21 Mouth-Watering Places to Get Soul Food In WNY

Did you know there is a great variety of soul food offered right in Western New York? Often referred to as “comfort food,” soul food is a style of cuisine that ranges from buttery fried chicken to mouth-watering peach cobbler. Soul food is the cuisine of the south prepared by African Americans that originated during a time of strong black expression and cultural identity.

Soul food is described by Chef Todd Richards, an Atlanta area chef and author of Soul cookbook, as “a black form of art”. It consists of various southern foods including fried chicken, green beans, sweet potato pie, hush puppies and cornbread. According to Richards, “soul food is a gospel, and chefs are its preachers. It can be handed down once you know it, and once you’re proud of it”.

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Check out all of the delicious spots around WNY where you can get soul food!

Editors note: As we publish this guide, WNY remains in the midst of a phased reopening due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We decided to include all soul food restaurants in the WNY area regardless of their current status in the hopes that all will be reopened soon and this guide will come in handy for a long time to come. That being said, please check with each restaurant specifically for updates on current hours and service availability.

Did we miss one? Email us at editorial@stepoutbuffalo.com.

Photo courtesy of At Eleven Wings & Cuisines

1. At Eleven Wings & Cuisines

3225 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14214 / Website / Facebook

(716) 899-2011

A few things from the menu: Cajun Chicken & Shrimp Pasta, Pepper Steak & Rice, Pan Seared Salmon, Honey Cajun Wings

2. Brothers Takeout Cafe & Catering

1281 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216 / Website / Facebook

(716) 322-0084

A few things from the menu: Brothers Over the Top Fried Chicken, Corned Beef on Rye, Cajun Jambalaya Pasta, Chicken & Waffles, Brothers Stuffed Meatloaf

3. Buffalo Soul

454 Pearl St, Buffalo, NY 14202 / Website / Facebook

(716) 768-8549

A few things from the menu: Fried Haddock Dinner, Fried Chicken Dinner, Fried Pork Chops Dinner, Key to our SOUL, Chicken and Waffles, Mama’s Peppersteak and Rice

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Photo courtesy of Michele DeLuca for Niagara Gazette

4. Dirty Bird Chicken N’ Waffles

6004 Buffalo Ave, Niagara Falls, NY 14304 / Facebook

(716) 564-7161

A few things on the menu: The Big Dirty Combo (Boneless quarter leg, waffle, cheddar, lettuce, tomato), The Clucker (3/4 lb wings, waffle, buttered maple), The Sticky Icky (Boneless thigh, maple-garlic sauce, pickled jalapeno, dirty aioli), Dirty Fries (Hand cut fries, cheddar, dirty sauce, french fried onions, dirty aioli)

5. Je Ne Sais Quoi

1673 & 1633 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216 / Website / Facebook

716-440-1065

A few things on the menu: Deluxe Combo (2 ribs, 1 fish, 4 shrimp, 1 chicken), Seafood Platter (Fish, shrimp, scallops, clam strips), Sides (Mac & cheese, yams, rice, coleslaw, tuna salad, green beans, pinto beans, cabbage, corn, potato salad)