Soul Prime

Was not terrible by far but a bit pricey for the lack of flavor and presence the entrees have in combination with the slow output. Drinks were on par but a bit too sweet. Food was a bit heavy on salt not much to recommend from what we had besides the collard dip and tacos. I may have had a better experience with a dedicated lunch menu considering they open a 12 (salads, more teas, and po’boys maybe?). Considering external factors like parking and location and internal factors like seating and gratuity a step up would be welcome.

This is my first time here at Soul Prime for my birthday with my mom and sister. The service was amazing and the food is like no other. I’m extremely impressed with the food. The Hot Honey Chicken, Southern Creamy Grits, and Honey Cornbread Muffins is definitely my favorites but I will be back and will be bringing all my friends and family back with me. 💯🖤

The ambience is amazing. Great customer service your greeted with smiles, and everyone was so friendly & professional. This place was so clean with great vibes. We went on a Saturday when it just opened. There was no wait time & we were sat right away. The food presentation was on point. My family said it was delicious. I got the catfish/red beans & rice I was expecting it to be flavorful, especially since it’s soul food but it wasn’t. Food was very expensive. I did enjoy their truffle fries. I also loved that they played RNB music.

Very pleasant greeting when you walk in. The lovely lady who greeted us, I'm guessing the owner, greets everyone as family. My friend and I sat at the bar. Laura, assisted us at the bar. I took a tour of the place on my own and it's very tight and small in the main dining area. Laura was great, very personable. We ordered fried green tomatoes. The tomatoes were delicious and we liked the fact it came with a "hot sauce" instead of remoulade sauce. They came with lump crab on top. We both ordered the beef short ribs without grits. Unfortunately, there are NO SUBSTITUTIONS. We just didn't have a taste for grits. Instead we ordered mac and cheese and rice and beans. Beef short ribs were tender and flavorful. I could've licked the plate. Mac and cheese is one of the best I have ever had. The beans were ok but with the cilantro and mix with the sauce from the ribs, you can't go wrong. They have specials throughout the week and happy hour.

A year ago, I saw a review of Soul Prime on TikTok, but I didn't realize it was the same restaurant until after I had already left. I visited on a Tuesday night, and while everything was phenomenal, the service left something to be desired. The food at this restaurant is fantastic! For appetizers, I had the Collard Green Dip and Sweet Heat Buffalo Shrimp, followed by Fried Pork Chops and Taylor’s Cajun Chicken Alfredo as my main dishes, with mac and cheese, sweet potatoes, and cornbread as sides. I have zero complaints about the food. Everything was perfectly seasoned and served piping hot, which confirms it was made to order! The buffalo shrimp weren't too spicy, which I appreciated since I’m not a fan of spicy foods. The drinks were also delicious, and I loved that they played Black programming on the TVs! However, the service was slow. Traffic picked up around 7:30 pm, and it seemed like only 2 or 3 people were waiting tables. I understand that I went on a Tuesday, which might be a slower night for the restaurant, possibly explaining the limited staff. Despite this, I still highly recommend this restaurant! Food: A+ Decor: A+ Drinks: A+ Service: C+

I.absolutelu love Soul Prime. Everything from the food, to the service, to the music 🎶 being played is exceptional. I've been twice. The Food is flavorful, with a nice southern flair. They serve nice portion sizes leaving you relaxed, full & ready to be tucked in for bed. Ambiance: Perfect temperature. I came 2x on a freezing 5 degree day. The heat was a comfortable temperature inside, making it easier to enjoy my food (I hate coming in from the cold outside into a cold restaurant as well) Now, the dining room area is small approximately fitting about 20-25 ppl comfortably. Reservations are highly suggested. There is a small bar that may seat give or take, 10 ppl at the entrance & another high counter seating in the corridor which I feel is a bad placement spot to dine, due to the high traffic area. I love the fact they always have a nice mix of soulful R &B music playing or they'll have you feeling nostalgic with an assortment of 90s throwbacks. Their playlist will have you swayin' side to side & having your own personal karaoke concert while you wait for your food. I have not had an appetizer that did me wrong! The fried green tomatoes had me.dancing without music, perfect batter, perfectly seasoned. The collard green dip is served warmed, with fresh and tortilla chips. OMG! It is a cheesy party in your mouth. It is amazing & worth the calories. IDC!!! It's the best!!! The Buffalo shrimp were nice size and tasty..a good chpice before your meal! Entrees & Sides: Fried Pork chops were perfectly cooked. The 5 cheese macaroni is gooey, flavorful and a great marriage of cheeses are used to compliment the dish. The yams are the best yams in the City of Chicago. No other soul food place has Soul Prime beat on yams! You can taste the combination of butter, sugar and flavor as soon as it your pallette. Phenomenally done!! The Fried chicken is great. It's different. It's well seasoned, perfectly battered & drizzled with a hot honey sauce that creates a surprise sweet n spicy kick n your mouth. Can't forget the Fried Catfish Filets. Crispy, perfect golden fried texture on the outside and fresh & delicious inside. Choose any of the Lemonade drinks to quinch your thirst and wash it all down. They all are on point & something you'll appreciate. The sweet teas and lemonade drinks remind you of something grandma would serve for the crew sitting on the porch in the south after a hard day's work on a 95 degree day. Now, I wasn't too impressed with my cocktail, but I'll go back and run down the list until I find my match. Con: Parking can be bad as it is located in Lincoln Park on Halsted. Metered parking cannot always be easy to find so,.you may have to circle the block several times. There is no valet. In closing, Trust me, if you haven't been to Soul Prime and you want some good Southern food with a lil bit of sass in it, go there!!! The owner, Chef Royce, is super friendly, inviting and humble. You can tell she takes pride in her dishes and business. It reflects in her personality and smile. She takes time to welcome her guests and ensure diners are receiving A-1 customer service!!.

