Soul Bowls

I’ve been here to this location at least 4 times. If I’d judge off my first time here it would be a perfect 5. However nothing ever lived up to that first experience. HOWEVER this place is STILL Excellent. Anytime I’m in the area I’m thinking about a Soul Bowl. They got me in a headlock and I don’t want to be free. The two times I ordered ahead I still had to wait when I got there and so the service stars take a hit for that. The very last time I was there some of the chicken wasn’t to my liking and the double “krack” may have been a single serving. However this place does it right. Let’s get to the yams.. AMAZING! Mac & Cheese… GREAT! Rice… Perfection.. Soul sauce… a must try. (Not too much) Oh and they always wear new gloves. I love that for me. Resturant stays clean. Food is Always hot & fresh. I know where the next one needs to be….. 🙃👀

Customer service was GREAT! Loved the Mac and cheese & the soul rice was cooked perfectly! The shrimp was mid but definitely has potential! I was disappointed about the yams though, weird taste/texture. Overall you should give this place a try!

The presentation and atmosphere are 10/10, But my greens were inedible due to the amount of salt. My chicken was perfectly fried and the vegetables were steamed. The Mac was ok but I wanted more of a cheddar flavor. I also had a lot of liquid on bottom which made bottoms of chicken wet but no biggie. I would try them again just not the greens.

I ordered ahead and picked up my food. I went into the restaurant and there was a young and attentive staff there waiting with my food ready. They greeted me and even returned cash for a sauce that I paid for that they did not have. Now to the food, I ordered chicken, Mac and cheese and yams and my partner the same, but fried shrimp in place of chicken. We also ordered the Soul Roll filled with Mac and cheese and yams. I was weary about the rolls because, where's the meat, but they were good as is, although I did tuck some pieces of chicken down the middle. The food was so good. Well seasoned as well. The only thing I think can be done better is the chicken could be either more crispy or more juicy, it's currently in the middle of the both. I would go back multiple times though.

Had the best fried chicken ever. The candied yams were phenomenal. I had the mixed veggies with my soul bowl, it was great- mainly broccoli and carrots.

Tried this place out based on the rating. I ordered the make your own bowl to go with chicken bites, white rice, crack and mack, and candied yams. The order came with veggies instead which I didn't order. The food itself was okay. The chicken didn't have much flavor. The veggies were frozen and steamed. The crack mack had no crack (lacking flavor) and the soul sauce which costs $1 extra was underwhelming. Would recommend if you want something familiar but don't expect to be towed by the food. No rating on the atmosphere as I ordered delivery.

Was visiting Hartford for the first time and was looking up places to grab a bite in advance. Saw Soul Bowls was recommended by a bunch of people including Daym Drops so had to try it. Got a bowl with chicken, yellow rice, their krack n cheese as well as the candied yams. All I can say it was some of the most flavorful food i've ever had the pleasure of eating. The chicken was juicy. The rice was better than any i've had before. The mac n cheese was the perfect consistency without missing any of the flavor you want. And those yams....almost too much flavor for me to finish. I would definitely go back if I found myself in the area again. The only small cons I can think of would be the location. (it's small and pick up only) as well as the website advertising slightly different ordering details than the online apps actually give you when ordering in advance. The person who gave me my food was very nice and made sure I had everything I needed. I was in and out quickly and was diving into the food as quick as possible!

Googled this place based off of location during a road trip. Aside from the fact it's not a dine-in place, the food was amazingly delicious! Can't order over the phone but the food was done quickly after ordering in person. From NY so I will say this place is in the "hood" compared to neighboring areas but for me that just meant great food; so we drove there anyway after trying to order in the phone! 🤣 I was able to have easy parking, came ordered, and left. Food was great, the place is esthetically bright and pleaseing, staff was sweet. If I'm ever back in Hartford I'd absolutely make this a stop!

