Long Island may not be in the deep south, but we can still enjoy the food they make there. From fried chicken and macaroni and cheese to cornbread and various collard greens, southern and soul food are both comforting and delicious and will leave you feeling stuffed and satisfied after any meal. For a trip down south without having to leave home, pay a visit to the Best Soul Food and Southern Restaurant on Long Island.
2024: Long Island Voted Blackbirds’ Grille Best Soul Food and Southern Restaurant!
Blackbirds’ Grille
553 Old Montauk Hwy, Sayville
(631) 563-4144 – blackbirdsgrille.com
Blackbirds’ Grille in Sayville, located on Montauk Highway in Sayville, has swiftly become a local gem, garnering attention for its diverse menu and warm ambiance. Renowned for delectable offerings ranging from steaks, pasta, and seafood to a tempting array of appetizers, patrons often relish these delights at the distinctive square bar while enjoying sports on one of six TVs. The hamburger platter, a standout, is hailed as exceptional. The menu’s Cajun specialties, featuring authentic dishes like jambalaya, crawfish smokehouse baby back ribs, and shrimp po’ boy, are a true Southern culinary experience. The inviting atmosphere extends beyond the menu, with a friendly staff ensuring a welcoming environment for families seeking a memorable night out. Blackbirds’ Grille also caters to convenience with a takeaway option!
2023: Long Islanders Voted Biscuits & Barbeque – Mineola Best Soul Food and Southern Restaurant!
Biscuits & Barbeque – Mineola
106 E. 2nd St., Mineola
(516) 493-9797 – facebook.com/biscuitsbarbeque
Whether you’re craving traditional soul food favorites like fried chicken (with or without waffles), collard greens, mac & cheese, or fried okra, or Cajun cuisine classics such as Po’ boy sandwiches, Louisiana gumbo or chicken and andouille sausage, Biscuits & Barbeque is sure to satisfy! If you are in the mood for any of the foods that this popular soul food and Southern restaurant devotes its name to – namely, biscuits and barbecued meats – you can’t go wrong either. It is also one of the few local places where more adventurous eaters can try a truly unique appetizer: alligator sausage. The Biscuits & Barbeque Brunch on weekends adds more choices to the menu, including brisket and eggs. Keep the restaurant in mind for your catering needs, too!
2022: Long Islanders Voted Pigs on a Wing Best Soul Food and Southern Restaurant!
Pigs on a Wing
272 N Wellwood Ave., Lindenhurst
(631) 450-4454 – pigsonawing.com
Homemade fast food sounds like an oxymoron, but it’s exactly what you’ll find at Pigs on a Wing. Kurt Satzinger grew up in a family of cooks; his father and brothers all owned delicatessens, and his mother and grandmother were always trying out new recipes at home. After 15 years in the music business, he decided to get cooking himself and offer his own take on New York comfort barbecue. His restaurant’s extensive menu offers fare for the barbecue aficionado and much more, from fried chicken platters and racks of ribs to classic sandwiches and seafood specials. Pigs on a Wing offers takeout, delivery, and online orders during all business hours and is happy to cater your next big occasion. Place your order and dig in!
2021: Long Islanders Voted Biscuits & Barbeque Best Soul Food and Southern Restaurant!
Biscuits & Barbeque
106 E 2nd St, Mineola
(516) 493-9797 – biscuitsandbarbeque.com
Whether one craves traditional “soul food” favorites like fried chicken (with or without waffles), collard greens, mac & cheese, and fried okra, or Cajun cuisine classics such as Po’ boy sandwiches, Louisiana gumbo or chicken and andouille sausage, Biscuits & Barbeque is sure to satisfy. If you are in the mood for any of the foods that this popular soul food and Southern restaurant devotes its name to – namely, biscuits and barbequed meats – you can’t go wrong either. It is also one of the few local places where more adventurous eaters can try a truly unique appetizer: alligator sausage. The Biscuits & Barbeque Brunch on weekends adds more choices to your options, including brisket & eggs. Keep the restaurant in mind for your catering needs too!
2020: Long Islanders Voted Chara’s Kitchen & Catering Best Soul Food and Southern Restaurant!
Chara’s Kitchen & Catering
515 Atlantic Ave, Bellport
(631) 355-5929
Chara’s Kitchen and Catering of Bellport is a full-service pop-up restaurant and catering company that has been serving Long Island and the New York City area since 2008. They offer catering services year-round for its customers with a tagline of “Always Fresh and Made With Love.” They specialize in “soul food” and “comfort food” and have well-known desserts and sauces like banana bread. They specialize in events from BBQ’s to weddings. Chara’s Kitchen and Catering creates new dishes daily and gives their customers a new experience each time they taste their food.
2019: Long Islanders Voted Bell’s Kitchen and Smokehouse Best Soul Food and Southern Restaurant!
