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116th St (2, 3)
116th St (B, C)
Mon. 11:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Tue-Thu. 8:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Fri. 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 a.m.
Sat. 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 a.m.
Sun. 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
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Love the honey dipped fried chicken and the regular.
Hate that they put sesame seeds on the waffles. =/
Wish they had Roscoe's waffle recipe.
The cornbread is deliciously decadent slathered with butter.
I've had the smothered bird before and it was a little too salty for me, but the other things I've had there have been great.
I had the whiting there once and it was a little dried out. Don't mess with my whiting.
They do their greens right and the mac n cheese was spot on.
Way to have your credit card machine malfunctioning for around a month, though.
despite my utter adoration for fried chicken and all things unhealthy, i had never had chicken and waffles. sunday was the day all this changed.
waited about 20 minutes around 1:30pm to get seated, walked inside, sat down, ordered myself the chicken and waffles (fried) with a side of mac n cheese, and watched as the man ordered honey dipped fried chicken with my requested two sides of cheesy grits & collard greens. 2 squares of corn bread arrived at our table, nice and warm. smeared them with butter and down the pipes they went. within a short time, arrived the entrees and sides.
the chicken was good. both chickens were good. fried lightly, and moist, though i could've gone for more meat on the bone. the honey dipped chicken was fried equally as well and sweet, but maybe too sweet for my taste. the waffle was cooked perfectly. crispy yet soft and sweet. collard greens.. decent. i've had better. cheesy grits.. gritty, but would've preferred the cheese to be mixed in as opposed to just sitting on top. the mac n cheese... oh, the mac n cheese. this is just not what i expected from a soul food spot. someone had cut off a square of the mac n cheese, and it stood straight up in its small bowl. there was a layer of dried cheese on top that looked like it could've been peeled off whole. and there was just nothing stand-out about the cheese. sadness.
i'd go back, but i am disheartened to report that while i expected greatness from amy ruth's, i only got ok, with a side of a friendly helpful waitress.
We checked this place out for lunch on a Friday. There was a short wait and then we were seated upstairs. The upstairs area lacks any real atmosphere and only had about 6 tables in a huge open space. The water and cornbread were slow to come and service in general was lagging, so I recommend you wait for a table downstairs (at least during the day).
Besides all that and most importantly the food was GOOD. The fried fish was crisp, the greens smoky, the mac and cheese creamy, the fried okra not mushy and the potato salad well seasoned (the waitress did warn this could be slammin' that day or it could not be and if not to let her know and she would get us another side). The smothered chicken was okay, the gravy was a bit salty. However, that was countered by the super sweet Kool-Aid of the day. Just how it was meant to be.
Wait wait wait. Harlem soul food that leaves up to its reputation? What kind of crazy universe is this? I've been meaning to try their amazing sounding honey dipped fried chicken for awhile, but it wasn't until this week that I found the perfect opportunity. I emerged from a bookclub meeting at a friend's apartment just down the block at 8:45, intellectually sated but physically famished. That was soon remedied by a side of macaroni and cheese with fried chicken and waffles drenched in liberal amounts of maple syrup. Yes, you read that correctly-- this isn't your generic aunt jemima crap, but the actual good stuff. I love pancakes and waffles and french toast, but at restaurants I'm always using jellies and jams or brown sugar to top them, because no one ever gets real syrup. This is probably my biggest food pet peeve, so Amy Ruth gets MAJOR points in my book. If genuine maple syrup was a good starting point, things only got better with the crispy fluffy waffles and the three juicy and perfectly fried chicken wings. Wow. The mac and cheese was also incredibly wonderful and avoided two common problems: it wasn't dry and bland, and it wasn't drowned in some nasty soupiness. Instead, it was rich and creamy, but also slightly solidified, with an awesome cheesey crust. We couldn't stop eating it. It made me so so happy. I'm going to need to go back for honey dipped fried chicken ASAP.
I was really, really impressed with everything I ate, the very reasonable prices, and the generally upscale and relaxed atmosphere. I loved the wooden ceiling panels, which were really unique. Amy Ruth's feels like an old school soul food joint with the trappings of a trendy cafe, and it is a happy marriage. My only suggestion would be to nix the flat screen tv playing Dancing with the Stars. This is too nice a restaurant for crap like that.
So, on my first night visiting my sister, dinner was a toss-up between soul food and Ethiopian food - but seeing as I had Ethiopian food on my last trip out of state, I figured this would be a good opportunity to try some good, out of the bay area soul food.
It was quite a wait when we got there, and the place is pretty small, but as you can tell at all crowded establishments, the food itself must definitely be on point.
