Simply Southern in Belmar - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

The catfish was amazing!!! Great spot for some southern comfort food in Jersey

Everything was home made from the appetizer, entree to dessert. From Southern fried chicken to Seafood Gumbo. Give it a try. You will come back for more.

I am not a fan..over priced and not all that .misunderstood menu when ordering and waitress didn't explain. Btw she was very rude..I ordered food first in my group of 8 and was last to get food we won't be back

The food is amazing. The Ox tail was delicious. Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu.

Couldn't tell us what the *non cash fee* was ...even though we were paying cash. Then caught an attitude when asked? Needless to say even if the food is great,will definitely never order here again without thinking they're over charging and making fees up🤷‍♀️ first and last time ordering from here. Way too shady.

Great food, young waitress seemed super angry.

The food is okay. I've had much better.

When i say i saw this place on the news and the food made me want to go see if it was up to my southern girl food hospitality let me say they did not disappoint me food was amazing mac and cheese yes yes the seafood gumbo omg the corn bread muffins melt in your mouth crab cakes so good me and my husband took that hour ride from Bayonne NJ to get lunch he walked away full and said i did good finding out about this place yes we will be back and with friends well worth the money

Do yourself a favor and grab the best Southern meal in Central Jersey at this place!! The Southern Fried Chicken has a the crispiest and tastiest flavor ever. The meatloaf is sooo flavorful. Mashed sweet potato and cabbage are amazing. Staff is great and will make you feel at home. Their drinks are great too! They serve you cornbread once you sit down and they’re a game changer. Will definitely come back and try other things on the menu!

Saw this place on Instagram. Figured we try it. Everything we ate was delicious. Mac and cheese amazing. My husband got the oxtail and said it was outstanding. Everything is homemade down to the lemonade and peach/mango tea. And the peach/blueberry cobbler and banana pudding to die for. Will definitely be going back. The owner is so nice and the staff as well.

OMG delicious food. My wife and I went for lunch. Had fried chicken, Ox tails & Mac & cheese. The best I have ever eaten. All the sides were also amazing. Food was hot and service amazing. All home made even drinks and owner came around to see we enjoyed. He’s so nice. The blueberry / peach cobbler was out of this world delicious. Try this place and be hungry and ready to eat. You’re treated like at grandmas house. A++.

I had the fried chicken platter…it comes w 4 pieces and two sides…I got the yams and greens as my sides. Everything tasted great!…the yams weren’t too mushy (which I personally like) and the greens tasted great! Sometimes I have to add hot sauce to greens…didn’t have to do that with these 👍. The chicken was top notch…the meat was juicy and full of flavor, and the crust was crunchy (even with the honey drizzle). If you’re in Belmar, and looking for some Southern Food, this is the place!

Authentic, delicious, with a side of fantastic hospitality. It's all good! Try the Mac and cheese with some fried chicken. The ribs are the BEST I ever had. Can't wait to go back.

The chicken and waffles were divots. Perfecti on.i can't wait to try the salmon croquettes with grits! Just beware, while Google lists the prices, they are not accurate. Google says chicken and waffles are $14 when in fact they're $26. So, don't rely on any of Googles prices for this place.

Absolutely nothing healthy along with you

Fabulous! Run don’t walk for the best sweet potato hush puppies and grits you’ll ever have! The fried chicken was AMAZING - perfectly seasoned and super juicy with a crispy skin mmmmmmmm. Our server was Jill and she was friendly and helpful - can’t wait to return !!!

Amazing! Food is most delicious southern food I’ve ever had. Friendly warm and welcoming staff. Must you come!

Delicious food, good service. Will definitely be returning for more eats.

Visited with family from out of town. (We’re New Jersey natives) My fish sandwich was fried tough with bones and the bread was stale. My aunt’s turkey wings were chewy and her yams were watery. My husband ordered the all white meat fried chicken. When it came out, he immediately notice drumsticks and thighs. They swapped that out for a dry, microwaved chicken breast. He was also given a bowl of sweet mashed potatoes that was bitter with a strong taste of lemon juice. I was told that since “the cook” wasn’t there I could not get the fish sandwich taken off the bill, although I hadn’t eaten it. With the overpriced GARBAGE they are offering We DO NOT recommend this place to anyone!!!!!!

We are just visiting and we went for lunch and the food was phenomenal. The service was amazing and our waitress was super friendly and accommodating!

Such a great place for catering, lunch, or any meal! I had Rasheed cater a party and it was great. The whole staff is amazing!

