Eva’s Soul Food

Yummy fried oyster, fried catfish and cornbread dressing. Satisfied the yummy in my tummy. =)

I’m a southerner and truly enjoy my soul food once in awhile. With that being said, Formerly known as M& M soul food (Eva soul food), I’ve noticed a decline in service and inconsistency with availability of items on the menu. However, I still enjoy the place and service there. It’s not a high end restaurant. Therefore, please don’t expect the best of service; just enjoy the food and I can assure you will not be disappointed.
Recently, I notice the restaurant was closed with all the furniture outside and painters inside. I hope they have no closed and just under a little make up .
Stay tune for more on Eva soul food in Lakewood, CA.

I’m going to make this simple. Don’t go to Eva’s, unless you are into bad service, inconsistent operating hours and especially if you like being told that the grill is shut down and they are out of fried chicken, biscuits, oxtails, fish and short ribs.
This place is filthy and rude. I believe it gives people associated with soul food a bad name. If you want some real soul food, try Front Page Jamaican Grille in Inglewood.

This is a sad review for me as I like the servers. But, really it is a crap shoot as to weather the food will be good or really bad. And if you will get your food with an hour. Yeah, tonight was really an hour for a basic entrée with sides. Had to send back green beans — was like a green bean shaped salt lick.
How this place will last another month beats me?! I say PASS!

I don’t understand how this place stays in business. Don’t get me wrong I thoroughly enjoy the food but there are two huge factors that knock it down to two stars.
1. To go service is mediocre at best. Kid at register to busy watching TV to exhibit any real customer service. Once would be no big deal but Everytime has become a bit ridiculous.
2. It’s a real roll of the dice whether the entrée you came for would be available on any given night. It’s very random to have a Restaraunt constantly run out of certain foods it’s not like it’s a HUGE menu.

My fiancé and I came on a Friday when he decided to stay home because he was sick. He wanted to go out so this is where we headed. It was only us and another couple and the service was VERY fast. The food was amazing that day. It was the next day (that Saturday) that we had an issue with. We brought his mom, older brother, and little brother here for breakfast and things were VERY different this time around. The service was a little slower because more people were there but the food also went down in quality. The Mac N’ Cheese was nothing like the day prior to. The greens were VERY salty, the chicken was over cooked, and the smashed potatoes were very bland. Not so sure we will be coming back again.

So, I have been trying for weeks now to get me some soul food for lunch. I made two, unsuccessful trips to another establishment in the LBC, both times they were closed. Well, it turns out they are closed for good; enter Eva’s…
Now, first things first, I am a Yankee, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have an appreciation for soul food. My first indoctrination to this type of Southern Cooking was a little over 10 years ago through some friends and I have found the craving popping up from time to time since.
There seems to be some confusion around the reviews here because some are mistaken Soul Food with BBQ; ain’t the same. I also read a few comments around the food being bland and/​or in need of seasoning, which certainly wasn’t my experience.
To me, Soul Food is about feeding your soul. The foods are comforting, simple and honest. So, I find that I crave Soul Food at times, like any other comfort food. I can certainly see that it might be heavy for somes’ taste and/​or that you need to be in a specific mood to enjoy it. And, I believe, it also can be an acquired taste.
Soul Food is unassuming, but don’t confuse that with boring. Soul Food is meant to be eaten with others, good friends, people you actually want to break bread with and spend some time meandering through a meal, which is ironic, since I came to lunch by myself. Or, perhaps it means I just needed some alone time with all the friends in my head? Whatever the reason, my Soul guided me here today and I am so glad that it did.
Eva’s is connected to a bowl alley on the LBC/​Lakewood boarder. In fact, their entrance is actually inside the bowling alley. The space is fairly large, with numerous tables, as well as a good old fashion counter. The mood is relaxed; there is nothing pretentious about Eva’s, nor would you really want the to be.
When I walked in, there was an old timer, regular shooting the breeze with a few of the workers and I overheard him raving about the meatloaf, that made my decision very, very simple. I went with meatloaf, greens, mac n cheese and cornbread. All meals, also come with sweet tea. And, all of this for $ 8.50!
My food was upon my table lightening fast, which made me nervous. I had visions of microwaves and three day old mac. After my first bite, my fears were put to rest.
As it should be with Soul Food, my servings were not small. I was given two thick, nicely cooked pieces of meatloaf dressed in a tasty gravy, a huge heaping of greens, a large dolup of mac n cheese and two cornbread muffins. My first bite was pure bliss, the meatloaf was tender, savory, full of flavor and literally melted in my mouth. I had never had a meatloaf that compared to this, sorry mom…
The large and leafy greens were also very good, the best I had ever. And, greens can be a tricky thing. I don’t know how to cook them properly, but I can certainly tell when they are. The mac was also quite good, with bread crumbs sprinkled within to give it more texture. And, the cornbread? Oh, man. I usually put honey on my bread. Well, today, my server was not around when I noticed there wasn’t any on the table, so I took a bite. Wow! It was just sweet enough that, to me, it didn’t need honey or butter.
Quite honestly, this was one of the better lunches I have had in a long time. My initial inclination was to rate this place a very, very high 4. But, upon reflection, I felt that wasn’t fair. Eva’s earned their 5 fair and square, from the service to the food.
Sure, Soul Food is a very specific genre and perhaps not for everyone. But, when you are looking for comfort and find it in some of the best of a category that you have ever tried, like I did today, then it is time to recognize.
Could I eat Soul Food every day, probably not. It is something that you need to be in the mood for. However, Eva’s fed my body and soul today, which is exactly what I walked in hoping to experience.
My body, my rules, Eva’s 5!!!

