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    Simply Southern Cafe

    3.8 (52 reviews)
    InexpensiveSoul Food, Barbeque
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Simply Southern Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    SIMPLY SOUTHERN CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Simply Southern Cafe

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    Andrea L.

    While on vacation, there were four in my party that visited Simply Southern Café. We tried a variety of dishes: oxtails, pork chops, mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, corn, cabbage, and cornbread. The oxtails were fall-off-the-bone tender and full of flavor, definitely the standout dish. The mac & cheese held its own with rich, cheesy goodness. Two in our group had the pork chops, which they found to be just okay. Their green beans tasted store-bought, though still fairly decent. Overall, we all noticed that many items leaned heavily on the salty side: the mashed potatoes and cabbage, in particular, were overly seasoned, and the corn pudding was simply average. The cornbread wasn't sweet, which may be a regional preference. The experience was saved in many ways by the warm, down-home hospitality. The manager came over to personally check in with us, making sure we had everything we needed, something you don't see everywhere. We later learned that one of the owners, the gentleman, is also a pastor, which added a personal and inspiring touch to the place's atmosphere. One charming and surprisingly helpful feature was their voicemail system. It announces the date, the daily menu, and the café's operating hours. If you're in Montgomery for more than a day, you'll quickly come to appreciate how rare that level of clarity is. Many local spots don't update their menus or stick to posted hours, so this was a real plus. Simply Southern Café is an older restaurant, but it's clean and welcoming. There's a group seating area, and the cafeteria-style service lets you view each dish before you make your selection, ideal for those who like to see what they're getting. Everyone, from the servers to the cashier was friendly and helpful. Despite a few misses, I'd return in a heartbeat for those oxtails.

    Saturday menu
    Edmond C.

    Simply Southern Cafe is a good place to get your Soulfood fix. Their menu changes by the day of the week. So you will see the Saturday menu offerings I pictured, but things change by the day. Check in often to see what varies in the daily menu displayed just inside the entrance. You will order at the buffet line where two people dish everything out into Styrofoam boxes or trays. I ordered the seafood sampler, which is is a piece of catfish, some shrimp and oysters, all fried crisply. I rank the catfish first, followed by the shrimp and then the oysters. The catfish was well seasoned and fried to a nice crisp. Personally, I like my shrimp boiled or grilled if large enough and I like my oysters raw in the half shell with the brine retained. So fried, they will always take a backseat to the catfish. When your seafood sampler order is placed, you will have to pay for it first before they actually begin cooking it. This is the only item in the menu where you pay before the order is started. It's a generous preparation and reasonably priced at $16.25. I ordered the seafood sampler with two sides, string beans and cabbage, which comes with a choice of cornbread or biscuit or roll. The cabbage and green beans were on the salty side, but not overcooked. The sodium level is a reminder this is not the way one should eat regularly, but the veggies were very good. They make their cornbread the non sweet variety, which may not match certain palates, unless you grew up with and are accustomed to the non-sweet variety. There are a few signs stating refunds will not be paid and one must take up complaints with the management. That is not confidence inspiring, but perhaps is the result of too much customer created drama. The food is good enough this should not present and issue. You must ask for everything, such as hot sauce and plastic utensils, which they gladly provide, but still you have to ask for them. I ordered another two catfish platters for my aunt and cousin and they liked the catfish. In contrast to the seafood sampler, I did not have to pay before they started the catfish order. They have catfish already fried up, whereas the shrimp and oysters are fried fresh by the order. Simply Southern offers high value in a non pretentious setting. There are six tables in the main area and another two or three booth seats along another set of windows. Most people are ordering to pick up, but there is room to eat there. The saltiness of the veggies is noteworthy for me, but some may not notice if it matches their own cooking or preferences. The overall impression is quite positive and I would recommend it to others. 3.7 stars!

    The good stuff
    Kelli H.

    Simply Southern Cafe is simply scrumptious! Very unpretentious, casual atmosphere. We arrived on a Saturday afternoon around 2:30pm, and the line moved quickly. Took about 10 mins to order and get our food. Most people seem to take out. They were out of ribs by the time we came through, but the food did not disappoint. Service was very friendly and helpful. Can't beat $10.50 for the mixed white & dark fried chicken meal with 2 sides. Got the fried okra, Mac and cheeeeeeese, and went with the cornbread. The fried chicken was perfectly crispy (the dark meat seemed to be more moist) and the Mac and cheese took me to heaven and back!

    Cheryl T.

    Montgomery Alabama Great start of the day with a great Southern meal with Simply Southern Cafe. A simple cafe run by people who loved to feed people with their good Southern food. It is cafeteria style run with set meals & prices attached. It appears that they have different meals each day. As you enter, the menu board reflects the daily specials of the day. We had oxtail stew with 3 sides. The stew was served on rice, for sides we had the green beans ( yummy), corn pudding (it was packed with corn & delicious), yam (it was cooked in brown sugar, quite sweet but oh soo.. yummy) served with corn bread or roll. We opted for the corn bread. We had the pork chop & fried chicken meal. The pork chop was coated with a dry rub & a light coating, you can taste garlic & onion taste to the fried pork chops. Their fried chicken was outstanding, crispy in the outside & so moist on the inside even chicken breast which is challenging to deep fry while keeping the inside moist. We also had Mac & Cheese as one of the sides, one of the best we had.. real cheddar cheese on the Mac. A most enjoyable Southern meal! Plus the people are real friendly!

    Delicious
    Juliett D.

    Check their everyday menu. I have heard so many good things about this place, so I tried it and was not disappointed. The food is fresh, authentic soul food, and delicious. I fell in love with the pig feet and corn casserole

    Outside restaurant

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    1 year ago

    The food was awesome but the price, lawd have mercy. But I'd go again because those oxtails were ooh my so good.

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    1 year ago

    Best soul food in the city without a doubt... Everything on the menu is great...Taste like Grandma old fashioned cooking

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Oxtails were a little tough. Yams were extremely sweet!! Cabbage and cornbread was on point.

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    3 years ago

    Food is so good. Always prepared like homemade. Chicken fried to perfection. Dressing is delightful.

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    4 years ago

    The food here is overrated! It's extremely salty and looks quickly thrown together never again

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    3 years ago

    Really good food. The Mac and cheese is to die for, and the collards are so yummy but come early to beat the rush!

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    6 years ago

    I really enjoyed food and the service and staff the music brings everything together.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Simply Southern Cafe

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    Menu

    Simply Southern Cafe - soulfood - Updated May 2026

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