Got a hankering for soul food?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top soul food restaurants around Charlotte, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best places to venture when cravings strike.
1. The Flying Biscuit Cafe
Topping the list is The Flying Biscuit Cafe. Located at 4241 Park Road, the Southern spot is the highest-rated soul food restaurant in Charlotte, boasting four stars out of 553 reviews on Yelp. The regional chain has two locations in the city: this one in the Park Road Shopping Center and another in StoneCrest at Piper Glen.
Fan favorites include the cafe's award-winning shrimp and grits, topped with roasted red pepper tomato sauce; three black bean and cornmeal "love cakes" topped with tomatillo salsa, sour cream and feta cheese; and biscuit pot pie, stuffed with creamed chicken, carrots, celery, onions, potatoes and peas.
Sides include chicken sausage gravy, oven-roasted "moon-dusted" potatoes, fresh fruit cup and more. Finish your meal with chocolate biscuit bread pudding served warm with vanilla cream sauce and Georgia peaches and cream biscuit shortbread topped with brown sugar peaches, raspberry sauce and cream.
2. The King's Kitchen
Next up is downtown Charlotte's The King's Kitchen, situated at 129 W. Trade St. With four stars out of 524 reviews on Yelp, the non-traditional, nonprofit soul food spot has proven to be a local favorite.
According to its website, King's Kitchen was established in 2010 and donates 100 percent of profits from sales to feed the poor in the Charlotte region. Additionally, the restaurant partners with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Dream Center and other local area ministries to provide job training, life-skills training, social etiquette workshops, financial management guidance and employment intern opportunities to residents in search of a new beginning.
Menu items include Noble's tomato bisque, served with goat cheese crostini; chilled salmon salad served with local green beans, radish and yogurt; and oyster po'boys, served with remoulade, Tega Hill's lettuce and tomato on a grilled potato bun.
3. Soul Central
Soul Central, located at 2903 Central Ave. in Plaza Midwood, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the Caribbean soul food restaurant 4.5 stars out of 133 reviews.
Menu items include pot roast, fried tilapia, pork chops, meatloaf, stewed oxtail with rice and more. Both regular sides and vegan sides are available. For dessert, check out the restaurant's array of options, including peach cobbler, apple cobbler, banana pudding and sweet potato pie.
4. Nana's Soul Food Kitchen
Nana's Soul Food Kitchen in southwest Charlotte is another go-to, with four stars out of 342 Yelp reviews.
Meat choices include baked chicken, barbecue chicken, bourbon chicken, chicken Alfredo, fried chicken, jerk chicken, smothered chicken and more. Diners can expect the classic sides as well, including mac and cheese, green beans and black-eyed peas. Head over to 2908 Oak Lake Blvd., Suite 106, to try it for yourself.
Yelper Kim B. wrote, "This is the absolute best! Flavorful soul food with ample-sized portions. Almost endless selections and fast service for a reasonable price. Cafeteria-style buffet means no long wait for your food."
5. Ty's Wings & Tings
Over in Eastland, check out Ty's Wings & Tings, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 54 reviews on Yelp. You can find the soul food and Caribbean spot, which offers chicken wings and more, at 5708 N. Sharon Amity Road, Suite H.
Noteworthy menu items include the fried fish basket, curry grilled tilapia, plantains, oxtails, okra and turkey ribs dinner.
"When you have a taste for real barbecue wings from a pit, go to Ty's," wrote Yelper Aaron M. "The Hennessy barbecue is on point. They have the right amount of char and sauce. The meat was falling off of the bone."
