Jive Turkey Southern Kitchen — Restaurant in Detroit

When you see the words ‘Southern Kitchen’ you may be swept over with a nostalgia that embraces you with fond memories your favorite soul food experiences. You may get transported to an imaginative land reminded of big mama’s or mama’s recipes and because you don’t primarily have the energy on this day to cook for yourself, you try a new place. You give them charity because they are focused on their lane which is paramount to success – TURKEY IS THEIR JAM – only the turkey though.

I walked in and the most popular sides that you expect to get at a southern kitchen were not available and wouldn’t be available until 3pm… this establishment opened at 11am and I was only order number #9 clocked in on my receipt at 1:10pm. Sadly I decided to suffer the remaining available options and was disappointed with the dressing – dry and flavorless. Greens – overly salty, no balance of savoriness and the spaghetti – mid. THE TURKEY CHOPS AND FRIED TURKEY WINGS ARE BY FAR THE BEST I’VE HAD IN SOME YEARS! Turkey is in the restaurant name! The turkey retained its juiciness with the fried wing and the chop was seasoned to perfection, slightly on the Cajun side but every morsel had flavor. A true treat but the main dish should not carry so heavily – reminded me of LeBron’s Cavs playoff run in 2006… can you really remember any other names that were on that team outside of Larry Hughes, Shannon Brown, and Anderson Varejao?

Sadly, the rest of supporting menus items need to be workshopped and brought up to par. There should be some type of overnight protocol in place to ensure that certain side dishes like mac and cheese and yams are ready to go from prep to cooking as soon as shop opens. (Prior to open). Or during close shop 30 mins earlier to make sure tomorrow has a sufficient supply for the next morning prep could happen then even. Overall, I’m glad to support black owned business especially when the crew is chill – but quality of delivery along with lack of menu items can make one skeptical of any Southern Kitchen.

20-25 min wait for your...

My first time in, it was a younger crew, the food was delicious, I went back a second time, the crew was a whole different crew, I ordered the same exact meal which was Turkey wing, Mac, candie yams and a foot long turkey sausage with no bun grilled onions. Now, the first time, I got the turkey baked, fell off the bone, the sausage was uniquely sliced to be cooked throughout.. the yams had the right sweetness to it, and Mac and cheese was delicious. The second time, I got the turkey fried, but it was bland, no flavor, I ordered two foot longs without buns and grilled onions, but it wasn't cooked all the way through and the gave me grilled onions and peppers, I don't eat peppers, it wasn't the waitress fault, the cook look like he didn't want to be there that day,, it wasn't no love in the food the second time around,, it pricey also, not sure if I want to go a third...

A Tik Toker food reviewer led me here...i truly believe they give Foodies hot, fresh food and give customers slop but..here we are 🤷🏿‍♀️🙄...I gave it 3 stars because maybe the food is fresher in the morning or midday...anything after 5 pm is tired and dried (they stay opened til 9) ...I had the stuffed turkey leg with dressing and mac n cheese...it had no gravy and lukewarm to the touch...the dining area was at least 105 degrees no air conditioning....I prayed over my food because I didn't kno if they kept the recommended temperature to keep their food from spoiling...it most definitely wasn't cooked fresh to order and the buffet style pans look like they been there all day...maybe the owners let the kids run it in the evening? Bad idea....i think I'll 🤔 stick to...