Sister and I were served free hot cornbread and water almost immediately when we sat down, and for strictly nostalgic reasons, I just had to order the Kool-Aid of the day. It tasted like straight up cherry syrup, but then again, that was the first time since I was a kid that I had kool aid in its natural state. (What, didn't everyone mix it with Bacardi 151 in high school?)
I had the President Barack Obama, which was fried chicken smothered in gravy, served with two sides. I chose the cheesy grits and Baked Mac and Cheese (clearly I am a cheese person) while my sister got the Reverend Al Sharpton plate, chicken and waffles.
The chicken was great, albeit a little dry the closer I got to the bone, but still delicious. The gravy was a great idea, and I could have eaten the baked mac and cheese all day on its own. I am used to my grits with way more cheese in them (well, whenever I do have grits) but they were pretty good. My sister thought the chicken was better elsewhere but she LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the waffles. As did I. They were like vanilla wafers baked into waffle form. Hard to describe but if you've ever been to one of those ice cream establishments where they make waffle cones in front of you, this tastes the exact way that smells.
So, in the future, order the dark meat, and an extra order of waffles!
One of my most favourite meals in the world.
Chicken and waffles, or rather the Reverend Al Sharpton special, along with some fruit punch.
love it.
love the music.
great service.
why can't you be in sf!?!??
Let me qualify this by saying, my mom's family is from Mississippi. So I *know* good ass southern food, and I'm going to tell you right now: Sylvia's ain't it.
In light of that, my friend suggested soul food and too was not impressed by Sylvia's, so she said we should go to Amy Ruths. She raved so much about the honey-dipped fried chicken, I was all over that for my choice. I was majorly conflicted about what to choose for my sides (swayed by the string beans, mac & cheese, and greens), but opted for the cheesy grits & candied yams.
Honey-dipped chicken was good. I was thinking the honey would have been baked in the skin (which may have been the case), but it seemed more like a sauce that was baked on. Either way, it hit the spot. Wasn't stellar, but good, nonetheless.
Yams, you can't really go wrong with yams, so I won't even talk about it. The cheesy grits were a little watery for my taste, but I gobbled them up anyway, cause grits are the bomb, of course.
Overall, good experience. My friend and I hung around and discussed life & why people are douches for quite a bit. I'll be back because I definitely want to try to the other sides, and wait for it....CHICKEN AND WAFFLES (never had it, but boy, do I want to). And I want to get over my slight, yet unfounded aversion to fried fish.
Moral: Amy Ruths 1, Sylvia's 0.
Oh goodness, I still remember how full this meal made me, but in that wonderful "wow, so good!" way that you nevertheless know you can't (and shouldn't!) keep up. Of course, this being the first meal of a trip to NY, it set the pattern for the week to come.
FIRST:
Cornbread: Good, warm cornbread. Sliced from a large slab, but the sides were a bit crispy too. Mm... I wanted to slather on some butter, but waiting in line to get in I saw the portion sizes and refrained.
MAINS:
Smothered pork chops("The Honorable Keith Wright"): Holy crap. HOLY CRAP! These things are ginormous! And good! They're fried first, then smothered in brown gravy. I started dipping other things in that gravy. It was so savory and delicious.
My friend's turkey tasted like Thanksgiving. She had leg pieces so the meat was tender and juicy.
My other friend's fried chicken with honey was also tasty, but when they say honey-dipped they mean it literally. I was expecting a spicy honey sauce, but it was straight honey. Different, but the sweetness is not for everyone.
SIDES:
Collards: had some salt pork in there making it savory. Definitely some of the finest collards to grace my taste buds.
Mac n cheese: topped with extra cheese, also really good but not the best I've ever had (I'm particular).
Fried Okra: Someone at your table should get it. Really good batter. I dipped it in my gravy (it doesn't need it).
Cheesy Grits: Yep, them's some cheese-topped grits. I prefer mac n cheese, but if you like grits this is for you.
Candied Yams: You really don't need dessert if you get these. They're awesome. Sweet, hot and tender. Not the best side to honey-dipped fried chicken (too much sugar) but damn good candied yams.
AFTER:
Dessert? After all that? Are you kidding me?
You get your choice of entree and then choose two sides. We chose well, but it's hard to imagine choosing wrong. The catfish on the menu was calling out to me. Both kinds. And the waffles. I think they're all calling me back to New York.
