Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Southside 815

    3.7 (649 reviews)
    ModerateSouthern, Bars, American
    Open 11:30 am - 1:30 AM (Next day)

    Southside 815 Photos

    Business Info

    SOUTHSIDE 815 ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Southside 815

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    I believe I drank a Whiskey drink.  Need to come back here for a Vodka drink, Lager drink, & Cider drink sometime! Inspired by a 1997 song!
    Leigh D.

    From the north side of Baltimore in my last review to the southside of DC in Alexandria, VA for my next review, both of which are far from my home halfway between Baltimore & DC. Representing 2022 in alphabet series, S is for Southside 815. It's not only the southside of the DC area, but it's also on the southside of Alexandria, a few blocks south of Alexandria's "Main Street" King Street. I visited Southside 815 twice both in 2022. The one time I ate there was on Saturday, January 8, 2022 on a date. She lived in the Kensington, MD area, and I had won tickets to Dancing with the Stars live at MGM National Harbor. I thought a cute dinner spot just off beltway in Alexandria would be nice beforehand, which it was. This is a nice restaurant with various old school decor. The service was good & friendly. I was hungry getting a fish (I see they have catfish, so maybe it was that) & chips as well as a crab soup as an appetizer if I remember correctly. I enjoyed the food, but slightly on the pricey side but not too bad either. I think the crab soup was the best part, but it all was good. The 2nd time I went was after a holiday concert in Old Town Alexandria in December 2022. I was happy we were going here as I remembered liking it 11 months earlier, and we came for drink(s). I had a whiskey I think, pretty solid job the bartender did on that drink.

    Some delicious sweet tea and a Bloody Mary
    Jorge G.

    Southside 815 is one of the best spots for Southern comfort food! Everything we ordered was fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. The sweet tea was delicious, and the service was exceptional from the moment we walked in. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made us feel right at home. The welcoming atmosphere made the experience even better. If you're in Old Town Alexandria and craving authentic Southern food, I highly recommend stopping by. We'll definitely be back!

    Macaroni and cheese
    Nisha B.

    Came out to this area looking for a shovel, ended up here! We were seated promptly in the dining area. I got the Pot Roast. Nice size. The meat was a little too hard for my liking. Collard greens were good. Mashed potatoes were alright. Misto Margarita. Refreshing. You can taste the blackberries on the back end Friend got the Fried Chicken (3 pieces). That came with mashed potatoes and gravy, a small side of cole slaw and he subbed for a cornbread, that was sweet and he loved! Friend got the Black Manhattan. This tasted good. He said it was one of the best he's had We shared the Macaroni, which was enough for 3 people. It was not good hot, but as it sat on my plate after a few minutes, it was really good! Menu is described as Southern food. My friend said it's definitely "Virginia southern" LOL We sat in a comfy booth There is a bar Side street/neighborhood parking

    Nice patio seating... perfect for people watching
    Nicole W.

    Awesome place for lunch. I had the blackened salmon salad and it was delicious! It also came with some yummy cornbread on the side. I loved the selection of Creole favorites and plan on coming back to try more items. They have $10 Poboys on Mondays so I'm planning on trying out that amazing deal soon. Other highlights of this restaurant include fast and friendly service and a great patio. Inside they have a nice dining room on one side and a casual sports bar on the other side. So glad i checked out Southside 815. I'll be back!

    Big noodle mac n cheese
    Ike S.

    Great drinks and great food! Group dinner so we had lots of different meals. Everything that I tasted was good. The prices weren't bad either. My dish was the flounder pirloo. The meal was enough for two people. I wasn't a big fan of the asparagus salad topping but it still good. This dish was top notch. Seasoned well and came out hot. For my appetizer, I shared "815" biscuit. I could've eaten that as a meal. It's a savory comfort food that I'm sure is even better in the winter. I wish id gotten an order of these biscuits to go! Bri was our server and she was great! She took care of our table of 8 with ease and kept a smile the whole time.

    French Fries Coleslaw Catfish
    Rob C.

