Great catfish ! Great Mac n cheese ! My girlfriend had the smothered pork Chops and loved them ! We highly recommend! Server was amazing as well! We will be back for sure !
Love P.
My husband and I decided to stay in a nice hotel downtown Tacoma for Father's day an the Juneteenth holiday. I decided to treat us to Essence for our Juneteenth meal. 1st meal = Porkchop (overcooked, dry, tough ) I took two bites and put it down, Mac & Cheese, ( it was okay ) Yams ( Yams are an art they have not mastered ) 2nd meal - Chicken Wings, they were pretty good ( thats the reason for the extra star ) Greens (very salty) Beans & Rice ( we didn't care for the taste at all ) 3rd meal = Fish & Grits ( I ordered an additional piece of Catfish so my husband and I both would have one piece each, I did not receive the extra piece ) when I opened the box with the Fish, it did look good, but when I broke it in half for us to share, it was hard, overcooked and dry as the desert. We both took a bite of the fish and looked at each other and said, uh uh, this ain't it, then I said, this is not even real Catfish! It taste like Basa ( Japanese knock off Catfish ) True Catfish eaters know the difference as for the Creamy Grits ( they taste like water grits, I didn't taste cream or stock, very bland ) the Okra was cooked properly, taste like the grease was fresh, it just lacked seasoning, and the meals do not come with cornbread or bread. Before we had tasted the food I did call the restaurant to let them know I was missing a piece of Catfish I had ordered but no one answered the telephone ( it was during dinner service ) but after I tasted the non Catfish fish I didn't even want it. We didn't even eat the one piece we did get. So $83.00 dollars later and a $22.00 dollar tip we were left dissatisfied, disappointed and hungry...
Cypris Moon
Wonderful atmosphere and great food. Below is the fried tilapia and grits with fried plantains. I also had the oxtails but they were devoured before I remembered to take a pic. ? ?The servers were very nice and attentive, given the size of our group.
Myranda M.
The absolute best place to get your soul food fix on. I visited with my coworkers and I was amazed at how good the food is. I ordered a smothered pork chop and this is the only place I know of that does smothered pork chops. The pork chop was so soft it was like cutting through butter. The mac & cheese was so delicious and tasty that I was scraping the bowl. On top of the amazing food, the prices are really good and affordable. I love that this is a family owned establishment and you feel just like at home when coming to eat. I've also come to Essence for their after-hours lounge and it's a really good time. The space is pretty big and plenty of room for dancing. Great spot for a night on the town with the girls. Definitely looking forward to coming back!
Kayla Hipp
First off, the food is great. Everything I’ve had here is delicious. The catfish is amazing, hush puppies are amazing, I cannot say enough good things about the menu and flavorful dishes.However, the two times I’ve eaten in person the service has not been good. The staff were kind, but just took a long time to acknowledge us and seat us and then it took over an hour for the food to be ready when there was only one other couple in the restaurant. This is a small detail, but the plastic silverware is weird for an otherwise nice vibe. I hope they can hire more staff to provide better service in the future and invest in some silverware because the food is great.One other detail-my partner and I were sooo excited to bring visiting family here but it was closed for a special event at the website had not been updated-that is one logistical improvement that would help is keeping hours up to date. Now we always check the menu and call to make sure it’s open before visiting.
trist c
Coming from the south I've been disappointed by all the so called soulfood southern restaurants in the area. But this place has become my go-to. Relaxing atmosphere, friendly servers and good food. Not like home but still damn good. My only complaint is rice doesn't come with the smothered porkchops. Have to buy separate. I never had anything smothered that didn't come thrown on a bed of rice covered with gravy. You have to complete the meal. But that's just a nit pick.
Yahiesa J.
Had us standing at the front for 20 mins just to tell us they weren't taking anymore tables yet another party came in after us and was sat down.
Hot Cake
Great food and staff, amazing atmosphere I will be back to try the other dishes. It is street parking.
