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Aunt Kizzy's Back Porch
Categories: Restaurants Southern Restaurants Soul Food Southern, Soul Food [Edit]
523 Washington BlvdMarina del Rey, CA 90292
(310) 578-1005
- Hours:
Mon, Wed-Thu, Sun 11:30 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
205 reviews for Aunt Kizzy's Back Porch
Review Highlights
"fried chicken - hot damn hot damn hot damn."
(in 75 reviews)
"Amazing baked goods, straight from heaven mac-n-cheese."
(in 27 reviews)
"Their collard greens are vinegary & yums."
(in 42 reviews)
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205 reviews in English
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Review from Phyllis L.
Woodland Hills, CA
1/15/2012
Went with a group of friends for lunch after church and the verdict was pretty unanimous that our Aunt Kizzy's experience was UH-MAA-AA-ZEENG! First of all, the service was absolutely superb. It's not that often that we have service THAT good! They made us feel like we were in their warm, family-friendly home. Secondly, the cornbread and biscuits were mouth-watering excellent! Then the main course (I ordered the fried chicken with rice and gravy and red beans with sausage) was fantabulous, too! We ordered dessert to go -- peach cobbler - straight out of the oven and THAT was mouth-wateringly delicious, too!
Overall, I loved today's experience! Nothing like southern/soul food to comfort the soul!
Thank you, Aunt Kizzy's, for bringing your home cookin' to us! -
Review from Tanya D.
For the 1.5 hours I was seated at Aunt Kizzy's, I actually felt like I was at a family member's home - from the kitschy decor to the watchful service. Greeted immediately, then sat, then it took a hot second for the ball to get rolling. Once selections were made we were told that the muffins were being made and would take a while to get out.
I do think the wait for those muffins was absolutely worth it. They were brought out hot and fresh and perhaps 5 minutes before our meal but they were warm, fluffy cornbready goodness that I gorged on to the point where I wasn't too excited at the prospect of having to eat again. But the fried chicken and hot links came out.
My sausage was juicy and delicious.
Red beans and rice underneath were somewhat lacking in flavor and disappointing even after I put rooster hot sauce on it.
Mac n cheese I ordered as a side was probably the highlight and the only thing I finished.
Sides of spicy broccoli and corn & okra. I didn't get to try the okra but it looked like it was mostly corn. Bummer. The spicy brocc wasn't as spicy as advertised, but really crispy and perfectly cooked.
Fried chicken - fried to order. Takes at least 20 minutes to come out, but you get your choice of chicken meat and the breading isn't too thick and nice and crispy.
Good soul food within walking distance of the beach (definitely not be eaten pre-bikini) and friendly service is fine by me. -
Review from Jenny G.
Los Angeles, CA
9/15/2011
Our friend wanted to have some soul food, and suggested Aunt Kizzy's for dinner. I wasn't expecting much, since I wasn't in a mood for soul food. I arrived later than the rest of the group, so the food arrived exactly when I came in (best feeling ever). Although my friends did say it took about 20 minutes to cook the fried chicken, so I'm sure they were starving by then.
My favorite of the night was the mac and cheese. I love mac and cheese in general, and this one didn't disaapoint. The texture was very soft, close to the mashed potatoes. If it had bacon bits on top, I would have been in soul food heaven.
I liked the chicken steak, although there was a bit too much gravy on it.
The corn muffin was delicious! Lather it with some butter, and you're set.
The fried chicken was good, but not outstanding.
Didn't like the beef short ribs; it was too bland for me.
Overall, the sides were better than the main entrees. -
Review from dave d.
Marina del Rey, CA
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
Slow service
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Review from Rere R.
Dayton, OH
2/3/2012
I should have known when reading the reviews, seeing the word awesome should have given me a clue that the best reviews where not people who grew up eating soul food. I have to say that the food was just ok. I grew up eating this cuisine and it was not awesome, just ok. I will admit the chicken was good. Fried okra had way too much breading, mac n cheese not enough flavor nor the greens. Lemonade tasted like lemon syrup, could not drink but two sips. Would go back if in a pinch, but probably not. I have tasted non african american run places that had better.