This was the first of many nights waddling home with full bellies. You'd think we were penguins in Antarctica, but we were just hungry tourists in New York accompanied by the greatest foodie local. : )
Yep. I got the chicken and waffles. AND I shared a side of cheese grits, collard greens and cornbread. Those sides could have been a meal in itself! And it was good! Real good! AND I know me some Southern food and they didn't screw it up!
Holy stuffing my gut, even though I'm beyond full and about to throw up! What a freaking meal. It could have lasted me days. I could have fed a small third world country!
Unfortunately, I didn't take it with me because we were on our way to the Bronx Zoo. But boy, I wish I took it with me to feed the animals because they were all hiding and maybe they would have woke up and done some tricks for some of Amy Ruth's chicken and waffles.
So ive been on a mission to find the absolute best fried chicken in New York. The First on the list was Dirty Bird To go which was incredible. In fact Dirty Bird is what sparked me to go on this mission because i figured if that place was so good, some of these other places had to be just heavenly.
To my dissapointment, ever since Dirty Bird, i have found nothing but mediocrity. Melbas chicken and Waffles? Terrible. Blue Ribbon Brasserie? Pretty Good but not on Dirty Birds level. Others? Mehhh.
Enter Amy Ruth's Chicken And Waffles. Does this spot challenge The King of Fried Birds? Not even remotely close... BUT... what it does have is a damn incredible waffle. I may not be as much of an expert on waffles as i am on fried chicken, but sheesh after trying Amy Ruths i might just have to go on a little Waffle hunt too. The Chicken isnt bad by any means, and certainly wayyyyy better then the crap served at Melba's but dont expect anything better then average quality or average flavor. Whoever tells you otherwise hasnt tried good fried chicken...
Atmosphere is very casual and its a good place to come by for a snack but my hunt for the best fried chicken continues...
I love Amy Ruth's!!! You can't go there and NOT ORDER chicken and waffles! It'll be hard, because they have a great menu, but the chicken and waffles are dee-lish-ous!!!!
The only problem I have when I come here is whether to
"breakfast-ize" it (and put syrup on my waffles) or "dinner-ize it" (and put hot sauce on the chicken and order a side of mac and cheese and collard greens!!!!
Decisions! Decisions!! LOL But rest assured, you CAN'T make a BAD decision at Amy Ruth's. Their food is terrific!!!
There will be a wait, so try not to come when you're STARVING!!! I don't know if ANY restaurant is worth the wait when you're TOO hungry!! LOL
You will enjoy Amy Ruth's.
One word: Hellacrackin! And yes, that's one word.
Minus one star for the corn bread, which was a little dry, and the mac and cheese, which was a little mushy and not as flavorful as I had hoped. But DAMN that fried chicken and those waffles are amazing. The combination is superb; it does seem a little strange at first, but I totally dig it now. The waffles are perfectly chewy, and the chicken is light and crisp--not as heavy as I thought it would be. The syrup is also great--not too sickly sweet, but definitely smooth and rich.
I love that this place is just a train ride away!
Had the catfish with collard greens and okra. Catfish was lightly breaded but I thought it would've tasted better with a thicker, crunchier coat. It was moist and remained flaky-- great with a squeeze of lime and hot sauce. Disappointed that they served run of the mill Frank's red hot.... I'm a vegetable fan so I was okay with the blandness of the okra because I was craving the sliminess of it-- yum!! Collard greens were amazing; tender with the right amount of salt.
Also tried the chicken and waffles-- chicken was too dry and the batter was just okay. Didn't get to try the waffle though but am disappointed looking at all these yelp pictures.
Their chicken wings were great though-- crispy and succulent. Perfect to gnaw on and get all the bits of batter and chicken clean off the bone.
Sweet tea tasted kind of syrupy-- had to wait for the ice to melt to tone it down.
The service was great-- our waitress was friendly and brought the extras we asked for. Service is kind of slow but not excruciating. AND, the wait wasn't that bad for a Saturday morning! We were about 5th in line and it took only about 15 minutes. My lucky day!
Chicken and Waffles. Oh Yes.
The waffle is the best I've had at a restaurant. Slightly crispy on the outside, but soft and moist on the inside. They also use REAL maple syrup which is a huge plus in my book.
The mac n cheese was delicious, and they know how to make candied yams. I wish i would have had more room for the cornbread they brought out before our meal, it was also delicious.
Best soul food I've had since moving here! Everything was on point! Potato salad is one of dishes that you want to like, but no matter how many times you get it, it just isn't that good, but you refuse to give up on it. Well I'm glad I didn't cause this potato salad was jammin!
The cornbread = delish, the ribs = delish, the yams = delish, the mac& cheese = delish/to die for, the greens = delish, the chocolate cake = delish.
