I don't know how I haven't heard of this place, yet after trying it out for the first time, my expectations seem to have changed a lot after the visit. It was a pretty good first time visit despite the very small seating in the restaurant. And now the food... I had to pick between the BBQ sliders and the Chicken biscuits and gravy. And, for the price, they definitely gave me a good amount of chicken in correlation to the biscuit. The bites I got from the chicken and the southern gravy were really delicious. Eating the chicken with the biscuit and the gravy, a lot more pleasant there. I didn't really need the Louisiana style hot sauce. Chicken, spot on and crispy...the biscuit, light, delicate and soft... There's not really much I can find a complaint on, and the presentation looked so inviting to eat. I can definitely tell they put so much heart and soul into their food, and it comes out presented well. Next time, maybe I can try the BBQ sliders if I ever come across this place again. Thanks, Southern Love, you really made my day. read more

Southern Love - Fried chicken biscuits and gravy. YUM! - Southern Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

For a slow and quality meal - this is your place to be. And I don't mean slow in a bad way, but slow in the sense that you get to sit, enjoy your conversation with your companion, and see the kitchen in action carefully assembling all components of your meal. This is the furthest from fast food, and you cannot come here with the expectation of fast food. I enjoyed the best fried chicken in my life here. Freshly battered and fried. Accompanied by a beautiful potato salad, collard greens, and a tasty piece of cornbread. I would order an entire pan of that cornbread if I could. And you should definitely get a side of that potato salad. My boyfriend enjoyed their mixed plate which had rib ribs and a few other items, but I was too concentrated on my food to care about what he was eating. We came around 6 PM on a Saturday night and were served our food just after 7 PM. We were incredibly lucky because while we were sitting at the counter, we saw numerous parties try to come in to dine in, and there was no space available. Takeout is always an option, but you still need to wait for your takeout so be patient, walk around to the Sake shop down the street and come back in an hour to pick up your piping hot food. Parking is extremely limited so pray to the parking gods that you score a stall in front of the restaurant or try your luck on the street and take a short walk down. read more

Southern Love - Southern Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

He was talking about chicken and waffles a couple of days ago. So yesterday morning, I looked up a few places and I'm glad I found this one. He didn't know where we were going, just drove him here and he was super excited when we parked and saw southern breakfast. The moment we walked in, we were greeted by the friendly owner. Very clean and nice inside. We were the only ones in there and they have an open kitchen concept as we sat at the bar. It was almost like we had a private chef as we watched him cooked our meals. Everything fresh. He got the chicken and waffles with a side of cheesy grits. I got the biscuits and gravy. He said automatic 5 star! Lol. He said everything tasted amazing. He loves how the cheese was made in the grits, not just sprinkled on top. Chicken was lovely fried and still moist inside. I really liked the flavor with the country style gravy. Soooo delicious! This is definitely one of our favorite places we ate during our week vacation here in Oahu. read more

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Have been meaning to check this place out for awhile. Glad we finally did. The chef owner and the woman who served were so friendly and kind. The place is simple and clean. Nice bathroom available to customers. Parking can be a challenge but that's how it is with lots of places in town. They played really good music. Like real music. We arrived a little after the lunch rush so missed out on grits and biscuits which we were told are their popular items. Darn it. What we did have (fried chicken and catfish po boy) was really yummy. We will definitely come back for dinner and to get some of those biscuits and grits ! read more

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Unassuming spot in the busy side streets of Kakaako. Parking is a bit limited with only six spots in the front, but it's worth it if you park a little further and walk over. The owners are very sweet and very attentive and offer amazing service. The brunch menu varies from the dinner menu, so I'll definitely have to return and try the mac & cheese, and some of the other classics i've heard they have. I got the catfish and grits which was surprisingly light. The breading for the catfish was so well seasoned although I did wish that the catfish was a little bit more substantial. The grits was different from grits i've had before and it balanced really well with the catfish. The sweet tea was phenomenal, and they offered a refill, which I thought was very generous. My friend thoroughly enjoyed the catfish po boy and you can pair it with a side salad or chips. There were consistently people coming through so that's how you know the food is good. The outdoor area is cute and the indoor area allows some bar seating which I liked. Will definitely return to try their dessert menu, which include a banana pudding/cheesecake, or crusted cobbler. And the dinner menu is going to be a must! read more