Listen! Soul Prime is top-notch in every way. The customer service was phenomenal. Our waitress was polite, engaging, and knowledgeable about the menu. The manager, Unique, was great! She had a colorful personality which gave the customer service a nice flair. The food was chef's kiss! Let's start with my drink. I had The Foyer. Very good! Not too sweet, but just right. I loved the combination of lemon juice and prickly pear simple syrup. Now on to the appetizer. We ordered the collard green dip, which was amazing. It was like spinach artichoke dip on steroids! Last but not least, main attraction! We ordered the fried pork chops (which came with fries), candied yams, collard greens, and macaroni and cheese. Listen! They know how to fry a pork chop. I can't stand a dry, hard, overcooked pork chop. These were fried golden brown, and I loved that they were center cut rib chops! Oh, and the seasoning; not too salty and definitely not bland. I swear they tasted like they were fried in a cast iron skillet! The collard greens were meatless, but they did not lack in flavor at all! The yams were good. I like my yams a little sweeter, but they were so good; not too much cinnamon or vanilla extract. Now baaaaaby, that macaroni and cheese.......🔥🔥🔥. First of all, it came baked in it's own dish, no ice cream scoop just plopped on your plate, and it was piping hot. Like still bubbling! The cheese was fantastic, and there was plenty of it. The stretch on that cheese leads me to believe somebody is back there grating cheese; no stiff bagged cheese. I loved that it had a little sharp cheese, which elevated the flavor profile. From the customer service to the food to the cleanliness of the restaurant(the bathroom was very clean as well), the owner clearly knows what she is doing! I highly recommend!

Order To-Go & Delivery! Let me just say that mac and cheese was absolutely breathtaking!!! The fried pork-chops, double it! You wont regret it!! The Parmesan truffle fries were delicious especially with the garlic aioli to moisten up each bite! The chicken was dynamite!! Only wish they offered an up-charge option for ALL WHITE MEAT! Will definitely order may more times in the near future and #Chicago must have!! Order the banana pudding its divine!! #flavorful #moist #perfection #soulfood

Them drinks though!!! Babbyyyy!!!!! Delicious!! Bartender definitely did his thang. They were so refreshing and pretty. Our hostess greeted us with a beautiful smile. Got us seated pretty quickly even though we had no reservations. Our waitress was nice also. The music was a whole vibe! I literally stole every song and made me a new playlist lol. Food was delicious!!! And definitely don't need to ask for salt or pepper. The dip was different... never thought to add cheese to my greens but glad they made it a thing. I wouldn't make it at home but will gladly eat it whenever I come here. The seasoning on them short ribs... crazy good!! Everything we ordered was tasty... I would say halfway through eating I had to stop because all of it together was just too much salt going on. Next time we visit I'll definitely stick to one meal.. maybe it won't become overpowering.

Look no further if you're searching for a dining experience that dances on your taste buds and provides a serene atmosphere. Our recent visit to this gem of Soul Prime Chicago restaurant was extraordinary. The Macaroni and cheese was a dish that's not just a side but a creamy, dreamy indulgence that transcends the ordinary. Its richness, cheddar texture, and deep, savory flavor make it a standout, leaving us yearning for more. The collard green dip was impeccable. Its balance of flavors elevates it from a mere dip to a transformative culinary experience. If I could, I'd bottle that deliciousness and take it home. My son's smoked salmon salad was another highlight. Fresh, flavorful, and perfectly balanced--each component was harmonious, showcasing the chef's attention to detail. My daughter had the chicken, which had a touch of extra saltiness on the skin. However, the hot honey sauce paired with the tender meat created a flavor explosion that made the minor flaw fade into insignificance. What truly set this restaurant apart for me was the ambiance. I rarely find a black-owned restaurant where I can converse without shouting over loud music. This place wants you to enjoy yourself and be relaxed. You can enjoy dinner without yelling Bravo to them for understanding the meaning of eating in peace. The attentive service from the server, hostess, and the rest of the staff made our evening even more enjoyable. The only hiccup? Parking--typical for the North side. But the dining experience more than compensates for this minor inconvenience. If you're heading here, consider an Uber or bike for a hassle-free visit. In summary, this place is a culinary haven that promises a memorable meal in a relaxed setting. I'll be back--next time, just without the parking woes!

We got the short rib tacos and the truffle parmesan fries. The short rib was richly marinated. Service was great. We were checked up on consistently and our waitress was very sweet. We also got the chicken with the hot honey sauce. The chicken was very juicy and the golden fry added a great crunch. it was a bit empty when we came in but we also made reservations at 4:30. The AC was a bit distracting as it was a bit chillier w the air vent right above me but nothing to be too crazy about. I am not dying to come back but the food was solid and there were bigger portions. I do think the price was a littleeeee steep but overall, would recommend to others. Keep in mind they already add 20% no matter the party size but service was not an issue.

