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Papa's Soul Food Kitchen
Categories: Restaurants Soul Food Restaurants Barbeque Soul Food, Barbeque [Edit]
400 Blair BlvdEugene, OR 97402
(541) 342-7500
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 12 pm - 2 pm
Tue-Fri 5 pm - 10 pm
Sat 2 pm - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- 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:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
101 reviews for Papa's Soul Food Kitchen
Review Highlights
"The fried chicken here is freakin' good too."
(in 26 reviews)
"The mac n cheese is the best you'll ever get in Eugene."
(in 15 reviews)
"The Collard Greens are KILLER too."
(in 13 reviews)
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101 reviews in English
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Review from Jim D.
Modesto, CA
12/24/2011
I have no experience in Eugene, but a friend led me here. I wanted to cry because I got there and I wasn't hungry as hell. Pork Ribs falling off the bone, dry with sauce added on top that you could have on the side. Either way they were marvelous. Tasted his pulled pork and wanted to trade half my ribs for half of his. COLLARDS that were vinegary, sweet and ever so slightly spicy. I'd come back for those alone.
Red Beans & Rice was tasty, but not the way I am used to making it. The pot liker (the juice under the greens) will cure what ails ya!
Saw some fried chicken worth the trip off the freeway. I saw some fried chicken that made me want to camp here until I was hungry again.
Neighborhood can be dicey but this place is the bomb. I lived in the Soul Food rich environment of the S.F. Bay Area for 35 years and never had anything c lose to this.
GOTTA GO BACK SOON! What? It's only 575 miles from home! -
Review from Hannah E.
Portland, OR
10/2/2011
Very very good! One of my favorite places in Eugene. Almost, maybe as good as my fav soul food joint in Portland.
We got the fried oyster sandwich that comes with coleslaw on it.
Sweet Tea and fresh lemonade are delicious.
Husband got the brisket with red beans and rice & collard greens.
Very good. Oyster sandwich is one of the best I've had, and I've eaten the best in new orleans. -
Review from Mark B.
San Francisco, CA
9/24/2011
My favorite restaurant in the world. Get the brisket, if you are into that type of thing. Fried Chicken and pulled pork are also excellent. Mac and cheese, yamms, corn bread, fries, corn, beans are all great sides. Best for meat eaters, and not the type of place to go if you are interested in calorie counting or cholesterol intake; others will be rewarded.
The building itself is not spectacular but something about it is special; eating outside can be great on a nice day. RIP Papa -
Review from Jennifer A.
Portland, OR
1/19/2012
Perfectly crispy fried chicken paired with rich creamy Mac and cheese and spicy black eyed peas made for a Devine meal. Only suggestion would be less rice mixed with the Black eyed peas as they were so flavorful and I wanted more peas. The cornbread with honey butter rounded it out. Had I not been too full I would have tried the bread pudding (next time). I got to try bites of the yams....hmmm and cole slaw shared by my friends, they too were yummy. All in all the joint was full of energy and busy. A great time had by all.
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Review from jason b.
Beaverton, OR
11/28/2011
Great find in Eugene! I had the fried chicken with sides of awesome mac-n-cheese and baked beans that were a tad underdone. The staff was great despite it being a packed night after an Oregon Yucks football game.
We will return every time we visit Eugene. Go Beavs! -
Review from Ryan V.
San Jose, CA
1/16/2012
Everything is amazing. My favorites are the ribs and the pulled pork. Be sure to try the mac n cheese cuz it's bomb. You can never go wrong with this spot.
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Review from Zachary K.
Ashland, OR
12/14/2011
This place is awesome! I got the BBQ Chicken Sandwich with a side of yams. Their BBQ sauce was fantastic - just melted right in my mouth. Very good first impression. Fries were plentiful. All and all, great place, nice atmosphere - cheap, compared to a lot of places. Go here and treat yourself - but make sure to wear pants with elastic waist first, or you're going to have to loosen your belt buckle when you're done eating - carbs carbs carbs.
