I asked my 15 year old his rating. He said 4 because "they give too much food." He is clearly European . I had the fried fish, he had the fried chicken.. Both plates could feed 2.... read more

Soul Secrets - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Food was great. Service disappointing but not terrible. Would recommend u go at least once. Gratuity is auto added on tip as "food delivery" on receipt. They do not sell liquor. U cannot wait at bar with a soft drink if you are waiting for a table- that's poor customer service in my book. I love the catfish, mac n cheese, greens and yams. This app automatically checks off service as being good based off using Ai, I'm assuming, to read my review as I'm typing it. I disagree. read more

First time but not my last time. The food was amazing, staff were friendly and knowledgeable and the atmosphere was great! I ordered cat fish, jambalaya and potato salad. Thank you! read more

We were there for a private event, so we had the entire place to ourselves. Staff was very friendly. Portion sizes are huge! Food is just a little too salty for me. read more

The atmosphere was outstanding. The food was fresh, hot and deeeeeelicious.. I had the catfish and grits. The sauce on the grits was so good and the peppers and onions set it off. My sister ordered a pancake and it was huge a very very good. Parking anywhere downtown is a nightmare. The staff was vey pleasant read more

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The wait time I feel was a little excessive. The space is indeed small as mentioned in other reviews. The food is as advertised. The chicken was a little bland. I feel like it was sitting in a warmer for a long period of time. The fish, was the star of the show. Nice, hot and fresh. Well seasoned, with a little hot sauce was the best thing I tried by far. The Mac and cheese was also good. Black eyed peas were just ok, meh. I would come back for more fish. It was worth the drive from Louisville, Kentucky. read more

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My visit to Soul Secrets was average. I had the catfish, greens and mac & cheese. The best part of my meal was the catfish. Large serving and flavorful. The Mac and cheese needed a little work. I will try again for different menu items. read more

Soul Secrets - Catfish, greens and mac/cheese - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

First time here and I'm already hooked. I order the cate fish after with Mac and hoppin John. Also tried the yams and greens. Everything I ate was delicious the fish and chicken had great flavor. The yams and Mac go perfectly together. I can't wait to go back and eat! read more

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VEGAN REVIEW came here for dinner Friday 5pm (don't judge!!! lol) with my Omni daughter IDK if they had a busy lunch or some supplier problems, but they were already out of several items Daughter enjoyed her catfish plate I had the vegan platter. I have to admit I was not super impressed :( The mashed potatoes were gummy, and the green beans seemed canned or frozen. The vegan Salisbury steak was ok, not much gravy. I do really appreciate having vegan options, that earns them an extra star!!! Food itself was probably 3 stars Good service. Nice ambiance. read more

I went on Saturday at 11am. Experienced a 20 minute wait but it was sooooooo worth it. I had pancakes, bacon, eggs, potatoes, grits. When I say EVERYTHING was perfect. I mean EVERY. THING. Taste just like grandma made it. & the music was nice, not too loud. 10 out of 10 highly recommend. My platter was just $20. Support local + black business ‍ @lockedinwithlexi read more

Soul Secrets - Breakfast Belle - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Everytime I go the service and quality are the same. I have not been let down yet. I hope they prosper and flourish. read more

Soul Secrets - Chicken and waffles. - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Stopped by Soul Secret on Sunday and good experience overall. The server was friendly and attentive, and our food came out very quickly. We didn't have to wait for a table since we arrived right after they opened, which was a huge plus. That said, I was a little disappointed to find out the bar wasn't open so I couldn't get a mimosa and the breakfast menu isn't available on Sundays. I had my heart set on trying a few of their breakfast favorites (shrimp & grits and pancakes). Still, everything we did order was fresh and flavorful. I'd definitely come back if I can catch them when the bar and breakfast menu are available. read more

The service is cool. The ambiance is ok. They play good music but yall over hyped this food. The catfish was the only thing I ate in full. The chicken pieces were too big like dinosaurs I picked over it. It was seasoned but I can't eat dinosaur chicken. read more

Soul Secrets - Fried Catfish Fried Chicken Dark Meat - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

The food was good . It came out very hot and fresh. The service was decent the waiters were very nice although they switch are server in the middle of our visit. The restaurant it self was pretty quiet a side from some low church music. (To be fair it was Easter Sunday .) overall I would rate them a 9/10 read more

