Is Amy Ruth's the ONE?
After combing through the posts for one (just one!) soul food meal in NYC, I've narrowed it down to Amy Ruth's. Is there any better place that should replace Amy Ruth's as the ONE place to go for soul food?
Thank you so much for your help!
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i just ate from the buffet at manna's and have to say, it was really killer - blew away my expectations. I had a sampling of jerk chicken, buffalo wings, honey bbq wings, mac and cheese and sweet potatoes. all the meats were excellent and better than i thought i would get from a buffet. the mac and cheese and sweet potatoes were tasty too. i love that you can take as much as you want of whatever you want for 5.49 a pound. i got takeout, though they have a seating area upstairs (this was the one at 125th and 8th).
so, manna is a less orthodox soul food joint in that its not a sit-down restaurant, so i agree with the others who said amy ruths is a great choice for one meal (the honey dipped chicken blew my mind when i first had it - i seriously couldn't believe how good it was). but, for those wanting to branch out, definitely give manna's a try.
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aokinnyc
Nov 16, 2007 09:23 AM
Amy Ruth's should not be at the top of anyone's list and the Pink Teacup should be banned from calling themselves a soul food restaurant. And if you mention Sylvia's...you should ban yourself from the cuisine at all. Salty, overrated, overcooked, poor service. Absolutely not. I'm a true southerner with a family that COOKS and operates a couple of family owned restaurants/catering companies. So my expectations are high.
Here's why and my recommendation:
AR is total touristy and they are operating on name alone. The food is completely average with the fried chicken being blah. The line is usually outside so you expect that it would be worth the wait - NO. I was not impressed and I'm a soul food foodie. Take this off your list.
I won't even start on the Pink Teacup. Took a friend there from out of town, another southerner and we actually laughed at their versions of sweet tea, collard greens and fried chicken. My nephew cooks better than these people. The staff is very friendly, so friendly that the service become lackluster. I wrote them a horrible review on a number of sites and they actually do this subset of food a disservice.
NOW....the best soul food in NYC, bar none, is Miss Maude's Spoonbread in Harlem. I have taken everyone there and they always rave/rave. They have the best fried chicken, desserts, mac and cheese and collards. People come from all over for dine in and take out. The place is nothing to look at, think old school charm, sitting in your grandmother's kitchen with the doolies and corny fixtures. You're not paying for ambiance here but it's clean and basic with wooden tables. You know you're close b/c even when you get a block away, you can smell the food. Service is quick but Sunday is a madhouse b/c of the after church crowd. This is a sure fire giveaway for a good soul food spot - is the church crowd there? LOVE, LOVE this place and the food is always seasoned and cooked to perfection. You will not be disappointed. Cross those tourist traps and wannabees off your list immediately.
Other places you might like: Maroon's in Chelsea (long wait, packed 24/7, cramped, make reservations if possible, food is good, not great, service questionable). Sugercane's in Brooklyn (BOMB food, Caribbean & Soul food fusion, expensive, cramped, expect a wait, cool decor, people line up before they even open, food served quickly, tad loud, good for dates, not ideal for party of more than 3 folks, diverse/neo soulish crowd). Mobay's in Brooklyn (FOOD is excellent, very small so seating is creative, decor is very basic, service is indifferent, food is quick, skip the location in Harlem - it's a madhouse and my food was gross there but hubby liked his).
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Amy Ruth's definitely has the best honey-dipped chicken -- high quality fried chicken plopped in honey post frying. Yes, it might seem like it would be too sweet to eat, but not if it is properly balanced with hot sauce, which creates a perfect blend of sugar, heat and tang (think of the dipping sauces that come with fried fish at good Thai restaurants). It has has been a favorite of mine since I started going there. Sides like greens and macaroni are also properly prepared. As an alternative to chicken and waffles, I believe Ruth's does a good fried catfish and waffles, if you'd like.
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