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Review from Patrick K.
Marina del Rey, CA
12/28/2011
When a restaurant is located on the second floor of a run down strip mall, you know it's either going to be awful or amazing. This place is AWESOME! We just ordered for pickup tonight. The food was amazing. I had the Country Fried Chicken and my wife had the pork chops. I lived in the South for 15 years and I can honestly say this is on par with good actual southern cooking. The sides were awesome . . . We had the mac and cheese, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and the yams. Cornbread was yummy, hot, and fresh. The take out service was quick and efficient and the price was amazing for the huge portions we received, We'll definitely be back!
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Review from Sandi W.
San Diego, CA
9/23/2011
Crispy Chicken!!!
I am not sharing my sweet potato pie, you hear me?! -
Review from Mike M.
8/20/2011
My family attended a funeral Friday morning all the way up in Thousand Oaks. We got stuck in 5pm traffic coming home and we were starving! I knew Aunt Kizzy's was in the Marina, but I had not yet tried their new location.
Their new spot is on the 2nd story of a small strip mall. All I can say is they must have got a he'll of a good deal on the rent. Parking, on a weekend night, must be a nightmare. We were able to find an easy spot so we ran upstairs. My daughter was Jonesing for the mac n cheese so I knew she would be happy.
They have a lot more outside tables than inside. There were 11 small tables in the one dining room and maybe 30 on the two different patios. Live music was being set up while we ate inside.
The clientele at the old place was all black. We were often the only white folks eating there. Here, four tables of caucasians in a mostly empty place at 6pm. The server was as sweet as they come and the owner came over to greet us and chat with us. Evidently, the old location was to be torn down for a new development. The city begged them to stay in town as this is a landmark type of business. All of the same photos that decorated the old walls were crammed onto the smaller walls here.
The food was just fantastic. I made a great call with the smothered pork chops, collared greens and mac n cheese. All three were beyond perfect. My wife had the short ribs which she loved. My son had the chicken fried steak. He mistakenly ordered the child's plate but the portions were still quite large. He devoured it with a smile on his face. My girl had the kids plate with meat loaf and mac n cheese. I love meatloaf but I did not enjoy this one. One small demerit.
The new location will work and I look forward to a lazy Sunday evening visit with music, lemonade in a mason jar and live music. -
Review from Dominique M.
Beverly Hills, CA
8/4/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Aunt kizzy's I love you! Your food is amazing and so is the wait staff. A feeling a true southern hospitality every time I come here. Now... As, I said the food is Ahhhmaaazing! Wait, amazing is an understatement. Simply Divine.
I always get the fried catfish or red snapper with mac n cheese Mmmm... For most dinners plates you get to chose two sides from many popular southern side dishes. I generally get two man n cheese sides. It's just that good. I love baked mac n cheese. I would generally get the candied yams as a side elsewhere however you cant choose this as a side but can order separately from the menu and boy oh boy is it worth it the extra money :) The have all your standard drinks but why not go all out and get the sweet tea. Mmm mmm GOOD. I hear sweet tea is good for the soul :) On my last visit I tried the peach cobbler and it was incredible we made it a la mode and were so glad we did. LOL
I'm officially hungry now!
If you are looking for a nice southern soul food establishment then Aunt Kizzy's delivers. Can't beat the beautiful location either :)Listed in: West LA's best…
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Review from Keane G.
Manhattan Beach, CA
9/5/2011
Friendly service and the food is good. If you go here, you HAVE to get the macaroni and cheese. It's worth going there JUST to get the mac n' cheese.The fried chicken smothered in gravy was okay. The red beans and rice was also okay.
The location is okay, but the traffic noise can be a bit lame (if you're outside) sometimes. Parking isn't too bad, with meter and free parking (~20 spots) in the mall lot. I've never gone and not found a spot, but on a really busy day, I could see that happening.
