Top Soul Food In Philadelphia

Everybody knows Philadelphia has heart, but this city has a whole lot of soul too. While we're far from the South, "The City of Brotherly Love" is home to an impressive array of soul food haunts that offer everything from chicken to collard greens, and every soulful dish in between. We previously gave you a list of the top soul food eateries in the Philly area, and now we're here to give you an updated list that features a few more of our favorite spots.

Tasties Soul Food
1214 N. 52nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19144
(215)477-0281
www.tastiesoulfood.com 

Owner and lead chef Barbara Devan is a Philadelphia native who takes down-home pride in her cooking. Devan first opened this soul food staple in 2007 before switching locales and adding a food truck option to keep up with the demand. A full menu of classic soul comfort food includes super-sized chicken, turkey, rib or salmon soulful platters that come with two sides. The dessert menu offers some of the best cakes in town for just $5 a slice, including hard-to-find 7-Up cake.

The Fat Ham
3131 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 735-1914
www.sbragadining.com

Chef Kevin Sbraga's University City restaurant is known for its "homage to southern cooking," so it's no surprise that his hot chicken is one of this eatery's hottest sellers. The Nashville delicacy, served on top of homemade ranch-soaked white bread, is a feature on Sbraga's menu, but his southern hospitality doesn't stop there. Sbraga's house specialties include grilled cornbread, mustard greens, squash dumplings, blackened catfish and Mississippi mud pie. Reservations are accepted at The Fat Ham, but walk-ins are encouraged.

Related: Top Waffles In Philadelphia

Butter's Soul Food To Go
2730 W. Girard Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 235-4724
www.buttersoulfood.com

Owner Kevin Bell has been in the soul food business for 15 years, and it certainly shows. This go-to to-go shop boasts an affordable take-out menu full of familiar, home-cooked favorites, including baked cakes and pies that come directly from Bell's mother's oven. Specialties include chicken wings and Salisbury steak, as well as corn and okra, lima beans and black-eyed peas and a dessert menu that includes, wait for it, mom's sweet potato cheesecake. Butter's Soul Food also offers a full catering menu.

Just To Serve You
5132 N. 5th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19120
(267) 385-7160
www.just2serveyou.com

West Philadelphia native Nate Fields learned how to cook from his mother, and she taught him well. Fields opened his soul food joint Just to Serve You in 2006. With grits and omelette laden breakfast platters, dinner platters that come with two sides and cornbread and a menu that features lobster mac and cheese, candied yams, tuna macaroni salad and red bliss potatoes, there's something for everyone. Homemade lemonades and iced teas and desserts like pound cake, red velvet cake and peach cobbler round out this scrumptious menu. In addition to the North 5^th Street location, Just To Serve You has a take-out and delivery depot at 5622 W. Girard Street in Philadelphia.

Related: Top Fried Chicken Near Philadelphia

Warmdaddy's
1400 S. Columbus Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA 19147
(215) 462-2000
www.warmdaddys.com

Big plates of soul food and live blues music are on the menu at this Philly hotspot, which is located along the Delaware River in South Philly. Southern hospitality shines in this bar and restaurant's relaxed atmosphere. Menu items include gumbo, New Orleans shrimp and cheddar grits, Cajun catfish fingers, Jambalaya and much more. For dessert, try the chocolate moon pie, pineapple upside down bread pudding or a big ol' red velvet cupcake. You definitely won't leave this place feeling hungry, and the live music is food for your soul.

Victoria Miller is a freelance entertainment writer who also covers recreation and leisure activities in the Philadelphia area. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.