Ellen's Homestyle & BBQ Express, LLC — Restaurant in Portsmouth

OMgoodness!!! This place is absolutely amazing. First of all, there will be a line outside, because there are only 3 people allowed inside, and they only accept cash. The food is amazing and is really soul food!!! The portions are huge, and you will not be able to eat all of this food in 1 sitting! I thought that with the line being long, that people would be complaining. NO ONE WAS COMPLAINING AT ALL, AND THE LINE WAS ABOUT TO WRAP AROUND THE BUILDING!!!! We got turkey wings, collard greens, mac-n-cheese, and real cornbread, no Jiffy, (cornbread with corn in it). Also got smothered porkchops, lima beans, and mac-n-cheese. The food was phenomenal!!! Perfectly seasoned. The turkey wings FALL OFF THE BONE YALL, and are so succulent with the gravy!!! There was only 1 man working, and he was very polite, repeated my order, and fixed my food with those to die for portions!!! In our small talk, I told him that it was our first time there, and we got a couple of drinks for free. This is my new spot, and I dont even mind the drive there. They are not open on Sundays, but I dont even mind, because I need the chef to get his rest so that he can continue to cook and serve some amazing, tasteful, correctly seasoned, absolutely phenomenal food. See...

I’m all for supporting black-owned businesses and I’ve been here several times now, my husband as well, and my parents are regulars. The owner/cook/only person serving the food/one-man-show is very friendly and the portion sizes are unbelievable as is his baked chicken and cornbread. His chicken honestly is why I’ve been returning. However, the opening times are conflicting. It’s advertised that 3:30 is opening time yet he usually doesn’t open until after 4. Also, the sides are just okay, some need more seasoning than others. Since the owner is a one-man-show, the wait time is generally long since the owner is the server, cook, and cashier and he’s very meticulous about fixing your to-go plate. Expect to wait (outside) if you go here, certain food items may not be available/ready, and make sure to bring cash because he doesn’t accept...

My meal consisted of turkey wings, cabbage, yams & cornbread. The turkey wings were delicious, fall off the bone tender. Cabbage was good and crisp just like I like my vegetables. Now yams on the other hand had an excessive amount of strings in them which I deem them to be inedible but they had a good taste to them and the cornbread was stale, so glad it was given to me and not purchased. And the atmosphere is small standing only with limited people at one time. The man behind the counter had an awesome attitude, very pleasant he asked if this was my first time there and gave me a free drink, just the kind of business I wouldn't mind spending my money at. Yes. I will most...