The total bill = cheap!
Plus came here on a sunday night for dinner, the wait was less than 10 mins.
I'll be back ASAP!
I had some friends visiting from Virginia and they had worked up an appetite after a long day out. They made plans to visit another friend who lives Uptown on 117th. This friend suggested we dine at Amy Ruths. I thought that I had eaten there before, but upon I arrival and the lackluster entrance, I realized I hadn't. I met them at the joint and the "bouncer" told us it would be a minute before we were seated. He then told us he had a table that was about to be ready and pointed to a four-top by the window. We were then invited in and told to follow the hostess. We totally bypassed that table and were led down hallway slippery with fish grease, past the kitchen entrance to a no frills, upstairs seating area. I wasn't impressed.
As another revewer stated, there is no ambiance just about 6 or 7 tables and an area where workers linger. The menu features traditional soul food entrees and an assortment of chicken and waffles dishes. They are all given pet names, like Afrika Bambaata, Jackie Robinson, etc... I ordered the Afrika (fried whiting). The entrees come with two sides and I decided to stick with my fried theme and order the fried okra and a side of mashed potatoes. I noticed the okra coming a mile away. It looked like some sort of underwater coral...not what I was expecting. I had anticipated the okra to be cut in small pieces and fried to a delicious golden brown in a tasty batter. The fish and okra were fried in the same grease. I took one bite of that okra and politely removed it from my plate. The fish was so-so. Perhaps if it had actually been hot, it would have been better. The mashed potatoes were alright, but didn't taste fresh. To add insult to injury, they had the window unit air conditioners blowing and officially cooling the food.
There was not much flavor to the dish and the fish had bones. While I didn't pay for my meal (my friends treat), I still feel that I didn't get my money's worth. I won't be going back. This was not a pleasurable experience by any stretch of the imagination. I almost slipped on the fish grease on my way out.
This place has the most amazing waffles I've ever put in my mouth. Probably not a place I'd venture out to by myself, I actually went her at my father's suggestion. I scored some Yankees tickets, so he came to NYC to go to the game with. He also brought some of my stuff, so that was an added bonus. Instead of going out to Ging or the Key West Diner (my usual haunts), my dad had done some actual research into the area where I lived. On the west side was an amazing waffles & chicken place he said, was pretty much the best place ever review-wise.
So, on a sunny August day, my father and I took a lovely cross town walk over to the west side. Not that far from the 2/3 trains lies Amy Ruth's. It's deceptive in it's simplicity. It's also very small interior. We went right around 5:00 pm so there was no problem getting a table and sitting down. We both ordered us some Al Shartpons, 'cause... c'mon. Waffles & Chicken? Together? Is there anything better? I stuck with water, my dad got some peach iced tea. He let me try it, and I should have gotten it, too. It was heaven in a glass. The funniest part about the menu (which is mentioned in other Yelp reviews) is the 'Kool-Aid of the Day.' I almost tried it, but... I couldn't bring myself to order. I would have screamed, "Oh YEAHHH!" right after. That's never good for anyone.
After ordering, we literally got our food in 5 minutes. That's not exaggeration. It was that fast. And delicious. The chicken was... well, it had been sitting there. It was still tasty and delicious, but I've had better as far chicken goes. The real reason to go to Amy Ruth's? IS the waffles. It will defy everything you know about God and man. Experience it. Love it. And remember to take me with you.
Greatness: Amy Ruth's in a word is greatness. The food was very fresh (I had the honey dipped fried chicken) and required a next-day gym venture (but no complaints on that end...I ate some of the skin, but what I was supposed to do, it was dipped in honey? ).
Parking: a pain...a real pain but for some of that food, a gas price debate is superfluous.
The only annoying part: I believe they are expanding, so there was some drilling going on next door (to the point of pictures on the wall about to come tumbling down).
Check out the clothing shop next door. Good deals there and some nice sneakers. Food and sneakers, my day was made.
So excited to try... so disappointed when we left.
Positives: Open until 5:30 AM on the weekend so it's literally one of the only places in Harlem to get food late night. And the chicken & waffles are good... I'll throw the cheesy grits in this category too.
Disappointments: Gravy. Gravy. Mac n cheese. Gravy. Cash Only.
Would I go back? If nothing else was open & I was hungry, yes, I'd go back... but I'd stick to the chicken & waffles.
