Soulfabulous
2607 Bailey Ave, Buffalo

by Laura McClusky & Mike Niman
Buffalo Gazette Culinary Arts Critics

In today’s overworked world sometimes you just need to pick up dinner for the family quickly on the run. Heading down Bailey Ave you can’t miss the Burger King — but is this mass produced soul-less "flame broiled" 1/4 pound of corporate chow really what you want to feed your family?

Well, we didn’t think so. And a quick headcount on most any night of the week is evidence that other folks agree.

So, you might ask, where is everyone?

You don’t need to look far for the answer — it’s right across the street at Soulfabulous, Buffalo’s quickest and busiest Soul Food restaurant. And it’s real home cooking as well — a meal you will feel good feeding to your family. While it is fast, it is not "fast food." It’s real food!

The menu is simple and to the point. All meals are $7.50 and include three (yes three) sides. Meats include Fried Chicken (with or without BBQ sauce), Beef Ribs, Short Ribs, Pork Ribs, Hamhocks, Catfish and Pork Chops (smothered or fried). You can also order Fried Chicken by the piece starting a $1.10 for a leg or $2.70 a breast.

We tried the Pork Ribs and the Smothered Pork Chops.

The ribs were sweet, fall of the bone tender and smoky, though they were not cooked outside in a smoker. The order was generous and kept us busy and happily eating as we watched dozens of folks quickly pass through the cafeteria style line, leaving with huge bags of food and smiles on their faces.

We also tried the smothered pork chops, which are served submerged in a sea of thick tasty gravy. Again, the portion was quite generous, and served on a bed of Macaroni and Cheese.

The Macaroni and Cheese is of the moist gooey cheesy variety. Lot’s of cheese. While we usually prefer a drier crustier baked Mac and Cheese, we couldn’t help but enjoy this moist variety as it certainly proved tasty. We also tried the yams — which were delicately spiced and not overly sweet, the way we like them. The collard greens were tangy, while perhaps a bit salty, but good. The black eyed peas were simple, but good. Soulfabulous also offers rice and string beans.

For a healthy high fiber low fat inexpensive meal, try an order of Black Eyed Peas over Rice. Sides served alone are $2 an order. They also serve desserts, also $2 an order. While we planned on tasting a few, we were quite full from the meal itself and could only window shop the desserts. The sweet potato pie is served as a small individual pie. They are slightly glazed and look really good. The Peach Cobbler and cake also looked good. We’ll have to make a return trip one day soon just for dessert.

Soulfabulous has been open since April, but the Young family has been in the business for 2 generations. If the setup looks familiar, that’s because the Youngs previously ran "Meals for a Steal" on Jefferson Avenue. Soulfabulous, however, is bigger and serving an improved menu.

And they have a real formula for success — beating the pants off of that corporate fast food outlet across the street. So join the crowd and vote for quality food served up fast, not fast food!