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I came for the sweet tea and fell in love. If you are craving a sweet tea and a good yap session the outdoor seating was the place to be. From the food to the vibes it felt like being in your mommas back yard eating some good food with family. The service was amazing, they were so kind, it was only 3 people and they were awesome. The ribs were juicy and the yams were cinnamony goodness. The mac and cheese had an insane cheese pull that had me shoveling it in. The corn bread wasn't my personal jam but I know thats my fault because I am into dry and crumbly cornbread but this was exactly what my friend had been looking for in cornbread. I also had to try the cat fish and it was crispy with a good little kick. This lovely place will for sure be seeing me again and probably soon. read more

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The food was awesome! A word to the wise...it may not be ideal to come on a Saturday night around 5, unless you don't mind waiting and waiting. There's only 1 chef and 1 sous chef with tons of takeout and dining in orders so we waited 2 hours to be served. (Versus a 45 minute wait for takeout). Had their fried okra, collard greens, catfish plate and mac daddy bowl. Great crispy but moist okra and catfish! But the star for me was the mac daddy bowl...creamy macaroni and cheese topped with shredded tender pork and beans. read more

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Soul Food Worth Sharing at Southern Love Rare to find Southern food in Hawaii, but Southern Love hits all the right notes. They do not call it soul food for nothing. We ordered the fried catfish with grits, fried chicken with biscuits and gravy, and a side of fried shrimp. The batter on everything was perfectly seasoned and crisp without being oily. Get there early because they can run out of biscuits or grits toward closing. We enjoyed every bite. Be sure to get the sweet tea to wash it all down. Free refills. It is a small operation with counter seating where you can watch the chef cook, along with a few umbrella-covered tables outside. Everything is made to order, so a little patience goes a long way. Ask to confirm, but it looks like it is BYOB since they do not serve alcohol. Located near the corner of Queen and Cooke Street, there are a few parking stalls in front or metered street parking within a short walk. Final bite: Southern Love doesn't just feed your hunger. It feeds your soul and your cravings, one crispy bite at a time. read more

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Located on Queen Street. Nearing the corner of Cooke Street and Queen Street. The restaurant is next to Anytime Fitness. Parking is limited right in front of the restaurant. I parked near the park on Cooke Street and walked over. Lots of street parking along Cooke Street. The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating. The interior of the restaurant was very nice, and modern. The service was great. They don't give tap water but you can purchase bottle water so you may want to bring your flask. The food was excellent! I initially thought the portion size was on the smaller size but it was perfect. I was full. Everything I ate was good. The potato salad was yummy, the best part was the fried chicken. read more

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Let me just start this review by saying I know southern food, and this is pure southern goodness. I had the Mac daddy bowl, pulled pork with the tangy barbecue sauce was fantastic. The cheese pull on the superduper thick melted cheese was out of this world. I loved their cornbread dipped in the bbq and baked beans. The service was amazing. They were so kind and so quick. I had a lovely yap session outside but inside looked really cute too. Sweet tea and Arnold Palmer were heavenly! Will be back so soon! read more

Southern Love - Da Combo Plate Combo B - Southern Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Been wanting to try this spot for a while and today we had the opportunity to go for brunch. Honestly, the BEST breakfast we've had in a while! Arrived a little after 9am expecting a wait since it's peak breakfast time, but we got lucky and were seated almost immediately. I didn't catch the waitress's name but she was very personable and asked us if it was our first time there. We ordered Chicken Biscuits n Gravy, Garlic Chicken n Waffles, and a side of Cheese Grits because I'm ashamed to say that I've never ever tried grits in my life lol. The 2 main dishes were bursting with flavor. The chef does not skimp on seasoning! You can tell that a lot of love went into preparing these dishes. And the grits were cheesy and creamy and exceeded my expectations, will definitely have to try the shrimp & grits next time. We both mopped everything on our plates and washed it down with their refreshing sweet tea. No leftovers to take home lol. read more

