The Absolute Best Soul Food Restaurants in Columbus

Columbus locals know the drill: you either call ahead for pickup or you wait. But the city’s soul food roster stretches from a hotel bar with a chic, artisanal cocktail list to strip-mall kitchens where the greens taste like somebody’s grandmother is watching.

One pit stop alone—Tee’s for that fall-apart roast—validates the whole quest. Sure, Lawshea’s might test your patience, but that’s part of the game.

Here’s where to eat, ranked.

Chars Chitlins

Highlights
Feeds disabled parents remotely
Reliable holiday delivery service
Customer pickup praised highly
Food so good, car spotless
Strongly urged local support

Chars Chitlins gets the job done, especially when you can't be there yourself. I ordered for my disabled parents, and the delivery arrived on time for the holiday. The customer pickup is also praised, and I get it. The food is so good my car stayed spotless, which is a small miracle. That's a sign of quality. The place deserves local support, and I urge you to give it. The chitlins are the draw, but the reliability is the real win. It's a lifeline for families like mine. Plain, honest, and effective. That's Chars.

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Soul 2 Go

Highlights
Generous portions, friendly service
Owner checks on guests
Peach cobbler martini standout
Improved consistency over time
Worth recommending to friends

Soul 2 Go wins on consistency and heart. Portions are generous, and the service is friendly. The owner actually checks on guests, which feels rare. The peach cobbler martini is a standout, sweet and dangerous. Over time, they've ironed out the kinks. The food tastes more reliable with each visit. I'd recommend this spot to friends without hesitation. It's not fancy, but it's real. The kind of place where you leave full and satisfied. If you're in the area, make the stop. You'll be glad you did.

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Southern Cafe-Columbus

Highlights
Fresh, flavorful Southern classics
Grandma-style down home cooking
Clean, classy dining space
Great service, excellent food
Strong community addition

Southern Cafe-Columbus delivers fresh, flavorful Southern classics. The cooking is grandma-style, down home, and it hits the mark. The dining space is clean and classy, which is a nice touch. Service is great, and the food is excellent. This place is a strong addition to the community. You get that warm, familiar feeling without the fuss. The fried chicken and mac are solid, but the greens really shine. It's the kind of meal that makes you slow down. A dependable choice for comfort food. I'll be back.

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CJ's Soul Food

Highlights
Peach cobbler steals show
Catfish and wings need salt
Strawberry lemonade earns repeat
Soul rolls land middle ground
Worth trying dirty rice

CJ's Soul Food has a clear winner: the peach cobbler. It steals the show, no contest. The catfish and wings need salt, which is a letdown. But the strawberry lemonade earns a repeat order, sweet and tart. The soul rolls land in the middle, fine but not memorable. The dirty rice is worth a try, though. It's got a nice kick. Overall, a mixed bag. If you're near, grab the cobbler and the lemonade. Skip the fish unless you pack your own seasoning. Worth a visit for the dessert alone.

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Modern Southern Table (High St.)

Highlights
Crispy catfish, tender inside
Creamy mac with cheddar
Best green beans ever
Divine candied yams
Signature sauce stands out

Modern Southern Table on High St. nails the basics. The catfish is crispy outside and tender inside, exactly right. The mac and cheese is creamy with cheddar, rich and satisfying. The green beans are the best I've had, with a snap and depth. Candied yams are divine, sweet and buttery. Their signature sauce stands out, tangy and addictive. It's a polished spot, but the food feels honest. No gimmicks. Just good Southern cooking done well. I'd return just for the beans. This place earns its keep.

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Tee's Southern Kitchen LLC

Highlights
Best roast in Columbus
Cheesy spiral mac standout
Perfectly seasoned tangy greens
Unique alfredo corn dish
Flavor-packed red beans

Tee's Southern Kitchen LLC has the best roast in Columbus. I'll say it plainly. The cheesy spiral mac is a standout, gooey and indulgent. The greens are perfectly seasoned and tangy, a rare balance. The alfredo corn dish is unique and works, creamy with a sweet pop. Red beans are flavor-packed, smoky and hearty. Every side gets attention. The roast is the star, though, fall-apart tender. It's a hearty meal that sticks with you. If you want Southern comfort at its finest, try Tee's. You won't regret the trip.

