Southern Kitchen
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Unfortunately, this was one of the most disappointing restaurant experiences I've had in a long time. We came in as a group of five expecting to enjoy a late lunch together and were immediately made to feel like an inconvenience. Before we were even seated, we were asked if we could split our group up between tables. We politely explained that we wanted to sit together so we could actually enjoy lunch and talk as a group. We were eventually seated at a larger table, but the attitude from the beginning made it very clear that our group was not exactly welcome. Our server seemed annoyed from the moment we sat down. The attitude continued throughout the meal, and it made what should have been a relaxing lunch with friends uncomfortable. I ordered the full-size roast beef sandwich, as did another person in our party. When the food arrived, I honestly had to search for the roast beef. The sandwich consisted of two enormous pieces of bread, a small scoop of mashed potatoes, and ONE extremely thin slice of roast beef. And when I say thin, I mean approximately 1/4 inch thick. For a roast beef sandwich, there was practically no roast beef. The gravy itself actually tasted good, but unfortunately it barely made contact with the meat. The roast beef was incredibly dry, and with all that bread and so little meat or gravy, the entire sandwich was difficult to enjoy. The flavor that could have been there was completely lost. We also ordered a large chef salad and specifically asked if it could come out first. Instead of simply acknowledging the request, we were met with an attitude and told, essentially, that it would come out when it was ready because the server doesn't make the salads. We were even cut off while trying to explain that we wanted it first. I understand that a server doesn't personally prepare every item in the kitchen, but there is absolutely no reason to be rude to a customer for making a perfectly reasonable request. And the service continued downhill from there. No drink refills except with asked a couple of times. The Coke tasted flat as well. The food came out fairly quickly, which was one of the few positives, but speed doesn't make up for poor service, poor portions, and an overall feeling that the customers are an inconvenience. We came in wanting to enjoy lunch with friends. Instead, we left feeling frustrated and disappointed. A restaurant can have an off day, but when the attitude starts the moment a group walks through the door and continues throughout the entire meal, it completely changes the experience. Unfortunately, based on this experience, I would not recommend this restaurant. Good gravy and fast food service aren't enough to make up for being made to feel unwelcome, being treated rudely, and receiving a roast beef sandwich where the roast beef was practically a garnish.
They stayed open for 15 minutes while we finished our dinner, very much appreciated! The hush puppies were a little well done, but the butter/margarine combination had great flavor. The mashed potatoes were great too. The steak had a lot of fat on it, but it's not like this was a 5 star $100 steakhouse.
Take a step back into the 50s, this place will remind you how great grandmas breakfast is! Service is on top even when slammed. Got a chance to stop in while I was in the area and don't regret it. Can't beat the pricing either, we had an amazing break first for only $29. That's hard to do in 2026 anymore.
We came across this hidden gym on a trip to the Shenandoah. This place really reflects what Southern Hospitality is all about. The service was top notch. The waitress was very friendly and very accommodating with recommendations for dietary restrictions. The fried chicken is an absolute must.. perfectly fried and crispy and good balance of flavors. We tried a few other things that was pretty average like the open faced turkey sandwich and the salmon and mash potatoes. I would also recommend getting the gravy on the side and eating everything with it... not exactly sure what is in it but keep doing your thing Southern Kitchen. Will definitely be coming through again the next time we are in town.
Kitschy - cute diner. It feels very much like a throwback, down to mini juke boxes on the tables (mine wasn't working , unfortunately). This isn't a place for a date. It's a place to meet friends and catch up. The dishes are straight forward and filling, not fancy. On the upside, the service is good.
Stopped in w best friend, Zagbolt. Smallish town of New Market VA, in the heart of the Shenandoah valley. Southern Kitchen opened in 1955 for B / L / D. Busy. Our server, Adriana, was excellent... very patient w Zag who ordered a Rueben, but w/o ff, and then ordered "and gravy on the ff". He rated his Reuben a 5. I rated my hot turkey sandwich a 3.5. Excellent gravy, Kinda skimpy on the turkey. For this smallish town, the best around.
