A bit smoky smelling (not cigarette) inside for my taste but this place has AC! Perhaps not a lot of ventilation happening that day since doors/windows remained closed to keep everyone cool. Plenty of whiskey options to select from along with a cocktail menu. I didn't try the food but would be curious to visit during brunch hours.
(4)
Alvin S.
I don't claim to be a BBQ connoisseur nor have I ever, so here goes my humble and objective review of Southland Whiskey Kitchen... First things first: Convenient NW location, casual atmosphere and so-so service. It had been a while since I'd visited NW 23rd and had been hearing good things about Southland Whiskey Kitchen from several friends. I decided to seek this place out for lunch this particularly busy afternoon and was pleased to find available seating. A rarity on bright, shiny days. The host was very attentive and seated me and my guest in the dining area of the dimly-lit yet cool venue. The first thing I noticed was the attractive and extensive display of whiskeys behind the bar. The menu wasn't cluttered and featured several southern-style plates from fried green tomatoes to southern fried chicken and BBQ. I chose the southern buttermilk fried chicken cobb salad and my guest had the cornmeal encrusted catfish po'boy sandwich. We commenced our lunch with an appetizer of fried green tomatoes. The fried green tomatoes were very delightful. They were coated in cornmeal and served with a shrimp and cherry tomato relish. The combination of tart green and sweet cherry tomatoes was very pleasing to the palate. The accompanying shrimp was equally delightful. The lunch entrees arrived on time and the presentation was absolutely beautiful. The battered chicken tenders rested nicely on a fresh bed of romaine lettuce and was surrounded by a colorful array of traditional cobb ingredients. The po'boy was served on a freshly baked roll and was flanked by homemade potato chips flavored with a hint of vinegar and salt. The food was amazing and plentiful. Both me and my guest were quite pleased with the experience. Our server paid close attention and made sure we remained hydrated and satisfied. Needless to say, my experience was satisfactory and I would highly recommend this place for any occasion. The restaurant advertised a brunch menu for the weekend which goes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The menu is comprised of seasonal favorites and remains true to their southland roots. I will definitely be paying Southland Whiskey Kitchen another visit soon. I'm almost certain that this place becomes popular around the Kentucky Derby as their mint juleps seem to be among one of Portland's best.
(4)
Derek B.
Decant place. It's walking distance from my apartment so I eat there alot. I'm from Louisiana so alot of their food isnt exactly southern as they lead you go believe but, it is close. I recommend the smokestack sandwich, brisket, catfish or catfish po boy, or the BBQ bacon burger. Yum!
(4)
Neil C.
Evelyn was our server. So sweet and great service. Had the wings, shrimp and grits, and two cocktails (a south sour and a side car). All great.
(5)
C F.
Brunch here is fantastic! I've been a few times now and everything we have eaten was delicious. The poached eggs on the brisket hash are unreal. The biscuit with honey butter is a meal in itself! And my husband mowed the chicken fried steak like his plane was going down. Not to mention the bourbon + bubbles cocktail. Add champagne and any cocktail becomes a breakfast beverage!! Best part: never had to wait for a seat. In fact we are always some of the only people there for brunch. It's always slammed in the evenings so I was shocked breakfast hasn't caught on. Go now before everyone else discovers this culinary gem!
(5)
Kearney Q.
Hot Doggett damn. My wife and I split the big meat sampler platter thing. It had ribs, brisket, half a chicken, pulled pork, and sides. It came with FOUR different BBQ sauces, including a white, mayonnaise based one that I'd never seen before. It was brain meltingly delicious on the chicken, which even on its own was probably the best chicken I've ever had. Everything was amazing. Our service was great as well; our waitress was funny, charming, and attentive. This place is spectacular and though a bit out of my price range not ridiculously expensive. Huge recommend.
(5)
Garrett T.
I had the pulled pork sandwich with the mac and cheese side. The sandwich was ok, could have used More sauce. I didn't think it had much flavor, the pork was cooked well though. The Mac and cheese was amazing though, one of the better ones I've had. I also had the bread pudding for desert. The consistency was perfect but I was not a fan of the jack Daniels sauce.
(3)
Reynolds P.
We just had a delish lunch at Southland. We sat at the bar, got excellent service. I had first class brisket chili* and my wife had chicken fried steak. Both were quite good. She had a glass of cabernet, and I had a Michter's rye old fashioned. We checked out the brunch and lunch and dinner menus. Plenty of thoughtful choicesto select from. The restaurant's stylish decor is to be applauded. One of the best looking new places we've dined at. Hope you check it out. We certainly will be back. *Nice slice of cornbread, too. P.S. Plenty of TVs for the sports fans.
(5)
caeton f.
Hey southland, want to know why you're dead? Because you're charging $13 for TWO SLICES of brisket (and 2 baby sides) and you're under staffed. My wife and I have been through three times now and been underwhelmed each time but keep trying because we live in the neighborhood. But this was just silly. Your staff is totally nice and knowledgable and trying hard but the higher ups aren't doing you any favors. Poor bartender running his arse off trying to make it happen, but alas, you come up short. I'll go try your other establishment next door and see how it goes. (2 stars for your hard working staff and really cold beer)
(2)
Kelsie O.
This place isn't always crowded so getting a table fast is a plus. Service was good. The interior is really cute especially the bar. Fried chicken 5/5. It came with two pieces of chicken, slaw, mashed potatoes, and a huge biscuit. Everything was delicious! Skin was so crispy and the chicken was juicy. This order can take a little longer so just a heads up. And you can order two or three pieces of chicken. Pulled pork plate 3/5. It was tasty and tender but just good. Nothing really special. I thought it would be more saucy or something. It comes with two sides of your choice. Maybe we'll get the sandwich one next time. Cornbread 5/5. They give BIG pieces and it comes with this special butter. We weren't exactly sure what's in it, but either you love it or hate it.
(4)
Holy-foo' X.
It fills me with complete joy and gratitude and pleasure, surely as the SWK filled the whole family w/extraordinary yummy pleasures, to review the BBQ offered at this still new-ish eatery on NW 23rd for my 1,000th (!!!) Yelp Review (patent pending). Southland Whiskey Kitchen bbq and catfish was so good, it went straight into the "afraid to eat there ever again, knowing it can't possibly stay at this level" category. Yet I've had several meals there, and so far they have been simply outstanding. I can't wait to show them off to more friends and out of town visitors, as though I had a hand in their singular excellence! First, the catfish po' boy... Oh boy! Therre were so many succulent, perfectly, which is to say, lightly breaded filets filled this little gordito, that I actually had to remove several of them in order to fit them into my ever gluttonous aperture. That's like the ice cream shoppes that let you have the stainless steel cup that mixed your milkshake, w/all the extra that couldn't fit into the regular milkshake cup. Unbridled joy! The only complaint about the po' boy, and it is admittedly a pretty small one, is they should consider looking at more robust hoagie rolls, as this sandwich was exploding into mulch between my fingers after only a couple bites into the beast. Look for something like at best baguette- that's fluffy on the inside, but so delightfully crunchy and crispy on the outside, strong enough to hold the delicious innards of your po boys.... Every side dish I tried at Southland I greatly enjoyed, including the greens, the shrimp and grits (decadence thy name is Southland), and the tasso sticks w/the gorgeous chunks o' jamon and grits provide such a pleasing mouthfeel. It wasn't too long into this meal that I realized we were dealing with some highly skilled craftsmen who knew what they were doing. A special word about the onion rings: I surely must have lived a sheltered existence, as this was the first time I can remember having thick cut sweet onion rings w/breading that had thick slices of scallions to up the oniony delight factor. I'm a fan! The brisket at SWK was at the head of the pack for best in the region; the smokiness, the pink smoke ring, the tenderness of the flesh, the insta-melt-in-ya-mouf, and the pleasingly tart, sassy, spicy sauce made this an instant favorite in my entire group. Sure, the pull pork and hot links (dressed w/their own glorious chile and onion relish) were excellent as well, but that brisket has tremendous, stand alone upside. I will have to update and upgrade this review as per necessary, sometime in the future, when I'm more comfortably situated somewhere in the firmament, where this places happily and deservedly reside. Take a bow, fine folks of SKW, for your service was just about as good as what came out of your kitchen. Finally, unlike many bbq-type eateries around town, you folks actually carry your heavenly aroma outside as a sort of calling card to the public, and happy are those who take heed and follow their noses and their tummies into the dining room, properly. Ladies and gents a salute. Can't wait to see how long you can maintain the awesome at such lofty levels... for now you belong right up there w/Podnah's....
(5)
Andrew P.
Hosting some Brits who wanted a first taste of southern/Texan BBQ. Helped along significantly by a very friendly and knowledgeable server who steered us towards a good range of options. The menu is very diverse and the quality of the food was outstanding. Great beer list and the whiskey options are simply amazing. I love the ambience of the place, a nice relaxed atmosphere and attentive service. Clean, crisp...just right. Overall definitely four stars and highly recommended!
(4)
William C.
Stopped in here last night, didn't have to wait for a table. The interior is warmly lit and spacious enough that you don't feel cramped. There are a few tvs above the bar to watch sports. Our server was super friendly and attentive throughout our meal. She was very helpful and proactive by telling us what was already sold out for the evening and offered recommendations for drinks and food. We ordered a flight of Oregon bourbons, some beers, a small beef brisket with mac, collard greens and a chicken and dumpling dish. The food was all very delicious and we didn't have to wait long for it to be served. We finished our meal with the sweet potato beignet. Deep fried doughy balls of heaven dusted in confectioners sugar with hot syrup for dipping. Will be back!
(5)
Kristie L.
This review is only for the late night happy hour. The price is reasonable... $7 for fried mac and cheese, bbq pork sandwich with chips... although, that night they had run out of the bbq pork and offered the bbq brisket instead. The brisket was tough and the sauce was too sweet for my taste. Also, the chips were actually French fries... not regular chips... although they have both on their menu... so that was confusing. Service for a big group was sub par.
(3)
Nora F.
A friend and I decided to grab dinner, and had heard good things about Southland. We wanted a laid back atmosphere so we could just sit and talk for an hour or two - no problems there. The service was solid, and while we saw very little of our server, I never felt as though we needed to send out a search party. Unfortunately, the food wasn't particularly outstanding - while our shrimp and grits starter was fantastic, I thought the pulled pork was very fatty and very salty compared to some I've had in the past, and I ended up eating very little of it. Overall, a decent experience, but I wouldn't necessarily order the same again. This seems like a good place to grab drinks and chat in the bar rather than enjoying a full dinner.
(3)
Brittany H.
Oh how I wanted to love you Southland. Being from Arkansas I was so excited to see Southern items in the menu. The interior of the restaurant is rustic, which I love. The service was incredible, which can only be a good thing. But the food, it was lacking the love Southerners put into their food. Everything on my plate lacked flavor. The baked beans looked like they came straight from a can and even the sauces were lacking Any sort of kick to them. Unfortunately, I don't believe we will be returning. In a place where there are hundreds of delicious restaurant choices, sub par just won't do.
(2)
Brenna D.
I am in love with SWK! The food was right up my alley. In two different visits we tried the shrimp and grits (nice and spicy), smoky baked beans, coleslaw, collard greens, garlic mashers, baby back ribs, Brunswick stew and their amazing cornbread with honey bourbon (yes, bourbon!) butter. Some of the best baked beans I've ever had, and the cornbread is perfectly moist, not too dense. The garlic mashed potatoes were heaven, and I wish I'd asked for the stew in a bigger bowl! The mint julep is quite a treat, but if you're not in the mood for a libation, the sweet tea is scrumptious too. Brent, the manager, was so kind, our server, Mandi, was sweet as could be. We have found one of our favorite spots in Nob Hill.
(5)
Elizabeth D.
Let me start by saying this, they serve the best onion rings I can remember ever eating. I had the baby back ribs as my main couse which had a great smoke flavor and tooth resistance - rather like pasta al dente. I prefer this texture rather than the super soft texture others prefer, so keep that in mind. As my other side, I had the coleslaw, which I enjoyed because it was light with a nice balance of acidity. My husband had the pulled pork, which had a great smoke flavor that he enjoyed immensely. He ordered the baked beans as his main side, which he loved. The service was prompt, efficient and friendly. My only criticism concerns the "secret children's menu." We travel with our 7-year old son. When we were seated, he was given the adult menu. Because our son is seven, I doubted that he could eat two pieces of chicken and two sides (the fried ckicken dinner), so I asked whether they make any adjustments for children. Only after I asked whether they make any adjustments for kids did our server recite the secret kids menu. While I appreciate the fact that they do accommodate children, I was put off by the secret nature of it all, particularly given the history and inclusiveness of the barbecue culture. This restaurant calls itself a barbecue place - which should be family oriented. It did not market itself as the French Laundry or another 5 star, fancy adult date night restaurant ( where I would never take my son). They should embrace families, not alienate them.
(4)
Erin J.
Disclaimer - I lived my first 23 years on earth in Texas and the next 10 in Arkansas so I've been around a LOT of BBQ and do base all of my BBQ opinions on that. Just wanted to throw that out there. I went to Southland in a party of 4. We went on a Friday, around 6 and were seated right away (the crowd showed up a bit later here than I expected... not sure if that is common or just happened that night but might be worth noting if looking for a good spot on a Friday). We had a couple of appetizers - the chicken wings and sausage plate. I could eat those wings all the time - they were GREAT. The sausage and pickles were good too but kind of fancy if you're hoping for standard BBQ dill pickle fare. There were beets, turnips, carrots - they were good but some of the people at our table were put off by that. For dinner I had the brisket - being from Texas I'm one to sample that wherever I can. It was as good as I've had in Portland but not quite what I'm missing from home. Good quality, good smoke flavor, tender - I'd buy it again. The sides were delicious as well and you cant' go wrong with their cornbread. Service was good as well. We'll be back.
(3)
Mike G.
This place is really great inside! The menu looked fantastic and our service started out wonderful, then...we had a different server and she was just alright. Our food showed up and I must say, the flavors were delightful (My wife didn't like the coleslaw...bland) but the portions were too small. the LARGE brisket platter had 2 pieces of brisket with a big portion of fat on them and to small sides. Would I recommend it or order it again...NO. Would I go back and try there sandwiches...yes. I would like to try the salads and Gumbo too.
(3)
Jason M.
Southland captured us on our walk by while headed to dinner somewhere else. Being bartenders, we sat down at the bar. First impression of the back bar was wow, they have an exhaustive selection of whiskey, bourbon and for some reason, flavored vodkas... The style and atmosphere feels very corporate, the back bar lighting is straight outta Los Angeles with LED light strips which is a weird mixed with the antique, Edison style bulbs they have throughout the rest of the establishment. The music was so low you could barely hear it and once the crowd popped in you couldn't hear it at all. We ordered dinner, I had a half rack of ribs with a baked potato and cornbread. While the drinking is on par the food, given that this is a southern style spot swimming in the vain of everything Texas, was mediocre. My ribs were cool and arrived dry with no option of BBQ sauce, my potato wasn't hot enough to melt any of the cheese and while cornbread rocked it came with a tiny ramekin of whipped butter soaking in about a quarter ounce of whiskey honey. It was barely enough to flavor one piece. I'll say there's no such thing as bad BBQ and we were both members of the clean plate club on this Sunday night but it's not the food or atmosphere that'll bring us back. We'll be back because they offer every single spirit from High West however priced at $18 a shot... All and all, as I watch my favorite city slowly drift in to this pseudo corporate style sea of establishments our visit wasn't bad at all nor something to write home about.
(3)
Emily C.
Despite the somewhat dry, tough fried green tomato appetizer, my meal here was pretty good, and perhaps the perfect precursor to a red eye flight back east. The pulled pork was delicious and my French 75 cocktail (I know, not the most common bbq pairing) was made perfectly. Service was totally decent and the whiskey list definitely deserves a nod. Among other dishes, my dining companion ordered an artery busting loaded baked potato brimming with smoked pork shoulder, cheddar, sour cream, and chives. It looked like heaven. Not the very top of my list for Portland restaurants but a solid option for some southern comfort food in town.
(3)
Jason W.
Although others feel differently (and that's what you find when it comes to opinions over BBQ) Southland has some of the best BBQ in town. The smoked flavors of their meat alone is enough to have you wanting more. Add to that the variety of sauces, each one better than the last, and you can't go wrong. Our server was Mandy and we couldn't have asked for friendlier, more down-home, service. She is amazing! The only downside is the coleslaw. We ordered it and asked for extra dressing thinking it was missed, but it wasn't. The flavor fell a bit flat for what it sounded like it should be. If you haven't given them a try, You Must! Take it from this southern boy, you won't be mad you did.
(4)
Joe W.
I've only been there twice but loved the place both times! Had the pulled pork sandwich and the pickle sausage plate on my first visit and then shared the $38 plate on the second visit and brought home a lot of leftovers, more than the two of us could eat. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
John F.
Wow, have these guys slipped. After my first visit I rated these guys at five stars. Two years later it's like a whole other crew was in the kitchen. As before the staff was awesome, checking in a lot and very friendly. Too bad the food was mediocre at best, and felt more like a bad chain than a real, local BBQ joint. Here were the four deal killers for me, which I really hope they address. The brisket was dry and sliced super thin, and lacked that pull apart texture and red ring from a long, slow smoke. It just felt hurried and looked grey and lifeless. BBQ sauce was NOT present on the table, nor was it offered. There used to be five choices, now there is one...AND I had to ask for it...AND the staff person was surprised when I did ask for more sauce than the slight drizzle applied to my meat when it was plated. It came not in a bottle but in a small metal condiment dish, like you get for mustard or ketchup at fancy restaurants. Just strange. The horseradish coleslaw sounded really good, but arrived virtually dry. DRY?!? It's coleslaw!!! I get the creamy vs. vinegar debate, and the crunchy versus soft, but some sort of moisture has to be present!!! That's the point. Finally, the cornbread was just a dry, tasteless square. Neither sweet nor coarse, just a sort if box-mix bland. If it was any one issue I would have mentioned something to the manager, but the collection of issues seems to indicate a complete lack of BBQ fundamentals and a lack of desire to excel. At least the place was clean and the staff smiled.
(2)
Rachel B.
I've been here 3 times but I think the third visit is my last. The first time the food was great. The second time I got the catfish po'boy which was covered in jalapeños (why on earth would you do that?). Today I went at a non busy time and got my food right away. The beef brisket was 3 pieces of nothing but fat! It was not even edible. I'm giving 2 stars for the service (waitress was great and took the meal off my bill) and the southern punch. But...if your main menu revolves around barbecue you have failed miserably.
(2)
Suzanne Z.
