Al's Finger Licking Good Soul Food — Restaurant in Tampa

First off, I wished they had a half star so I can add that. Where do I start?.... we got there at 305pm when the server came to us it was 315, the place had about 6 people in the restaurant. We ordered the 1/4 chicken dark with Mac and cheese and okra was my order and my fiance ordered 6 wings (All Flats) and salad and collard greens. It took about 40 minutes to get our order which was wrong. We got the wings but they were not all flats, a potato salad not the salad he ordered and the greens. I received my order which was correct. The chicken was not flavorful, they were rather much salty no flavor. The mac tasted like it had so much butter on it, the cornbread dry as hell. ( i had to chug down water to get that cornbread down. And the greens were thee worse I've ever eaten in my whole life. They tasted old and vinegary needless to say that I wanted to take my fiance out for his bday and he wanted soul food which the pics on social media looked good and he chose this place. It was a total waste of time. Oh not to mention the chicken was over cooked on top of not getting our 10 wings all flats. The server not once came back with the salad instead when we went to go pay. He said... oh my bad...I forgot to tell you we have no greens for the salad. And he still charged us for all flats which was additional. Do not waste your time coming here. I do not know who the cook is but for dam sure this cooking was not even mediocre. They need to find another passion/career. Definitely won't be going back and for sure they will not be open for long if they serve this type of food and have this type of server/waiter. I had to rush home cuz my stomach was killing me. This Definitely not finger licking good more like finger throwing the chicken in the garbage. Sorry but not sorry for doing this review. I have been to so many countries around the world and know what good food is and this is not it. Oh and the portions are more like a kids meal. Little sides they bring separately with your chicken. I have no photos to show cuz it was not even worth taking a Pic of the food. And for 2 meals and 1 drink came out to 53 dollars that's with a tip....

Al's on Easter: A Soulful Sanctuary of Flavor

Last-Minute Luck Delivers a Delicious Feast

Venturing out on Easter Sunday, an hour before closing, I wasn't sure what to expect at Al's Finger Licking Good Soul Food. Often, late-day visits can mean picking through leftovers or enduring rushed service. However, my experience at this Brandon establishment proved to be a delightful exception. As a walk-in customer, I was greeted warmly without any wait in the surprisingly uncrowded dining area.

Smothered Perfection: A Taste of Home My order of smothered pork chops with rice and gravy, accompanied by a side of greens, arrived promptly and piping hot – a clear indication that this wasn't food languishing under a heat lamp. The generous portion size was immediately apparent. The pork chops themselves were tender and juicy, enveloped in a rich, savory gravy that begged to be soaked up by the fluffy white rice. Each bite was a comforting explosion of flavor, reminiscent of a home-cooked meal prepared with love.

Greens That Sing The accompanying greens were equally impressive. They possessed that perfect balance of slight bitterness and smoky depth, clearly simmered with care and seasoned just right. They weren't an afterthought but a vital component of the meal, adding a welcome counterpoint to the richness of the pork and gravy.

Service as Warm as the Food While the restaurant wasn't bustling, the service I received was attentive and friendly. There was a genuine sense of hospitality, making me feel like a valued guest even at the end of their busy day.

Final Verdict: A Must-Try for Soul Food Lovers Al's Finger Licking Good Soul Food lives up to its name. My Easter Sunday meal was a testament to the heart and soul poured into their cooking. From the perfectly cooked smothered pork chops to the flavorful greens and the warm service, this restaurant offers a genuine taste of soul food at its finest. If you're in the Brandon area and craving authentic, satisfying comfort food, Al's is a destination you won't want to miss. The generous portions and seemingly cooked-to-order freshness make it a standout, even...

Nice atmosphere. Great music. Friendly staff. Chefs missing? Chicken looked good but turned out to be OVER fried. Crispy on the outside but DRY and not fresh on the inside. Either the oil is too high, needed freshening or the chicken (which needed to be a more quality product-old flesh) could have come out sooner. (This was the first fried meal for me in 3-4months. I belched oil even after having the last light meal of my day.) I could not eat my last thigh because it was so ugly inside. I wish I had taken pictures so it would be evident that I am not just trying to bash the business.

The best thing I ate was the Blackeye Peas, Rice & Gravy. If not for the gravy (which may have come out of a bottle or can), the Blackeye Peas would have been very watery (I Loooove Rice, Gravy & Blackeye Peas). With a $14.00 price point, it felt like my money went towards paying the lease rather than simply delivering a satisfying meal. Which by the way, Al can do both but more care has to be shown to offering the client a'bit more "Love on the Plate".

I'd like to go back, but I don't know. . . Hopefully this new business will accept an honest critique from a brand new customer who is also an entrepreneur & genuinely seeks to support Businesses...