5 stars for the food, ambiance and service. Catfish was lightly breaded to perfection. All the sides we ordered were so fresh and delicious, down to their home made hot sauce. Our server Jill was so amazing and attentive. I’m so glad we found Simply Southern and we can’t wait to come back again.

Well I had the crab cakes, green beans, and coleslaw I took the order to go. Was not really impressed for the price I didn't think the crab cakes were much better than what I could get frozen in the supermarket. I've heard so much about simply Southern that I was looking forward to it. I guess I will try it again, but I would certainly get something different

Just left, was there with my husband, daughter and grand daughter. Jill was so professional, warm and very friendly. The customer service was awesome. The food was delicious. We drove 90min to eat there and was not disappointed. We will definitely visit again. Thank you 😊

Good food, good music, fellowship with friends, and peaceful atmosphere! Gumbo was delicious and filled with seafood. My friends had the plentiful smothered chicken. One had bread pudding for dessert. Filled and happy 😋😋😋! The owner graciously took a picture with us. Thanks!

They claim it’s homemade but it’s clearly frozen low cost food, adding insult to the injury. Disgusting and overpriced.

Food was amazing. I had Turkey wings and stuffing, yams, collards and potato salad. It was delicious even the sweet potato hush puppies

Our first time and Food was very good and tasteful, the Greens were banging, the cornbread wasn't warm enough but good and the oxtail I had to bring home so I could really throw-down :) and the service (David) your the best and that's why were coming back, thank you and see you next time... Kurtis & GG

The sweetest staff and great food ❤️

Limited menu but the food was good.

Amazing service and food, highly recommended.

Everything delicious staff was awesome I wanted to take everything on the menu

The food is very good, staff is very friendly and attentive.

Good food, but missing a southern staple, biscuits and sausage gravy!

The food is delicious, nice portions, loved the music playing while we dined!!! Compliments to the friendly, accommodating staff.

Great fried chicken, collard greens, cherry cobbler

Very cute. Food was great and service was excellent.

Back 3yrs later and food is Simply AMAZING! Delicious food, great service, and the management cares about every customer. It’s a must stop if you like good food and great atmosphere.

Very attentive server. Excellent food.

The staff are very friendly, but the food was not good. Everything was refried and too sweet. Even the meatloaf came in a sauce that was sweet. I got a stomach ache. But the service, such nice people!

I’ve wanted to come here for so long, I can’t believe it to me this long to get here!! Wow, this place is amazing!! Food was on point. This place is a must try!!! Don’t be afraid of the prices it’s worth every dime!!

Some things were really good and others were not. We ordered take out and tried about 10 different things. The mac and cheese was great and so was the fried chicken. The meatloaf was good too. However, the fried green tomatoes were undercooked and there was raw batter in two of them. The house special grits were completely inedible. Watery, no flavor except for some weird minty aftertaste? We weren't even sure what it was, but they definitely weren't southern style grits. I would go back for the fried chicken and mac and cheese but nothing else.

This is not southern cooking. The name is an insult to TRUE southern cooking. No matter how many chances I give this restaurant, they ALWAYS disappoint! This past Sunday was no different, but it will be the last time! They served my family burnt fried chicken, salty collard greens, runny mac and cheese, terrible canned yams and Gordon's fish fillets posing as catfish nuggets. The chicken was sooo burnt we had to return it, only to receive more chicken cooked in the same old and burnt grease! They seem to have a good following and good for them and all who like the food, just know this is NOT the way TRUE Southerners cook!

I was very pleased with my meal from start to finish. The staff was friendly and attentive. This is now my go to spot for soul food in South Jersey.

If I could, I would give a 3.5 out of 5.0. The server/waitress gave off negative or unwelcoming energy. The attitude was a turn off. As far as the food, I enjoyed the fried catfish dinner, as it is served hot and fresh. The sides I ordered, potato salad and collard greens, were not pleasing to my palate. The mustard and celery seed overwhelmed the potato salad. The collard greens have a smoked liquid flavor, would prefer a different seasoning. The cornbread muffin is a teaser. The watermelon and strawberry drink is sweet, somewhat refreshing. I took bread pudding home, and it has a lot of nutmeg, which I'm not a fan. The portion size is more than adequate. There is a charge to use and credit card over cash. Visiting Belmar to go to the shore, maybe try it, but I don't plan on going back.

The food is great, service is great also. There was no aire conditioning when we went, we ended up eating outside, which was much cooler. We would go back.

Not sure if it was just the day we came here, but we won't be back. Got here at exactly noon on a Thursday. They were not set up, and very disorganized. The one thing I was going to order which was their famous "smothered turkey" entree wasn't even on the menu. We drove all the way from Cranbury for nothing. Ended up going to Pete & Elda's which we can always count on. So much for soul food!