The majority of my family visited the Southern Kitchen based on a recommendation. There were nine of us that visited the restaurant around 5:00 PM on a Sunday and we were still able to be promptly seated. The restaurant appeared to be filled with regulars who definitely appeared on the older side. Restaurant definitely promotes their fried chicken (with the menu having a little bit of everything) and didn't disappoint. Four of us had fried chicken dinners and the rest of our group had sandwiches. Food was excellent, I had the fried chicken which was very flavorful, and tender. My sides were equally tasty. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. Ticket times seemed to be a little slow. Our waitress started out slow then responded well. This seems to be a vintage staple of the community worth visiting. I don't know if I'd order steak or seafood but I would certainly return.
Just a little ways off I-81 sits this family owned restaurant. I've come here plenty of times--mostly for breakfast, this time for lunch. Breakfast. You can't go wrong with sausage and gravy biscuits or their scramble bowls. Lunch & Dinner menus are in the pictures. There's plenty of options for everyone. When they are busy, be a little patient with service. When not as busy, service is pretty quick. This is a must stop in and give it a try!
This restaurant was everything and MORE. If you like good, home-cooked food, then look no further. It tasted just like my grandma's cooking! The fried chicken is a MUST-TRY item. It's so buttery and crunchy! The green beans and mac and cheese were excellent. And dessert! The apple pie was legendary. The service here is so welcoming and friendly. Our server was so sweet and took great care of us. I love the old diner feel of the restaurant, the decor is very retro. Can't say enough good things about this restaurant. And the prices are very reasonable!
You know when you've left the north and entered the South. When you driving by people and folks wave at you for no reason. And your greeting in a restaurant comes with big smiles followed by come on in and have a seat. To a northern , that could be like a horror movie cause you wondering what is next. This is your nice basic restaurant with a friendly feel. Decor, I would bet is what it was when they opened years ago and it is still functional and making money. Families enjoying breakfast and making plans. I went with the California omelet but added sausage and bacon to it. The omelet was good. Not over stuffed, and light eggs. Nothing like southern cooking
I didn't like the food. I thought I was going to have a real southern food experience, but it was very subpar. The service was OK. From the outside it looks like a really interesting place like it's gonna be really cute. Just didn't live up to expectation for me.
Had 2 pancakes 1 Buckwheat 1 Blueberry Buckwheat. Water Eggs, French toast, home fries and a sweet tea.
Horrible. Waitress was drunk and food was bad as well Went on Friday Nov 28 for lunch. We like this place as it is local and has ( had) good food and service. We were seated quickly and we noticed our waitress was Slow on getting to the tables for drinks and after about 10 minutes she came by and got our drinks. Upon her getting close and speaking it was very apparent she was very intoxicated and I remarked that it was sad about her condition. As we waited for our food we watched her interactions with other tables and she had problems remembering what table was which. She delivered food to the wrong tables and dropped other food on the floor trying to deliver it. Her fellow waitresses were actually calling her out in the middle of the dining room telling her to get her act together. When she delivered the food the hamburger steak platter was literally a dry hamburger patty that was old and had a thimble of gravy. the mashed potatoes were instant and had been poorly mixed because the powder was still dry in the middle. The glazed carrots were old soggy and brown ( see the picture) . We never got a bill because she just disappeared completely. We went to pay and the cashier was able to look up the order and we spoke to her about the waitress needing some help and her condition and all she would say is " we will try"
Reviews are generally positive. Many highlight the fried chicken, retro diner ambiance, and wide menu variety.