We came here for post-dinner drinks and the two of us made up 50% of the bar on a Sunday night. The bartender was courteous and quick with drinks, and didn't get upset when my friend spilled/broke her glass. She also didn't kick us out of the place, which was also very nice of her! Drinks were good- I tried one of their signature cocktails which was delicious and a whiskey ginger ale after that. For a Sunday, the bartender was vague on closing time and basically said "I pick what time it closes". She did last call at 1030, and that was fine, we probably should've gone back to our hotel before that!! All in all, nice time, and nice atmosphere.
(4)
Doni B.
Bland macaroni and cheese, and bland corn bread. Ribs tasted like they were drenched in liquid smoke and they were not the type of ribs where the meat falls off the bone. I can tolerate some heat but the Chili was overly spicy to the point where my lips were on fire as I tried to eat it, and my stomach is now feeling the after effects. Ribs arrived at the table with no BBQ sauce, I waited for about 5 minutes then finally walked up to the three waitresses standing around talking at the counter and asked for some sauce. I guess I'm accustomed to the wait staff asking if there's anything else BEFORE they sprint off... but maybe she was afraid I would say yes.
(2)
Jason F.
I've tried to like this place, but it's just not very good. The serving of fried green tomatoes was comically small and not terribly good. You can recreate this at home in about ten minutes for 1/10 the price, and it'll come out better. The BBQ chicken tasted like, well, I'm honestly not sure what they were going for, but the end result was not good. It tasted like something that would come out if one went to New Seasons, bought every BBQ rub they had, mixed them all together, then smeared it on. The ribs were sub-par (dry and charred) and the catfish was bland. Prepare to be taken aback when you look at the drink menu and realize they have the gall to charge $8 for such fantastic selections as Widmer. They do have pretty good side dishes (onion rings, mashed potatoes). There's plenty of good BBQ in portland. You don't need to subject yourself to this.
(2)
Sheena B.
I'm prefacing this review by stating that I worked in restaurants for 10 years, including this place, I started when they opened and left a year ago when I finally got a well paying job in my field of interest. That being said, when I worked here I would have given the food a 3.5, the service has always been a 5 :) Today is the first time I've eaten a meal here since I left, and I am being completely honest when I say, the food has improved to a 5! Legit. I got the staples (in my opinion) of what a southern/barbecue restaurant should do right, a pulled pork sandwich, baked beans, and mac and cheese. The pork is super juicy w/ a nice punch of vinegar (love Carolina BBQ), the mac is no longer dry but creamy and full of cheesy flavor and the baked beans are sweet, spicy, and loaded with pork. A+ Chef Mcrae! Kudos to a fantastic job with this place :)
(5)
Cola V.
Considering we live around the corner, you'll most likely find us sitting at the bar at least once a week. Great happy hour items and prices. Shrimp and grits have improved & a favorite, wedge salad is great, but that catfish....oh boy. Get it. Greens & mac are the go to sides, but the cornbread does taste like dessert and worth it if you haven't tried. TONS of whiskey to sip, but try the Southern Punch at least once. Great outdoor seating and huge windows in the dining room that are open on nice days to keep the outdoor feel flowing. Great service, bartenders have been here for a long time and have their routine down.
(4)
Jay B.
The low star rating is well deserved. Service was good, Don't get me wrong, but the food was terrible. Like a dark cave that serves bland southern food.
(2)
Shy A.
I've been sitting on this review for awhile and I realized why....First, let me put out the highlights... We were seated quickly, ordered a couple of whiskey gingers and a couple of plates to share... Friend green tomato-I've always loved these! Brisket-tender and delicious. This was the highlight of my meal Mash potatoes & Gravy-tastes homemade! yum! Mac & Cheese-bland and disappointing. Service was fast and nice.... This basically sums up my experience at SWK. There was nothing bad that happened but nothing that really made an impression....A fairly "meh" experience. I'll have to try it again and see if it will be one of my go-tos for BBQ in Portland.
(3)
Laura C.
I loathe collard greens no more! Not that I love them but SWK makes them good enough that I didn't gag when I sampled my friends order and actually found the smoky taste appealing. Not that I would actually order a side for myself (I find all green vegetables to be less than appealing), but at least I can say that if prepared right, they aren't actually mushy - like canned spinach. As for my friend, she loved them and said they were the best she's had in a very long time. I'm all about calories and carbs when it comes to dining out. I can diet and eat healthy at home but I'm not spending money for rabbit food (salad and veggies). No holding back for me, I ordered the 4-cheese mac, jalapeno hush puppies and these deep fried smoked cheddar tasso grit sticks. Go big or go home, right? My friends were "good" and got sides of collards and fried green tomatoes. If you could say those tomatoes are still healthy after being fried. The male at our table went for 3 sliders...all of which were a little larger than he expected. I was too stuffed eating my own artery clogging goodness to ask for a bite but he said both the brisket and pork shoulder were fantastic. We each ordered something different to drink. The male got a bourbon flight. I got a mint julep, one friend got the whiskey smash and our pregnant friend got a rhubarb strawberry lemonade. We each sampled the others and agreed we liked them all. When we arrived, the restaurant was quiet. Before we left it was packed full of families having dinner. Who knew?? I thought it was just a bar. I was also shocked by the size of the interior. From the outside it looked like most of the building was Casa Del Matador and that SWK was half it's size. Upon walking in, the place is a full sized bar and full sized restaurant. Just goes to show, looks can be very deceiving. Lastly, the decor is very southern. I'm really digging the old, rustic wood I've been seeing adhered to walls lately. Back-lighting the bar makes the booze bottles glisten like gold. I'm not sure if panning for gold in the wild west was the look they were going for, but it's what came to mind - and I really liked it! Funny thing, there were so many scrumptious items on the happy hour menu, we forgot to order ribs. Oh well! Next time....
(5)
Michael D.
I'm going to be generous and round up here, since 2.5 stars isn't an option... This place isn't necessarily bad, but it doesn't meet expectations, primarily because the space is so nice and it feels authentic, especially with the great whiskey selection. The biggest problem here are the Mains- just not very good. I had the pulled pork this last time and it was all stuck together in some big tendon-like clump and soaked in vinegar. First of all, pulled pork should be PULLED- that's the point and the reason for its name. None of it should be chewy. Second, don't EVER douse meat in sauce. Ever. Yes, it's N.C. style, but let me add my own sauce, don't do it for me. First time here I had brisket. Best way to describe it is bland, dry, and way too lean to be very good. Service is pretty much disinterested. You'll need to get their attention if you want something- don't expect them to check in on you. Sides are good and so is the alcohol selection. I might be back, but it'll be for a drink at the bar, which is great. But the food isn't worth it.
(3)
Robert L.
Can't fill for Saturday brunch in Portland? Not even with a really great bloody mary? Hmmm... The concept of the place is great. It's a beautiful place to eat a meal. The drinks are creative and the one bartender on duty when I went for brunch time on a Saturday was nice. But that's what was weird, there are lines out the door at other places on this very street for brunch, but not here. I think the reason is the food - it's just not ready for primetime. BBQ is currently en vogue right now and Portland is trying its best. There are a few notable entries (look toward gas stations in Vancouver, for better options) around town, but Southland lacks a little something. I grew up in the South and know what properly smoked BBQ should be like. This is nothing special. You can tell all you need to know about a BBQ place by how good the brisket is. Anyone can do ribs and pulled pork or smoked chicken. Brisket separates the fakes from the real ones. This brisket was grey, overcooked, but still tender due to the amount of fat in this particular section. The gave me a part off of what is called the point - the really fatty part. That's fine, but it better be tasty! It was average to below average at best. I also tried the chicken and waffles. I could only eat about 1/4 of it because of how bad it made me feel. I've never had a more dripping, oily piece of fried chicken in my life. Which is too bad because the taste of the breading was actually not so bad. This one drumstick and half-breast was so greasy that it made the waffle they put it on completely mushy. Let alone putting any of their special butter or syrup on it. The best high-point, however, is that house bloody mary they gave me. It was good. Try it (they put brisket on it and that is fine). Overall, I'd go back to try other things, but I know the BBQ is not properly smoked and won't have that certain something special that properly smoked food should have. I blame commercial kitchen smokers.
(3)
Rena J.
Came here to watch the World Cup. They have tv's lining the bar making it easy to watch the game from the front half of the restaurant. It's never crowded and the food is solid. I got the smoke master chop salad, smoked chicken, cheddar, ranch dressing and bacon. My partner got the rib plate with baked beans and mac and cheese. The ribs were a dry rub which was good, the meat had a touch of smoke and was fully moist. We're just saucy people so I would have appreciated a side of bbq sauce but I'm not going to complain. The mac and cheese was awesome. It was a little addicting and if I'm having a fatty day, I may have to get the entree portion of it... The baked beans were fine, my partner said that he preferred the beans from Smokehouse 21. I enjoyed the salad, the chicken was really tender and tasty. Overall the food was pretty good but nothing special. We finished watching the game with a mason jar of banana pudding. We were afraid the peanut butter would have been too much but it didn't over power the pudding and went really well together. Felt pretty gross and heavy after that. Note to self, banana pudding is to be shared with more people. :-P Didn't feel like day drinking but the cocktails looked solid.
(3)
Rama L.
A group of us at work wanted to do take out. Food isn't too shabby but my review is my take out experience. Step 1, phone in to make the order. Utterly failed. Called multiple times and no one answered. I'm out of town so I thought this place was happening (more on that in a bit). Finally the chef answered!! rRally, the chef taking orders. It was 12:55pm at this time. We had a 2pm meeting so that leaves me 1 hr to order, pick up and eat all in 1 hr. That should be a key warning sign of bad things to come). So, he transfer me to the right person who didnt answer the calls. Step 2, placed an order.. that went like how it suppose to be.. i want this and he repeated my order... (didnt ask for my name and number though). He said it will be 25 minutes. Step 3 pick up order.. so I arrived 25 minutes later and the place was freaking dead. I thought this place was off the hook and that is why they couldnt attend my phone calls. When I arrived, I was told it will be in just a bit. Nice place to dine but if someone does a take out for lunch in the middle of the week, its usually is because they dont have time to go out so pls make it quick and easy. In this case, I sat down....watched the bartender/ckout/who place my phone order was pouring several of drinks and a repeat football game. I got to watch half a quarter of football which was another 15 minutes. All said and done, it took 40 minutes from the time I place the 7 order to pickup. While I waited, I agree with some of the other yelper's comments is that this place seems to be understaff or lack of urgency or process to make a meal in a reasonable timeframe. I personally think the owner of this place is just being cost conscience when the place is not so happening. As a result, I had to wait more than we should. I wouldnt be recommending this place to my collegues for takeout.. We needed somehing quick and easy. Slabtown is much to our office building.
(2)
Katie P.
Absolutely love this place! Great food, great drinks (especially the bloody mary), great service, great atmosphere!!!! What more could you ask for. Try the horseradish coleslaw, and everything else for that matter. Yummy.
(5)
Teresa T.
I had the fried chicken served with mashed potatoes, cole slaw, and a buttermilk biscuit. Every bite was delicious. The cole slaw was not sweet which I prefer. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the fry was tasty. The buttermilk biscuit was large and served with a honey butter that I wanted to eat by the spoonful. I'll be back.
(5)
Kimmy S.
The fried chicken is bomb! And the cornbread is amazing, don't skip the butter. Trust me!
(4)
Kristen M.
This place is amazing. The pulled pork was delicious. I couldn't have asked for anything more. Jonalyn was great. Oh and have Southern punch!!
Walked in no hello. Sat at the bar for ten minutes, bartender had his head in the POS, never even acknowledged us. We left. Too bad I'm a local was looking forward to trying this place out.
(1)
Mollie A.
I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at Whiskey Kitchen! They have a huge bar that I would LOVE to get into trouble at when I visit during happy hour/dinner. The menu is pricey, but the portion sizes are HUGE. I ordered the barbeque chicken with cornbread and mac n' cheese and took half of my meal home with me to enjoy later. The BBQ sauce on the chicken was slightly sweet and I believe it was tomato based...YUM, IT WAS DELICIOUS. Authentic? Absolutely not. This southern girls knows better. Nice alternative alllllllll the way on the West coast when you're craving some yummy southern food? Absolutely. Con: Slow service when the restaurant was empty.
(4)
Kevin Y.
The whiskey selection is pretty darn amazing! The bartenders are very knowledgeable and will tell you everything about a good whiskey! The happy hour is pretty sweet. the Ribs are to die for! Give it a try!
(5)
D J.
Second time here. Such amazing food. Try the Bloody Mary and the catfish!! Oh and the homemade chips!! Oh and the... Needless to say, we are coming again!!
(5)
Kandis F.
The food came out at different temperatures; the sides and toast were cold and the meat was warm. The food also took a really long time to come out (guessing around 35 minutes). Also, for any parents of young children- they don't have a changing table! Our toddler had a dirty diaper and we ended up having to use two metal chairs to change her, and they couldn't even provide a private place to change her. People were walking by the whole time and it made my daughter very upset. We won't be going back.
(2)
Jaime C.
Day, Saturday, happy hour, perfect at almost 60' w the windows pulled opened and sunshine peeking from the clouds, I could actually feel some natural vitamin D :) Server: Mandi, was prompt, smiling, and attentive to our needs & asking about our day. She made some great recommendations, from my ice cube to apps. She was SUPER friendly & nice :) Glenlivet 12yr - amazing. Old Fashioned - de-fucking-licious! I love the muddled orange & cheery w the powerful kick in the throat of Bourbon. Hot damn I say! My lady friend suddenly looks even better ;) Fried green tomatoes were just OK. They were a bit soft and lacked a real kick of flavor or crunch. :( damn it man, I love the crunch! However, the breading was very good :) It's a cornmeal base and I loved the texture! A bit bland for my tastes. The sauce was good & kept my gal pal & I dippin' away. House side salad: Oh. Its a Caesar salad w some paprika in the dressing. :| oh. My small disappointment didn't last long, bc the romaine was fresh, OH SO crunchy (see sucker for the crunch!), and cut perfect bite sized. Cheese shreds were amazing but the lettuce was totally overdressed. I'll get the dressing on the side next time, but yes I would order it again :) Pulled pork slider: love it! Smokey, perfect amount of saucy, tender, pork w a generous but not overpowering amount of slaw. Slaw has nice crisp (see) and isn't to saucy. My sandwich didn't fall apart on my second bite bc some dude/ette slopped on some extra sauce or what not. Thanks for that. Hell, it even got passed across the table for a share bite. Dude/ette in kitchen. Well done. Chili- meaty brisket bits, tomato, spice, beans and a smokey flavor... I like it. A lot. Keep that cornbread in the bowl for just a feeeew bites to get the optimal soakage. :) Last, salt & vinegar chips. Eh. Idk. They're 'ight. Didn't taste the vinegar but hella BOMB CRUNCH. (heh heh, I'm not even trying here) Don't get me wrong, the plate was empty between us two, but a little more flavor yo' :) We'll be back.
(3)
Tony T.
Food was OK, definitely not southern cuisine but not northwest cuisine either. Good selection of drinks. Good place for groups to hang out. Try to get the large table in the back of you have a lot of people.
(3)
Andrew N.
I struggled whether this was a two or four - I give this a two for food, however I'd do a four or even five were I commenting on the whiskeys. Gave it a three, averaging the two The serve was great - our server made informed suggestions and really understood her whiskeys. I had the ribs with beans and coleslaw as a side. The ribs were disappointing at best - good smoked flavor, but under cooked. Beans and slaw were average at best. IF you're in the market for good beer and whiskey parings, with a broad array to chose from this is the place. IF you're look gin for good barbecue - I'd suggesting looking a little harder.
(3)
Lizzy J.
Three stars AT MOST... The best thing about this place is the location, well designed decor, and the fact that it wasn't crowed when we went. Everything else...was not as good as many other restaurants in Portland, especially for the price. I would describe this place as a good clean bar with better than average bar food. If you are looking for good southern BBQ go elsewhere. We ordered the baby back ribs which arrived hardly warm and were dry. Thankfully, we were able to get BBQ sauce on the side (the spicy bbq sauce was most tasty). We also ordered gumbo which was okay. Our sides were edible. If you are coming to drink, the menu offered many choices. If you are a whiskey fan you'd probably be happy. We had beer so I can't review the quality. If you want good food, I'd go somewhere else.
(3)
Maddy S.
This place was okay. Unfortunately, the worst part was the food. My side of corn bread was burnt and dry. The onion rings were fine as was the pulled pork. The sides were bigger than the actual meal which I did not like. They Definitely skimped on the meat. The service was fine. There was basically no one there and the food came out slow. The drinks took forever which is one of my biggest complaints. Also, the ambiance was fine, nothing special.
(2)
Stephanie O.
Arrived at 5:30pm on a Tuesday, the service was amazing (probably because it was kinda empty), and the food was fantastic. Happy Hour drinks are innovative and well priced ($6) until 6:00pm. You can order the fried chicken a la carte and I highly recommend it. I've had better mac and cheese but the fires were awesome. Wanted to try everything but will have to come back again.
(5)
Aubrey F.
My wife and I stopped in last night for dinner and it was great. We started with some hush puppies which were really good. The remoulade sauce was a perfect companion. We also ended up with two whiskey wedge salads. My wife ordered one without bacon and they mistakenly brought it out with bacon. Instead of throwing it out, they offered it to me gratis. I took them up on the offer and it was really good. The combination of french and blue cheese dressings is one of my favorite and neither disappointed here. For the main, I had planned on getting some brisket, but my wife wanted me to get the Nashville hot chicken out of her own curiosity what it was. The waiter overheard our discussion and practically insisted I get the chicken. I am glad he did. The chicken leg was the largest leg I've ever seen. Both the leg and thigh were moist and hot, but hot in a good way. I enjoyed every bite of that chicken. The mashers and gravy were also really good. The coleslaw was ok, but that's fine, the other items made up for it. The biscuit was humongous and the butter was such a surprise that my wife laughed at my expression of surprise and enjoyment when I took my first bite. My wife had the cornbread and onion rings which she said were both really good. Some of the cornbread was breakfast this morning and it was still really good. The bbq sauce that came with the onion rings wasn't our cup of tea, so we just left it alone. The dessert menu looked great too, but we were way too full to partake. All in all I would definitely come back to Southland Whiskey Kitchen again if we're back in Portland.
(5)
Tiffany G.
I love the waitstaff here, but the food since they changed the happy hour menu when you're ago just isn't the same. I really miss that beef ribs that are used offer on the happy hour menu. If the food was as cool as the waitstaff, I'd go back a lot more often.
(3)
Steven C.