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Review from Heather C.
Woodland, CA
9/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Every year I visit Eugene for the Degenerate Flame-off at Cornerstone. http://cornerstoneglas... . My boyfriend and I rent a car and get a hotel near by. The show is always great but the best part... coming to the Soul Kitchen for dinner one night.
I always get the Ribs... it's a must. They have just the right amount of sauce and always perfectly done. This year I also sprung for the Mac N Cheese. It has now put me on the hunt for an equivalent Mac N Cheese near me... I'll let you know when I find some. Melt in your mouth fantastic-ness.
I look forward to my annual pilgrimage every year. -
Review from Jamir P.
Eugene, OR
9/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is one of my favorite spots! I love the full flavor of their foods. The fish is always fried just right. Their ribs are my weakness for sure...and the baked beans!...dang those beans are spot-on.
What I like most about this place is they've got the whole package...from the art on the walls of blues men, to the southern food, to the live music in the back yard.
It can get crowded so I like to go on Tuesdays...that's my night! -
Review from Kami H.
Eugene, OR
12/30/2011
This was DELICIOUS!! The food was very appropriately priced, and it was super tasty. I got the pulled pork with fries and baked beans. All of it was very good. My husband got fried oysters, fries, and coleslaw, and my father-in-law got the pork ribs with fried okra. We also go the hush puppies which were the best ones I've had in town. Check out this place!
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Review from Trimaine B.
Marina del Rey, CA
5/20/2011
Im quite positive I have eaten Papa's food for the last time. Each visit of mine is a distinct memory in my brain because each time I became more and more disappointing with my food there. I do not like the so called "Soul Kitchen."
First Visit:
This was the first restaurant I visited when I moved to Eugene for law school. I was excited at the prospect of eating "Southern Soul Food" as I am originally from the South, and I have a lot of experience with this type of food.
I had the Fried Catfish. TOO SALTY, and if you know me, this is my biggest pet peeve with food. I was here with a large party, and generally, Papa's is oddly popular here in Eugene, so service was generally slow, but I dealt with it because I was with my large party. The Collard Greens tasted odd very odd to me, so I did not like it so much. However, the black-eyed peas were decent along with the fried Okra, a little different than how they do in the Midlands and Coastal South Carolina, nonetheless, tolerable and it help clean my palette of that salt left in my mouth from the cat fish.
Second Visit: This time I decided to go a little light and get the Hotlink sandwich. I was really anticipating this meal because I love hotlinks, especially when they are done well. Well I got the hotlinks after a long wait. First bite, eh, ok. I had the second bite, and almost lost my mind. For what was included in that second bite was a long curly hair, the length of my little finger. Normally, I would have went nuts on the place and certainly created a scene. However, I was with a bunch of my colleagues whom I had recently met, and so I did not want to cast a negative impression of myself. I put the food down, and did not eat anything else for the remaining of my time there.
Third Visit: This visit was approx a year later after the "Hair" incident. By this time Papa had died and a few new people were working in the shop. Again, I was here with a large party, so service was a bit slow. I ordered an Arnold Palmer with Vodka. Pretty decent and held me over while I waited. My entree was the Fried Chicken. TOO SALTY.
Last time: This time, I did not visit Papa's, rather I ate Papa's food that was picked up from the kitchen for an event my group was hosting on the other side of town. Generally speaking, in doing business with the workers at Papa's we encountered a pretentious attitude. This was not something I noticed almost two years ago when I first ate at papa's. Unfortunately, this new attitude did not come with a marked improvement in the quality of the food. I know Soul Food, and Papa's falls short of decent. The food my group ordered and carried to our event was either too bland, too salty, or just too unworthy of the "Soul Food" distinction. You see, Soul Food is suppose to make you feel good, make you feel your Soul. This food at papa's just gives me digestive problems and a feeling of regret after paying for that mess.
