Providence: Mamie Ellen's Southern Vittles?

[GSM]

The morning news had a piece about Mamie Ellen's Southern Vittles, a relatively new soul food place on Broad St (a year old maybe?) . The chef/owner has had to let his staff go and is apparently struggling to stay afloat in the failing economy. It looked like a decent place. Has anyone tried it? I hate seeing these little places fail.

[elizacoach]

This place is as good as any soul food we've ever had, including down south.

My husband and I went for dinner last week. The place is simple inside, very clean, with counter and a few tables. It has a few parking spots out front, as well as parking on the street. The owner was super nice and gave us some samples to try. My husband got an AMAZING friend chicken dinner with candied yams and bacon-y collard greens. I had fried fish that was the best I'd ever had. It was flounder, not cod and the batter was similar to the fried chicken coating. Very tender and my sides were that classic orangy-crunchy mac & cheese and cabbage. Yum. Dinners were $10 and enormous, We took home plenty of leftovers. The cornbread was that 'steam table moist' texture and delicious.

This place is not fancy-- you eat out of to go containers, but it is delicious, cheap and unique for this part of the country. This is the real deal. Help this guy stay in business, he is offering real value.

He apparently does catering too, and that menu looks really fun with crab cakes, jambalaya, etc.

[GSM]

Thanks for that review-- I will definitely put this place on my short list!

[sophiecat]

Does anyone know if this place is still around? And, if so, is it still good. I'm from Georgia and I miss my southern food from time to time. It's hard to find up here! Any other good suggestions?

[DMDR]

Yes Mamie Ellen's is still around! It was just named Best Southern Food by Rhode Island Monthly magazine (August 2009 issue). I loved the fried fish, mac & cheese, fried okra and sweet potato pie. Definitely worth checking out!

[Guilty Glutton]

Is Mamie Ellen's still open? I called their number, listed below, and it was out of service. I would love to try their fried chicken if the restaurant is in business.

Mamie Ellen's Southern Vittles
568 Broad St., Providence, RI, 02909
[phone]

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Mamie Ellen's
568 Broad St, Providence, RI 02907

[malyna]

They are closed now. A shame, since I never got a chance to try it.

[JaneRI]

That bothers me too - I hadn't heard of it but I'll make it a point to check it out for lunch.