Al's Finger Licking Good Soul Food

This soul food spot has a lot going for it! It's in a convenient corner location with free street parking and a small lot in the back, making it easy to get in and out. The food was really tasty, especially the sides--macaroni and cheese, fried okra, greens and black eyed peas-- seriously good cornbread with every meal! The smothered pork chops were a bit saltier than I like but still decent, and the peach cobbler hit the spot, even though they were out of ice cream.The atmosphere was a bit mixed, though. It was quite warm inside, even with fans, and the setup felt a little cluttered, which took away from the vibe. The service was also on the slower side, but I did appreciate the cozy couch area with a TV playing football--it made the wait more comfortable. All in all, I'd come back to give it another shot, especially for those great sides and cornbread!

Saw this place on Uber Eats, and after looking at Yelp reviews, I was encouraged. However, I have no idea how this place has such rave reviews. Nothing was good....literally nothing. Everything was bland AF. The rice was significantly overcooked, and the Mac and cheese was anything but creamy. It was like boxed mac with velveeta cheese added, and the cornbread muffins were super dry. The potato salad just tasted like nothing but mayo. I gave it 2 stars b/c at least they got the order correct. I'm still racking my brain trying to figure out why the previous reviews are so good. Either they are fake or paid to post good reviews or something has changed...either way, they're extremely misleading. This isn't real soul food. No way.

It very close to 4.5 stars. This restaurant is a gem for the YBOR city. It bring additional choice to the visitors. AL has good BBQ, now we know they have good southern soul food. The restaurant has many drawings of famous singer in the pass. It is great to see them. We started with fried chicken wing. Good coating chicken wing. In the menu call chicken drumettes. It come with 5 pieces. For the entrees, we got the Sunday special with oxtail and turkey wing. Each entree allows two sides. We have the collar green, yam (Sunday only), fried okra. The yum and okra are my favorite. The okra is soft no old fiber. The oxtail is braised to meat fall from the bone. Good brown sauce. Also it have good numbers of pieces with good size pieces. The turkey wing is very meaty. The gravy sauce is very good. The restaurant open at 12 noon. If the front door is lock, you might want to knock on the back kitchen door because they forgot to to open the front door. The accompanying meal item includes special corn bread. It is delicious.

Driving back from Sarasota through Tampa and wanting some good BBQ, Yelp suggested this place. What a gem!! When we pulled up just from the looks outside I had a good feeling we were about to eat some goodness. The bundling looks older, has a parking lot. Walking up to the door and you can see the smoker going, immediately I knew I was in for a treat. We ordered the double play combo which is 2 meats, 2 sides and bread. We got the smoked sausage, chopped beef, yellow rice with chicken and potato salad. I really wanted the mac and cheese which is only available on Friday, but by 2 they were sold out, has to be good! The meat is so tender and properly sliced, can definitely taste the Smokey flavor to it, might've been some of the best BBQ I've had down south. They served the food in plates that remind you of grabbing a plate at a family backyard BBQ, real home feel to it. Oh and how could I forget the sauce? They had a homemade hot BBQ sauce that was to die for, not overly spicy but definitely had some heat you want on your food. Service at the counter was helpful, they want to prepare you a great meal, answered any questions you had. Will 100 be back again when near the area.

I have only eaten here once, but I can vouch for the authenticity of the Soul Food here at Al's. It is located on the outskirts of Ybor city.Then venue is a good size and would be good for meetings.It is decorated in famous soul singers with their painted likenesses on the walls. The music was also soul music which added to the ambiance. The air conditioning could have been better. It wasn't too hot, but not really cool either.The food was fantastic! It was really good. Actually great and definitely worth another visit. Check out the pictures to see the eats.

I only ordered food to-go, but I really enjoyed my entire experience here.The building is very nondescript on the outside, but it is larger than expected inside, and nicely decorated, with famous musicians painted on the walls. The order taker at the front counter (who was also the server) was very helpful. She went through the menu with me and let me know what was available that day, and what wasn't.I ordered the Friday special of fried basa, which came with 2 sides. I chose collard greens and fried okra. All meals come with a piece of cornbread. I also could not resist a piece of key lime cake.Napkins and utensils, as well as hot sauce and tartar sauce, were all included in my to-go bag, which came out in a timely manner from the kitchen. The fish was flaky, and perfectly battered, the okra crunchy, and the cake was incredibly moist. Everything was very, very good, and I will definitely be eating here again.

Visiting the Tampa area for the weekend from Orlando and wanted some good soul food before heading back home.. found this restaurant while googling and it was a HIT!!! I know good soul food when I see and taste it and this place was nothing short of amazing.. fresh, seasoned, customer service was excellent and I will be back! Thank you to the staff and keep doing what you do!

Where to begin?!? Today I not only was privileged to enjoy excellent takeout SOUL FOOD, but I met the nicest family-- Mom Jacqueline (owner) & two of her grown children. (Dad Al manages the sister restaurant which has specialized in Tennessee-style barbecue the past decade). This restaurant opened December 2018. Finally someone understood when I laughingly uttered, "I don't want any white people sweet potato pie." (Thank you, Brittany.) Unfortunately for me, there was no sweet potato pie today, so I settled for old fashioned peach cobbler. ("Settled" is a poor word choice since the bite of cobbler was delicious!) And luckily for this woman craving soul food (celebrating a 60 lb weight loss), Oxtails were on the menu, as well as my favorite (collards) & fresh yams. All were wonderful, even the little cornbread muffin that wasn't dry, yet crumbled appropriately. I now have many days worth of Heavenly leftovers! I'm psyched! Once sweet Brittany (who's 32, yet looks 17- I'll try to forgive her) took my order, owner Jacqueline took me around back to check out the new lot-- complete w/ a covered stage, a covered VIP eating area, lots of ground space for chairs, & even a Porto Potty. The area can be rented for special occasions, & the owner will hold special events here. (Yesterday was its grand opening-- complete w/ a band). This restaurant owner also provides catering. Oh, & a walk up window has just been added-- come up to the window facing the side street to place your order. The musical artwork lining the dining area is brilliant, this local family is wonderful, the food is superb, & street parking is plentiful. If you're in Ybor, stop in! Heck, if you're out of county as I am, still stop in! It's worth the trip. (Thank you, Tampa Yelper Mark P, for the recommendation.)

Al's Barbecue has been a longtime favorite spot to dine in Ybor City, judging by the crowds that keep coming. A few months ago, and only a few blocks away, that eating empire expanded to include Al's Finger Licking Good Soul Food.What a welcome addition to Ybor!Located in a stand-alone, single-story building fronting on 7th Avenue, this restaurant is easy to spot thanks to its Soul Food sign on the roof.Step inside to be delighted by the very nice decor that features famous faces hand-painted on the walls, tablecloths on the tabletops and chandeliers overhead.The interior is so lovely and so very nice it is clear that the owners have thoughtfully designed a dining room that is completely charming, classy and comfortable.Adding to the ambiance, and in homage to the famous faces gracing the all of the walls, a medley of Motown hits played in the background throughout our meal. Sublime.The food was nothing less than delicious. Well prepared, nicely seasoned and more food than any of us could finish when you include the cornbread, two side dishes and entree, made for a perfect eating experience. Note that not finishing all of our food did not stop us from sharing a fantastic banana pudding for dessert.I adore the authenticity of the food, the people and the atmosphere here. And I applaud the addition of this full service , and fully enjoyable, soul food restaurant to Ybor's eclectic dining mix.

Small size fried chicken. Colored greens tasted good Not worth the drive. Was looking for the other restaurant