No more Papa for me. -
Review from Ali S.
Longview, WA
5/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
I would love to give the place a 5-star rating given that the food and drinks are out of this world but the service felt pretentious. For a place that appears to want to offer a local, hangout feel they've adopted that "too trendy for our shorts" attitude.
If you take that point out of the mix the food is hands down the best southern style food in Oregon. The meats were tender and smokey, the BBQ sauce had that amazing tang and the hush puppies are perfectly balanced.
The prices were hard to beat! -
Review from Yawen C.
Los Angeles, CA
6/24/2011 2 photos
We drove out of our way for this one during our 9hr drive from Sacramento to Portland, and I'm sorry to say that I regretted it afterward. Oh, and I threw it all up that night when we got to Portland. Jambalaya is not a pretty thing to regurgitate!
Anyway, they had chicken and waffles on special that day, but for some reason they were out by 6pm. Oh well, the 2 of us just shared the other special (the seafood platter) and a side of mac and cheese (unusually expensive for what it is). The mac and cheese was good, very distinctive to other mac and cheese I've had. The seafood platter came with a huge variety of items, but nothing outstanding. I believe there was shrimp, fish, and oysters. Only the oysters were good. On the plate was also grilled veggies (squash, zucchini, peppers), jambalaya, and a biscuit. The veggies were the best part of the dish, and the biscuit was just plain dry...did not eat it!
I do like the environment though. I loved the back patio area, even though I was paranoid about bugs the entire time! -
Review from Sophia K.
Eugene, OR
4/17/2011
Every time I go to Papa's I'm so disappointed afterwards. The first time I came here the food was good, but now, I just keep getting disappointed. The food isn't tasty. It's kinda just --food. Not soul food. It doesn't do anything for me.
A school organization that I'm part of usually gets catering from Papa's. Lately, I've realized that Papa's just isn't good anymore. I remember the first time I went to Papa's; I was pretty relieved that I could get some decent home cooked soul food. The food just isn't the same and their servers and catering service is rude and just plain snobbish. -
Review from Elizabeth S.
Arlington, VA
9/15/2011
If you live in Eugene you must go here. If you live an hour away from Eugene you must drive and come here. This is one of the best soul food places i've ever been to. The BBQ chicken is my favorite with corn, mac & cheese. Its always crowded right when it opens so make sure to come early. They also dont take reservations so come early. BEST food ever. Too bad i dont live in Eugene anymore so i'll encourage others to go!
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Review from Roxy R.
Eugene, OR
9/27/2011
NICEST PEOPLE EVER! And try the Pastrami!! The Collard Greens are KILLER too! The name should be Papa's SWEETEST SOULS EVER That Sell Yummy Food. LOVE THIS PLACE!
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Review from Catfish F.
Portland, OR
9/15/2011
Thought we would check out this place since most of the reviews were good. One review said they found a hair in their food...hmmm...was a little hesitant after reading that but since there were 4 of us and we all thought soul food would be good we went for it. Walked into the joint and immediately thought "nasty", It was crusty. Ordered our food, I also asked for water. My water came and I noticed lip marks on the glass...our food came and my second bite of mac n cheese was a little stringy...well I pulled out a foot long hair...OMG...I felt like barfing. The server came over and I pointed out the lips n hair and she said we can bring you another plate...NO THANK YOU...I'll pass...never again....this place is disgusting...
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Review from Sarah P.
Bend, OR
6/30/2011
Ribs....yummmm.
Mac N Cheese....yummmmmm.
numnumnumnumnumnumnum.
Great place. Will return. After I burn a zillion calories. -
Review from Andrew P.
Lane, OR
7/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is consistently good. Their ribs are very tasty and meaty and for $10 totally worth it. Last time I got the chicken and waffles. A now very played combo but they pull it off well. The chicken has a delicious crunchy outside and juicy inside, all a man can ask for with wings.