What we ate: * Honey Cornbread * Fried Green tomatoes * Honey Fried Chicken * Mac & Cheese * Collard Green Dip When Keith Lee says eat you say how much!! We went to Soul Prime to see what the fuss was about and got met with PIPING hot food, attentive service and absolute jams playing over the speaker!! Of special note is the hot sauce they serviced with the tomatoes and chicken, whatever they put in that they should bottle and sell it!!! Next time I may have skipped on the tomatoes as they lacked a little flavor for me but a hard run it back on everything else!! 3.5/5 rounded up to 4 !

I had dinner with a friend after work here! We sat at a table facing a mirror. The interior is cool! Low lighting with the upscale feel. Entrees were huge satisfying portions. My steak frites could've been enough for two people. The meat tasted really good when it was hot but then tasted alright once it cooled down. The tacos were really good & saucy, but a bit salty.

Warmth, welcome and comfort are three words that immediately come to mind when you enter Soul Prime. The service is impeccable and feels more like being hosted in someone's home. The space is filled with energy, ease and chatter. The food...is coma inducing. We got home and all sat sleepily and happily in the living room, too tired to do much more than chat quietly before settling into a restful slumber. Run down: Lamb chops: tender and perfectly prepared Fried chicken: finger-licking good Mac n cheese: crispy, cheesy goodness Collard greens: mind blowing Pork chops: battered and fried Corn muffins: a religious experience If you have a chance, check out Prime Soul. You won't regret it.

Mmhm I enjoyed every bite of food here! When I went with a girlfriend we were 1 of 3 parties so it wasn't busy but I will say there was still a slight wait on the food. It turned out okay though after realizing it was tasty. Their sangria is also reallyyyy goood! The restaurant itself is cute and gives a home feel to it.

There are not enough stars for me to give to this place! OMGGG!!! Everysingle thing was phenomenal!!! My friend and I could not decide what to order so we got 3 entrees: the Cajun chicken Alfredo (A-MAZING!), the hot honey butter chicken () and the catfish (whew!)! Fantastic!! The chef put her entire leg in these dishes! And the bartender was pouring!! Everything was excellent and I am SO PROUD to support this beautiful Black owned business! Don't sleep! Get your reservations in cuz this place stays busy and with good reason!!! Wishing you much success and I've already booked two more reservations in the next month!!

I had heard so many good things about Soul Prime that I really wanted to like this food. The ambience was nice and the Customer Service were stellar. We were there during Chicago Black restaurant week. The drinks were really good. The food was seasoned well, but we had several entrées that were good but so salty that we couldn't eat them. (Short rib tacos, fried chicken, fried pork chops and collard greens)

FOOD: let me tell you something. This has to be the best soul food I have had in such a long time. My husband and I was literally laid out on the floor because the food was so freaking delicious. It is our norm when we visit new restaurants, we order pretty much everything on the menu and we then we shared and we share our thoughts and opinions about food and let me tell you this. We was mad when the experience was over with. SERVICE: the service was pretty normal. Our waiter was attentive, and was able to answer all of our questions. Ambiance: the restaurant is small, so if you come with a big group, there may be concerns about adequate seating available for you, but if you keep it down to a table of four it's easy seating.

Soul prime is one of my favorite elevated soul food restaurants in Chicago. I've been twice. On the first occasion I had the greens dip, short ribs, Mac and cheese, and yams. Everything was delicious! I'd say one of my favorite items was the greens dip as I've never had it before. And the tortilla chips tasted fresh like they are house made. On the second visit, I went for brunch. I had the greens dip again which was still delicious. I also ordered catfish and grits. The catfish nuggets are a very generous portion. On this visit, the service was not as fast as the first visit but it wasn't overly slow or anything. The ambience is very cute. I'll be back again.

