! But this place out did themselves!! My friends and I stop by on our way to the lake and BABYYY the tips, catfish fillets, Mac and cheese were everything! I got a catfish dinner with two fillets, Mac and cheese and greens for $13! What a deal! The catfish was seasoned and breaded perfectly. The rib tips, were smoked to perfection with fries on the side. read more

Kelly's Soul Kitchen - Catfish dinner special for $13 with greens and Mac and cheese! - Southern Near Me - Gary, Indiana

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The food was okay, we had the Turkey Chops and Pork Chops dinners. They were not great. The Mac was okay, the greens was ok, the pound cake was nasty. We didn't eat all our food it was threw out. We love to support black business, but we will not be returning. Lastly the young lady at the window had an attitude and look in her face that could kill. I simply smiled as I asked for the desserts. It seems she was mad that I was asking questions and added to the order but we had never been there. read more

Ate here for the first time, and was very disappointed. I ordered two dinners. A catfish dinner with macaroni and green. Greens were gritty and sweet. Didn't even eat them. The macaroni wasn't what I would expect from a soul food place SMH. The catfish was good. The second dinner was jerk chicken with Black Eyed Peas and yams. The chicken was good. The yams were also good really can't mess those up. But as I started eating the Black Eyed Peas, I started getting mouthfuls of rice. They need to specify that is actually Black Eyed Peas and rice when you think you're only getting Black Eyed Peas... I don't think I will go here again. If I do, I know what to avoid or what to expect next time. read more

I ordered $50 worth of food. Every single I ordered was bland. I had to add my own seasoning. I did not finish any of the food I ordered. The dressing was sweet. The greens had too much vinegar. Extremely disappointed. The Pot roast taste like water. Will not order from here again. read more

Placed an order through a third party vendor for delivery. There was no description for quantity so I contacted the establishment directly. BIG MISTAKE. Initially the worker who answered the phone was very polite. Then the phone was taken by a angry man yelling...I MEAN YELLING...that " He dont have no order here from no ******" after asking the man to calm down so he can even hear my inquiry he yelled some more then disconnected the call. I called back to make sure the order will be cancelled out because I no longer wanted the services and JILLIAN KELLY (THE WIFE TO THE YELLING MAN) answered and gave a HALF WAY APOLOGY FOR HER HUSBANDS ACTIONS....then tried to JUSTIFY him being able to yell at me (THE CUSTOMER) because they are not FULLY FAMILIAR with the third party site and their workings???.... I WILL NEVER VISIT THIS ESTABLISHMENT BASED OFF THIS INTERACTION. IT WAS HORRIED AND UNPROFFESSIONAL. I am greviously appalled. EDIT...So after posting a review on FB. The owner proceeded to attack me there as well as screenshot my personal FB page!! HOW PROFFESSIONAL.... BY THE WAY, the driver was already at the reastaurant before cancelling and he was so polite I didn't want his metrics or his time to be affected so I accepted the order...THIS...THIS IS WHAT THEY SENT ME read more

Kelly's Soul Kitchen - UNSEASONED CABBAGE AND BOX MAC....I haven't even tried the chicken...just all bad...SOUL?!?!?! WHERE??? - Southern Near Me - Gary, Indiana

I came to Gary, IN on a work trip and found this spot. I needed someplace that was close to the amazing Gary Jet Center and this popped up. I ordered catfish and it knocked my socks off from the tasty but not oil breading to the portion size. I came her with nothing but the home of MJ in my head and left with the "Best Catfish of the Midwest". The young ladies who rang up my order did say I would be very pleased and she was correct. Stop in folks. read more

I'm here visiting from Mississippi and was looking for some good Southern food ... I decided to give this place a try.. I had the fried catfish, macaroni and cheeses , and yams and boyyyy did I make a good choice... The food here is delicious.. I used Uber eats, so I can't give a description of customer service..The food is extraordinary though :) read more

Wow this place hit the spot. Everything freshly made well seasoned, good size potions and service was very good. Friendly service. I ordered the pork chops smothered , potatoe salad, corn bread mmmm, green bean, and peach cobbler. Yummy! Satisfied!might go back again today before they close read more

Y'all want amazing food and service come here. Had the perch with yams and Mac man amazing and they put sauce on the side like they suppose to so spot on 11/10 read more

Food was absolutely delicious, I definitely enjoyed it! It is takeout only, but quick service. Not much for ambiance, and not in the best area, but is definitely an amazing place to eat! read more

Horrible customer service skills the lady at the front desk has a bad attitude I ordered a half a pound of rib tips I got rib tips and hot links so you cannot tell me that when I ordered a small rib tips I'm not getting less rib tips to suffice for the hot link being added in she will not give me a refund & she will not give me my correct order I will not recommend coming here very unprofessional read more

Kelly's Soul Kitchen - incorrect order - Southern Near Me - Gary, Indiana

The wife and myself have been here 3 times since.. Wonderful food and they had a rude Uber driver, the manager handled himself with respect and will definitely come back.. please visit.. read more

The people were so friendly and the food was amazing. Highly recommend the jerk wings! No place to dine in, but definitely worth taking home. read more

Excellent, courteous service, good food that's reasonably priced and fair proportionate sized.

