Simply Shae Soul Cafe — Restaurant in Thornton Township

I really wanted this establishment to win! I’ve been a fan of Shae’s recipes since her affiliation with ooh wee it is, and when I heard that she opened her own establishment, I knew I would support her. I initially supported her by purchasing a rather large catering order for Thanksgiving. I was given the pick up time of 3 PM and I arrived at 3:30 pm. Unbeknownst to me, it seemed as if everybody was given the same pick up time. When I came to pick up my food, it was not ready. I was instructed to come back. I don’t live in the area, so coming back was not an option. I was told the food would be up in 45 minutes. I decided to wait. I waited inside my car parked inside the sketchy strip mall parking lot that houses her restaurant. I witnessed two drug deals go down right in front of me and a police camera.

So, as the sun was starting to set, I got more and more antsy about my food as the 45 minute wait turned into two hours and 30 minutes. I went in and inquired about my food again, and was told it would be another 45 minute wait. After the third hour, I went in and inquired again, and I was told that some of the items that I purchased were out of stock. I was offered a replacement and was told my food would be out in 10 minutes. It took another hour.

I arrived at 3:30 PM. I did not leave her facility with my food until 8 PM the night before Thanksgiving. Yes. 8 PM.

Having had her food before, I realized the catered food wasn’t the best, but it wasn’t the worst - even then, I wanted to give her another chance. I believe that she underestimated the demand for her Thanksgiving catering orders.

So me and my husband, who is a Vegetarian returned on an early Sunday afternoon. There wasn’t any customers in the waiting area, so we thought we should be in and out. My husband doesn’t eat meat…he only eat sides, and I ordered a catfish dinner with green beans, and macaroni and cheese as the sides. I thought cornbread came with the dinner, but it does not.

As a small business owner myself, I know that preparation is key. There shouldn’t be any reason why your side dishes are not available at any time. There is no such thing as freshly cooked sides. And It shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to drop a piece of fish. But I was told that my order would take 25 minutes to come out. I thought this was a long wait… But OK

I went back to my vehicle and waited in the sketchy parking lot for my order to be ready. After 30 minutes, I returned back inside the establishment and was told there were two customers ahead of me and to give them another 10 minutes.

It took over 1 hour and 15 minutes to receive my order of a catfish dinner with macaroni & cheese and green beans, a side of yams, a side of macaroni, a side of green beans, and a side of spaghetti, because the dressing I ordered was “still in the oven!” And at that point, I knew, until she makes some changes with her business practices, this establishment as great as it could be, won’t be able to thrive.

In addition, the quality of the food was subpar. Everything was too salty. I think it’s because there is entirely too many things on the menu for someone advertising as a cafe. Sandwiches, wraps, egg rolls, pasta and soul food should not be made at the same time in that tiny space. The more you make the more you lack quality control. Furthermore, all side items should be prepped and in a warming station and monitored so that a new item can be prepped before the other one runs out. It should never take an hour to serve...

24 hours ago, my wife asked if I'd known there was a soul food restaurant in Calumet City and told me about Simply Shae Soul Cafe. I looked at all the photos, read most of the reviews and decided to try them 12 hours later talking to a Chase Bank manager, who'd stated that the food was the bomb. I was slightly concerned about the wait time, which was a common complaint, but I took a chance. I ordered three dinners consisting of the grilled shrimp, the fried chicken wings (no sauce) and the jerk catfish. The only sides I'd requested were the yams and greens. The view of the busy kitchen was great. The two young ladies working the telephones and register were very professional, which I was actually expecting. I was told that the wait time would be 30 minutes and that they would call me if the food was ready earlier. After 30 minutes, I was politely informed that they needed 10 more minutes. I returned in 15 minutes and quietly waited while engaged in conversation with another first time customer. He also had a long wait, but also remained positive because the staff was polite and we both were hoping that the food was worth the wait! I was compensated for the wait with a drink offer, but received permission to try the chocolate cake. Well, folks, after a 65 minute wait, I was on my way to the crib and was ready to dive into the food. Juice from greens and yams were flowing at the bottom of the bag, which is a good sign that the sides weren't dry. The greens and yams were piled high and my wife commented on how much turkey meat were in them. This woman ate both her sides of greens and the yams in the order of catfish, which I did not get for her to eat. All the main dishes were tasty, although not overly seasoned nor salty as some may assume. Hell, I used a spoon and got all my yam and greens juice. I would not order the catfish again because the size is not big enough to satisfy my desire. I wish I'd ordered a square of cornbread as well and gotten a sauce on the side for the chicken, but I'll be back! My wife lives a keto lifestyle and to see her eat yams and devour the chocolate cake, which also was delicious, was a joy because I personally love deviating from the healthy keto diet! I recommend calling in your order first and perhaps following up with an update call...

I had to think hard on this review and give myself an opportunity to calm down so that my review can come off articulate and not just a bad review from a disgruntle customer.

But let’s rip the bandaid off because there will be no sugar coating here!! The establishment needs entirely NEW staff stop hiring people that don’t represent what you stand for in your business and those that don’t have a single ounce of customer service skills!!! If you want your business ran in the ground do it yourself!!!

I waited 50 minutes and still never received my food however the cashier was quick to offer me a refund with no apology nor consideration to the fact that I had patiently waited 50 minutes and NEVER RECEIVED MY Food!!!!

Why do we have to call the establishment and hear “ we have a line out the door and not taking call in orders you have to come in” this is very unprofessional ESPECIALLY having people come in and still have to wait almost an hour to receive their food that’s ridiculous!!! I placed my order at 12:42 pm and didn’t get food but received a refund at 1:28pm absolutely unacceptable!!

I came to this establishment because I’ve been knowing the owner for a while and I remember patronizing her beauty salons when she owned them I remember them being great places so I expected this restaurant to also be representation of what I’m used to, sadly It absolutely was not! And I will not return nor recommend this restaurant to anyone!

Do better!!!! the front door is in need of repair as it is a hazard swinging open on people like that! The lobby is freezing cold a small heater could possibly suffice and the staff especially cashiers have to be replaced with people that want to work and care about your brand!!!! Hire someone for call in orders or simply don’t take them until the business is up to par! The unprofessional cashiers can’t do it all!!

As a black owned business there are already so many unfavorable things people say about them, don’t prove...