Andrew Maher
Google
I finally made it to Southerns' brick-and-mortar location on Veterans Blvd after enjoying their food truck offerings at local breweries a few years back. Their chicken sandwiches had always impressed me, so I was eager to see how the restaurant experience compared.
I ordered the spicy chicken sandwich with fries and a drink for around $14 ($11 for the sandwich alone). The sandwich was really good—simple and straightforward with pickles and a quality bun that let the chicken shine. However, the chicken was extremely tender, almost to the point of being mushy. It seemed heavily brined, which reminded me of sous vide cooking. While this makes for easy eating, it doesn't quite deliver the satisfying "meat eating experience" you might expect. Still, the flavors were spot-on, and the fries were perfectly crispy.
The restaurant itself is spotless—impressively clean, which earns major points. The staff was incredibly attentive, friendly, and genuinely engaged with customers, asking follow-up questions and making everyone feel welcomed. This level of service really stood out.
I do have a few minor critiques. First, I wasn't offered their additional sauces at the counter, though I noticed them on the menu while eating. The off-brand, watery ketchup packets were disappointing—spending an extra dollar on one of their house sauces would have elevated the fries considerably. Second, the interior lacks character. It's very clean but generic, resembling any standard fast-food restaurant without the charm of the food truck vibe. Finally, parking is quite limited, with only about 12-14 spots available behind the building.
Overall, Southerns delivers good food in a clinical atmosphere. The chicken sandwich is tasty, the service is exceptional, and the cleanliness is impeccable. However, it didn't quite capture the magic I remembered from the food truck days. Veterans Blvd is a bit out of my way, so I'd probably only return if I'm already in the area. That said, the restaurant was busy during my visit, which suggests plenty of others are finding their way there. I wish them continued success.
- Food Quality: ★★★★☆ (4/5) — The chicken sandwich was flavorful and the fries were crispy, but the overly tender, almost mushy texture of the chicken prevented it from being a perfect score.
- Service: ★★★★★ (5/5) — Exceptionally attentive, friendly staff who made customers feel genuinely welcomed.
- Cleanliness: ★★★★★ (5/5) — Spotless restaurant with impressive attention to hygiene.
- Atmosphere: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) — Generic, clinical interior lacking character or the charm of the food truck experience.
- Value: ★★★☆☆ (3/5) — $14 for a sandwich, fries, and drink is reasonable, but the off-brand condiments and lack of sauce suggestions detracted from the value.
- Convenience: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) — Limited parking and out-of-the-way location on Veterans Blvd make it less convenient for regular visits.
Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5) — Good food and excellent service, but the lack of atmosphere and convenience issues keep it from being a go-to spot.