They're getting 4 stars mainly due to the power of mac n' cheese. If they only sold a bucket size portion of that... -
Review from Chris K.
Marina del Rey, CA
8/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
I went to this place since it's so close to my home, and always saw this place on the way to work.
The food is alright, had much better southern food. Though the service is real good.
Thought the price was bit expensive for the quality. -
Review from dana G.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 12/3/2011
It is more like a back porch than ever before. This new location is simply wretched. Too bad. It used to be kinda classy and fun. But now we just had bad service, poorly prepared food and heartburn. Not happy at all!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/29/2011
I'm originally from the south so I know how it should be prepared. Meat Loaf was okay, but gravy… Read more »
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Review from Matt D.
Los Angeles, CA
7/18/2011
What a damn treat this was! Anyone who knows me is aware of affinity for soul food so this place just really hit the spot. I was a bit caught off guard by the paper and pencil ordering style and the soda I ordered was definitely not mixed properly but the food was a saving grace.
The fried chicken is a must and with sides of mashed potatoes and gravy and mac and cheese you are guaranteed to leave happy and in need of a nap. -
Review from Sarah M.
8/18/2011
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways....
Best southern food out there, very generous portions, and the best service you could ask for. Their chicken and BBQ ribs are out of this world. The mashed potatoes rock my socks, and the baked beans are heavenly. And who can forget the macaroni and cheese? Mmmm...
As you can see from the walls, a lot of celebrities have came and loved this little gem as well. -
Review from Rachel S.
Los Angeles, CA
7/24/2011
I will agree, Aunt Kizzy's has seen better days. Back in their old Marina del Rey location, there was more ambiance and attentiveness, my go-to consolation "fat girl meal."
But it still has great soul food and I wouldn't count Aunt Kizzy's out of the game just yet. The fried chicken is fresh and mouth-watering and if someone touches your cornbread, you should feel free to stab them with your fork. My fiance is a huge fan of their catfish and I could always be content with a tub of the mac and cheese (delightfully listed as a "vegetable" on the menu - that's my kind of veg). -
Review from Francine L.
Los Angeles, CA
This review is for the date in question April 31,2011. It must have been a really really bad day for Aunt Kizzy's because everything was going wrong. The wait time to get the food was unbearable. People were complaining left and right.
I can tell you one thing I was not at all impressed with the food nor the service. Both were extremely horrible and I wish I got my money back. First up our waitress forgot about us and just left us with no drink, cornbread and silverware. It took her about 20 minutes to realize that we were one of her tables and she apologized right away and said she was sorry. But that wasn't the only problem.
After we ordered our food, which was fried chicken and it does state on the menu it is going to take about 15 minutes. That doesn't seem much of a big deal. But it took about 35 minutes, I know this from doing the stop watch on my Iphone.
Ok so the food took long and when we got it the macaroni cheese side was so disgustingly salty that we did no eat it. The potato salad tasted like they might have just bought it from albertsons. The fried chicken was overcook and really dry and I couldn't even eat one of the wings because it was just plain disgusting.
Lets just say this was my first time coming here and I really did expect a lot since this place is pretty famous. They need to hire new staff and a new kitchen because honestly the food tasted horrible.
Will I come back? I doubt I would ever want to but I might give it another try some day.Listed in: Places I would rather not go…, Deep Fried
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Review from Lori K.
4/21/2011 6 photos
As a lunch time visitor I enjoyed Aunt Kizzy's. We sat inside where the walls are plastered with headshots of actors, musicians and athletic figures. Who doesn't want to dine with Stevie wonder and the Pointer Sister's watching down on them?
I loved that the hospitality and service here is downright southern. You won't be rushed and your server will be willing to linger at your table to answer your questions and offer recommendations.
After putting in our order the waitress brought over a basket of cornbread with enough pieces of cornbread for each person at our table to have one and told us we could ask her for more. I love that because I find it wasteful when restaurants bring out a full bread basket and it ends up not being eaten and thrown out. This cornbread was the best I've had in a long time. I'm not even an cornbread fan they always seem dry to me and I want to drown them in honey and butter so I avoid it all together, but this one was moist and didn't crumble under the weight of the soft and spreadable butter.