Just one of those Friday Date nights and the boyfriend and I decided to try the soul food place nearby, take it to go and watch Friends re-​runs…
We ordered two dinner entrees, which both come with cornbread muffins and 3 sides. This is what we ordered:
1. Catfish with buttered corn, yams, and mashed potatoes
2. BBQ Pork Ribs with cornbread stuffing, mac and cheese and green beans
3. Medium sized peach cobbler.
When we got the food, we couldn’t believe how much food we got. The catfish came in two large sized fillets, and there were probably 10 baked BBQ pork ribs drenched in BBQ sauce… both were very good. Then there were the sides… the highlights were the yams, buttered corn, and cornbread muffins (2 per entrée) with butter. The rest of the sides were good, but we will probably try something else. The food is very heavy, so make sure you work out before or after your meal lol. I should mention that one dinner entrée is enough for two people… the food we got was so much that over half of it was saved for leftovers.
The peach cobbler was kind of a disappointment. They just scooped the pie into a bowl, so it’s was just a kind of a mess lol. The peach cobbler wasn’t even that flavorful and even worse, they gave a part of the cobbler that was burnt… we didn’t really continue eating the cobbler after that lol.
The establishment itself is a very nice diner like place and the staff is very informative, nice and friendly. Kind of empty on a Friday night with one couple dining in, but I’m sure it was just a rare occasion… a lot of other customers were ordering to go like us. The restaurant inside also smells yummy, even when outside. Adjacent is the bowling alley, arcade, and the sports bar like area. Parking can be scarce night time.
Overall, I definitely will come here again. It is a bit pricey but definitely worth it every once in a while. Again, maybe just get one entrée with the boyfriend, and maybe dine in as I hear there are unlimited cornbread muffins if you stay. Oh! I also want to try their fried chicken… looks delicious.

Cornbread is the best thing! Best out of all Soul food joints in LA hands down. Shortribs were a little dry but the gravy is good. Yams were tasty. Dressing I would not get again. Mac n cheese is tasty but I have had way better at the Soul Food Kitchen. I will definitely come back and go through the menu until I find the right combo of flavors that work the best for this establishment. People rave about the fried chicken so that or the oxtails are next. Skip the dressing (maybe I got it on a bad day). I came in at 330pm on a Friday. So who knows.
10.00 minimum to use debit/​credit cards.
Bowling alley and arcade in the same building so it is very kid friendly.