On the last day of black restaurant week I decided to try Soul Prime. A restaurant I've heard about from a number of people, so after getting my nails done I decided to stop somewhere for lunch, like a usually do and today I thought Soul Prime would be the perfect spot. Heard good things about them, in the area of my nail tech, last day of black restaurant week. All great reasons to go. I head there, find a parking spot on the street, it's Sunday so no need to feed the meters, it's looking good! I walk in and see the bar area had plenty seating, like over 8 available seats, perfect! Just the spot I wanna park my buns and eat some yummy brunch food and indulge in a nice tasty adult brunch beverage. I walk up to the hostess desk and a young man asked me if I had a reservation so I say no and tell him I just want to sit here at the bar, I do not want to sit in the main dining/seating area. I was almost sure he was gonna say "ok, go right ahead", but no he started to tell me how they are completely booked, asked me if it was just me, which I told him yes, and another young man, caucasian guy, who appear to maybe be the shift manager/supervisor told him it was Ok to seat me at the bar. I thought that was a little odd, but what I'm starting to see more now is certain restaurants I've visited and I will say they were all black owned establishments have this weird policy where even their bar is only reservations or for some reason they include their bar seating in their reservation pool, which is silly. Keep bar seating as what it has always been, open seating on a first come first serve basis for walk ins, which is an essential part of business too. Stop including these spots as a required reservation location in your establishment! Everyone does not plan a restaurant visit and may just last minute decide to stop somewhere and this is what a bar is for. While I was there a gentleman walked in without a reservation and he was completely turned away, again a single customer by himself. I heard him tell the hostess he had even valet parked across the street, so this was a very big inconvenience for him. I would have been pissed if I paid $20 to valet park and was turned away when I physically see over 8 available open seats at the bar and after he left those seats stayed empty until I left. They need to keep a number of seats open for walk ins. Ok, now that's out the way. I take my seat at the bar. The guy who told the hostess it was Ok for me to sit at the bar gives me a menu. On Sundays they have an exclusive brunch menu and you cannot order off their everyday main menu. I decide to order the peach mimosa and the chicken and waffles. Church music was playing in the background when I arrived, which was around 11:15pm, but around 11:45pm they switched the music to R&B. I appreciate good grown music so I appreciated both genres. My mimosa arrive and it was good, it's on the brunch menu for $14 and I see their other cocktails were more pricier, in the $17-$20 ballpark. My food arrive and first thing I notice is the wings are huge. I'm not a big fan of large chicken wings because of the steroids that's used to make them that big but what can you do when you order chicken wings out. The waffles look good, presentation was nice. I dig in and the flavor was there. They give you sauces on the side, which one of them that tastes a little spicy was really good. Overall the chicken and waffles dish was good. Chicken was crispy with good flavor, but honestly if you're black and have people from the south chances are you've had good chicken cooked by someone in your family during your life, so the chicken was good, not the best I've ever had, but definitely would be put in the good chicken category. The waffle was flavorful, fluffy and moist. Bill came to $48.00, which automatically included gratuity too, and is another gripe I have and again I only have experienced this with black owned restaurant establishments. I don't want to believe customers of these establishments just don't tip so you have to make them. I don't like forced gratuity, let me decide what I want to tip. I may not want to tip 20% - I might want to give more or less. I also don't want to raise issue with management to remove it. Overall experience was Ok. Service was Ok, restaurant waiters/workers did not speak or did not appear friendly to the people sitting at the bar, Food was Ok, the peach mimosas is what I will remember the most about this experience. Will I be back to try more dishes? Maybe, but I probably will not go out of my way to get back.

Nice Soul food spot in Lincoln Park. Food was good, close to Grandmas, but not better. Drink prices seemed high for the area and seating area in dining room was very small. Ambiance and service were both solid. I'd recommend for a date night.

Food: we had fish and grits, greens, peach cobbler waffle, chicken and waffles. Everything was 10/10. The standout for me was the hot honey sauce on the chicken and waffle. It's perfectly crafted. I don't usually like waffles but they were amazing and soft but crisp. Ambience: the building is decorated really well. However, it is small. DO NOT get the parlor seats. It's in the hallway and people are constantly walking by. One table is right in front of the kitchen and that's quite annoying when trying to eat. Service: the service was great. The chef, Royce, was there and very polite. She comped our drinks due to a long wait. She spoke to us several times and it felt like speaking to an auntie. There are several items that aren't offered at brunch that I would like to try, especially after K. Lee's review of the short rib tacos. I'll definitely be back.

It's Chicago Black Restaurant Week! And my family and I have been trying to get here for the longest. Unfortunately, they did not live up to the hype. We started with a round of lemonades (strawberry, lavender, and peach). All of them were excellent! Very well made. We ordered the collard green dip and fried green tomatoes topped with crab. It took a while for our appetizers to come out, however the waiter was very friendly and checked in on us. The tomatoes came out first and they were okay. They were a bit firm. The crab was also just okay. The two items did not compliment each other well. Shortly after, the collard green dip came out and it was not good at all. It lacked flavor and the cheeses that were used for the dip was a poor choice. The chips that came with the dip, however, were very crisp and fresh. For our entree, we ordered the fried chicken, Mac and cheese, sweet potatoes, and cornbread. The fried chicken could have used more seasoning but we really enjoyed the homemade hot honey sauce that came with it. That pretty much was the flavor for the chicken. The sweet potatoes have potential. It wasn't sweet enough. The Mac and cheese was a catastrophe. We had to send it back. My family stated that it tasted like pizza cheese was used on the Mac and that it was simply noodles placed in a dish with cheese sprinkled on top. There was no roux used for it. The cornbread was fire! Nice, moist, and buttery! Definitely the star of the show. We took an order of the short rib tacos to go for another family member who couldn't make it to dinner and they stated that it was way too salty. Less salt and the taco would've been perfect. Soul Prime has a lot of potential and if there was a revamp of the menu items, I believe it can go very far. I'm not sure if they had taste testers on their food items before they launched, but that can also be of great benefit to them. Overall ratings: Lemonade: 5/5 Fried green tomatoes: 2/5 Collard green dip: 1/5 Fried chicken: 2/5 Sweet potatoes: 2/5 Mac and cheese: 0/5 Cornbread: 5/5 Short rib tacos: 3/5 Service: 4/5

3.5. For reasons--read on. Corn bread and mac and cheese are the bomb. Chef is super friendly and welcoming. Place is spotless. The menu items (chicken, chicken, catfish, and a chef's special) generally work. The fried chicken, for example, was mostly well executed although the pieces of chicken chosen were a bit scrawny and that chicken leg may have been just a titch undercooked. . But. Mains are modestly sized. You'll need a side dish. Menu itself is quite focused. Shorter menus are not a bad thing, but be prepared for fewer choices. Also, prices are above-average. Almost too much moolah for what you get. Especially given the type of food the kitchen specializes in--its weird (but understandable) when soul food is expensive. I get it, but bring money. Also--two of the tables in the modestly-sized dining room are too too close to the bathrooms. Instead of installing a curtain or a door or some other kind of barrier to overcome the challenges posed by this geography the maître d'hôtel decides to fill these tables first?!?! Not cool.

