10 California Soul Food Spots That Locals Don’t Want Tourists To Find
California might be famous for trendy restaurants and fusion cuisine, but locals know the real treasures are tucked away soul food spots.
From crispy fried chicken to creamy mac and cheese and collard greens cooked just right, these kitchens serve comfort on a plate.
Generations of families keep coming back, quietly guarding their favorite flavors. Visiting these hidden gems is like stepping into a world where every bite feels familiar, hearty, and unforgettable.
1. Roscoe’s House of Chicken ‘n Waffles (Los Angeles)
Long before the chicken and waffle combo became trendy, Roscoe’s was perfecting this sweet-savory marriage in LA.
Founded in 1975, this soul food institution has kept locals coming back for generations.
The Obama Special (unofficially named after the former president’s visit) features succulent chicken and golden waffles that strike the perfect balance between crispy and fluffy.
Their mac and cheese side? Absolutely life-changing.
2. Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen (Inglewood)
Family recipes reign supreme at this Inglewood institution where comfort meets culinary artistry.
Since 1992, owner Adolf Dulan (known as the ‘King of Soul Food’) has been feeding hungry Angelenos with recipes passed down through generations. Grab the smothered pork chops that practically fall off the bone.
Their candied yams, kissed with cinnamon and brown sugar, will transport you straight to a Southern Sunday dinner table, even in the heart of LA.
3. Harold & Belle’s (Los Angeles)
Three generations of family ownership have kept this Creole-inspired gem thriving since 1969. Walking into Harold & Belle’s feels like stepping into New Orleans without leaving LA.
Their gumbo alone justifies the trip – a rich, dark roux loaded with crab, shrimp, and andouille sausage that simmers for hours.
Locals swear by the crawfish étouffée, which delivers just the right amount of heat in a buttery, complex sauce that’ll have you questioning why you haven’t moved to Louisiana.
4. Brenda’s French Soul Food (San Francisco)
Chef Brenda Buenviaje blends her New Orleans heritage with French techniques at this perpetually packed Tenderloin hotspot. Weekend brunch lines stretch around the block, but patience rewards the faithful.
The cream biscuit with house-made apple-cinnamon butter melts in your mouth like sugary clouds.
Don’t miss the watermelon tea – a refreshing counterpoint to their spicy, seafood-packed gumbo that delivers authentic Big Easy flavor in the heart of San Francisco.
5. Fixins Soul Kitchen (Sacramento)
Former NBA star Kevin Johnson opened this Sacramento gem to celebrate his grandmother’s recipes and elevate soul food classics. The modern, airy space might fool you, but the food is deeply rooted in tradition.
Their buttermilk fried chicken achieves the impossible: shatteringly crisp outside while remaining juicy inside. Pair it with the black-eyed pea hummus for a clever California twist on Southern staples.
The collard greens, simmered with smoked turkey instead of pork, offer a lighter but equally flavorful alternative.
6. Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement (Emeryville)
Grandma Minnie’s legacy lives on through Chef Fernay McPherson’s rosemary fried chicken at this beloved East Bay spot.
What started as a pop-up has evolved into a soul food destination that blends tradition with Bay Area sensibilities.
The secret to their famous chicken? A 24-hour brine followed by a rosemary-infused dredge that creates an herbaceous crust unlike any other.
Their brown butter cornbread, slightly sweet with crispy edges, has converted even the most devoted cornbread skeptics.
7. Angeline’s Louisiana Kitchen (Berkeley)
Berkeley students and locals alike flock to this cozy Cajun-Creole treasure tucked away on a quiet street. The vibrant blue exterior hints at the explosion of flavors waiting inside this East Bay institution.
Their hush puppies arrive piping hot with a honey butter that’ll make you consider drinking it straight.
The voodoo shrimp – sautéed in a spicy cream sauce with just enough heat to make your lips tingle – keeps regulars coming back weekly.
Save room for the bread pudding with bourbon sauce, a dessert worth crossing the Bay Bridge for.
8. Honey’s Kettle Fried Chicken (Culver City)
Vincent Williams spent decades perfecting his pressure-cooking technique before opening this Culver City institution.
The result? Chicken with a distinctive honey-kissed crust that’s impossibly light yet satisfyingly crunchy. Each batch of chicken gets fried in small copper kettles using locally-sourced oil.
Their biscuits, made fresh hourly, strike the perfect balance between flaky and tender. True fans know to ask for extra honey to drizzle over everything – even the pickles deserve this sweet treatment.
9. Surf & Soul Spot (San Diego)
Only in California would you find a spot perfectly merging seafood with soul food classics. This family-owned San Diego treasure breaks all the rules in the best possible way.
Try their Cajun salmon alongside traditional oxtails for a surf-and-turf experience unlike any other.
The sweet potato pie, made from a recipe that’s over 100 years old, has a silky-smooth texture and perfectly spiced filling. Come hungry – portions are generous enough to guarantee tomorrow’s lunch.
10. Souley Vegan (Oakland)
Plant-based soul food sounds like an oxymoron until you visit Tamearra Dyson’s revolutionary Oakland eatery. This chef is proving that Southern comfort food doesn’t need animal products to satisfy the soul.
The ‘Southern Fried Tofu’ converts even dedicated carnivores with its perfect seasoning and crispy exterior.
Their okra gumbo, thick with vegetables and smoky flavor, makes you forget there’s no sausage involved.
The secret weapon? Cashew-based mac and cheese that’s so creamy you’ll swear there’s dairy hiding somewhere.