I go here like once a week to have breakfast…
I have to kinda dr it up at home but, what I love about this place is that they are soooo generous with the yumms…
I think I pay like $ 12 and I get a HUGE piece of catfish, homefries, eggs, grits, biscuits and a pancake or waffle…
**DISCLAIMER: The pancakes and waffles suck…
When I get home I throw some cheese and salt in my grits and dump it in there with the homefries and eggs… and then I just kinda let the meal take me into this place of serenity and numbness, also known as the «itis» LOL
This breakfast is what I call my weekly orgasm! It really keeps me glowing and has changed my life…
OMG sooooooo GOOD!!! I wanna give it 4 stars but… I mean, I do have to dr up my grits and… I hate the biscuits, waffles, and pancakes. The cornbread is the ONLY way to go!
*Perks up boobs and whips hair* Carry on Unilocalgangstas!

If loving Eva’s is wrong, I don’t want to be right. :)
Eva’s is a traditional soul food establishment located just outside of Long Beach in the Lakewood Cal Bowl facility.
Eva’s is probably one of the cheapest places to get a quality meal.
Every single morsel of each dish is packed with a deliciousness that is indescribable
Just the thought of eating here makes me want to unbutton my jeans in order to make room for my expanding gut.
Every experience that I have had here ends the same. I practically have to be wheelbarrow-​ed out to my car. with left overs in my lap reminding me just how generous their portions are.
At Eva’s you can find an assortment of traditional southern dishes including mouth watering items such as fried chicken, candy yams, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, succotash, collard greens, sweet potatoe pie and much much more.
One thing I adore about Eva’s. They give you the option to choose white or dark meat Chicken. (Personally I love the dark meat)
Their BBQ sauce is pretty good. I’m not a big fan of the smokey flavor, but if that’s what your taste buds desire, then their BBQ sauce will be something you want to try. Their gravy is simple and delicious and practically half of the menu is covered in it.
(seriously an *asterisk on the menu symbolizes items that are covered in gravy)
The corn bread is to die for, and it is provided with almost every entrée.
Their sweet tea and lemonade is rumored to contain a pound of sugar in each cup. possibly more. But I love it and I always ask for a cup of water to balance things out.
FAIR WARNING!!! Their portions are very generous. They easily feed two normal sized people. But if you are a fat ass like me and attempt to eat everything by yourself (I don’t blame you)… Then more power to you.
Favorites: Mac & Cheese (they make it with cheesy grits)
Candy Yams (sweeeeeeeeeeet!)
Corn Bread (enough said)
BBQ Chicken (smothered in smokey BBQ)
Mashed Potatoes (served with graaaaaavy!!!)
Check Eva’s out at:

Brian C., Erina H., Elizabeth S., Brian P… FORGIVE ME for I have sinned for convincing you guys to come to this forsaken place with me where the food was salty, water was unavailable, and the waitress was a rude b*tch. What was supposed to be a lovely Sunday lunch over soul food amongst a family of friends quickly turned into a silent lunch where fear and anger over our waitress consumed our bodies and mind. I don’t really need to reiterate what my friends have already posted on Unilocal about the incident, and if you’re curious as to the details of the incident, Brian C.‘s review describes it best and although it may seem like he is exaggerating his story, I assure you he is not in the least bit doing so. Customers should never have to eat in fear, be ignored multiple times, treated rudely, get disrespected, and leave feeling angry and humiliated.
As for the food, I’d give it 3 stars. Most dishes tasted pretty good but every single dish we got was really salty, nothing that couldn’t be fixed if we at least had copious glasses of water (thank you waitress for only providing 1 glass each with ZERO refills even after we asked you several times in clear, polite, and loud enough voices for more water. what makes you think it’s ever a good idea to roll your eyes at us and pretend you never heard our requests?).
Bbq Chicken (dark meat) — good, tender chicken, tons of tasty bbq sauce.
Fried Chicken smothered in Gravy — really good especially when it first comes out.
Fried Catfish — I was so excited for this one because everyone gave it such high remarks, but it was unfortunately very bland and flavorless.
Cornbread — Dry and mealy.
My recommended sides: mustard greens, mashed potatoes, string beans, yams, and buttered corn. yums.
There’s better soul food and service with soul out there, I do not recommend Eva’s.