Soul Secrets - 3 piece southern Fried Chicken Dark Meat - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

A pancake as big as your head. That should be the description because the crispy edge delight is the draw of the new breakfast offering. Hours are limited Tues-Sat, but worth getting up and making it in. Service was really nice as well and we were seated promptly. read more

Soul Secrets - Pancakes - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Clean and friendly check in process, not a large waiting area but there is a small bar that seats 5 when you walk in if it isn't full. The food was pretty good. Our server was friendly, but not present very often. Had to utilize the bartender to get service. The food was pretty decent. I'll try it again to determine if it was worth the price point. read more

Soul Secrets - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Honestly was the perfect whole in the wall to run into great find. The atmosphere is very chill laid back with great service. Very clean & the food speaks for its self ‍, mind you I had take out but my plate was fire. read more

Soul Secrets - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

WOULD DEFINITELY recommend (general). Was in town for pharmacy conference and came by for lunch with my acquaintances. They said they don't do reservations but they might do actually, still unsure so I would call them just to make sure. We were sat and they had gave us both the brunch and lunch menu since we came in the afternoon. The menu had a wide selection if soul food options, anything you name it. Our server was really nice and patient with us while we were ordering. I ordered the 3-piece dark Fried Chicken with Collard greens and Mac & cheese. I got my food a little later than everyone else and before I even got it, everyone at the table was raving about good quality the food was (other things that were ordered were Fried Catfish, Yams, Breakfast quesadillas, Catfish & Grits, Potato Salad). When I got my food, it was still steaming hot, freshly made. I first tried the chicken, it was tender and full of joy. I next tried the Mac & cheese, and it was almost perfect (just a slightly bit too salty); that's a compliment coming from me because I don't play about mac & cheese. The collard greens were juicy and had perfect ratio of greens/meet. They topped it off with cornbread that wasn't hard, which you would think wouldn't be the case for most soul food spots. This isn't a flashy restaurant by no means but the quality of the food is what stole the show, it was just AMAZING. Overall, this place was definitely worth the visit, was the best thing we ate during our time in Cincinnati. The inside is real small and intimate, perfect for bringing friends/family from out of town or if you want a lowkey spot for casual date. For the price, you are getting real good quality food, which is all we ask for. I will definitely stop by next time I am in Cincinnati. read more

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If you know... you KNOW. Natasha was so good to us! Maybe the best soul food in Cincinnati! We're not saying it's official... but brunch today at Soul Secrets Cincy as AMAZINGLY good. Comfort food done right. Flavor on another level. Zero leftovers. #CincinnatiEats #CINCINNATI WhoDey from Bengal Jim! read more

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Food came out really fast! I ordered the chicken and waffles. Service was great, not intrusive at all. The dark meat chicken was juicy and huge. My friend described them as large dinosaur sized parts. The breading was thin and the meat deep. Well worth it as I could only finish one leg with the waffles. I ordered a jambalaya side too. It was good but I felt it needed more spice. All in all a pleasant experience. Will probably go back to try something else. read more

By far one of the BEST places I've ever had chicken from. Simply jaw dropping. It was during a work trip, that I came here with a co-worker. I am forever grateful that my co-worker found Soul Secrets from TikTok. Not sure when I'm coming back to Cincinnati, but I certainly know I'll be coming back here if ever given the chance to! read more

Soul Secrets - Fried Chicken Dark Meat - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I enjoyed my meal the environment is different but because it's downtown but this place deserves a bigger more upscale place. read more

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Great place for good southern home cooking. Ordered the whiting, collard greens and d mac n cheese. Also added the 3 piece chicken. Side of chicken included a breast and 2 wings. Taste was true to southern cooking. Tasted good and fed both my craving for good home cooking and an good vibe. I had to get box for the food. I finished with peach cobbler. I had to save a little bit to take home and add some vanilla ice cream to make it truly perfect but really good by itself. Will be back. 4 stars means really good food and worth the price. read more

Soul Secrets - Good cooking from the roots. - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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The ambiance is nice, the service was good. Our server was able to answer questions about the menu. I was disappointed to learn they only serve greens pn the weekend. However, my catfish was delicious! read more

Came in town for a football game and was looking for soul food restaurant and this place came up the food and the service was great. We did have to wait long. I had the 3 piece fried chicken with collard greens and hoppin John. That food was so good my girl friend had the catfish with canned yams and mac & cheese and it was amazing af read more