I ordered the fried chicken with rice, spicy broccoli, a side of yams and a side of gravy. (Don't judge...I was hungry!) The chicken was actually perfectly crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. What I really liked about it was that it wasn't greasy at all and for that reason some people may say that the outside is dry, but if you think so just slather on some of the delicious gravy! I wouldn't recommend the rice since just like the rice at M & M soul food I thought it was bland and needed salt and pepper. The spicy broccoli was basically steamed with some chili flakes so I'm fairly sure it's the healthiest thing on the entire menu. The yam's were executed to perfection.
I had the sweet tea, but wasn't a fan of this rendition. I was a little disappointed that there was no okra or corn on the day we were there.
My coworker had the pork with mac and cheese and a peach cobbler for dessert. She almost licked all her plates clean! For dessert I had the yellow cake with chocolate frosting.
I will be back to try the meatloaf, mac and cheese, okra,, more of the desserts and more friend chicken. I think Aunt Kizzy's may be the best Soul Food available in the Marina Del Rey, Venice, Santa Monica area. Notice I didn't say Playa Del Rey because that's just too close to M & M Soulfood. -
Review from Katheryn A.
Los Angeles, CA
6/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
I called for take out and only had to wait about 30 minutes which isn't bad because there's always traffic in SoCal. I ordered all sides; potato salad (only served on Friday-Sunday), potatoes and gravy, and mac and cheese for about $10 total. The potato salad was homemade and was only alright. The potatoes and gravy had a great texture and flavor. The mac and cheese was definitely my favorite. Nice portion, cheesy, flavorful and melted. This the melty kind of mac and cheese and not the 'crispy and baked kind'. Overall, I'd go here again for a protein such as the chicken and mac and cheese for sure.
On a side note, the waitresses are such nice ladies! -
Review from Darlene F.
Los Angeles, CA
7/3/2011
Sorry, but Aunt Kizzy's hasn't been REAL good since the late 80's/early 90's (right about when they started selling steamed -- make that WATERY -- cabbage. (Sorry, but no southern cook worth his/her salt makes cabbage SALTLESS or w/o some smoked meat. Except in a vegetarian/vegan-style restaurant -- which this AIN'T!) Too bad...it used to have *melt-in-your-mouth* EVERYthing.
Sure, there are some dishes that MAY still be good/same as the original recipes, but I'm not willing to gamble MY money on 'hitting' those... And yeah, the prices get higher, even as the portions grow smaller ... -
Review from Melissa E.
Venice, CA
8/2/2011
We love to go sit out on the porch at Aunt Kizzy's on a Tuesday when the service is just as good as it is any other day of the week! When there's no one to ask any pestering questions like, "Can I take your order?"
Not like Baby Blues where the people spill out the front door slathered in BBQ sauce, gravy, and grits. Who wants to actually eat food at a restaurant? It's so silly. Ribs, chicken, people! Blech.
No, I'd rather sit on the porch at Aunt Kizzy's, Monday through Sunday, any day of the week, where the service is always like Tuesdays. -
Review from Moon C.
CA
3/19/2011
I'd like to be able to say something about the food - but I can't, because it never arrived, and I left after waiting for 45 min after I gave my order. The place was not busy. All but 1-2 tables already had their food. There was me and maybe one table ahead of me for food. I did read that the fried chicken "takes the longest", however at no time was any "allow an extra __ minutes for the fried chicken" stated or written If it's supposed to be 15 min. according to another Yelper above, then why did I still not have my food after 45 min??
Do NOT come here if you would actually like to eat. -
Review from Jeff J.
