You Haven’t Tried True Alabama Comfort Food Until You’ve Been Here

In the American South, nothing is as synonymous with comfort food as soul food. And there's only one Alabama comfort food restaurant that checks all the boxes every time: Hattie's Soul Food Restaurant. Tucked away in Foley, Alabama — about two hours east of New Orleans — this nondescript establishment turns out all of the classic dishes. From the delicious, cheesy smell of macaroni and cheese to the mouthwateringly crispy fried pork chops, few places are as true to soul food as this. Let's dive into what sets this spot apart as a true beacon of Alabama comfort food.

The Must-Try Dishes You Can’t Miss at Hattie's Soul Food

Like many local restaurants in Alabama, this Southern meat-and-three spot is all about the sides. While there are tons of juicy and flavorful options for the meat — think fried chicken, meatloaf, and pork chops (fried or smothered in gravy), a vegetable plate is always an option for a reason. There are too many stand-out sides to choose from. Among them are some of the dishes that set Hattie's apart as the best comfort food restaurant in Alabama, too. 

Macaroni and cheese is a quintessential soul food dish that has to show up on any vegetable plate, and certainly as one of the three sides for a meat plate. And while the cheesy, homemade dish is available at Hattie's Soul Food Restaurant, you'll want to try some Southern classics alongside it.

Fried okra and squash casserole are the two items you can't miss here. Served hot, these underrated dishes are the star of the show and keep locals coming back for more. The beauty of both of these dishes is that they balance textures. Fresh cut okra tends to be slimy, but when it's been breaded and fried, you get the best of the crispy outside and the tender vegetable inside. Similarly, the squash casserole is creamy and full of savory, umami flavors on the inside and topped with a delicious, crunchy topping. Don't forget to add a piece of cornbread to round out the comfort food trifecta of sides — or an order of candied yams for "dessert." 

What Makes This Alabama Restaurant So Special

What makes Hattie's stand out from other comfort food restaurants in Alabama is the authenticity of the food and the atmosphere. Traditional Southern soul food spots have always been no-frills. There are no Instagrammable photo spots here or neon signs to pose in front of. Instead, you'll find long tables, comfortable barstools, and family-sized booths. The restaurant is centered around community and fostering conversation with others around plates of home-cooked food. It's an old-fashioned concept backed by true Southern hospitality. And while the food is well worth the trek, it's the sense of belonging and a shared meal that truly make this Alabama restaurant so special. 

What to Know Before You Go

Because Hattie's is located so close to New Orleans, the menu veers off the traditional path to include some Creole-inspired dishes, too. For example, you'll find gumbo and po'boy sandwiches on the menu. While it isn't the streamlined menu of a strictly traditional meat-and-three comfort food restaurant, it does mean there's something on the menu for everyone — even chicken tenders for kids, old and young. 

It's also worth noting the hours. The restaurant is closed on Mondays, open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends. So, if you plan to swing by during the week, choose the day carefully. 

Ultimately, you haven't tried comfort food in Alabama unless you've been to Hattie's because of the time-simmered labor and love that goes into their dishes. It's a true Southern experience that everyone should have at least once. And when you do make the trip to the small-town restaurant, don't forget to try all the sides you can.