10 Pennsylvania Soul Food Spots That Bring Sunday Dinner Vibes All Week Long
Growing up in a Black household in Pennsylvania, Sunday dinners were sacred events.
The aroma of fried chicken, collard greens, and mac and cheese would fill our home, drawing everyone to the table for more than just a meal – it was a weekly celebration.
Thankfully, Pennsylvania boasts incredible soul food restaurants that recreate those special Sunday feelings any day of the week.
These spots serve up plates piled high with comfort food that feeds both body and spirit, just like grandma used to make.
1. Corinne’s Place: Camden’s Soul Food Sanctuary
My first visit to Corinne’s Place happened after a tough workweek when my spirit needed nourishing as much as my stomach. This Camden treasure (technically across the river in NJ but beloved by Pennsylvania locals) has been feeding souls for over 30 years with recipes passed down through generations.
The fried chicken here shatters all expectations – crackling skin giving way to juicy meat that practically falls off the bone. Owner Corinne Bradley-Powers creates a space that feels like eating in your favorite aunt’s kitchen.
What keeps me coming back aren’t just the candied yams that dissolve on your tongue or the perfectly seasoned greens, but the warm hugs and “baby, how you been?” greetings that make everyone feel like family.
2. Ms. Tootsie’s: Philadelphia’s Upscale Soul Experience
Stepping into Ms. Tootsie’s on South Street feels like entering your stylish cousin’s dinner party – the one who pairs crystal glasses with down-home cooking. Last summer, I celebrated my birthday here, dressed up but ready to get messy with their famous fried chicken and waffles.
The restaurant balances sophistication with soulfulness in both décor and dishes. Their salmon cakes would make any grandmother nod in approval, while the mac and cheese – crusty on top, creamy underneath – disappears from plates at record speed.
Between courses, servers share stories about the late founder Ms. Tootsie, whose recipes and hospitality philosophy still guide everything they do. It’s upscale without losing that essential warmth that defines true soul food.
3. Tasties Soul Food: West Philly’s Comfort Food Champion
The line outside Tasties on a rainy Tuesday told me everything I needed to know before I’d even tasted a bite. This West Philadelphia gem has folks willing to wait in any weather for their legendary turkey wings and gravy-smothered pork chops.
Owner Barbara Devan started with a food truck before expanding to brick-and-mortar locations, but she never sacrificed quality along the way. Her sweet potato pie haunts my dreams – perfectly spiced with a flaky crust that shatters beautifully under your fork.
What strikes me most is how the staff remembers regulars’ orders and asks about their families. That personal touch turns first-time visitors into lifetime customers faster than you can say “extra cornbread, please.”
4. Brotherly Grub: Food Truck Turned Soul Food Institution
Remember when food trucks were just for hot dogs and pretzels? Brotherly Grub shattered that notion when I first spotted their truck at a Philly street festival five years ago. The smoky scent of their jerk chicken mac and cheese pulled me in like a tractor beam.
Chef Michael Thomas crafts soul food with creative twists that somehow remain authentic to tradition. His salmon cheesesteak egg rolls shouldn’t work but absolutely do – crispy outside, savory-cheesy inside, with a remoulade sauce I’d happily drink straight.
Now with a permanent location, they’ve maintained that food truck hustle mentality. The walls showcase Black Philadelphia history while the playlist bumps everything from Teddy Pendergrass to Meek Mill, creating the perfect soundtrack for some serious comfort food indulgence.
5. Soul Fed Philly: North Philly’s Hidden Treasure
I stumbled upon Soul Fed Philly during a wrong turn that turned very right. Tucked away on a North Philadelphia corner, this unassuming spot has zero pretension but infinite flavor in every dish they serve.
The oxtails fall apart with just a gentle nudge from your fork, swimming in a gravy so rich it should be illegal. Chef-owner Markia Smith learned cooking from her grandmother, and that generational knowledge shines through in sides like black-eyed peas cooked with smoked turkey wings.
What makes this place special beyond the food is how Markia hires and mentors neighborhood youth, teaching them both culinary skills and business sense. The restaurant serves as both community anchor and flavor factory – exactly what soul food establishments have historically been in Black communities.