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Southern Love is a nice small southern spot with that southern hospitality. It reminds you of your grandmas cooking. We were actually there 2 days in a row. The first time for lunch and the second time for breakfast. Both visits were great, service can be slow if you come at their busy time. I haven't had home made ice tea in years and their ice tea was really good and it wasn't too sweet. I ordered the fried catfish and a side of fried shrimp. Very good choices as I am a picky eater. Nicely seasoned, crispy and you can taste the freshness. For breakfast I had the bacon, egg and cheese biscuit and a side of cheesy grits. The sandwich was really good but the grits were a little too cheesy. The grits reminded me of how you eat spaghetti where you have to use a spoon and a fork, cheese was everywhere. The wait staff is very friendly and I believe it's a Family owned business. It was a good experience. read more

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Southern Love in Kakaako is a hidden gem! I ordered the chicken biscuits and gravy and my girlfriend went with the chicken and waffles -- both were absolutely delicious. The chicken was seasoned perfectly, fried to golden perfection, juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Honestly, 10/10. The place itself is modest and small, but the Southern love is felt the second you walk in. Corey, the owner, is a cool dude who makes you feel right at home, and you can tell he puts his heart into the food. It's tucked away at the corner of Queen and Cook, easy to miss if you don't know where to look -- but worth seeking out. If you're in Kakaako and craving some real Southern comfort food, this is the spot. Best fried chicken in Honolulu, hands down read more

Southern Love - Chicken, biscuits and gravy - Southern Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Some good damn food! Took about 45 min, but knew ahead that could be a thing because it's made from scratch. Owners were cool. Tiny joint, plan on grabbing to go just in case. read more

I don't think there will ever come a day when I come here and am not completely satisfied! The food is always so amazing. The owner is the nicest person ever. The whole restaurant feels like being back at home in grandmas kitchen. I have never been let down coming here. I think any time I'm here for breakfast the grits, and sausage and biscuits and gravy will always be ordered. There will NEVER be a time that I don't order banana pudding. Idk how but it is always AMAZING! read more

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1/7/26 1st time here n it won't be the last Sat at the counter Best seats cause you can talk w friendly Chef n Hostess/server while watching yours' n others' dishes being made Friend said Catfish was Good Wife liked the Chicken n Waffles and we all agreed the Fried Chicken Thighs was Crispy Juicy Goodness! My Shrimp n Grits w lots of Cheesy Peppery Gravy was the best I ever had Kept on dipping my Side Fried Chicken in that delicious gravy... wife couldn't resist either LOL SUPPORT LOCALS read more

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Amazing customer service!! Delicious Food!!! I had the Catfish and Grits with Scrambled Eggs fried hard and my husband fried chicken and waffles..... mmmaaannnn that food was good and I loved how it felt like home. The music playing the vibe is right 100% will be back to try more of the menu, there's also a dinner time with a different menu ... lllorrdd I can't wait !!! And yes it was that good!!! read more

Food is always amazing, owner is very personable and allows all customers to be comfortable and welcomes everyone like he would in his own home! Environment is homey and well presented. Always a must when I'm in town! read more

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Best place for southern food feels like at grandma house for Sunday dinner every day, dinner, lunch and breakfast amazing 10 out of 10. Shrimp and grits Catfish with cornbread, Mac and cheese, collard greens. So delicious. Can't go wrong with anything on the menu everything amazing here also it's BYOB read more

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If you haven't been to Southern Love yet, you must put this place on your list to try! I had the Chicken Biscuits and Gravy - mmm mmm! This is fried buttermilk chicken on a house made buttery biscuit covered with country gravy. You can taste the love that Chef puts in every dish he serves! That gravy has so much flavor right there with that perfectly crispy fried chicken and buttery biscuit. I was happily full and just completely satisfied with my meal - my plate was totally cleaned off! Chef checks on you to make sure your meal is to your liking, and the hospitable service ties your experience all in. Thank you so much, Southern Love! Keep the love going! read more