10/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Came here for lunch with some friends based on a recommendation from the wife. Nice little upstairs outdoor patio away from the crowds. Very friendly staff and great food. Macaroni and cheese of course! We all had the friend chicken and not only was it very good, but the lunch price was excellent. Stay away from the fried okra - it's not made fresh and probably purchased frozen. Sweet tea available too! I will definitely be back!
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Review from Hannah M.
12/14/2010 1 Check-in Here
I was trading BBQ stories with a random guy at Q's in Brentwood when he mentioned this place.
A BBQ place I haven't heard of???! Say it ain't so!!!
Why 3 stars? :( read mac and cheese section.
I really did have an enjoyable experience. Here are the results.
The lunch menu was quite limited and I wasn't prepared for that. For $8.95 you can pick a type of meat and 2 sides. Still a pretty good deal but I was hoping for ribs and they don't serve them at lunch.
Corn bread: (Free!!) SOOOO GOOOOOOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fried chicken: Finger licking good!!
BBQ chicken: Amazing!!!
Collard greens: 3rd time trying them and by far the best, but I have decided they aren't for me. I am not from the south and I can't fake it.
Mac and Cheese: (This is why we are missing 1 star) I LOVE mac and cheese and make a pretty damn good recipe myself. I saw picts of it on Yelp, I read your reviews... Mine was barely warm and the oil had separated from the cheese. The oil then flowed all over the plate. I do not like to see the fat in my food. The taste was quite good for the condition of the dish but I can't help but wonder if it was microwaved from yesterdays left overs. :( SAD FACE.
Stuffing and Gravy: Pretty good, not like my grandmas but still yummy. I ended up mixing my luke warm mac in it to heat it up and that was nice.
Overall, I am sad my experience wasn't better. I'll be back because the service was excellent and my husband really enjoyed his meal.
See you soon Aunt Kizzy's! -
Review from Evan W.
Los Angeles, CA
3/18/2011
The best part about Aunt Kizzy's is...hard to say.
If I end up at a sould food restaurant needless to say I am down for some grease.
The pleasure of food prepared regardless of any regard to healthiness should be exponentially great. Aunt Kizzy's not so much.
Really nothing special. -
Review from Lucy P.
3/26/2011 1 photo
First of all, they have the best darn cornbread on the planet as everyone else would agree. The cornbread here will totally "rock your world"!!!!
The flavor was not too sweet and the texture was absolutely perfectly moist without being too dense nor dry. Hubby was glad it did not have kernels of corn in it since he does not care for it.
For our entrees, I opted for the chicken fried steak with sides of collard greens and "red beans & sausage". Everything was yummy and I could make a meal of the collard greens with the red beans on a bed of rice (I am not a huge meat fan). I also ordered an extra side of yams. They were made fresh but it was a little too mushy for me.
Hubby ordered the fried fish with sides of stuffing and mac n cheese. I did not care for the mac n cheese because it was too mushy and the "custard" type casserole. I prefer either the creamy baked or the skillet variety. It was large elbow in some coagulated cheese concoction. I don't like stuffing so my rating would not be a fair one. The idea of eating moistened salty stale bread with sage (which I detest) is not appealing.
The service was superb!!! It was VERY busy on the night we were there. The 2 ladies working there were so sweet and accomodating. It felt like I was being served by a relative (The restaurant name, "Aunt Kizzy's, is totally appropriate). Our server explained some of the dishes to us with which I was not familiar.
We ordered the yellow cake with chocolate icing. This is WAY TOO good!!It stands 3 layers tall so it's enough to share. The price is only $3.00 so if you don't eat it here, you can take it "to go" because ..... Lucy says "there's always room for dessert". ;oD -
Review from Andrew L.
Berkeley, CA
5/18/2011
The food was good, but the service on the other hand -- not so much. We ordered two orders of pork chops and an order of ribs. Since each order includes two sides each, we had a total of six sides. Thus, we asked for two orders of mashed potatoes, two orders of macaroni and cheese, an order of collard greens, and an order of black eyed peas.
It seemed like the servers could not get anything right. Some people asked for water, but the servers always gave it to the wrong people. We didn't get our collard greens and had to ask about it quite a few times before they gave it to us.
