Soul Food Kitchen

Soul Food

Even if you already know there’s nothing more delicious than Southern-style food from Soul Food Kitchen in Orlando, you might not know where all those crave-worthy flavors come from. Since the 1960s, the name ‘soul food’ has been used to describe this delectable style of down home cooking, and generation after generation has passed down the very recipes you’ll find on our delivery menu.

While the term ‘soul food’ has only been around for a relatively short time, the origins of the cuisine can be traced back to Europe and Africa. Foods like rice sorghum and okra were introduced to the Americas from West African cuisine and became staples of the American south. Other influences included corn and cassava from the Americas, Moroccan turnips, and Portuguese cabbage. Even Native American cuisine offered influence by way of corn—and dishes like their hominy are still Southern staples.

Soon, new types of ‘greens’ became integral to what is now known as soul food, like collard greens, kale, mustard greens, dandelion greens, and turnip greens. Cuts of meat like oxtail, pig feet, and tripe were also used for the first time. Local, fresh-caught fish and shellfish were integrated into the diet.

While soul food is the product of widespread cultural diffusion, it should not be forgotten that this impressive cuisine stems from a dark time in history when African Americans were enslaved, and Native Americans long displaced from their land. In some ways, soul food is the surviving embodiment of many cultures’ culinary traditions, preserved as it passed from one generation to the next.

Today, these foods are some of our favorites, and we’re sure you’ll love them too! Try BBQ Pig Feet, or our Stewed Gizzards. Dig in to our Roaster Turkey Wings, or Large Sautéed Shrimp. Try the Liver & Onions, or enjoy the Bar-B-Q Rib Tips. Modern favorites like Wings/Waffles, and Macaroni & Cheese are incredible to the taste buds, too!

At Soul Food Kitchen, we invite you to stop by and sample our favorite dishes from this great culinary tradition, or to place a delivery or catering order today!