If I lived in Portland, I would weigh 200 pounds. This town has such great food and beer. Dropped by SWK with some old friends. Normally, this type of food wouldn't appeal to me but ya gotta go with the locals. When in Rome... Order up the bourbon barrel IPA. It had a nice bite but the bourbon flavor was way too subtle. What's this on the menu? Fried Chicken Cassoulet? One of my comfort food favorites, let's check this out. So an interesting play on the traditional version - black eyed peas, a bed of collards and confit chicken on top. Major creative points for this one. The greens and chicken were excellent but the cassoulet portion wasn't as good. It had solid flavor but the texture just wasn't close enough to the original for me. Our server was insanely well versed and helped me pick out a local bourbon after dinner. Good food, atmosphere and service - hope you enjoy it as well. On a side note, it seems pretty unfair that some haters with only a few reviews can bring down a rating. Yelp should really work to figure that out.
(4)
Mario D.
Sorry to say but the experience wasn't that great. At the first visit, one of our glasses were dirty with someone's lipstick mark on it. We told the waiter and she just replaced it without any apology (talk about rudeness). We ordered the meat platter and was actually good and tasty and great portion. The cornbread was ok but dry. Because the food was good, we decided to come back. The second time we came back, the waiter was very nice. We ordered the same meat platter for two and was very disappointed because the meat was like leftover from two days ago. The meat was cold and very dry. That would be our last visit, because they lack consistency. I hope they change for the better and there is no excuse for serving cold and dry food.
(3)
Dominque D.
Came with a couple friends to try out the food. Got here on Sunday night around happy hour. There was four if us so we ordered a good amount of food. After waiting 45min and no food I asked our server what the deal was. He said sorry too many people ordered at the same time and the kitchen was backed up. Oh my bad sorry that your kitchen cant handle a rush. Why is that my problem? I got the shrimp poboy with slaw and the onion rings. Among other dishes like the chili and pull pork that my friend got was all cold. Obviously it was going to be cold because the cooks were in the shit so they started sand bagging food. So when i told the server our food was cold he said it wasn't his fault that everyone ordered food at the same time. Southland step ur game up. Rookies. Never coming back.
(2)
Vanessa M.
I came here with my friend who has a baby girl and a large carriage. The staff was accomodating and was able to fit us in at a table that was out of the way. Everything we ordered came out the way we expected it. We tried a sampling of what feels like every meat and side they offered because we were so hungry and really couldn't decide what we wanted. We had so much food that we brought a lot of it home to have for lunch the next day. It reheated well!
(4)
Anthony K.
Wish I would have ordered the Shrimp and Grits like half of the other people at the table. I was very disapointed with the Catfish. To me it more or less seemed like it came out of a frozen food bag and was heated up, either that or from a long john silver but not from somewhere where you pay good money for people who went to culinary school to learn how to cook your meals. The greens that came with the catfish were very tasty. However, the catfish had no seasoning on it. Maybe I was expecting more of a blackened catfish, or maybe some lemon wedges to give it some flavor, or something besides being plain. The whiskey selection is more than impressive. We ordered the Oregon Bourbon flight as well as teh Bourbon flight. Both were wonderful. The grits that accompanied the shrimp were creamy and delicious too. I recommend this ten times before I would suggest the catfish. I would more than likely go back and try some of their other items.
(3)
Ben L.
Came here for brunch. The first time I came it was for happy hour and I wasn't too impressed. However gave it a second chance and brunch was really good. Excellent portions and the biscuits and gravy and sticky buns were good. In addition we ordered a pulled pork scramble. Overall I was happy. Brunch is a good deal and I ll definitely try this place again on 23rd.
(4)
Marlon T.
Absolutely my new favorite restaurant in Portland considering I live 2 blocks away but the food is great. I recommend the BBQ chicken and catfish. Bartenders are very knowledgable and nice. I frequent this place at least once a week. Good ambiance as well.
(5)
Ramie M.
Love this place. Great way to go if you want to sample a variety of whiskey and bourbon without dealing with "too much Portland". Street parking, so sometimes you have to walk. The brisket has always been good here, but the rest of the food is hit or miss. I feel like some of it lacks the right spices/flavor combinations. Nonetheless, the prices are right and the BBQ sauces are tasty. Have been at least 40 times and will continue to go.
(4)
Roger M.
My wife is visiting a friend, while I'm nibbling out and yelping solo, sitting at the bar chatting with the bartender. I am cooling off with the Bourbon barrel aged IPA with a hint of bourbon on my gullet. Like it! It's happy hour 3 to 6:30 PM on a Saturday. Enjoying a beef brisket mini the size of my fist with horseradish slaw squishing out of a bun for $2.50 (big value and no CAFO beef) along with homemade salt and vinegar potato chips and dip. Hot day, cool inside, big windows opening wide to 23rd Ave. I see many in their steel & glass bubbles simmering by. Park that fossil breathing guzzler by the curb, it's beer and whiskey time.
(4)
Jenni B.
Strong drinks but bad food. I would come here again for HH drinks, but that's it. The food was mostly terrible, collard greens way too salty. I'm not sure if we were just here on an off night or what the deal is with other reviewers giving it such high ratings. The pork was a skimpy serving and really fatty. Broccoli casserole side tasted like smoke and nothing else and was served cold. The salad I ordered had chicken that was cold and shredded into pieces that were uneven sizes. It would have been nice if it was actually cut off the bone instead of just torn- it looked like a salad I would make for myself at home an eat, but be too embarrassed to serve to anyone else. Terrible presentation and not a great salad. Sauce and seasoning on the pork was mediocre. They spent too much on the decor, but not enough on the quality of their food. I've had much better BBQ in Portland and I would not go back here for the food.
(1)
Ruth C.
I'm glad I tried this place, and I'm sure I'll be back. My boyfriend and I were wandering around 23rd on a Tuesday night, looking for some delicious, filling food. The art on the Southland building caught our eye, and we decided to grab some ribs. The place was relatively quiet (again, 6pm on a Tuesday night). The atmosphere is great - dim lights, cool chandeliers, and lots of wood. The staff was kind and attentive, as well. The menu is vast, but we opted for a whole rack of ribs (which comes with 2 sides) for $28. The food came out relatively fast, which is both wonderful and worrisome. The ribs were hit-or-miss. Some were a bit dry, while others fell off the bone. The seasoning was mildly spicy and the BBQ sauce was just sweet enough. For the 2 sides, we went with some mashed potatoes and 4-cheese macaroni. The sides were smaller than anticipated (about the size of my fist - which isn't much). Covered in delicious gravy, the mashed potatoes tasted like mother's. As for the 4-cheese macaroni? Eh. The crumble on top was epic, but the mac (sadly) lacked flavor! I had to add some salt, which is weird for me. At the end, we were comfortably full, and we both eat a lot, normally. Pros: Vibe, options, priced fairly, great spices, wet-naps for your nasty post-ribs face Cons: Hit-or-miss food, small-ish sides
(4)
Katherine V.
Came in with a group for late night drinks after being at Casa del Matador for hours. Was full from filling up on happy hour nachos next door so we only ordered drinks. The Southern Punch was really good and only $6 during happy hour (3pm-6pm and 10pm to close, seven days a week). I would love to come back and try the happy hour food. Next time I'm starting here. I was impressed with the service. The waiter was friendly and attentive. It wasn't very busy and we were seated in a large booth right after we walked through the door. The decor was unique and it wasn't very crowded, which was a nice change from Matador on Saturday night.
(4)
Nate P.
Had the sampler for two. Great deal for $38 bucks. Baby back ribs, pulled pork , brisket , sausages and chicken. Good atmosphere and clean peeps. Not to many Portlandia idiots .
(4)
Tessie M.
We came here and it was crowded but we were still able to get in for dinner with no reservations since it was still early (around 6:45 pm). The dry rub ribs, collared greens, onion rings, and fried chicken were all sooooo yummy! I love that you're given a plate with a mix of all of their sauces for dipping. The prices were very reasonable! Plus, this place was kid friendly which was nice since Matador (next door) does not allow kids due to bar. The atmosphere is overall very cool even the wash room! You can tell that the owners put so much thought into the restaurant furnishings! I would definitely come here to watch a sports game...they have a full bar and a few televisions.
(5)
Lindi C.
If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. It was SOOOOO good! I've told at least a dozen people to go and try it out. My husband and I are huge fans of BBQ and randomly decided to try this place out after I walked past it one day and thought it smelled really good! My husband has lived in North Carolina and Texas and said the food here was as good as anything he's had there. He said he can't quite find brisket here like in Texas, but their brisket was pretty damn close. He got the Smokestack Sandwich with hand-cut fries. I'm SO tired of the Sysco fries every restaurant uses. It's amazing how much better hand-cut fries taste! I got the pulled pork with garlic mashers and our kiddo got the Macaroni and Cheese (they don't have a printed kids menu but they will verbalize one to you). The food was AMAZING. I immediately wanted more. But, definitely did not have any room to even try dessert (though it looked super yummy as well). We also tried two cocktails which were on point. You could definitely taste the booze, which I appreciate. I hate ordering $9 cocktails and you wonder if they even put any alcohol in it. Our server was also very pleasant and attentive. Our son spilled his water all over the table and booth while we were waiting for our food. I asked her for some napkins or a towel to clean it up and she nicely refused to let me clean it up. I thought that was sweet of her (and tipped her extra for doing so)! I ask my husband every other day if we can go to Southland Whiskey Kitchen for dinner. He thinks I'm kidding, but I'm not!
(5)
Juliana S.
Well I will give 3 stars because my first experience was better than my second. Pulled pork is good and so are the greens but honestly everything is bland for southern food. Since I'm from the south I might be overly critical but salt was clearly needed. Overall a 40min wait for dinner in a Wednesday should have been better. Great service, long whiskey list, and my daughter liked her shrimp po' boy. Also points for rare North Carolina vinegar pulled pork
(3)
Dave L.
The first time I went I got the BBQ chicken and really was not a fan. I told myself I would never go back. Then I went back. I had their fried chicken and a side order of hot links. Wow. It was so good that I still think about that chicken all the time. Not a day goes by that i dont think about that juicy chicken that they brine to perfection before they fry it to a crisp golden brown. Its that tasty brine that gives it a juicy savory flavor throughout every square inch of fall off the bone poultry the way god intended fried chicken to be had. The 5 stars is for their chicken. It was some of the best fried chicken ive ever had.
(5)
Andy J.
Great atmosphere @ Southland Whiskey Kitchen, very nice place! I had the pulled pork and brisket minis and would recommend. The best part was signing up for the rewards program which by the way was free! I received a reward on my account for 15$ for my next visit. Nice bar too with three TV's and good happy hour menu.
(5)
Andrew Y.
Southern decadence in its truest form: deliciously made comfort food. The venue is designed like many pubs: large bar, heavy wooden tables, in a large open space. Sound carried from booth to standalone tables, but conversations weren't disrupted. As a last-minute dine before heading to the airport for my return to Los Angeles, there was still ample seating and it was still happy hour. Clearly, my friends and I were going to go big, for the last meal of the city. Fried Green Tomatoes - tomatoes were crusted with cornmeal for a gritty crunch and flash-fried, holding the heat like a batch of fresh onion rings. Careful on the tongue, the neatly packaged tomatoes popped with juice when bitten. Four Cheese Macaroni and Cheese - Well-done, though I wished I could've discerned the individual cheeses. I used the steaming concoction as a "palate cleanser" between the heavier dishes. That's how it works right? Well, maybe it was just another excuse to eat even more, and with no gravy to dip, I had few alternatives. Smoked Cheddar + Tasso Grit Sticks - the cheese grits were fried to a flawless crunch, but where does the Tasso play in? Were they fried in Tasso? I couldn't answer that question either, but as the server expressed when I ordered it "Trust me, you'll like them." The dish was paired with a slightly spiced, creamy onion dip. Call me simple: ketchup worked just fine. Buttermilk Biscuit w/Pulled Pork - the shredded pork was tossed in a smoky barbecue sauce, topped with a horseradish slaw and sandwiched between two warm halves of a buttermilk biscuit. The combination suited the flavors and the soft and flaky, biscuit that I ordered. I also put in for a batch of Collard Greens, softened and seasoned - nothing of note here. Fried Chicken - If I could have an expression with amorous eyes, that would most closely equate to my satisfaction with this version of one of my favorites. A lightly peppered breading encased each wing to that much sought-after gold. The meat fell off the bone with each bite. Ah, yes, good fried chicken is known to do that. There were no complaints on my end, I only wanted more.
(4)
Miz C.
delicioius craft cocktails. ive been here a few times, and im not a huge fan of their barbecue, but really i just like to drop in for their happy hours (they have a late night one too i believe) for a drink and a snack. fried okra, house pickles, cheese fries, all delicious.
(4)
James L.
I've been to Southland Whiskey Kitchen several times - almost always late at night. The food is hit or miss. It's actually a pretty good value for the area - the burger is huge, the fried chicken portion is nice as well. However, don't go expecting the greatest BBQ ever. At best it's serviceable, at worst it's just late night filler. The reason for 4 stars is because of the drinks - the bartenders consistently pour yummy whiskey drinks. Also, it's a fun late night place to hit when others are closed to get a nice drink and some OK BBQ grub.
(4)
Desire' G.
Southland, you had me at strawberry rhubarb lemonade, yum! The fried chicken was super crispy, well season and cooked to perfection. It was accompanied by scratch made sides, mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh cut slaw, and a giant buttermilk biscuit. The brisket was tender served with a sweet and tangy sauce, the baked beans and collard greens were delicious. If your looking for southern home cookin, with an endless list of whiskey, southland has a great atmosphere with friendly service. Great for date night or family outing.
(4)
Mike J.
Extremely small portions for the money. Very loud and the drinks were watered down big time. Nice place other than that.
(2)
Lucy S.
The best thing about this place is location and that it's empty all the time, so you don't have to wait in line for a table. The drinks aren't bad but the food is pretty disappointing. Really dry pulled pork and tasteless with minimal BBQ sauce on the side. The friend catfish was also just odd and without much flavor. I love BBQ but I'll have to keep looking.
(2)
Anna Marie C.
ribs ribs ribs. that's what i would get here. they're on the spicier side of things. better than the rest of their bbq selection. the drinks are pretty good. but i can't comment on their whiskey selection... get the ribs. and a strong drink. and you'll like this place. get anything else... you'll walk out feeling 'meh'.
(3)
Gene-Allen M.
We loved the Smoked meat (platter) sampler for 2! The whiskey choices were great(tons of choices from cheap but good quality, to elite flavor-quality-price). We walked in about an hour from closing, had a helpful waitress helping with both sides and whiskey/brandy choices. My only tiny issue was how burned the edge of the cornbread was. It was still flavorful, and great consistency past the crust, but had to soak the edge in their delicious sauce choices to soften it up a little. We will gladly return on our next portland trip.
(4)
Jeff W.
Best Restaurant in Portland. Hands Down. My girlfriend and I come here regularly. The food is to die for, and the whiskey/bourbon flights are icing on the cake. Whatever you order, it will be the best meal you have ever had. Always a great experience!
(5)
Carl T.
Chicken dinner was over cooked and bland. The restaurant was packed and loud early. Not impressed at all. I did try the chocolate pecan pie! YUM that earned you an extra star
(2)
Will C.
Really bad service, even worse food. Menu reads great... But this place does not know what BBQ is. Disappointing.
(1)
Kelsie V.
Counting down the days to try their fried chicken ! ---- I was looking for my friend/bartender John at Cassidy's and this fella behind the bar said, oh he went to Southland Whiskey Kitchen. Well, hell, a new place in my hood. Was greeted by John on my first visit. Yeah. Has a feel of Casa Del Matador, same owners I guess, high end, great feel for business meeting or birthday. But casual enough for low key drinks. I've drank here and recently had a brisket sammie (slider style). My friend had the chili. Good food. Looking forward to friend chicken. Extensive Whiskey's of course. Great beers on tap. Ron has waited on us twice. Cute, funny, good bartender. Thank you for the hospitality. Also, their mural outside is fabulous-really catches your eye from the road. And I hear they pump barbeque odor into the air. Brilliant.
(4)
Marisol J.
I haven't tried much of the menu to give a fair review. What I can say is that the chicken was amazing- juicy, tender and just the right amount of crisp. The drinks are also very yummy. The beans were good, and biscuit was OK. The collard greens had a strong sour taste to them that I personally could not handle. Atmosphere wise - I liked the ambiance and there are very nice light fixtures. I definitely intend on eating here again to try more of the food.
(4)
Jerry M.
I've been to Southland Whiskey Kitchen several times. Their specialty is house-smoked BBQ meats, and it is really good. Every time I've gone there, I've always ordered the same thing, the "BBQ Trio". It's perfect for me because I like to get a variety of things. It's a sampler plate consisting of brisket, pulled pork, and two baby back ribs, plus cornbread. The meat is tender and has a nice smoky flavor to it. I like it that they don't drown everything in BBQ sauce because I want to be able to taste the smokiness of the meat itself. The first few times I went there, I also ordered fried okra which comes coated with a cornmeal crust. That stuff is good too. Unfortunately, the most recent time I was there, okra wasn't on the menu anymore. The server said that it was out of season or something. Too bad, because okra and BBQ go great together. Anyway, the food is very tasty, but I do have a complaint about the inconsistency in the portion sizes from visit to visit. Sometimes I get more, other times not so much. I especially notice this since I always order the SAME THING. (Naturally, I'd rather have consistently BIG portions.)
(4)
Henry A.
Food was only ok to poor, definitely nothing special, had much better BBQ in the city. Service was good, gentleman was prompt, and recommended a great cocktail.
(3)
Tim S.
Pros: great atmosphere, clean looking, clean environment, friendly and cozy. Cons: The food consistently sucks. Hush puppies are unbelievably bland, meats are boring and dry (ya I know bbq has various styles). I really wish they would get their kitchen together. I want a solid southern joint in this hood
(2)
David C.
Got a BLT and fries. The fries were over cooked and the bacon was burnt and I got the runs because of it. Will definitely never go here again.
(1)
Charlie B.
Whiskey flights! Southern cooking!! I'm in heaven! Tremendous whiskey and scotch selection! The food is magnificent!
(5)
Sarah B.
I really thought I was going to hate this place - it had all the trimmings of a hate-able venue. Located on the main drag in snob hill, trendy interpretation of Southern food, won't take reservations. But I actually really dug it - we showed up for a Friday night dinner and it wasn't packed with trendy asshats. The service was just right - not snooty but still attentive. We ordered a bunch of different side dishes and shared - everything was just right. I don't know that we'll be back, since it's not near home, but we'd consider taking a group here. Roomy booths, rustic decor and just-so lighting make it look like a pretty good spot for the beginning of a nice night out.
(4)
Eunice K.