My daughter wanted to visit Soul Bowls so we decided to try it out. They have two locations but we decided to go the first one that opened originally. This location we went to was a small store and had pick up service only. As we arrived, the line was out the door and I was pretty excited because with a line like that, the food must be delicious. We ordered are food and it took about twenty minutes to be finished which I'm okay with waiting. We ordered the Soul Bowl with Rice, Collard Greens, Sweet Potatoes, and Chicken Bites. Also we ordered the Soul Roll with Macaroni and Cheese and Sweet Potatoes, Plantain's, and a side of Krack and Cheese. As I opened the side of Krack and Cheese, the container was full of oil and the Macaroni and Cheese needed some seasoning. The Macaroni and Cheese did have a nice cheese pull but it just lacked flavor. The Soul Roll was okay but again the Macaroni and Cheese inside lacked flavor and in my opinion the Sweet Potatoes were missing a sweetness, maybe some Brown Sugar. The Collard Greens were okay. They were missing some type of vinegar, meat, and it also lacked flavor. The Chicken in Soul Bowl was good and fried good but was on the dry side. We were expecting the Plantain's to be the sweet Plantain's but they were more like Tostones. I was bite disappointed because this is the original store and I've heard so much good things about the food. Would I come back again? Maybe but I would try their newer location to compare the two and the customer service was okay.

Good location with off street parking. Totally take-out establishment. The cashier didn't offer a warm welcome but the food made up for it. The portion was huge, I actually shared with my coworker. I enjoyed the chicken and I chose mac and cheese and yams. I look forward to trying it again

I have been dying to come here for some time now!! I made my own bowl with soup rice, krack mac n cheese, yam, and chicken bites. I also got a soul roll and it was so delicious! I finished my bowl wanting more. The paintings on the walls were incredible and the staff was so friendly. I can't wait to go back for the steak bites! Craving them right now!!

We were on a roadtrip to Boston and decided to stop by here based on an Instagram post. We got three bowls: 1)chicken bites yams and Mac and cheese, 2)fried shrimp Mac and cheese and yams 3 grilled chicken mixed veggies and Mac and cheese. I also got a side of collard greens. Service was fast. The location was clean. The person that took our order was polite and patient. The food was very flavorful!! We have no complaints. Even our toddlers loved the food. Great portions! We'll be back!

Highly recommend! The soul rolls are delicious: perfect ratio of Mac & cheese & yams. I recommend getting collard greens on the side so your bowl isn't too wet. But either way, it's delicious.

Exquisite flavors, impeccable presentation, and an unforgettable dining experience awaits at Soul Bowl. From the moment you step through the door, you're greeted with warm hospitality from the owner Malik and a welcoming ambiance that sets the stage for what's to come. The menu at Soul Bowl is a masterpiece of culinary artistry. Each dish is a harmonious blend of premium ingredients, expertly crafted by their talented chefs. Every bite is a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate, leaving you craving more. One standout dish is their signature chicken bowl. The moment it arrives, you're captivated by its stunning presentation. The aroma alone is enough to make your mouth water in anticipation. As you take your first bite, your taste buds are transported to a realm of pure bliss. The combination of textures and flavors is nothing short of extraordinary, leaving you in awe of the culinary genius behind it. But it doesn't stop there. The attention to detail extends to every aspect of the dining experience. The service at Soul Bowl is exceptional, with attentive staff who go above and beyond to ensure your comfort. The cooks are knowledgeable and offer excellent specialty sauces and supreme desserts! The ambiance of the restaurant is modern and warm, creating an atmosphere that is both intimate and welcoming. In summary, Soul Bowl is a culinary gem that deserves every bit of its five-star rating. It's a place where art meets gastronomy, where passion and creativity are served on a plate. Prepare to be amazed and tantalized by the incredible flavors that await you. Don't miss the opportunity to experience this culinary masterpiece; it will leave you with memories to savor long after the last bite.

Sooooo freakin' delicious! Love my soul rice, fried chicken, sweet potato, collard green bowl. Wish I could have this at home in California! Very filling too.

Fast friendly service and the bowls are delicious and fresh. It is a take out counter but very clean with free parking

So I saw this restaurant on IG and did some research regarding the restaurant. I saw the great reviews and was convinced to try it out. It may have been from the unique egg rolls and the advertising of the oxtail bowl. So I ordered a fried chicken, soul rice, krackin cheese and the collard greens. I wasn't impressed. The fried chicken was a breast chicken cut up and fried. To me having fried chicken should be fried hard with a thick coating. Mines was a thin coating and on the soft side. The krackin cheese was ok. I wasn't a fan of the soul rice which was like an imitation Spanish rice or the collard greens which was flavorless. I am glad I had the experience but I will not be back. I encourage everyone that may be interested in this restaurant to try it for yourself to have your own experience. Good luck!!

