I really hope you guys take these reviews seriously. I cannot believe I paid $54 for this. The Mac and cheese was gritty. I have never had gritty Mac and cheese. I can’t even think what ingredient this could be. The collard greens had no flavor at all. All it had was a few pieces of steamed red bell peppers. The cheese grits were a joke. This was simply a bag of instant grits and someone threw some shredded cheese on top. The chicken was greasy and mediocre at best. The banana pudding was okay. I’ve give it a 5/10.
Food: 1
Juan Ruiz
Good grits, good chicken, fish poboy is bomb. Great live music last Sunday or every month!
Gary Farrall
Let's look at the two Q's of Soul Bites.Starting with the food "Q'uality. A majority of the food is frozen and then Fried. Don't think your getting a homemade fry's or chicken, cause your not.The second is "Q"uanity. Just one example is the chicken & fry's you'll get a handful of fry's and three pieces of chicken for around $16.40 out the door. That's about $2.15 more than any of the 10+ restaurants within a 8-10 mile radius.As for Service, there basically isn't any. As for Parking, there basically isn't any.All In all this location depends on foot traffic on state street and deliveries. Personally I would give it a grade of C-.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
Emerald Earth
This was such a savoury, delicious meal. I enjoyed every bite and the staff were so accommodating to me ? 100% would recommend on a road trip!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips, Macaroni and Cheese
Janet Williams
Run, don't walk, to get you some of this food. The fried chicken made me start praise dancing, but the hot crackling mac sent me to heaven. Everything we tried was hot, seasoned to perfection, and infused with so much soul and love.The customer service was on point as well. The chef and staff made sure we were well taken care of. Southern hospitality meets Santa Barbara beauty all right here. Y'all better not miss out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Black Eyed Peas, Fish and Chips, Chicken Cracklins, Fried Chicken Black Eyed Peas, Macaroni and Cheese
Jema H.
It can look sleepy from the outside but there is real soul here. The food, the spirit and the community. As a local, I have many frequent places but this is the place that comes to mind when I want comfort food. I love the fried chicken of course and a side of mac and cheese and collard greens (which are for real delicious!) and even though the combination only comes with two sides, I still had to add on black eyed peas without remorse. It was all plenty to take some home and enjoy again later. It's cooked fresh and served hot so worth some wait. 18-20 minutes isn't bad for home style cooked after order. And this place is owner operated with family in all parts of the house. It is an all inclusive space with feel good food and people. Love love it!
Ben Thomas
Food is amazing. Owner (or manager?) was as amazing. Just good vibes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Brian DiVasta
High quality, no frills souther food...truly excellent fried chicken and blak eyed peas.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Black Eyed Peas, Fried Chicken Black Eyed Peas
Justin L.
Savory, soulful Southern specialties! You'll find them on the 400 block of State Street, next to Zen Yai Thai Cuisine. There's street parking, public lots, and garages nearby. Most are free for the first seventy five minutes. They operate inside a small kitchen connected to a former nightclub/venue that has hosted musical performers like Kendrick Lamar and the Foo Fighters. Even though Velvet Jones is no longer in business, I like that Soul Bites still utilizes the space for live entertainment and community events. Seating is available on the outdoor patio, with additional tables inside. What's on the menu? Fish po'boy, shrimp 'n grits, fish 'n chips, maple brined fried chicken, several light bites, the usual fixins (mac 'n cheese, collared greens, black eyed peas, etc.) and more. They also serve several alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Whether you dine-in or take out, all food is packaged in disposable containers. Vegan Crab Cakes - pleasant plant-based rendition of a classic coastal delicacy. Exterior was satisfyingly crispy and well seasoned. Filling was flavorful and herby. Moisture content was a bit minimal, which gave the interior a firm, tough texture. Thankfully the remoulade sauce came in handy. Mac & Cheese - delightful; well prepared, slightly creamy but not runny Their kitchen is on the smaller side, I think it was only meant to handle concessions for the prior business, not for a full working restaurant. So it can take a while to get orders out. Patience is key!
Joy Ramirez
Everything was so good. Love the flavors of all the food, especially the grits, chicken, Mac n cheese and collard greens. Can’t wait to go back and eat there again.