Great whiskey selection, with prices comparable to Pope house. Their BBQ is good but not consistently good across the board. I like their smokestacks sandwich, and their mashed potatoes are heavenly. I also love the decor.
(4)
Amy D.
Best Carolina chopped bbq that I've ever had, and I lived in North Carolina for two years. Really good chow chow and in-house hot sauce. My boyfriend also liked his poboy. Rye selection was incredible. Friendly, attentive service. What more could you want? I wish we had a similar restaurant in SF!
(5)
Mike E.
We randomly discovered this place on a windy, wet night. Once inside the warm customer service made us feel at home. Lots of yummy smells and stimulating sights of whiskey abound. Its like I stepped into the lair of the 'Hole In The Wall' gang. Lots of discussions with my wife on what to order, the kid was easy. We decided on a Meat Platter for 2. It could have fed 3! It was absolutely mouth watering. It was a true NW PDX gem. Cocktail specials were blended to perfection. Pretty much figuring out when we can come back- its that good.
(4)
Anne W.
Really great BBQ meats. Great look and feel inside. Ask for sauce on the side or you get just meat. They charge 5 dollars each for groups, surprise! most of the tables are fixed in place, cannot group together. Do not, repeat, Do not order the sweet potato pie. Need a hammer and chisel on the crust and the filling was bland and tasteless.
(4)
Lauren B.
Good food and a lot of it. We ordered the sampler for $38 and got so much food we had left overs for the rest of the day and the day after that. Service was nice but kinda slow for how empty the place was. Overall we liked it and will most likely be back :)
(4)
Toni M.
Holy BBQ Batman! Put the meat in my month hole. This place is so good. They cook the meat to perfection. The brussel sprout side dish is to die for. Serving sizes are big, but you pay for what you get.
(5)
Julia C.
This place is bomb! The Mac and cheese & beef brisket was delicious. Even though it's a bbq spot there are plenty of choices for vegetarians the service was great! Kevin made some of the best cocktails I've tried for a long time!! The Sazarac was scrumptious! Definitely would recommend this place.
(5)
Genius F.
Per the owner/managers request we went back one more time to see if it was any better. We are glad to see that it may have been a one time thing that we experienced. This time our bartender was very attentive and talented. We had a fantastic time and will be back again.
(5)
Mary B.
The wood walls, tables, the huge wood and bare-bulb chandeliers are beautiful and warm. We are usually able to get a booth, which is a little more quiet and private as the music can be loud and the happy hour crowd, louder. But the servers have always been very nice and helpful. Hubbs is that person with a thousand questions and they never bat an annoyed eye at him. They have a great whiskey selection and drinks, but are expensive. Happy Hour is probably your best bet to try the place out, though we usually order off of the regular menu and it's good (not great) and on the spendy side, which is normal for BBQ. The first time we visited, it was because the Matador was too busy so we wandered next door. This is also when we discovered that Salt & Straw is within a good walk and a window shop away if you are craving dessert afterward. There's another place that I prefer on the East side that is less beautiful with better food, so if it's Southern food you're looking for, keep looking.
(2)
Noy R.
Tried this place on a lark just because we were feeling adventurous. 11:00pm was when I arrived and ordered. VERY nice place, friendly waitstaff. Tried the catfish dinner for the wife, BBQ trio for me, sides of baked beans, red beans and rice, smothered yellow squash. Wife LOVED the catfish, thought the red beans were pretty good, but she disliked the squash.........said it was lacking. The brisket was nice and tender, nice flavor but not over-the-top great. Pulled pork was actually good......sauce was tasty and spicy. Baby back ribs were a bit tough, but that was probably because of being done earlier in the day.....no fault there. Flavor was good but not much meat. Baked beans were not too bad, nice flavor again. All in all, decent meal for the price, the decor was fantastic, will probably revisit again.
(3)
J.c. B.
I can't comment on the food...yet. But I can say the drinks at the bar where really good. The bar tender was very knowledgeable and did a very good job of explaining whiskies. He was very polite as well especially for dealing with a large crowd of drunks at the bar. Prices are a tad high, but nothing unexpected for this location. The place is very cool inside as well. I loved the fact that they had borax powder hand soap in the rest rooms. Reminds me of being in grade school again.
(5)
Laurie A.
When I saw this place I immediately thought "HOME!" (being from southern Oklahoma and all). I am sad to report that this place wouldn't last a month in OK (or Texas, or Arkansas, or Kansas, or any place that knows even a little about great BBQ). I was very disappointed. I have to say, all the reviews before mine that talk about how bad the BBQ is..... they hit the nail on the head. I was hoping the Yelp community had this one wrong, but nope. So, the BBQ is just not good. Not much more to elaborate on. It just does not taste good. It is not made with love that is for sure! (the corn bread really needs some work too). Fried green tomatoes! Oh man was I excited to see this on the menu. When I saw it I thought to myself "these are seasonal and it's March......but if they have them, they have them". So, I ordered it. They were nowhere close to green. They were just red tomatoes. Totally not the same thing!! If you don't have green tomatoes, then you tell the customer that when they order it, or say "the tomatoes are just red tomatoes man, no green ones in house, sorry". Shame on me for thinking I could get them in March. Well played Whiskey kitchen, well played. The atmosphere at this place is nice. It looks cool and you feel cool sitting there. The whiskey selection is pretty great (but given the establishments name... they are kind of required to have a great whiskey selection). So, if you care nothing about how your food tastes and want to sit in a cool looking bar and pretend you are in Texas, this might just be the place for you. But if you have any love for your taste buds at all..... spare them and don't eat here. (they get 2 stars instead of 1 due to the fact that they remade my drink for free after I asked if there was any whiskey in it at all. Silly me for thinking that if I order my drink in a larger glass they will take into consideration the whiskey to lemonade ratio. They did not. And she explained "that's why I asked what size glass you want. We do a pour count here". Whatever.... I got a new drink so I shouldn't complain TOO much about it. And honestly, the service was pretty good and they were friendly folks). I won't be back. Sorry whiskey kitchen. Do yourself a favor and hire some good southern boys to smoke that BBQ!
(2)
Cheryll C.
Good food, but the atmosphere would be so much better if they had live small country bands 1-2 nights a week! The place isn't very big, so it for up pretty quick on weekends. They are a great addition to the NW 23rd area! Not the greatest date place, since the music is so loud, but fun get together spot for a group of friends
(4)
D K.
Fantastic place, their smoke flavor is amazing. Monsterous whiskey selection and the Hot Brown and hushpuppies are to die for. Big portions and cool decor too.
(5)
Tony H.
BBQ Fail. The meats were flavorless and dry. I would NEVER say this to a BBQ place: At least put some BBQ sauce on it or something. It's THAT bad. The only thing going for it is the location.
Great for parents with young kids!! Good drinks and food with reasonable price. This sums it all!!
(5)
Jami R.
Amazing place. Great atmosphere and a very extensive whiskey list if that's your poison of choice. Service was excellent and their food was incredible. I had the Georgia peach spare ribs. Just a quarter rack and I only finished two of them. Definitely one of my favorite places!
(5)
Brian M.
The food was good. Service was good. Everything here was all well and good. The horseradish cole slaw is interesting if a bit overpowering. Nothing wrong with this place....but nothing overwhelming great though. For every dish....I can think of other places is Portland have it better.
(3)
Courtney E.
This place is soooo delicious. The fried green tomatoes were super crispy and yummy. But the best part was the chocolate pecan pie. Besides the crust not being that great, the flavor and texture was top notch. Best pecan pie I've ever had.
(5)
Ana M.
I have only been here once but omfg one of the best burgers I have ever freaking had. I ordered the BBQ Burger cooked medium and it was so yummy. Also the cornbread they give you has like butter and honey mixed together to spread, and the tea is so so sweet but I'm not complaining had two refills of the stuff. The whole night was lovely and just a really cool restaurant.
(5)
Miche A.
if you were to combine every portland aesthetic that has put this rainy artsy city on the map the past few years, add barbecue, and you would arrive at the whiskey kitchen. I found this place to be horribly unoriginal, and trendy at best. after wading through the hipster fodder and new-wave barbecue menu, you still can't escape the overly crowded frat boy feel that this restaurant drowned itself in filament bulbs trying to escape. food is decent, get BBQ somewhere else.
(2)
Jena L.
Went there for "lunner" with my sister. We were the only ones there, our server was great. I had the brisket plate with the baked beans and the (something...) sticks (like polenta?). The brisket was very good, thinly sliced, tender and plenty of it. It came with a side of very thin sauce that basically hit me as A-1 sauce, meh. The beans were good flavor but thicker than I normally prefer. The sticks were pretty bland, could use some dipping sauce to go with them. Also had some cornbread, which came with honey butter - good flavor but a bit overcooked, the crust was hard as a rock. My sister had the rib plate with mashed potatoes and gravy, horseradish slaw, and a biscuit. The ribs were just OK (my brisket won!), the potatoes were great and she really liked the slaw and biscuit. She also ordered a drink (whiskey/peach?) that was delicious. Overall, would come back for a visit for sure. The decor is well done, the bathroom was spotless (always a good sign!).
(3)
Claire G.
The service was very friendly, the atmosphere was great. I felt like they spent a ton of money to make the place look old, but hip. It works. The food was....meh. It certainly wasn't bad, but out of the five dishes we ordered, we only finished the burger. Really good burger, but order it medium rare and prepare to have the meat sweats. The whiskey seemed like it was priced to cover the high cost rent for 23rd. I mean, jack Daniels at $9? I'll sick to beer... I hope they iron out the rest of their menu, because I would be back for the burger, but I would have to be in the area, it's not a first choice.
(3)
Steven B.
You know those times you go to a new place and hope it will be great, but things do not go well from the start? Well I just had my first meal at Southland Whiskey Kitchen. It is one of those places. I decided to sit at the bar for lunch. Something told me that a totally empty bar at lunch was not a good sign. The bar stools are high and have small foot rings (fine if your knees are without pain), but mine are not. No foot rail so I used the foot ring of the empty stool next to me. The menu looks good and the prices reasonable. I selected an appetizer sampler. Out it came fairly quickly, but speed is the only good thing about the plate. The meat temperature was between cool and ice cold. There was too little BBQ sauce and the extra sauce I got after asking was cold (refrigerator cold). Even the ribs were cold to the touch. I sent things back and ordered the gumbo. It came out warm (not hot) with "the chef" as server explaining that the kitchen air system uses outside air and that was why the meat was cold (I did not buy that explanation). BTW, the gumbo was over salted! They offered to comp my food and coke. I refused, paid what the menu said I would owe and when out the door thinking I will not return! They received two stars because their whiskey selection seemed good.
(2)
Jen g.
I haven't been to many BBQ joints, but this place was tops! The ribs fell off the bone like butter and the Mac and cheese and horseradish coleslaw were amazing! I tried my first mint julep and it was heaven...hello snow cone for adults! This is also the first time I've tried fried green tomatoes and I was in heaven!
I went here for the late night Happy Hour, and it was a great value. I tried all 3 of their happy hour cocktail specials- the Mint Julep, the Whiskey Smash, and the Southern Punch- and they were strong and tasty. I also had the HH house salad, and it was very good. I went with a huge group (about 12 people) and the waitress had no trouble splitting the bill. I'd definitely try this place again, maybe for dinner next time.
(4)
Aj T.
Me likely some whiskers. Southland was recommended to me by a fellow bourbonite. So I went for a flight and a bite. As you approach the building you are bombarded with sweet sweet smoke. The decor is modern rustic industrial western...Blerg. (That's a lot of words.) The food was super mediocre. I felt betrayed by the wafting smokey bliss. It felt like a parlor trick from a shifty one-eyed snake oil purveyor dressed as a well to do hipster. I was expecting huge flavor. Sliders were drab and over cooked. The aromatic invitation outside failed to deliver with less than gracious hostesses. Our server explained that the brisket chile was spicy. She was correct. She failed to mention it was only spicy, had no depth of flavor and the brisket chunks were stringy tough and primarily unflavored fat. I know how can it be stringy and fatty? I would drop down to 1-2 *'s but the whiskey was great and the cheese fries were tasty.
(3)
Jason T.
When your family cannot cook, and you want a delicious Xmas Eve meal, where do you go? Apparently for 2013, Southland Whiskey Kitchen was my answer. Wide selection of whiskeys, wine and drink to sample. But the food, mostly BBQ, was fantastic. For being open on Xmas Eve, 8pm at night, service was spot on and timely. Food was mouth watering and worth a return. My only real concern, is location. With this being on 23rd, I'm afraid a return visit will yield an overflowing location and poor service. Alas, it's worth a return and I can only hope that I'm not disappointed.
(5)
Kate N.
Southland is a beautiful restaurant. I love all the wood trimming and layered design. It gives this place a warm, sophisticated yet rustic feel. I had a long time to admire the decor when I waited 45 minutes for my food. At least I had some good whiskey drinks to bide. The whisky bar is impressive covering a long side of the restaurant. My dinner pals and I waited so long for the food that we were pleased to get whatever we got. I only grimaced slightly at my anemic chicken wing and leg, even though the menu had promised a much bigger thigh and leg. My friend didn't send back his small portion of pulled pork even though he had asked for the large.( At least he wasn't charged the full price. ). It wasn't very good anyway. Only one of us won out at the Southland roulette. He ordered the stack house and had heaps of fine smoky brisket. This place only opened a month ago, so maybe it needs time to ripen. The choice of five sauces is great. The sweet spreadable for my biscuit was divine. Maybe I will try this again, especially if I am willing to spend extra dollars
(3)
Abby S.
The baby-back ribs had so much potential, but they were pretty dry. I think my bf got the BBQ chicken, which was so succulent and awesome. I spent most of my time on his dish, haha. My mint julep and his whiskey shot were pleasantly served. When we were done eating, it took us 15-20 min for us to catch our waitress's attention (this was after we had both stood up and started to pack to leave). I would sympathize with the busy waitress, but she passed our table a few times and didn't think to check on us. I would only come back for their happy hour.
(3)
Bob B.
5 stars for the whiskey selection, 2 stars for the food, averaging out to 3.5 stars. My friend and I shared the brisket plate with collard greens and garlic mashers, and the pulled pork sandwich. Southland's pit boss needs to step up if they want the goodness of the BBQ to match the prices they charge. Not much smoke flavor, almost zero bark on the brisket. The brisket plate came with a little smear of sauce on the plate; BBQ shouldn't depend on the sauce to give it flavor, but they should still provide a container of the stuff. Without the sauce, the brisket tasted a lot like - baked beef. I'd love to try their ribs and chicken, but for what they charge, I need to know they'll be good, but I'm not persuaded by what I've had so far. Still, everything seemed to be made with quality ingredients, and was well-prepared; we just wished it had been more like real BBQ. The high point of the meal was the collard greens and garlic mashers. Service was efficient. I do plan to come back and sample some of their bourbons, though - Pappy van Winkle? I'm there!
(3)
Tracey F.
My husband and I spent about a half hour trying to decide where to eat while walking up and back down 23rd. We decided to stop here as a second chance and I won't lie. All of our food was amazing (we got the mac and cheese, the wings, house salad, and pulled pork with the homemade fries and baked beans, and fried green tomatoes) and we were beyond thrilled. Everything we ate was perfectly cooked and seasoned. I would easily go back there and devour my weight again in the delicious and decadent food. The service was spot on. Super attentive but not pushy. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough!!!
(5)
Chris M.
Great food. Superb atmosphere. Nice beer selection. Mediocre service. Wicked whiskey menu. Loved it here overall
(4)
Myra F.
I love the idea. I love the location I love the space I ordered the brisket sliders and still have a smokers' migraine 3 days later. They were yummy, but I ordered a side of cole slaw and I think the slaw on the slider was the side. I HATE cold salad on warm food. I didn't say anything, but a side should be a side. They wouldn't have put the side of mashed potatoes on the sliders!!!! OK, my daughter wolfed down her Catfish Po'Boy, so I assume she loved it. Her fries were abundant, but instead of fries, they should have been called, soaked! They were tasty, but not at all hot. Sort of greasy. My husband's pulled pork dinner came cold, but he didn't say anything, so he won't be going back. My daughter loved the Apple Crumble. Oh, Schweppe's Tonic is so much better than the Coke product Tonic, which is bitter!
(2)
DJ Z.
There are better places for BBQ in Portland. (There are better places for BBQ in this neighborhood). I'll save the rant about BBQ for yuppies and just say this: Any restaurant, especially one where people eat with their hands, that doesn't have paper towels in the bathroom, is repugnant. I'm supposed to use the restroom, wash my hands, then touch the disgusting door handle before I eat my food with my hands? I walked out and saw a guy licking BBQ sauce off his fingers and felt ill. I won't be back...
(1)
Katya L.
Clearly still working out some kinks, but I'd say they're off to a good start! We came in for drinks and a few bites around 9pm on Sunday. The place was half-empty, with the bar relatively crowded and the dining room far emptier; the restaurant seemed well-enough staffed, but it was clear that the staff had some trouble communicating clearly with one another. Three out of five of us ordered drinks almost immediately, and the other two ordered shortly thereafter. The first two got their drinks, then the second two, and the boy, who ordered with the first group, waited... and waited... and waited. He had to remind various staff three times to get his drink, and our server ended up bringing a second one (that no one ordered) shortly after someone else brought the first one. Not only was it given to another member of our party, but it was also put on their bill, and I was rather shocked that after all that, one of the drinks wasn't comped, as it was the staff's mistake. The boy did end up keeping the drink, but it should have been offered to him complementary. A minor annoyance, but nonetheless. The rest of the evening went more smoothly. The food and drinks we ordered were quite good - I split the fried green tomatoes and a pulled pork plate with fries and baked beans with a friend, and we ended up stuffed. The cornmeal breading on the tomatoes could have used more flavor, but the BBQ was delightful. The fries and beans were fantastic as well. I do love that they have five different house-made sauces at each table, so you can taste-test them and season your food to your liking. I do wish the sauces were thicker in consistency, but that's personal preference. The boy had one of the burgers, and loved it. I tried the bloody mary, which came with a hunk of brisket on a skewer - yum! I wish the bloody mix was thicker as well, as it was a bit on the watery side, but had good flavor. The salted caramel martini was quite tasty, but it could have used more caramel and less salt on the rim. Perhaps drizzle the inside of the glass with caramel instead of letting it pool on the bottom? I also had the summer punch, which is a good bourbon drink for non-bourbon drinkers. The food menu is extensive, and the whiskey offerings even more so. The cocktails are strong and reasonably priced. The decor and ambiance is somewhat Wild West by way of the South, and while the food isn't quite authentic (think hipster Portland take on Southern classics) it's still tasty. I'm sincerely hoping that they'll work out the service kinks, because I'd really like to become a fixture at this restaurant.
