• Okra, a staple of much soul food cooking.okra image by cherie from Fotolia.com
  
  More than just another term for "comfort food," soul food is a category all its own with a history that dates back centuries. Taking influences from the cuisines of African, Caribbean, Creole and Cajun, soul food cuisine started in the American South, but has made its way into every major city in the U.S. Not surprising then, that New York City would have its own unique soul food restaurant offerings. Many are as authentic as anything you would find in the South.
  
  

Sylvia's Queen of Soul Food

• As the name suggests, Sylvia is considered by most to be the pioneer of New York City soul food restaurants. Her's was one of the first authentic soul food restaurants in New York City, opening 1962. Starting with just a few tables and a lunch counter, Sylvia's has blossomed into a multi-location, bustling enterprise that is as philanthropic as it is delicious. Her "world famous talked about" barbecue ribs are her specialty.
  
  Sylvia's Queen of Soul Food
  328 Malcolm X Boulevard (at 126th Street)
  New York, NY 10027
  (212) 996-0660
  sylviassoulfood.com
  
  

Miss Mamie's Spoonbread Too

• Owned and operated by former fashion model Norma Jean Darden, Spoonbread Too is named after Darden's mother and based on recipes from Darden's award winning cookbook, "Spoonbread and Strawberry Wine." Although Spoonbread Too is an offshoot of one of Manhattan's most popular catering companies, Spoonbread, don't expect fussed-over presentation when you dine there. All of the cooking is simple and authentic. The New York Post even proclaimed Miss Mamie's fried chicken as "the best fried chicken in NYC."
  
  Miss Mamie's Spoonbread Too
  366 West 110th Street (between Columbus and Manhattan Avenues)
  New York, NY 10025
  (212) 865-6744
  spoonbreadinc.com/miss_mamies.htm
  
  

Amy Ruth's

• Established in 1998, Amy Ruth's is relatively newer compared to many of the other soul food restaurants in Harlem, but they've made a name for themselves nonetheless. Started by Carl S. Redding and his mother Inez Bass, the restaurant is named after Redding's grandmother, Amy, whom he credits with teaching him how to cook all of the soul food classics featured on the restaurant's menu. Many of the items are named for luminaries who visit. Particularly popular is the "Rev. Al Sharpton": waffles served with fried chicken and syrup.
  
  Amy Ruth's
  113 West 116th Street (at Malcolm X Boulevard)
  New York, NY 10026
  (212) 280-8779
  amyruthsharlem.com
  
  

Chat 'n Chew

• Part of the vast New York City restaurant empire run by Andrew Silverman (City Crab, Dukes, Big Daddy's), Chat 'n Chew remains one of his most popular destinations. It takes the idea of soul food and gives it inventive twists, while still maintaining the authenticity of down-home flavor. Honey dipped fried chicken, catfish po' boys, and a sandwich called "Thanksgiving on a Roll" are served in this basement restaurant stuffed with knick-knacks and kitsch.
  
  Chat 'n Chew
  10 East 16th Street (between Union Square West and 5th Avenue)
  New York, NY 10003
  (212) 243-1616