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Southern Kitchen is in the heart of New Market. Don't blink or you could miss it. The town is small. It is a "mom & pop" diner. It was established in 1955. I think some of the fixtures are original. The fried green beans were my favorite dish. The grilled cheese didn't have that gooey melting yumminess that makes a grilled cheese spectacular. It was just okay. The crust was a bit overdone, as if it was toasted. The extra pickles were appreciated. The cherry coke and root beer were great. I rarely drink soda so it was a treat. Hubby had the cod, shrimp platter. It was mediocre. The tiny serving of Cole slaw made him sick. Our friendly server was not locked in on our needs. We weren't in a rush but, it took time to get things. read more
11 days ago
28 days ago
Unfortunately, this was one of the most disappointing restaurant experiences I've had in a long time. We came in as a group of five expecting to enjoy a late lunch together and were immediately made to feel like an inconvenience. Before we were even seated, we were asked if we could split our group up between tables. We politely explained that we wanted to sit together so we could actually enjoy lunch and talk as a group. We were eventually seated at a larger table, but the attitude from the beginning made it very clear that our group was not exactly welcome. Our server seemed annoyed from the moment we sat down. The attitude continued throughout the meal, and it made what should have been a relaxing lunch with friends uncomfortable. I ordered the full-size roast beef sandwich, as did another person in our party. When the food arrived, I honestly had to search for the roast beef. The sandwich consisted of two enormous pieces of bread, a small scoop of mashed potatoes, and ONE extremely thin slice of roast beef. And when I say thin, I mean approximately 1/4 inch thick. For a roast beef sandwich, there was practically no roast beef. The gravy itself actually tasted good, but unfortunately it barely made contact with the meat. The roast beef was incredibly dry, and with all that bread and so little meat or gravy, the entire sandwich was difficult to enjoy. The flavor that could have been there was completely lost. We also ordered a large chef salad and specifically asked if it could come out first. Instead of simply acknowledging the request, we were met with an attitude and told, essentially, that it would come out when it was ready because the server doesn't make the salads. We were even cut off while trying to explain that we wanted it first. I understand that a server doesn't personally prepare every item in the kitchen, but there is absolutely no reason to be rude to a customer for making a perfectly reasonable request. And the service continued downhill from there. No drink refills except with asked a couple of times. The Coke tasted flat as well. The food came out fairly quickly, which was one of the few positives, but speed doesn't make up for poor service, poor portions, and an overall feeling that the customers are an inconvenience. We came in wanting to enjoy lunch with friends. Instead, we left feeling frustrated and disappointed. A restaurant can have an off day, but when the attitude starts the moment a group walks through the door and continues throughout the entire meal, it completely changes the experience. Unfortunately, based on this experience, I would not recommend this restaurant. Good gravy and fast food service aren't enough to make up for being made to feel unwelcome, being treated rudely, and receiving a roast beef sandwich where the roast beef was practically a garnish. read more
2 months ago
They stayed open for 15 minutes while we finished our dinner, very much appreciated! The hush puppies were a little well done, but the butter/margarine combination had great flavor. The mashed potatoes were great too. The steak had a lot of fat on it, but it's not like this was a 5 star $100 steakhouse. read more
2 months ago
Take a step back into the 50s, this place will remind you how great grandmas breakfast is! Service is on top even when slammed. Got a chance to stop in while I was in the area and don't regret it. Can't beat the pricing either, we had an amazing break first for only $29. That's hard to do in 2026 anymore. read more
We came across this hidden gym on a trip to the Shenandoah. This place really reflects what Southern Hospitality is all about. The service was top notch. The waitress was very friendly and very accommodating with recommendations for dietary restrictions. The fried chicken is an absolute must.. perfectly fried and crispy and good balance of flavors. We tried a few other things that was pretty average like the open faced turkey sandwich and the salmon and mash potatoes. I would also recommend getting the gravy on the side and eating everything with it... not exactly sure what is in it but keep doing your thing Southern Kitchen. Will definitely be coming through again the next time we are in town. read more
