Soul searching: The hunt for Harlem’s most delectable Southern cuisine

Miss Mamie's Spoonbread Too

Famous Harlem outpost Miss Mamie’s (110th Street between Columbus and Manhattan avenues) serves up a plate of southern easy living. With simple tables, country décor, slow music playing in the background, and a checkered floor, the ambience puts the “home” in home cooking. Fried chicken is tender and liberally peppered and the collard greens are packed with juice. Top off a rich meal with a thick slice of red velvet cake—the bread is dense, though frosting could be spread a little more liberally. When the check comes, students will relax just a little bit more—Miss Mamie’s lets students fill up their bellies without cleaning out their wallets.

Mama's Fried Chicken

Despite its familial name, the atmosphere at Mama’s (Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard between 116th and 117th streets) is significantly less homey than that at Miss Mamie’s, with old booths instead of tables and an unsightly plastic wall shielding the kitchen. But for students who like grease, Mama’s doesn’t disappoint. While ordering, students may find themselves consciously trying to ignore handwritten calorie postings for various entrees, but when they get their order, they probably won’t care. The spicy barbecue-flavored fried chicken is irresistible and the meat is surprisingly high-quality for a fast food joint. The mac ‘n’ cheese, however, is a tad too watery and reminiscent of Kraft, so better stick to the basics. Ultimately, Mama’s Fried Chicken offers products and prices similar to Miss Mamie’s, with a decidedly less romantic atmosphere.

Amy Ruth's

Nothing says soul food like Amy Ruth’s (116th Street between Seventh and Lenox avenues), Harlem’s famous mecca of fried chicken perfection. While on the pricey side for standard southern fare, Amy Ruth’s is worth every penny. It offers heaps of rich, buttery mashed potatoes covered in a thick gravy, and soft, tender fried chicken, greasy enough to be delicious but not drenched in saturated fat. With chunks of sharp cheddar and cream sauce mixed into thick noodles, the baked mac ‘n’ cheese is not to be missed. And then there’s the ambience—diners will find a piece of southern solace with smooth soul music playing in the background, a tasteful autumn color palette, and an entirely inartificial country décor. The restaurant’s only conceivable flaw is that generous portions and rich food make it almost impossible to escape without a stomachache—but that’s more of a self-control issue anyway.