Do watch out tho, this place can get really busy -
Review from Daniel H.
4/4/2011
Good times at Papa's. I usually try to hit this place up whenever I go to Eugene as I used to eat there all the time when I lived down there attending college.
These guys really do soul food right - the BBQ chicken is delicious and I love the lemonade in a jar. Little things like that really add to the atmosphere. But seriously, I'd just go for the mac 'n cheese alone. It's amazing. I could just inhale it with how delicious it is. Best I've ever had.
These guys get really crowded during lunch/dinner rush hours so plan ahead, but it's well worth the journey, even if it is in a crappier part of Eugene. -
Review from Victor S.
Brooklyn, NY
9/27/2011
I miss this restaurant sorely after moving away from Eugene a year ago. Coming to visit Papa's is a highlight of any visit home.
Everything I've ever got off the menu is superb. However, the pulled pork is in a league of its own. You must get this at least once. Nowhere else in the Pacific Northwest will you find such a thing. Neither in the Northeast. It melts. It's not too sweet. It has so much flavor, it almost knocks you out.
I used to come here when it was a tiny, no indoor seating joint on 13th. I grew up around the corner, and Papa knew my name and what I was up to, because I was up in there literally all the time. He was a really cool guy, and I'm so happy that, sad as it is that he passed away, this restaurant is still really dang good. RIP Papa.
I recommend this on the highest possible order. -
Review from Lee W.
10/28/2010
Three simple words. One special day.
Chicken and Waffles. Every Wednesday.
I've been to Papa's quite a few times, but I'm not sure I'd ever had the signature Wednesday night special. $8 and you get a half dozen deep fried chicken wings and a wicked tasty little waffle. Throw syrup all over that bad boy and inhale.
Vegetables? The USDA food pyramid is for squares. This is a full day's serving of kick ass.
The available seating in this place goes down by half when it starts raining outside. Show up early if you want a seat during the winter. -
Review from Patrick C.
Eugene, OR
5/4/2011
I have tried many things on the menu and was pleasantly surprised with them.
Then I tried their fried chicken.... wow!
Fried chicken was never something I would get eating out. I just figured all fried chicken is the same and I could do it just as well at home. Not So.
Amazing chicken and they have a hot sauce that is off the menu that is ridiculously hot and good.
Fun atmosphere and great food! -
Review from Allie R.
Manhattan, NY
8/3/2010
The food was very good, but the service here was atrocious. Being from Oklahoma, I was excited to hear that there was a legitimate BBQ restaurant to try in Eugene. I went for the ribs and, while they weren't as good as my dad's home cooking, they satisfied my BBQ craving.
The rib dinner comes with two sides and I chose the Mac and cheese and the fried okra. They charge $1 extra for the Mac and cheese and it definitely wasn't worth the extra charge, average at best.
The waiter was rude and short throughout the meal. My real frustration, however, came when we received the check. The menu explicitly stated that there would be a $1 charge to have Mac and cheese or French fries as a side with your dinner. For some reason, I was charged $1 extra for my fried okra as well as my Mac and cheese. I brought this up to the waiter and he didn't believe that the menu didn't state the fried okra to be $1 extra. Upon showing him his own menu, his only response was that they'd add it to the menu the next time it was printed. When I said that I felt it should be removed from my bill since this error was no fault of my own and I wouldn't have ordered it if I'd known it would've turned my meal into a $12 dinner, the waiter's response was, "It's only a dollar." I couldn't believe it! If "it's only a dollar" then should good service not come over such a petty amount?
I ended up having to pay the extra "only a dollar" and I can assure you that I will not be returning to an establishment that believes in misleading and mistreating their customers, regardless to the authenticity of the food. -
Review from Jess H.