Soul Secrets - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I'd been looking for a great chicken and waffles destination here in Cincinnati for a while. At last, I believe I've found my spot, and it's Soul Secrets. This place definitely has soul! I talked my boss into checking it out for lunch on a Thursday. We were both born and raised in the south and know a thing or two about southern food. The place itself isn't huge but has lots of great seating. The menu isn't huge either but has a nice variety of southern goodness. They also have a good libations menu with beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails. The staff are all very friendly and welcoming too. After checking out the menu for a bit, I of course opted for the chicken and waffles with a side of collard greens. My boss went with the fried catfish with collard greens and hoppin' john (black-eyed peas and rice) as his sides. We didn't wait long at all before everything was ready. This fried chicken was some of the best I've had in a while. Super juicy and very flavorful. The collards tasted very fresh and the waffle was made just right. My boss really enjoyed his food too, especially the catfish. And they do NOT skimp on the portions. I ended up getting half of mine boxed to go. We also got to meet the owner, Candice, and she was very appreciative of our compliments on our experience. I suppose it's no secret that I'll definitely be coming back here again, and yes, I'll be bringing my lady too. We'll have to try one of their desserts too. Maybe the peach cobbler or the banana pudding... Or both if we have room. read more

I really wanted to love Soul Secrets--not just because it's Black-owned and woman-owned, but because it has so much potential. The space is inviting, parking is conveniently located next door, and they take reservations, which is always a plus. Their pricing is reasonable, and the portions are generous, making it a spot that should be an easy go-to for comfort food. However, my experiences have been inconsistent. I've had one great meal here, but every other visit has fallen short. I'm not sure if it's due to different cooks or recipe changes, but the flavors just don't always hit. Most recently, I ordered wings--usually a safe bet--but they arrived undercooked and cold, which was really disappointing. While they've definitely made their mark in OTR, I'm not sure I'll be back anytime soon. That said, I'd still encourage others to give it a try--you might catch them on a great day! No picture cause I had to send the food back , and it was taken off the bill which I appreciate. read more

I visited Soul Secrets in downtown Cincinnati after attending a flag football tournament. Our group was large (around 20+ people), so before heading over we attempted to call the restaurant to see if they could accommodate us. No one answered the phone. When we arrived around 3:30-3:45 PM, we explained to the staff that we had a large group and asked if they were able to seat us. The staff discussed it among themselves for a while and eventually told us they could accommodate us, though we would need to sit at separate tables. That was completely fine with us. We were just grateful they said they could handle the group. I was seated in the back of the restaurant with five others from our party. We ordered drinks and placed our food orders shortly after sitting down. Our food finally arrived around 4:40 PM. About ten minutes into eating, a waitress came to our table and informed us that a large party with a 5:00 PM reservation was arriving and that we would need to pack up our food and leave because there was no room for us to sit. We were completely stunned. Imagine being served your food, barely starting your meal, and then being told you have to stop eating and leave the restaurant. The waitress walked away and returned with takeout containers and bags, clearly expecting us to box up meals we had barely touched. At this point it was about 4:53 PM, and we reluctantly began packing up our food. As we were doing that, a woman who appeared to be the manager came over and suddenly said we could stay because the reservation party would be smaller than expected. By that point the damage was done. The experience had already gone from awkward to deeply frustrating. What made it worse was that no apology was offered, no acknowledgment of the inconvenience, and certainly no attempt to make the situation right. When we finished paying and were leaving, we stopped at another table from our group to explain what had just happened. The manager rushed over and began offering explanations, insisting she didn't know that we had been told to pack up our food and leave. The entire exchange felt defensive and dismissive rather than customer-focused. To add insult to injury, she then turned to the staff and said they should never have seated us in the first place because we didn't have a reservation. If that was the case, the correct and professional thing to do would have been simple: tell us from the beginning that they could not accommodate a large group without a reservation. We would have respected that and gone elsewhere. Instead, they welcomed us in, took our orders, served us food, and then attempted to remove us from the restaurant while we were actively eating. That sends a very clear message: our money was welcome, but our presence was not. Between the chaotic service, the lack of accountability from management, and food that was overpriced and mediocre, the entire experience was incredibly disappointing. This was one of the most unprofessional dining experiences I've had. I will never return, and I cannot recommend this establishment to anyone expecting professionalism, hospitality, or basic respect as a paying customer. If I could give 0 starts that's what it would be. They don't deserve any stars or customers. read more

