SEATTLE — Authentic Southern food can be a challenge to find in the Pacific Northwest, but one place doing it right is Simply Soulful in Seattle's Central District.
Barbara Collins and her daughter Lillian Rambus have owned and operated the restaurant for nearly a decade. Their goal is serve really good food in a welcoming and positive space.
"A lot of times when you're walking around people are just like happy, dancing at table or happy about the food," said Rambus. "We just have a positive vibe when you come in here."
It's a vibe that makes you feel like you've stepped into Grandma's kitchen.
"Some of them do say I feel like I'm at Grandma's house," said Collins. "And that really makes me feel good being as old as I am."
Evening first met the mother and daughter when they were preparing to move from Madison Valley to the Central District. The larger space allows them to serve more customers and play an important role in the redevelopment of the historically black neighborhood.
"There's different ways that you serve the community or you serve people," said Collins. "And my thing is serving people through my food."
Everything from the oxtail to the collard greens and barbecue sandwich is homemade. You'll also find fried catfish, red beans and gumbo. They even make their own barbecue sauce and chicken rub, which you can buy at the restaurant.
"You really can't go wrong when you order something off the menu," Rambus said.
The proof is in the banana pudding and the returning customers. Because when you come to Simply Soulful, you become part of the family.
"People do appreciate that when they come in here they feel welcome," Rambus said.
You can support Simply Soulful by taking part in Black Black Friday. It's an initiative encouraging people to do shop and eat at Black-owned businesses this holiday season. You can purchase a prepaid card on their website at a 20% discount and find a list of all participating businesses.
Simply Soulful is located on the corner of 23rd and Jackson in Seattle's Central District. It's open Tuesday through Sunday for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Sponsored by BECU.
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