Ambience: the place is tight. Located on a busy street, parking is hard to find. The colors of the business are bright and fun though. Service: the guy behind the counter was straight and too the point. Friendly but you can tell they were a bit overwhelmed. The place is packed. This was at 3 on a Saturday so not surprising it is so busy Food: the food is the key. The food was incredible. The soul roll, we wish we had gotten more. They were delicious. The perfect balance between savory and sweet. Our soul bowls were delicious. My husband got shrimp and loved it. I got fried chicken and it was delicious. We added soul sauce, and it had a very bbq vibe. We can not wait to come back!

Looking for good soul food this is the place. The service was great and the food was also tasty. One aspect that kinda destroyed my experience is the "bowl" concept the restaurant has. For me personally, I don't like my food packed together. I like to enjoy each side and meat in its entirety without other flavors compromising it. I think if I go back and request for my food to be packaged differently I will have the best experience. My recommendation is to have other options for customers to have their food. The menu is limited in that sense.

Second trip to Soul Bowl and they did not disappoint. It's been consistent - the food is well seasoned and not overdone. The only thing I wish is that they would do is offer fish as a protein option.

Soul bowls 860 has had a huge buzz around Hartford. It's soul food, so of course I had to pull up to wethersfield ave. The line wasn't out the door, but the wait for my food was about 25 mins. The menu mainly focuses on bowls, the comfort food version of chipotle. I got 2 soul rolls (a fried egg roll with Mac and cheese and yams) , a soul bowl with veggies, sautéed shrimp, mac, and their yams. Everything hit and the bowl was well packed. I liked that the soul rolls weren't too greasy as well. Looking forward to visiting them again when the lines die down. They're going to offer delivery and call ahead services sometime in April. Would also love it if they added grilled chicken to the menu for us folks looking to stay away from fried foods.

Good concept loved the greens and the Mac and cheese was fiyah. Chicken was a lil dry but, I'll try it again for sure

Great soul food meal options with the nicest staff and has fast service, good prices, The food was delicious, and I'll definitely come back!"

Gotta say they won my heart over !!! The food is delicious and filling . All I can barely eat is half before I needed a break ,lol. It's a small place ,but nice and bright inside and they have pretty cool employees that take your order fast and your food is out in about 5 minutes for small orders. The menu is easy to read and has pictures to help if needed right on a big TV screen . My son & I wanted to try the same bowl with chicken pieces,white rice as the base , mac & collards . You can choose white or Soul rice for a bottom base then you pick a protein (some upcharge), then two sides . Salmon,steak & shrimp all cost a bit more They have a homemade BBQ dip (soul sauce) make sure you add that on because it's freaking delicious! They have a permanent customer in Me for life I love the food and can't wait to try other bowls .

This place is fantastic. I'm so glad that I finally stopped. This checks a lot of boxes for me: 1. I like no frills places where my money is spent on quality food not fancy atmosphere (unless it's someplace super immersive like a tiki bar, then all bets are off). 2. In a white guy whose favorite food experiences have been in places where I'm the minority. This is a take out only joint. The staff and service were fantastic. Incredibly welcoming, friendly and very efficient. I ordered when I got there and my wait time was very short. My fried shrimp was excellent. My son loved his krack and cheese. The yams and collards were delicious. It might be tricky if you're low carb, but otherwise I think you will be very happy with your meal. Bowl is very filling any you won't be hungry after eating one. Great value, great staff and great food. A fantastic all-around experience.

If you want more food ..PAY EXTRA!!! Ik it adds up but I'm one of the ones that dc! Plus I love that it's black owned and the food is good. Everyone is super polite and I've had nothing but great experiences there! 10 across the board

Our stop here was a last minute, turns out, best decision we could've made. Being on a slightly tight schedule my concern was how long it"d take to order and get our food. There's no seating, all to go and not food you can eat and drive if passing through. However, it's totally worth it! Find somewhere to park in or just outside the city and indulge! I can cook soul food. It's a lot of work and Soul Bowl has it down with flavors, simple presentation and speed. We were in & out with five bowls and an appetizer in 10 minutes. Heads up, parking ain't easy and folks'll block you in to get their food.

It's a novel concept. Soul food served in a different manner. Soul rice was really good. Always opt for that. I went for 2 soul bowls - one with sauteed shrimp, krack & cheese, candied yams and soul rice and the other one with Soul rice, steak, mixed veg and collard greens. Both were good. Nothing was spicy though. In fact, I would recommend that everything should be slightly more flavorful to become good soul food. Classic soul roll was an interesting concept as well.