Food and service were excellent! If you like fried chicken, this is the place to go!

Yesterday, we used Simply Southern to cater my brother's surprise party. It was phenomenal. One our guests was from South Jersey and she said she would make the trip to visit the restaurant. I admired the professionalism. Others that provide private catering had no idea what to provide. "Just tell me what you want" is not a menu. Rashid advised that for an outdoor some of my choices would soften or dry out. It was a pleasant experience and we will use them again!

Great Southern Food (homemade) along with great staff. Well worth it !

The crab cakes portion was small and tasted like it was a leftover. The restaurant was cute bathroom clean.

If your looking for a home cooked meal made by a woman who cooks her food like your mother then this is the place for you. I had the southern oxtail with yellow rice on the side it was one of the best oxtail i ever had. My brother had the meat loaf which was also bar none excellent. I asked beth the waitress whom may i add was very nice and professional for bread being Im Italian so I can soak up the Gravy cause that is where all the flavor is 😎. She said they only have the cornbread then she came back with a bowl of Italian bread and behind her came the Owners mom and she introduced herself to us and said someone knows how to eat . We laughed and we chatted for about 20 min on how she prepared our food. I felt like i was talking to my mom i felt right at home a beautiful and warm women . So if your looking for a home cooked meal this is it . The owner goes by the name Rasheed whom is very pleasant to talk to and runs a very clean restaurant. Thanks for a meal to remember. Sincerely John

Way over priced for a restaurant that doesn't show their prices on their menu. Who doesn't have macaroni and cheese as a side order with a chicken dinner?

I walked in and I was underwhelmed with the atmosphere. Everything about the restaurant was old dark and outdated. When we were seated I noticed crumbs on the floor and dirty placemats with crumbs underneath them as well. We got the Mac & cheese as an appetizer & it tasted like pizza and chicken soup. Then we were served our entrées, I got the smothered turkey wings and my girlfriend got the fried whitening with two sides. The turkey wings were drowning in water and looked half eaten along with my stuffing swimming in the water like gravy, also got the potato salad & yams which both were horrible & tasted like it was from a can. My gf piece of fish was huge for whiting and her side of greens taste like it’s been sitting for a days & the yams as well. it’s unfortunate I came out to support a black owed business and was disappointed.

I really thought this place had alot of things going right and some not so right. My friends and I visited this restaurant for some good soul food. Right off the bat, we were taken care of by a very charming waiter who was quick and efficiant with everything we wanted to order. He even shared a few stories about his experience and food and kept us very entertained while we were seated. A true example of Southern hospitality. When we started with appetizers, we ordered the sweet potato hush puppies and the fried green tomatoes. We thought the tomatoes had a bit too heavy batter, but the hush puppies were perfect as a fried, sweet desert that we saved for after dinner. For a main course, we ordered the off the specials menus. Ribs and Crabmeat stuffed shrimp with various sides for our own orders. The ribs were solid, but overall average. My friends had the crab stuffed shrimp, which they said didn't taste entirely fresh. The worse part about it was one of them found a shard of metal in the crab meat. We took this up with our waiter, and he realized it must have come from one of the scrub brushes they used to clean the plates. What we were glad with was them taking one of the orders of shrimp of our tab, which we were very pleased with. As for sides, they were a mixed bag. The grits and black eyes peas were good, thought the vegetables had a different impression. Both the collared greens and the green beans tasted like they were soaking in saltwater for a while. I really wanted somthing clean and healthy to go with my meal, but it felt like my mouth was drying out as I was eating the greens. While I felt this restaurant had some flaws, I would want to try coming here again. Maybe we ended up ordering the wrong items, but I do acknowledge that many items that people enjoyed here. I hope to try this place again and for my expectations to improve next time.

This was my first time here, and I will definitely be back. I already shared this place with a few friends and recommended it. Food was fresh, hot and delicious. The catfish nuggets were the best I ever had. Catherine, our waitress was awesome. She was friendly and busted her butt waiting on the tables. I got tired watching her! Thank you for the great food and great service

My food was delicious. I noticed the after we left the server didn’t charge us for the our drinks. Perhaps Beverages and bottled water are included in the meal.. idk. This was our first time. We’ll definitely be back with more ppl with big appetites.

ayooo let me tell you.... whoever made that food put they ankles in it because that was truly amazing... or as my friends say "bussin"

We really found this place on accident literally. Was the best food and hospitality best part it is a BYOB!! My husband and I were reading the menu outside and this gentleman came outside and said you won’t be disappointed he was right! Definitely going back! Thank you simply southern for the hospitality and the best southern food I had in a while!!

