10 Places to Eat Soul Food in Tampa Bay

June is National Soul Food Month, so in celebration we’ve rounded up some Tampa Bay restaurants serving up hearty Southern cuisine.

In her book “High on the Hog,” Jessica B. Harris writes that “soul food is defined as the traditional African-American food of the South,” but there is some disagreement about what that food is exactly. The term “soul food” was coined in the 1960s as part of the civil rights movement.

“Soul food seems to depend on an ineffable quality,” Harris writes, “a combination of nostalgia and pride in the foods of our forebears.”

While the definition is somewhat fluid, common staples are fried chicken, vegetables, mac and cheese, and pork — this list includes all of these and more.

Be sure to try some soul food at these 10 places.

Heavy’s Restaurant & Takeout

At Heavy’s Restaurant and Take Out in St. Petersburg, I dine on a hearty oxtail dish served with rice, collard greens and mac and cheese. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]

This food truck and brick-and-mortar restaurant in St. Petersburg’s Deuce Live District serves up fried chicken and fried pork chops, or, for the more indulgent, smothered dishes. Warm, spicy oxtail falls off the bone easily, and tangy yellow rice soaks up the juices. The macaroni and cheese and collard greens are must-try dishes, and don’t miss the cornbread. As your plate weighs down, you’ll understand why the restaurant got its name and let the food sink into your stomach. 911 22nd St S., St. Petersburg. 727-914-0632. heavysfoodtruck.com.

Mama’s Southern Soul Food

Savor traditional soul food like chitterlings, tripe and trotters at three locations: Tampa (3701 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 813-769-9552), Brandon (1013 Brandon Blvd., 813-330-7012) and Lakeland (518 E. Memorial Blvd., 863-213-4377). The extensive menu features all the favorites and unique dishes, like cube steak with mama’s secret gravy. Fried foods include seafood, chicken liver and gizzards. For dessert, try one of the delicious cakes. Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. mamassoulfoodrestaurant.com.

Steph’s Southern Soul Restaurant

With the tagline “Pure, Tasty,” this Dade City spot offers combinations of meat and sides, including the “Steph’s Plate,” which comes with four sides and bread. In addition to the classic veggie and mac and cheese, you’ll be spoilt for choice: broccoli rice casserole, okra and tomato, sweet potato soufflé, and the veggie of the day. Choose from biscuits, cornbread, rolls, and hush puppies, and seven salads. Wash it all down with a watermelon lemonade or mango tea. Tuesday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. 14519 Fifth St., Dade City. stephssouthernsoul.com.

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7th Avenue and Grove Street

Fried boneless chicken thighs, baked mac and cheese, collards, and cubed watermelon from 7th and Grove in Ybor City. [ LUIS SANTANA | Times ]

Serving “upscale Southern classics,” this popular Ybor City restaurant has cleverly named its menu. Get your MF’n Roll On is an egg roll stuffed with braised collard greens, mac and cheese, jerk chicken and jerk sauce. Let’s Stay Together features fried chicken thighs served over mac and cheese and collard greens with watermelon cubes, and Rock the Boat features fried or baked catfish served over gouda grits with fried okra, pico de gallo and creole sauce. You can also add fried or baked chicken, shrimp or salmon for an additional fee. The spot also serves lunch and weekend brunch and offers craft cocktails and wine. Open Tuesday and Thursday 11am to 10pm, Wednesday 11am to midnight, Friday 11am to 2:30am, Saturday 11am to 3pm and 4pm to 10pm, Sunday 11am to 4pm. 1930 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa. 813-649-8422. 7thandgrove.com.

Blue Flame Southern Restaurant and Lounge

Specialties at this Tampa restaurant include chicken and turkey wings with creamed mushrooms. Sunday specials include chitrolling, pig’s trotters, curried goat and Cornish hen. Sides include lima beans, field peas and yams, and the dessert menu includes banana pudding. Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. 1524 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa. 813-280-9865. blueflametampa.com.

