The vibe here is very friendly, you order upfront so it's not quite full sit down restaurant but…read morethey do have seating. Food portions are big. Chicken was crispy and delicious. Honestly perfect. Pork chops were fried not smothered and were also delicious. Nothing was dry and it was all crispy. For sides we ordered Mac and cheese, yams, mash potatoes and rice & beans. Mash potatoes something tasted off about them. They were ok but not my preferred of the sides we got. The other sides were perfect, Mac and cheese is peppery but I liked that. Yams were sweet, nice tender chucks. Rice and beans were flavorful, not mushy. The pecan pie slice was phenomenal. Highly recommend trying this place for soul food.

In the heart of Seattle's historic Black Americans Central District sits Simply Soulful, a black-…read moreand woman- owned restaurant. I tell my non-Asian friends that they should leave an Asian restaurant if you don't see any Asians inside. I am happy to say we were the odd ducks in this place! Love me some legit soul food. The menu is straightforward. We ordered at the counter. The food is brought to our table. The food took quite a while with big crowds coming in after us. I suspect they cook in batches as multiple groups received food at the same time. It was mostly self-service (utensils, water) until the restaurant quieted down, then we saw servers cleaning tables, etc. The Food: Combo Dinner with two sides, $26 - 5 Stars The combo plat offers two meat choices. I chose the wings and catfish. The wings are sizable and plump. Highly recommend. The catfish was a thinner cut and a bit dryer. I liked the very thin breading on the catfish, not greasy, and it tasted good with Tabasco. For sides, both the collard greens and fried okra are excellent. In fact, I say the okra is perfection! The little corn bread is just right for me. I thought the corn bread has good flavor while hubby said it was too dry. Catfish Dinner with two sides, $24 - 3.5 Stars Hubby complained the catfish was too thin. He's not a Tabasco person, so that doesn't help. I gave him two wings to calm him down. Lol. He loved the hush puppies the best. They are huge with a wonderful crisp. I agree with him! He thought the yams are too sweet; they do look sweet in the liquids but isn't that want yams are intended to be? I think he just needs to order differently in the future. Note they have a 3.5% service charge for credit card purchases. See line on the menu photo.

I went here for the first time for Plate of Nations. The fish and chicken were fried perfectly…read more Light and crispy. Nice variety of sides and everything that that homemade feel. Yummy.

We ordered the Catfish meal with two sides: collard greens and cheese grits, Oxtails with red beans…read more& rice and the 6 piece chicken wings. Our meal was delicious and came out fresh and piping hot! Our favorites were the catfish and chicken wings, which were lightly breaded and fried well. Also, you get the full wing! They provide packets of Frank's Red Hot for you to enjoy. They have two - two-seat tables in their small dining area that you can reserve. While you're eating in, the food still comes out in take out containers. This worked out for us since we usually have leftovers. Service was friendly and welcoming!

I've been here on two different Saturdays within the past year and walked away as a very happy man…read moreboth times. Starting with the food, the shrimp and grits are creamy and packed with flavor, the eggs Benedict with bacon has perfectly poached eggs with a zippy crystal hollandaise, the waffle has a satisfying texture and comes with a comforting henny butter, and the best part that ties it all together: GARLIC. AIOLI. I have tasted many garlic aioli in my 28 years of life and this is by far the most delicious garlic aioli around. It's something I can't explain; you need to try it for yourself. With the breakfast potatoes, on the Benedict, in the shrimp and grits, by itself, I don't care, I just need it bottled up ASAP. As for the atmosphere, it's quite cozy and warm as a diner would be. I had to wait around 30 minutes both times I went because it was prime brunch time on Saturday and was fully worth the wait. The service is very welcoming and kind, and there's a good variety of sauces available on each table. They also serve Boon Boona coffee which is a Renton based coffee roaster, and I always love seeing local businesses support other local businesses. Overall, I love everything I've tried from Fat's and will hopefully be lucky enough to experience their food again soon.

I have lived in South Seattle for my entire life and have driven by Fat's more times than I can…read morecount. Finally had a chance to stop by while waiting for my son's baseball game to start at Garfield. Great atmosphere from the moment you walk in and the type of place that feels like home. We happened to just pop in while happy hour was happening. Ordered chicken and waffles, fried mushrooms, mac & cheese, and a root beer float. Everything was delicious. Fried chicken was super crispy...just how I like it. Price was affordable...which is so appreciated. The good music playing was a bonus and made the experience even more enjoyable. Go give this small business Some love and enjoy some good food. We will be back!

I had been to Communion before and was excited to finally take my husband. The menu had changed up…read morea little since my last time but everything was still really good so no complaints there. It is a small spot (sorta) so you kind of get in where you fit in. We ended up at the bar and honestly it worked out perfectly. Our bartender was friendly, engaging and just made us feel right at home. Another staff member came through at some point and was equally as kind. The service all around was great. Now let me talk about the food because that cabbage had no business being that good. I know that sounds random but it was my favorite thing and I did not see that coming. The mac and cheese was delicious, the fried chicken was really good, and my husband was all about the rice and black eyed peas (surprisingly). I also ordered a non alcoholic drink and even though I cannot remember the name it was really good too. The only minor thing was that one of the items, I think it was the hush puppies or cornbread, came out a little lukewarm. They mentioned it can be hard to keep that particular item hot, and flavor wise it was YUM so it was not a dealbreaker. Everything else comes out fresh as it's cooked so just know timing can vary by dish. It did get crowded toward the end and they politely let us know people were waiting outside. They handled it with so much grace it did not feel uncomfortable at all. I will definitely be back. Already curious about what will be on the menu next time.