    My favorite hot wings spot. My favorite fried catfish spot. Now that I got that out the way... I did have them both in one meal and it was more than I should've eaten but I don't like doggy bags; especially when I'm full. I don't want to carry anything. I don't even want to walk if I'm being honest. Everything was meaty. Since I started with the wings, that's where I'll start. Every single wing was healthy. It's like they knew it was my first time there and they said, lets give him the best wings we have. I had the regular buffalo sauce and it was perfect for me. So much flavor which is what I want in my hot sauce. I did sweat a little but only a little. I didn't need a napkin just for my head like at some places but again, everyone's heat tolerance is different. For me it was perfect. The catfish was almost everything. It was by far the thickest fried catfish I've had outside of cooking them myself. It was so crispy on the outside and barely flaky on the inside. It had some flavor but I was hoping for a bit more flavor however, it could've been tainted by the flavor of the wings I had just before and throughout the meal. I also had mussels. I am almost always going to have either the wings or the mussels when I go out. I decided to have both this time and it was a good call. Mussels were cooked perfect. None of them were overcooked or undercooked. I loved the sauce. And there was just enough bread to ensure there was no sauce left. Yum! There is definitely a bar scene going on in the front section. A nice mixture of people from different nationalities and different age ranges.

    Happy hour menu
    Shari D.

    The pulled pork nachos are an absolute favorite! So much flavor and healthy sized portions. I'd like to try some of their brunch dishes as they always look delicious coming out of the kitchen. Love their game day specials during NFL season!

    Spicy fried chicken sandwich
    Scott W.

    Overall a solid pick. It starts off well having a free parking garage nearby and with great weather my wife and I were able to sit outside. The service was good, and friendly. And the food is pretty good. I took my wife here because I tried it before and enjoyed it. On our night out we started with fried green tomatoes, which were very good. For my meal I had the spicy fried chicken sandwich, which was decent, and my wife had the blackened catfish.

    Fried Green Tomatoes  - bland
    Michaele M.

    I was excited to try this place. At first glance, it appears to be a friendly local bar w/ a cozy hole-in-the-wall ambiance. Perhaps they're territorial, the more time I spent there, the weirder the energy felt - kindof cliquish. On to the food... Fried green tomatoes - blland and seemed undercooked. Pulled pork quesadilla - quite juicy and cheesy. When asked for a spicy salsa, my server pointed to the bottle of hot sauce on the table then walked away. Thanks guy. Apple Cider margarita- no Apple. No cider. Just a regular Ole marg. Noone came to check, Noone asked if I needed anything nor wanted more. Welp, I came...I saw...I ate. One and done.

    Beef stew with half egg noodles and mashed potatoes, far picture-chicken fried steak.  Coke and Orange Smash drinks.
    Joelle M.

    First time customers and will definitely be back. We sat at the restaurant side for some quiet dinning. Ordered dinner special Beef Stew w/Orange Smash and Chicken fried steak mashed pot and kale greens. Large portions and delicious. Ended up taking half home. Southern kale greens-didn't care for plus has vinegar. Giovanny recommended the stew and having it half/half = egg noodles and mashed potatoes. Service was spot on.

    Spicy chicken Sandwich, Big Noodle Mac 'N' Cheese

    I felt at home as soon as I walked in! The margaritas were amazing! The food was phenomenal and the service was excellent!

    Chicken Fried Steak
    Doug B.

    First visit in a while. Easy street parking on a Sunday night. Great service from Kait. I tried the Chicken Fried Steak with sides of Greens and Mashed Potatoes. All had good flavors and the breading on the steak was good. However, the steak was very tough and gristled. It was challenging to cut even with the steal knife. I'll definitely go back for the meatloaf and several other great options on the menu. Maybe the burger. Definitely check them out.

    Veggie frittata
    Hiral D.

    Came here for brunch and had a nice time. Service was very fast. I got the blackberry margarita and veggie frittata. I enjoyed the frittata although it definitely needed hot sauce for a kick. It came with a side of cornbread which was pretty good. Margarita was perfect for a hot day. Sitting outside in the shade under an umbrella on a sunny day elevated our experience. Overall, food was good and service was great. Portions were huge.