I stumbled upon this place right after our mid afternoon softball game in East Harlem, hungry and primed for some good comfort food. Amy Ruth did not disappoint. They started us off with what is probably the best corn bread I ever feasted on. It's warm, moist and buttery goodness. My order was the "Barrack Obama", fried chicken with a side of waffles. The skin was sooooo good. I wish they can serve a plate of those. In the world of fried chicken, there's kfc, and then there's Amy Ruth's. Choose wisely kids ;)
Classic, delicious soul food. The service could be slightly better, but honestly, it totally worth it to enjoy some of the best southern cuisine that Manhattan has to offer.
Okay I been living in NYC all my life and just heard about AMY RUTHS! POOOR ME!
One summer day, my friends decided to take me there!
Of course The "Al Shartpon" was my fav and delicious. 4 fried wings and 2 sides (candy yams & string beans) As soon as i ate the string beans. "hmmmmmm...this was soaked in butter for hours" it was so PERFECT!
the Kool-Aid was Okay!
The cornbread is type dry to me...BBQS cornbread is way better and softer!!
2nd time going there 4am! I love how its 24 hours on the weekend! Def Our spot after a long night in NYC! I decided to step out the box and try the "Chicken and Waffles'! I enjoyed every bit of it! Why does the waffle taste so fresshh and sweeet! Chicken, Syrup, and Waffle does a body good after a long night of dancing!
This place has more hits than misses, and the fact that they're open 24 hours on the weekends makes this a perfect after club joint if you're uptown.
And really, where in this city can you get a good fried chicken and waffles at 4 AM in the morning? If you know, please let me know.
Their Tuesday night special (chicken and dumplings) fly out of there if you're not early enough (and for very good reason). Their smothered pork chops are just ... I'm left speechless right now. Their catfish is also impressive and as I've mentioned, even though this place will have the rare (and I mean rare) off night, there are more hits than misses when it comes to this place. The portions are large, the food is inexpensive, and on top of all of that, it's GOOD!
Attempt to leave some room for the banana pudding. You'll be glad you did.
Yum! Chicken and waffles! I do love chicken and waffles, and this place is in Harlem and extremely close to a subway stop. How could I not go?
Pretty tasty chicken and waffles, I must say. I've been to a number of places, and this is one of the better ones. Their waffles are large, belgian-style, and have a very good flavor. The chicken was also really juicy. I also got a kool-aid, which was a nice touch.
Not the best chicken and waffles I've ever had (that goes to Gladys Knight's) but they are definitely doing a lot right. Recommended.
breaded, fried and smothered.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
after reading the menu, i wanna come back again (i must try the sauteed chicken liver).
and i must say, one of the best four dollar slices of double chocolate cake (certainly better than the blackout cake at serendipity)
I went on a business trip to NY and had been craving some good old southern cooking and I had heard about Amy Ruth's and decided to try it. My first impression when I arrived there was that it was an extreme difference in the atmosphere than I saw on the website. The outside looked like hell and the inside made the restaurant look unappetizing becaue it looked like a fast food joint. I was expecting it to look a little more like a cozy family restaurant with history like it had been advertised on the website, and less like a fast food joint on the inside but oh well, I still decided to stay and give it a try and...glad I did!
I ordered the Barack Obama (smothered fried chicken) and 3 sides (mac and cheese, potato salad, and collard greens) because I felt like being extra greedy! Even though the food came to the table barely warm, the chicken was moist and the mac and cheese was cheesy enough for me (which is saying alot cuz I like cheese) and it still satisfied my craving for good soul food...I ended up getting a doggy bag and a piece of red velvet cake to go which was very rich and moist and tasted home made :-) I will be back again but next time I'm gettin the chicken and waffles!! I just hope next time I go there, the inside and the outside look a little more cozy.
First, since it is so easy, let me mention the things I like. The corned beef hash is an original and engaging dish, nothing like what you get out of a can or like anything I've had anywhere else. I also like the fact that there's a restaurant in Harlem other than the tourist trap Sylvia's that celebrates African-Americana in menu and decor.
I've been here a half dozen times, and I've been waiting to write a review until today because I wanted to give it a good one. Well, they've had their chance and as much as I'd like to recommend it I can't.
Today, they were out of biscuits for breakfast, the food came out very slow, much of it was over-cooked, and the service was dismissive and absent. This is a consistent pattern.
I think this place suffers from it's popularity. There is very often a line at the door, so they think they're doing a good job when they aren't. If you want this kind of food, I'd have to send you to Miss Mamie's Spoonbread Too at 110th and Columbus, which is a bit too far south to really be considered Harlem. It is a shame, because Harlem cries out for a flagship soul food venue.