(4)
Kaylin N.
Me and my boyfriend decided to barhop throughout the neighborhood on Valentine's Night. Both of us love southern food and whiskey so we said "why not?!" We just went again tonight and sat at the bar, service was once again awesome, fell in love with the Texas Brisket Chili, Cornbread is delicious, and the old fashions are a forever favorite. Manager checked in on us, talked with us a bit, very nice. Server Daniel sat next to us after his shift and was nice to talk to. He spoke about traveling and we mentioned we were planning a Thailand trip this year. We spent the next half hour talking to him while he told us all the places we needed to go to and stay away. Definitely a favorite on our list and we'll keep coming back!
(5)
Michelle K.
I think this is a five star restaurant by Salt Lake City standards but a four star restaurant by Portland standards. The boy wanted a sazerac and I wanted cornbread, so we headed to Southland Whiskey Kitchen. Though things started off slow (we went unnoticed without water for a bit, but they gave the boy a free, generous, and delicious sazerac so no hard feelings), the meal made up for it. The cornbread was really good. My favorite cornbread is at a joint in Salt Lake, but this was a very good effort. Light, moist interior to gobble up with honey butter spread. My only complaint about the cornbread is that the exterior was somewhat overcooked. We both got burgers and fries. The burger was perfectly well-done and came with fresh ingredients. Though my burger came with habanero chiles and spicy mayo/sauces (on the side), it was not "hot" at all. I thought the chiles were sweet red pepper bits. The fries were too salty for my taste (disclaimer: we use very little salt on our home cooked meals), though I did like the cut and the tenderness. Servers were attentive and friendly after the initial miscommunication among the staff. The manager was also attentive. I loved the southern style design and general dining layout. The use of space was great, though my favorite feature of the restaurant were the unique lighting fixtures. Ultimately, it was a very good meal and would've been great if we had ordered a signature dish such as the fried chicken. Since we were not totally floored, we will probably try a new place next time we are in town.
(4)
Eli H.
This is the best Southern food I have ever had. They make a delicious Bloody Mary too! The prices are pretty reasonable, about what I expect of most restaurants in the NorthWest neighborhood.
(5)
Jessica G.
Had a late dinner and drinks here with friends. Decent pulled pork, but a mess of a sandwich, so be prepared, and average drinks. All on the bit pricier side and poor service to boot. Hubby had the brisket and enjoyed it but they got the sides mixed up and we didn't see our waitress again until we were well past done and she was bringing the check. Took half of the sandwich home and have to say that it tasted better the next day after the flavors all melded. Cornbread got super dry though, so that didn't make it to day 2, it just crumbled. Also, the atmosphere felt more like a bar, and it was packed on a Friday night with essentially standing room only and we all had to yell to be heard, but suppose that could be expected in the middle of NW 23rd on the weekend!
(3)
Katherine C.
Would give them 3 1/2 if it were possible- solid, nothing spectacular, but good food and ok service. Pricey mid grade whiskeys.
(3)
Jeffro C.
Drinks? Great. Atmosphere? Cool. Service? Fast, friendly. BBQ? The worst. I have been searching Portland for some good to great BBQ. So far, I've eaten many mediocre racks of ribs. Southland was another HUGE disappointment. Dry, dry, DRY! The first two ribs were edible but everything else down the line was like a chew toy. These ribs were visibly dry and hard - not much meat on the bone either. Any cook or chef worth their weight would have spotted these flaws and tossed them out. Not a lot of BBQ sauce, which was very tasty and a touch spicy. My sides were easily the best part of my ($18!) meal. 4 cheese mac and collard greens were both seasoned right and decently portioned. I would go back for a cocktail but NOT the FOOD. If anyone knows where the best secret, super-awesome Portland-area BBQ joint is located, I'm ready to hear about it!
(2)
Mike R.
Delicious food. Fresh and local ingredients. Very friendly staff. Reasonable prices. And to top it off...best Mint Julep I've had in Portland. I would highly recommend eating here. I will definitely visit again, as well as adding it to the list for places to take out-of-town guests.
(5)
Naurry K.
I was looking for brunch on 23rd (my bad) and ended up at Southland Whiskey Kitchen... And that's all I remember, the meal was unmemorable.
(2)
Manny G.
Another great addition to NW 23rd street. Food was great wait staff is quick and helpful. I will be back. I just hope the tourist don't start screwing this area up.
(4)
Ace C.
Sometimes you can't let the bright lights and fancy decorations fool you into thinking a place is great. Also sometimes location can sway your opinion of a place. I think that's what all the others are being fooled by. The food is okay and overpriced. The drinks are over priced and it really resembles the place next door to it. Happy hour here is also not the greatest, but it's probably to best time to frequent this place. I think experiencing it once is a good idea or when Matador is jammed packed give it a go.
(3)
Stacey B.
I'm from Texas and finally found some good southern food! was NOT disapointed! we will come back again and again!
(5)
Jon L.
great food, great service! overall a wonderful experience! The colleague I was with raved about the restaurant and can't wait to take her family when she returns!
(5)
Hungrylone W.
It's a great place to eat, and the staff was really great. The food was just not our style.
(3)
Robert K.
Excellent place to be. Above all the service on the restaurant side is excellent. When I can risk the carb count the fried Chicken is the best I have had in Portland. the kickin boot burger is one of my favorites. I am an Iced tea snob and they do it right. the Cobb Salad is excellent. I am not much into BBQ food except on occasion and when I have had it here it was very good.
(4)
Valerie W.
Friday night...figured there would be a line out the door like any other restaurant in the downtown vicinity at 8pm. Low and behold Southland Whiskey Kitchen. We got seated right away. Staff here is excellent. Always checking on you and they are fine if you "need a few minutes"... The drinks here are also excellent. Yes, order whiskey and you can't go wrong. They have a TON to choose from. The atmosphere is loud, but the "cowboy chic" decor is quite nice. Wood everywhere...really cool lighting. The food...great. I ordered half a chicken that came with two sides. I got bacon Brussels sprouts and the horseradish coleslaw. The Brussels sprouts were excellent. Grilled and cooked just right with a hint of bacon. The coleslaw was dismiss able. It didn't taste like horseradish at all. My chicken was smoked nicely with a bit of spice. Try one of their 5 sauces...or all 5 like I did :) My fave was the spicy one. Date had the pulled pork plate and opted for cornbread and garlic mashers. I tried a bite of each and they were all super tasty. Even after being completely stuffed, we ordered the banana pudding desert. Banana pudding, peanut butter...I mean you can't really go wrong. There are a ton of great options on their menu and all are reasonably priced. I would highly recommend trying this place out if you are in the area looking for some good BBQ!
(4)
NinJas A.
Love this place! Especially during happy hour. We had brisket chilli, pulled pork sandwich, fried green tomatoes, and brisket sandwich. The drinks are strong and they even have some whiskey tastings on some days! Love the brick and wood theme which continues to the bathrooms. A lovely place to get your southern food on!
(5)
B A.
Portland needed a place like this. My husband is a competition BBQer and he felt that this place did it better than others we have tried. Leaps and bounds better than Russell Street BBQ. I ordered the shrimp and grits and WOW! So full of flavor, fantastic spice level (spicier side) and perfectly cooked shrimp. I will most definitely order it again the next time we head to Portland. My husband ordered a trio of meats, and he was the most impressed with the brisket, which is hard to get correct (both as an experienced BBQer and meat consumer). We will be back!
(4)
Darryl E.
Great greens and iced tea.
(2)
JOE M.
1st time...the place opened two weeks ago according to our server and it was packed. Great smoky brisket for my wife and I had the sausage..one cheddar jalapeno, one hot link. Nice selection of sides. A few niceties...a carafe of water on the table (you'll need it after the hot link). Wine from the cask...very fresh. Vintage cocktails are wonderful.
(4)
Ashley K.
Popped in here for Happy Hour after being curious about this nice looking spot. We got two cocktails, which were just OK and two food items off the Happy Hour menu. Both of us ended up spitting out giant chunks of fat from the pulled pork and pork stew into napkins and not wanting to eat any more of our items. Major bummer.
(1)
Lori C.
It takes a LOT for me to decide to write a review, the place has to either be spectacular or horrendous. I've gone to Southland several times now and I love it. The abundance of their whiskey selection is what drew me in but what has kept me going back is the service is amazing, the food is great, and they have a whiskey menu that is nearly longer than I am tall. The bartenders actually are knowledgeable about the whiskey they carry as well, nothing is worse than asking for recommendations and being told to try Jack Daniels. Yeah we've all had Jack. The atmosphere is great as well. My favorite time to go is during the summer when they open the large floor to ceiling windows. It is a great place for a group of friends or a casual date. I seriously implore everyone to try Southland Whiskey out immediately.
(5)
Lauren G.
Great happy hour. Friendly service. Fun atmosphere. Yummy ribs. Mediocre mac and cheese.
(4)
Tyler M.
I went to Southland on a first date and was anticipating a great whiskey flight and some food I didn't know about, but the date was a bomb from before it even started, so I skipped the whiskey and went right for the food. I had the Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage and it was extremely flavorful and came with excellent chow chow and a great sauce (and two sides of my choice). The plate was gigantic and I found myself unable to consume the entire thing, which is amazing for a man of my size! I will be back here soon, with friends!
(4)
Jon G.
I tried the Oregon bourbon flight. I got three generous samples of Oregon-based bourbons and enjoyed them all. We ordered fried chicken, the BBQ sampler light plate and a side of potato salad and a side of collard greens. I live in Texas so I had pretty high expectations for the southern comfort food we ordered. Pork rib was tasty but could have been cooked longer. Brisket was good. Pulled pork had too much sauce for my tastes. I hear the potato salad was awesome, but I didn't try it. The collard greens were pretty amazing. They had bacon and some vinegar sauce. They were cooked just right - not all soggy and not tough. Really excellent. The fried chicken was amazing. It was the best fried chicken I've ever had. Perfect crispy skin and batter. The batter was nice and thin - not globs of dough. It was spiced just right. Incredibly juicy meat. The food didn't fit my idea of perfect comfort food but it was still really, really good. Really blown away to find this in the PNW. The staff was really friendly and we never wanted for anything. We will definitely be coming back here before we head back to Texas.
(5)
Jaime C.
Coming from the South as I do, I had to appreciate the authenticity of the food, the drink, and the decor at Southland Whiskey Kitchen. At the hospitality of the hostess and server, and it's a perfect match for a sunny afternoon. I only wish I could've enjoyed the extensive whiskey menu, but Jaime had to take a walk and couldn't be passed out in the street. I'll be back in the midnight hour for that. Don't skip the shrimp and grits! They are wonderful. The fried chicken is delicious, if a bit on the salty side. Will have to come back to try more items, and we will do that.
(5)
Dave R.
Let's try some place new the wife tells me how about some BBQ ? BBQ Yes BBQ I'm ready now lets go ! I luvs me BBQ....but where to besides all the normal places and where can I find me some good Q ? We take a look of my list of new places to try and on it is Southland Whiskey Kitchen, ok lets give it a try. First off parking is a bitch being its NW 23 so we ended up about three blocks away and we were lucky to find it. Place looks great and has great atmosphere with a lot of whiskeys on the shelf by the bar. Wife gets baby backs I go with brisket with sides of cornbread, bbq beans & potato salad. Brisket was not bad but very dry and the rest of our dinners was nothing more than garbage. Baby backs had a dry rub of chili on them and not very flavorful, I know they are bad when the wife is asking me to take them. Cornbread so burnt on the bottom that I just about broke a tooth. Overall this place has just about everything going for it but good food and with average prices around $18 each I can spend my money elsewhere.
(1)
Paolina T.
If you want a good drink or are in need of some good whiskey, then this is your place. If you are here for great barbecue, then there are many other places in Portland to go. Having lived in the south and with neighbors from Texas, I have experienced great bbq. You will not find great bbq coming to Southland. We ordered the fried green tomatoes, SMOKE MASTER PLATTER: baby back ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, bbq chicken, hot link, with sides of collard greens and Smoked Cheddar + Tasso Grit sticks. Fried green tomatoes were good, though Bernie's on Alberta still makes them better. The ribs were not falling off the bone. The rub had great flavor, when the meat is not well cooked, bbq falls flat. THe chicken was a bit dry, the hot link will set your mouth on fire and the flavors were ok, the pulled pork and brisket were tender, but again didn't have any flavors that made by tastebuds sing. The collard greens were ok, but not cooked in what I consider Southern Style. The Grit sticks were amazing. Crispy on the outside and smooth and creamy on the inside. Take home message: Have some grit sticks with your whiskey. If you want great bbq in NW Portland, go to Smokehouse 21 or Slabtown.
(2)
Sarah B.
Great whiskey list and happy hour menu. The chili dishes (including chili cheese fries) don't have a mild option which is a bummer. It's either all spice or no chili, but the potato salad was fresh and the arugala salad is a good choice also. They also have a pretty decent tequila selection even though that isn't their specialty. Wine list is decent there too, it's a nice restaurant but also a great bar to visit while in the neighborhood. For the price of the beers you should experiment with the whiskeys. Their mint julip is one of my favs.
(4)
Sean S.
Great happy hour but I could eat the bread pudding everyday of my life and not be content it is a MUST! !!!
(4)
Kemi A.
I'm not a whiskey girl, but my friend is, so I'm going to take her word and say that her drink was delicious. I stuck to the mac and cheese N' beans dish which was great! Service was great, too.
(3)
Jim C.
We were both Hungary and thirsty to start with. Seated right away, short wait, perfect weather. My wife is gluten sensitive /intolerant, and they had a terrific GF IPA. I ordered a draft pilsner and the premium flight. The Jefferson 18 yr. bourbon was the best. Food was excellent. My wife had a salad with house cured pork, yummy. Not a morsel left. I had the pulled pork with sweet BBQ sauce, horseradish slaw and cornbread. OMG.
(4)
Allison E.
One of my favorite new spots!! This is REAL food with some REAL good FLAVOR that won't disappoint! I'm not usually a big sauce person but I love their house bbq sauce and the sandwiches are big, won't disappoint! I always leave this place going *wow* sooo good! Great for happy hour and a cozy, wooden decor for a nice sit down lunch or dinner. Windows open in front and a few outdoor tables so nice in warm weather too
(4)
S M.
Was happy to see this place finally open, offering NWites a bbq option that isn't too far away. Very cool atmosphere, nice drink menu.......but the food is terrible. I had never intended to write a review, but this experience compelled me to act. Especially after hearing the story about how the owners travelled the country assembling a menu that would represent the "Best-of-the-best". Not sure what happened along the way, but boy did they miss the mark. My wife and I aren't terribly picky, and have experienced great BBQ all over the country. "Serviceable" food is often enough for us to at least enjoy the meal. That said - the ribs, greens, cornbread, etc. were quite literally the worst we have ever had. We pushed our plate back to the bartender with most of our ribs, all of our cornbread, 3/4 of the fries, and most of the greens. He eyed the full helpings, asked if we needed a go box (to which we answered "no"), and then got us a check. Wouldn't a curious situation like that generally raise a flag or two to the proprietor of newly opened business that will probably live-or-die by word of mouth? "Sorry it obviously sucked, but I will in no way try to make it right while we are trying to establish our business. Here is your bill, now go away". The baby-back ribs are dry rubbed in a too-salty mixture of god knows what. The consistency, rather than fall off the bone, is more like trying to rip raw wet pork off the bone with your teeth. I am sure it was cooked, but I did have a moment of concern after the first bite that maybe our batch was somehow not cooked properly. It was gross. Neither of us finished a rib. The cornbread looks lovely, but tastes like a combination of classic yellow cake and coffee cake. I couldn't quite determine if the sweetness was from the butter or the cake/cornbread. You can make a better batch from a box that you get at the store for $1.50. Sorry, but it's true. The greens certainly qualify as "meh", which is how I see it described by others on this site. My wife considers herself a greens fanatic, and was only able to knock down two bites before giving up. The fries look awesome, have a great consistency, but are seasoned with something that made us both come home and want to brush our teeth. BBQ is great because it is simple recipes executed well. I think these guys got way too cute and decided to put out product that they hope is unique enough to make them stand out. The problem is that the best BBQ isn't different or unique, it's just done really well. Hopefully the rest of the menu is wonderful, because the atmosphere is awesome. We eat out 3 or 4 night a week and will likely never go back unless forced to by friends. Which isn't likely unless it's their first trip.
(1)
Erika B.
Underwhelmed with this place. I too, had high hopes. The decor is perfect...exposed brick, cool light fixtures,generously sized, smooth wood tables with hardware accents, great music. The service was A+...our server was knowledgeable about everything on the menu and gave detailed descriptions on preparation and ingredients. If only the food was close to as good as she described, this would be a top spot for me. There were 4 of us dining that night and it was unanimously agreed that the food is kinda...meh. Some "lowlights" were the Brisket (super fatty, moreso than I am used to), Horesradish Coleslaw( Swimming in dressing and soggy, though we were told that it was "lightly dressed"), Garlic Mashers (could not detect the garlic), Mac and Cheese (for boasting of 3 cheeses, this was a big let down with little flavor and soggy breadcrumbs), Baked Beans (4 people at one table could not finish the one ramekin that we had. They just sucked). The Smokey Tasso Cheese Grit Sticks (pretty good, but not crisp at all). The table liked the pulled pork and the House Made Potato Chips.
(2)
Jess M.
I patiently awaited the opening, expecting something like Podnah's on my side of town. The inside is beautiful, a lot of thought went into the interior. The food was pretty standard southern, average though. The thing that killed me was draft beers are $6 each.... which i must say is a bit silly.
(2)
Ninja J.
Great ambiance, great staff, great food, great WHISKEY! My only complaint is that the beer is overpriced, but that's what I get for eating out on NW 23rd.
(5)
Adam C.
Great food all around. Really nice atmosphere and vibe. The mac and cheese was amazing.
(5)
Jack K.
Got seated immediately on a Saturday night at 5:30. Service was really friendly and the beer list was good. The atmosphere is nice, but pretty loud. So loud you can barely hear the music. The hush puppies and grit sticks were okay, but no evidence of any tasso in the sticks. Not sure why people think these are so good. All the meats on the sampler platter were really good. This is what they do well. All of the sides were mediocre. Edible, but not great. The sauces were also just okay, although I liked the mustard sauce which was very vinegary. The habanero sauce is not kept at the table, assumably so people don't hurt themselves. But it wasn't that hot at all. The sausage was actually hotter. The prices are sort of high for barbecue, but I wouldn't mind if the sides were better. I wouldn't mind going back, but there is better barbecue in Portland.
(4)
charley a.