6. Kelsey’s: Atlantic City Favorite Worth The Drive From PA
Technically in Atlantic City, Kelsey’s draws Pennsylvania soul food lovers across state lines like seafood pilgrims on a holy mission. My cousin dragged me here after promising “the best crab cakes on the East Coast” – a bold claim that, surprisingly, wasn’t exaggerated.
Owner Kelsey Jackson combines soul food traditions with Atlantic seafood bounty, creating dishes like shrimp and grits that would make Charleston chefs jealous. The restaurant’s jazz brunch has become legendary, with live music complementing chicken and waffles drizzled with bourbon-infused syrup.
Despite its popularity with tourists, locals still dominate the dining room – always the true measure of quality. The walls display photos of celebrity visitors, but Kelsey still works the room, greeting regulars by name and making sure everyone feels the love in every bite.
7. Denise’s Delicacies: Philadelphia’s Sweet And Savory Soul
The first time I bit into one of Denise’s sweet potato cheesecakes, I actually closed my eyes and hummed with pleasure – embarrassing my teenage son completely. This North Philadelphia institution straddles the line between bakery and soul food spot with delicious results on both fronts.
Owner Denise Gause started selling baked goods from her home kitchen before opening this beloved spot that now feeds generations of Philadelphia families. The savory menu features perfect fried whiting sandwiches on soft potato bread with hot sauce and pickles – a Philly Black community classic.
But those desserts! Lord have mercy. The pound cakes, sweet potato pies, and banana puddings taste like they’re made with ingredients unavailable to mere mortals. Denise’s proves that in soul food, saving room for dessert isn’t optional – it’s essential.
8. Just To Serve You: Southwest Philly’s Family Affair
Walking into Just To Serve You feels like crashing a family reunion where everyone’s happy to see you. Last Easter, when my own family was scattered across the country, I found myself here – alone but not lonely, thanks to the warmth radiating from every corner.
The Johnson family runs this Southwest Philadelphia gem with everyone pitching in, from grandma supervising the kitchen to teenagers handling the register on weekends. Their smothered chicken falls off the bone, swimming in gravy that demands extra cornbread for sopping purposes.
What separates this spot from others is their willingness to accommodate dietary needs without sacrificing flavor – their vegetarian collard greens (no ham hocks!) somehow remain just as savory and satisfying. The restaurant name isn’t just words; it’s the philosophy evident in every interaction.
9. Aunt Berta’s Kitchen: Crossing Borders For Comfort Food
Straddling the PA/NJ border, Aunt Berta’s Kitchen attracts Pennsylvania soul food enthusiasts willing to cross state lines for a taste of authentic Southern comfort. My first visit came after a friend’s persistent evangelizing about their turkey wings – “life-changing” was the term he used, which seemed excessive until I tried them myself.
Alberta Ferebee (the actual Aunt Berta) creates food that tastes like it’s been cooking since yesterday, with flavors that have had time to get acquainted and become best friends. Her oxtail stew features meat so tender it surrenders at the mere suggestion of your fork.
The restaurant feels like someone’s home, with mismatched chairs and family photos creating an atmosphere of genuine hospitality. When Aunt Berta emerges from the kitchen to check on diners, her flour-dusted apron signals you’re in the presence of soul food royalty.
10. KeVen Parker’s Soul Food Café: Reading Terminal Market’s Gem
Navigating the bustling aisles of Reading Terminal Market with an empty stomach is dangerous business. Thankfully, KeVen Parker’s Soul Food Café provides the perfect solution with soul food served cafeteria-style – point at what you want, then struggle to find seating while balancing a tray of deliciousness.
The late KeVen Parker created a Philadelphia institution that continues his legacy of exceptional soul food made with quality ingredients. Their mac and cheese – with its perfect cheese pull and buttery breadcrumb topping – regularly sells out by early afternoon.
What I love most is watching tourists discover real soul food perhaps for the first time, their expressions changing from curiosity to delight with that first forkful of candied yams or perfectly seasoned greens. In a market full of culinary options, this café represents our region’s Black culinary heritage with pride.