Xcellent Soul Food — Restaurant in New York

Xcellent Soul Food is usually a wonderful place for my family and I to order Take Out or Delivery . We have been repeat customers of this business for years . However , my experience with one of the staff who answered the phone during the evening shift was horrible and I do not think I will return or refer this restaurant to anyone else either .

This evening, like so many evenings before , I went online and made an order from this restaurant . I ordered a Salmon Meal . I added two sides to this order , Potato Salad and Collard Greens . Once my credit card was charged …and the order was being prepared, I waited for the Delivery Driver to notify me . I received a call from the Delivery Driver notifying me of their arrival . I went outside , greeted the Driver and took my order from him . Immediately , I realized that something was wrong with my order . I asked the Driver where were my Side Orders .He told me that I didn’t order any Side Orders . I told him that I did …and to return the order and I would call the restaurant myself . I called the restaurant and spoke to a staff member who answered the phone . I told her that I had sent the order back to the restaurant because it wasn’t the correct order . She proceeded to tell me that I made a mistake because Side Orders do not come with what I ordered . I told her that I had sent the order back to the restaurant because I wanted what I ordered and not what they sent to me . I ended the call …

A few minutes later , I called the restaurant back again and asked if I could get a refund because I sent the food back to the restaurant . The staff member told me that I could not get a refund until the food was returned … That statement made perfect sense to me …and then the staff member stated that the driver would not make it back to the restaurant because the restaurant was closing in 20 minutes … Then the staff member told me that the Driver that they gave my food to was not their regular Driver …and they don’t know him .

I went on to share with the staff member that I heard her point of view …and I wanted her to understand that I have made many orders before and sometimes I have had to place my Side Orders in the space allots for extra details. It happens and has happened to me many times before . I wanted to the staff member to understand that has also been my experience with ordering online …and I had not had this problem before . She could not hear that or accept that and continued to speak over me . When I asserted myself and raised my voice to get my point across , then she tells me that I do not have to get loud with her . I tell her that I understand the pints she has made . They are valid …and all I wanted her to acknowledge is that my point of view and experience was valued as well …no such luck .

Xcellent Soul Food has great food . It does . Go and get your Take Out Orders …if you need to order and have it delivered … Maybe you might want to rethink that and go and pick it up...

Passed this restaurant many times and finally decided to order and that was one order I regret. The previous reviews stated that the food was salty and some stated that the food was the best but I wish I had a pinch of salt in my food and I’m still trying to figure out how this food is the best.

My meat loaf and Mac and cheese tasted as if they completely forgot salt in the process of preparing. The meatloaf looked burnt on the outside and once it split it open it looked gray on the inside. They drowned the meatloaf in sauce because the appearance reflected that the food was burnt and dry.

The mac and cheese lacked salt so much it was as if I was eating a pot of cooled down noodles that were boiled and they mixed an egg and milk inside. I could even smell the dairy as if it was starting to turn from being on heat all day.

The candied yams were lacking sugar and taste. It tasted as if it was just boiled and cut and covered with melted butter and cinnamon. The potatoes itself weren’t sweet enough to compensate the fact that they didn’t put sugar.

And to top it off I paid $7 for a small slice of sweet potatoe pie that taste store bought. For the size and price you wouldn’t even be able to share nor does it taste up to par.

I’ve tasted wayyyyyy better soul food and to be honest I will not go against my better judgement next time. I will trust the reviews being left because obviously the food was not that pleasant enough for multiple people to have to write multiple...

I'm certified in culinary arts and from the south (Mississippi/Dirty South), so unless you want to read a very thorough review, I suggest you read others.

I'm not a fan of this meal in general. In terms of a seasoning vs spices debate (yes there's a difference to some), the catfish was breaded w/ a hint of spice alone, to which did not make the fish taste any better. It was bland and not very flavorful. And it was one piece. Unless your catfish costs $20 a pound, I shouldn't be getting just one piece. Not to mention soggy due to the black eyed peas. The collard greens had a taste that wasn't suitable to my stomach nor my partner. It tasted in comparison to a spicy piece of rubber. And apparently from my partner's viewpoint, the only thing that was satisfying was the peas. I get that you tried to compliment one piece of fish with hefty side dishes, but that was unacceptable in my eyes. I completely got nothing from this establishment and will not be returning again. To cook soul food is to cook from the heart. To put your passion into what you create for your consumers. I don't think I'll be getting that when you have a chef dealing with food while touching his phone with gloves on (contamination) or a woman handling food with long nails that could easily chip off into someone's food regardless of having gloves on. This restaurant to me was not worth my time and money but do not let my comment discourage you (as this is only MY...