Call me stereotypical, but isn’t soul food supposed to be served with some soul? Normally I pay little mind to service. After all, the FOOD is what people really care about. Think about it, if a place has average service but BOMB food, you’ll live with it. In fact, you’ll probably come back again. But if a restaurant has average food… no amount of friendly smiles, promptness or attention will save them from that. NORMALLY, this is the case. EVA’S SOUL FOOD, however, changes all that.
First, I’ll start with the food. It’s good. Nothing that will blow your mind, but it’s good. Greasy and salty, yes, but it’s soul food, and I completely expected that. Five of us came on a Sunday afternoon and decided to share three entrees. We ordered the bbq chicken, the gravy smothered chicken, and the fried catfish, EACH of which came with THREE sides (portions are not a problem here, they stuff you silly). For our nine sides, we got two macaroni and cheeses, two mashed potatoes, one collard greens, one mustard greens, one string beans, one yams, and one buttered corn. I’ll get straight to the point.
bbq chicken — very good
gravy smothered chicken — very good
fried catfish — awful
collard greens — average
mustard greens — good
mashed potatoes — good
macaroni and cheese — good
string beans — good
yams — good
buttered corn — bad
AND NOW ONTO THE EXCITING PART OF MY REVIEW, THE SERVICE. This was, without a doubt, the WORST. DINING EXPERIENCE OF MY ENTIRE LIFE. Four of us showed up a little early, so we were browsing the menu while waiting for our fifth to arrive. We were there less than five minutes when our waitress starts pestering us for our order.
«Sorry, we’re not ready yet. We’re still waiting for a friend.»
«Ok well let me just take your orders and I can take hers right when she gets here.» (She was in such a rush that you’d think there were 20 people waiting to be seated or something. I looked around, half the restaurant was empty.)
«We’re actually gonna order family style, so we’d still like to wait for her to see what she’d like.» (She pauses, rolls her sassy little eyes at us, and walks away)
The moment our fifth arrives, before she can even look at the menu, this bitch comes right back to our table and demands our order.
«Um, we still need to decide on our nine sides.» (Even more annoyed, she storms off again.)
We finally get our three entrees and nine sides straight, and our waitress makes a third trip back to our table.
«Are you guys ready to order NOW??» (I SHIT YOU NOT, MY FELLOW UnilocalERS, SHE LITERALLY SAID THOSE WORDS TO US) We were shocked, but finally gave her our order. After she left our table, the five of us started conversing about some funny stories that happened over the weekend. I guess we got a little too excited, used a little too much profanity, because The Beast came-​a RUMBLIN BACK.
«You guys need to keep it down. This is a family facility.» Hahahahha, ok fine, so maybe we were being a tad disorderly in a «facility» that was at the moment filled with elderly Black folk dressed in their Sunday’s finest, trying to enjoy a nice Sunday lunch after the morning service. But my goodness, this bitch HATED US. She literally stopped one step short of telling us to get the fuck out of her restaurant. I was never more certain that a waitress was going to spit in our food. For the rest of the meal, we dined quietly in absolute terror of The Beast. WE DINED IN TERROR. Can you imagine what that feels like? Is this what a hearty meal of soul food is supposed to be about? You must be fucking kidding me.
Eva, I would strongly recommend changing your restaurant name to Eva’s Food. Eva’s Soul Food is a god damn travesty. I will never return to your restaurant, not because you’re food isn’t good (because it is), but because I’M SCARED TO FUCKIN DEATH OF YOUR WAITRESS.
On another note, you should give Javon a raise. Javon was polite, helpful, and was the brightest part of our meal. Javon is the fuckin man.

Very obscure location, and easy to pass up without realizing it. Connected to a bowling alley in a huge plaza.
While my bf was in the hospital, his mother and aunt were interested in trying some soul food since they rarely get a chance to come out of Temecula. So, I Unilocaled this place and thought it would be a nice place to try.
Overall, they were impressed, and I must say, their portions were hefty, but for a nice price (but not overboard).
Pass on the drinks. they weren’t that good.
Fried chicken was good, but a tad dry.
Collard greens were a bit dry also, but had a nice flavor.
Snapper… dry but the quality of the fish was good (not too fishy or salty).
Mac and cheese, about average but I like mine cheesier.
Yams… very sweet and oh so good!
Would I go again. maybe. If I do, they may drop a star depending if the food is better or worse. I am on the fence but will be generous for now.