Gary. Wow I work nearby and food choices in this city are horrible I'm always willing to try your food but I will definitely be letting you know if it's good or not. With that all I can say is wow this place is great everything I've tried has been great. I have not tried everything because I'm addicted to the cat fish and spaghetti. Definitely give it a try. They do have lunch specials from 11 to 1 fish sandwich is one of them yum yum yum. The owner is definitely a great cook. read more

Terrible! Worst "soul food" I've had. They give you 2 drips of gravy and spread it among the mashed potatoes, turkey chops and "dressing". Dry!!!! No flavor. Can't eat this until I make some gravy and reheat it with seasoning. Major disappointment. Wont be back. read more

Kelly's Soul Kitchen - Smothered turkey chops, dressing and gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy, collard greens. - Southern Near Me - Gary, Indiana

Your ribtips & hotlinks special are one of the best tasting in Gary. And your honey barbeque sauce is amazing. But But But everything else is awful. You are suppose to be a Soulfood restaurant with horrible tasting Soulfood. Greens are salty, Mac-n-cheese is dry, Meatloaf is bland, Cornbread is bland, Chicken wings are okay with sauce on them. The person cooking the Soulfood has never cooked Soulfood before in their life or must be 9 years old little whom is not black. read more

the food is on point great deal for the buck................................................................ read more

I wanted soul food after the funeral of my Aunt. Owner was very accommodating and food was amazing!! Everything that was catered was delicious and I honestly can say EVERYTHING!! We ordered fried chicken wings, catfish, greens, macaroni and yams. The only regret that I had was that I didn't order the peach cobbler. Thank you wholeheartedly for being there when I needed you the most!! May God Bless you and your business!! read more

I'm in Gary for work and thought to myself, "there has got to be a good soul food place around here." Well, I found it! Drive by Kelly's randomly and decided that myself and a few co-workers would check it out. Without a doubt, this new restaurant has its stuff together. I ordered the chicken and waffles, along with the candied yams. Everything was extremely fresh and delicious. A friend ordered the new fried green tomatoes and they were excellent....light on flavor, just the right amount of savory seasoning. As a new business in the area, I definitely recommend checking them out!! Keep up the good cooking! read more

Kelly's Soul Kitchen - Southern Near Me - Gary, Indiana

Worst soul food restaurant ever dressing taste like water Greens taste unclean and salty , uncooked pork chops and the driest meatloaf horrible customer service I wanted to call the police I feel like they robbed read more

I ordered the jerk wings, cabbage and dressing. The wings tasted okay, but small. The cabbage had a good taste but was over cooked. The dressing was gritty and too salty. The cornbread muffin was the size of a golf ball. Do not recommend. read more

Excellent selections food very good will be back very soon I have visited this establishment A number of times and never had A dish that I didn't like and was pretty fast about cooking too read more

Horrible customer service and I will not eat here again! They said they would do free delivery if we order with over 5 people and then when he got there he didn't give it to us. Then yelled and had an attitude about it. The food was also not that tasty. They will not get my business again!! read more

I absolutely love this place! I work in Gary and can get to Kelly's for lunch in about 3 minutes. There is definitely a lack of decent restaurants near by and this place is a diamond in the rough. The owner and employees there are very friendly and fun to talk to. I have turned on many of my coworkers to this place and I love recommending such a great establishment. It's always very clean and tidy in there. It is take-out only and they always have your order ready to go without much of a wait unless it's the lunch rush. The food is delicious! The rib tips are always delectable and the sauce that goes with it is perfect for them. The chicken and waffles are massive and come with powdered sugar. As far as soul food goes, it's some of the best I've had from such a small, family-owned shop. You can tell that a lot of care and heart goes into the recipes. They even have a $5 lunch menu that is perfect when you're not looking to spend a lot of moolah. The catfish nuggets are UHmazing and the cornmeal in the batter is a great touch. I highly recommend Kelly's! read more