"When you walk into the Third Ward mainstay Alfreda’s Soul Food, it’s usually pretty quiet, except for the faint sounds of soul diva’s crooning over the speakers and the light sizzle of fish frying in the kitchen. Since 1965, the modest counter service joint has been serving hearty Southern classics heavy enough to weigh down a truck in an atmosphere that makes you feel at home. The atmosphere at Alfreda’s is fairly understated—a few paintings, some tables with their signature red and black chairs, and a view of the kitchen where the staff performs a few small miracles to bring out some of the best soul food the city had to offer. The simplicity feels comforting. Most people who stroll into Alfreda’s are on a focused take out mission. But with the smells of fried chicken and smothered pork chops wafting through the dining room, the to-go warriors might sneak a few bites before heading home. A meal here goes smoothly—in fact, the only difficult part about dining at Alfreda’s is deciding on how to fill your styrofoam meal tray. Each plate comes with one entree, three sides, and a hunk of buttery cornbread. After making your decision, in a few minutes, a tray filled to the brim with sides will hit your table. Grab a large sweet tea to wash down your meal and contemplate why it tastes sweeter in a styrofoam cup. And even if you do decide to eat your meal in the dining room, we’ve never left Alfreda’s without having a few leftovers to snack on later. It’s like the portions were sized to ensure that everyone has at least two meals in one tray. If you aren’t on a first-name basis with the staff at Alfreda’s, the food might convince you to stop here enough to become a regular. Come here when you are in need of a comfort meal and don’t have six hours to spend in your kitchen. Or bring enough friends to order everything on the menu and create your soul food tray power ranking. " - Gianni Greene
