The Serving Spoon — Restaurant in Inglewood

SERVICE: The hostess! Homegirl doesn't need to be a host. She was the furtherest thing from warm and welcoming. Then tried to lie about our name being called for a table. First it was we called yall and you just didn't answer because you lost your table (we never got a call), well it ain't a call it's a text (the only text we have says checking at 12:05), well I wasn't here it was my manager. I'm assuming the manager is who came out and somewhat clarified, yelp shouldn't be giving a time for checkin despite them using the platform (they need to turn that setting off); however that wasn't the issue. The issue was her lying about calling us and telling us they gave our table away based on that lie. Needless to say the manager said y'all checked in at 11:20 well said an hour, she worked it out. I over heard homegirl say "you know I don't normally work the weekends" it should probably stay that way. Homegirl needs hostess training 101, start with greeting each customer with a smile. Prior to sitting down I would have given service a 1. Our waiter (Josh) was a definite 5/5. Great energy! Positive attitude! Accommodating! And he was funny. FOOD The Mimosa was served in plastic! That says it all. Chicken wings, bland! I ended up not eating them. My cousin added hot sauce to make it edible, but if you me l'm a strong believer in not having to add condiments in order to get flavor. 1/5 Mac and cheese; definitely a premade Mac with salt and pepper added. It came out cold. Not your traditional (soul food) baked Mac and cheese. It wasn't bad just what l'd expect from a black owned restaurant soul food restaurant. I did eat mine cold. 2/5 Greens; these were also just ok, a little two sweet for my liking but that's better than it tasting like water or vinegar. 3/5 Waffle; my first waffle was rock hard I sent it back. The second one was cooked perfectly. A nice balance of cinnamon that was sprinkled on top. 4/5 French Toast; it had a weird after taste that I just couldn't put my finger on. Almost like an green onion flavor. 3/5 Red Snapper; my aunt reported it was delicious! She said it was seasoned perfectly. 5/5 Yams also a 5/5 Cornbread had our table torn. I like cornbread that isn't too sweet and more fluffy than grainy. This was that! 4/5 Catfish was excellent, it didn't have the dirty taste which means they know what they're doing. Seasoned perfectly and great portion size. 5/5

AMBIANCE It's givin small family style diner from the late 70's. There's some cross with modern farmhouse like decor in the start of the restaurant that doesn't really fit the older look of thats on the wall of the second half of the restaurant. All in all seating was cozy and accommodating for our group size of 5. Important to note, they cannot host large groups, two booths of 6 is probably the max. All in all, this isn't a place...

This was my fourth time dining at The Serving Spoon, and unfortunately, it was my worst experience so far. The food, as always, was delicious! I had no complaints there. I had just picked my brother up from LAX. Since he was hungry, I told him I knew a great spot nearby. We waited about 20 minutes before being seated at the counter. A Hispanic gentleman asked if we wanted anything to drink and we requested water. A few minutes later, a tall, light-skinned man came by to take our order. Our food was eventually brought out by a woman named Laura.

While we ate, we noticed that the tall server walked past us multiple times but never once checked in to see how the food was or if we needed anything. What made it worse is that we heard him ask the people seated behind us in a booth how everything was going. It was clear he was being selectively attentive, and when he finally did speak to us again, it was only to ask if we had received our check. Which came across more like, “Why are you still sitting here?”

I felt terrible because it was my brother’s first time visiting the restaurant, and I had talked it up. We even had to flag someone down just to get his water refilled. I asked Laura for a refill on mine, and thankfully, she was kind and helpful throughout. My roommate also wanted some food, so I was planning to place a to-go order. But honestly, it felt like we were invisible. When Laura brought the check, we finally asked her to place the to-go order. Which explained why we were still seated after finishing our meal.

To make matters worse, the man sitting next to me also had to ask for his lemonade to be refilled. I understand that restaurants can be busy, but one of the key reasons people choose to dine in is for the service. When you see someone’s glass is empty, you shouldn’t have to be flagged down for attentive service should come naturally.

I also want to point something out. If counter seating is treated differently than booth seating in terms of service, that should be made clear to guests. My last three visits, I was seated in a booth and received excellent service, which is why I confidently brought my brother here. If counter seating means less attention or a different experience, that should have been communicated.

To be clear, I still love the food and respect the legacy of this place. But after this experience, I’ll likely stick to ordering to-go. I can’t justify dining in again. Thank you, Laura, for being the one bright and your warm...

I was recently invited by friends to attend a lunch at The Serving Spoon restaurant in Inglewood California. What a great restaurant and welcomed surprise this turned out to be.

I must say that my favorite places to eat are usually loved within the community, but sometimes forgotten or still unknown to others. As such, The Serving Spoon quickly became a favorite for me. It’s an old school dinner with fantastic staff who provide exceptional service. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, reminiscent of a bygone era.

I was pleasantly surprised by the reaction of people who saw the photo I posted in social media. A simple picture of me and my friends quickly became this out pouring of shared stories and personal comments that told the incredible history of the restaurant and its impact on the community. People spoke of childhood memories, family gatherings, and even life-changing moments that included meals at this beloved establishment. The enthusiasm left no doubt that the community of Inglewood California loves this place, and the people who continue to run it.

Yep, this place has great food service and staff. It’s clearly run by people who care about the legacy of this restaurant. The menu offers a delightful array of classic Southern dishes that seem to transport you back in time. I would consider this place to be child and family friendly. Theres parking out front and the entrance into the restaurant is ground level.

Thanks again to the staff at The Serving Spoon restaurant in Inglewood California… what a wonderful experience and an unforgettable visit. It wasn't just about the food; it was about connection, community, and...