THIS PLACE! Let me tell you. Never in my LIFE have I ever been in a restaurant that welcomes you instantly with joy, kindness, community, and of course amazing food. I felt like I was friends with the whole restaurant. The moment we opened the door someone greeted us saying we're about to have a good ass time and she was right! Then we entered the space and someone else is telling us about the food and how amazing it is and giving us tips on what to order. Then we sit at our table and everyone is just vibing to the music and it was just great. And the food....oh it's good. I came here just for a snack so I just got the collard green dip and the honey corn bread muffins. If you like collard greens and you like spinach dip this creation is there baby. It's so creamy and earthy. The tortilla chip you can tell they make themselves too which is a nice touch. The corn bread muffins...bro I would marry them. They are warm and sweet without being too sweet. It's just the perfect thing to make you feel right at home. I was able to get a couple bites of my friends short rib tacos and they were sooo good. So juicy, filling, and refreshing. My biggest regret is not getting the lemonade. Some of my friends got it and when they took their first sip they looked like they just experienced heaven. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a sip cause they drank it so fast The prices may seem a little expensive at first, but these dishes are packed with love and flavor and are honestly so filling. I personally recommend ordering a couple dishes and sharing everything cause believe me when I say you're going to want to try everything. If you come here just know you are going to have such a great time.

This was such a great experience! TLDR - great seating for someone with chronic back pain and stellar food. Worth every penny! My friend and I wanted to grabbed dinner tonight and went to Soul Prime. We got there at 5:30 and was able to get seated with ease without a reservation (it was really busy around 7p on a Friday so we're glad we went early!). We wanted to get the seafood medley for an appetizer and were torn between a few main plates to share. The server suggested the catfish so we went with the blackened catfish. We also got the mac and cheese and a side of the cornbread muffins. To drink I had the peach lemonade and my friend ordered the half and half. Everything was stellar! Honestly everyone we had was incredible. The star for both of us was the blackened catfish. I'm lactose intolerant but I had three lactaid pills so I can try the mac and cheese and it was so worth it the person serving us was really helpful and it has a great vibe all around. On top of it, all the seating was really great and supportive! It just made my experience that much better. It isn't cheap and I'm still living that grad student budget but definitely worth going for special occasions. I can't wait to return!

The food was.... Very good! Well seasoned, hot when it hit the table! Collard greens dip!!! Who ever thought! Chef Royce and her staff a mist visit!

This restaurant is easily becoming one of my favorites. I have been here twice in a month! Next time I'll save room for dessert I do not go to restaurants and order fried chicken....I just don't. Well, my friends did and I had a piece of theirs and had to come back for my own order of golden friend chicken in that hot honey sauce. I never knew how good rice can be until I had the seasoned butter rice. I can honestly say I have not had anything I didn't like! Fried catfish, short rib street tacos, collard greens dip, macaroni, sweet potatoes, spaghetti...you name it! Lol! The sangria is my favorite drink here! It's very intimate and the staff is superb. Depending on the day, leave out in enough time to find parking. I've already been twice so needless to say, I will be back.

**NEW RESTAURANT ALERT** Lincoln Park can now add "Upscale Soul Food" to its portfolio of great restaurants. With the soft launch of Soul Prime, patrons can expect their palates to be pleased by the various flavors of home cooked dishes that actually warm the soul. The food and beverages are made with love and ingredients that you will find in your grandmother's kitchen. The wait staff, hostess, cooks, chefs, and owners made the overall experience fun and enjoyable. This restaurant is our new neighborhood Gem! For starters, my guest and I ordered the Catfish Bites and the Collard Green Dip. When the bites were brought out to us, the aroma caught our attention as if we just walked into our grandmother's house for a down-home fish fry. Every piece was cooked to perfection and we devoured the entire appetizer! Next, they brought out "the dip". I can not explain how the chef got this dish to be so cheesy and creamy, and then to add collard greens.....? What a new take on chips and dip! We had to wash all of this goodness down with their speciality house lemonades. My guest had the lavender infused lemonade, and I had the peach lemonade. They both taste as refreshing as they sound. As we were enjoying our alcohol free drinks, our main dishes were brought out; Smothered Pork Chops with rice/gravy, mixed cajun greens, and a honey cornbread muffin along with The World's Best Baked Chicken with mac & cheese, mixed cajun greens, and a honey cornbread muffin. By this time, our mutual friend showed up and ordered the Fried Chicken N' Fish Combo. Envision dinner at your grandmother's house; down-home southern cooking but elevated! The pork chops and baked chicken were tender and full of flavor. The cajun greens gave a new meaning to traditional collard greens with a savory yet sweet taste. The rice and gravy melted in our mouths. The mac & cheese was a good blend of cheesy consistency, and the honey cornbread taste like a mini sweet cake. Are your mouths watering yet? EVERYTHING WAS AMAZING! I am confident that Lincoln Park has a new gem in the heart of the restaurant district located on Halsted street. It's New! It's Exciting! It's a Vibe! Go check it out, and tell them I sent you!

I'd seen a few videos about Soul Prime, so I was excited to try them. I went on a Tuesday around 6pm and parking was terrible. There's only street parking and it took me 15 minutes to find a spot on a side street that was about a five minute walk. The waiters were nice, but not as timely and attentive as I like...like they could have checked in more frequently, filled my empty glass of water, etc. We ordered the short rib street tacos ($15), collard greens dip ($19) and fried chicken and fish combo ($21). The collard greens dip is amazing! Loved it! The street tacos were a little too salty, but tasty. The combo came with four pieces of chicken, one piece of fish and one cornbread muffin. The fried catfish was seasoned well and crispy. The fried chicken was crispy, but needed more seasoning. I wasn't a fan of the cornbread. I also had a strawberry lemonade, which was just was ok. I was disappointed that they didn't have any dessert options. I would definitely return, but perhaps on an afternoon when hopefully there would be better parking.

Food is good but service was poor for our group. Expect to wait 45+ minutes for your initial drink order, even longer for your appetizer and double it for an entree. Better places to spend your money at imo. Pros: fried chicken was great, sides are good. Overall, food was solid. Cons: wait staff was unorganized, forgets what you ordered. I really wanted to like this place but unfortunately won't be in a hurry to get back.

Soul Prime Elevated Soul Food is a culinary gem that boasts sizzling dishes like Short Rib Tacos, Macaroni, Peach Waffles, and Fried Chicken. The food comes out piping hot, enhancing the fantastic flavors. This is not fast food; this is fantastic food! Indulge in these culinary delights that will leave you wanting more! I can't wait to go back for the fried pork chops and more of those delicious waffles!

The staff was good. We were greeted pleasantly when we arrived for our brunch reservation. We were seated at a table that was off balance. The busperson tried to correct the matter but couldn't. Luckily the table next to us became vacant and we moved - the hostess assisted in moving our drinks to the new table. The waiter took our orders. Unfortunately they did not have coffee and I really wanted coffee. Their lemonades were already sweetened with sugar. I ordered the pork chops and my friend ordered the catfish and grits and mimosa. The food was ok - my chops were lukevwatm, the rice tasted like it was leftover - not fresh - eggs were ok. The mimosa was a disappointment to my friend - not worth the $15. Her catfish was ok and grits were subpar.

Im late in posting this review, I went last week but had an amazing experience. Chef Royce and her staff were welcoming and the space nicely designed. We had the fried green tomatoes with crab, delicious! We'll seasoned, breading was light and perfectly cooked. Wing special went fast, seasoning on point as was the sauce. Fried chicken dinner with mac & cheese and greens. Both accompanied the chicken perfectly. Their hot sauce topped it off nicely. It was my birthday so the staff sang to me and gave me a dessert. Thank you! It's BYOB for now but I see happy hour specials in the future. If you're in the neighborhood, stop in and try the food. You'll leave happy.

This place is the bomb! We ordered a few different items. The beef short ribs, catfish bites, jerk chicken, and the chicken and catfish filet dinner, & collard green dip. Everything came out hot and fresh. DELICIOUS!!!!! The restaurant is a total vibe! Great music and ambiance, especially for summer nights. They had the picture window open in the front, and the breeze and view were amazing! The service was fabulous as well. They asked throughout our visit if things were ok. It was a great vibe! Also, the chef came out and checked on everyone and everything! This is a great addition to this neighborhood! I'll definitely be back.

We tried this place for brunch and we're extremely happy with everything. It's great to have a new restaurant in the area that serves soul food.

Chef Royce is so incredibly welcoming to everyone, as is her staff. The food is outstanding! What a marked improvement for this space and neighborhood. We surely needed an original, authentically-southern restaurant! We really felt welcome and the staff and manager helped us choose the star dishes including smothered pork chop, catfish bites, fried green tomatoes with lump crab, and collard greens. We truly enjoyed ourselves and the vibe. Might I add the playlist is on point! Loved the food and people so much and will be back for brunch!

Beautiful place and excellent staff, even the owner stopped by our table. My friend and I enjoyed the selections and are definitely looking forward to returning for the dinner menu. Oh and we had the best server...She was awesome!!! I should have listened to her when she suggested another piece of fish. We do recommend preparing for the tightness of street parking and get the lemonade...as a sweet treat!

Wow This experience was spectacular! This venue has an exquisite interior design concept every bit of the real estate is being utilized. Sunday Funday indeed ! Let me say this customer service is top notch at this level early in the game! I had been basically spamming their Instagram account hoping to be able to get a reservation. The business manager as I come to find out actually handles the social media and she was the one corresponding with me and even changing my reservation time for me last minute and I really appreciate it. I had mentioned that we're doing a celebration and they took it up a notch.Singing dancing a customized song for her, just that level of hospitality. You really don't see too much in the Midwest. Some came for branch and I can't eat shellfish and I don't eat pork but I really wanted to try those grits. So I talked to the wait staff and I was able to customize my grits just like the signature grits that they offer with the shrimp and sausage with veggies and signature sauce only. As I was to taste the shirt rib bowl Omg heaven with a little roll and eggs baby devine ! Right now it is BYOB without a court charge which is crazy. They provided ice ,I had my own bucket and bubbles and it was perfect ! Good food music great ambience A1 customer service please do yourself a favor and get there! oh free parking on the meters on Sunday! Perfect for Brunch with the girl or dinner with babe or celebration time !

Ahh! This used to be Taco Joint, remember that? This is Chef Royce's first restaurant in the area & it's upscale food at its best. I had Mix Cajun Greens. They were great but too salty. Staff and service is superb. PS. There liquor license is coming any week.

When the honey corn bred muffin hit my mouth I levitated off my seat, literally the best I've ever had! We also ordered the fried chicken, cat fish, and Mac & cheese. Everything tasted super fresh and was sizzling hot and was super flavorful. The staff was welcoming and pleasant to be around. Definitely coming back!

Below are my honest reviews of this place: The Good: -The food was very delicious. I had the Soul Prime Breakfast and the potatoes were the star of the show! The bacon was sliced THICK and cooked to perfection. I also ordered a waffle and extra eggs (not pictured). To wash it down, I chose the Peach Lemonade, which was also good. -My girlfriend ordered the Chicken & Waffles and my Mother ordered the Short Rib Bowl. They both enjoyed them very much. The Suggested Improvements: -BEWARE OF WEEKEND VISITS. I had a reservation for 1PM, on a Sunday, and we didn't receive our food until 3PM!!! The restaurant is currently adjusting to newly earned population from TikTok. Also, they're learning how to accommodate reservations + walk-ins. WEEKDAYS ARE RECOMMENDED In close, I believe the restaurant is a rising star that simply has some kinks to work out. I will definitely be going back, a few months from now.

So I found this place on Eatery Chicago while visiting. Man was I blown away! Staff was great and friendly, they were playing some old movies by the bar which was great since it was a Wednesday raining night and I just wanted to relax and really enjoy my meal. Vibe was perfect and the food....... The food did not disappoint!!! The slow cooked chicken was SMACKING! That sauce was pure liquid gold My app was the dip which I licked clean even though my body was telling me to not eat all that cheese! The owner/chef came by, very lovely woman. We spoke for a bit and you can tell she puts her heart and soul into her cooking. I'll be back for sure next time I visit Chicago!

I have a serious issue with Soul Prime. My partner and I had a 5:30 reservation, we arrived at 5:25. We were immediately seated, we waited 10 minutes for water and 20 minutes for a server to take our meal/drink orders. Our food didn't arrive until 6:45pm. We actually had to attend a theater performance downtown at 7:30pm. We literally had to request the bill and meal containers when the food came. We ate as much food as we could by 7:00. The server was making excuses for the delayed meal orders to several patrons of the restaurant telling everyone "we have a small kitchen and we serve fresh food, so that's why it's taking so long for the orders. I've never in my 54 years on this earth waited an hour for a meal with fresh ingredients. This is supposed to be "Elevated Soul food". Your brand can't be elevated when your Customer Service is Subpar. Here's the report card for the food: Catfish Fillets:A_Fried to perfection and flavorful Greens:A+_The best greens I've ever had in a restaurant. There's a hint if sweetness to them, but very good for restaurant grade Fried tomatoes:C_Lackluster even with the extra enhancements Rice & Beans:A_very good Fried Chicken::B-well prepared and seasoned, very moist. The size of the chicken parts were small. Color Purple Cocktail:B+_You sexy mutha*ucka There's a lot of competition in the food game. Good restaurants set the standard. Once you've had the best you can't settle for less. A 75 minute wait time is unacceptable. Thankfully we made it to our theater performance by a hair. The food is great, but the the poor customer service left a bad taste in our mouths. Unfortunately we won't be returning.

Absolutely amazing. Second visit here and every bit as good as the first!! I wish I lived closer!! Ambience is perfect, drinks are fantastic, service is perfect, and food is heavenly. GET IN HERE!!

I'm on a black - owned restaurant tour and soul prime was up next on the list. This restaurant is located in the Lincoln park area. I went with 5 other ladies for brunch on a Sunday. I was able to find free street parking. I ordered catfish nuggets and cheese grits. I also tasted the collard green dip which reminded me of spinach dip. Everything was well prepared. We also did byob and it wasn't a corkage fee which was nice. I will come back again if in the area.

Chef Royce, you have truly outdone yourself with the impeccable palate of options to explore here. The shrimp & Grits were to die for and the infamous Collard Green Dip made my taste buds sing! The staff are so friendly and attentive Which explains the cleanliness of the restaurant. I have told all of my family & friends about Soul Prime. Thank you to Ms.Tot & Hannah for always ensuring we have a remarkable and wondrous experience!! Signed, favorite Customers: Mel & Tyler

We had a disappointing brunch at Soul Prime. The shrimp in their Shrimp and Grits smelled like ammonia. (This happens when shrimp isn't fresh and is decomposing.) The server had specifically recommended this dish as one of the favorites. Despite sitting at the bar, the service was lacking and it took a long time for the many staff to notice that drinks needed to be refilled. The short ribs were good. The movie playing at the bar with topless women was not what we would expect for brunch entertainment.

