This Hidden Florida Soul Food Diner Serves Plates Locals Say Can’t Be Found Anywhere Else
If you’ve ever wondered why your Florida road trip feels just a little incomplete without a plate of “Love in a Bowl,” you’re not alone.
Tucked into a quiet corner of Orlando, P&D Soulfood Kitchen Inc is the kind of place that smells like family before you even walk in.
Locals swear the fried chicken is a “crack recipe” (no joke-they’ll make you a second plate if you ask nicely), and the mac & cheese, studded with crispy cornbread crumbles, might just make you forget about the coast’s famous key lime pie.
This isn’t just a diner; it’s a love letter to the kind of cooking that turns strangers into “recipe-sharing” friends.
Pro tip: If you want the real secret, ask for the “special sauce.”
A Longstanding Orlando Presence
P&D Soulfood Kitchen Inc is a long-running Orlando-based business that has been part of the local community for well over a decade.
The company was officially incorporated in Florida in 2010, giving it a documented history that stretches back to the early 2010s.
Its primary public-facing location has been associated with South Goldwyn Avenue in Orlando, placing it near the city’s downtown and west-side neighborhoods.
Business records also connect the company to a Lewis Court address in Orlando, which has been used for mailing and registration purposes.
The ownership and leadership of the company are tied to local individuals, reinforcing its roots in the Orlando area.
Over the years, the business has remained active and consistently listed in local directories, showing stability rather than a short-lived presence.
Altogether, P&D Soulfood Kitchen Inc reflects a locally grounded operation with clear ties to specific Orlando addresses and a solid, traceable history.
Ox Tails That Make You Forget Every Other Meal
Ox tails are one of those dishes that separate the amateurs from the masters, and P & D proves they belong in the hall of fame.
Slow-cooked until the meat practically slides off the bone, these beauties are bathed in a gravy so rich and savory you’ll want to bottle it up and take it home.
The tender texture melts in your mouth while the deep, hearty flavor wraps around your taste buds like a warm hug.
I remember the first time I tried them here.
My friend had been raving about this place for weeks, and I finally caved.
One bite of those ox tails and I understood why she wouldn’t shut up about it.
Paired with rice or cornbread, this dish becomes a complete soul food experience that leaves you satisfied yet already planning your next visit.
Chitterlings Cooked To Perfection
Not everyone has the guts to cook chitterlings right, but P & D handles them with the care and expertise they deserve.
Cleaned meticulously and seasoned with a blend of spices that honors Southern tradition, these chitterlings come out tender and flavorful without any of the off-putting issues you might encounter elsewhere.
The kitchen takes its time with this delicacy, ensuring every bite is as clean-tasting as it is authentic.
For folks who grew up eating chitterlings at family gatherings, this version will transport you straight back to those cherished memories.
For newcomers, it’s the perfect introduction to a classic soul food staple that’s often misunderstood.
Served with hot sauce and a side of greens, chitterlings at P & D prove that when done right, this dish deserves all the respect it gets in the soul food community.
Mac and Cheese That Redefines Comfort
Calling this mac and cheese is almost an insult because it transcends the typical boxed stuff most people settle for.
Creamy, gooey, and baked with a golden crust that adds just the right amount of crunch, this side dish could easily be the main event.
The cheese blend creates layers of flavor that keep your fork coming back for more, and the pasta is cooked to that perfect al dente texture that holds up under all that cheesy goodness.
Some restaurants treat mac and cheese like an afterthought, but not here. P & D gives it the spotlight it deserves, making it a must-order item every single visit.
Whether you’re pairing it with fried chicken or eating it solo, this mac and cheese will have you scraping the plate clean and wishing you’d ordered a larger portion.
Fried Chicken That Sets The Gold Standard
Golden brown, crispy on the outside, and impossibly juicy on the inside, the fried chicken at P & D is what dreams are made of.
Each piece is seasoned with a secret blend that gives it a flavor profile you’ll be thinking about long after you leave.
The crust shatters with each bite, revealing meat so tender and moist it practically falls apart in your hands.
What makes this chicken special isn’t just the cooking technique but the love baked into every batch.
You can taste the difference between chicken that’s rushed and chicken that’s been given the time and attention it needs to reach perfection.
Grab a few pieces with a side of collard greens and cornbread, and you’ve got yourself a meal that’ll have you plotting your return before you even finish eating.
Collard Greens Simmered To Soulful Perfection
Collard greens are the backbone of any respectable soul food menu, and P & D treats them with the reverence they deserve.
Slow-cooked with smoked meat and seasoned just right, these greens deliver a savory, slightly tangy flavor that balances out richer dishes perfectly.
The texture hits that sweet spot between tender and still having a bit of bite, proving the kitchen knows exactly when to pull them off the heat.
I once watched an older gentleman at the next table order a double portion of greens and nothing else.
At first I thought it was odd, but after tasting them myself, I totally got it.
These aren’t the bitter, overcooked greens you might remember from cafeteria lunches.
These are the real deal, cooked low and slow until every leaf soaks up all that smoky, savory goodness.
Candied Yams That Taste Like Dessert
Sweet, buttery, and topped with a glaze that shimmers in the light, the candied yams at P & D blur the line between side dish and dessert.
Each slice of yam is cooked until fork-tender and coated in a cinnamon-spiced syrup that caramelizes beautifully.
The natural sweetness of the yams combines with brown sugar and butter to create a flavor combination that feels both indulgent and comforting.
These yams have a way of disappearing from your plate faster than anything else, and you’ll find yourself debating whether to save them for last or devour them first.
Either way, they’re going to steal the show.
Perfect alongside savory meats like ox tails or fried chicken, candied yams add that touch of sweetness that rounds out a soul food plate and leaves you feeling completely satisfied.
Cornbread That Crumbles Just Right
Cornbread can make or break a soul food meal, and P & D nails it every single time.
Baked fresh daily, their cornbread strikes the perfect balance between sweet and savory, with a golden crust that gives way to a soft, crumbly interior.
It’s moist enough to stand on its own but sturdy enough to soak up gravies and pot liquor without falling apart.
There’s something magical about breaking off a piece of warm cornbread and watching the steam rise as butter melts into every nook and cranny.
It’s one of those simple pleasures that never gets old.
Whether you’re using it to mop up the last bits of gravy from your ox tails or enjoying it as a side with your greens, this cornbread is the kind of staple that keeps you coming back.
Black-Eyed Peas Cooked With Southern Pride
Black-eyed peas might not get the same hype as other soul food staples, but at P & D they deserve a standing ovation.
Simmered with onions, garlic, and a touch of smoked meat, these peas are creamy, flavorful, and packed with that earthy goodness only properly cooked legumes can deliver.
The broth they’re cooked in becomes almost as important as the peas themselves, creating a dish that’s both hearty and comforting.
Traditionally considered good luck when eaten on New Year’s Day, these black-eyed peas are so tasty you’ll want them year-round.
They pair beautifully with cornbread for soaking up all that delicious broth.
Simple yet satisfying, this dish showcases how soul food takes humble ingredients and transforms them into something truly special through patience, seasoning, and a whole lot of love.