Darrell Kelley’s Soul Delicious — Restaurant in Fruitland Park

I’ve visited Darrell Kelley’s Soul Delicious in Leesburg, FL twice now, and while I really wanted to give this new spot a chance, my experiences were disappointing.

During my first visit, I found that nearly 60% of the menu was unavailable, which was frustrating. To make matters worse, I was accidentally served someone else’s order, and the turkey wings I received were overly salty, with rice that was undercooked and cold. I understand that new places might have a few hiccups, so I decided to return for a second try.

Unfortunately, the second visit only reinforced my concerns. The menu had shrunk down to just four items, and even the basics seemed off. The Coca-Cola tasted watered down, and the meatloaf was dense and smothered in a syrupy sauce that tasted more like sugar than anything savory. The cornbread was so hard it could have been a weapon, though it was replaced with a fresh batch that was much better. To top it off, my food arrived in under four minutes, and it was clear the temperature wasn’t being properly maintained—it was lukewarm at best.

I did appreciate the young food runner, who was polite and helpful, but I was introduced to owner and OMG. He came across as incredibly full of himself, almost to the point of being obnoxious. In contrast, the managers I met during my first visit were kind, apologetic, and genuinely seemed invested in making things work. It was hard to take the owner seriously when he mentioned he was a “restaurant flipper,” just opening places to sell them quickly.

As an Afro Latino chef, I always try to support local businesses, but there’s a lot of room for improvement here. The decor felt more like an ego boost for the owner—almost like a shrine to his own musical career, complete with a faint mildew smell. The food had that grandmother’s kitchen vibe, but it was like the grandmother had lost her sense of taste, with everything being overly salty or sweet with no balance. For the portion sizes and quality, the prices felt steep, and it left me feeling like this place needs more than just working out the kinks. It needs a serious overhaul in terms of food quality, service, and overall approach.

Sadly, I won’t...

If you enjoy soul food in any capacity, you absolutely MUST stop at Soul Delicious!

We stopped by on a Sunday afternoon around 3. Even though there was a bit of a wait, the food was absolutely phenomenal - one of the best soul food meals I’ve ever had! I ordered the smothered pork chops with mac & cheese, and both my dining companions got meatloaf, one with mashed potatoes and one with collard greens. I have never had a taste for collard greens until now - I could easily make a meal of Soul Delicious’ collards. The macaroni & cheese was delicious as well, with a nice cheesy flavor and good texture. The pork chops were pan fried, then smothered in gravy (normally served with rice but I asked for no rice) and were so tasty. My dining companions said the meatloaf has rich flavor, great texture, and a HUGE portion (again, we ordered off the lunch menu and paid around $11 per entree - our bill for lunch came to around $42 when you include tip) and based on the small taste I had, I have to agree!

The restaurant is clean and well laid-out, with plenty of space between tables; there’s also a large dining room in the back of the restaurant with a bar. The atmosphere is definitely casual but is zhuzhed up a bit by some classy jazz music. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The bathrooms could use a bit of love (they’re dated, but functional), but this is clearly a repurposed space and I’m sure they’ll get some additional attention once the restaurant is up and running full-swing.

The only negative thing I have to say is that while service was friendly, it was a bit slow - our meal took about an hour and a half from sit down to check delivery. I anticipate this will be worked out as time goes on and staffing needs are figured out. I cannot wait to come back and enjoy...

Soul Delicious is a recently opened gem that offers a warm and inviting atmosphere with beautifully decorated interiors. From the moment you step in, you’re greeted with a friendly and welcoming vibe that makes you feel right at home.

The food is truly the star of the experience. We enjoyed a hearty meal featuring baked chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans, crispy fried fish with cornbread and beans, and flavorful liver and onions with mashed potatoes, cornbread and green beans. Each dish was well-seasoned and comforting, reminiscent of homemade soul food.

One of the standout features of the restaurant is its spacious outdoor wrap-around balcony, which provides a lovely dining option, especially on a pleasant day. However, while the ambiance and food were excellent, the service could use some improvement. Attention to detail was lacking in certain areas, and during peak hours—especially Sundays—it can get quite busy, which may lead to longer wait times.

Overall, Soul Delicious is a promising new addition to the dining scene, offering great food in a cozy setting. With some fine-tuning in service, it has the potential to become a go-to spot for soul...