Soul food is embedded in American history. It is a story told with skillets and soup pots and hot grills. From crispy fried chicken to slow-simmered collard greens, soul food carries the memories of kitchens where love was always a major seasoning. Born out of the struggle and strength of America’s Black communities across the United States, soul food connects generations through taste, memory, and pride. TABLE contributor Jackie Page shares some of her favorite spots around the city. She comments, “Though Pittsburgh does not have a lot of sit-down soul food restaurants, you can still get some of the best food around and take it home and sit down with it! Enjoy!”
Soul Food Restaurants to Dine at Around Pittsburgh
Aunt Cheryl’s Cafe
416 Library Street, Braddock
When you go to Aunt Cheryl’s Cafe, look for the double doors with a mural featuring her name and image, and you’ll know you’re in the right place. Recipes have been passed down from her grandmother, and Aunt Cheryl says the secret ingredients in the award-winning sweet potato pie are butter and love. And it’s the best sweet potato pie you’ll ever have. Soul food sides include sauteed greens, red beans and rice with sausage, and grits. Fried chicken and waffles are served for breakfast or lunch.
Grandma B’s
2537 Wylie Ave, Hill District
With thin, griddled pancakes that have crispy edges, spicy home fries, dirty grits with shrimp, onions, and green peppers, and meat sides like kielbasa or salmon patties, Grandma B’s breakfasts draw in the customers to this halal-friendly, Hill District spot. The narrow diner offers only counter seating and a few two-tops, but the close quarters make for some lively banter. Also open for lunch. Note: Grandma B’s is cash only.
Pauline’s Caribbean Soul Cuisine
1204 Federal Street, North Side
Goat curry served with sweet, buttery coco bread. Fall-off-thebone oxtail. Jerk chicken and salmon with a deep flavor and spicy kick. Pauline’s menu is legit, with plantains, red beans and rice with cabbage, and much more. Sip NA ginger beer, Kola champagne, and Ting, a tangy, grapefruit soda (which also mixes well with rum). If you are craving a taste of Jamaican soul food, make your trek to the North Side and look for the green awning. You won’t be disappointed.
The Soul Shack
719 Broadway Ave, McKees Rocks
A new kid on the block, the Soul Shack hits with some unique dishes: fried catfish, stuffed crayfish, deep-fried salmon, and grilled pineapple bowls with fried rice patties, shrimp, and a protein of choice. Their grilled meals have a solid sear. More delicate items like asparagus and shrimp get a lighter grilling, just enough to oomph up the flavor. The owner hails from Birmingham, Alabama and brings true Southern roots to his cooking.
Moodz Co.
2210 E Carson St Ste 1, South Side
Moodz is a delivery-only kitchen that is 100% vegan. Their soul food offerings are sold by the tray. Chkn wings use oyster mushrooms as the base and the ox-tails are made with their inhouse plant-based meat. Even the “honey” is vegan! Sides include yams, cooked kale greens, dirty rice, brussels sprouts, and vegan mac and cheese.
Walter’s BBQ Southern Kitchen
4501 Butler Street, Lawrenceville
Walter’s leans in deep to authentic Texas BBQ. Each day starts at 2 am to chop wood to load into the smoker (that coowner Chris Morgan designed). Briskets and pulled pork go in at 3 am, and as is BBQ tradition, when that day’s BBQ offerings run out, they run out. You’ll have to try again tomorrow. Everything that is served on Walter’s menu is made on-site — sausage gravy, biscuits, hand-breaded fried chicken, cornbread — and salad ingredients picked from their huge garden. It’s a fun, dogfriendly place with picnic seating, porch swings, and tent seating for chillier days. Come for pork ribs, stay for the fun.
Leon’s Caribbean Restaurant
823 East Warrington Avenue, Allentown
Leon Sr. has been a chef for more than 50 years and opened his eponymous restaurant in Allentown in 2014. It’s a spacious space to try brown stew chicken or red snapper, as well as unexpected dishes such as jerk lobster tail, curried crab, and chicken wings dressed in Jamaican Escovitch sauce, made with tangy, spicy, pickled vegetables.
876 Island Spice Authentic Jamaican Restaurant
7930 Frankstown Avenue, Homewood
There is a freshness to dishes at this Jamaican spot on Frankstown Avenue that leaves diners feeling Irie. Vegetables are bright in color and texture, which provide contrast to the depth of the stews and curries and jerk flavors (if you order the jerk, ask for extra sauce — not because they don’t give enough, because it’s just that good.) The portions are generous, so prepare to have two days of Island good vibes. Know before you go: there are only two tables, so you might be taking your order to go.
Showcase BBQ
6800 Frankstown Avenue, Homewood
For more than 20 years, Showcase’s chefs have been manning the grill, and selling cherry-wood pork ribs “by the bone,” as well as beef brisket, pulled pork, and chicken wings. But their one-of-a-kind, dare-youto-find-it-elsewhere-in-Pittsburgh offering? Turkey ribs. They are served with a choice of sauces, including their house made BBQ sauce, but we recommend the tangy mustard sauce. You might even say the turkey ribs are the star of the show. The unassuming spot, on Frankstown Avenue, serves a variety of soul food sides to pair with your protein. Pick a nice day to visit, as there are tables outside.
A&E Eatz
706 Island Ave, McKees Rocks
This takeout-only restaurant is known for its well-seasoned fried chicken and fish and a macaroni and cheese that has a gooey cheese pull when you dig in. On Fridays, stop in for cornbread bowls that you can top with proteins that range from pot roast, ox tails, lamb chops, and salmon, plus any of their sides, such as collards, sweet potatoes, cabbage, or baked beans. Also offered are Cheddar Bay biscuit bowls, with the same choice of toppings. Off the hook. The house beverage is their own A&E orange drink.
Story by Jackie Page
Styling by Keith Recker
Photography by Dave Bryce
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