Love this place. I've been several times and the food is always amazing. Try the bbq chicken, pulled pork & mac and cheese. Best whiskey selection in town and the bartenders know their stuff.
(5)
Bridget C.
Been here twice now. Once with a big group of girls for drinks, once with my bf. Fun place for both. BBQ is pretty good, especially for a Portland restaurant, not necessarily out of this world. Atmosphere is a 10++ and drinks are super tasty. Staff was really cool too. Will def go back soon.
(4)
Rebecca S.
Went here the other night with a few friends , I really enjoyed the cheerful service. Our bartender was extremely helpful and friendly. As for the food it wasn't the best BBQ I've ever had, but it was delicious non the less. I will definitely return.
(4)
Lelay P.
went here in @ around 11 a.m. and had the seafood gumbo. It was really good, not too spicy and not fishy at all. Plenty of shrimp and I really enjoyed it. Our server was fast, and friendly. I also had the southern punch. It was a tad on the sweet side, i took out one star from a five star experience because I think they should have some brunch menu items since they are open @ 11. who doesn't want a southern breakfast? i know i will.
(4)
Julie P.
Tried this spot on a Friday night. The place was packed, but we happily sat at the bar. Our bartender, John, was friendly, helpful and attentive. We really enjoyed our whiskey (cocktails for me, a flight for the husband) and those delicious grit sticks. Very impressed with the great service, reasonable prices, and hip decor. Not that impressed with the "spicy" bbq sauce (not spicy at all) or the baby back ribs (very dry). I'll pass on those next time, but there will definitely be a next time! Great spot!
(4)
Linda L.
Nice place. I live across the street and have been waiting to try this place out. I got the pulled pork with cornbread and greens. The meat was tender, but a little too burnt for my taste. The greens weren't as cooked or cut up like normal, but it was actually good. The cornbread was great, 'cause I like it sweet and it wasn't super dry. I liked the atmosphere, and next time I'll try out the happy hour food and drinks. Oh yeah, the workers there were really nice too. I ordered take out and three people asked me if I'd been helped yet. I even tipped them when I normally don't for take-out.
(4)
Holly C.
My fiance & I came here on Friday evening for dinner. We LOVED it! The atmosphere is cozy & comfortable & the food was amazing! We started off with fried green tomatoes - the remoulade was outstanding! So outstanding that I probably could've ordered a second plate :) For entrees, I got the pulled pork sandwich & my fiance got the catfish po boy. My sandwich was pilled high with pork and coleslaw. I had to eat it with a fork, there was so much food! The pork was amazing - I would definitely order it again! I didn't try the catfish po boy - but my fiance raved about it! We tried some of their house-made BBQ sauces (Spicy & Gold). I loved the gold so much that I plan on going back and buying a bottle to take home! There was an extensive list of whiskeys as well. I'm not much of a whiskey person, but my fiance got a glass & loved it! I worte a review of this place & published it on my blog if you're interested ( littlemissholls.com/2012… )
(5)
John W.
New bbq on NW trendy third. This is a nice place, high ceilings and great decor. Drink specials have rye whiskey, that's good. I had the fried chicken; almost as good as The Screendoor. I like that when you order it they tell you its gonna be 30 minutes, it's not sitting around in the back. The brisket is as good as Russell St. My girl is all about the sides, always comparing to "back in Texas". The mac n cheese passed muster. Corn bread passed the test with flying colors. I'll be back to try some more of the menu.
(4)
Sita P.
Just got back from dinner and was pleasantly surprised! Food was reasonably priced, good atmosphere, overall nice dinner and a nice time. My friend and I split a small brisket with beans and onion rings and a small pulled pork with mac and cheese and grit sticks. --The onion rings were huge! I only ate two and was onion ring-ed out. I wish they tasted less greasy and had more flavor though. --Mac and cheese was great! Got better with every bite! --Baked beans were baked beans. What can I say? Not any better than anywhere else but it was good. Got the job done to balance out the meat. --GRIT STICKS! Best part of the meal! Think of a hashbrown had a baby with mac and cheese. Mmmm. --Pulled pork was nothing special, but it wasn't bad. --The brisket was perfectly tender. --my friend also got a whiskey lemonade type drink (forgot the name). If you like the taste of whiskey, you'll definitely like the drinks here. I thought this one couldn't be any better. Perfectly proportioned with a strong whiskey flavor but not enough to overwhelm you. Meat portions were not impressive when the food arrives, but you'll definitely finish the meal feeling satisfied. I would go back for drinks, but if I had to choose between this or Screen Door for food, I'd still go with Screen Door... different type of atmosphere and it was nice to try something new.
(4)
Sarah V.
My catfish po'boy was spot-on, with perfectly pan-fried, generously sized filets (and I hail from East Texas, so I know catfish). Other items were tasty but less generous. Stingy portions on the pulled pork platter and the dessert (banana pudding parfait). An even stingier old fashioned (a thimble-full of liquid moistening a huge ice cube). Bottom line, I'll come back to eat fish, but afterwards I'll mix myself a drink at home.
(3)
Hannah M.
I'm really saddened by the poor reviews on here. Southland is AWESOME! You come here for the authentic Southern food, the slow-style service and the great whiskey selection. I have sat at the bar every time - so I can't say much about the waiter service. The service behind the bar has been incredible every time. I recommend starting with a whiskey flight and an appetizer. If you're not a fan of straight whiskey I would recommend their mint julep. They soak a pound of fresh mint in their whiskey and let it absorb for God knows how long, then wring it out and BAM! you have natural mint whiskey. Best mint julep I've ever had. The macaroni and cheese is to die for. So is the fried chicken - mmm can't go wrong! The chili is also amazing. I can't speak any more highly of this place. Great atmosphere and location, too. I really appreciated the thorough service and information they provided about the food and drink. I work at a hotel in Downtown Portland and send my guests to Southland all the time, and they always come back satisfied! Not enough people write good reviews. Give it a try with no expectations!
(5)
Niall R.
Useless manager, very disappointing. We made a reservation for a birthday party, booking 2 tables for 15 people. We were there in person to make the reservation and even choose the tables. Turning up at that night the manager said, they do not have our reservation. Trying to solve the situation, with guests arriving, he was just completely unhelpful and unfriendly. We actually got people to move ourselves and sorted it out, him just standing there doing nothing to try and accommodate their mess up. Definitely won't go back or recommend it to anybody.
(1)
Laura J.
We went for happy hour. They have a happy hour menu and the food was good, we got two chopped salads and chili cheese fries to share. Hubby got two beers and I got a glass of wine. The price for beer was high even during happy hour and the wine was definitely expensive for a happy hour. Liked the decor and the bathrooms although I agree with others, you need to have a way to push open the bathroom door if there is no paper towels. The BBQ was good on the chili fries. The salads were a little small although the waitress said they would be just a little bit smaller than the original, they were like a side salad. But the worst part was that the drinks were supposed to be a dollar off the price and when she gave us our bill, the happy hour price for the drinks was not there. So we had to wait for that. Not cool for sure. And then change it. And she made some excuse like that wine that was on the happy hour menu really was not supposed to be there. Well, if it is not, then take the wine off the menu but since it is, honor the price. And really, the price for a glass of wine was $6 - should have been a bigger pour. Oh well, we live and we learn. We will not be back.
(3)
Ninihada C.
Whoopie pie. That is all.
(4)
Jessica B.
Fried chicken Cobb salad was great. Good staff, ambiance and will come back. Nice alternative to other spots nearby.
(4)
Steven K.
I would like to give more than 3 stars but just cannot. Ordered the baby back ribs and they were a bit dry. Had the sides of Mac & Cheese(fantastic but tiny) and collard greens(very good but spicy after I was told otherwise). Ordered a lemonade and after requesting a refill I'm told no free refills. Really? Inexcusable. All in all pretty good and worthy of 3 stars but no more.
(3)
Miki B.
I can't believe we haven't been here before! Great service, amazing BBQ! Will continue to come back!
(5)
Sam M.
This place has amazing BBQ. This place has put Texas and Memphis on notice for BBQ. The beef ribs were amazing and melted in your mouth. To make them better being half price for happy hour was even better. The pulled pork was rich and flavorful, the BBQ sauce cute the fatty richness perfectly. As for the hooch, they delivered as well. The burnside bourbon was like a lite whiskey, which was a nice and pleasant surprise.
(5)
J. K.
Shockingly bad food and terrible service. My husband and I went for a late dinner on Thursday night. It seemed slow at 8:30, and half the tables were empty. Good design and decor, even with the bank of TVs blasting sports. We were seated and given water by the hostess. Our server finally came to greet us and took our orders since we had been waiting quite a while (15 minutes) and had decided. I ordered the fried chicken and sides (slaw, mashers, and biscuit) and sweet tea, and my husband ordered the loaded baked potato. The server said they were out of fried green tomatoes and brisket. We waited 30 minutes for our food. In the end, a different person brought our food. He was dressed like management, but was bussing tables. The food had obviously been sitting under the heat lamps for a while because the cheese on the potato had congealed, the temps were inconsistent, and the slaw had leaked over everything. I'm not sure who would ever put these flavors on a plate together -- honey butter, horseradish slaw, cayenne fried chicken, and strange canned gravy flavor mashed potatoes. Our server never did come back. We wanted more drinks and I ended up going up to the bar to get our drinks. Our server intercepted me and I told her that we wanted more drinks. She proceeded to check on three more tables and finally brought us our drinks (a sweet tea and a soda, so it wasn't complicated) after 10 minutes. We probably interacted with our server twice in more than an hour, had food delivered by an anonymous person, and ended up feeling pretty terrible after our dinner. I don't think any amount of design can cover the fact that this food would have been subpar for even a chain like Famous Dave's, and the menu was strongly reminiscent of a Guy Fieri endeavor. Appallingly disgusting and poorly prepared food, and bizarrely poor service.
(1)
Brent B.
Went last night and must say the place was friendly and deecorated well. Service was great, food ok but not great. Had the baby back ribs and the wife had the fried chicken. Ribs were smoked well but the rub was boring and did little to bring out the smoke flavor. Chicken was good but not great and a little spendy for a wing thigh and leg. The sauce choices looked impressive but were all thin and similar in taste. Had sides of beans, slaw, and greens Beans and greens were good but the slaw had little taste and was dry. I was disapointed that unless we ordered the sampler for two one could only try one smoke item. May go back for another try but not sure.
(3)
Terri A.
I am giving it 3 stars because of the service . . . The food, not so good. I read reviews from my fellow yelpers but went anyway. I know better. The service was very good and the drinks were as well but the pulled pork and brisket, not so much. Note to management, if you are going to put "spicy" on a sauce . . . It should then be spicy. I won't go back and for me that is the ultimate measure.
(3)
Jake C.
The atmosphere is great, love the setting and location! The fried chicken was full of flavor, really moist with a great crisp to the outside. The pulled pork was tender and juicy. Amazing banana pudding!
(5)
Meghan Z.
Holy crap this place is GOOD!!!! Our waitress was super friendly and gave us lots of recommendations (cant remember her name but she was younger and had blonde hair). We got the bbq feast for four, which at $65 is a great deal and we even took home plenty of leftovers. The ribs were so tender and the chicken was absolutely fall-off-the-bone amazing! The brisket was really good, too. My husband is a big BBQ snob and he loved everything we ordered. Great beer list and drink menu, too, and I don't drink whiskey but they had hundreds of choices of whiskey. Oh and I love sauces, and they have 5 or 6 different kinds right at the table for you. I cannot wait to come back here!!!!!!
(5)
M J.
We ate dinner at the whiskey kitchen the day after the grand opening during Happy Hour. The decor was great just what we expected...large spoke lighting mesquite ( I think) wood bar top. Sets the mood just right for the meal. We sat at the bar so we could look at the Whiskeys displayed. We ordered the Fried pickles for an appetizer and let them know we would order dinner after the pickles arrived. However, five minutes later they asked if we were ready to order. We figured why not...the pickles should be on the way any second. So we ordered the beef brisket plate with spicy bbq sauce to split with a side of mac and cheese and grit stix. Unfortunately all the food arrived at the same time. That kind stunk because we were out for a leisurely evening. That said, the food was tasty. The brisket was nicely cooked and not too smoky. The sauce wasn't quite as spicy as we like luckily, the bartender recommend their habanero sauce which was delicious perfect spice. The mac and cheese was o.k. maybe a little on the dry side, it could have been a little creamier. And the grit stix were a nice little surprise. They were like eating deep fried Mac and cheese. We would definitely order them again. They are also on the happy hour menu. Good choice! Oh! and the pickles were great too. kind of a small little app (approx 5) but very good. They were thick cut with a buttermilk coating served with a ranch dip. These are also on our re-order list. on a final note...parking is difficult anywhere near NW 23rd so keep that in mind.
(4)
Tripp W.
Popped in for lunch on a Saturday and we were immediately impressed with the decor: upscale BBQ joint...rustic but very comfy. The restaurant, as you might imagine from the name, has a very impressive whiskey list, but I am a big bloody mary fan and theirs did not disappoint. It is served with a nice hunk of smoky brisket and it comes with a small beer back. But of course, the star is the food and I was very impressed with the pulled pork sandwich. Portions are huge and the hand cut chips and fries are just about perfect. I also love the spicy sweet pickles that garnish every plate. Two of my dining companions ordered from the "small plate" menu and the portions are still quite large...Mr. D had a BLT and it features 12 strips of house cured bacon! Every table has five different house made BBQ sauce and the three I tried (house, spicy, and gold) were all very good. The prices are incredibly reasonable especially given the quality and portion size. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Blaine W.
The ambiance is awesome here, really nice lighting. booths are not comfortable though (don't mind the hard back, but cushions would be nice). Killer bourbon selection - but overpriced. OK so, i don't care about any of that as long as the BBQ is awesome. which it is not. Especially with Smokehouse 21 a few blocks away. Granted, Smokehouse 21 lacks the full bar and the ambiance, but Smokehouse 21 BBQ completely dominates. At Smokehouse, they would NEVER serve the BBQ pre-sauced! The BBQ at Southland was over-sauced, cold, dry, bland and with a predominate flavor of salt. Totally unsatisfying. The ribs are smoked very heavily with what I believe was mesquite smoke - so the ribs tasted like a peaty scotch. Anyhow, I'd go back for the ambiance and the bourbon selection, but I would not order the BBQ again. Dry, cold brisket. Over smoked ribs. Dry, cold pulled pork. Over salted. Over sauced. Cornbread was more like dry, overcooked cornbread cake. Smokehouse 21 cornbread is absolutely heavenly and cooked to perfection (seriously amazing). If Smokehouse 21 is a 10, then this place is a 6 or 7. I will say the banana pudding dessert kicked ass. So, if you go here, get bourbon and banana pudding and skip the BBQ!
(2)
R M.
This place was a huge disappointment. It looks cool and the whiskey selection is awesome and service was good enough, but food was just terrible. On a BBQ scale of 0 being Famous Dave's chain, 6 being Russell Street, and 10 being Padnah's, this place is a 1 even though it's the most expensive of all. Probably the worst ribs I've ever had: flavor was fine but they were pink-smoked and completely-stuck-to-the-bone variety that no one except my dog likes. The pulled pork and the brisket weren't terrible, but you get a teeny tiny portion of them on the $38 plate, and despite the fact that there are 5 sauces on the table, none had any discernible flavor besides black pepper. It gets two stars because I can see it would be a cool place to get drinks, but I'll never eat there again.
(2)
Carmel U.
Oh man this place is good. I checked out local dinner spots on Yelp while my husband and I were visiting Portland and saw that this place served BBQ and Whiskey -- SOLD! When we arrived, we were greeted with a 1-hour wait! Seeing this as an auspicious sign, we used that hour to explore the rest of the neighborhood. When we returned (with about 20 more minutes to kill) we decided to have a drink at Southland's Bar. The whiskey list was super impressive. I ordered a manhattan and my husband ordered some rye whiskey straight up. Our bartender was friendly and prompt and the drinks went down SMOOTH. Now, the food. One thing worth mentioning is that when you order food from Southland, they don't skimp on portions. We ordered the combo (for 2) and were surprised at the behemoth placed before us when our order was ready. We had a chance to sample the delicious meats Southland had to offer (ribs, pulled pork, brisket, chicken and sausage!). The plate came with 2 sides and our waitress highly recommended we order a side of cornbread (which we are so glad we did because that was some pretty damn good cornbread). The meat was delicious. I especially liked the BBQ chicken! It was juicy and flavorful and even better than most BBQ chicken I've had in KC (blasphemous, I know!!!). Almost 2 hours later, we were drunk on smoked meats and whiskey and smiled the entire walk home. We will definitely be back the next time we are in town.
(4)
Lyniese B.
We were headed to the Matador and we were enticed by the terrific bbq menu that was plastered on the wall. Pulled pork, coleslaw, cornbread, ribs, and much more. It sounded much better than our original plan so we headed in to see what Portland has to offer in the way of authentic bbq. We were greeted by the friendly staff and ushered to our pub style table. Dimly light with a cabin style decor we immediately noticed the bar was well stocked with row after row of scotch and whiskey. We perused the whiskey menu in search of something that sounded vaguely familiar (as neither of us know a thing about whiskey). Precursor- A week or two earlier we decided to have a shot of something new and fabulous after a late brunch at Urban Farmer before we headed out to stroll the cold streets of downtown PDX in search of a fabulous and undiscovered boutique. Our waitress suggested a a special 10-year whiskey made especially by Russell's Reserve for Urban Farmer. Ummm....ok, sure. Why not? Long story short...We sipped our fine glass of rye whiskey and found it to be flavorful and complicated, interesting and surprisingly palatable. We left our table feeling joyous and light on our feet! We knew we would have to explore this throw back spirit once again. Fast forward - Saturday evening, Southland Whiskey kitchen, BBQ, and our first flight of rye whiskey. John (our bartender) is our super social genuinely all-round great guy. Knowledgeable and friendly ..... the embodiment of everything a great bartender should be .... as we sipped our tastes of whiskey John educated us on the distillery processes, history, and best bangs for your buck! I honestly am giving up my dirty martini (as least a for time) to explore whiskey thing. I truly enjoy it and honestly find it down to earth, complicated yet basic and a little intriguing. And let's be honest ..... it's damn cool to walk pass the bar and see a woman sipping a neat shot of whiskey! lol! We've returned on several occasions to chat John up and pick his brain a bit. My mom was just up for a visit and I treated her to a Crown Royal XR (neat) while I enjoyed a nice glass of Middleton Very Rare (neat). What a treat!!! CHEERS!!!
(4)
Jake R.