DeAna Crosson
Went there last night for a work function, and I embarrassed myself by how much food I ate. Every bite better than the last. I HIGHLY recommend the costs greens, hush puppies, jumbalaya, and macaroni and cheese. I can't give this place high enough praise. I also asked for a drink they don't serve, Pineapple margarita, and the bartender said she'd do her best. It was AMAZING. I'm going to drag my family here.
MissUnwana Usoro
The Trap Paint & Sip event was on point!! Food and drinks were great also. Definitely a vibe ?
Delicious food .. service was great. Some of the food took a little while to get out to the table( maybe under staffed) but it was worth the wait. Nice open space so you are not on top of the next table.
Greg Smith
So, I like this place but I want to like it more.The good: my wife loved her meal. She liked the greens and praised the Mac 'n cheese - something she never does anywhere. I had fried pork chops and a side of red beans and rice and an additional side of black eyed peas. The Red beans were okay. The black eyed peas were the best I've ever had anywhere, ever. The staff was wonderful.The needs improvement: we had a side of sweet plantains and they were not ripe enough. I've eaten and cooked enough of them over the years to be able to tell. My fried pork chops were over fried and tough.We will definitely be back and hopefully they will work out these minor kinks. The place is promising and fills a niche that's needed for soul food in Tacoma.
Twyla M.
I did not go myself it was takeout I had catfish it was season it was fried just right didn't have any that nasty black skin on it And the fillets are huge I had that meal yesterday I'm going back today I don't open till one hopefully I can get there when I first open a great restaurant go there
Sidney Ramsey
I can't say enough about how delicious the food here is! I've gone twice and have been happy each time. If you are tired of the usual burgers and pizza you have to come check this place out! I've ordered the Mofongo each time and man it is so good! Can't find that anywhere else in Tacoma! My husband really enjoyed the jumbalya, and my friend loved her shrimp and grits
Kailey Cotton
Food was good but that's about it! There was no professionalism what so ever. All tables in the establishment were occupied and only 1 server was working. It took forever for us to even get acknowledged and when we finally did the service still did not get any better. My husband and I ordered 2 maragaritas and had to keep reminding the server that we did so, just for her to say "the bartender is busy with a reservation so she can't make drinks for y'all." Eventhough the food was good I would never go back or recommend this place to anyone. I expected more from a black owned business.
Great catfish ! Great Mac n cheese ! My girlfriend had the smothered pork Chops and loved them ! We highly recommend! Server was amazing as well! We will be back for sure !
My husband and I decided to stay in a nice hotel downtown Tacoma for Father's day an the Juneteenth holiday. I decided to treat us to Essence for our Juneteenth meal. 1st meal = Porkchop (overcooked, dry, tough ) I took two bites and put it down, Mac & Cheese, ( it was okay ) Yams ( Yams are an art they have not mastered ) 2nd meal - Chicken Wings, they were pretty good ( thats the reason for the extra star ) Greens (very salty) Beans & Rice ( we didn't care for the taste at all ) 3rd meal = Fish & Grits ( I ordered an additional piece of Catfish so my husband and I both would have one piece each, I did not receive the extra piece ) when I opened the box with the Fish, it did look good, but when I broke it in half for us to share, it was hard, overcooked and dry as the desert. We both took a bite of the fish and looked at each other and said, uh uh, this ain't it, then I said, this is not even real Catfish! It taste like Basa ( Japanese knock off Catfish ) True Catfish eaters know the difference as for the Creamy Grits ( they taste like water grits, I didn't taste cream or stock, very bland ) the Okra was cooked properly, taste like the grease was fresh, it just lacked seasoning, and the meals do not come with cornbread or bread. Before we had tasted the food I did call the restaurant to let them know I was missing a piece of Catfish I had ordered but no one answered the telephone ( it was during dinner service ) but after I tasted the non Catfish fish I didn't even want it. We didn't even eat the one piece we did get. So $83.00 dollars later and a $22.00 dollar tip we were left dissatisfied, disappointed and hungry...
Wonderful atmosphere and great food. Below is the fried tilapia and grits with fried plantains. I also had the oxtails but they were devoured before I remembered to take a pic. ? ?The servers were very nice and attentive, given the size of our group.