Southern Love - Catfish po'boy with salad to go - Southern Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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Food was delicious! Service was great! There were only 2 people cooking and serving but they kept up with the good size crowd. Would definitely go back to try the other dishes; sounds simple but tasted great and filling! Prices I thought were very reasonable! I'd give them 3 thumbs up if I had 3 thumbs! read more

4.5 stars Food: We got the Friday Special Chicken Mac attack, Catfish Plate, and Combo A. Everything came out hot and fresh. The portions were perfect and everything was well seasoned. I had a bite of everything and my favorites were the chicken (flavorful and juicy!!!), collard greens, and the catfish. We also got the peach cobbler with ice cream, which was delicious but pretty small. Service: The owners are super sweet and nice. Only one guy making the food so be nice! Ambiance: We sat outside for the breeze since inside seemed pretty stuffy since it's also an open kitchen. Pretty simple set up but gets the job done. Parking: They have a few spots right outside the restaurant. Was able to snag one on a Friday evening. read more

Southern Love - Da Combo Plate Combo A, candied yams, Catfish Plate, chicken Mac attack - Southern Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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This night I was not a Yelper I was a Grubber let this not so photogenic pic below of 3 half eaten plates be my proof. LOL The Love Family have done it again. I absolutely adore this place. They have delicious food in a home environment, from the soul in their food to the soul in their service, you just feel taken care of here. In the pic below I document a rare moment when our cups of their, DELICIOUS, might I add, jars of Arnold Palmer Thanks to The Mama of this kitchen who kept our glasses full. (Shoutout to Mama E Love) Now the food, deserves its whole own moment of recognition, everything was well seasoned, clearly cooked to order, and totally satisfying, so much so that I who is not a "sweets" type of gyal couldn't choose between so I was fortunate enough to be able to get both desserts to go thanks to my host. (Also Shout out to Chef Corey for pouring love into the food) This is the kind of place you come and really experience a homey environment, The "Love Keiki" (their children) even colored pictures for me and my group to take home with us I guess we can call that a GWP (gift with purchase) this is something you can't get just anywhere. read more

Southern Love - Catfish Plate(s) with baked beans, cabbage, Mac n cheese, and hush puppies plus 3 nearly empty jars of their delicious Arnold Palmers. - Southern Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Was not disappointed. So I was wanting to try brunch and baby !! Did not disappoint . The shrimp rue was full of flavor. Don't change the recipe take it as ordered. Let the chef do his thang!!!! Small area limited space. I danced and savored every single bite !!!! read more

Southern Love - Shrimp salmon & grits !!!! - Southern Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Ordered takeout and these were the best ribs I've had on Oahu so far. Super tender and great portions, also lots of meat on the ribs not just fat. Came hot and fresh will definitely be ordering again! read more

Southern Love - BBQ Ribs Plate - Southern Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

This is not a strange restaurant, this is someone's house you're eating in. That's the vibe you get as soon as you walk in because you're welcomed like a returning friend, cooked for, served, and chatted with that is the perfect balance of comfort without feeling obligated. Be ready to kanak!!! Portions initially look small but they are delicious and very filling!! I had the chicken biscuit and gravy. The biscuit was big fluffy and dense. The chicken super thinly crisped on the outside but moist and tender in the inside. They don't use crappy oil too. The chicken did not have any oily residue or weird aftertaste. The gravy was good... I could have used a little bit more to smother my biscuits in but that's my preference. BYOB!!! So will have to try dinner one night. read more

Southern Love - Chicken Biscuit & Gravy - Southern Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Best chicken and waffles I've ever had ! Sweet tea refills are generous and service is great read more

Southern Love - Fried Chicken and Waffles - Southern Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