The lady at the register wanted to charge us for an extra side of collard greens. We only asked about it because we never received it when they gave us our other sides. She insisted that we ordered an extra order of collard greens and it took us a few minutes before she took the charge off our bill. We still left a generous tip though - nearly 20%. Personally, I probably wouldn't have given that much, but as a group, that was how much was agreed on. I should mention that for a few people, they did separate checks which is a plus.
The food is expensive! All the entrees on the dinner menu are around 15-19. Although the food is good, I don't think I would pay that much considering how bad the service was.
The place itself is tiny with headshots lining the walls. Not that great of an ambience. I don't think I will return to Aunt Kizzy's in the future. There are plenty of other places that have just as good food with better service and cheaper prices. -
Review from Lisa S.
2/17/2011 2 photos
Mmmmmm! I'm still lickin' and smackin' my lips thinking about Aunt Kizzy's. This lil' joint blew me away, I was not expecting to find great southern food in LA!
Great fried chicken, eyes-rolling-back-in-your-head cornbread, mouthwatering sweet tea and great southern hospitality. Aunt Kizzy's is truly the complete package. -
Review from Dmitry K.
Los Angeles, CA
11/5/2010
Great prices. Great Food. Our waiter was excellent, although I am a little skeptical that his southern accent was real. Heather S. and I were looking for some delicious and new places to eat in the Venice area and lo and behind yelp saved the day. Aunt Kizzy's had some great reviews and all the other yelpers were right. The food was delish.
They give you a lot of food, but not to the point where you are about to explode. I ordered the Country Fried Steak with Spicy Broccoli and Macaroni and Cheese. The Country Fried Steak was crispy and cooked to perfection. The spicy brocolli was steamed and the spiciness added the extra umph that I needed. And the Mac & Cheese was AH-MAY-ZING. I'll come back here just to munch on some Mac N Cheese. It is a MUST!
Loved it and couldn't get enough of it. Their prices were a reasonable $13.00 for dinner. Heather S. and I left the place feeling full, energized and ready to conquer the world. Thank Yelp for your ever so timely and straight forward reviews and for Aunt Kizzy for being off the Heezy for SHeezy. -
Review from cecil s.
Mar Vista, CA
6/24/2011
What a DISAPPOINTMENT. We used to frequent the old location but the new place just plain blows. Upon ordering, the waiter let us know what items they DIDNT have, which was a LONG list of entrees, as well as a few side orders. We were bummed that we couldn't have chicken-fried steak, but ordered from the few items they did have. It took a long ass time for our drinks to come, and when I politely asked, I got major attitude from the waiter/host who mumbled, "When I finish carrying the cornbread, I was gonna get the drinks..." I was not digging the lip service. After ordering and waiting about 30 min, the waiter comes out again to tell us that they also don't have the stuffing we ordered, so we needed to choose a different side dish. Man, that is unprofessional, and might I even say, quite ghetto. When our food finally arrived, it was lukewarm. It tasted decent enough - probably tastes great when it's hot, but we'll never know. The prices were way too high for what you get.
Back in the day, Kizzy's was 5 stars. Im sad to say it's nothing like it used to be. I never complain about anything being TOO sweet, but that fucking lemonade had so much sugar, I think I'm now diabetic. Never again! -
Review from M H.
Marina del Rey, CA
6/23/2011
it makes me so sad to give this place 2 stars. back in the day when it was still tucked in the corner on glencoe, it would have been 4-5 stars. not sure where the quality has gone since its move to washington, but the oh my. :( we used to come to marina del rey FOR aunt kizzy's food.
the food took forever to come out. the ambiance was kind of sad. it seemed as if there were just 2 people running the joint, front and back end. the food was just . . . ok, could be better, not that great.
except for the fried chicken. that will still delicious. :d
i think i'm done here though. . . .. . -
Review from Heather S.