Eugene, OR
9/9/2011
This was a first time for us as we had heard good things about Papa's Soul Food. Unfortunately, the Jerk Chicken I ordered was very dry. The good news is that this was the first time I had tried collard greens. Those I found to be good. Hush puppies seemed to be missing some ingredients - and over deep fried - but that could just be the recipe. Overall Papa's is a place I could plan on not going to the next time I go out for dinner. Service was great. So if you like great service and so-so food Papa's is your place.
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Review from Matthew H.
Oxnard, CA
3/30/2011
Excellent catfish and fries over here, I came because of its strong soul food reputation and was not disappointed as the catfish was breaded properly and fried to perfection.
The only problem is just getting parking over here as it is in a busy intersection with lots of housing nearbyListed in: Eugene, OR
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Review from Leah H.
Eugene, OR
Soul food in Eugene!?! I was surprised too! So, I'd been hearing all these good reviews about Papa's Soul Food and I was kind of skeptical. I mean soul food in the Northwest, how good can it really be?
When my partner was in town and we decided to have dinner at Papa's. I really like the vibe, there was music in the background and nice paintings all around. When we walked in, the workers were really friendly. I ordered the fried chicken with a side of mac and cheese and potato salad. My partner ordered the BBQ ribs with a side of mac and cheese and french fries. We both also had the sweet tea, which was good! I am a big sweet tea fan and was excited to see that they had it on their menu. The food came out and it smelled and looked delicious! Their mac and cheese and potato salad was amazing! We ate the fried chicken with their house hot sauce -- a blend of apricots and habanero peppers. It tasted sweet and then hits you with the spiciness at the end. The BBQ ribs were good and a great compliment to the fried chicken. -
Review from Thomas K.
Eugene, OR
3/26/2011
An awesome and inexpensive choice in the Whitaker neighborhood.
Papa's is in the seemingly booming Whitaker part of Eugene, which feels, to me at least, more like Portland or Seattle. Many people, both here and other places seem to refer to this part of town as seedy, sketchy or dangerous. Unfortunately I think many times people apply these terms to vibrant, unique and authentic neighborhoods when they have become too used to the glossy, gentrified and mundane nature that dominates much of our cities. Would I walk here alone at night, especially if i were a woman? no. but that does not mean it is a bad part of town, i would infinitely rather be here than downtown eugene to go bar hopping.
Anyways, to get back on topic. The atmosphere is great. We heard an awesome blues band, and i enjoyed the homelike vibe of the place. If you are looking for shiny, quiet and lots of elbow room... well why would you look for that?
I have noticed the majority of the negative reviews seem to focus on the staff. It is not the super attentive/professional service you might get at a chain or upscale joint, but i honestly like that. They are just people doing their job, so if you are not rude and unreasonable, I don't think they will be.
The food was amazing. I had the hot links sandwich and a mojito. There was so much food for the $6 sandwich. I also tried my girlfriends cornbread and fried snapper which was equally awesome. Also the hushpuppies, Those were great with a little honey and the house hot sauce (apricot habanero). The menu was not extensive, but all the classics are there (though i would have loved some fried shrimp too).
I highly recommend this place if you are in the mood for a noisy, delicious, fun time. -
Review from Carolyn N.
Eugene, OR
8/14/2010
It took me way too long to visit this place. The first two times we ventured over, they were closed, once on Sunday and once on Monday. It's my fault, I have a habit of not checking schedules and just assuming that every restaurant is always open. It's their perogative, but who doesn't want a lil soul food on Sunday?
Also, I was a bit hesitant. Soul food in Eugene? I might be a white girl from Jersey, but I've got family in NOLA, my husband cooks gumbo that was deemed "the best" by a blind NOLA pianist, and I've eaten enough ribs in my life to be considered some sort of expert. I know my soul food. Many of my friends who said, "Carolyn, you have to go," are from Colorado, Washington, Oregon--I'm sorry that I didn't trust you, kids, I was so wrong.
First of all, I love the atmosphere. We sat out on the porch, which I would highly recommend. The walls inside are covered with blues masters and there is a nice shrine honoring Papa himself. The service was great, a rarity in Eugene.
