Southern, Soul & Caribbean Food Satisfy Philly Diners

Philadelphia’s dining scene is rich in soul—food, that is. On the menu at the region’s Southern, Cajun, Creole and Afro-Caribbean restaurants and takeout spots: classic barbecue and gourmet turkey wings, out-there mac and cheese and traditional sweet potato pie, not to mention extra-crispy (and totally trendy) fried chicken. Here’s a look at some of city’s most delicious dining spots:

Soul Food:

• 48^th Street Grille – Customers with a taste for a perfect combo of soul, Caribbean and American cuisines—and affordable prices—get just that at this beloved West Philly destination. Hearty portions of blackened wings, jerk turkey with stuffing, baby back ribs and more draw neighbors and out-of-towners alike. 310 S. 48^th Street, (267) 244-4764, 48thstreetgrille.com
• Butter’s Soul Food – This takeaway joint corners Brewerytown’s market for gravy-slathered baked turkey wings, fried shrimp platters, rice and gravy, corn and okra and a mean sweet potato cheesecake. 2730 W. Girard Avenue, (215) 235-4724, buttersoulfood.com
• Chef Ken’s Café – This friendly hideaway in Mt. Airy serves hearty lunches and dinners of barbecue chicken, fried whiting, beef ribs (Chef Ken’s signature) and sides of dirty rice, mac and cheese and collard greens—all prepared with a light, health-conscious touch not always found in Southern kitchens. 7135 Germantown Avenue, (215) 713-8899
• Country Cookin’ Restaurant & Catering –Saudia “Saud” Shuler is known for both her impressive down-home, all-love North Philly takeout—jerk chicken, Buffalo shrimp, oxtail, macaroni and cheese, banana pudding—and her impressive—250K fans and counting—Instagram following. 2836 N. 22^nd Street, (267) 625-3664, @countrycookin1
• Gigi & Big R – This food truck has spent years satisfying the University City lunchtime crowd with its belly-warming mix of Caribbean, soul and Southern cuisines. Packed with home-cooking flavor, the hefty Styrofoam platters piled high with mac and cheese, jerk chicken and tender yams are also a great value. 38^th & Spruce Streets, (267) 278-2705
• Green Soul – The latest from owners and brothers Robert and Benjamin Bynum serves healthful, soulful comfort food such as mango jerk salmon, black bean veggie burgers and North African chicken. The lovely, rustic venue is another new business along the developing North Broad Street corridor. 1410 Mt. Vernon Street, (215) 660-9600, greensoulliving.com
• Keven Parker Soul Food Cafe – Fried chicken, mac and cheese, candied yams, collard greens, Southern-fried chicken wings, smothered turkey wings and other soul food comes from this simmering stall in the Reading Terminal Market, by the same owner as Ms. Tootsie’s (below). 12^th & Arch Streets, (215) 625-0650, kevenparker.net
• Ms. Tootsie’s – Keven Parker’s popular South Street bar and restaurant serves up irresistibly homey eats with upscale flair (crab mac and cheese balls, smothered pork and turkey chops and some of the best fried chicken in town). As a bonus, the hybrid restaurant/bar/lounge’s slick setting keeps the party going well after dinner’s finished. 1312 South Street, (215) 731-9045, kevenparker.net
• Relish – This West Oak Lane restaurant and jazz club ramps up classic soul food dishes with ingenuity. For example: Cajun deviled eggs with shrimp; Southern Caesar with cornbread croutons; and famous turkey wings served over apple-cornbread stuffing and smoked collards. Movers and shakers should also note that it’s a popular gathering place for local politicians. 7152 Ogontz Avenue, (215) 276-0170, relishphiladelphia.com
• Tasties – This West Philly destination is the fancy version of chef-owner Barbara Devan’s popular soul food takeout spot. Destination diners can experience her down-home wings, candied yams and 7Up cake in an upscale, stylish setting where she also offers seafood pasta and custom cocktails. 1214 N. 52^nd Street, (215) 447-0281
• Vernalicious – Famous for her over-the-top food truck (now closed), Verna Swerdlow has moved onto a more permanent location, a brick-and-mortar bring-your-own-bottle (BYOB) spot in South Philadelphia’s Whitman neighborhood. The straightforward menu banks on simple deliciousness: Crab cakes, baked ribs, salmon and pulled chicken come as sandwiches or salads; honey thyme carrots and macaroni and cheese are among the popular sides. 101 W. Ritner Street,(267) 455-0905
• Warmdaddy’s – Live jazz and blues provides the smooth soundtrack for red-hot food at this long-running favorite, where the audience stays full and happy with NOLA-style shrimp and cheddar grits, cornmeal-crusted Lowcountry catfish with spicy Creole sauce and slow-braised barbecue beef short ribs. 1400 S. Columbus Boulevard, (215) 462-2000, warmdaddys.com

Southern Food:

• Barkley’s BBQ – Heaping platters of comfort food and barbecue come made daily—and never from a can. Menu standouts at this Strawberry Mansion joint include hickory-smoked, sauce-slathered slabs of ribs; apple-studded yams; five-cheese mac; garlicky collards; grandma’s recipe potato salad; fried fish; green beans; and, on occasion, pig’s trotters. 2017 N. 29^th Street, (215) 763-7427, barkleysbbqllc.com
• Deke’s Bar-B-Que – Deke’s has built a sweet and smoky reputation from a tiny takeout/catering spot in Roxborough. The kitchen serves a Texas and Carolina barbecue; their ribs, hush puppies and chocolate-chunk bourbon pecan pie are revelatory. 4901 Ridge Avenue,(215) 588-7427, dekesbar-b-que.com
• Love & Honey Fried Chicken – Lovingly perfected fried chicken is the star at this tiny, on-trend Northern Liberties takeout joint. Every star has an entourage; here, it’s upscale Southern sides like pimento deviled eggs, spicy buttermilk ranch coleslaw, cornbread muffins and pie for dessert. 1100 N. Front Street, (215) 789-7878, loveandhoneyfriedchicken.com
• The Lucky Well – This suburban find slings legit Memphis-inspired smoked meats thousands of miles from that national headquarters of southern barbecue. Smoked and grilled wings, pork ribs and local beef brisket form the centerpiece section of the menu, accompanied by a wide variety of appetizers, sandwiches and sides. 111 E. Butler Avenue, Ambler, (215) 646-4242, theluckywell.com
• Mike’s BBQ – Michael Strauss, co-owner of South Philly’s Taproom on 19^th and longtime amateur barbecue enthusiast, has gone pro with this friendly, no-frills joint focused on, he said, “smoking meats the old-school way.” Strauss gets raves for his sweet and spicy smoked wings, locally sourced pulled pork and signature brisket cheesesteak, topped with melted Cooper Sharp Whiz. 1703 S. 11^th Street, (267) 831-2040, mikesbbqphilly.com
• Redcrest Fried Chicken – Chef Adam Volk’s Passyunk Square spot specializes in Southern-style yard bird, with traditional batter or a spicy, zingy alternative. The chicken comes by the quarter, half or whole, and as killer sandwiches, such as the house special with spicy mayo and shredded romaine. 1525 S. 11^th Street, (215) 454-6951, redcrestfriedchicken.com
• Rex 1516 – Graduate Hospital’s palace of pimento cheese mixes and matches Southern flavors with creative results. On offer: crawfish potpie, stellar barbecue meat platters, clever cocktails to wash it all down—and a weekend brunch featuring skillet cornbread, flapjacks, biscuits and grits. 1516 South Street, (267) 319-1366, rex1516.com
• SOUTH – Lowcountry cuisine made with rare-around-here ingredients are the focus at this Spring Garden restaurant and six-night-a-week jazz venue. Dinnertime standouts include wood-roasted salmon with hoppin’ John, Cajun shrimp deviled eggs, catfish with creamed collard greens, grits and beignets; Sunday brunch brings pickled bloody Marys and bottomless mimosas. 600 N. Broad Street, (215) 600-0220, southjazzkitchen.com
• Southern Cross – Conshohocken’s country kitchen turns out familiar yet fresh takes on home-style fare such as fried pickles, blackened tuna tacos and barbecue pulled pork mac and cheese. On the liquid side, the bar shakes up an array of cocktails, including a classic Sazerac and the Do Ya Cha Cha: buttered rum, heavy cream, lime juice and banana simple syrup. 8 E. First Avenue, Conshohocken, (484) 344-5668, southerncrosskitchen.com
• The Twisted Tail – Smoked meats, fried chicken and aged country hams appear on the menu at this Headhouse Square bourbon bar and live music venue. Also not to miss: luscious mac and cheese with crawfish and charcoal-grilled lamb chops. 509 S. 2^nd Street, (215) 558-2471, thetwistedtail.com
• Wishbone – Craft fried chicken at Wishbone locations in West Philly and Midtown Village gives the Southern staple a decidedly new-school spin. In addition to the classic wings with signature pretzel crust, there are daily-changing flavors, plus honey-buttermilk biscuits and cheddar-jalapeno cornbread. 210 S. 13^th Street & 4034 Walnut Street, (215) 921-3204, wishbonephilly.com

New Orleans Fare:

• Acadia – Bella Vista-based fans of true New Orleans flavor appreciate chef-owner Sean Nevins’ approach to Creole and Cajun flavors. Entrees include a proper jambalaya (in traditional and vegan versions), a build-your-own seafood boil and red beans and rice with smoked andouille sausage—the cassoulet of the Louisiana Bayou. 824 S. 8^th Street, (215) 922-7200, acadiaphilly.com
• Beck’s Cajun Café – Twin locations in Reading Terminal Market and 30^th Street Station make Beck’s hard to miss. New Orleans specialties—muffaletta, alligator sausage po’ boys and beignets (served on Wednesdays and Sundays)—make it hard to resist. 12^th & Arch Streets; 30^th & Market Streets, (215) 592-0505, beckscajuncafe.com
• Cajun Kate’s – Nestled in Booth’s Corner Farmer’s Market, this vendor specializes in takeaway Creole cuisine. The crawfish pie, gator on a stick, crispy Cajun mac and cheese and pralines are the real deal. Open Friday and Saturday only. 1362 Naamans Creek Road, Garnett Valley, (484) 947-8914, cajunkates.com
• Catahoula – This Queen Village neighborhood bar has Louisiana leanings, dishing up rich and authentic New Orleans flavors. The bounty includes bourbon-peppercorn burgers, duck confit jambalaya, shrimp and grits, gumbo and molasses pecan pie. 775 S. Front Street, (215) 271-9300, catahoulaphilly.com
• High Street Caffe – Ever since former glam metal rocker Donny Syracuse opened it, this West Chester institution has been known for hosting famous musicians. One need not wield a Flying V guitar, however, to enjoy the étouffée, super-spicy Voodoo crawfish or Cajun-inspired pierogi. 322 S. High Street, West Chester, (610) 696-7435, highstreetcaffe.com
• Khyber Pass Pub – Flavors of the Gulf Coast meet gastropub cookery at the oldest bar in Old City. Boudin balls, muffuletta, gumbo and all manner of po’ boys (including vegan fried chicken) accompany a formidable craft beer list and modern spins on the Hurricane and Sazerac. 56 S. 2^nd Street, (215) 238-5888, khyberpasspub.com
• Marsha Brown – Named for its Louisiana-born owner, this New Hope restaurant resides in a distinctive former church. On the menu: oysters, jambalaya and family recipe Comfort custard, plus steaks and an extensive wine list. 15 S. Main Street, New Hope, (215) 862-7044, marshabrownrestaurant.com

Jamaican, Trini & More Afro-Caribbean Fare:

• Brown Sugar Bakery & Cafe – Trini and West Indian flavors meld at this Walnut Hill spot, where customers come early and often for roti, doubles, escabèche fish, coco bread and sorrel drink. 219 S. 52^nd Street, (215) 472-7380
• Flambo Caribbean Restaurant – The father-son team behind Flambo are serious about curry. They bring back cases of it from Trinidad for their North Broad BYOB and use it to accompany their flaky roti, tender oxtail and crispy red snapper. 820 N. Broad Street, (267) 639-5179, flamboh.com
• Ibis Lounge – Platters of stew chicken, curry shrimp and callaloo, as well as fresh juices like passion fruit and mauby, come with musical sides of reggae and dancehall at this West Philly lounge. 5420 Lancaster Avenue, (215) 878-8420
• Jamaican D’s – A craving for coco bread can always be satisfied at this Spring Garden food truck and West Oak Lane brick-and-mortar spot. More reasons to visit both: generous portions of curry goat, brown stew chicken and rice and beans. 1700 Spring Garden Street, (215) 668-5909; 1265 E. Chelten Avenue, (215) 927-7415
• Jamaican Jerk Hut – Serving spicy jerk chicken, roti, patties and vegetarian entrees such as spinach and groundnut and spicy, coconut milk-based ital stew in generous portions since 1994, this tiny Caribbean BYOB has become a classic South Street establishment. 1436 South Street,
  (215) 545-8644, orderjamaicanjerkhut.com
• Little Delicious – Affordable, huge platters of jerk and curry keep fans coming back to this Southwest Philly destination, as do tasty sides of plantains, cabbage and rice and tender beef patties. 4821 Woodland Avenue, (215) 729-4911
• Miracles Jamaican – Teeing up true Caribbean flavor on an already-diverse strip of Castor Avenue, this Northeast Philly spot satisfies hankerings for Jamaican staples: stew chicken, ackee and saltfish, curry goat and “the best patties in town” (favorites being spicy beef or veggie). Perfectly grilled over hardwood, the jerk chicken tastes best over a heap of rice, peas and cabbage. 6635 Castor Avenue, (215) 342-3513
• Parada Maimon – This Spring Garden spot carries all the makings of an ideal Dominican meal: pork mofongo, sweet plantains, flan and fresh mango smoothies, punctuated by Spanish conversation from behind the counter and Dominican music on the speakers. 345 N. 12^th Street,(215) 925-2000
• Reef – Exciting island cuisine has a mainstay on the mainland at this nightclub and restaurant. Fruity margaritas and rum punch accompany specialties such as snapper with sweet mango sauce, coconut shrimp and sweet potato pie. 605 S. 3^rd Street, (215) 629-0102, phillyreef.com
• Reggae Reggae Vibes – Denice Moore owns this Kensington find serving Jamaican and American fusion in the form of flaky chicken patties, homebrewed ginger beer and even a jerk chicken cheesesteak. 517 W. Girard Avenue, (267) 457-2970, reggaereggaevibes.com
• Sunday’s Best – The oxtails are a must-try at this West Philly Jamaican takeout kitchen, with the jerk, along with rice and peas, cabbage and curry goat close behind. 41 N. 52^nd Street, (215) 476-2660
• Top Taste – In the Mill Creek neighborhood, top-notch Jamaican specialties include pepper steak, oxtail, barbecue chicken and turkey wings, which come with two sides (mac and cheese; candied yams; cabbage) with each order. 40 N. 52^nd Street, (215) 747-1460

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