My friend and I initially had our hearts set on brunch, but post-work hunger called the shots instead. I'm no Southern food connoisseur, but after plenty of soulful bites in New Orleans, nothing on the menu felt completely foreign. (Spotting po' boys brought me a little culinary deja vu.) Location: Near Queen and Cooke Sts, next to Anytime Fitness. Blink and you might miss it, but the light blue building with its protruding sign is your beacon. Parking: Unless you win the lot lotto, stalls are slim pickings and vanish quickly. We arrived 30 min after dinner service began, and the lot was already full. Street parking will up your odds. Atmosphere: Cozy and compact, with a handful of tables inside and out. Indoors, you can pull up a front row seat to witness the chef in action. Food: We were all-in with Da Combo Plate B - ribs, catfish, cornbread, and sides (mac and cheese for me, potato salad for her). The catfish reeled me in, the ribs glazed me over, the mac and cheese was ooey-gooey bliss, and the cornbread? Normally I shrug at cornbread, but this "give-me-the-recipe" slice might just be the best I've ever had. Drinks: Our lemonade was bright, tart, and didn't taste like a sugar avalanche. Service: Our charming waitress delivered full-on Southern hospitality - definitely raise-worthy. Price: Roughly $30, but every bite was soul food gold. Would I return? Yes! This place has my foodie seal of approval - next will be the brunch edition sequel. read more

On Queen Street, there is a restaurant tucked away next to a candy store. If you like Southern food, do yourself a favor and try this taste of the south. It is a family affair, with the husband and wife serving up some of the best dishes on Oahu. 5 stars would represent the cuisine, with one deduction for parking. The sausage gravy and biscuits were the best I have had anywhere. The chicken with the waffles is unequivocally the best here, if not anywhere. It is like you step into a place in Georgia. read more

I have to be honest. I wanted to gatekeep this spot because the food here is so good but I decided to share the love. Southern Love specializes in authentic southern comfort food. Corey Love, the owner and chef is absolutely killing it in the kitchen! Every dish I tried here thus far is cooked to perfection. On my latest visit, I ordered the catfish plate with baked beans. I haven't had catfish in forever and I have to admit that this is now my newest favorite catfish meal. The breading was golden, crispy, and spot on. The fish itself was moist, flaky, and perfectly cooked. The baked beans were perfectly balanced with the right amount of sweetness. Each plate comes with amazingly delicously moist cornbread, which always brings a big smile to my face. I also got to try their fried chicken and let me tell you, that was perfectly cooked on the outside with that golden brown crisp and juicy and tender meat on the inside. The mac and cheese is also a go to. It's rich, creamy and velvety in every bite. If you're really hungry, I would recommend to go for the Mac Daddy which includes layers of mac and cheese, pulled pork, and baked beans. It provides a hearty, filling meal that may or may not put you in a food coma. There's nothing but love here. Corey and his family are so nice and welcoming to everyone who comes in to visit. You can also eat at the bar and chat with Corey while you see him cooking everyone's meal (including yours of course). It's a great homey vibe while you enjoy these comfort foods from the South. Parking can be a little tricky since it is a hole-in-the-wall in Kaka'ako. There is only a few stalls in front of their restaurant but there is street parking available. It's definitely worth the hunt for sure! If you haven't been there yet, what are you waiting for? But if you don't go, that's okay. That means more cornbread and catfish for me! read more

Southern Love - Fried Chicken Plate - Southern Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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I actually want this to be a 3.5 star review. I think what really stood out for me was the friendliness of the staff (one of whom I believe is the chef/owner). It's a small operation, a few tables inside and a few outside. The patio isn't the most scenic but the tables do have umbrellas so it was nice and shady. Prices are reasonable and split checks were no problem. The mac and cheese was decent - A Plus on the presentation! read more

Southern Love - Mac daddy bowl - Southern Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Such a great little spot. Family owned business, they are super friendly and attentive. The food was great (cook to order) and filling. We will definitely be back. read more