«Eek!» That describes this place to the T.
This is my first Unilocal,and I joined just to review this place, that should say it all.
We came here after realizing our beloved Sistah’s Soul Food was closed on Mondays. Never again.
The string beans tasted straight out of a can covered in oil and salt. The macaroni and cheese was bland and mushy and the potato salad tasted like mayo and sugar.
Not to mention, the waitress was rude.
I always try to finish my food, but i left it all, along with a crappy tip.
5 stars for this place? your taste buds suck.

Wow… just like my momma made it, and she is from Louisiana! Food was delicious and plenty of it!
Warning: this place is located in a bowling alley! We found that weird but once we smelt the food… time to get our grub on! Even though we where the minority (White) we where traded great! Just make sure to ask your waitress between your top 3 favorites. Our waitress steered us in the right direction!
We enjoyed some air hockey and skeet ball after dinner. It kinda felt like a first date, lol!

There IS a difference between Soul Food and BBQ, yes there is a BIG difference! If you don’t know what that is then you need to grub on both before you go writing reviews about either one, especially about The Sweet Tea.
That being said and having eaten both many, many times in my dining excursions throughout the southern part of the good old US of A. I’m writing my review based on fact, knowledge and experience in the enjoyment of eating Soul Food.
After reading my Unilocal Buddy Chris D’s review and many others I decided today after another one of my vicious Sherlock Holmes hangovers and, Soul Food was the answer.
Although I’ve eaten at many Soul Food eateries, I always start with the basic thing that will determine the quality and dining delight of true Soul Food-​Catfish. Yeoup, that’s right fried and battered fresh made to order Catfish.
I had the best Catfish ever when I was in Great Bend Kansas many years back. The family I was traveling with and I were taken to a fishing hole (really a large lake just shallow enough and only stocked with Catfish) Cheyenne Bottoms. I caught 8 which was the limit, you didn’t even need bait they hit the hook so fast!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~EVA’S SOUL FOOD~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eva’s Soul Food is located like Chris D. said, in a little nook just off the entrance to a bowling alley, nothing fancy, nothing houty-​toutty, nothing to dress up for but, definitely something to go for good grub.
After looking over the menu on their web site earlier I opted for the lunch special, you guessed it:
Catfish Fillet…$ 10.50
With your choice of two Eva’s side dishes and cornbread muffins.
My 2 sides-​Collard Greens & Cornbread Dressing.
The collard greens were a heaping portion of steaming, dark green goodness, which I topped with butter and a dash of salt-​SLURP! I could taste the ham bone that you put into the middle of the pot to give them that southern flavor. Add to that, a generous helping of Cornbread Stuffing, 2 small sides of Cranberry Sauce, 2 homemade Cornbread Muffins with plenty of butter and a side of deep brown homemade gravy to dunk them in.
The Catfish was a filleted, 7.5 inch half piece, battered and fried just enough so it could soak up in all the seasoning I added to enjoy it piece of utter satisfaction.
Most of the dishes have no seasoning added so that you may use the sauces, seasonings, Tarter Sauce and that just enough of a kick bottle of Yellow Peppers soaking in their own oil to season to taste your meal.
Add to all of that, a large glass of ice water and good old Southern Sweet tea but with ice not straight up like they serve it in the south. Also, my server Keisha told me when I asked why there was ice in my Sweet Tea that some customers (obviously with no Sweet Tea knowledge) complained so this is how they do it reluctantly she stated.
Keisha my server and the only server I might add was an absolute peach. I mean she was so friendly, kind and just made ‘ya feel so welcome. And I introduced myself when I left and got a nice hug along with «Michael you have a blessed day».
I’m still full as I finish this review this evening and, I cannot wait to go back and try some of the other goodies on their menu. I mean people coming in were literally saying «give me a minute I still can’t decide», and they were regulars she told me!
One thing though, if you want more water or Sweet Tea you will need to flag down the beverage guy because he only comes from behind the counter to bring your drinks to you and to reset the tables. I found it amusing and not annoying in this little nook of Southern Hospitality baby.

