5 Best Southern Restaurants near Riverdale

“Always good food best BBQ hands down!“

“Okay at first I was VERY skeptical. I came very late night so no one was there really, I had to call a number and place my order over the phone and send my payment via cashapp or Apple Pay. Now I waited 45 min as I was told and as the time went on I was like damn imagine…. BUT the food came. NOW this food yall was LEGIT HOME COOKED. Ain’t really much I can say about besides I’m ordering and waiting every single time cause this place is beyond legit. You will not be disappointed I guarantee it.“

“I felt very welcome and the food was excellent, the main owner was super sweet and handled the entire rush alone and surgically efficiently. Great fries and greater paintings!“

“Great place, good vibes and drinks!“

“Annie Laura’s Kitchen – A Beloved Staple with Room to Grow

For over 15 years, Annie Laura’s Kitchen has been a consistent go-to for me, and with good reason—the food is, more often than not, exceptional and absolutely finger-licking good. Their Southern comfort dishes carry a depth of flavor that keeps me coming back time and again.

Out of well over a hundred visits, I can recall only three occasions where the food fell short: twice, the turkey wings arrived undercooked, with meat still visibly red and inedible; once, the macaroni and cheese carried the unmistakable tang of spoiled milk. Those rare missteps, however, have never been enough to deter me from returning. In my book, 3 off-days out of 100 is a pretty remarkable track record.

The staff, particularly the young men and women taking orders outside, deserve special mention. Whether in the blazing summer heat or under a drizzle of rain, their attitudes remain warm, professional, and welcoming—a standard of service that deserves recognition.

Another point in Annie Laura’s favor is its pricing. Whether you’re dining solo or feeding a family of six, the portions are generous, and the value is undeniable.

That said, my overall rating of 4 stars reflects one lingering issue: the atmosphere. Both the exterior and interior are in dire need of an upgrade to match the quality of the food. The interior has long been closed for dine-in service, and reopening it could not only enhance the dining experience but also help alleviate the notoriously long drive-thru wait times—especially on Sundays.

Annie Laura’s Kitchen is a cornerstone of the community’s comfort food scene. With a refreshed space to match its culinary strengths, it could easily elevate from a local favorite to a true dining destination.“