A Jew and a Korean Walk Into a Soul Food Restaurant...

Ever since finding this particular soul food restaurant recommendation for a friend, R had been wanting to go check out Ms Tootsie's herself. I thought why the hell not? Located on a strip of South Street not really occupied by many businesses, Tootsie's is a nice little spot. There's plenty of street parking. When you walk in, you notice how darn dark it is. I think perhaps the idea "oh it's so romantic", but it ends up being "oye, I can't read my darn menu!" The place is decorated simply, with b&w prints of jazz greats. It's a fairly small place with mostly two-tops. The kitchen is fairly open and you can see in.

Oh baby... These cornbread muffins were dreamy. Warm, sweet, moist, everything you'd want in cornbread. I could have eaten a plate full of these, but instead, we actually ate entrees. R got the turkey chops. What's a turkey chop? I have no freakin idea, but I do know that it's freakin delicious. Smothered in gravy, but then what isn't good that has been smothered in gravy? Sides of mac & cheese and candied yams, more on that later. I was recommended the fried chicken, so I went with that. Apparently, they're famous for it and it's their most popular dish. Why not! Well, I'm glad I did, as it was really good. Super crispy on the outside and juicy and hot on the inside. The mac & cheese was dreamy. Some of the best I've ever had. I loved the yams as well. Super sweet, but in a good way, that it was more like a dessert.

Service was fine. Our server was super friendly and accommodating to us soul food virgins. She was good with recommendations and made us feel quite welcome. Actually, there was only a few people working there, and they were all amazingly friendly and made us all feel like family. Good food, good people, good times.

Ms Tootsie's Soul Food Cafe

1314 South St

Philadelphia, PA 19147

(215) 731-9045