11 months ago
Kitschy - cute diner. It feels very much like a throwback, down to mini juke boxes on the tables (mine wasn't working , unfortunately). This isn't a place for a date. It's a place to meet friends and catch up. The dishes are straight forward and filling, not fancy. On the upside, the service is good. read more
16 days ago
Stopped in w best friend, Zagbolt. Smallish town of New Market VA, in the heart of the Shenandoah valley. Southern Kitchen opened in 1955 for B / L / D. Busy. Our server, Adriana, was excellent... very patient w Zag who ordered a Rueben, but w/o ff, and then ordered "and gravy on the ff". He rated his Reuben a 5. I rated my hot turkey sandwich a 3.5. Excellent gravy, Kinda skimpy on the turkey. For this smallish town, the best around. read more
7 days ago
The majority of my family visited the Southern Kitchen based on a recommendation. There were nine of us that visited the restaurant around 5:00 PM on a Sunday and we were still able to be promptly seated. The restaurant appeared to be filled with regulars who definitely appeared on the older side. Restaurant definitely promotes their fried chicken (with the menu having a little bit of everything) and didn't disappoint. Four of us had fried chicken dinners and the rest of our group had sandwiches. Food was excellent, I had the fried chicken which was very flavorful, and tender. My sides were equally tasty. Everyone seemed to enjoy their meals. Ticket times seemed to be a little slow. Our waitress started out slow then responded well. This seems to be a vintage staple of the community worth visiting. I don't know if I'd order steak or seafood but I would certainly return. read more
Just a little ways off I-81 sits this family owned restaurant. I've come here plenty of times--mostly for breakfast, this time for lunch. Breakfast. You can't go wrong with sausage and gravy biscuits or their scramble bowls. Lunch & Dinner menus are in the pictures. There's plenty of options for everyone. When they are busy, be a little patient with service. When not as busy, service is pretty quick. This is a must stop in and give it a try! read more
This restaurant was everything and MORE. If you like good, home-cooked food, then look no further. It tasted just like my grandma's cooking! The fried chicken is a MUST-TRY item. It's so buttery and crunchy! The green beans and mac and cheese were excellent. And dessert! The apple pie was legendary. The service here is so welcoming and friendly. Our server was so sweet and took great care of us. I love the old diner feel of the restaurant, the decor is very retro. Can't say enough good things about this restaurant. And the prices are very reasonable! read more
You know when you've left the north and entered the South. When you driving by people and folks wave at you for no reason. And your greeting in a restaurant comes with big smiles followed by come on in and have a seat. To a northern , that could be like a horror movie cause you wondering what is next. This is your nice basic restaurant with a friendly feel. Decor, I would bet is what it was when they opened years ago and it is still functional and making money. Families enjoying breakfast and making plans. I went with the California omelet but added sausage and bacon to it. The omelet was good. Not over stuffed, and light eggs. Nothing like southern cooking read more
11 months ago
I didn't like the food. I thought I was going to have a real southern food experience, but it was very subpar. The service was OK. From the outside it looks like a really interesting place like it's gonna be really cute. Just didn't live up to expectation for me. read more
6 months ago
2 years ago
Had 2 pancakes 1 Buckwheat 1 Blueberry Buckwheat. Water Eggs, French toast, home fries and a sweet tea. read more
11 months ago
Horrible. Waitress was drunk and food was bad as well Went on Friday Nov 28 for lunch. We like this place as it is local and has ( had) good food and service. We were seated quickly and we noticed our waitress was Slow on getting to the tables for drinks and after about 10 minutes she came by and got our drinks. Upon her getting close and speaking it was very apparent she was very intoxicated and I remarked that it was sad about her condition. As we waited for our food we watched her interactions with other tables and she had problems remembering what table was which. She delivered food to the wrong tables and dropped other food on the floor trying to deliver it. Her fellow waitresses were actually calling her out in the middle of the dining room telling her to get her act together. When she delivered the food the hamburger steak platter was literally a dry hamburger patty that was old and had a thimble of gravy. the mashed potatoes were instant and had been poorly mixed because the powder was still dry in the middle. The glazed carrots were old soggy and brown ( see the picture) . We never got a bill because she just disappeared completely. We went to pay and the cashier was able to look up the order and we spoke to her about the waitress needing some help and her condition and all she would say is " we will try" read more
