In search of a new favorite soul food spot?
Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top soul food eateries around Washington, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to satisfy your cravings.
1. NuVegan Café
Topping the list is NuVegan Café. This is soul food with a twist: everything is vegan. The collard greens are free of bacon. "Cheezy" grits are spelled that way for a reason — there's no dairy in it. Even the fried "fish" and "chick'n" are soy based. Choose the amount you want from the cafeteria-style buffet and pay by weight.
Located at 2928 Georgia Ave. NW (between North Hobart Place and North Columbia Road) in Ledroit Park, it is the highest rated soul food restaurant in Washington, boasting 4.5 stars out of 945 reviews on Yelp.
2. Wings On Deck
Next up is Wings On Deck, situated at 7317 Georgia Ave. NW (between North Geranium Street and North Fern Place). Chicken wings are the specialty here, and they come in flavors that range from spicy and honey barbecue to Old Bay and Parmesan garlic. There are also soul food classics like mac and cheese, baked beans and fried catfish.
Consider ordering ahead at this family-run joint to avoid a wait. With 4.5 stars out of 117 reviews on Yelp, it has proven to be a local favorite.
3. Hitching Post
Brookland's Hitching Post, located at 200 Upshur St. NW (between North Rock Creek Church Road and North Second Street) is another top choice, with Yelpers giving it four stars out of 241 reviews. It's been a longtime neighborhood fixture — it opened in 1967 — located across from President Lincoln's cottage. Entrees like fried whiting, grilled pork chops or steamed shrimp come with two sides (coleslaw, cabbage, mashed potatoes, among others).
Get takeout, grab a table (inside or on the patio), or sit at the bar, which has beer, wine and the full range of liquor.
4. Andrene's Caribbean & Soul Food Cafe
Andrene's Caribbean & Soul Food Cafe, in Fort Totten, is another go-to, with four stars out of 225 Yelp reviews. You'll find a mix of Southern and Caribbean cuisines across the menu. Sides include rice and peas, as well as fried plantains. Chicken is curried, stewed or jerked. There is also slow-cooked oxtail, curried goat and barbecued ribs.
Whatever you order, refresh your palate with ginger beer, cream soda or perhaps a bottle of Ting, the carbonated grapefruit drink from Jamaica. Head over to 308 Kennedy St. NW (between North Fourth and North Third streets) to try it for yourself.
5. Saint's Paradise Cafeteria
Finally, over in Shaw, check out Saint's Paradise Cafeteria, which has earned four stars out of 141 reviews on Yelp. It's another cafeteria-style experience, this one next door to the United House of Prayer. Regulars come for low prices, traditional soul food and perhaps for the sense of community. ("Love is our main ingredient," the restaurant says on its menu.)
Neck bones, liver and onions, mac and cheese, pig’s feet and fried whiting are among the items you'll find available. If there's room afterward, round things out with some sweet potato pie. You can find the restaurant at 601 M St. NW, Suite A (between North Sixth and North Seventh streets).
