Photo courtesy of Buffalo Soul
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”.
Advertisement
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
Photo courtesy of Jay Salt
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
Photo courtesy of Buffalo Soul
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
Advertisement
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)
Photo courtesy of Je Ne Sais Quoi
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)
Jumbo Tiger Shrimp, Grits & Red Velvet Waffles / Photo courtesy of Freddy J’s BBQ
6. Freddy J’s BBQ
195 Grant St, Buffalo, NY 14213 / Facebook
716-424-2926
A few things on the menu: Jerk Fish Dinner, BBQ Chicken Dinner, Southern Fried Chicken & Red Velvet Waffles, Ox Tail with Rice, BBQ Ribs
Burnt Ends and Brisket Rice Bowl / Photo courtesy of La Verdad Cafe
7. La Verdad Cafe
1132 East Lovejoy, Buffalo, NY 14206 / Facebook
716-768-3150
A few things on the menu: The Stretch Mark Brisket Sandwich, Mac & Cheese, Burnt Ends Sandwich
Advertisement
Photo courtesy of J. Daviyion
8. Manna @ Northland
A few things on the menu: Fish & Grits, Shrimp & Grits, Chicken & Waffles
Photo courtesy of PhatCatz of WNY
9. PhatCatz of WNY, Inc.
965 Kensington Ave, Buffalo, NY 14215 / Facebook
716-235-8549
A few things on the menu: Southern Fried Chicken, BBQ Shrimp, Breaded Fried Okra, Fried Pork Chop
Photo courtesy of The Oakk Room
10. The Oakk Room
1435 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14209 / Website / Facebook
716-771-2773
A few things from the menu: Chicken & Waffles, Fish & Grits, Fried Chicken, Fried Pork Chop
Advertisement
Bourbon Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Mac & Cheese and Broccoli / Photo courtesy of The Traphaus
11. The Traphaus
716-316-0094
A few things on the menu: Fried Chicken, Jerk Chicken Alfredo, Fried Green Tomato Sandwich
Photo courtesy of Sugga D’s
12. Sugga D’s
883 Jefferson Ave, Buffalo, NY 14204 / Facebook
716-768-1361
A few things on the menu: Chicken Dinner, Fish Dinner, Rib Dinner
Photo courtesy of The Groove Lounge
13. Groove Lounge Cafe
1210 Broadway, Buffalo, NY 14212 / Website / Facebook
716-939-3149
A few things on the menu: Soul Food Dinner, Chicken & Waffles, Fish Dinner, Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Photo courtesy of Park Vue
14. Park Vue Soul Food
34 S Crossman St, Buffalo, NY 14211 / Facebook
716-783-7437
A few things on the menu: Fried Chicken, Haddock, Pork Chop Dinner, Chicken Hoagie
Photo courtesy of The Buffalo News
15. Margie’s Soul Food
999 Broadway, Buffalo, NY 14212
716-321-0173
A few things on the menu: Fried Chicken Wings, Mac & Cheese, Ox Tail
Fried Pork Chop Dinner / Photo courtesy of Myracle Catering
16. Myracle Catering
200 William St, Buffalo, NY 14204 / Facebook
716-248-1228
A few things on the menu: Fried Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Cabbage, Fried Corn
Photo courtesy of Erin S.
17. Sophisticated Soul
2227 Genesee St, Buffalo, NY 14211 / Facebook
716-248-2667
A few things on the menu: Fried Chicken Dinner, BBQ Rib Sandwich, Chicken & Rib Dinner
Advertisement
Photo courtesy of April Gaskin
18. The Soul Place
479 Genesee St, Buffalo, NY 14204 / Facebook
716-248-2644
A few things on the menu: Fried Chicken, Pork Chops, Ham Steak, Fish
Photo courtesy of The Fire Spot
19. The Fire Spot
3300 Bailey Ave, Buffalo, NY 14215 / Facebook
A few things on the menu: Chicken & Grits, Fish & Grits, Chicken Dinner, Tid Bit Dinner
Photo courtesy of Sharon Cantillon of the Buffalo News
20. Mattie’s
1412 Fillmore Ave, Buffalo, NY 14211 / Website
A few things on the menu: Chicken & Waffles, Fried Chicken Dinner, Corned Beef Hash
21. Ms. Goodies
1836 Bailey Ave, Buffalo, NY 14211 / Facebook
A few things on the menu: Chicken & Waffles, Shrimp & Grits, and Soul Food Friday
Photo courtesy of Simply Soul
22. Simply Soul
829 Main Street Niagara Falls, NY 14301 / Facebook
A few things on the menu: Ribs, Fried Chicken, Peach Dumpling, Sweet Potato Pie
Photo courtesy of A Taste of Soul
23. Taste of Soul
346 Connecticut Street Buffalo New York 14213 / Facebook
A few things on the menu: Tasty Ribs, Oxtails Over Rice, Tasty Pork Chops Over Yellow Rice
24. EM Tea Coffee Cup Cafe
80 Oakgrove Ave, Buffalo, NY 14208 / Website
A few things on the menu: Turkey Bacon Egg and Cheese on a Croissant, Shrimp Po Boy, Fish and Grits, Jerk Chicken, Pastelillos, cabbage mixed veggies, greens, mac and cheese, seasoned rice, fries, home fries
Did we miss one? Email us at editorial@stepoutbuffalo.com.