After moving to California from the dirty south (Florida) and totally missing some good authentic soul food, it was absolute heaven to find this place. The food here is amazing. I have dreams about the oxtails… thats how good it is. I have tried almost all of the sides offered and I am yet to be disappointed. Everything is just mmm mmm good.
Don’t let the typical black nonchalant service take away from your food experience… if you are bothered by it so much then take the food to go. Mind you… you probably won’t get beyond the parking lot before the smells overwhelmed you and you just have to give in.
Also you have to try the lemonade… when God created lemons He was thinking of how good Eva’s was going to make their lemonade… It is sooo good. I usually mix ¾ lemonade with ¼ sweetened ice-tea.now that’s what you call a piece of heaven.

I was hurtin’. After weeks and weeks of doing without, I needed a soul food fix. Bad. I was getting the shakes from not having collards. I haven’t had time to cook my own — it is the holidays and all — and as to be expected, there’s nothing near my home plate. Turning to Unilocal,I discovered Eva’s, close to work. Finally… soul salvation. Me and the office buddies decide to check it out. It doesn’t take long to sell three guys on fried food.
Walking in, it’s a pretty spartan place; an Obama poster on the wall where you walk in, a lunch counter, and tables scattered throughout the open dining area. We walked in, and were able to seat ourselves. And here’s a fun tidbit — it’s right next door to an arcade, so if anyone wants to join me for dinner, then take me on in Street Fighter II, just click the PM.
Menu is straightforward soul food — lots of fried goodies, so if you’re watching the calories, keep going. Go grab a salad or something at the Mickey D’s down the street. Today, it was all about soul food in all its greasy glory. After about five seconds, I knew what I wanted — catfish. Fried catfish, with collards and mac n’ cheese.
After a short wait, our server brings out a plate loaded with one of the biggest catfish filets I’d ever seen, along with a heaping portion of mac n’ cheese and collard greens. I loved the collards — nice and tender, and not bitter, like I’d had at other places. Mac n’ cheese was ok; I tend to like mine a bit creamier, but theirs is still good, and considering I just about finished all that was on the plate, it couldn’t have been that bad. And me and my office mates almost came to blows over the plate of corn muffins — yes, they’re that good.
But the star of the day was the catfish, that funny looking fish that’s oh-​so-​good once it’s covered in cornmeal and thrown in hot oil. It was fantastic — incredibly fresh and juicy, with a crunchy cornmeal crust that was the yin to the fish’s soft yang. And don’t even think of violating such a perfect piece of fish with the supplied tartar sauce. I saw the packets they brought out and thought «WTF, are you people insane?!?». I dumped half a bottle of Red Rooster on my cat… anything else is an insult.
In the end, me and my office mates were happy with the latest Unilocal find. Portions were big, prices were reasonable, and more importantly, the food was excellent… almost as good as what my Momma makes.*
* — See my review of R&R in Carson. If I were say a restaurant’s food is as good as my Momma’s, she’d hurt me.

«Hey love, are you eatin’ in?»
…this must be that Southern Hospitality I keep hearin’ about, although I have no clue what it has to do with Cadillac grills, Cadillac bills or checking out the oil my Cadillac spills… but I was nice going somewhere and feeling like a waitress genuinely cared about my satisfaction. Not at all what I expected from a restaurant that is connected to a bowling alley.
You can order anything a la carte but an obnoxious entrée seemed like it made more sense to me. I ordered the fried pork chops and the waitress asked me what THREE SIDES I wanted. The choice was easy as I ordered the greens, the mac & cheese and the yams.
As I waited for my food, I looked around and noticed that they appeared to be renovating the restaurant. You can see where they will be installing additional flat panel TVs. The restaurant was fairly large, with plenty of seating.
The chops came to the table… HUGE! Then came a second plate with my 3 sides. Wow, I’m a big guy, but this is a lot of food! Full yet?, a third plate is on its way with 2 cornbread muffins. Damn that’s a lot of food. I wish the photos above could show you how huge these chops are… and you know they weren’t just huge, they were good. I shot some Red Rooster over it and good turned to great! Oh, and the sides. those collard greens… macaroni & cheese… the yams… Wow!
Would have been awesome with a beer… =(but I imagine that it would be hard to get a permit in that location.
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Note: This was previously M&M’s Soul Food…
Menu available at