29 Best Southern Restaurants in Chicago

“When we came through the doors , we felt a vibe that truly said “Welcome Home”!! We didn’t have a reservation but the hostess greeted us and saw that we were weary tourist and celebrating life. So we were seated immediately and loved on to our perfect table amidst a warm atmosphere with a vibe of culture and class!!
Katie S. our server catered to our every need after Fatima, the manager introduced us to the best of the menu! The sides tasted like Big Mama’s with traditional entrees that have been leveled up for a new generation! I will be tellin my peeps to put this restaurant on the Chicago visit itinerary especially after visiting the Obama Center and a a Riverwalk cruise!!“

“The food was amazing! The gumbo, short ribs, greens with smoked turkey, Mac & cheese and cornbread were delicious!“

“Stopped in for lunch. The salads were excellent, gumbo delicious, and the corn bread is out-if-this-world amazing!“

“Food was delicious“

“I've been wanting pancakes for the past month and finally went for some this morning. The pancakes were PHENOMENAL! My pancake jonesing was fulfilled by a more delicious pancake than I imagined was possible. They were huge and I could only eat one 🤤 The other reheated perfectly in the microwave - the texture was interior, but the taste was still fantastic. I've been before, but got other things. At this point, I can confidently recommend the breakfast sandwich, beignets, and pancakes. Oh, and get yourself an orange pop for breakfast... Be bad, treat yourself!“

“This spot is PHENOMENAL! Customer service and the food was TOP TIER! Traveled from Memphis, Tn just for this restaurant. And also because I also have the same name. It’s a must to stop here and enjoy the atmosphere. The prices for the food wasn’t bad at all.“

“Great service and delicious food;)“

“Divinely Delicious! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. 😋 👍🏾 👌🏻 💯 👏 👏 👏 👏“

“Had food and drinks while at a conference and wonderful experience. Our bartender Ryan was excellent, very friendly and welcoming. Thanks for a good time.“

“Stopped in for a salad and the Cajun Cobb Salad. Deliciousness😋😋“

“I had the pleasure of dining at Sweet Maple Cafe in the 9th District, and I couldn't be more thrilled to share my experience! The food was absolutely incredible—each bite was a delightful treat. A special shoutout to Twilla, the manager, and her wonderful staff, who made us feel right at home with their warm hospitality. Supporting our local businesses is so important, and Sweet Maple Cafe is a shining example of the quality and care we have in our community. I highly recommend stopping by for a meal—you won’t be disappointed!“

“Food was very delicious and well prepared!! Also the owner was very polite to me and my wife💯💯“

“The food was excellent! The fried green tomatoes are fantastic, as was everything else! Gabby greeted us beautifully, & Eliza was an amazing server! Thank you so much for a lovely lunch :-)“

“The food here is amazing!! My boyfriend and I had Ernie’s fingers, Korean fried chicken, and the cumin pepper lamb. The cucumbers in my dish were some of the freshest cucumbers I’ve ever had and the lamb basically melted in my mouth. Chloe does an excellent job is connecting with everyone in the room and setting the vibe.“

“We used to go to their old location all the time when we lived in the city, so we were excited to check out the new location now that we have kids—and it did not disappoint!

The fried chicken and biscuits were delicious, and the portions were huge. The kids’ play area with books, trucks, Connect 4 and more was an awesome surprise, plus the kids got fun crazy straws! It’s genuinely kid-friendly without sacrificing great food.

And the $2 beers with a meal were an unexpectedly awesome deal. Great food, great prices, and a perfect family spot. We’ll definitely be back! 🍗🍺“

“Good food for anytime of day!!!“

“Family friendly restaurant. I had the half chicken dressing, greens. Chicken was not hot, and it was in a warmer, greens was okay, dressing was good, and everybody knows, cranberry sauce goes with dressing, the cup, was so small (1/2 teaspoon) extra one is quarter (they don't tell you when ask for it). pet peeve with restaurants stingy with condiments, food not being hot.Try it for yourself.“

“They have great customer service. Those chittlings are the best around. Will be back again.“

“Came here all the way from the nyc/nj area this was one of my 1st stops on the list. I even took the train here from my hotel in downtown so that’s dedication. Ended up getting the platter with catfish and chicken both was good not salty at all taste like a home cooked meal. The yams when I say you have to get those do not skip them those were amazing. The Mac was ok my bf loved it. It all depends on your preference it it was still good. When I say this is a must stop I mean it. I ordered online and when I got there in 25 minutes it was ready and this was on a Saturday. I loved the outdoor seating nice and chill. When ever I’m back in town I will be stopping by again.“

“I love my black own business, doing such a great job, taking care of their customers. And catering service is great five ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ restaurant loved and recommended anyone from Chicago and out of towners to come.“

“Best hot chicken in Chicago“

“MacArthur's has always held a special place in my heart. 😊 I used to come here often when I was growing up in Austin, and after being away for more than 10 years, I finally returned. The moment I walked through the doors, a wave of nostalgia hit me. ❤ The atmosphere felt just as welcoming as I remembered, and the food tasted amazing. 🍽 Every bite brought back great memories and made me feel right at home. It's incredible how this place has maintained its quality over the years. 👏 If you're in the area, this restaurant is absolutely worth visiting. ⭐ Highly recommended and definitely a must-try!“

“Excellent food! Excellent service! DON’T MISS THIS PLACE WHEN YOU’RE IN CHICAGO!“

“Cancels performances by Jewish artists like it's 1930s Germany.“

“I would like to rate this restaurant with 2 stars. The customer service was great. I traveled from Holland, Michigan in search of a good soul food restaurant. I won't go into detail, but I will mention some areas for improvement. The catfish was delicious. The sweet potato had a nice flavor. The Mac N Cheese was tasty. However, the potato salad could use some improvement. The greens tasted like they came from a can and had a lot of stems.“

“Came in almost before closing time! The location was easily findable and had a very nice atmosphere! Super good vibe and feel! Once we got to the counter a nice gentleman named Jose was the one that helped us! That guy is the MVP! You can tell he enjoys his job and does it pretty well! He recommended us some good sauces and the salsa macha! Definitely will come back just because of the good service we had! The food was insanely good! Brisket was beyond fire! The tacos were the best in my opinion! Totally unexpected it! 100/10“

“This place has a really unique variety of food options 🍔🌮🍜 You can find everything from soups and tacos to burgers and even Asian dishes, which makes it great for groups with different tastes 😊 Some menu items feel a little expensive, but the burgers are definitely worth the price and a really good value 🍟🔥 One thing I also liked was the comfortable seating area 🪑✨ Even if you’re not ordering food, it’s still a nice spot to relax, study, work on your laptop, or meet up with friends for a chat ☕📚 Overall, it has a chill atmosphere and plenty of choices for almost everyone 👍“

“Bourbon on Division is the heart of Division Street. Beyond its gruff exterior (metaphorically), it boasts some of the most eclectic variety of live music and amazing DJ's in all of Chicago. I've met some of the best people in my life there. Management all the way down to security create a fun safe environment. Also 5 stars for the bartending tonight on Emo night. Chris and Krue were great!“