Sylvia's gave up a long time ago, willing to trade on it's notoriety alone apparently, content to rely upon the tourist trade at the expense of generating local business and Amy Ruth, being near a subway line, is ideally placed to pick up the banner, but they just aren't trying.
Awesome, from the quick service i received, to the "best mac and cheese i have ever eaten" I highly recommend the place. Yes, you will wait, But the wait is worth it. I ordered the Barack Obama, bbq chicken, with 2 sides: mac and cheese and potato salad. The food was reasonable, the food was really quick and i was very pleased with my meal and the service. This place is centrally located and right off the number 2 and 3 trains. Get there early, be patient, eat up your food. Please dont forget to try the Sweet Potato Pie. It was excellent as well!
Yes definitely a fan of Amy Ruth's! So sad i have not been here in about 2 years ever since my sister moved back to CA and i have no reason to go to NYC anymore. But when i was coming 3-4 times a year this would be the place i would go.
I am not a huge fan of fried chicken generally, so i cant comment much on that, but the waffles are YUMMY! And i also have had majority of the sides, my favorite being the mac and cheese! The corn bread is good too. Everything is very flavorful and tasty. Prices are fair. The only thing at least when i was going there.. i hated the lines you had to wait in to get in.
A favorite of my mother and my cousin is the honey chicken!!! They LOVE IT! Before we go home we always get one of those to go to eat on the plane... although it is not as good as it gets a little soggy on the flight home, but still makes you say YUM!
Hopefully i will be going back soon!
Hubby and I ventured out to Harlem for Amy Ruth's on a cloudy day. On our way there it began to sprinkle but that didn't stop us!
When we got there.. we ordered fried okra, chicken and waffles for the both of us and some corn fritters. The fried okra were okay.. a bit too fried?? And the corn fritters were sticky and not as yummo as I expected.
Buuuut, our chicken and waffles were pretty standard, no complaints.
Service was okay..
Sorry all. Not quite sure what my problem was but I was less than wow'd by Amy Ruth's.
All signs seemed to point to Amy Ruth's (including Yelp) whenever anyone heard that we were in Harlem.
We arrived for a relatively early Sunday dinner...about 5 -ish.
We were seated upstairs (as opposed to up front near the window) and it was kinda stuffy. I think I was still getting used to the humidity of NYC (having just come from Los Angeles) a day before.
My first problem was that service was a bit slow...make that a bit too slow. It took a while to get our drink order (they didn't really have anything that wasn't super sweet - I'm diabetic). Then took a while for them to take our dinner order which can be a problem when you have a kid who is headed down the Low Blood Sugar Expressway. Then, they took a while to actually bring the food.
I had the "Monte Barrett" catfish, mac n cheese and fries with a glass of water.
None of it was great. The catfish was cooked well but was pretty bland. The fries were fine. And I didn't even finish the mac n cheese.
A lot of my impression had to do with the AMAZING meal that we'd had at Melba's the night before. So, soul food as a follow up to soul food was probably a bad call.
Yes, Amy Ruth's is probably much more authentic. I just was not impressed in any way, shape or form. It's not that I'm not open to soul food. I really do like Roscoe's Chicken n Waffles here in Los Angeles(pretty much anything on their menu)...to a much higher degree than Amy Ruth's.
I certainly don't think Amy Ruth's is bad. It's just that, in my book, there are too many options in NYC to make Amy Ruth's my first choice.
I am writing this review after my second time here and I have to say the food is pretty good. I would try to give this place a 3.5 stars based on its food alone. It is really quite better than average, but I'll have to say coming from Los Angeles, I definitely prefer Roscoe's instead. The waffles can have a little more flavor to them, but the chicken is really good. I drove to NYC from LA and I more or less was eating the whole way while taking the southern route, and I can tell you that the sweet tea here is REALLY good.
On to the service... Before walking in, keeping in mind that we were a group of 2 Asian Americans and a friend from Indonesia, get to the door and we met the greeter. He said, "Hi, may I take your name? Is it China?" He then continued to make generic, (Asian sounds)...
Really?? Did that guy really say that? I thought the name China was some burly girl wrestler!
In any case, trying to blow it off and get our eating on was on our list when my girlfriend decided that she was upset and wanted to talk to the manager. He seemed thoroughly stunned and quite upset. He went downstairs, and came back up to tell us, "I'm so sorry that happened. I don't know what to say, except that he won't be back here and you won't see him when you leave."
After we paid, he met us before we got to the stairs to let us know that he canceled our charge on our credit card and that our meal was comped. Based on the food and the excellent service here, I'll have to give this restaurant a 4.