The food was great, and just as good as many of the lovely southern restaurants and momma's kitchens I've been so lucky to visit. The collard greens could've come out of Grandma Ruby's kitchen and the mac n' cheese was fantastic. You can tell by the mac n' cheese, that they are for real--their recipe is straight out of momma's kitchen, tried and true. And the ribs were great, almost perfect--rubbed, smoked, and sauced. They were cooked just right. I snagged some of my friend's fried chicken--simply and perfectly seasoned, and not greasy at all.
The rest of my stomach space went to finishing each and every bit, I did not leave enough room for my beer. Food coma, for sure, just as I'm sure Papa would've wanted . -
Review from Matt R.
Eugene, OR
11/10/2011
My favorite place in Eugene! Staff is AWESOME, food is great and decently priced, and they have decent live music pretty often. Only gripe.... They aren't open 7 days a week.
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Review from Stuart P.
Eugene, OR
8/4/2010
I don't miss the Delta, except at lunchtime. I'm from Mississippi, so brother--I know bar-b-que. And BBQ does NOT mean "throw it on the grill and call it BBQ." There is a process, a tradition, a . . . style.
Papa's does it right. The pulled pork is superb. The fried okra is satisfying. The sweet tea is . . . just sweet enough.
Thanks to Papa's, I can go back, if only for a short while. -
Review from Dave M.
Maumee, OH
7/12/2010
I was in town for business and decided to give this place a go.. cool place, very casual, fun and live music.
My food was good. I had fried chicken, red beans and rice,,fried okra, corn bread and sweet tea... so hears a few details... the staff is kind of qwerky and the neighbor Hood is a little rough. I wouldn't take someone there who doesn't already know my taiste... I may never hear from them again... I would go there for some good soul food, blues music and very casual enviorment.. -
Review from Sean W.
Rego Park, NY
7/30/2011
As a vistor from North Carolina, it was nice to have some good southern cookin' in this crazy and fun neighborhood. I enjoyed my fried chicken, okra and collards. Music on the porch was pleasant as well.
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Review from Eric P.
Sweet Home, OR
Had the brisket stroganoff. Dude to die for. Check the pick of the fork and Mac and cheese. Not your Kraft box dinner here baby!!
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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6/7/2011
Sad no brisket. I went for lunch and was there at 1215, and I was told there was no brisket… Read more »
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Review from Eugene G.
Pasadena, CA
4/9/2010
I read some of the reviews for this place. Lots of bbq and catfish snobs. If you expect to get bbq food identical to what you get in the south then you need to wake up. Your in Eugene, Oregon.
Anyways this place is great. It is great quality food for the price. I've had the brisket and the bbq ribs. Both were great. The sauce is tasty and the sides delicious. I would make it a priority to get the cornbread. The mashed yams and the mac and cheese are good. I did happen to see some mojitos being made. They looked incredibly well done. I didn't get to taste them, but obviously they were very popular.
The ambiance is nice. It is a little quirky but they do have a live harmonica dude playing on. The outside seating is nice but it gets super cold. My biggest complaints was the slow service and not having a heating lamp outside for customers. For being in Eugene where good food is hard to come by, this place is a solid place to eat and enjoy a bbq meal. -
Review from Brynn M.
5/25/2009
Okay, so until just recently I had only found one place in Oregon that served a decent piece of catfish. And I LOVE catfish, so I'm always on the lookout.
And then Papa's found a place in my heart and in my stomach. Mom wanted something "different" for dinner, so hubby and I tossed her in the car and we headed to Papa's. Parking was horrific. Seriously, all street.
There was no wait, even on a Saturday night. We walked in and got a nice cozy table in the corner where we could admire the art work. Server came over and we ordered some sweet tea. Mom wanted to order everything on the menu, but we ultimately settled on catfish platters for her and I. And the hubby went for the ribs.