The absolute best place to get your soul food fix on. I visited with my coworkers and I was amazed at how good the food is. I ordered a smothered pork chop and this is the only place I know of that does smothered pork chops. The pork chop was so soft it was like cutting through butter. The mac & cheese was so delicious and tasty that I was scraping the bowl. On top of the amazing food, the prices are really good and affordable. I love that this is a family owned establishment and you feel just like at home when coming to eat. I've also come to Essence for their after-hours lounge and it's a really good time. The space is pretty big and plenty of room for dancing. Great spot for a night on the town with the girls. Definitely looking forward to coming back!
First off, the food is great. Everything I’ve had here is delicious. The catfish is amazing, hush puppies are amazing, I cannot say enough good things about the menu and flavorful dishes.However, the two times I’ve eaten in person the service has not been good. The staff were kind, but just took a long time to acknowledge us and seat us and then it took over an hour for the food to be ready when there was only one other couple in the restaurant. This is a small detail, but the plastic silverware is weird for an otherwise nice vibe. I hope they can hire more staff to provide better service in the future and invest in some silverware because the food is great.One other detail-my partner and I were sooo excited to bring visiting family here but it was closed for a special event at the website had not been updated-that is one logistical improvement that would help is keeping hours up to date. Now we always check the menu and call to make sure it’s open before visiting.
Coming from the south I've been disappointed by all the so called soulfood southern restaurants in the area. But this place has become my go-to. Relaxing atmosphere, friendly servers and good food. Not like home but still damn good. My only complaint is rice doesn't come with the smothered porkchops. Have to buy separate. I never had anything smothered that didn't come thrown on a bed of rice covered with gravy. You have to complete the meal. But that's just a nit pick.
Had us standing at the front for 20 mins just to tell us they weren't taking anymore tables yet another party came in after us and was sat down.
Great food and staff, amazing atmosphere I will be back to try the other dishes. It is street parking.
Went there last night for a work function, and I embarrassed myself by how much food I ate. Every bite better than the last. I HIGHLY recommend the costs greens, hush puppies, jumbalaya, and macaroni and cheese. I can't give this place high enough praise. I also asked for a drink they don't serve, Pineapple margarita, and the bartender said she'd do her best. It was AMAZING. I'm going to drag my family here.
The Trap Paint & Sip event was on point!! Food and drinks were great also. Definitely a vibe ?
Restaurantji Recommends
Delicious food .. service was great. Some of the food took a little while to get out to the table( maybe under staffed) but it was worth the wait. Nice open space so you are not on top of the next table.
So, I like this place but I want to like it more.The good: my wife loved her meal. She liked the greens and praised the Mac 'n cheese - something she never does anywhere. I had fried pork chops and a side of red beans and rice and an additional side of black eyed peas. The Red beans were okay. The black eyed peas were the best I've ever had anywhere, ever. The staff was wonderful.The needs improvement: we had a side of sweet plantains and they were not ripe enough. I've eaten and cooked enough of them over the years to be able to tell. My fried pork chops were over fried and tough.We will definitely be back and hopefully they will work out these minor kinks. The place is promising and fills a niche that's needed for soul food in Tacoma.
I did not go myself it was takeout I had catfish it was season it was fried just right didn't have any that nasty black skin on it And the fillets are huge I had that meal yesterday I'm going back today I don't open till one hopefully I can get there when I first open a great restaurant go there
I can't say enough about how delicious the food here is! I've gone twice and have been happy each time. If you are tired of the usual burgers and pizza you have to come check this place out! I've ordered the Mofongo each time and man it is so good! Can't find that anywhere else in Tacoma! My husband really enjoyed the jumbalya, and my friend loved her shrimp and grits
Food was good but that's about it! There was no professionalism what so ever. All tables in the establishment were occupied and only 1 server was working. It took forever for us to even get acknowledged and when we finally did the service still did not get any better. My husband and I ordered 2 maragaritas and had to keep reminding the server that we did so, just for her to say "the bartender is busy with a reservation so she can't make drinks for y'all." Eventhough the food was good I would never go back or recommend this place to anyone. I expected more from a black owned business.