    Baby back ribs half

    See all

    2 months ago

    Nick was fantastic and the food was Even better. Awesome ribs, Mac and cheese, desserts. Make sure to ask for Nick

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 2

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    23 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dee T.
    58
    28
    3

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 2

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J R.
    0
    1
    0

    4 months ago

    On more than one occasion they increased the tip amount that is on the receipt I signed.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Liz K.
    1
    61
    4

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of John C.
    0
    173
    1

    7 months ago

    Definitely on my bucket list every time I come back in town. I love the menu and the ambiance.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 17

    Ask the Community - Southside 815

    Is this Minority owned?

    Our Southside 815 location is not minority owned. Our second location, Northside 10 in Del Ray has a minority partner.

    Does anyone know if this business is still black owned? I know Ben Benson opened it in 93, however I am creating a list of black Owned eateries in VA and need to verify is this restaurant is still black owned. Thank you!

    We recently found that sites are listing us as an African American owned business. We own two restaurants and at our second location, Northside 10 in Del Ray, one of our partners is African American. He is also a full time employee at Southside… 

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Chadwicks

    Chadwicks

    3.9
    (971 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    If it seems like Chadwicks has been around for over 100 years...that's because it kind of has…read more Opened in 1979, the building which houses Chadwicks is a historic 19th century warehouse and is located right besides the Alexandria waterfront. Haven't been to Chadwicks in a while, so it was nice to convene for a recent brunch to catch up with some friends. While there is limited outdoor seating, I prefer the upstairs since it's typically quieter, and the abundant windows naturally illuminate the space. The interior is also characterized by nautically themed decor, along with exposed brick walls and hardwood flooring. TBH, this is one of the better Brunch spots in Old Town. There brunch menu is extensive - https://static1.squarespace.com/static/68d065ce6d80726524c2bca9/t/6a3d8efe5e4fbd1439f0bc1a/1782419198238/Brunch.pdf - and has all of traditional breakfast offerings of pancakes, french toast, a variety of eggs, sausage/bacon/ham, etc. While there are also lunch type savory options such as sandwiches and chicken and pasta entrees, I opted for the classic biscuits and gravy. I don't normally eat this type of heavy carb heavy dish...but every now and then, it's not so bad. The plate arrived with two buttermilk biscuits, country bacon gravy, two sunny side up two eggs, and home fries. The gravy was nice and thick with pieces of sausage bits, but I found the biscuits on the dry side, rather than buttery and flaky. Eggs were prepared properly and had that satisfying "ooze" when the yolks were popped. Home fries tasted previously frozen and could've used a few more minutes in the fryer. Service was a bit slow as there was only one staff taking orders and delivering food. But he was friendly and would circle back around to check on our group frequently. Pair your meal with a few choices of cocktails (I ordered a $5 mimosa) and Chadwicks brunc h is a great way to spend a few hours on a Sunday afternoon. Be sure to inform your server ahead of time, if separate checks are desired. One brunch entree, one mimosa with tax and tip totalled to about $25.

    Chadwicks has been around forever, but we paid our first visit here for dinner this past weekend…read more Chadwick's is really a sports bar and that should set your expectations accordingly. Service was good. Most of the food, but not all, was very good. What receives high marks were the blackened catfish, fried green tomatoes and chicken quesadillas. The burger was deemed decent, but the crispy fries not so much (I don't know anyone that really likes crispy fries). I had high hopes for the buttermilk-fried chicken. It came nicely presented with a very good coleslaw and a biscuit with a side of bacon-flavored gravy. The mac and cheese was okay but the macaroni underneath the surface didn't have a lot of flavor. The chicken's seasoning and texture were fine, but I really wish when a restaurant says they have fried chicken it's more than just a filet, like actual bone-in meat. But Chadwick's just does a filet as so many other places do these days. The server forgot my clam chowder starter and it didn't come out until after I had already received my chicken. But I sent the clam chowder back. It was so over the top full of thyme it was inedible. I think that there are enough very decent-looking items on the menu, I would return.

