Soul Bowls — Restaurant in Hartford

I had been trying to get to this establishment for months but when I was in the area it was always closed. Yesterday I made it happen!😄 I was there as soon as they opened; it went from 2 people ordering to 8 people waiting to order in a matter of minutes. The establishment is small, but it’s all takeout, so I was ok with that. The cashier was courteous and friendly and the workers in the back were organized and pushing those orders out like clock work. I ordered a soul bowl with chicken bites, yams and collards with a side of mac, a soul roll and a Snapple . I figured I might as well go all out, since I had waited so long to try them. When I saw the bowl I thought it was small for $15.00, but once I opened it, I was pleasantly surprised and had leftovers for the next day. The collards, yams and chicken was seasoned well, the mac and cheese was full of cheesy goodness; even the soul rice (Spanish rice with pigeon peas) was good. I wasn’t sure what to expect when heating up my food the next day, but let me say this, it was just as good as the day before. Surprisingly the chicken was still juicy and tender. The soul roll was delicious while hot. I’m so glad I finally made it out; this place did not disappoint not even a little. If I’m in the area again and they are open. I am...

Yes, Soul Bowls!

True story, I went to Lily's first this evening and w/o notice they had closed early. The staff were inside watching me knock on their locked doors at approx 625pm, when their posted closing is 7pm.

That brought me to Soul Bowls (for the first time) and I will NEVER go to Lily's again. Lily's has bland, watery Mac & Cheese, whereas SB's Krack & Cheese is delectable: delicious, creamy and full seasoned in every forkful.

And Lily's personnel cannot begin to hold a candle to the personality, upbeat mood and welcoming, friendly atmosphere that greets you when you enter the door of Soul Bowls. What energy! Even the customers were friendly and engaging with one another while waiting (briefly) for their orders to be filled. That's a testament to how the management and staff make customers feel. **

And service was fast!!

Thank you, Soul Bowls! Lily's will NEVER get another dime from me for their mediocre food and lackluster service, and general rudeness in locking doors before closing hours w/o the courtesy of an explanation.

Soul Bowls, welcome to the neighborhood!! Can't wait to tell all my friends AND to spend my money w your business again!!

ps I had the "Regular Degular...

I can't remember ever having Soul food this good. Even my mamss Mac and cheese wasn't this creamy and cheesy. I dunno what cheese blend they used but it's 🔥. I was hesitant to try the Soul Roll(egg roll wrapper stuffed with Krack & cheese with candied yams). But I took the chance based on other reviews and pics) wasn't disappointed. A nice blend of soft sweetness of the yams mixed with the saltiness of the Krack and cheese and the crunchiness of the egg roll wrapper that somehow works.

Pros: I tried much of the menu and nothing was bad. Friendly staff. A rarity in Hartford. Unique.

Cons: a bit pricey. Not unreasonable though and to be expected considering this is an independently own businesses. So if you're looking for the McDonald's Value Menu, look elsewhere. But if you do, I promise you'll regret it. Limited menu. Wish they'd consider adding homemade banana pudding. And not that boxed pudding with wafers. I mean that real baked Southern pudding. But what they have, it's the best in the area and possibly the state. What they mean when they say "put...