What is ‘soul food’? If you asked 5 different people, you’d probably get 5 different answers. But if you asked Wayne B. Lyons, he’d probably tell you to come to his downtown restaurant, Soul Flavors, and find out for yourself.

Mr. Lyons started out in the catering business but dreamed of having his own restaurant. That dream became a reality in the spring of 2007, when Wayne and his Sous-Chef Shawn Santana opened Soul Flavors on Grove Street.

Soul Flavors is a lively, bustling joint, with a colorful and cheerful interior. It features an open kitchen, which allows you to witness the controlled frenzy of the dedicated cooking staff.

The wait staff is quite accommodating as well. On the night of my visit, tables were skillfully yanked from their positions and swiftly rearranged so that my party of three could sit comfortably together.

The first thing on the menu that caught my eye was 'Ma’s Whipped Sweet Potatoes.' I was certain that there was no way anyone’s whipped sweet potatoes could compare to my ma, but I forged ahead. Surprisingly, it was just the right amounts of sweet and creamy.

The rest of the menu did not disappoint. There was crispy fried chicken, piled high on a pristine square plate, chicken stew with dumplings, pan blackened catfish and so many other dishes that might remind you of lazy summer days on a back porch in South Carolina.

Another menu item of note is the Lamb Pot Pie, a modern twist on an old staple. The crust is flaky and slightly sweet, and if you’re able to finish it, you might not need to eat for a week.

There is a small sampling of desserts on the menu but the only one that should matter to a soul food aficionado is peach cobbler. It was well worth the wait.

Soul Flavors

354 Grove Street

201.217.3004