Soul Food Spots In Ohio That Bring Sunday Dinner All Week
Ohio knows how to feed your soul without waiting for the weekend. From Cleveland to Cincinnati, restaurants across the state are serving up fried chicken, candied yams, and mac and cheese that’ll make you forget what day it is.
These spots prove that comfort food season never has to end, whether you need a Tuesday pick-me-up or a Thursday celebration.
Mama Joyce’s Soul Food
This place feels like stepping into your grandmother’s kitchen on a Sunday afternoon. Mama Joyce’s Soul Food in Cleveland Heights has mastered the art of making strangers feel like family.
The fried chicken here is criminally crispy, with a golden crust that shatters under your teeth before revealing juicy, seasoned meat. Their candied yams are sweet enough to be dessert but balanced with just the right amount of butter and spice.
The macaroni and cheese is the kind that sticks to your ribs and makes you consider ordering seconds before you’ve finished firsts.
V’s Gourmet Chicken
Where else can you find chicken so good people will wait in line on a random Wednesday? V’s Gourmet Chicken in Cleveland has built a cult following on consistency alone.
Their fried chicken arrives piping hot with a crunch that echoes through the room. The catfish is flaky and perfectly seasoned, never greasy or overdone like so many other spots.
This is takeout that deserves respect. You’ll want to eat it in your car because waiting until you get home feels impossible when the aroma fills every inch of space.
Soul 2 Go
However modern the presentation, the flavors here are pure nostalgia. Soul 2 Go in Columbus reimagines traditional soul food with bowls that pack every classic element into one convenient package.
Their fried chicken dinners come with sides that actually matter, not the sad afterthoughts you find at chain restaurants. Each bite feels intentional, like someone’s grandmother whispered the recipe into the chef’s ear.
The atmosphere is relaxed but lively, perfect for grabbing lunch without sacrificing quality. You can taste the care in every forkful, which is rare for a spot with this much convenience.
Peggy’s Soul Food Kitchen
When you walk into this place, the energy hits you before the smell does. Peggy’s Soul Food Kitchen in Reynoldsburg serves up Southern classics with the kind of enthusiasm that makes you want to order everything on the menu.
Their wings are sticky, spicy, and dangerously addictive. The catfish is fried to perfection with a cornmeal crust that adds texture without overwhelming the delicate fish.
Full plate dinners here mean business, piled high with sides that could be meals on their own. You’ll leave satisfied and already planning your next visit.
Soul Secrets
Though tucked away in Over-the-Rhine, this spot is no secret to anyone who craves real soul food. Soul Secrets in Cincinnati offers an escape from the ordinary with platters that remind you why comfort food exists.
The fried chicken is seasoned with a blend that makes you wonder what magical combination of spices they’re using. Mac and cheese here is creamy without being soupy, with a golden baked top that adds textural contrast.
Greens are cooked low and slow, tender and flavorful without being bitter. Every dish feels like it was made with intention and a whole lot of love.
Alabama Fish Bar
Are you ready for seafood that actually tastes like the ocean kissed it goodbye with love? Alabama Fish Bar in Cincinnati specializes in crispy, golden perfection that rivals any coastal spot.
Their fish is never soggy or overcooked, just perfectly fried with a crust that crackles. Shrimp here is plump and juicy, seasoned just enough to enhance without masking the natural sweetness.
The sides complement the seafood beautifully, from tangy coleslaw to buttery cornbread. This is the kind of place where you can feel good about ordering fried food because they clearly know what they’re doing.
Mz Jade’s Soul Food
Did someone say portion control? Not here. Mz Jade’s Soul Food in Sharonville believes in feeding you until you can’t move, and honestly, that’s a business model I can respect.
The gravy here flows like a river, thick and savory, covering everything it touches with rich flavor. Meats are tender and fall-apart delicious, whether you choose chicken, pork, or beef.
Sides are equally generous, piled high and cooked with the kind of attention that makes you appreciate simple ingredients done right. You’ll need a nap after this meal, but it’s worth every drowsy minute.
Rasheedah’s Cafe
Hence the longevity since 1993, you know this place has figured out the formula. Rasheedah’s Cafe in Cincinnati combines traditional soul food with halal preparation, creating a unique dining experience that respects both flavor and faith.
Their fried chicken is legendary, crispy and juicy with seasoning that makes you question every other piece you’ve ever eaten. Salmon croquettes are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor.
Cornbread here is sweet, moist, and crumbly in all the right ways. The personal touch is evident in every dish, making you feel like a valued guest rather than just another customer.
Taste Of Soul
This buffet-style setup lets you be the architect of your own soul food symphony. Taste of Soul offers variety that makes decision-making both exciting and slightly overwhelming in the best possible way.
Greens are cooked until tender with just enough vinegar to cut through the richness. Cornbread is available in both sweet and savory versions, because why should you have to choose?
Fried chicken maintains its crispiness even under heat lamps, which is a minor miracle. Desserts rotate daily, so there’s always something new to try alongside the classics you can’t resist.
Southern Comfort Kitchen
When comfort is in the name, expectations run high, and this place delivers without breaking a sweat. Southern Comfort Kitchen serves fried catfish with a cornmeal crust that’s perfectly seasoned and impossibly crunchy.
Hush puppies are golden spheres of joy, crispy outside and fluffy inside with just a hint of sweetness. Coleslaw provides the perfect cool, tangy contrast to all that fried goodness.
The atmosphere feels like a family reunion where everyone actually likes each other. You’ll want to linger over your meal, savoring both the food and the warm, welcoming vibe that permeates every corner.