Delicious soul food! Mostly to-go service with limit counter seating. We enjoyed the "soul rice" Spanish-rice and jerk-favored grilled chicken.

SOUTHERN LOVE IN A BOWL... Rather than doing the standard and taking my Husband to a typical restaurant for his Birthday, I decided to try something different. Since we are passionate about promoting up-and-coming Business Owners especially within the "community", we decided to try a Restaurant we saw on Channel 8 news. Suffice, it proved to be an EXCELLENT decision. From the moment you walk in you know you found "IT". Yep, that HOLE-IN-THE-WALL which to the unknowing, would probably be thrown off but to the rest of us who know tha deal, it's that "HOOD GEM" where you can literally tastes Grandmas Southern Love and influence with each bite!!! I especially was taken by the young Man at the register who with his incredibly pleasant demeanor delivered personalized attention, despite the line being out the door....something which is becoming harder to find these days especially when you come equipped with "Old School" Expectations. NOW FOR THE FOOD: We ordered the yams, steak and collard greens bowl over spanish-styled rice. My Husband is a rice connosier so if He is impressed, it speaks volumes. In appreciation for us coming an hour away, the Owner even threw in a free Salmon Roll (Similar to a Shrimp Roll of Chinese Food) and OMG!!!! Pretty innovative and delicious if you ask me!!! Salmon was fresh (not canned or frozen) and became even more impressive with the House Dipping Sauce (so don't forget to request). Steak was tender and seasoned just right, fresh yams (not canned), collards had the right texture and tremendously flavorful (Hey Grandma)! Portions were good. We even had leftovers! I'm not sure how far you must travel to witness this artistry in a bowl but if you have the chance to do so, you won't regret your decision! See you in line......

For a soul food restaurant below average Mac and cheese ,sweet potato wasn't good, Spanish not good, collard greens were good chicken bites were good and the shrimp but salty. Will not be returning

Small business that definitely needs to be checked out. They advertised it well and on my trip to Connecticut, this was my 1st stop for lunch. Small spot, no inside dining but we were ok with it. (As you can see we ate in the car).

The food here never misses. I've had every variety of bowl they offer. I am hooked on their Mac and cheese egg-rolls, they're egg rolls filled with Mac and cheese and yams. Make sure you get the sauce to dip your egg rolls in or to drizzle on top of your bowl. If you eat shrimp, get the sautéed shrimp with Mac and cheese, yams, and soul rice. The chicken is delicious too, but whatever seasoning they put on their shrimp is the perfect level of savory. The employees here are always kind and ready to provide suggestions. I'm happy to be a loyal customer to the Hartford location and now their new West Hartford location. The ambiance is a laid back restaurant with traditional soul food and creative dishes too. I consider SoulBowls to be a community staple. This place is worth all the hype, check them out!

Needs dipping sauce, but the flavor is great by it's self. Any wet vegetables should have a Bowl by self.

This is a locally owned business so I try my best to support. I think that the food taste good but could use some work for example their soul rice lacks in flavor to me, but their Mac and cheese is very tasty. I try different bowls so far my favorite has been chicken with Mac and cheese and yams. I usually order delivery so I'm not to sure how the customer service is. This is a take out only place.

Candied Yams Krack N Cheese They knew that food was gone be too darn good to get that small shop !

Good food definitely not to salty. I believe you just get to much rice then Mac n cheese n collard greens. I rather less rice and more greens. They soul rolls are amazing but sometimes they put way to much candy yams then Mac n cheese or sometimes it's vice versa. Go and support these young men.

Service is amazing. The food is to die for. It's so good. It's a take out place. And let me tell you, the food doesn't disappoint!

I have order from soul bowl several times and for the most part the food has been delicious. The last 2 times I've order I notice there is ALOT of oil at the bottom of my bowl. I'm not sure why the recipe for the krack and cheese changed but PLEASE change it back...Thanks

10/10 Recommend! Stopped in on a whim and I was highly impressed. The soul roll was an experience - from the crispy flaky crust to the burst of flavour of the krack and cheese and yams!! My God! The service was excellent too. I loved how each customer was told they were appreciated when they given their food. No sir, I appreciate you for preparing the food with love. That's the only way I can explain the deliciousness of my meal.

Absolutely worth trying. Takeout only! My husband had a soul bowl with soul rice, chicken bites, krack n cheese, and candied yams. I had a krack n cheese soul roll and a side of krack n cheese. Everything was delicious! Very filling. Good portion sizes. Great comfort food at a very reasonable price. We will stop in again.

