Sylvia's

Overpriced? Yes. Will you wait FOREVER for a table on Sunday? Yes. Will you shut up as soon as you take the first bite? Yes. I knew better than to go to Sylvia's on a Sunday, but my mother was in town and I wanted to take her. We waited over three hours. No joke. Although Mom was peeved, I wasn't in the least. Take my advice, if you are waiting at Sylvia's on a Sunday plop down at the bar order a few drinks and enjoy the live gospel music while wondering if what you are doing is a little sinful. If you know the words the singer might even let you have the mike. I had a ball. And if you just can't wait to eat order an appetizer and stop whining. There is NO PLACE like Sylvia's in the city. I am a North Carolina native and I felt like I had stepped back home and in church simultaneously. Can you get a plate of fried chicken somewhere else for less than $15? Yes. But I wouldn't want to have it anywhere else.

I took a friend here from out of town on a Sunday afternoon, and after much excitement, the long line we encountered made us think twice about waiting. We had about a 35 minute wait which certainly gave us enough time to review the menu, and we were seated. Since it was a Sunday, there was a "Gospel Brunch" underway, which meant that there were lively singers walking around the dining rooms keeping the crowd upbeat on such a sweltering summer day. It was probably one of the most authentic experiences anyone could wish for in Soul Food or the Harlem Renaissance. A Prix Fixe menu will allow you to choose from their classic Soul Food options (I chose the Smothered Pork which was amazing), with sides and cornbread that are superb. The service can be a bit spotty, especially when it's super-busy, but the food and the slightly inflated prices make it worth even the longest wait. You can always call and make reservations to avert the wait, but the food comes quickly anyway. Definitely worth traveling to Harlem for, and certainly a restaurant you'll want to return to.

Went there for Sunday brunch. Well, it's not exactly dietetic or light but it's excellent food in a wonderful athmosphere. Definitly worth going. Just enjoy the food, go on a diet tomorrow. The music is also great. It's a bit touristy but it doesn't pretend otherwise and, unlike most touristy places, the food is excellent. Highly recommended!!

I am from Arkansas and after living in New York for over 15 years, Sylvia's still has some of the best soul food around. The fried pork chops, turkey wings, and chicken livers are the bomb. All of the sides taste pretty close to grandma's recipe. The breakfast offerings are also awesome. She makes the best salmon cakes and biscuits and it is one of the only places I have found that serves slab bacon. So, skip Amy Ruth's and spend your money at Sylvia's.!

We went there on a Sunday after a gospel service. Although we got there quite early there was already a line developing. We were told we would wait for 10-15 minutes and ended up waiting for over an hour. Although we kept checking with the lady in charge as we were seeing parties more or lessour size that hadarrived later being seated, she kept asking us to wait. we finally managed to sit down at 2.05 and were told the brunch was no longer available, we made the point we had been waiting for over an hour but the waitress said they had run out of some of the ingredients (eggs? chicken?) we had to go for the lunch instead which was more or less the same but pricier. The bloody marys were way too hot and the mimosas not savory. The black eyed peas were overcooked and tasted like sand, the fried chicken was like any you can get at KFC and the ribs were subpar. The best bit were the sugar hillbeers, really nice! All in all quite a deceiving lunch. We felt we were in a tourist trap!

I love this place. just thinking about it makes me hungry, i always look forward to their cornbread and mac n' cheese.definetly worth it. for $10 bucks you get soooo much food, i think for lunch its only $5.

The food is amazing! Rich, textured, and prepared with love. The best ribs. The Ribs here are for real, and so is the Mac and Cheese. But if you want to do it right, go in with an appetite, and get the Southern Fried Chicken, smothered in Gravy. THEY TREAT YOU LIKE FAMILY HERE! Bomb Food! NY STYLE!