9 California Soul Food Spots Serving Sunday Dinner Vibes All Week Long

Growing up, Sunday dinners at my grandmother’s house were more than meals—they were sacred rituals. Platters of golden, crispy fried chicken, bubbling macaroni and cheese fresh from the oven, and collard greens that had been simmering since morning filled the table.

Laughter and conversation flowed just as freely as the sweet tea. That special feeling of warmth, comfort, and togetherness doesn’t have to be reserved for weekends anymore.

Across California, these nine soul food havens are serving up that same family-gathering energy every single day, offering plates piled high with comfort food that nourishes the body, soothes the soul, and sparks nostalgia.

1. Grandma’s Kitchen Reborn at Burdell

Walking into Oakland’s Burdell feels like stepping into your grandmother’s kitchen during the golden age of soul food. The vintage-inspired décor instantly wraps you in nostalgia, but chef Geoff Davis’s modern spin on Southern classics keeps things fresh and exciting.

I nearly wept over their fried petrale sole paired with perfectly crisp hush puppies. The chicken liver mousse on cornmeal waffles? Pure genius that would make any Southern matriarch proud.

Their Sunday Family Dinner, served family-style, recreates that special end-of-week gathering feeling, but here’s the magic – you can taste these soul-warming dishes any day you’re craving that Sunday feeling.

2. True Heritage Lives at Fixins Soul Kitchen

The moment I bit into Fixins’ 24-hour brined fried chicken, memories of family reunions came flooding back. This full-service soul food haven, with locations in both Los Angeles and Sacramento, honors African American culinary traditions with every plate they serve.

Founded by former NBA player Kevin Johnson, Fixins doesn’t just cook food – they preserve cultural heritage. Their cornmeal-crusted catfish crunches perfectly against tender, flaky fish underneath.

What strikes me most is the genuine hospitality. Servers don’t just bring your mac and cheese (which is heavenly, by the way) – they deliver it with the kind of warmth that makes you feel like you’ve just been welcomed into someone’s home.

3. New Orleans Magic at Stevie’s Creole Café

Since 1986, I’ve watched Stevie’s transform LA’s Mid-City into a little slice of Louisiana. The moment you walk in, that distinctive Creole aroma hits you – part spice, part comfort, all heart.

Their gumbo deserves its own fan club, loaded with tender okra, plump shrimp, and andouille sausage in a roux so dark and rich it should be illegal. Red beans and rice here isn’t just a side dish – it’s a revelation of what patience in cooking can achieve.

Owner Stephen Perry brings authentic NOLA flavors to California without compromise. Those house-made cornbread muffins? I’ve been known to stuff extras in my purse for midnight snacking – they’re that good.

4. Daily Sunday Dinner at Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen

My first visit to Dulan’s in Inglewood changed my understanding of what takeout could be. The line stretched out the door, filled with regulars who knew exactly what they wanted – a clear sign I was in for something special.

Founder Adolf Dulan earned his “King of Soul Food” title honestly. His smothered pork chops swim in gravy so good you’ll want to bottle it, while the oxtails fall off the bone with just a gentle nudge from your fork.

What makes Dulan’s extraordinary isn’t just the food – it’s how they’ve democratized the Sunday dinner experience. That special-occasion feeling is available daily, served cafeteria-style with the kind of portions that say “take some home for tomorrow.”

5. Plant-Based Soul Revolution at Souley Vegan

“Impossible!” That was my first thought when a friend dragged me to Souley Vegan in Oakland. How could soul food possibly work without animal products? Owner Tamearra Dyson proved me gloriously wrong.

The crispy tofu “chicken” has the perfect seasoned coating that shatters just right with each bite. Their cashew-based mac and cheese achieves that creamy, comforting quality I never thought possible without dairy. Even hardcore carnivores in my family have been converted after tasting their red beans and rice.

What’s remarkable is how they’ve maintained the essence of soul food – that feeling of abundance and care – while creating an entirely plant-based experience that respects both tradition and innovation.

6. The Iconic Pairing at Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘N Waffles

My first LA apartment was chosen partly for its proximity to Roscoe’s. Since 1975, this soul food institution has been serving the combination that sounds strange until you try it – then becomes an obsession you can’t shake.

The magic happens when maple syrup drips from fluffy waffles onto perfectly seasoned, crispy-fried chicken. That sweet-savory dance is soul food poetry that’s drawn celebrities, tourists, and locals alike for decades.

Founder Herb Hudson, originally from Harlem, brought this East Coast tradition west and created something uniquely Californian in the process. The Obama Special (named after the former president’s visit) – three wings with a choice of waffle, potato salad or french fries – remains my go-to order during late-night comfort food missions.

7. Creole-Soul Fusion at Georgia’s Restaurant

Georgia’s caught me by surprise during a shopping trip to Anaheim’s Packing District. What started as a quick bite turned into a revelation when their garlic-infused roast chicken arrived at my table.

Owner Gretchen Shoemaker brings something special to the California soul food scene – a Creole-influenced approach that feels both familiar and fresh. Her family recipes shine through in dishes that balance tradition with accessible, everyday appeal.

Now with locations across Southern California, Georgia’s has mastered the art of creating that Sunday dinner feeling in casual, contemporary spaces. Their jambalaya pasta – a clever fusion dish that marries Italian technique with Creole flavors – exemplifies how they honor tradition while creating something uniquely their own.

8. Community Legacy at Sunday Dinners Soul Food

Before its reported closing, Sunday Dinners Soul Food in Corona was my secret weekend escape. The modest storefront hid treasures that drew soul food enthusiasts from across the Inland Empire.

Their oxtails, slow-braised until falling apart, were worth the drive alone. The meatloaf – a dish often overlooked elsewhere – received the respect it deserved here, seasoned perfectly and glazed with a tangy-sweet sauce that caramelized just right.

What made this spot special wasn’t fancy techniques or trendy fusion – it was straightforward, honest cooking that reminded you of family gatherings. Though reportedly closed now, it represents the heart of California’s soul food scene – small, community-focused spots that preserve culinary traditions with love and care.

9. Pop-Up Soul Food Magic in the Bay Area

Last month, I followed a friend’s cryptic text to an unmarked building in Oakland where a soul food pop-up was happening. Inside, I found what might be the Bay Area’s best-kept secret – underground chefs creating Sunday dinner experiences that appear and disappear like culinary miracles.

These ephemeral feasts showcase everything from Mississippi Delta recipes to innovative California-Southern fusion. One pop-up serves beignets so fresh and pillowy they transport you straight to Café du Monde, while another specializes in smoked meats that would make any pitmaster proud.

What these roving soul food experiences lack in permanence, they make up for in passion and authenticity. They’re keeping Sunday dinner traditions alive through word-of-mouth, social media announcements, and the powerful community connections that soul food naturally creates.