This was hands down my favorite meal of my weekend trip. I found this spot through TikTok, and it…read morecame highly recommended. We didn't have a reservation, but after about a 10-minute wait, we were lucky enough to snag two seats at the bar. From the moment we walked in, the vibe felt warm, welcoming, and genuinely hospitable. The seating seems intentionally designed to bring people together, and you could see it in the mix of large groups, couples, and even solo diners. Like the name, it had a "communal" energy that made the space feel alive and intimate. The hostess, bartenders, and our waitress were all phenomenal. They were attentive and easy to talk to. Also, the playlist was good. It really added to the overall experience. We started with the sweet potato hoe cakes, and they were absolutely amazing. I loved the texture. They were soft, pillowy, and balanced. They weren't too sweet, even with the honey butter. I wish I'd ordered more to go because I haven't stopped thinking about them. I'll have to try recreating them at home. For my entree, I ordered the stuffed trout, and this is where things really took off. It's a whole fried trout stuffed with a seafood dressing (shrimp, catfish and oysters), and it immediately caught my eye on the menu. I'm not used to eating whole fish, and I don't think I'd even had trout before, but this dish was mouthwateringly good. The fish was crispy, hot, and perfectly seasoned. The béarnaise sauce really set it off. There were so many layers of flavor and texture, and everything just worked together perfectly. On top of that, the presentation was stunning. I posted it on my Instagram story and immediately had people asking where my food was as from. This meal was very memorable. I have zero notes. The ambiance, food, music, and service were all top-tier. Side note: There is a 5% "communal" surcharge added to every bill. The money is used to support staff benefits, the support staff, and the line cooks. This is separate from the gratuity. This surcharge is clearly explained on the menu, and I really love and appreciate the transparency and that they care about the employees. But yeah. Super good. We love a good meal and we damn near left there skipping.

Nana's Kitchen earns 5 stars not only for the incredible food, but for the atmosphere and the…read morepeople who make it special. It's family-owned and operated, and you can truly feel that sense of legacy and love the moment you walk in. The food is absolutely amazing. My husband and I were visiting Washington for the weekend and ended up eating here twice--that's how good it is. The first time, we had the catfish nuggets, fried shrimp, and fried pork chops with collard greens, mac & cheese, and candied yams. Every single bite was on point. The second time, we made it just in time for the oxtail stew--and it was fire. You can genuinely taste the soul in the food. This place is something special. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!

It has been a while ordering food from Nana's. I like that they are located in Kent, which is very…read moreconvenient. The parking itself gets a bit crowded in that area. We were craving some southern cooking and they were able to help us fairly quickly upon coming in. We ordered a meal with the two main and two side. In our order, we had the fried chicken and catfish. For the sides we had their macaroni and cheese and collard greens. With the meal it did come with a cornbread. We added n extra cornbread for $4. All this was a bit pricey for a meal. We ordered our food to go, so once our food is ready, they'll bring it out to our car. Which is a very nice service! But it did take a long time to get our food, I'm glad that it was fresh though. As for the food itself, I thought the chicken could've had a little bit more salt. But we did have the hot sauce on the side to dip, which made it good. The catfish was delicious, lots of flavor there. Nana's special sauce that was offered, made it even better! The sides were good, but for the cornbread. I would've liked it more moist. The place is very relaxed and chill, with many customers enjoying their food inside or waiting outside for the nice lady to drop off their order.

Our big group of 9 came in right before closing time and it was a one man show for the staff on…read moreMarch 27, 2025. I can't remember his name but he was so patient and kind to us from the beginning to end. We even asked him to take a photo with us. We loved everything we ordered and we didn't have to wait too long for our food. A few things on the menu were not available such as fried oysters. Small space and beautiful Black Galley display. Free street parking. Family owned business so stop by to support them whenever you come to the area or near by.

The food here is absolutely top notch. I ordered the BBQ wings with a side of fries, and both were…read moreoutstanding. The wings were perfectly cooked and packed with flavor, and the fries were seasoned just right. You can really tell the people in the kitchen care about what they're serving. I'll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend

I have been wanting to find good soul food and WYAM happened to be at PostDoc Brewing! There was a…read morehuge line, but it moved quickly because the food came out within 5 minutes of ordering. There were at least 3 guys working in the truck and they seem to work like clockwork! Food came out hot and did not disappoint... We ordered a shrimp po boy, slaw, cheesy grits & KING CAKE! Everything was seasoned and cooked perfectly. The po boy was perfect to share, amongst all the other food we ordered. Can't remember the last time where I've had slaw done right, but WYAM coleslaw was perfect. The grits were so cheesy and the seasoning was on point. Then we had our first King Cake... every bite was gooey and rich. We even went back for a second slice... they said if you find the baby, you'll get free beignets next time! We got home, dug into the next slice and found the baby! Prior to finding the baby, we had already looked up their truck schedule to do it all again. I can't claim to know what authentic soul food should taste like, but trying WYAM makes us want to travel to New Orleans and experience more - when food can make you want to transport yourself to a new experience, I think they're doing something right!