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Small and cozy hole in the wall serving delicious southern food. We came for brunch on a Friday early afternoon. Parking can be tight (6 stalls in front) but street parking available. Food: 8/10 The fried chicken in the chicken and waffles was one of the best I've had by far. Great batter and moist interior. Waffles were also great. My girlfriend had the bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit and loved that as well. She was a huge fan of the biscuit and the sweet tea. Service: 8/10 Staff were friendly and polite. The food came out fast even with everything being made to order. Ambiance: 6.5/10 Inside was quite hot due to its small interior so we opted to sit outside. They had a small amount of seating but a nice breeze was passing through outside. Tables and dining area were clean and space was cozy, with a casual vibe. Value: 7/10 Portions were on the smaller size for the price, but understandable due to everything being made in house. Quality was great and we'll definitely be back for their dinner menu. read more

Southern Love - Chicken N' Waffles and Bacon, Egg N' Cheese Biscuit with Sweet Teasweet - Southern Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Parking here is pretty limited, with only a few stalls available in front of the restaurant. The space itself is small but has both indoor and outdoor seating. The interior is modern and welcoming, but it definitely needs A/C, we were sweating most of the time lol. Service here was fantastic. Everyone was very nice and helpful, which made the experience even better. The food was really good too. Everything had great flavor and felt like true comfort soul food. The only downside for us was the portion size. For the price, we expected a little more food or protein on each dish. That's the main reason this isn't a full 5 star review. Overall, everything tasted great, we just wished the portions matched the price a bit better. read more

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Who knew there could be good southern cooking right here in Hawaii? I was lucky to stumble upon this gem while looking for a lunch spot and I'm so happy I did! The food is fresh, tasty, and filling. It's a one man shop (plus a lovely waitress) and he's making all the food fresh to order. Considering the amount of people there, the wait wasn't long at all. The catfish po boy was delicious and my friend enjoyed his bbq pulled pork sliders. I also got a biscuit on the side and it was pretty good! The sweet tea also hit the spot. Definitely recommend for a meal that is rare to find in Hawaii! read more

Southern Love - Catfish Po' Boy Sandwich - Southern Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

Too salty and they don't serve that much for the price Not too much selection will never go again

This place is amazing. The food was fresh and homemade and had a lot of flavor. The service was excellent as well. Super friendly staff/owners. Loved the sweet tea + refills. A great mix of Southern food with local flair. If you can find a seat, this place is a good spot to have a chill time and grind. One thing that you should know is that there are only a few parking stalls in front of the restaurant. Parking in the neighboring stalls could get you towed. We ended up parking at the Wholefoods parking lot and walking. This is really no fault of the restaurant owners. Other than that, I would tell the owners to not change a thing. Brunch was definitely great. read more

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Got two combos for 26$ each with two add ons hush puppies, 6$ and baked beans 5$. Got 3 drinks at 2$ each and yey the bill was 88$. The restaurant was hot (no ac) but they have some outdoor seating and they dont not serve drinks--so byod. The waitress did not wait in the table and we had to go in and order and pay. But she and the cook did serve the food. The food was okay, the collard greens had a bit of a spicy kick to it, ans the beans were a tad sweet with a few crunchy onions. The chicken was probably the best! The ribs were okay, something good for hawaii but not comparable to something you could get in the mainland. The cornbread was a little sweet, like cake. Its a nice southern restaurant for hawaii! Not sure if I would go again for the price. read more

Southern Love - Ribs, chicken combo with cornbread and sides mac and cheese and baked beans - Southern Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii

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biscuits and gravy is about the cheapest meal on earth to make but price here is beyond belief. So overpriced. make it at home for about 30 cents each. Ambience is an umbrella table with metal chairs. read more

I've only been to Southern Love once so far, but I cannot wait to go back and try more of the menu! I ordered the mixed BBQ plate and wow! Total protein overload in the best way possible. Everything was flavorful and perfectly cooked. I had the mac and cheese on the side, and it was creamy, cheesy, and hit the spot. The service was just as good as the food. Everyone was super friendly and attentive, which made the experience even better. The food did take a little while to come out, but honestly, that just tells me it's being made fresh, and it was worth the wait. Bonus: it's BYOB if you drink. Just wish they stayed open a bit later as I've tried to go back a couple of times but they were already closing. Still, definitely a new favorite. I'll be back! read more

Southern Love - Southern Near Me - Honolulu, Hawaii