I love their food. Specifically their Mac and cheese and candied yams. The chicken can be hit or miss for me sometimes but the rest of the food always makes up for it.

Great comfort food. Awesome concept. Would like to see healthy options. Food was good.

Excellent food! I like that there is sautéed shrimp now so everything isn't fried. Sides are excellent as well

The food was very good and the (shrimp bowl w/collards & mac&cheese and rice) portions size was plenty and fulfilling. Love it

I found my new go to comfort food!!!! After reading all the good reviews, I decided to try Soul Bowls. Heaven in a bowl! Someone said that it tastes like grandma's food. I was skeptical because my family is from North Carolina, so that's saying a lot. But, this is the best soul food I've ever had North of Virginia! The Krack N' Cheese is unbelievable. Every ingredient is fresh (nothing frozen or canned) and perfectly seasoned. I was hesitant to get the food over rice (carbs, on carbs, on carbs), but I'm so glad I did. The Soul Rice is a show stopper by itself. They were out of collards when I went, but the mixed veggies are very good as a substitute. The salmon...sheesh! People suggested ordering the Soul Rolls too, and they were perfectly cooked and unique. The Soul Sauce is a must!! We'll be back!!!!

Tried soul bowls for the first time and we were impressed! My husband is originally from New Orleans so he is picky especially when it comes to soul food! He was impressed. I got the chicken and Mac and cheese and yams ! It was delicious, fresh and seasoned to perfection. My husband also got the chicken, the yams and collard greens, if you are a collard green connoisseur you know you can't eat everyone's greens but these were delicious! We will definitely be back

Very good soul food love it . Very filling and good price . The bowl idea is a good idea also like that . Also love supporting small businesses

Decided to support this new neighborhood business, excited to have some soul food close to us. My daughter waited in line for a while. We got the Fried Shrimp Soul Bowl. The fried shrimp, Mac and cheese and yams were good. The rice was not my favorite and the bowl is small for the price. Definitely wish the business much success as the food is decent.

I can't believe there are not more ratings for this establishment! This is one of the BEST soul food spots I have ever experienced (and yes, I have had quite a few that have been on TV and are well known in NYC) The food is comfort- like Sunday family dinner comfort! I love the concept of soul food in a bowl instead of a plate. I ordered two bowls and had chicken, yams, Mac and cheese, and collards with their seasoned rice. Everything was tasty! Seasoned and good. There are different meats instead of chicken also. The best of the best was the soul rolls!! OMG..dangerous! Basically it is Mac and cheese with yams fried in an egg roll wrap. Don't knock it until you try it, cause I assure you, it will bring you to your knees!! I am sorry I don't live closer (well actually, not living closer might be a good thing because I would definitely replace some of my days of cooking with ordering from soul bowls). I know some may not like the take-out only option, but it is worth the trip to pick up! You can order ahead (online only). I am so glad I was able to experience soul bowl. Hope to be back.

I was very satisfied with my 1st Soul Bowl experience. I order and received my food in a timely manner. I had the chicken bowl and also tried the soul roll which was very delicious. The presentation was nice. The serving size was good. The service was very good and welcoming. I pray an abundance of success for your business.

Had their food catered to where I work. Everything we ordered ( candied yams, rice, collared greens, chicken, steak, shrimp) was excellent! You get your money's worth with this place! The staff is very friendly as well! I can't wait to eat at their establishment!

The food was amazing. I ordered the Soul Bowl with fried chicken bites, krack & cheese, greens and soul rice. I also ordered a Soul Roll. The chicken was great. The Krack & Cheese was Dee-licious. The soul roll was really good. Never would I ever think mac and cheese and yams in a spring roll would be such a party in my mouth, but it was. I'll be going back.

So I've been hearing about this place for a few months all the reviews said it was good so I made the 45 min drive and damn let me say this it was worth it I got a bowl with soul rice green Krack and cheese chicken bites and side of yams oh and the (GORILLA LEMONADE AND STRAWBERRY) I'll just say I'll take that ride again

Looking for some good soul food and came across this amazing place. I had the white rice, fried chicken, Krackin Cheese (their style of Mac and cheese) and the sweet yams (they are to die for). Over all the good was amazing and a much visit.

Food was decent, and expensive..we waited 45 minutes and where told 10 minutes which was a inconvenience, but understandable as they just opened.