Even after reading the pretty scathing Oregonian review, I thought the design aesthetic of the bar looked appealing enough to give it a try. I am a big whiskey fan and I was really just going for the spirit selection. I was there with a non-whiskey drinker, so I thought I would go with a local selection first and then expand our smokey bouquet of flavorings else where. My Portland favorite is McCarthy's from Clear Creek. It was fairly priced I thought at $13.50 given the $55 retail value per bottle. However, when it came to the table the color was muddled and after tasting, it was clear that they had watered it down. I know it's a limited run whiskey every year but come on folks! You are a whiskey bar! Have some class. I will say that the service was good, despite it being fairly crowded on a Saturday night, and the server was quite knowledgeable when it came to their overall selection. It was the only saving grace and why I didn't just give it one star. Given other comments about the food and the Oregonian review, we stayed away. It's a great concept, but poorly executed.
(2)
Lauren A.
The decor is wonderful, both in the restaurant and in the bathroom. My mixed drink was excellent. Their website is good. Disclaimer: I am a harsh bbq critic. The food is forgettable. The house sauce was spicier than the "spicy". My beef brisket didn't have much flavor, and lacked the smokiness I'd hoped it would have. The mac and cheese side was tasty, but $4 for 5 bites of food? That's kind of a lot. I'd come back for drinks and ambiance, but not so much for the food. It's really too bad, I wanted this to become my new bbq place. :(
(2)
Beth B.
As a vegetarian - you're better off going to a Chinese buffet. I only went for a friend's birthday mind you. That said - EVERYTHING HAS BACON IN IT. Sure - some people might like this, fair enough. But I specifically asked for a salad and for them to omit the bacon. The waitress understood. You know where this is going - clearly she, the kitchen - someone messed up. I also found out that their grits have bacon in them as well - even though the waitress told me they did not (and it was not included in the ingredients on the menu). At the end, they did discount me the grits - but not the salad - which I explicitly asked for no bacon. 1. Terrible waitress 2. Poor information on the menu 3. Bad management. And PS the grit sticks were NOT that good.
(1)
Renee L.
Took some out-of-town friends here for dinner. Had been to happy hour before and really enjoyed it. Dinner was amazing, all were impressed. Started with the Corpse Reviver #2 to drink, awesome. Pulled pork plate, awesome. Tasso grit sticks, awesome. Onion rings, just ok. When we came for happy hour when they first opened they had cute little bottles of all their sauces on the tables. When they weren't there this time we asked and they had to bring them out in little ramekins. Guess there was some issue with the bottling? Hope those come back. Waitstaff has all been wonderful. Recommended.
(4)
Diane M.
Okay guys....totally awesome BBQ! I wish I did whiskey because the menu for booze is off the charts! The food is really really really good! Beer is icy cold and service excellent!
(5)
Mike W.
I have given this place a raving review in the past, however, I cannot in good conscience allow my past experience to mask how wildly inconsistent and as a whole just plain bad this place really is. My brisket sandwich was barely room temperature and the replacement for it was mostly fat mixed in with chewy bits of bland brisket. Good thing for us there were two bartenders because the guy who was supposed to be serving us hardly spoke a word after he took our initial order. It's too bad that this has been the norm over the last few months, I had high expectations and really thought this place was going to be a neighborhood favorite. Finally, while walking out this evening I told my girlfriend that the next time I bring up going here, please remind me how much I dislike this place
(1)
Jeff M.
A Haiku Review of Southland Whiskey Kitchen: Loved the pulled pork plate. Mac & cornbread sides were nom. The sauces need work.
(4)
Dashya K.
Good service, good sweet tea and good burger. The Mac and cheese was okay but nothing spectacular. The ribs looked tasty and their selection of whiskey was impressive.
(4)
Yoel T.
Checked this place out during the grand opening, so of course everything was in top shape to impress everyone. The location is just 3 blocks north of the NW 23rd ave streetcar stop. Living my entire life in the south before I moved to Portland, I have eaten quite a bit of classic southern food and BBQ. I can say that the food here is quite fantastic. Is it BBQ and potato salad the way your grandmother in Alabama made it? Maybe, or maybe not, depending on how she made it. Maybe it is better. This is classic southern foods served up with great care to deliver a powerful flavor, and presented with a very impressive aesthetic. It's maybe not always classic and traditional (I have never seen grit sticks in the south, but they sure are good. But on the other hand, the south is a big place, they could be out there.) Southland offers 6 different varieties of BBQ sauce. It is also a Whiskey Kitchen, so has over 100 different whiskeys and much of the food is cooked with some whiskey flavor! Service is excellent and very friendly. The design and decor of the restaurant is very pleasing, with attention to every detail down to the Boraxo powdered soap in the restrooms! There does not seem to be an abundance of such restaurants in Portland, so this is welcome addition. Tips: Order the grit sticks. Get your your favorite whiskey old fashioned.
(5)
Alena H.
So we went out to matador one night coming to find out that minors are not allowed after 10, and they recommended to go over to Southland Whiskey Kitchen. First of all, this is one of the few places that allows minors at this time which is a plus seeing that a couple friends are just a few months away from being of age. We were still able to enjoy a few drinks and happy hour foods, which are the same portion as they would be on the regular menu which is AWESOME. I got a reasonable sized, delicious ass salad for only 5 bucks! That being said, the place smells fantastic, I love the country vibe and I swear they were playing my pandora station the whole time! 2 thumbs up to the friendly staff and lovely experience. Definitely coming back. .....So I've consistently enjoyed the SWK Master House Chop salad..and I must say that it's different every time. Sometimes it's a large portion, other times half the size. Today, the meat tasted like someone picked out the remains of a week old Costco rotisserie chicken. The peppers were slimy, a few rotten pieces of lettuce, 3 blocks of cheese that I barely found and the worst surprise saved itself for last when I gagged up a piece of chicken jelly..WTF? Changing my rating from a 5 to 3..Because that's no bueno. Also, they took it off the happy hour menu which was very upsetting. This shouldn't matter much considering the fact that people go here for BBQ and whatnot.. but I get salads anywhere and everywhere I go so it mattered a lot to me. I still love the vibe and people, I got a Jack & Coke and I could barely taste the Coke which is always a good thing, and their cherries were INCREDIBLE. The end.
(3)
Laura D.
Solid whisky drinks and southern food at Southland. The best deal is the smokestack sandwich---its insane!--- and they have many tasty, authentic side dishes. Try the grit sticks and don't pass up the collard greens. Yum!
(4)
Erin K.
I don't usually give 5 stars on a first impression, but this place was awesome on all levels! We visited on New Year's Eve and I was very impressed! Cozy, relaxed, dimly lit, with one side of the place filled with huge booths. I love that the servers were not snotty when it came to talking about whiskey, but really approachable and down to earth about it, but they also seemed to know their stuff. I am in love with their whiskey smash and Smokestack sandwich. The only food I tried that I didn't love was one of the sirloin burgers (lacked flavor to the meat and the toppings were underwhelming too, pretty bland overall), but I think at least part of this was because I was comparing it to the amazing Smokestack. The brisket plate was wonderful also, not too dry, and the sides were a delight as well (the mac and cheese is super!)
(5)
KB B.
We picked up take out last night from Southland. Neither of us had dined at this spot before, but were craving BBQ. What a disappointment. The brisket was SO tough and bland, the sausage was spicy, which I liked, but was very fatty. The one bright spot was the fried chicken.
(1)
Phil M.
As I've mentioned before, I judge places that attempt Southern cuisine needlessly harshly. With that caveat in mind, here's what I thought about Southland: We started with the fried green tomatoes appetizer. The tomatoes were a lot more red than green and missed that zing that you find in a good fried green tomato. For the main meal, my wife and I had the catfish and the brisket, respectively, and shared between us. The catfish had a great flavor and texture, but the greens that accompany it could've been cooked a bit longer. Southern greens need not be crispy. Great flavor on them though. Also, the red beans and rice were excellent. The brisket came by default covered in their house sauce, which is really good if not a tad bit tomato-y. Personally, I liked making a mix of their sweet and spicy sauces (available at your table), so my suggestion would be to order it dry and go your own way on the sauces. For my sides, I got the baked beans and the grit sticks. While the baked beans were standard fare, the grit sticks blew my freaking mind! They're grits... in cheesy "log" form. Think cheese grits disguised as cornbread. They were definitely the highlight of the meal, and I'll probably be getting them as one of my sides from here on out. So, the meal was solid. Some things weren't like "back home" (oh, boo hoo!) but all in all, I have no real complaints. Probably the 3rd best Southern-style meal I've had in PDX, behind Po'Shines and Screen Door. That said, if you don't want to wait an hour+ for good food, Southland is your boy. I'm definitely looking forward to taking down their ribs and fried chicken at some point. And apparently, there's whiskey here as well! :)
(4)
Jacob M.
Waitstaff was great, ambiance was great, food seemed ok. Don't get me wrong, not horrible, but just BBQ you could get anywhere. The brisket was quite fatty and biscuits were dry, but the honey/bourbon butter was amazing!
(3)
S D.
I recommended coming here for one thing...whiskey. If you are wanting a good meal, there are better places around. Like next door. And there are way better places for BBQ. We got the Smoke Master Platter for two for $38. What a waste. The hot link tasted like anything you could buy from Safeway. The pulled pork had way too much fat in there. And the ribs were almost all bone and fat. I would have liked to eat some meat for $38. The biggest highlight of our evening here was the "seasonal veggie" side. It costs $3.00. What did we get for $3.00? 4 Brussels sprouts cut in half and placed on tooth picks. Seriously. $3.00 for four Brussels sprouts. Yikes. On the positive side, we did enjoy the corn bread and the selection of whiskey.
(2)
Brian N.
Yikes. For a BBQ joint, BBQ is not their specialty. Pass...
(2)
Rob S.
My plate? The Chipotle Pork Cheeseburger was freaking excellent. My wife keeps telling me that every new place we go, she always wishes she had gotten what I ordered. This time was no exception. She really didn't care for her fried chicken but I'm pretty sure I would have finished it off for her had I not been busy shoveling my cheeseburger into my face. Although, maybe I just have lower standards than her. Still... A great place. Definitely coming back.
(4)
Mike C.
Great atmosphere, service, and food. I have eaten here a few times and have had great experiences every time. It is owned by the same people who own Matador next door and it shows. A lot of time went into the decor and menu. The food is good, solid, BBQ and southern food with lots of sides. There is an extensive wine, beer and cocktail list. I don't know how anyone can complain about the service, as every time we were greeted right away, sat right away, and had just the right amount of attention. We will definitely be eating at Southland more in the future.
(4)
DJ C.
Gave it a try... twice. Shame on me. Not very good BBQ. Unfortunate as I live across the street. Will not be back.
(1)
Kim I.
I've been wanting to go here for a long while now, and i really like it!!! Bartenders soooo nice and really went above and beyond. I recommend the fried chicken, the ribs and the mac and cheese. It was delicious. I'll go back for sure. Whiskey education there is fun too. Got a run down from the bartender.
(4)
Anthony B.
**BAR ONLY: Great atmosphere. Lost a star to small pores, but made up for it because the Bloody came with a beer back. You never see that.
(4)
Chad C.
Damn good food, and they're quick so you can actually eat there on your hour-long lunch break! Great for groups, too.
(4)
Rachael M.
Everything I tasted was outstanding! Beef ribs, fried chicken, red beans and rice, mac and cheese, FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, and a whiskey smash. Very, very satisfying meal.
(5)
Rebecca R.
Awesome decor all over the place. The woodwork is pretty great. I love that they carried that through to the bathrooms. Speaking of the bathooms, they have an option to use regular soap or a powdered version. I haven't seen that in years. The menu is pretty much what you would expect for a Southern inspired restaurant. I had the mac and cheese with pulled pork. Thepork was served on the mac. I would have liked it on the side so I could try the various sauces available. The pulled pork was smoky and tender. I am excited to go back and try the rest of the menu.
(4)
Tim A.
A great bbq and bourbon spot on 23rd. Fitting right in with the rest of the strip, the low lighting and wall of whiskey creates a great atmosphere. The excellent smoked meats and southern soul sides complete the experience. A great way to warm up on a cool winter night. Will return for the tasty bbq and a great list of house bourbon cocktails.
(4)
Kyle I.
Great bbq good whiskey beats most places in PDX although when it's busy the servers get kinda bitchy. Sorry ladies but your a server and you chose to be one.
(5)
lee k.
If you are tired of the Tex Mex food at Casa Del Matador, go try the new Texas Smoke BBQ at the other end of the building on NE 23rd. Foods are delicious. Small kitchen but with a army of professional chefs (can tell from how they crank out the excellent food in a timely manner). The smoke brisket I ordered was so tender and tasty. There are many choices of BBQ sauces of their own. The whole staff is very friendly, attentive and helpful. The open bar is welcoming. Decor is great very thoughtfully done. Great addition to the many fine restaurants in district. They deserve a high five. Will definitely return to try more of the food in their menu.
(5)
Damion C.
Wen't to Southland Whiskey Kitchen on a Saturday for Happy Hour with a big group of friends. They serve 10 dishes or so and 5 side dishes. Drinks are $1.00 off. First the service was excellent, very attentive and took good care of our group. We ordered pretty much everything off the menu to give it a try. We did the chili, wings, ribs, shrimp/grits, fried green tomato, hush puppies, pulled pork, brisket, chicken/waffles, cornbread, Mac n cheese, and collard greens. Now there was not a bad dish in this group. Reading some of the reviews about the BBQ you might think it was inedible. Not at all. The dishes were good, filled us up(nice portions), lots of flavor, meats were not dry. Maybe it's because we ate early in the night. For us(10) the food did its job. Was it BBQ worthy of winning any competitions? No. But it gets the job done. Great selections of whiskey and very stiff mint Julips. Cool place, cool happy hour, will go hit it up again.
(4)
HOWIE B.
I wanted to like Southland more than I actually did. What's not to like? Nice decor, chill vibe, laid back, friendly service and a well- stocked bar. Then there's the food. It''s disappointing. This is not to say it's bad, it's not. But it's totally forgettable. The entrees and sides all lack proper spices and oompth. The quality is there - the ingredients are all top notch--but everything from the sauces to the dull collards to the bland horseradish slaw to the unexciting key lime pie all lack pizzazz. Oh well, It's too bad. Like I said, I wanted to like this place but there's simply better southern food/bbq out there.
This place is awesome! I stopped in last night for a birthday and I have to say, hands down impressed. Best BBQ restaurant I have ever been in. Very cool atmosphere and our server was awesome. We tried a couple of the Whiskey flights and the whiskey menu is nothing if not impressive. Over 100 different whiskey and bourbons to choose from and when it comes to the dinner menu, we were graced with five different kinds of sauces on the table to try. Once again, a must try. I can not say enough good things about this place!!
(5)
H M.
Definitely decent. I'm not a fan of their cocktails or BBQ particularly, but their cornbread? Oh my god. Especially with their butter, not sure but think I tasted whiskey in it. Regardless, it's bomb.
(3)
Christina B.
Great whiskey. Pass on the food. The server was friendly. Was hosting a birthday party for a friend and had to ask for the birthday cake three or four times before she brought it over. The food was blah, I can not think of anything I liked that was on my plate and heard the same feedback from everyone else. I gave them two stars for the large selection of whiskey, location and ability to seat a party of twelve without reservations.
(2)
Ken P.
Just a note mention the customer care here. My first couple visits not wow'd. I ate there this weekend and what a difference. I ordered fried chicken plate that had 2 pieces. When the kitchen manager brought it he apologized for the thigh being too small and the kitchen was cooking me another one. Sure enough they brought me a second one free and without me requesting. In this day when good service can separate the good from bad it was refreshing.
(5)
Katie C.
I wanted to like Southland so much more than I actually did. We had walked by once before, but weren't hungry. I was impressed by the look and love BBQ, so I made a mental note to return. We finally did-still impressed by the look, not so much by the food. The interior of SWK is just wonderful. They took a tricked out warehouse theme and just ran with it. Even the bathroom has tons of well-thought out details. Sadly, not much of that thought made it to the food. I had the pulled pork platter and my boyfriend had this giant tower of a meat sandwich. He was pleased with the portion size and most of the meat. The sausage on top seemed sort of an unnecessary addition. My dish was just eh. I had mac&cheese and garlic mashers as my side. Both were kind of just warm and blah. I barely tasted garlic on the potatoes. The pulled pork was good, not great. It was nice that there were so many sauces on the table, but my boyfriend and I were both a little confused by them. The 'sweet' was spicier than the 'spicy'! Service was friendly and prompt. They did have what appeared to be an amazingly extensive whiskey list. We skipped it because we were just there for some lunch, but that might be worth going back for.
(3)
Jaime S.
So incredibly happy we found this place! The atmosphere was lovely. The service was great. Our server was attentive, friendly and accurate with our order. The food was VERY good! We ordered grit sticks, fried green tomatoes, spicy shrimp, ribs, greens, shrimp and grits and many other things. Not one item was disappointing. Finished the meal with sweet potato pie and a salted caramel martini. Our only regret was that we couldn't try more. We will absolutely be back!
(5)
Jordan C.
I was all up in this joint on their opening night. it was the balls. the ribs were so tender, i was like "HOT DAMN!" and the house made hot link were so delish. i got my dirty martini on and i feasted and it was fantastic. the grit sticks were a little disappointing. double that portion size yo! i live down the street from this place and i'm gonna slide to the spot all the time. next time i'm going to hook up just the straight rib platter because they are just so finger licking good! i will also be trying to seafood gumbo and shrimp and grits. sometimes i wish i was a fat lard so i could order everything and try it all in one sitting. but i'm not fat and i can't afford a meal of that size, so i shall be back time and time again. Southland... you did me so right
(4)
Erich S.
Great southern food and great whiskey. Check this place out.
(4)
Lindsay D.
hello meat. I have missed you. If you too are from Oklahoma and have been depressed at the lack of edible BBQ, (who puts cheese on brisket? WHO) you will be delighted. We got the platter for 4. The only thing I would not go back for is the hotlinks (super spicy). Go meat!
(5)
Matt R.
Seriously the worst bbq I've ever had. So much it inspired me to sign up on yelp. Their bbq sauce tasted like marinara.....not even good marinara. Like everyone else I love the idea, look and feel but their food does not deliver. Too expensive for very poor bbq. In this town of great food (and bbq) this place is not it.
(1)
Kyra N.
My husband work nearby and when he saw that this place had opened. We had to go. We were there on Friday for dinner. We order the Smoke Master Platter because we wanted to try a little bit of everything. Glad we did, it was delicious. Oh yeah, the drinks were good as well. I had the southern punch and my husband had the mint julep and whiskey smash. Service was great and we found out that they were "kid-friendly" from our server. However, when we were there on Sunday night for dinner, we discovered that they weren't really. They didn't have highchairs. They only had booster seats. So we had to get our food to go. By the time we got home, our food was cold. Keep in mind, we only lived a few block away on the water front. Great place to go, if you don't have kids or kids that need a highchair.