We were looking forward to dining at this establishment. The menu looked great and the website was intriguing. However, I waited 15 minutes after my family received their food and mine still has not been delivered. They bring your beverages out in cans or water bottles so you have to buy more than one . When I asked the waitress to cancel my order, she told me the kitchen manager said I had to take it because it was already prepared. Horrible customer service. Food was not great. Would never recommend or dine here ever again.
L M.
Highly recommend this place especially on Thursday nights! Live Blues music from 7-10pm. The fried chicken here is so good. The potato salad was super dry and the potatoes were hard but the chicken made up for it. For the live band there is a $10 cover charge to sit inside, but you can hear it from the patio area and that's free. Super friendly staff, we will defiantly be back
Mariah Banks
My husband and I both got soul plates with Mac and cheese and potato salad. I also ordered a side of fries for my son. The chicken was our favorite part and we both gave it like a 8/10 it was very fresh, crispy, and seasoned well. The mac & cheese was just OK as we both thought it was a little dry and could have been creamier so we gave it a 6.5/10. The potato salad, we both didn’t really like as we were expecting traditional southern deviled egg, potato salad so I’d say a 4/10. The french fries are steak fries and were seasoned well so I’d say a 8/10.Overall, the highlight for our visit would have to be the great service from the chef and the chicken. I would definitely go back and try more things
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Viviana
Honestly I had high expectations from this place. The fried chicken was ok. 6/10. Mac and cheese was eh. 5/10 and potatoe salad I really didn't like. 1/10 it was overpowered by the celery. Half the things on the drink menu weren't available so updating the drink menu would be helpful. Presentation wasn't all that great. Everything came in to gp containers. ordered a lemonade and it was served in a plastic pouch. Each plate was $20 and Honestly not worth it. Maybe SB doesn't know much about soul food so I don't blame them for not being good. I expect to hear some blues or jazz but the music was all over the place. Ants everywhere on the outside table. The vibe was just off and the place empty but thought I should give them the benefit of the doubt. Service could be better. When we paid the chick rudely took our card and took forever to bring it back just to come back with the machine in her hand.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Kelsi Zupanic
Food was nice, absolutely terrible service. The chef was extremely condescending. Didn’t appreciate the patronising approach.
I really hope you guys take these reviews seriously. I cannot believe I paid $54 for this. The Mac and cheese was gritty. I have never had gritty Mac and cheese. I can’t even think what ingredient this could be. The collard greens had no flavor at all. All it had was a few pieces of steamed red bell peppers. The cheese grits were a joke. This was simply a bag of instant grits and someone threw some shredded cheese on top. The chicken was greasy and mediocre at best. The banana pudding was okay. I’ve give it a 5/10.
Food: 1
Good grits, good chicken, fish poboy is bomb. Great live music last Sunday or every month!
Let's look at the two Q's of Soul Bites.Starting with the food "Q'uality. A majority of the food is frozen and then Fried. Don't think your getting a homemade fry's or chicken, cause your not.The second is "Q"uanity. Just one example is the chicken & fry's you'll get a handful of fry's and three pieces of chicken for around $16.40 out the door. That's about $2.15 more than any of the 10+ restaurants within a 8-10 mile radius.As for Service, there basically isn't any. As for Parking, there basically isn't any.All In all this location depends on foot traffic on state street and deliveries. Personally I would give it a grade of C-.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 2
This was such a savoury, delicious meal. I enjoyed every bite and the staff were so accommodating to me ? 100% would recommend on a road trip!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chips, Macaroni and Cheese
Run, don't walk, to get you some of this food. The fried chicken made me start praise dancing, but the hot crackling mac sent me to heaven. Everything we tried was hot, seasoned to perfection, and infused with so much soul and love.The customer service was on point as well. The chef and staff made sure we were well taken care of. Southern hospitality meets Santa Barbara beauty all right here. Y'all better not miss out!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Black Eyed Peas, Fish and Chips, Chicken Cracklins, Fried Chicken Black Eyed Peas, Macaroni and Cheese
It can look sleepy from the outside but there is real soul here. The food, the spirit and the community. As a local, I have many frequent places but this is the place that comes to mind when I want comfort food. I love the fried chicken of course and a side of mac and cheese and collard greens (which are for real delicious!) and even though the combination only comes with two sides, I still had to add on black eyed peas without remorse. It was all plenty to take some home and enjoy again later. It's cooked fresh and served hot so worth some wait. 18-20 minutes isn't bad for home style cooked after order. And this place is owner operated with family in all parts of the house. It is an all inclusive space with feel good food and people. Love love it!