Soul Secrets - Packing up our meals 10 minutes after being served because we were told to leave for a reserved party. - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Everything I had was delicious and full of flavor. Had enough for dinner and lunch the next day. Service was fast and there wasn't a wait at all. read more

Soul Secrets - 3 piece with Mac and cheese and sweet potatos - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Very personable. The owner went over and beyond to ensure my dad's birthday was nice. Her staff was very polite and attentive. I truly appreciate the exceptional service. The food was delicious. I tried the salmon Croquettes, greens Mac and cheese and sweet tea. read more

Here to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. The food came out quick and fresh. My catfish was seasoned to perfection, and the sweet potatoes were savory. I also appreciated the location in the OTR neighborhood. Another plus, this is a black woman owned restaurant and I just love that for the culture. They didn't have the collard green gumbos when I went so I was slightly discouraged but the food was delish. read more

Soul Secrets - Catfish dinner with collard greens & Mac and cheese and a honey muffin. Fried Catfish Fried Catfish - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Thanks for taking care of our party of 10 Saturday night Service and food were great 10/10 read more

Stopped in while visiting Cincy! We had reservations for 1p for 6 and I suggest you make reservations if you are wanting to stay within your preferred time for an afternoon. The food is AMAZING! We had the fried chicken, catfish, Mac and cheese, greens, jambalaya and sweet potatoes. The portals are plentiful! The last pic is the 3rd meal me and my husband had for later of our left overs!! MAKE YOIR WAY THERE!! The owner was there as well and graced us with a pic. Really great experience . read more

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I was visiting family for the weekend and wanted soul food. I looked up Soul Secrets and was really looking forward to it. Unfortunately I was disappointed. Firstly, they no longer have a bar if you're interested in a cocktail. They still have drinks on their menu though. We were immediately told they were out of the gumbo and roasted chicken. I ordered a white meat chicken dinner but the customer next to me had a catfish dinner that looked excellent and made me wish I ordered the fish. My son ordered the hot chicken sandwich. Our sides were macaroni and cheese and greens. When I received my chicken platter, I advised there must be a mistake because I was looking for a breast and the piece of chicken was so small and looked more like a chicken back. When I complained to my server, she wasn't surprised and explained that this is the chicken they got from the recent truck delivery and others have also complained but they have to serve it. In any case, don't think it would have mattered since the chicken was too salty and overcooked. It was very dry. Also the greens were too heavy on the vinegar. The macaroni was okay. On a good note, my son said the chicken sandwich was plentiful and pretty good. The servers did hear me telling the customer next to me how dissatisfied I was but they didn't seem to care. They appeared to be college-aged and disinterested. I wouldn't recommend the place if you really want some down home food as I'm sure there has to better soul food in Cincy. read more

Food , service and the environment was amazing!! The owners concept of her business is a beautiful way to have a legacy for her family. Loved the place, I would visit again read more

I stopped into this gem for the first time, and it did not disappoint. First, Miss Ahmaya gave superb customer service. She welcomed me in, provided great insight into the menu, and helped me keep my tight timeline. The food was DELICIOUS and the sweet tea was perfect. Everything well seasoned but not salty. The tea was a just right level of sweet. It was a perfect Segway to the rest of my evening. The vibe was casual chic. Great for date night or a kickback with my girls. I will be back. read more

we were impressed with the tasty food here. my so is very picky and loved everything on his plates. I had no complaints other than the fact that it was so noisy and a little cramped in the restaurant I couldn't wait to get out of there read more

The service was amazing but the food reminded me of my childhood... my mother would be love this place. I can't wait to dine here again! Love the space! read more

Food was delicious. The restaurant was clean and the service was good. I would recommend if you want good soul food.

Our first ever eating southern food and Soul Secrets did not disappoint!! Every item was delicious! Such great quality ingredients and a clean and soulful atmosphere! The service was so friendly and inviting. We 100% recommend Soul Secrets!! Worth every penny! read more

Soul Secrets - Catfish, Sweet Potatoes, Mac & Cheese, Corn bread and Sweet Tea. - Southern Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio