Shut Yo Mouf Soulfood — Restaurant in Petersburg

My family and I visited SYM last Sunday for the first time for the buffet. Usually, I don't expect much from a buffet, but WOW, every protein and side dish I tried was absolutely amazing. My favorites were the collard greens, pork chops, chicken, and cabbage. You can definitely taste the love that was put into making each dish. Furthermore, I LOVE supporting Black owned businesses, especially FAMILY owned Black businesses. The owner, Katrine, was absolutely lovely. Her daughter was our server and she was very friendly, attentive, and accommodating. We were a bit nervous to eat at a buffet with the pandemic, but Shut Yo Mouf practices all safety protocols, including using disposable tableware and utensils, spacing tables apart at a safe distance, and ensuring that all customers use gloves and masks while at the buffet station. Upon reading negative reviews about long wait times, different closing times, problems with service, food delivery, etc.....customers need to realize that.. 1) this is a family-owned restaurant, not a drive-thru at McDonald's, so patience is a virtue & well worth the wait for amazing soul food. 2) With the pandemic, hours may fluctuate, so if you are driving a far distance to get here, a simple phone call would alleviate any trouble. 3) All of the negative reviews about customer service can be solved through COMMUNICATION. Low on water? Ask the server for a refill. Need more napkins? Ask the server for more napkins. Simple as that. 4) Bad food delivery service is not the restaurant's fault, but the delivery service you ordered from. I felt compelled to type this review because Katrine & her family are truly some of the most genuine, friendly, hardworking people we've come across in the Petersburg area. My 3 year old nephew, who is super shy, gave Katrine a hug out of the blue when we were leaving. In conclusion, SYM is a MUST if you are looking to chow down on some delicious soul food!!! Can't wait to go back to try different dishes off of the menu! Now shut yo'...

Not Soul Food—Just Soulless Service and Salty Disappointment

My family and I came in as first-time customers hoping for a soulful Southern dinner. Instead, we were met with poor communication, subpar food, and service that was far from welcoming.

I arrived at 12:00 PM planning to order the smothered turkey wings listed on the menu. I was told they wouldn’t be available until 4:00 PM when dinner starts. Fair enough. I asked if I could reserve the wings or call ahead to ensure availability. The server told me no reservations were allowed but assured me—and I quote—“there will be more than enough.”

When I called back before 4:00 PM, I was told only three wings were left—nowhere near enough for the three plates with two wings each that we originally intended to order. To make things worse, the same server pretended we had never spoken earlier and claimed others had called ahead—despite telling me earlier that was not an option. She erased our entire encounter.

Since we were already there and ready to eat, I took one turkey wing, and my family chose to order the smothered pork chops instead. The experience only declined from there. The wing was undercooked and salty, the pork chops were overcooked and dry, the cabbage was bland, the mac and cheese was greasy, and the cornbread was dry and starchy. For a place that calls itself a soul food restaurant, not one bite touched my soul.

I spent $68 on food we didn’t want and didn’t enjoy. The only saving grace was a young staff member who at least tried to help and showed professionalism. The overall atmosphere was as disappointing as the food.

My husband , myself and daughter were appalled and actually made the 🤮 emotion.

If you’re craving real soul food, skip this place and try Croaker’s Spot instead—they know how to season, serve, and deliver on what soul food is supposed to be.

It’s called shut yo mouth soul food I’d advise to never open your mouf to...

Well, where do I begin. While riding around Old Town yesterday afternoon my wife and I decided to try your Restaurant. We parked around back and made our way up the steps into the building. Once we entered we had no clue as to where the Restaurant actually was. There was no one to greet you so we just wandered down the dimly lit hallway following our nose to the smell of someone cooking. We walked passed a small dining room on the right that had a few people seated at a large table, we thought that maybe this was a private party but once again there was no one to greet you or nothing saying that this was the Restaurant. So we kept wandering in search of the Restaurant and we found nothing, we eventually went back to the dining room and waited. We didn't know whether to seat ourselves. Eventually someone came out of the back and seated us. She took our drink order and told us to help ourselves to the buffet, buffet? Didn't know they had a buffet, she didn't even ask us if we wanted to see a menu. So we went to the buffet line where it was minimal at best. The buffet consisted of the following, Baked Chicken legs, (Broiled or Fried not sure did not eat) Chicken wings, Riblets, Meatloaf, Mac and Cheese, Collards, Cabbage, Sweet Potatoes and a Salad. The Chicken legs were delicious, the Riblets were savory but a little lean, Collards were a little on the tuff side and the Cabbage was good. Everything was seasoned well and the atmosphere was very nice. Just seemed as if they were way understaffed and a little confused. Very polite waitress maybe they will get better and more organized with time. I was raised on Country cooking and was really looking forward to that but unfortunately they just did not live up to my expectations. This review was based solely on our experience from yesterday's Sunday Buffet so I was really torn to give you three...