Sistas Soul Cafe — Restaurant in Portsmouth

It took me three days to decide if I wanted to leave a review because I really wanted to just forget about the entire experience all together. I visited this cafe on Saturday for the first and last time. As I walk to the counter to review the menu that's posted I was not greeted and then after reviewing the menu for a few minutes I was asked if I was finished. I wasn't aware there was another customer behind me so I asked if there was another menu I could look at so that I could get out the way. The girl pointed to a wall. I walked over to the wall and sat at the table to finish deciding on what to order. When I returned to the counter and began placing my order I was asked "is that all?" after each item. I felt like I was bothering her by placing an order in her establishment. After ordering banana pudding cheesecake she responded "we don't have that" I asked her to repeat herself and she said " we don't have banana pudding" oook I thought. This was the perfect time for her to recommend to sweet potato as the other option but she just sat there. I then ordered two slices of the sweet potato. I also ordered Cajun pasta and she again asked "is that it" at the point I made it a post to stop ordering because clearly my order was bothering her. Before she gave me my total I said to her "oh you didn't ask if I wanted chicken or shrimp" she said " youbhave tonget chicken we dont have shrimp" when were you going to tell me this what if i dont eat chicken? I said ok and she gave me my total. "$123.09" Im really taken back by the total the flies flying past my face and just ready to pay so I can get home to feed my family but I give her my card. 35 minutes later and after watching many others recieve their food and go out food comes out. I'm missing a slice of cheesecake and take the recipet to the counter as proof. It's my first time looking at the recipet and I notice I was charged $25 for two slices when the menu says $7.50. likely this is the price of the full cake so I simply bring it to her attention she takes the receipt crumbles it up and refunds me $25 in cash. I got out of there quick because of that point I'm irritated. Get home and my kids would eat the fries. The chicken and pork chop look over fried some spots black. The fish..idk what to say about the fish. The cabbage was a greyish brown. The Mac was ok but dry and the cheesecake was a slice of cheesecake was mashed sweet potatoes on top. However the pasta was actually good even tho I had to share it with three other people because no one wanted the food they ordered. I'm still not understanding how my total was $123 even with the $25 refund. Maybe I caught them on a bad day but just be sure to check your receipts. Chicken and waffles 15.50 Pork chop sandwich 13.50 Side of Mac not sure if I was charged $5 for small or 8 for large as my recipet was crumbled and not returned to me Side of cabbage Cajun pasta 14.50 Fish and chips 15 Cheese cake (2)...

I am sad. I was so looking forward to soul food today. Unfortunately my meal was not edible. I mean I could have eaten it but I would have regretted it for sure⁰. It was not good. Here is my review of the food:

Fried chicken: Taste like 7-11 chicken in the glass case at the counter. The kind that comes pre-breaded and frozen and you just put in some sort of toaster oven. (I should've known when I was asked if I want my fried chicken breaded?) I was expecting real wings😥

Mac&Chz: It was overexposed to heat and lots of oil separated from the cheese so it was super greasy. It was not edible for me as it was just too greasy with bits of separated cheese all through it. I don't imagine it was made today and possibly reheated..?

Potato salad: Tasted suspiciously store bought. No love in it.

Collard greens: No seasoning. Very bland.

Cornbread: I know "we" like our cornbread sweet, however it literally tasted like a cupcake. No corn taste at all, not suitable to eat with greens.

I paid $16 plus tip and I am sorely disappointed. I will say thank you for presenting a clean, cool, safe and nicely decorated environment with good service. However I feel so slighted that I could not give the same review as others. Perhaps your specialty is fried fish? It looked really good in the pics I see from from others.

Based on the meal I received, It just seems there is less of an priority in the area of buying quality food to cook and making things homemade.

The two stars are for the environment and good...

OMG! Don't sleep on this one! GO TODAY! The food was Amazing! It doesn't look like much but I live an hour away and would drive back! We ordered the Collard Green Eggrolls. They were full of flavor, crispy, and served with yummy ramoulade. Fried Fish and Grits. The Fish was not over cooked, crispy and not greasy, the grits were cheesy, spiced, and well seasoned. A Stuffed Baked Potato all the way w/ Shrimp, Chicken, and Sausage. The potato was super stuffed and covered with the best gravy! The only down side was the tail was left on the Shrimp and you couldn't see it with all the gravy. But, I'm really being picky! And, Liver and gravy. It was cooked to perfection! Not like some places that cook it like shoe leather! It was tender and delicious! The 2 sides were Mac & Cheese and Rice & Gravy. The Mac & Cheese was sooooo good, it just melted in your mouth! I'm so sorry but the rice was kind of an after thought with no flavor or salt. Just don't get that one! BUT GET EVERYTHING ELSE! There's no real dining room, just 2 hi tops and a couple of park benches. We stayed and ate at one of the tables. The staff was lovely. I...