25 days ago
1 year ago
Great food, quality price, quick service in New Market, VA. I tried the Rueben and it was well worth it. read more
Stopped by for a quick breakfast while visiting my brother who lives in Timberville. This was my first time at Southern Kitchen, but my brother and his girlfriend do dine here quite a bit considering they live close by. We went on a weekday morning and there were only two other parties, dining, The menu has typical diner food and reasonable prices. I enjoyed my eggs, bacon and toast and the coffee was nice and hot. We did have to wait a while to get our servers attention to get some napkins, hot sauce and ketchup etc which was a little bit annoying at some point because the restaurant wasn't very busy and we didn't know where she went. Other than that, our experience was great and next time I visit, I would be happy to come back for breakfast and try the pancakes. Thank you! read more
1 year ago
Place was packed with dozens of locals at 6PM on a Tuesday night. That was a great indicator walking in, and when I finished my chicken fried steak and home fries, followed by warm blackberry pie a la mode- total satisfaction at a reasonable price. read more
This is the type of place that makes you feel like you came back to your hometown during Christmas. It's cozy. It's everything a diner should be. Staff were very polite. The food itself was delicious and hot! My only regret is not trying the Brownie Delight dessert.. read more
We had southern fried chicken with French fries and buttered corn. My husband and I both enjoyed it. In fact, I've never seen my husband enjoy chicken more! It was very good. The French fries were awesome too. We shared a piece of apple pie afterwards but that wasn't a favorite of mine. I think that was store bought but everything else was excellent. We loved the mid-century feel of this nice clean restaurant and the service was excellent. We will stop again when we are passing through. read more
3 months ago
8 months ago
Very welcoming, great/friendly service. We ordered from the lunch/dinner menu and felt they had a good selection of choices. My husband had a burger with fries and I had the peanut soup and open face turkey sandwich with mashed potatoes. It was very good, fresh and we both enjoyed it very much. We did end up ordering dessert and the waitress made a special off the menu hot fudge cake. She was pleasant and truly we both felt at home. read more
8 months ago
11 months ago
I was traveling from Harrisonburg, VA to Baltimore, MD and got a hot tip to try this place so I did. I think it says something good about a place when you roll up to it at 10 AM on a Wednesday and you get the last parking space in the sizeable parking lot! I had checked out their website prior to my visit and knew I wanted to try out their sausage gravy and biscuits. I got the one-biscuit version and it comes with home fries. You know that kitchen is right when you taste it for seasoning and don't even need to add anything. I guess that explains the absence of ketchup and hot sauce bottles on any of the tables in my view. Hopefully I can get back here sometime to try out their lunch/dinner menu. I know it's gonna be good. The bathroom was clean and tidy. read more
11 months ago
6 months ago
This place was highly recommended, unfortunately I was disappointed. It is a nice looking old fashioned diner, and the service was slow but not too bad. The menu has a variety of great comfort food. The portions are generous and dishes are reasonably priced. However the food was not fresh the evening of our visit and most of it under seasoned. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
Great little southern restaurant with all it's charm near Shenandoah Valley and Luray Caverns. Get the hush puppies. And then get more to take home with you. They are so good and keep so well. Even cold, they are delicious. The fried chicken was really good, just needed a bit more salt but that's up to personal taste. The breast was nice and juicy, no problems there. Friendly staff and cashier. Don't sleep on this spot! read more
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More info about Southern Kitchen
9576 S Congress St
New Market, VA 22844
Directions
(540) 740-3514
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http://southernkitchenva.com
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