Venice, CA
12/1/2010 1 Check-in Here
Aunt Kizzy's is an unexpected gem, a diamond in the rough if you will let me be so cliche. They are located on the top level of a small strip of restaurants and business off of Washington Blvd, not usually where I find myself going to eat. But what a pleasant surprise! Dmitry K. and I decided to be food-venturous in the Venice area when we found Aunt Kizzy's on (where else but) Yelp and you Yelpers out there really do know your stuff--the recommendations (Mac & Cheese!!) were spot on.
I ordered the fried chicken (made-to-order) and I got 3 pieces of chicken along with my two side-servings: collard greens cooked to perfection and mouth watering cheesy mac & cheese. I also ordered their sweet tea and mmm mm honey did that hit the spot. Nothing was too greasy. The portions were fantastic as I had left-overs for lunch the next day!
The waiter's southern drawl's authenticity was suspect, but darlin' well worth the mystery as Dmitry K. and I never once questioned the authenticity of the food and that's what counts.
Did I make your mouth water yet? Have a hankering from some good 'ole country grub? Well, now you know where to go. Scoot on over to Aunt Kizzy's and let the fried goodness wash over you. -
Review from Kam F.
Marina del Rey, CA
8/29/2011
The manager is a doll. The food is comforting and not healthy, so its amazing! The service isn't the best amazing, but it's decent and the quality is consistent. The cornbread is delish!
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Review from Judi J.
Saugus, CA
10/16/2010 1 Check-in Here
Hub had catered Aunt Kizzy's when he worked in El Segundo, so when we were in Santa Monica today he suggested we go there for lunch. I love soul food, and was looking forward to fried chicken, collard greens and mac and cheese. So we fought our way down Lincoln to Washington to the restaurant.
I am guessing this is not the original restaurant, as many of the 8x10 pix of hundreds of entertainers are WAY older than this strip mall. There is a lacking in ambiance, which is too bad.
When we got there at 1:45 in the afternoon they were out of greens. Seriously? A soul food kitchen with no greens? DD and I had fried chicken. I liked it but she said I do better. the cornbread was tasty, but too sweet and too cake-like for my taste.
The mac/cheese is very good, as are the red beans. This is why this rating got two stars, and not one star.
The cabbage, which we had to replace the greens were OK, but DD's green beans were cold, tough, and stringy.
Hub's fried catfish (the most expensive thing on the lunch menu) was tasty, but how hard is it to fry a fish fillet?
Boy, in reading the other ratings, I guess we really hit this place on a bad day. But I have to be honest. Like the DD said...I can do better. -
Review from Joe O.
Manhattan Beach, CA
8/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
The service is friendly, and the food is okay, but I've experienced better Southern food. I probably won't be back and would not recommend it to friends.
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Review from Michael S.
Marina del Rey, CA
6/11/2010
This is the perfect place for 3.5 stars. Service was very friendly (and patient) and parking easy in the small strip mall lot. Now to the food...
Recommended Main Dishes: Braised Oxtail was soft, juicy (almost fatty), and delicious. This alone was worth an extra star. The Fried Chicken was crispy and flavorful on the outside while warm and very juicy on the inside. It's really well done.
Recommended Sides: Mac n Cheese was the only one that stood out. I love okra, but found it lacking when mixed with the corn, so I probably should have gotten the Fried Okra (next time). Greens and Cabbage were both let downs.
The "free" cornbread was outstanding. Really right texture and flavor served warm enough to immediately melt the butter.
Like REALLY sweet drinks... then get Kizzy's Sweetened Tea. For my wife it was way too sweet.
Aunt Kizzy's could have probably earned another star for dessert, but after placing our order for the famous Sweet Potato Pie (which I really wanted), the waitress came back 5 minutes later to say they had sold out of it the day before. So, early on a Friday evening they were already sold out of their best dessert. Minus 1 star.
Overall, it is good Southern food that would make my Grandma and especially my Grandpa proud. Would be higher stars if the prices were lower since $13 for 3 pieces of chicken and $19 for oxtail is above what it should be.Listed in: America's Got Talent, Hey Hey... Marina del Rey
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Review from Rachel H.
