Monday, August 7, 2023

Southern Love

Southern Love is located on Queen Street, near Cooke Street, in Honolulu, Hawaii.




One of my coworkers wanted to try this place since it's on our normal route to get lunch. We stopped by on a Tuesday before 11 AM. Although there's just four parking stalls in front, we walked there since it's not far from our office.

Southern Love has only been open for a few weeks, opening in June 2023.

It's also a small place. Including the table outside, it probably seats around 20. But the stove in there was one you'd find in your own kitchen. At least they had a commercial fridge next to it.



Brunch is served from 10 AM to 2 PM. Menu options include Chicken & Waffles, Biscuits & Gravy, and Shrimp & Grits. The owner flies in his catfish from the mainland every Monday and filets it himself. There may also be one rotating special. 




According to a Honolulu Magazine article, I was surprised the owner is pescatarian, so he won't even taste a few of his dishes.

The Shrimp & Grits ($16) caught my eye from the start: 30-minite creamy grits, shrimp, and a creamy sauce.




Delicious dish here. Since we did takeout, I was concerned that the shrimp would overcook and be rubbery, but it stayed plump and juicy. The grits were slightly lumpy but the flavors were on point. Sauce was peppery and creamy, not too heavy. I'd get this dish again.

My coworkers each tried different dishes, including Chicken & Waffles ($15), Chicken Biscuits & Gravy ($16), and Shrimp Po'Boy Sandwich ($16). Largely positive feedback across the board, with "a bit too salty" on the chicken and the gravy being the only negative.

There's a separate dinner menu including a BBQ Ribs Plate ($22), Fried Chicken Plate ($16), and several sides like cornbread and mac & cheese.

The owner cooks everything to order and didn't have anyone else helping at the time. We still received great service, and the food came out in a reasonable time. Give Southern Love a try if you're in the area! 8.25/10

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