    Photos
    At our favorite place
    At our favorite place
    Shrimp & Grits
    Shrimp & Grits
    Nitro Old Fashioned

    See all

    Nitro Old Fashioned
    Daniel O'Connell's Irish Restaurant & Bar

    Daniel O'Connell's Irish Restaurant & Bar

    3.6
    (696 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    Let's talk about Daniel O'Connell's Irish Pub, because clearly, there's a leprechaun in that…read morekitchen guarding a pot of gold... and that gold is corned beef. I ordered the corned beef and cabbage on DoorDash, fully expecting the usual takeout roulette: soggy cabbage, tired meat, and a mild sense of regret. Instead? I got hit with a full-on Irish blessing disguised as dinner. The corned beef was so tender it practically whispered "top of the mornin'" and fell apart on command. No knife, no effort--just fork, bite, and immediate life improvement. Juicy, flavorful, and cooked like someone back there has ancestral pride on the line. And the cabbage? Listen... cabbage is usually just there for emotional support. Not this time. This cabbage had purpose. This cabbage had ambition. By the end, I wasn't "finishing my meal"--I was chasing the last bites like I'd just spotted the end of a rainbow. Container: empty. Dignity: questionable. Satisfaction: unmatched. If this is what survives a DoorDash trip through Old Town, I'm convinced eating it fresh in the pub might unlock hidden Irish heritage I didn't even know I had.

    My husband and I dined here last Sunday after church and it was AMAZING! We were put on the…read morewaitlist and told it could take 15-20 minutes and it took maybe 5 for us to be called back. We were sat on the rooftop and were able to enjoy the beautiful weather. Our waiter was fantastic and made sure we had everything we needed. We both ordered the fish and chips and it was absolutely DIVINE. The fish was well cooked and was super flakey. The fish is a very good size and the fries and slaw were also very good. That homemade tarter sauce honestly set the fish off! We will definitely be back sooner than later!

    Photos
    Daniel O'Connell's Irish Restaurant & Bar
    Daniel O'Connell's Irish Restaurant & Bar
    Daniel O'Connell's Irish Restaurant & Bar

    See all

    King’s Ransom

    King’s Ransom

    4.3
    (133 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    I absolutely love King's Ransom! The atmosphere is really dope. It is definitely hard to find as it…read moreis in a pizza shop. I went there with one of my friends and we really enjoyed ourselves. It is a nice quiet, hidden speak easy with great vibes. The service was impeccable. The bartender was very friendly and attentive. She gave great suggestions for drinks. We decided on a sour. Which was whisky, lemon, and honey. It was perfectly mixed and served. I also tried the Toki Highball which was excellent. It was rich in flavor and not too strong. If you are really into Whisky King's Ransom needs to be on your list to visit. Unfortunately, we did not order food but the couple next to us ordered the pizza and fries and it looked delicious. The ambiance was great. Its a little upscale with dark lighting. The raised bar and lighting add to the unique experience. This bar is great for date night or just a night out with friends in Alexandria, Va. If you are in the area check it out...you won't be disappointed. Cheers!

    We planned a happy hour cocktail before dinner at Josephine's. I'm genuinely baffled at why anyone…read morewould rate this place as anything special. The "hidden" speakeasy is just a second floor bar. (And the bar is nothing remotely like a speakeasy vibe). Tried to order Hendricks gin. Nope. Then Bombay Sapphire. Nope. TheFour bottles of gin that no one had ever heard of. "How about a Jamesons"? Nope. Poor selection of booze and zero atmosphere. (The bartender was fine, though not at all apologetic about the lack of standard liquor selections). There are way better bars....