Great southern style menu. Food and service is very good. Must try

A new favorite! Loved the mac n cheese, seafood gumbo, and hush puppies. Small but very nice environment. I would order and pick up on the weekend, I'm sure it gets really packed. Will be returning in the near future.

So it was my first time trying food at thus restaurant, I love supporting black owned restaurants, especially for my birthday month. That being said, I came in on Sunday, ordered mac and cheese, crabcakes, crab bites, collard greens, and candied yams. I didn't get the crab bites, instead I got something that was maybe a fish bite of some kind, and this was after the supervisor had said he checked to make sure everything was okay. Crab cakes were just okay...too much filler. Collards, yams, and mac and cheese were good. I would like to give this place another shot, perhaps on another day, maybe dine in to ensure that I got what I ordered.🙄

Outstanding food and service... We came here to celebrate my son's 22nd birthday. He loves Southern style food. He was in food heaven... Mr. Simmons greeted us at the door with a smile and open arms. " Welcome, anything you need, dietary needs or restrictions, just let me know. " At the time for birthday dessert, he even came over to wish him a happy birthday !! Thank you all again for a wonderful time....

Ordered catering for the Super Bowl and it was sensational!! Everybody loved the honey jalapeño wings which were big a meaty and super tasty! Also have to mention the potato salad, which was like my grandma’s!! Awesome friendly service too!!!

We came here for the first time tonight for Valentine's Day. The food was excellent, the staff was super friendly, the restaurant itself had a great vibe and the owner came out to thank us for coming. All around great night! We will definitely be back! Thank you.

Great food! I enjoyed the main dish, I decided to go with the fried chicken. The sides were absolutely tasty, rice and collard greens. Other options were available too.

Absolutely delicious and fantastic service!

This was a costly experience. Collard greens too salty Mashed sweet potatoes alot alot of sugar. Salmon lack flavor.

Great place to eat,,,southern food was out of this world I highly recommend eating there u won't b disappointed 😋

Perfect date night! Food, service, personality, and hospitality are all fantastic!

My fiancé and I had such a wonderful time at Simply Southern. Our waiter was very attentive and helpful with suggestions. We tried the macaroni and cheese, the fried catfish with sweet potatoes and corn on the cob, baby back ribs (a special) with collard greens and and candied yams, and homemade chocolate pudding for dessert, which I highly HIGHLY recommend. Everything was absolutely perfect and we will be returning often :)

I ordered the fried whiting, rice, Mac and cheese, and cabbage via uber eats. The food was yummy😋. But even better than the food was the Owner and his excellent customer service!! Uber completely messed up my bag and forgot my utensils(i ordered from a motel). I called the restaurant mistakenly thinking they messed up. As upset as i was, both the mangaer and owner were so patient with me! Even going as far as agreeing to my request of emailing me the surveillance video of them correctly packing my food. Upon uber giving me a refund, because it was clearly their fault and not the restaurant's, the owner still offered to send 1 of his guys to bring me utensils, when he called me back personally to let me know he just emailed me. Will be ordering again in the future!

Excellent down home Southern family cooking. Fresh quality food and large portions. Very nice people who really care about their customers. BYOB and plenty of free parking.

Great southern hospitality! Excellent food and service! Highly recommend!

Attendant was very attentive and courteous. Made sure our drinks were always full. Strawberry drink was delicious. Appetizers: Mac N' cheese: love it. Very cheesy, pasta was al dente. Candied bacon: liked it but the edges were rick hard. They may want to consider thinner slices. Fried green tomatoes: like it but it was more breading than tomatoes. Entrees: Shrimp and grits: delicious. Loved the cheese in them. My preference is to have the tails off, though. Fried pork chops: I added gravy to smother them. Very good. Tender. Stuffed shrimp: liked them. The stuffing is flour based. Seasoning was excellent. It could have benefited woth additional celery and onions to reduce the texture of too much flour or maybe mix in a little corn meal. Crab cakes: good but needed more crab. Same stuffing blend as stuffed shrimp. Sides: Corn on the cob: unique spicy seasoning. Loved it. Grits: Good Collard greens: good. Could have added fatback and bacon pieces Cole slaw: tasty. Corn bread: very good. Desserts: Bread pudding: best I ever had. Fried oreos and fried brownie: my daughter liked them. Family owned and owners presented themselves... Very friendly. Ms. Rita is a wonderful and sweet person. My daughter is autistic and sensitive to sound. The front door slams when open. She recommended to the owner to please see if he can adjust the door. He was receptive to her suggestion. Overall, it's a good place to eat. For this Texas born gal, I enjoyed having southern cooking again.