Again, thank you to Amy Ruth's for having that guy taken care of. It is much appreciated and we will not forget!
After hearing about Amy Ruth's, a Harlem southern-style restaurant, I knew I needed some home cooking.
My friend and I stopped by on a Friday afternoon and to our surprise were immediately seated.
We ordered the regular fried chicken and the honey soaked fried chicken with mac and cheese, coleslaw and mashed potatoes on the side. (Each meal comes with two sides, but we both wanted the mac and cheese.)
The meal was exceptional. The chicken was perfectly fried, moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside. It wasn't greasy at all either.
Although the chicken was great, for me, the mac and cheese was the star. It was a classic version, baked with mustard and a little cayenne i believe and of course a lot of cheddar cheese.
Unfortunately for us, we did not have enough space in our stomachs for all the food, because the serving size was huge. A half chicken of either light or dark meat plus two large portions of sides.
Next time I think i'll share with a friend so we have room for the dessert, peach cobbler or a slice of red velvet cake.
Perfection....
Honey. Dipped. Fried. Chicken. What more do you need to know?
Okay, fine. Yes, it tastes as good - no, even BETTER - than it sounds. Yes, it will satisfy your sweet-salty tooth. Yes, the skin stays crispy despite it being fully dipped and dripping in sweet, thick honey. (How do they do that??) Yes, the meat is juicy and flavorful. Yes, I couldn't get enough of any last remnants of meat and skin on the crunchy bones.
And no, I couldn't finish it all in one sitting. But don't worry, I took my leftovers home and had one helluva lunch the next day. Oh, I guess I should also mention that the complimentary cornbread is moist and buttery; the mac & cheese is as creamy and cheesy as you'd want it; and the mashed potatoes are smooth and gravy-licious (you can opt for no gravy, but why would you want to?). And all this for $13.95? Hell yes!
Even though we had to wait 45 minutes for a table due to the large size of our party (they don't take reservations for fewer than 20 and we were 13), it was well worth the wait. We were seated in the upstairs area, where it seemed they were setting up tables on an as-needed basis. So don't let the small downstairs space fool you - they have room (if not tables) for plenty.
The service is also very friendly and incredibly attentive. They were apologetic for the wait and gracious to very end. They're busy, but not so busy to check up on you and make sure everything is all right. And yes, everything was aaaallll riiiight.
Fact: Al Sharpton is probably not appetizing. He looks like he would be very salty.
Fact: The Al Sharpton at Amy Ruth's is delicious!
I have never had Chicken & Waffles. Why would I? I mean, who would even think that it's a good combination? Oh, how naive I have been. Wasting precious time which could've been spent eating at Amy Ruth's! The waffle was perfect: fluffy, light tasting, but able to hold onto the maple syrup without getting soaky and squishy (yes, "squishy" is a culinary term used in the description of waffles.) I had smothered chicken b/c I think chicken is dry otherwise and it was good.
We didn't wait long because we missed the church and brunch rush and were too early for the dinner wait and the service was good, towards the end the waitress disappeared, which I always find annoying but I wasn't in a rush so I shouldn't complain.
I also learned from the man at the door (who the hell is this guy?? doorman? host? bouncer?) that he doesn't like scary movies.
I've been living in LA for the past few years, and boy, do I love Roscoe's. (I'd have cravings 2, 3 times a week and would have gone that much too if friends weren't watching their waist lines.) In terms of southern cuisine, Roscoe's isn't the absolute best but it sure does hit the spot every time. Amy Ruth's in comparison, will do, but the chicken and waffles in particular leave something to be desired. The sweet tea and corn bread are very good though.
Now, more on the waffles: at Roscoe's, the waffles are the thin kind whereas at Amy Ruth's they're the fluffy kind. Roscoe's waffles are sweeter and have a better flavor than their counterparts in Harlem. Moreover, because the waffles in LA are thinner, they have a much nicer texture.
Onto the chicken: at Roscoe's if you ask for dark meat, then you're going to get dark meat. At Amy Ruth's, the last time I went, when I asked for dark meat, I mostly got white meat, which is drier than I prefer. Also, the quality of the chicken pieces have been consistently better at Roscoe's...you hear that, Amy Ruth's? I would very much appreciate pieces with a bit more meat! Please?
This is not to say that Roscoe's is all that and a bag of chips. Home-cooked fried chicken is of course better. I just haven't gotten around to getting a waffle maker...but that's another story.
Anyway, if it were just based on the food I'd give this place a 3. But read Randall H's review on why they got the extra star from me. Yea for an establishment that doesn't condone racism.
