Succotash Southern and Creole Kitchen. — Restaurant in Durham

Hands down, Succotash is the closest restaurant you'll get to New Orleans, LA (NOLA) cooking and decor!!! Seraphine's is a close second but it is more upscale, date-night eatery.

My family and I ate here on a Saturday night with no reservation. We were fortunate to get in because within 15 minutes, the place began filling up quick. We learned that you can reserve a table but it is on their website. We found parking with no issues. There is seating inside as well as outside.

The decor is everything NOLA. From the beads, fleur de lis, paintings, photos, beer (Abita), potato chips, Edison lights, etc. They nailed it with NOLA vibes.

Regarding the dining experience, it was everything. I was impressed from the jump that they provide filtered water, not tap. The ice was also purified using UV lighting. We usually bring our water when we dine but this was great that they default provide filtered water. Their menu has staple foods from LA with the exception of crab cakes, crawfish, or crawfish boil. Potato salad was also missing. Hopefully they can make that happen but if they do, they gotta use Blue Plate brand mayonnaise.

For dinner we ordered the following:

Red beans and rice with French bread (Jasmine or basmati rice may have been used but it was good)

Catfish (Farm-raised spread filet, light breading) Smoked brisket with smash potatoes Fried shrimp with a spicy remoulade-style sauce Broiled broccoli with shaved cheese and lemon

Key Lime Pie (brown sugar and graham cracker crust with the key lime custard containing bits of lime peel; definitely homemade)

The food was hot, seasoned well, not too spicy, and was filling without feeling gluttonous afterwards. Well worth the money and we DEFINITELY be returning. For what it's worth, we recently went to NOLA and had some great LA cuisine. Succotash was spot on to tasting like we were back there!!!

As an added bonus, we learned that live music was being played as well. There was no cover but I'd imagine you're gonna eat while there. They had a three-seater couch in the back where the band played and it was really cool. Not sure how long they've been doing music back there but from the couch, it isn't the easiest to see the band due the the tables in front. No biggie but just a note.

Overall, we definitely intend to go back. They have a brunch menu and their beignets are only sold on Sundays, so we have to see what that is like. If you're looking for a solid restaurant that is not big-chain, has good flavored food, and want to support locally, COME TO...

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This was some of the best tasting food and service I've had in a really long time. Everything was just on point. I really didn't expect this from a neighborhood restaurant but I'd easily put it at the level of Guglhupf etc.

It was clean, well decorated, and the layout is perfect. You've got two main areas indoors and one outside. The two indoor are the main seating area (10-ish tables) and the music are where they play live music some nights. The areas have a short hallway between so if you're like me and enjoy hearing conversation, the main seating area is perfect. The outdoor area is nice as well with several tables, all with umbrellas for shade.

The service and staff were all high level meaning they knew the menu, had tasted everything, and presented themselves exactly how you'd want in a local restaurant (friendly and helpful). It made choosing items much easier when you're not sure.

Creole food can get a bad rep for being too spicy or having too many things to hide bad ideas in flavors. This was the first place I've ever been where truly everything was delicious. Even my daughter, the master of saying "this is too spicy" was chowing down.

My family got the shrimp po-boy with red beans and rice, beef brisket po-boy with spinach salad and I went beef brisket empanada with their namesake, succotash. Portions were great

From the first bite of the succotash I was floored. Definitely not what I'm used to from NC, but way way better. I love empanadas, and I was not disappointed. I actually cursed out loud it was so good. It was almost like that scene in a certain movie "Chicken so good you'd slap your momma". Sorry mom.

Afterwards, I had the chance to talk to the head chef, though I didn't realize who he was at first. He was just chatting with staff about what he wanted to do for the week. They smoke around 10 full size briskets a day and it took him about 3 years to get the timing right. The smoke sits outside by the outdoor seating and man it smelled good out there. He's truly passionate about this place and it shows.

So if you're looking for a great place for a night out, first date, or solid lunch, this is the...

My family of 8 visited Succotash on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 and was told the wait would be 20 to 40 minutes. After waiting for 30 minutes, we check back with the manager, and he stated that he would not have a table for us after we stated we were willing to split in 2 parties. Manager did everything to discourage my African American family from staying, but he never try to discourage the two caucasian families from leaving. He was rude and very dismissive with bad customer service. We have been there several times but all 8 of my family members stated it was clear that Succotash does not need business from people of color! If you are of color, you are not welcome at Succotash! My apologies to the staff, I looked on the website and saw that it was the owner who was nasty and dismissive. He is a liar and stated that we tried to rush the staff! We were checking after waiting for forty minutes while we were talking to other family members! Yes, you did contact my sister but you also tried use a person of color trying to hide what you did by trying to get us to remove the comments on the website. But again your racist actions came out and you were short and you just wanted people of color to leave your business and we did without a word and went to Firebirds where we enjoyed our meal in a welcoming atmosphere and where the money was worth every meal and the menu was not limited. You thought we would go away quietly but I want people to know who you are and what you represent You are such a liar and a racist! You will never have to worry about my family and friends ever coming back to a your place...