Food is amazing. Owner (or manager?) was as amazing. Just good vibes.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
High quality, no frills souther food...truly excellent fried chicken and blak eyed peas.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Black Eyed Peas, Fried Chicken Black Eyed Peas
Savory, soulful Southern specialties! You'll find them on the 400 block of State Street, next to Zen Yai Thai Cuisine. There's street parking, public lots, and garages nearby. Most are free for the first seventy five minutes. They operate inside a small kitchen connected to a former nightclub/venue that has hosted musical performers like Kendrick Lamar and the Foo Fighters. Even though Velvet Jones is no longer in business, I like that Soul Bites still utilizes the space for live entertainment and community events. Seating is available on the outdoor patio, with additional tables inside. What's on the menu? Fish po'boy, shrimp 'n grits, fish 'n chips, maple brined fried chicken, several light bites, the usual fixins (mac 'n cheese, collared greens, black eyed peas, etc.) and more. They also serve several alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. Whether you dine-in or take out, all food is packaged in disposable containers. Vegan Crab Cakes - pleasant plant-based rendition of a classic coastal delicacy. Exterior was satisfyingly crispy and well seasoned. Filling was flavorful and herby. Moisture content was a bit minimal, which gave the interior a firm, tough texture. Thankfully the remoulade sauce came in handy. Mac & Cheese - delightful; well prepared, slightly creamy but not runny Their kitchen is on the smaller side, I think it was only meant to handle concessions for the prior business, not for a full working restaurant. So it can take a while to get orders out. Patience is key!
Everything was so good. Love the flavors of all the food, especially the grits, chicken, Mac n cheese and collard greens. Can’t wait to go back and eat there again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Shrimp and Grits, Grits
Restaurantji Recommends
We were looking forward to dining at this establishment. The menu looked great and the website was intriguing. However, I waited 15 minutes after my family received their food and mine still has not been delivered. They bring your beverages out in cans or water bottles so you have to buy more than one . When I asked the waitress to cancel my order, she told me the kitchen manager said I had to take it because it was already prepared. Horrible customer service. Food was not great. Would never recommend or dine here ever again.
Highly recommend this place especially on Thursday nights! Live Blues music from 7-10pm. The fried chicken here is so good. The potato salad was super dry and the potatoes were hard but the chicken made up for it. For the live band there is a $10 cover charge to sit inside, but you can hear it from the patio area and that's free. Super friendly staff, we will defiantly be back
My husband and I both got soul plates with Mac and cheese and potato salad. I also ordered a side of fries for my son. The chicken was our favorite part and we both gave it like a 8/10 it was very fresh, crispy, and seasoned well. The mac & cheese was just OK as we both thought it was a little dry and could have been creamier so we gave it a 6.5/10. The potato salad, we both didn’t really like as we were expecting traditional southern deviled egg, potato salad so I’d say a 4/10. The french fries are steak fries and were seasoned well so I’d say a 8/10.Overall, the highlight for our visit would have to be the great service from the chef and the chicken. I would definitely go back and try more things
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Honestly I had high expectations from this place. The fried chicken was ok. 6/10. Mac and cheese was eh. 5/10 and potatoe salad I really didn't like. 1/10 it was overpowered by the celery. Half the things on the drink menu weren't available so updating the drink menu would be helpful. Presentation wasn't all that great. Everything came in to gp containers. ordered a lemonade and it was served in a plastic pouch. Each plate was $20 and Honestly not worth it. Maybe SB doesn't know much about soul food so I don't blame them for not being good. I expect to hear some blues or jazz but the music was all over the place. Ants everywhere on the outside table. The vibe was just off and the place empty but thought I should give them the benefit of the doubt. Service could be better. When we paid the chick rudely took our card and took forever to bring it back just to come back with the machine in her hand.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Food was nice, absolutely terrible service. The chef was extremely condescending. Didn’t appreciate the patronising approach.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 4
Service: 1