If you’re looking to indulge in your favorite soul food classics while enjoying a posh, relaxing ambiance, look no further than the award-winning Ms. Tootsie’s Soul Food Cafe—a multilevel restaurant & lounge known for its soul food classics.
Ms. Tootsie’s Soul Food Cafe, 1312 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Owner: KeVen Parker
Price: $$
Ambiance
First of all, Ms. Tootsie’s is more than a restaurant, it’s an experience. There is no dress code. At Ms.Tootsie’s, you get a down-home feel with an upscale touch. Dim lighting, flickering candles throughout the building, and all black decor with tall, white, flowy curtains decorate the interior. They sure know how to set the mood! In fact, as soon as I sat down, R.Kelly’s “Honey Love” played softly over the speakers followed by Johnny Gill’s “My, My, My.” More classic R&B hits just kept coming. This would make the perfect date spot!
This place will have even a Beyhive member swooning with its Beyonce-dedicated waiting area near the restroom upstairs. The waiting area is complete with a life-size portrait of Queen Bey comfortably hanging on a wall protected behind a black velvet rope. Fancy! Obviously, someone’s a stan and for good reason. I mean, she’s the queen, right?
Service
Ultimately, the full experience is fit for a queen (and king!) with superb service and delectable food. Most of all, the waitress and chef were delighted to have my guests and me dine with them, offering great conversation, just the right amount of check-in’s and endless smiles throughout the evening.
Food
Reservations are not required, but can be arranged. Ms. Tootsies’s is open for dinner Monday through Friday and have a special brunch on Sunday served from 12-5 p.m. My guests and I arrived shortly after they opening on a Saturday evening, beating the crowd that can grow pretty quickly. We had very little wait time to be seated and served. As soon as I sat down and began enjoying the smooth sounds of R&B, I ordered the fried tilapia entree which comes with two sides. I chose macaroni and cheese and caramelized candied yams.
After the waitress brought my water with lemon, I was surprised to immediately be served a complimentary starter by the chef herself. Most noteworthy, the starter was a large cornbread muffin with a side of strawberry butter. The cornbread muffin was a blend of buttery, moist, warm goodness while the sweet strawberry butter added a touch of pizazz for your palate. It was just the tease I needed to prepare my taste buds for the main course, and boy was I thoroughly satisfied! The portions were immense. The cheesy mac & cheese was hot, gooey and very cheesy, indeed with the perfect consistency and texture. The caramelized candied yams were sugary sweet and tender. Furthermore, the two pieces of tilapia fish were flaky and fried golden with just the right amount of crisp and juiciness.
Final Rating
After this first visit, I’m definitely coming back for seconds! Hands down, Ms. Tootsie’s Soul Food Cafe rates five out of five tilapia filets. It’s a great choice for a hot, southern-cooked soul food meal with a variety of options. Both dine-in or take out is available, but I highly suggest dining in so you too can get the royal treatment that Ms. Tootsie’s offers for both your soul and your stomach. Bon’ Appetit!
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