Sylvia's, New York NY

Food was good service not so much the manager Mariah was very unprofessional rude and on cell phone. I’ve been coming to sylvias for years management and her family is always nice and give a back in the day culture when dealing with customers. Restaurant needs to do better with management

8/27/21. Positive first…my double chocolate cake was phenomenal but overall our experience was sub par. The whiting was good but the chicken was cold, both plates of beef short ribs were tough & the sweet potatoes were watery & canned.

This had been the worst first time experience of the "Worlds Famous" Sylvias Soul Food Restaurant. I've had way better food than this. NOTHING IS FRESH OR SEASONED. The fried chicken was just taken from the fridge, jumped in flour and fried. The collard greens were canned. I asked the waiter "Are the greens fresh? " Of choose he replied "Yes. " Baby when those greens came, everything was chopped to the same size and there was no smoked turkey in them = CANNED FOOD from her own line of greens. The garlic mashed potatoes tasted like the brand of "just add water" Don't get me starred in the salmon cakes and ribs. So my friend and I decided we're NEVER going to eat there again. Its a tourist aka favored to those who never had REAL soul food. So we paid our bill not to cause a scene and the manager said "well return your 18% gratuity and the next meal is on us. " WE DON'T WANT TO COME BACK. Next time for soul food I beg everyone to go to Amy Ruth's or Yvonnes in Mt. Vernon. Miss Sylvia's you should be ashamed for serving what you claim is soul food. Go back to the days of the 1960-1990s where people raved about your QUALITY food. People warned me not to go but I gave you a chance.

I came here on vacation from Iowa i seen the restaurant on YouTube and felt it was a must stop for our trip also locals said it was a must go to place this restaurant is very hyped up, Sylvia would be very disappointed if she was here today the food is definitely not up to par or any standards the greens under cooked and almost hard, Salmon patty’s taste like tuna patty’s, Yams are definitely out the can! I know out the can when i taste it there not even Yams because there so mushy over cooked should just call them sweet potatoes because these were not Yams NO WAY! Wasn’t good at all! Mac was ok but i had better ribs were ok but it taste like cheap barbecue sauce and hot sauce pour on top definitely not worlds famous this is ridiculous to think people can’t taste the corners being cut just because of the popular name, the seating is very uncomfortable Covid19 is still going on but you got ppl so close we mys well be sitting at the same table literally could reach my hand out and touch the table next to me smh the icing on the cake the reason we left, we went to several (GOOD) restaurants during are stay they were all well ventilated and even cold at Sylvia’s sweat was pouring off us it was so hot and muggy in there no ventilation at all ridiculous, who ever is running this restaurant should be ashamed Iowa food is better if anyone reading this is ever in Iowa come to Cedar Rapids Vivian Soulfood restaurant they’ll show you what real soul food taste like cause this is a damn Shame!

First time eating here, food was wrong at pick up and they were happy to correct it. Mac and cheese.anyone could've made it. Beef Ribs were a fat NO. Veggie greens were just alright. Should've gotten the chicken from Popeyes for flavor. Waffle might had been hitting on something if I had syrup smh. The absolute worst was the dark skinned over cooked coconut shrimp lol. What would Gordan Ramsey say? Maybe this is good to Puff cause he's from Harlem. Silvia may need to hit a southern state and find out how to make soul food probably. Waste of money and not worth the price.

I had the chicken and waffles on a trip here with my wife and two friends, but it seems like I was the only one who enjoyed my food. Everyone else had some issue with their food, but my chicken and waffles was one of the best ones I've had in a while at a restaurant. The chicken was really crispy and the waffles tasted pretty good, but my wife's grits looked and tasted bland and unseasoned. I feel incline to give them a 4 star for now despite the issues with the other others, but I think it was good enough. I really like how the food came in closed container with utensils coming in sealed plastics. I've had some weird and disgusting experiences with servers touching food while bringing them to our tables at other places; even before the pandemic.
The drinks were quite expensive considering they only had 1 refill each and they were in the small plastic cups. I'm not sure if the drinks are all $5.50 each because of the close containers, but it was still enjoyable.
They have a mask requirement, and vaccine requirement for inside sitting, but they do have outside sitting for non vaccinated guests.

Terribly slow service. Nearly an hour to get our food. My wife and I ordered the fried pork chops which were dry. Proof of Covid vaccination needed for inside dining.

Maybe it was a bad day. Ribs had a strong tomato taste. Felt no love in my food. More like someone waiting to get off the clock. I'll be back after renovation

The portions were generous. The chicken was good but not the best and it was a bit dry. Overall, the recipies lacked flavor and depth of any kind. Not the worst but I wouldn't spend my money here again. However, the mac and cheese was inexcusable.soggy and flavorless.

Ok food. Not worth the price and long wait in my opinion. Small portion sizes and not very savory. Served in takeout containers.

Food was excellent. I wasn’t super hungry so I just ordered the catfish fingers appetizer and a drink. The drink (tea+ lemonade combo) was expensive at around $5, but the catfish fingers were really good and more reasonably priced. They literally melted in my mouth. Delicious. If I was more hungry, I would’ve ordered a ton of food like other customers and even gotten some to go. All meals were served in take out containers at the time (June 2021).

Definitely lived up to the hype. Only drawback was a long wait time in line because there was no indoor seating at the time.

Lets just say - this place has really fallen since they opened - whether staff or distracted by other projects, the owners have a LOT of work on their hands to bring the food and environment back up to where it started.
Won't be back any time soon.

I was very pleased with the service and food over all. I wish I could sit outside but it was full already even thought it was far pass the meal time. It’s that popular. I’ll definitely come back!

I planned this reservation about two months ago because they get booked pretty fast. Overall my experience was OK. They say us outside which I was kind of confused about but let it pass because I thought they weren’t seating people inside. Come to find out they had plenty space inside and the guests that were inside were served on actual plates. The guests that were outside were served on Tupperware. The cornbread was phenomenal. The chicken and waffles were OK. I ask for maple syrup in a server handed me Kraft syrup. I felt like I wasn’t served. Not the best experience.

It is one of my favorite places to eat at when I visit Harlem. COVID changed the way we ate. It was self service. You could order at the window and go home or like us we chosed to eat in the outdoor section. Many of my family weren't text savvy so they were quite frustrated with scanning the menu. I did help them. I would say it is the sign of the times. Unfortunately, it took over 45 minutes for the containers to arrive at our table. The food was still delicious. The fried chick leg was very good. The Mac and cheese was great. The collared greens was well season. I would way before arriving download the menu so it will cut down in your wait time.

I ordered the fish and shrimp platter with Mac n cheese. I would have given a five star but the shrimp were small and few. All of the sides were excellent. Had a sweet potato pie and cobbler to go. Totally satisfied. Will return shortly.

When I tell you the Chicken was Delicious, with that being said from a New Orleans person that speaks volume.you know it most me good.