    Photos
    Plenty to choose from
    Plenty to choose from
    Great selections
    Great selections
    Old Fashion

    See all

    Old Fashion
    Hummingbird Bar & Kitchen

    Hummingbird Bar & Kitchen

    3.4
    (386 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    We enjoyed a very leisurely and delicious meal at Hummingbird Bar and Kitchen. The Prix-fixe menu…read morewas perfect for us as we were starved. I love the quaint and rustic feeling of the space which contrasted with the elevated dining experience. The view of the Potomac from the courtyard and restaurant were spectacular The Strawberry Fields Forever specialty cocktail is a refreshing blend of strawberry, mint, and rum. The Palm Royale is just as delightful with St Elder and Pomegranate liqueurs with champagne. Ludmyla was very friendly and Alla the manager helped us out with gluten free options. We enjoyed the Hummingbird Salad, Shrimp Cocktail, Lobster Lemon Linguine (with GF pasta) and Steak Frites. The Crème Brûlée and Flourless Chocolate Torte were a decadent finale for a splendid meal. It is hard to believe such a great restaurant is located inside a hotel. Hotel Indigo is very fortunate.

    I enjoyed the food, the service from my waitress, and the atmosphere. However, I noticed that the…read moreprinted receipt reflected the mathematically correct total, while the bill presented for signature increased the amount by two cents. When I asked about the discrepancy, I was told the systems sometimes differ by a few cents. The adjustment was made when I requested to pay the correct total, but the response suggested that questioning "only two cents" was unreasonable. My concern was never the amount; it was the principle. When a customer is shown one accurate total and then asked to authorize a higher one without explanation, it creates the appearance of taking money that was not part of the stated charge. If I may add my two cents as a former patron and frequent restaurant guest: trust matters in a dining experience. Even a few unexplained pennies raise a reasonable question--if this occurs repeatedly throughout the day, where do those extra cents go? A couple of cents from one guest, a few more from another, eventually add up. Transparency in billing prevents that concern. When a discrepancy is presented without a clear explanation and a patron is made to feel foolish for asking about it, it leaves a bad taste, regardless of how enjoyable the meal may have been.

    Photos
    Inside the restaurant at closing hours
    Inside the restaurant at closing hours
    French Toast
    French Toast
    Tequila

    See all

    Tequila
    Brut Champagne and Wine Bar

    Brut Champagne and Wine Bar

    4.3
    (86 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$

    This is Alexandria's best gay bar. Dustin and Nikki will serve! Vibes and food and the best wine or…read morechampagne you've ever had. I would come back here 10 out of 10 times.

    Giving 4 stars because the selection was good, staff was knowledgeable, and the actual wine and…read morecheese we had was quite nice. It's a little pricey relative to places like Verre wine bar in Courthouse or area Vineyards. I noticed they had the Valravn cab sauv and it was A $20 glass but I have seen it for several dollars less at Verre and elsewhere. However, these were really large pours. So it may be their philosophy to have someone order/pay once and get a lot then having to constantly go back for more. Which is great if you value simplicity but less so if you want variety. I also didn't see flight options, though maybe I missed them. All in all it came out to $83 for 2 glasses of red wine and a cheese plate with 5 cheeses. However they brought bread refills - not sure if it's just that the plate was priced for unlimited bread or if we were being charged for more bread each time and that is what increased the price. Service was a little lax. Again not a bad thing, depends on your preference. When we got their attention they were on it. It resulted in being completely unrushed and unpressured which I appreciate. But my friend was starving and under those conditions we would have liked someone to come take our food order sooner. Vibe is chill. I wouldn't say it's as sexy as others do. When we arrived the lights were fairly bright and then they turned them down and started putting out candles while we were there so that may have been it. That was around 7 or 8 if you are gaming this out for a date. We were the 6pm crowd so maybe they were intentionally going for a less sexy vibe for the benefit of the after work drinks with friends types. I don't recall music. Note also they seem to really focus on imported wines more so than local. I don't thibk there was any local VA wine on the menu. All in all, if you need a wine place in the area then it is totally worth stopping by, especially if you like the specific approach described above. Is it a wine bar I would go out of my way for given that there are a bunch in different neighborhoods around DC? Probably not unless I was specifically looking for this kind of imported wine menu or large pours. This is a no if you are specifically looking for flights or to otherwise try a bunch of different wines.

    Photos
    Brut Champagne and Wine Bar
    Brut Champagne and Wine Bar
    Brut Champagne and Wine Bar

    See all

    Southside 815 - southern - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...