Baja Southern Cuisine and More

This Gulfport restaurant has daily specials, but staples include fried or smothered chicken, pork chops, turkey wings, and fried or grilled lobster baskets. Tuesday specials include seafood platters, Wednesday barbecue ribs and chicken, Thursday oxtail and chit-chattel, Friday Cajun shrimp or fish and grits, Saturday barbecue brisket, and soul food Sundays are hearty meals with desserts like sour cream pound cake and honey bun cake. Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 1836 and 1838 49th St. S., Gulfport. 727-323-4286. bajassoutherncooking.org.

Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe

Chicken and waffles are on the soul food Sunday menu at Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe in Tampa. [ Times (2010) ]

This Seminole Heights favorite serves up a soul-food Sunday brunch every week. Fried chicken and waffles are the highlight. Two drumsticks and chicken thighs are served with Belgian waffles with orange bourbon honey. The name alone makes the “Florida Man” a must-try, with smoked sausage topped with smoked beans and apple slaw. Sunday is also Kansas City-style barbecue day. Sides include hoppin’ John, collard greens, mac & cheese, and fried green tomatoes. There are also vegan options, such as the VBQ sandwich with smoked portella, tofu, zucchini, roasted red peppers and barbecue sauce, and sides include vegan mac & cheese and smoked corn. The lunch and dinner menu also have soulful flavors. 5119 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa. 813-234-1000. ellasfolkartcafe.com.

Coresys

Holy Smokin’ Coconut Cocktail from Coasis in Tampa. [ JEFFEREE WOO | Times ]

In the evenings, this Seminole Heights restaurant serves steaks, charbroiled oysters, and whole roasted snapper, with sides like truffle mac and cheese and brulee mashed potatoes. Brunch includes three types of chicken and waffles: churros, confetti, and red velvet. The menu also includes catfish filet or Cajun shrimp and grits (add honey butter biscuits for an extra charge), seafood omelettes with fried lobster, and blue crab with Cajun cream sauce. Cocktails are also creatively crafted, such as the Holy Smokin’ Coconut, made with mezcal, pineapple, lime, coconut, and mint and ceremoniously lit. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. 7701 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa. 813-551-0791. Visit coasisrestaurant.com.

Lorraine’s Fish House

At Rollin’s Fish and Crab House in St. Petersburg, a fried tilapia sandwich is completed with a drizzle of hot sauce and a splash of tartar sauce, as requested by customers. [ BOYZELL HOSEY | BOYZELL HOSEY | Times ]

With the tagline “Food that feeds the soul,” this walk-up spot in St. Petersburg’s Deuce District specializes in seafood but serves a variety of menu items, including breakfast. Fried catfish, grouper, tilapia, and whiting are served as sandwiches, baskets with fries, or dinners with two sides, including garlic rice and green beans. If you love garlic as much as we do, try the seafood plate with spicy garlic mussels and shrimp (chef’s kiss). Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 7am-6pm; Wednesday and Saturday, 7am-5pm. 929 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg. 727-321-7297.

Reprise Kitchen + Lounge

Chicks in Paris at Lepley’s Kitchen + Lounge in Tampa includes a 12-piece bucket of fried chicken and a bottle of Moet & Chandon Brut Champagne. [ JEREMY SCOTT | Courtesy of Jeremy Scott ]

Lepley’s opened in Tampa last year and made waves with its sexy aesthetic and cool nightlife vibe. The menu is Southern comfort food with a Caribbean twist, with jerk flavors woven into some dishes. The restaurant is owned by actor Tyler Lepley, who has appeared in “Harlem” and “P-Valley.” Named after his chef character Ian in “Harlem,” the dish is full of comfort food: cheese grits topped with fried lobster tail and sausage, and drizzled in creamy Cajun sauce. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, order the Chicks in Paris, which comes with 12 pieces of fried chicken in a gold bucket and a bottle of Moet & Chandon Brut Champagne. Monday 6pm-11pm, Wednesday 4pm-11pm, Thursday 4pm-1am, Friday 11am-4pm and 5pm-1am. 6310 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. lepleystampa.com.

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