Bell’s Kitchen and Smokehouse
976 Hempstead Tpke., Franklins Square
(516) 492-3557 – www.bellskitchenandsmokehouse.com
When you want a meal that fills your stomach and soul, head over to Bell’s Kitchen and Smokehouse. They’re the premier place on the island for all things grilled and fried, including their delicious fried chicken. The venue is family owned and all of the meat is locally smoked, so you know you’re getting high quality, fresh meat. At Bell’s Kitchen and Smokehouse, they take barbecue cuisine as seriously as you and your family do. You’ll keep coming back for more of their delicious meat products, always well prepared in the area. Bell’s Kitchen and Smokehouse is a friendly, convenient local option for meat that will leave you smiling and satisfied on the way home.
2018: Long Islanders Voted R.S. Jones Best Soul Food and Southern Restaurant on Long Island
R.S. Jones
153 Merrick Ave., Merrick. 516-378-7177. rsjones.com
The taste buds have spoken, making R.S. Jones the Best Soul Food and Southern Style Restaurant on Long Island. Fresh ingredients, a warm, inviting atmosphere with an amazingly positive vibe, and a friendly, knowledgeable staff set the mood for some absolutely unbelievable dishes! Take your pick: gumbo, fried pickles, alligator wontons, shrimp and grits, and so much more! Just a mere sampling of their biscuits and gravy is sure to guarantee a return visit to this special, special restaurant! Wow!
2017: Long Islanders Voted R.S. Jones Best Soul Food and Southern Restaurant on Long Island
R.S. Jones
153 Merrick Ave., Merrick. 516-378-7177. rsjones.com
The taste buds have spoken, making R.S. Jones the Best Soul Food and Southern Style Restaurant on Long Island. Fresh ingredients, a warm, inviting atmosphere with an amazingly positive vibe, and a friendly, knowledgeable staff set the mood for some absolutely unbelievable dishes! Take your pick: gumbo, fried pickles, alligator wontons, shrimp and grits, and so much more! Just a mere sampling of their biscuits and gravy is sure to guarantee a return visit to this special, special restaurant! Wow!
2016: Long Islanders Voted Storyville American Table Best Soul Food and Southern Restaurant on Long Island
Storyville American Table
43 Green St., Huntington. 631-351-3446 storyvilleamericantable.com
From their homemade barbecue sauces to their sizzling chicken dishes and tasty seafood specials, Storyville American Table has been crowned The Best soul food and Southern restaurant on Long Island, for good reasons. We’ve never had it so good! Thanks to co-owners Tom Curry and top chef Brian Finn, the menu is always mouth-watering and the food is so soulful it’s almost sinful! They combine Creole and Cajun cuisine with the best the South has to offer. And you don’t have to cross the Mason-Dixon Line to savor it!
2015: Long Islanders Voted Storyville American Table Best Soul Food and Southern Restaurant on Long Island!
Storyville American Table
43 Green St., Huntington. 631-351-3446. storyvilleamericantable.com
For down-home soul food, no place on Long Island beats Storyville American Table. Co-owners TC (Tom Curry) and Chef Brian Finn’s inventive menu takes on the Creole and Cajun flavors of the South and amplifies them, with fresh ingredients and imaginative preparation. From their homemade barbecue sauces to their magnificent fresh grilled burgers and beyond, look no further than Storyville when you want homey, tasty food! Take a trip to NOLA without getting on a plane. There’s beads, Hurricanes, and beignets just calling your name, right in the heart of Huntington Village!
2014: Long Islanders Voted Storyville American Table in Huntington Best Soul Food and Southern Restaurant on Long Island!
1. Storyville American Table
43 Green St., Huntington.631-351-3446. storyvilleamericantable.com
2. Big Daddy’s Restaurant
1 Park Lane, Massapequa. 516-799-8877. bigdaddysny.com
3. R.S. Jones
153 Merrick Ave., Merrick. 516-378-7177 rsjones.com
2013: Long Islanders Voted LL Dent Southern Restaurant in Carle Place Best Soul Food and Southern Restaurant on Long Island!
1. LL Dent Southern Restaurant
221 Old Country Rd., Carle Place. 516-742-0940. www.lldent.com
2. RS Jones
153 Merrick Ave., Merrick. 516-378-7177. www.rsjones.com
3. Big Daddy’s Restaurant
1A Park Lane, Massapequa. 516-799-8877. www.bigdaddysny.com
2012: Long Islanders Voted Big Daddy’s Restaurant in Massapequa Best Soul Food / Southern Restaurant on Long Island!
1. Big Daddy’s Restaurant
1A Park Lane, Massapequa. 516-799-8877 www.bigdaddysny.com
2. L.L. Dent Southern Restaurant
221 Old Country Rd., Carle Place. 516-742-0940. www.lldent.com
3. R.S. Jones
153 Merrick Ave., Merrick. 516-378-7177. www.rsjones.com
2011: Long Islanders Voted L.L. Dent in Carle Place Best Soul Food & Southern Restaurant on Long Island!
1. L.L. Dent
221 Old Country Rd., Carle Place. 516-742-0940. www.lldent.com
2. Spicy’s
225 W. Main St., Riverhead. 631-727-2781
3. Blackbird’s Grill
553 Old Montauk Hwy., Sayville. 631-563-4144. www.blackbirdsgrille.com
