10 Incredible Soul Food Restaurants in LA County

When your soul needs feeding just as much as your stomach, there’s no better taste than soul food. Next time the thought of chicken and waffles or shrimp and grits tugs on your mind, feed the need at one of these stellar soul food restaurants across LA County.

Two Hommés

• Location: Inglewood
• Try: Jollof rice
• You’ll be treated to more than soul food at this “Afro-centric” eatery, where the menu travels from West Africa to the Southern US. Reflective of its features in media like Eater LA and Forbes, customers rave about the flavors, ambiance, and friendly staff.

Fixins Soul Kitchen

• Location: Downtown LA
• Try: Oxtails
• Located at the popular LA Live complex, we recommend making a reservation for a visit to this popular Downtown spot. Despite parking being a predictable headache, a visit is well worth the trouble. From the warm service and lively atmosphere to the big portions of delicious fixins, it’s a slam dunk.

Cea-Lo LA

• Location: Sherman Oaks
• Try: Mac ‘n’ cheese
• As mac ‘n’ cheese connoisseurs, we can confidently state that it’s tough to find truly delicious mac ‘n’ cheese in LA. The good news is that the search ends in the valley at this unassuming hidden gem. Try anything from the menu - including vegan options - and you won’t be disappointed.

A Family Affair

• Location: Windsor Hills
• Try: Turkey chops
• Tucked inside a liquor store is a delightful surprise counter serving up turkey chop, yams, oxtails, and other mouth-watering Southern dishes in generous servings. There are few tables, but a to-go order is for the best anyway so you can stuff your cheeks with the delicious food in the privacy of your own home. 

BB’s Cafe

• Location: Covina
• Try: Chicken and waffles
• Breakfast is the meal of the day at this cozy cafe where waffles reign supreme. With just a few coveted tables, get there early or be ready to wait for a spot. Bring a pal so you can order the chicken & waffles as well as a pulled pork breakfast burrito and share the two top dishes.

The Cultured Soul Kitchen

• Location: Long Beach
• Try: Crispy chicken
• This food truck is a neighborhood favorite, and for good reason. From the crispy chicken to the peach cobbler, there’s no going wrong with the menu. Be ready to take home leftovers, since the portions are generous. 

Mississippi-Georgia Fried

• Location: Valencia
• Try: Fried catfish
• It’s tough competition to be the best at the Santa Clarita Valley “Hub” food hall, but this soul food gem is a fierce competitor. All of the sides are made without meat (vegan collard greens, finally!), and there are plenty of tasty mains on the menu. With limited seating and hours, plan your visit wisely!

Southern Soul LA

• Location: Hyde Park
• Try: Lamb chops
• In this Southern transplant-approved restaurant, the hospitality is just as sweet as the yams, which is saying something considering it’s a takeout-only spot. The consistent quality of the food, generous portions, and familial warmth is guaranteed to make you a repeat customer.

Alma’s Place

• Location: Compton
• Try: Dessert
• Use all of your willpower to save room for dessert at this neighborhood staple. After enjoying a classic soul food meal, try one of the selection of delectable desserts - from pecan cheese cake to peach cobbler, you can’t go wrong! 

The Neighborhood Cafe

• Location: Huntington Park
• Try: Chilaquiles
• Ok, ok - it’s not a typical soul food dish, but diners can’t stop raving about the chilaquiles at this soul food spot. At least try a few bites between nearly-as-lauded breakfast classics like chicken and waffles, and french toast.

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