Top Knotch — Restaurant in Union

I wanted to love it because my coworker stated her sister swears by it. Unfortunately this wasn't a good idea for ME to have. I gave it a 2 and not a 1 because the owner I believe she was, was so nice to me...... just not the person who answered the phone first. It's a beautiful establishment needless to say. However, the amount of salt used can really harm a person with hypertension such as myself. I ordered smothered chicken, collard greens, Mac and cheese, and a side of potato salad. Also a sweet tea. Which came to about $25 The cornbread was good and that's about it. The Mac was very soft and to be honest, I've never seen Mac and cheese that color. The greens were very soft as well and super super salty. The potato salad was salted and a bit loose like runny.... the chicken almost took me outta here! Everything and I mean everything was salted down beyond all measures. My goodness!

The first order was really really bad. I felt terrible having to return it on the first place but it was unbearable from the salt. I thought it was just the gravy had gotten into everything. So I called to see what could be done. The person that answered first basically told me is pre- seasoned and is nothing we can do. So it's my loss. Miraculously she transferred the call because it was not what you tell a customer without even trying to fix the issue. The owner I believe she was (since she looks like the lady in the picture) kindly fixed it over for me so that was a plus. She said to taste it before I left and so I did. It was the same but I just couldn't tell her again. I just took it and left. God please for give me but it's like eating a Salt Cube they give to the cows...... I've never in my life had food like this. My feet are still stolen and I still have a bad headache and only was tasting.

I pray that you take this review not as a "Diss" but as a simple criticism. Soul food doesn't need all that salt to be good. If your food is good, it's good. Salt doesn't make it better. The food has great potential, but you can't taste it due to the salt. That's the #1 killer of the black community more than guns. I hope that you lessen the salt in your dishes. I would love to come back and give it another try in about a month to see if any changes were made. I'm a big supporter of Black owned business and want to see my people strive for greatness. But you can be passing this out to the community....

First and foremost Happy New Year. Customer service is always key. Me and my husband checked out this establishment which is not too far from us. Being that it was black owned why not support your own...yeahhh right 😔 upon entering this establishment there was know friendly smiles or hellos. Actually the owner didn't even acknowledge us when we walked in. I knew it was her because her face is on the wall with the same head wrap and all... Let me get straight to the point we ordered a whiting and shrimp platter both with greens and mac.... First and foremost I know Sylvia canned greens from anywhere... That's all the greens were with smoke turkey meat... The macaroni and cheese was just right out bland and horrible... With a capital H... The fish was not good at all.. I don't know who gives the great stars and reviews it must be family because there's nothing authentic or down right elbow grease soul food about this spot at all. I knew once we wasn't acknowledged when spending $47.98 we should have ran for the heels. Trust me on this guys if you don't believe me try yourself don't let these reviews which could be family and friends mislead you but my husband just said don't waste your money 🤦🏽‍♀️

Update after owner response Ma'am I stand by what my husband and I've stated. The collard greens are definitely canned greens. I love supporting other's and I love me some soul food fresh collard's are not mushy and they have a different texture coming from the can... Just cause you add smoke turkey doesn't mean your greens are fresh... Furthermore it's a new year when customers come in they should be greeted immediately for coming to spend their money in your establishment a warm hello goes a long way.. Your workers were also in the kitchen behind the doors with no mask... Which is not very sanitary or safe for your customers for unmasked cooks to be around your food while we deal with covid 19... She did not put on her mask until she came to the register to ring us up. No need for the back in forth ...go try it for yourselves people.. Again...

Ordered BBQ chicken with max and cheese and collard greens, as well as a side of yams. First of all I want to say the food was good, the BBQ chicken was fall off the bone and tasted great, the Mac and cheese didn’t feel it was too cheesy and not too much flavor but not bad, the collard greens were delicious as well and the yams oh yes those were the best.

Just a couple of suggestions:

I thought the meals came with cornbread and when I called she said “it’s complimentary and they didn’t have cornbread today.” I actually wish she would have told me that from the beginning, but not once was it mentioned. And I actually don’t think it was discounted off the price. According to their menu it says that it is served with “2 soultry side items and a piece of mouthwatering cornbread.” But of course didn’t notice I didn’t get corn bread till I was gone.

You do get a lot of food, that’s for sure and I appreciated that it was HOT! Loved that but since the food was piping hot, they put it on styrofoam and this plastic wrap around it, but the food still literally melted the styrofoam, and that that to me is a bit disgusting because styrofoam and then food kind of takes the taste away. I’ve seen other people use these aluminum foils under and then put the food down and it doesn’t melt the plate.

Now last thing I wanted to mention was, the food was good, I mean would I go back, maybe. But the price, my goodness $21 for all of that? And NO cornbread, I don’t know I didn’t feel it was worth $21, that’s a bit pricey especially if your going to feed a whole family, now you do get a lot of food, but I just feel the price was a bit much and like I said NO cornbread was included, so does that mean that the cornbread would be more or this is with or without the cornbread.

By the way the place is beautiful! No A/C was on that day so it was hot, but the colors and all...