Great people making even better food! Never a disappointing meal!

Food was Delicious ,service was great.

We had a birthday sunday luncheon 👌👍Delicous everyone was very nice

I would’ve taken a picture of the catfish bites that were on the plate but we ate them too fast . Everything was PHENOM

Food is GREAT!! Service is even better

Where do I start… this restaurant is AMAZING. 10/10 recommend. If you’re looking for authentic southern food, this is your spot! Chicken sandwich? The best. Collared greens? Amazing. Shrimp, crab cakes, catfish, fish, just do it. Best part? My kids (6 and 4yrs old) love it too. Looking forward to my next trip!

The food is excellent Everyone had a friendly Greeting we loved it

Was there for a friend's moving away party. I met the owner and all I have to say is don't wear a JETS hat!! Food was sooo good. Staff was very attentive and food came out hot and fast. We had 8 people at our table all with different dishes and everyone enjoyed their food.

Everything was clean and employees were very nice. We got the crab cake with collard greens and candied yams, it was delicious! The crab cake was full of crab and there wasn't a bunch of filler in it, which I find with many crab cakes. Will def go back!

Loved this spot, so glad my boyfriend took me here. I had a hard time choosing an appetizer so we ordered way too much food but it was worth it. I got to try the sweet potato hush puppies, cat fish, and fried green tomatoes.It was amazing. My boyfriend got the crab cakes which were well seasoned and tasted perfectly cooked. I ordered the smothered chicken, it was so perfectly cooked the chicken was falling off the bone. In all honesty, I wouldn’t eat at another southern place again I was so satisfied with this place. The block was not too crazy crowded either. As well we were able to see and enjoy some live music. Waiter was personable and professional.

Fantastic food and service, had the rib special, so delicious. The sides were exceptional as well, try the potato salad.

I'm a fat greedy person when it comes to food and after reading an article about this spot I just had to try it out for myself, unfortunately I was yet again bamboozled, it's cool but far from deep south style cooking,I grew up on Spanish and soul food and had meals that truly slaps with all the right flavors, I definitely didn't get that from SS , no smoked turkey neck in their callards , and fish the car fish was bland even with hot sauce and vinegar, I paid twenty five dollars with tip for a cardboard boxed fish and two plastic containers of sides smh lol, shame on me for believing what I read, I should of known better though given their location in belmar, people and presentation was nice everything else sub par, just my opinion though, go and support them though, everybody has a family to feed

Food and service awesome check prices more expensive than website

Wow, oh wow, oh wow! This place is great! For months I've been told I have to dine here and now I can see why! It is homemade southern cooking that is absolutely delicious. Don't know of any place like it around here! Huge portions so come hungry. We tried appetizers, main courses and desserts and everything was great. Even the drinks are delicious--homemade sweet tea, lemoande and more! No bar, so BYOB is welcomed. Service is fantastic; our waiter was so personable and down to earth. Love the personal touch of the owner checking in with everyone. Really loved it, will definitely go back and definitely recommend it. Hardest part will be trying to decide what to get next time.

My Husband read about it (owed ME a MOTHER'S DAY lunch) & said "let's go"!!! So glad WE did!!! Little pricey but worth it!! GOOD SERVICE with DELICIOUS FOOD in a very PRETTY PLACE!! The OWNER came out to introduce himself (Brooklyn GIRL here so I appreciated that) as I stuffed MY FACE with the tastiest OXTAILS FRIED GREEN TOMATOES & MAC&CHEESE to be found so far in JERSEY!! Will DEFINITELY be going back to celebrate ANNIVERSARY next month!!! THANK YOU SS!!!!

Great oxtails,one of the best mac and cheese I ever had,fried green tomatoes and I had shrimp and grits which was delicious!Will be heading back there this beach season!

Food was good but very pricey $$. Service was great. Nice atmosphere. They ran out of oxtails and Mac & cheese

I love that is diverse different race working there the food is really good and the owner come out to greet you great customer care money well spent

Food is OK, 18% service charge added automatically, half rack BBQ ribs with sides and 4 pieces southern fried chicken are overpriced!

Food and service very good. Took my sister there, it was her 1st time.

Very good had fried shrimp delicious

Perfectly cooked delicious fried catfish

Quick delivery and food is delicious!! We definitely be ordering again!

The food was delicious awesome staff

This was some true, real soul food. Big portions and great flavor. Even the desserts are slamming. Our server David excelled at his job. Plus he was great company. I'll be back often