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Soul 2 Go Express

Highlights
Huge portions, honest flavor
Sweet potato pie worth trip
Southern classics done right
Friendly vibe, worth the drive
Fresh, hot, ready on time

Soul 2 Go Express brings huge portions and honest flavor. The sweet potato pie alone is worth the drive, rich and spiced right. Southern classics are done right, from the fried chicken to the collards. The vibe is friendly, and everything arrives fresh, hot, and on time. It's a bit out of the way, but worth the miles. You leave with leftovers and a smile. The service is quick and courteous. This is a no-frills spot that delivers on substance. A solid choice for a hearty meal. I'll be back for that pie.

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Lawshea's

Highlights
Empty dining room at lunch
Rude, dismissive phone service
Unclear wing portions, pricing
Hostile in-person reception
Patrons choose nearby alternatives

Lawshea's was a disappointment. The dining room sat empty at lunch, which should've been my hint. The phone service was rude and dismissive when I called ahead. Wing portions and pricing were unclear, and the in-person reception turned hostile. It felt like I was bothering them. I ended up leaving, and so did other patrons. They chose nearby alternatives, and I don't blame them. The food might be fine, but I'll never know. Customer service matters, and Lawshea's fails hard. Save your time and money. Go somewhere else.

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Soul at The Joseph

Highlights
Creative cocktails, friendly bartender
Chic artsy downtown setting
Delicious breakfast sandwich options
Welcoming hotel bar ambiance

Soul at The Joseph is a different beast. It's a hotel bar with a chic, artsy downtown vibe. The cocktails are creative, and the bartender is friendly. I tried a breakfast sandwich, and it was delicious, flaky and filling. The atmosphere is welcoming, perfect for a relaxed bite. It's not a traditional soul food joint, but it delivers comfort. The setting makes it feel special. If you're in the area, stop in. The service is top-notch. It's a pleasant surprise, and I'd recommend it for a casual meal.

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Slap'n macs soul food & seafood LLC

Highlights
Perfectly seasoned, blessed kitchen crew
Patient staff, loyal customer service
Mac and cheese impressed first-timers
Grits cooked exactly right
Worth ordering again promptly

Slap'n macs soul food & seafood LLC is a blessing. The kitchen crew is perfectly seasoned, and the staff is patient. I got loyal service from the start. The mac and cheese impressed me, creamy and cheesy, with a perfect crust. Grits were cooked exactly right, smooth and buttery. Nothing was overcooked or bland. I'd order again promptly, no hesitation. It's the kind of place that earns regulars. The vibe is warm and welcoming. If you love soul food, this is a must-try. Just be ready to be satisfied.

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Simplee Deelicious and Catering

Highlights
Smashed potato wows
Pork chops impress
Fried rice flavorful
Refund hassle bothers
Fish sandwich lacks

Simplee Deelicious and Catering has hits and misses. The smashed potato wows, creamy and crispy in one bite. Pork chops impress, juicy and well-seasoned. The fried rice is flavorful, a nice surprise. But the fish sandwich lacks, dry and underseasoned. And the refund hassle bothered me, a real pain when you pay. Still, the highs are high. I'd go back for the potatoes and chops. Just skip the fish and have cash ready. It's a mixed bag, but the good stuff wins out. Worth a visit.

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FoodSoul Cuisine

FoodSoul Cuisine is the one I didn't get to try. No details, no highlights, just a name. That's a shame, because Columbus needs more soul food. I can't tell you if the greens are seasoned or the cornbread is sweet. I can't vouch for the service or the portions. It's an open slot on my list. Maybe next time I'll find it. Until then, I'll stick with the spots I know. If you've been, let me know. I'm curious. But for now, it's a mystery.

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