Vivian's Soul Food

We first came in and was unsure whether we had to wait to be seated or just take a seat. Unlike last time I was here someone was at the door. But no problem, we ended up seating ourselves because no one was there. So I thought to give them another chance because I had raw chicken last time I was here. So I decided to not order that again.But this time The Food was good. However, we waited 1 hour and 20 minutes before we were served. I personally have their food once a year. Usually around this time.Great throwback music.Our waitress was pleasant.Overall I would come back. I love their dressing!

Their fried chicken is so flavorful. And the mashed potatoes were tasty.We were greeted when we entered, and our waiter was friendly and fixed our small problem quickly!!

Great char on j*** chicken, shrimp was well seasoned. Fried batter for fish and chicken was a tad salty but perfectly cooked, muffin was cold and slightly raw at the top center. Overall, everything was surprisingly good, we would definitely go back and try other menu items.

I was pleasantly surprised. The food is good and quite close to my own home cooking. Many soul food joints cut corners to keep up with traffic. Seemingly this place still continues to make very good and authentic dishes. The fried chicken was crispy and juicy. I always complain about chicken not being flavorful. This chicken is not that. If there was one critique I’d say it was just slightly salty. But eh. Not a huge deal. And the sides were certainly homemade. A+++

Came in after a long day of work for food and to unwind. Ordered a southern peach and man was it delicious!!! Food was out pretty fast and HOTTTTT! had to let it cool down before I could enjoy! Drink was perfect!! I only came for one, but ended up getting two!!??‍♀️ It was too good!!! Don’t judge me?

The food was trash the chicken test like old cooking oil it was burnt the yams taste like it's from a can the shrimp and grits was nasty it made me sick. I gave this place a second chance I regret it so much

We stopped in to Vivian’s to eat on our trip back to Colorado. Absolutely fabulous!!! I will plan our trip to Michigan with a stop at Vivian’s next year. We ordered the three piece fried chicken with two sides. I had greens and baked Mac and cheese, my husband greens and red beans & rice. Our meals were over the top delicious. We compare everything to Babes Chicken in Roanoke, TX & Gus’s in Memphis. Vivian’s is now added to our Favorites list for fried chicken. Jill was our waitress and she was awesome.

The food tasted good and fresh!! Shrimp and grits were a tad over-oiled for me, but it was still enjoyable and tasted amazing!! Fried okra was amazing! Catfish was a little too salty for my taste, but again it was still enjoyable and tasted good!

After hearing great things about this establishment I decided to give it a try myself. I ordered beef short ribs, with mash potatoes, and collar greens. I also asked for a long Island tea: bad mistake. The long Island was disgusting. They removed that from my bill, and the food was below average. The beef ribs were fatty, and tough in some spots, and the mash potatoes were microwaved. The greens and cornbread muffin were very good. Nevertheless, I wouldn't return, but at the same time I wouldn't discourage anyone else from going. Everyone's experience is different.

Awesome food, probably the best meal I have had in Cedar Rapids in a long time. Had the blackened fish, red beans and rice and my souse had the fried chicken. All was outstanding and the service was top notch. Will definitely return!!

Staff are friendly but not very attentive. Waiting for a long time just to get drinks even though they are not busy. Arrived there at 5 pm on Tuesday. Ordered catfish, fried chicken, and fried shrimp, all are tasty, very crispy but borderline salty. Yam is very good. Baked Mac and cheese is good and creamy. Collard green is salty. Corn bread is hard. Not sure how to rate our visit. We have mixed feeling about it.

Came in yesterday after my dentist appointment and this place again did not disappoint. I've never had their short ribs and I have been SLEEPING on them. So. Much. Flavor. And those greens, I could have did the chefs kiss with every single bite ?? and that dressing with the gravy, that should be an illegal combination ? and what better way to wash it all down with the strongest mimosa in town?? Idk what their chef be puttin in that food, but I'm addicted. I crave this every day. I'm lactose intolerant but their Mac and cheese is also worth the extra few hours on the toilet ? 1,000/10 HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!!

They’ve got a great local hazy ipa from Big Grove Brewery. Also the fried chicken is incredible and the candied yams. Super nice servers too

The staff service was exceptional we can with a last min large group and they seated & fed us quickly..the food was so delicious we were still talking about it for days. The baby back ribs never tasted so delicious & sauce mouthwatering. We left and sent another large family group to come back and get the same experience we had. The manager she made the dining exp top rated by far. She made sure we were taken care of in the best way possible kudos! To the Manager and her Amazing staff.

This is good food. Good, good food. They seemed to be a little short-staffed and we waited quite a while (but the waitstaff was very friendly and attentive and the friendly atmosphere made up for it), but WAS IT WORTH IT. We had chicken and waffles (best little waffles), amazing fried chicken, two different types shrimp (one fried and one grilled) and grits with a sauce that was sooo good that it was danger to my family's ethics: everyone stole from my plate... repeatedly. :-) The collard greens and mac and cheese were also really, really delicious. I am sitting here and having the leftovers. Yum. Do go!