I was looking forward to this food truck as I have heard amazing reviews about how delicious the…read morefood is and especially in PNW, great Southern food is hard to come by. I also heard that the service here is great. My boyfriend and I caught them at No Boat Brewing and decided to bring our fur babies for a nice dinner. We arrived at the truck and sadly, the male worker seemed out of it and just in a apathetic mood, so it was uncomfortable trying to order. They didn't say much or anything about when to get the food. When I did pick up our food, I politely asked if the order was ready and not only do I not get a response or a nod, he just turns around and grabs my order before just giving it to me. No enjoy the food or thank you for ordering, and not even a ghost of a smile. We got a small shrimp and grits, oyster po boy, and large jambalaya. The oyster po boy was the star of the order as it was delicious and one of the better po boys my boyfriend and I had, but it was also our first time trying an oyster po boy. The shrimp and grits were nothing to really write about and the jambalaya was just meh. Not sure if we came at a bad day but it's super unfortunate as I was really looking forward to this food truck for the longest time but it was the most disappointing Washington food truck that I have had visited.

We arrived around 5pm on a weekday and was maybe the only other party in the restaurant. There's an…read moreunderground garage below the restaurant. There's a sign that says parking for Island Soul. We mistakenly went to the adjacent underground parking garage. You tell the waiter your license plate to validate parking. The chickpea curry was a bit bland. The tostones were good garlicky and crispy. The coconut cake could have been moister and less sweet.

Island Soul is AWESOME! Island Soul bought/replaced Arleana's in downtown Kirkland. I have always…read morewanted to dine at the Island Soul in Columbia City, but it was always crowded requiring some planning. We made a reservation the day before easily. The interior is superb. This place would be great for date-night or get a drink or have a family meal. Our server was attentive and helpful, making a change for us last minute with a 'I gotcha ya' attitude - LOVE! Thank you! The food is so, so good! The Seattle area doesn't have enough 'soul', southern, creole, 'island' type of foods. This place fills the perfect niche. I have the urge to say 'hmmm, hmmm' dining here! Yum! Parking is free under the building, and nearby street parking tends to be available, too. The Food: Blackened Salmon, $33 - 5 Stars Menu: Salmon, corn soubise, fried plantains, fried okra We both wanted this as our main dish, so this is a 2X. The salmon is perfectly seasoned and grilled. You can SEE the seasoning on the fish. So glad they included pieces of okra. The frying/searing gives it the perfect chew. Fried Green Tomatoes, $15 - 5 Stars Menu: Green tomatoes, panko, egg, onion, Buddha's belly seasoning This dish is known as their must order. I have no clue what Buddha's belly seasoning is, but I can tell you it is tasty. Fried green tomatoes is a perfect southern dish (and I will always think about the movie). Wings, Jerk seasoning, $18 - 5 Stars Like many, we're suckers for wings. Even better if the seasoning is different. Jerk wings is rightfully popular, here. The sauce is generously applied, and every bit is delicious. The flavorful foods will have me returning for sure!

My first time at Island Soul and I was blown away. The food is rich and flavorful without being…read moreheavy. The servers were attentive without being overbearing - thanks Natalie and Hector! The atmosphere is a little noisy just because people were having a good time. I look forward to going back.

This place is one of a kind and so delicious for Carribean and Jamaican cuisine! If you have not…read moretried -- you must! We were celebrating my colleagues birthday the day before and were going to see a show at the Royal Room! We got drinks and I had the caprihlana and the Carribean Star! The Carribean Star is a MUST- TRY, the flavors of that drink were amazing! Both the tostones and shrimp ceviche for appetizers was out of this world! The fried catfish was breaded and crisped perfectly and their sides, especially the collard greens are tasty, a bit tangy and phenomenal! I was able to sample my coworkers dishes (they offered of course and I did too) and the goat curry -- try this too if you like curry! Such amazing flavor and tender goat! They do not take reservations but it's peak around dinner time and weekends! We got lucky with the last big table! The menu is creative and colorful. Staff is amazing! They actually had a location in Kirkland but had to close it and this location remains and is a HIT!

Never disappoints, always a good option late at night or any time or day. Every location has been…read moreconsistent

The fried chicken and sides were good. 7.9/10…read more The problem I had was I ordered a bunch of food, the Door Dash guy delivered the food expeditiously, but the order was wrong. How hard is it to notice that I specified only DARK? And why not throw in some napkins? And ketchup? And freakin' UTENSILS?!? So, you mean we can order $60 worth of food/delivery but we have to ASK for "extras" like utensils and ketchup? Decent food, horrible service.