Germantown, TN
6/29/2010
When I first moved to L.A., I spent several months trying to find legitimate Southern home cookin'. I got burned out on vegan-friendly tofu and sprouts, and my stomach longed to be filled with fried chicken and collard greens. Little did I know the first time I discovered Aunt Kizzy's Back Porch that I had found my high cholesterol remedy for every break up and failed work day. I now frequent this soul (comfort) food restaurant at least once a month.
Their macaroni and cheese will make you slap yo mama down the stairs and their sweet tea (served in a Mason jar) is the nectar of the gods. The service is exceptional/fast and their food is reasonably priced, which may be the only cheap thing you find in this town.
The walls are lined with pictures of famous black people and every time I've visited I've been the only white girl there. Well, with the exception of a headshot of one lonely white girl hanging right by Eddie Murphy, whom I have decided might just be my long-lost twin. -
Review from Al B.
Los Angeles, CA
5/29/2011
Came by for dinner on a weeknight after finding this place on Yelp and seeing the positive reviews. There was one person waiting tables and there were some tables with dirty dishes strewn about. It's a tiny place. We and another party waited about 5 minutes to be seated, but no one came to the front to greet us. I figured if we were finally seated it would take forever for our orders to be taken and for the food to come out. We left and went somewhere more familiar. Will not be coming back.
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Review from Erlina D.
Beverly Hills, CA
2/27/2011
The best soul food in LA. All fresh ingredients and cook to order.
I'm not a huge fan of mac and cheese but I can eat theirs anytime. The collard greens are impressive. The ribs and the fried chickens are to die for.
One less star for the wait which could be a little shorter, in my opinion. But that's only a small price to pay for fresh cooked meal.
A fan! -
Review from Jessica Y.
Culver City, CA
8/27/2011
I went to this place with a major craving for some good hushpuppies. The place is kind of dingy and definitely not worthy of the prices on the menu. The menu seemed very limited and I was told I probably couldn't get the hushpuppies for an appetizer because their fryers were all busy with chicken. They were way too overpriced and everything seemed to cost an extra $1-2 for this or that and you had to pay extra if you wanted to split a plate. The fried chicken and corn muffins were VERY GOOD, but unfortunately not good enough to outweigh the negatives. Don't think I'll be going back....
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Review from Matthew B.
Columbus, OH
6/23/2010
Aunt Kizzy's was a HECK of a place to grab Hangover Brunch. Warm table cornbread muffins that barely needed buttering, AMAZINGLY friendly service, and a heckuva case of the itis is all it takes, apparently, to leave me REALLY satisfied.
We ate during lunch hours and so had to order from the lunch menu; I never saw the dinner menu, so I'm not sure how much more varied the fare gets. The menu was slim in its offerings, which did not worry me; any place that can focus on a few dishes is usually a good sign to my eyes.
The server seemed to be an owner or close relative; perhaps I am way off in my estimation, but he had an air of hospitality that truly sold the experience. Humble, warm, and all smiles and charm, that dude was cool stuff. When he came back to explain to one of our group that he was out of a specific side, he did so in such a respectful, deferential manner that you could just about hug him for the news and the opportunity to pick another delicious side.
I got the smothered pork chop with collard greens and dressing. I could only eat a few pieces of each, becoming stuffed quickly- but I loved every minute of it. I probably didn't need that second complimentary corn muffin, but ah well. The meat of the pork chop was just this side of dry, but safely enough to not be a worry. The dressing was not what I expected, thinking a big croûton stuffing, but was tasty and corn-bready (I think?) and covered in the delicious gravy that smothered the pork chop. And, I mean, come on, southern collard greens. Done.
Good prices, good food, great service, and all on a patio overlooking busy Washington, with the beach traffic filtering by. It was a wonderful morning with wonderful people, and as I waddled my pre-diabetic ass down the stairs, I cried manly tears of satisfied joy.