Food came and I immediately dug into my Mac and Cheese. YUM! Next, the cat fish. Seasoning was amazing, fish was super fresh, and the portion was HUGE. Potato salad was just alright, but with how good everything else was, I can overlook that. Also got a couple bites of hubby's ribs, which were totally fall of the bone amazing.
Huge portions and some decent food. Definitely worth the trip. -
Review from R T.
Springfield, OR
10/22/2008
The baked beans are from a can. A CAN (Bush's?)! The potato salad leaves an aftertaste like you licked a recently bleached sink. This raises suspicions that it was dumped out of a Reser's tub and topped with paprika for camouflage. The Fried Chicken was p damn good, but the meat on their cuts was unanimously determined to be skimpy (I hope this was just bad luck on the fried chicken, because they nailed the taste.)
Not to pile on, but it's my duty to report: I've never been served chicken that I couldn't identify the cut. I'm still guessing what one of them was - maybe two wings stuck convincingly together to represent a contiguous piece of chicken? ?
Lot of hype going for this place. I wanted to believe, too... -
Review from Jesse B.
Chicago, IL
12/4/2008
a FUN experience! I wish I went when the live jazz was on. to be honest, the soul food isn't exceptional but the atmosphere makes up for the somewhat weak food offerings.
I really only went once the entire time I lived in Eugene. -
Review from Anthony R.
Eugene, OR
11/5/2005 1 photo
Edited:
No longer a tiny storefront, but now an actual restaurant, Papa continues to improve his game. I'm still going to stand by the pulled pork--the sauce itself isn't very sweet, contrary to what the guy from Tarzana says, and more importantly, Papa doesn't oversauce his pork--he lets the porky goodness shine through. Still high one my list. I guess I should clarify, I've had some pretty great pulled pork elsewhere in our great nation, but this is the best I've found in Eugene. As for "12th whitest city"--I don't know where that statistic comes from, but I'd have guessed 3rd whitest. Yay, diversity! For the record, the Whiteaker neighborhood, where Papa's is located, is easily the most ethnically and racially diverse in the city, though that's not saying very much at all.
The fried chicken here is freakin' good too. Good lemonade. Nice specials. They do a chicken and waffle night every week now (I think). Haven't been, but mean to.
ORIGINAL REVIEW BELOW--
A tiny storefront nestled next to a grungy laundromat, Papa's is easy to miss. You best not.
Pulled pork. Best I've had. EVER. Sandwich-style, with coleslaw. Or try the platter, with two sides.
Jerk chicken, fried catfish, bbq chicken, ribs, hot links, etc.
Sides include blackeyed peas, collards, red beans & rice, corn, yams, and the best potato salad this side of wherever they make it better.
Best "fast" food in town.Listed in: Cheap Eats
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Review from Danny P.
11/17/2008 4 photos
I'm from North Carolina, and I went to college in Georgia, so I feel as though I bring a certain gravitas to the review of a Southern food establishment, no matter where it lies in the world.
And Papa's Soul Food Kitchen is absolutely no exception. Told by my dining companion that I would have to verify for her that Papa's is indeed as good as she thought it was, and not a figment of her imagination after being away from Waffle Houses for three years, I ventured in with a hearty bit of skepticism and the belief that nowhere on the west coast could equal that of Weaver D's or Dreamland.
I now admit I was wrong.
Excellent mac n' cheese, great cornbread and soda and tea served in mason jars all contributed to this country-home-feeling establishments claims to be an authentic Southern restaurant. I had the fried catfish, which was just the perfect combination of falling-apart but not completely shredded.
My dining companion had the friend chicken, which was overcooked and not meaty enough (hence the lost star) but wasn't what I'd call 'bad.'
All-in-all, a great place for lunch.
Remember the cardinal rule of Southern food, though -- always nap after lunch here. If you don't, the brick of food on your stomach will just weigh you down all day.
Also? Free refills on soda! Oh how I love venturing outside of New York.
