California’s food scene offers much more than avocado toast and health-conscious cuisine. Hidden across the Golden State are soul food gems serving up authentic Southern comfort dishes that transport diners straight to grandma’s kitchen.
From crispy fried chicken to tender collard greens and buttery cornbread, these restaurants deliver rich flavors and cultural heritage on every plate. Here are seven soul food spots that travelers consistently rave about when exploring California.
1. Lil Sista’s Goody’s in Napa: Louisiana Flavor in Wine Country
Tucked among Napa Valley’s upscale wine-focused establishments sits a surprising treasure: Lil Sista’s Goody’s. Owner Gloria Goode brings authentic Louisiana cooking to California’s wine country, creating an unexpected but perfect pairing of Southern comfort food with world-class wines.
The restaurant’s gumbo, featuring a properly dark roux that takes hours to develop, transports diners straight to New Orleans. Their po’boy sandwiches, stuffed with crispy fried catfish or shrimp and dressed with homemade remoulade, rival anything found in the French Quarter.
Wine country travelers appreciate the restaurant’s unpretentious atmosphere and reasonable prices amid Napa’s more expensive options. Gloria collaborates with local wineries to suggest pairings for her spicy Creole dishes, proving that fine wine and soul food make excellent companions. The outdoor patio becomes especially lively on weekends when local musicians play blues and jazz during brunch service.
2. Georgia’s Restaurant in Anaheim and Long Beach: Creole and Soul Classics
Georgia’s Restaurant brings together soul food and Creole influences in a celebration of Black Southern cuisine. Founded by Gretchen Shoemaker using recipes perfected over 40 years, Georgia’s has become a must-visit for travelers exploring Southern California. The restaurant’s jambalaya showcases its Creole side, packed with andouille sausage, chicken, and Gulf shrimp in a perfectly spiced tomato base.
Their buttermilk fried chicken, brined overnight and double-dredged, delivers the crispy exterior and juicy interior that soul food aficionados crave. With locations in both Anaheim Packing House and Long Beach Exchange, Georgia’s offers accessible soul food in trendy food hall settings. Families especially appreciate the generous portions and the children’s menu that introduces younger palates to Southern classics. Don’t miss their peach cobbler, served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into the flaky crust.
3. My Father’s Barbeque in Carson: Slow-Smoked Meats With Soul
Behind every great barbecue joint is a story, and My Father’s Barbeque tells one of family legacy and secret recipes. Located in Carson, this family-owned spot blends traditional Texas-style barbecue techniques with soul food sides that complement the smoky main attractions. The restaurant’s brisket undergoes a 14-hour smoking process using a custom blend of woods that creates a distinctive bark and perfect pink smoke ring.
Owner Shalamar Lane named the restaurant after her father, whose cooking techniques she preserves through every dish. Beyond outstanding ribs and brisket, visitors rave about the candied yams, baked beans, and homemade banana pudding. The restaurant’s intimate setting features photos of family barbecues and celebrations, creating an atmosphere that feels like Sunday dinner at a relative’s home.
4. Fixins Soul Kitchen in Sacramento and Beyond: Modern Soul Food With Tradition
Founded by former NBA player Kevin Johnson, Fixins brings upscale presentation to down-home cooking. The restaurant marries traditional recipes with contemporary dining aesthetics, creating a space where soul food gets the fine dining respect it deserves. Johnson’s mother’s recipes form the foundation of the menu, particularly evident in their signature fried chicken; brined for 24 hours before being dredged in a secret spice blend.
The restaurant’s catfish, served with remoulade sauce, transports diners straight to Louisiana bayou country. What began as a Sacramento hotspot has expanded to multiple locations, including Los Angeles. Each restaurant features artwork celebrating Black culture and history, making the dining experience both culturally rich and delicious. Their sweet potato pie, made from a recipe passed down four generations, provides the perfect ending to any meal.
5. Burdell in Oakland: Family Recipes With a Contemporary Touch
Chef Geoff Davis transformed his grandmother Burdell’s cherished recipes into Oakland’s most talked-about dining experience. Opening in 2023 after successful pop-ups, Burdell represents the evolution of soul food while honoring its deep roots. The restaurant’s menu changes seasonally, incorporating California’s fresh produce into traditional Southern dishes. Their oxtail and grits exemplify this approach, combining slow-braised oxtails with stone-ground grits sourced from heritage grain producers.
Unlike many soul food spots, Burdell offers an impressive wine program focusing on Black winemakers. The space itself feels both sophisticated and welcoming, with vintage photos of Davis’s family adorning exposed brick walls. Reservations book weeks in advance, but lucky diners can sometimes snag seats at the bar for impromptu feasts featuring dishes like black-eyed pea fritters and bourbon bread pudding.
6. Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen in Los Angeles: Legendary Plates With Generous Portions
Family-owned since 1975, Dulan’s stands as a cornerstone of soul food culture in Los Angeles. The restaurant’s founder, Adolf Dulan, earned his nickname as the ‘King of Soul Food’ through decades of serving up massive portions of Southern classics. Walk into any Dulan’s location and you’ll be greeted by the mouthwatering aroma of smothered pork chops, oxtails, and their famous fried chicken.
What sets Dulan’s apart is their cafeteria-style service that lets you see everything before choosing. Locals recommend the mac and cheese, which comes with a perfectly crisp top layer, and their sweet cornbread that strikes the perfect balance between savory and sweet. With multiple locations throughout LA, including Inglewood and Crenshaw, Dulan’s continues to feed both bodies and souls.
7. Annie’s Soul Delicious in Los Angeles: Homestyle Dishes With Heart
Annie’s Soul Delicious began as a catering business before overwhelming demand led to a permanent restaurant in the Crenshaw district. Owner Annie Alexander brings Mississippi flavors to Los Angeles through recipes passed down from her grandmother.
The restaurant’s smothered turkey chops have developed a cult following, tender and swimming in rich gravy alongside rice. Vegetarians appreciate Annie’s thoughtful approach to meatless soul food, including collard greens cooked with smoked vegetables instead of traditional ham hocks. The modest storefront belies the extraordinary food within, where weekend lines often stretch down the block.
Regulars know to save room for the sweet potato pie or banana pudding, both made fresh daily. Annie herself still works in the kitchen most days, ensuring quality and occasionally emerging to chat with diners about her Southern upbringing and the stories behind her cherished recipes.
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