When I hear "chicken and waffles" there is no place I can think of than Amy Ruth's. So when a group of friends said they wanted to go, I didn't hesitate to say "YES!". And it was good! I got the Rev. Al Sharpton (chicken and waffles) with white meat, a side of mac & cheese, and the Sunrise (three-tiered fruit juice - delicious!). And now, I want to go back again for some smothered chicken and waffles with gravy or some of the other yummy treats! By the way, you would think chicken and waffles is very greasy and fattening but the chicken wasn't. Instead, it was great and well-seasoned. Dang it! I can't wait to go back!
This has been on my list for some time now. I was pleasantly surprised when Amy Ruth's exceeded my expectations -- and even more so when I learned that the addition of syrup and hot sauce to fried chicken only improves the product.
As this was my first visit, I predictably went straight for the Rev. Al Sharpton, fried dark meat chicken over a pillowy waffle, along with a side order of some of the best mac and cheese these lips have tasted. I will say that, after smothering my dish with butter, maple syrup, and Fred's hot sauce, my tastebuds were overloaded after only a few bites, after which pretty much everything tasted the same. The cornbread was forgettable.
A word on the tea. Being a native Southerner, I have a decidedly high tolerance for sugar levels in iced tea. If you don't pucker after the first few sips, it's not sweet enough. That being said, Amy Ruth's sweet tea teeters on the brink. Do I love it or is it too much? I think I like it, but I can't imagine that it has widespread appeal.
Yum bum, I haven't had soul food like this in a few years.
We came fairly early, at about 400PM on a Friday night and got right in. I insisted that we wait at the sign that said "WAIT RIGHT HERE TO BE SEATED", while H wanted to walk right in. The hostess was terribly amused.
Since I knew we were coming here, I already knew what I wanted: The Rev. Al Shaprton (Chicken & Waffles). I got it with dark meat (skip the jokes, I've heard them all). H ordered some kind of fried chicken with honey glaze - his two sides were greens and potato salad. We ordered two sides of mac and cheese (One for my picky son J). I also had sweet tea (perfect, just enough sweetness - just like in the South) and H had diet coke.
Everything was extremely good. The greens were the best that I'd had in a very long time. The potato salad was a tad sweet and very tasty. H devoured the mac and cheese side. The chicken and waffles were perfect. They also give you a basket of cornbread and butter and those were perfect: just how cornbread should be made. H didn't care for the honey-dipped fried chicken. I tasted it and agreed: the fried chicken was perfect, but it just tasted like someone dumped honey all over it. No other taste to the sauce. Maybe that's what it was supposed to taste like, but it just didn't do it for us.
The staff was very friendly and patient. They were quick and offered suggestions.
I'll be back here. I really want to try their grits and smothered steak.
PS - As eating places are wont to do in NYC, this place is cash-only.
PSS - For those of us spoiled by free drink refills in our neck of the woods, THERE ARE NONE. You pay as you drink, suckas.
Oh Lordy, chicken and waffles!
The first time I ever had chicken and waffles, I must admit, I was quite the skeptic. I get the whole meat plus carbs thing (it's like a breakfast chicken sandwich, if you think about it), but top it off with hot sauce AND syrup? I don't know, guys... But one bite later, I began to wonder why none of my Southern California friends, having grown up with Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles, had shared this wonderful little secret with me, an unknowing Northern Californian, sooner. When I moved to New York, I made sure to find a nice Southern comfort food restaurant to call my own. Just my luck, I ended up scoring an apartment a mere five blocks away from Amy Ruth's.
I'm a creature of habit, so the Reverend Al Sharpton (chicken and waffles, plain and simple, white meat, fried) is my go-to platter every time. I've tried the yams, mac and cheese, and mashed potatoes, all of which are HELLA good. Amy Ruth's serves up the best sweet tea I've ever had, and I can't ever remember Kool-Aid tasting so good (my favorite flavor is red, but come on, who's isn't?). The free cornbread they dole out while you wait is an amazing precursor to the food to come. Serving sizes are on the larger side, so come on an empty stomach or plan on taking a doggie bag home with you. Open to 11:00 pm most days, open to 5:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Every time I visit Amy Ruth's, I'm sleepy by the end of the meal. Talk about your comfort food. I love it!
Neighborhood: Harlem
Category: Southern
Neighborhood: Manhattan Valley
Category: Southern
Neighborhood: Harlem
Category: Southern
Neighborhood: Harlem
Category: Southern
Neighborhood: Financial District
Category: Soul Food
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