VERY good food. Group of 4 we all ordered something different off the menu and shared all of the sides family style. I did not have 1 thing that I didn't like. The chicken Alfredo..... was life changing. Very creamy and cheese. Loved.

Foodie Keith recommended this place and now he has this place popping,but I tell you it's not worth the price and has a very limited menu with overpriced items and the sides are extra .New menu started today if the menu had been updated online I wouldn't even have bothered to go needless to say I was not impressed neither was my companion this is why folks don't like to patronize black businesses 11.00 for some canned butter beans with no meat and 11.00 for a side of sweet potatoes ..definitely pass on this one cause you not missing a thang

Great upscale soul food. Chicken was crispy, moist, and kissed with hot honey. Greens were out of this world. Savory and tender. Sweet potato's we're delicious. Buffalo Shrimp tasted so fresh with a buffalo drizzle and blue cheese crumble. Service was on point and friendly. Great experience!

Passed by this place a while ago but decided to stop in thanks to Keith Lee's amazing review!! Absolutely did not disappoint. The collard greens dip was super unique and rich and delicious. We also really enjoyed the catfish bites with the homemade hot sauce (plz give me the recipe). Star of the show was the short rib special which was divine and incredibly flavorful, plus it fell right off the bone. Loved the friendly vibe and service and they did a lovely job redecorating the space from the last place that was there. We'll definitely be back!!

I saw a TikTok video about Soul Prime and was immediately intrigued and curious about their collard greens dip, I had to try it! Well it did not disappoint because it was a flavorful, savory, cheesy, gooey warm appetizer, the star of my entire meal, served with a generous portion of tortilla chips. 5 ! I ordered the short rib tacos as my entree, a trio however I wished the portion size was a bit bigger. The meat was tender, well seasoned along with the onions and cilantros (I ordered it w/o the cheese), a great pairing with the soft taco. My side was the butter beans: delicious down home flavor with the right balance of fresh garlic and seasonings, I'd definitely order it again. I had the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc which was perfect (I'm not a red wine person). I don't cook with salt nor add salt to my food so I found the items overall to be a tad bit salty but that's my taste buds so other diners will have to decide for themselves. Service: Excellent! The staff was warm and welcoming, answered my questions. The chef/owner is friendly and kind with a great sense of humor. I always ask myself: would I return in the future and my answer is "Yes". I want to try the peach cobbler waffles for brunch soon.

I really wanted to like this place, but I was disappointed. Here's my overall review: Food: I wanted the Chef's signature Chicken Alfredo Pasta (only served Thurs. Fri. & Sat.). Despite being there 30 minutes after opening, on a Sat. they were out of the dish. We ordered a few starters and requested no cilantro on the short ribs tacos -- the young waiter removed the cilantro from the tacos however EVERY dish after that came with a cilantro garnish with the exception of side dishes. Please train your waiters to be aware of what's served with each dish as cilantro garnish is not noted for other dishes on the menu. Service: The young male waiter left us unattended for an hour, with no drink refreshments as we waited for our entrees. He also forgot several items in our order when finally serving us. The fried pork chops were overly salty in certain bites. The gratuity is automatically added to each check at 20% for this horrid service -- we were convinced the young male waiter was a product of nepotism. The few drinks we tried were nothing special -- we would've ordered more if our waiter came by to check on us. For a $17 flute of Prosecco, the bartender could've added some flare -- I suggest a dried/toasted lemon slice instead of a basic lemon peel in a flute glass (choking hazard). Ambiance: Very nice but very small space overall. They pack us in seats like sardines, but the decor is a modest-nice. These are all very minor critiques than can be easily addressed in a week's time. I hope you will try this restaurant and I hope the service is better when you attend. I'm hopeful this restaurant will get better, disappointed it didn't live up to expectations for 2024 Black Restaurant Week.

Let me start by saying they have immaculate customer service. I'm a taller heavier set guy and while most tables were close together they made sure to give me a table that had a little more room. Onto the food itself everything tastes great in fact but I did find it to be pretty expensive for the portions you get.

So I'm about to give this place the ultimate compliment. I grew up the daughter of a Southern-born and -raised lady who worked magic in the kitchen and if you walked into her house at dinner time, you'd immediately be met with "Can I fix you a plate?" and, believe me, the correct answer was always "Yes!" Soul Prime is the closest I've ever had to my Mama's divine cooking, absolutely delicious, impeccable, fresh quality, perfectly seasoned, and alive with the love and care my Mom put into her food. Service was attentive and friendly. I highly recommend you head over here and let Soul Prime fix you a plate.

I went to this restaurant and it was a TOTAL disaster!! It took my food literally 2hrs to come out I was falling alseep at the table .. I ordered the short rib tacos as an appetizer and the fried catfish and red beans and rice the tacos were good but they took about 30 mins to bring them to me and the red beans and rice were uncooked beans were still hard the fish was ok but it wasn't worth the wait at allll 3/10 don't recommend.

This place is absolutely delicious..The staff..from owner to wait staff is amazing...Everyone was so nice & treated u like family..The actual restaurant is warm and inviting...This place is a must...Shout out to Willie..he's definitely a vibe