(4)
Andrew A.
This place was the best. The food was pretty legit, and Scott, our server provided the best customer service I've had in PDX, hands down. Will definitely go back and try more!
(5)
Dave S.
Unbelievable BBQ sauce. Had brisket, my eyes rolled back. And four cheese Mac and cheese, so homey. Front of restaurant is completely open with sliding folding doors. Cool filament light fixtures. Great place to hang and enjoy.
(5)
Allen N.
Brisket was dry, chewy, and flavorless. Collard greens were incredibly too salty and the cornbread crumbled in my mouth for all the wrong reasons. Service was good and her whiskey recommendation was spot on have to give em that.
(2)
Angie J.
Stopped in during HH on Saturday. Decor and ambiance was great, waitress answered a few questions we had on the southern style menu (what in the hell are grit sticks?) Ended up with the mac and cheese appetizer, pork brisket and yes, the grit sticks. The mac was just OK, the brisket was dry and flavorless (according to my main squeeze) and the grit sticks were bland although I'm not sure what they're supposed to taste like. If you're looking for a place to meet for drinks or a plentiful whiskey menu give this place a shot, otherwise move on.
(2)
James E.
Great food. I miss the south and this place helps. Good selection of whiskey.
(5)
Peter G.
Great happy hour great service great food
(5)
Kevin G.
Awesome BBQ ribs and a very large whiskey list, but a little over priced on the whiskey.
(4)
Liz C.
I really like SWK! I love that they have a huge selection of drinks lots of local spirits and wines...I always get bubbles, pairs surprisingly well with BBQ. I've had the baby back ribs (big and meaty), brisket (very tender) pulled pork (thought it lacked a bit on flavor) coleslaw ( vinegar based much preferred over mayo) grit sticks (I am not a fan of grits...this are deelicious!) cornbread (slightly sweet and a little salty love)...service has always been great!
(4)
Ben F.
As far as BBQ in Portland goes, don't waste your time or money. Portland will never be Memphis, Kansas City or Austin, but that doesn't mean you can't get some decent BBQ in town, especially with Podnah's. Our group ordered the smoked platter that was recommended by the server. Chicken was ok, little dry. Ribs were bad, hadn't smoked nearly long enough and probably at too high of a temp. The meat was chewy and stuck to the bone. Pulled pork had way too much sauce and some big chunks of fat that hadn't rendered out during smoking, another sign that they are not on top of things in the BBQ department. The hot link, to be fair, was pretty good. Its definitely hot. Brisket was ok, had a decent smoke ring but again a bit on the dry side. Ribs and brisket are the two gauges of a BBQ place and both were way sub-par here. All of the sides we tried were middle of the road. Nothing great, but nothing offensive either. The sauces were pretty hit or miss, avoid the white sauce at all costs, its disgusting. I got the mint julep, again at the servers suggestion. It was a nice touch coming in a copper cup, but it was piled incredibly high with crushed ice, like a snow cone, that promptly got all over the table when i tried to stir it. Seemed like the pour was pretty light too, 3 sips and it was gone. Those 3 sips tasted good though. Wasn't surprised at all to learn this place is run by the Casa Del Matador folks. If you think Matador does great Tex-Mex, you will probably think Southland does great BBQ. For everyone else, I would pass on this place.
(2)
Carrie F.
We tried SWK the first week it opened and really enjoyed our food and experience. Since then we have been back several times and the food has been pretty disappointing - I've tried the pulled pork, brisket, fried chicken salad and the BBQ chicken and all have been very mediocre. The drinks are good, but a bit spendy. Service is friendly and relatively prompt. One other thing: the floors are EXTREMELY SLIPPERY. I have slipped several times walking from the table to the bathroom. The first time it happened, I just chalked it up to heels, but the last time I was there I was wearing flats and slipped just walking in the door. Then when I was headed to the bathroom, I walked very carefully and still slipped on the floor. For a place that serves alcohol, this is very dangerous!!! I won't be going back. It's just not worth it; there are lots of other good food options on NW 23rd.
(2)
Jess L.
Meh... nothing to wright home about. We started with a Salted Caramel before sitting down. Honestly, it just tasted like some Bailey's- nothing fantastic. For dinner we ordered the Cheddar & Tasso Grit sticks to start, then the Smoke Master Platter to share. The Grit sticks were pretty good, not super cheesy, but if you like grits they're good to try. I enjoyed the Smoke Master Platter, but one thing was super annoying and that was that the meats were all warm, but none were hot. Except the sausage, which is HOT AS HELL. Our server didn't forewarn us, and we weren't it to be as hot as it was. The coleslaw is pretty darn good- it has a really great amount of horseradish. Don't waste your time on the cornbread. It was the biggest disappointment. Overall, not bad, but we won't go again.
(3)
Pete F.
I traveld with my wife up to Portland for a show last week and a friend told me I had to go check out this place. When I looked it up it, was a bit out of the way but holy kitten titties I'm glad we did go. I don't know why exactly but we got VIP treatment. I chatted with the front-of-house manager about my culinary prowess with southern and cajun cooking (I've studied and cooked both for 15+ years) and when we sat down our server informed us we weren't allowed to order and that the kitchen was going to give us a tour of the menu. When does that ever happen? They started with a small plate of fried green tomatoes which I know from experience are hard to get right. These were spot on. The tomatoes held firm and were meaty. The cornbread breading was lightly salted and really lifted the experience. The remoulade was made in house and was phenomenal. It was creamy and poignant but not overwhelming and the whole dish was very well balanced. Next was a kind of southern charcuterie plate with a couple ribs, a pile of pulled pork, and a stack of sliced brisket. Now I'm a sucker for brisket but the ribs were out of this world. You wouldn't expect a place like SWK to compete with Roper's in St. Louis or a rack of "extra bark" from Central in Memphis but they did. They held to the bone just enough for me to manage slathering them with the house and spicy sauce and they were smoked just enough to taste the meat still. The brisket was unique in the way it was presented. It was what brisket should be, not pulled, and it was less smoked then most others I've had. It was a great vehicle for the gold sauce (a mustard, tamarind, jalapeno blend not soon forgotten) but my favorite and a complete surprise with the brisket was the white sauce: tangy, sweet, and savory. While it didn't pair particularly well with anything on the plate, I couldn't help slathering it on everything and even mopping it up with the cornbread. Our next plate was the fried chicken... served as hot as possible as only the best southern fried chicken should. It wasn't heavily breaded which was nice and made for a lighter plate. The chicken has been brined and really shined through. I lot of places put the salt in the breading and hide the chicken under it but not at SWK. Those were some of the cleanest bones I've ever returned to a plate. The garlic mashers and gravy were as expected, I'd have like them to have a bit of cream worked in and maybe whipped them a bit more but they came off as "homestyle" and I'm ok with that. The chicken came with a side of beans and collards. The collards were some of the best I've had outside of the south and could've been a meal in themselves. They had to have been locally sourced. Next up was the heavy-weight champion of the night, shrimp and grits. I've had some good downhome grits in my life but these were so much more than grits. The shrimp was grilled with a sweet lime dressing and the grits themselves were creamy and light with a flavor so intoxicating I needed to take a moment between bites to reassess my life. After the grits we were given a moment to call our parents and tell them we loved them before we were presented with an amuse-bouche style dessert plate with bites of key-lime pie, apple crumble, and sweet potato pie. The key lime was a bit pudding-ish and was pretty standard otherwise but not bad. The apple crumble was nicely caramelized and had a lot of depth of flavor. The sweet potato pie was so light and sweet I could've taken home a whole pie if I wasn't already struggling to exist. Another bite might have killed me. And now I find myself 1,000 miles away dying to go back. Bravo SWK you've given me a great reason to come back to the City of Roses.
(5)
Brett M.
I've been here a few times and waited to write a review until I had several visits under my belt. I'll go on record as saying that I find the BBQ to be pretty damn good. As someone who has lived up and down the east coast, I'll qualify that a bit and note that there are literally hundreds of varieties of BBQ. Eastern Carolina, South Carolina, vinegar base, mustard base, tomato base, etc, etc, etc. So, if you're looking for that ONE particular type, you may be disappointed. But if you are looking for a variety of BBQ options, try their different sauces. I think you'll find what you're looking for. Full marks for the catfish po'boy. The jalapeño peppers give it that little something extra that a spicy po'boy needs. My experience with the mixed drinks has been hit or miss. Sometimes they nail it and sometimes it seems a bit too watery or icy. In terms of service, I've only had one visit where everything was great. All the other visits seem to be like the staff is just tag teaming things, but not necessarily in a coordinated manor. One persons greets/seats you, another takes orders, someone else brings drinks sometimes. food is delivered by some one else and then the original server comes back to check on you after a few bites. Just seems like no one really has everything planned out properly. All that being said, overall, it's a good place with solid food at fair prices. Some kinks to work out, for sure, but it won't keep me from coming back.
(3)
Mary D.
Great drinks and apps! Good for groups or a date night. Really great service.
(4)
Robert M.
Stopped in tonight with a friend. Woah, Texas comes to portland!! Or a more spashy version of Red Robin. I don't get it. Portland is about good food, not fried this and fried that. But the place was packed, so it's hard to argue with success. If your looking for big portions of heavy foods, don't pass go, go here. They do actually do "heavy" dinners well. If you're interested in the "less is more" concept of dinner out and looking for the type of portland food that gets written up in the NY times... skip it.
(2)
Courtney C.
Mac and cheese was great, had an appetizer portion and it was well worth the $4. The drinks however leave something to be desired. My husband ordered an old fashioned and he literally laughed when the drink came. The cup was half full and contained a huge ice cube which was then balanced on an orange slice, the drank was less than 1/3 of the glass. It was ridiculous! If you are going to put huge ice cubes in a drink, at least fill the glasses full or simply get smaller glasses so the patrons don't feel like they are being ripped off. I could see a partially full glass for an order of straight spirits but for a mixed drink, no way. My husband was also unimpressed with the salad and thought the place was contrived. I wouldn't come back here but it would rate it at 3 stars based on the awesome mac and cheese, everything else was lacking.
(3)
Rich M.
I do enjoy their BBQ, and their sides are pretty legit. BEWARE that the take-out menu on their website DOESN'T MATCH their full menu. I was surprised to find jalapeños ALL OVER my catfish po'boy that I got to go. The to-go menu doesn't mention jalapeños at all, but the regular menu mentions "chiles" (by the time I checked it was of course too late). I also ordered my po' boy with no tomatoes, and it came slathered in them. A little more attention to detail would be appreciated.
(3)
Jill S.
A bit smoky smelling (not cigarette) inside for my taste but this place has AC! Perhaps not a lot of ventilation happening that day since doors/windows remained closed to keep everyone cool. Plenty of whiskey options to select from along with a cocktail menu. I didn't try the food but would be curious to visit during brunch hours.
(4)
Kearney Q.
Hot Doggett damn. My wife and I split the big meat sampler platter thing. It had ribs, brisket, half a chicken, pulled pork, and sides. It came with FOUR different BBQ sauces, including a white, mayonnaise based one that I'd never seen before. It was brain meltingly delicious on the chicken, which even on its own was probably the best chicken I've ever had. Everything was amazing. Our service was great as well; our waitress was funny, charming, and attentive. This place is spectacular and though a bit out of my price range not ridiculously expensive. Huge recommend.
(5)
Garrett T.
I had the pulled pork sandwich with the mac and cheese side. The sandwich was ok, could have used More sauce. I didn't think it had much flavor, the pork was cooked well though. The Mac and cheese was amazing though, one of the better ones I've had. I also had the bread pudding for desert. The consistency was perfect but I was not a fan of the jack Daniels sauce.
(3)
Alvin S.
I don't claim to be a BBQ connoisseur nor have I ever, so here goes my humble and objective review of Southland Whiskey Kitchen... First things first: Convenient NW location, casual atmosphere and so-so service. It had been a while since I'd visited NW 23rd and had been hearing good things about Southland Whiskey Kitchen from several friends. I decided to seek this place out for lunch this particularly busy afternoon and was pleased to find available seating. A rarity on bright, shiny days. The host was very attentive and seated me and my guest in the dining area of the dimly-lit yet cool venue. The first thing I noticed was the attractive and extensive display of whiskeys behind the bar. The menu wasn't cluttered and featured several southern-style plates from fried green tomatoes to southern fried chicken and BBQ. I chose the southern buttermilk fried chicken cobb salad and my guest had the cornmeal encrusted catfish po'boy sandwich. We commenced our lunch with an appetizer of fried green tomatoes. The fried green tomatoes were very delightful. They were coated in cornmeal and served with a shrimp and cherry tomato relish. The combination of tart green and sweet cherry tomatoes was very pleasing to the palate. The accompanying shrimp was equally delightful. The lunch entrees arrived on time and the presentation was absolutely beautiful. The battered chicken tenders rested nicely on a fresh bed of romaine lettuce and was surrounded by a colorful array of traditional cobb ingredients. The po'boy was served on a freshly baked roll and was flanked by homemade potato chips flavored with a hint of vinegar and salt. The food was amazing and plentiful. Both me and my guest were quite pleased with the experience. Our server paid close attention and made sure we remained hydrated and satisfied. Needless to say, my experience was satisfactory and I would highly recommend this place for any occasion. The restaurant advertised a brunch menu for the weekend which goes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The menu is comprised of seasonal favorites and remains true to their southland roots. I will definitely be paying Southland Whiskey Kitchen another visit soon. I'm almost certain that this place becomes popular around the Kentucky Derby as their mint juleps seem to be among one of Portland's best.
(4)
Derek B.
Decant place. It's walking distance from my apartment so I eat there alot. I'm from Louisiana so alot of their food isnt exactly southern as they lead you go believe but, it is close. I recommend the smokestack sandwich, brisket, catfish or catfish po boy, or the BBQ bacon burger. Yum!
(4)
Neil C.
Evelyn was our server. So sweet and great service. Had the wings, shrimp and grits, and two cocktails (a south sour and a side car). All great.
(5)
C F.
Brunch here is fantastic! I've been a few times now and everything we have eaten was delicious. The poached eggs on the brisket hash are unreal. The biscuit with honey butter is a meal in itself! And my husband mowed the chicken fried steak like his plane was going down. Not to mention the bourbon + bubbles cocktail. Add champagne and any cocktail becomes a breakfast beverage!! Best part: never had to wait for a seat. In fact we are always some of the only people there for brunch. It's always slammed in the evenings so I was shocked breakfast hasn't caught on. Go now before everyone else discovers this culinary gem!
(5)
Reynolds P.
We just had a delish lunch at Southland. We sat at the bar, got excellent service. I had first class brisket chili* and my wife had chicken fried steak. Both were quite good. She had a glass of cabernet, and I had a Michter's rye old fashioned. We checked out the brunch and lunch and dinner menus. Plenty of thoughtful choicesto select from. The restaurant's stylish decor is to be applauded. One of the best looking new places we've dined at. Hope you check it out. We certainly will be back. *Nice slice of cornbread, too. P.S. Plenty of TVs for the sports fans.
(5)
caeton f.
Hey southland, want to know why you're dead? Because you're charging $13 for TWO SLICES of brisket (and 2 baby sides) and you're under staffed. My wife and I have been through three times now and been underwhelmed each time but keep trying because we live in the neighborhood. But this was just silly. Your staff is totally nice and knowledgable and trying hard but the higher ups aren't doing you any favors. Poor bartender running his arse off trying to make it happen, but alas, you come up short. I'll go try your other establishment next door and see how it goes. (2 stars for your hard working staff and really cold beer)
(2)
Kelsie O.
This place isn't always crowded so getting a table fast is a plus. Service was good. The interior is really cute especially the bar. Fried chicken 5/5. It came with two pieces of chicken, slaw, mashed potatoes, and a huge biscuit. Everything was delicious! Skin was so crispy and the chicken was juicy. This order can take a little longer so just a heads up. And you can order two or three pieces of chicken. Pulled pork plate 3/5. It was tasty and tender but just good. Nothing really special. I thought it would be more saucy or something. It comes with two sides of your choice. Maybe we'll get the sandwich one next time. Cornbread 5/5. They give BIG pieces and it comes with this special butter. We weren't exactly sure what's in it, but either you love it or hate it.
(4)
Mike G.
This place is really great inside! The menu looked fantastic and our service started out wonderful, then...we had a different server and she was just alright. Our food showed up and I must say, the flavors were delightful (My wife didn't like the coleslaw...bland) but the portions were too small. the LARGE brisket platter had 2 pieces of brisket with a big portion of fat on them and to small sides. Would I recommend it or order it again...NO. Would I go back and try there sandwiches...yes. I would like to try the salads and Gumbo too.
(3)
Tiffany G.
I love the waitstaff here, but the food since they changed the happy hour menu when you're ago just isn't the same. I really miss that beef ribs that are used offer on the happy hour menu. If the food was as cool as the waitstaff, I'd go back a lot more often.
(3)
Holy-foo' X.
It fills me with complete joy and gratitude and pleasure, surely as the SWK filled the whole family w/extraordinary yummy pleasures, to review the BBQ offered at this still new-ish eatery on NW 23rd for my 1,000th (!!!) Yelp Review (patent pending). Southland Whiskey Kitchen bbq and catfish was so good, it went straight into the "afraid to eat there ever again, knowing it can't possibly stay at this level" category. Yet I've had several meals there, and so far they have been simply outstanding. I can't wait to show them off to more friends and out of town visitors, as though I had a hand in their singular excellence! First, the catfish po' boy... Oh boy! Therre were so many succulent, perfectly, which is to say, lightly breaded filets filled this little gordito, that I actually had to remove several of them in order to fit them into my ever gluttonous aperture. That's like the ice cream shoppes that let you have the stainless steel cup that mixed your milkshake, w/all the extra that couldn't fit into the regular milkshake cup. Unbridled joy! The only complaint about the po' boy, and it is admittedly a pretty small one, is they should consider looking at more robust hoagie rolls, as this sandwich was exploding into mulch between my fingers after only a couple bites into the beast. Look for something like at best baguette- that's fluffy on the inside, but so delightfully crunchy and crispy on the outside, strong enough to hold the delicious innards of your po boys.... Every side dish I tried at Southland I greatly enjoyed, including the greens, the shrimp and grits (decadence thy name is Southland), and the tasso sticks w/the gorgeous chunks o' jamon and grits provide such a pleasing mouthfeel. It wasn't too long into this meal that I realized we were dealing with some highly skilled craftsmen who knew what they were doing. A special word about the onion rings: I surely must have lived a sheltered existence, as this was the first time I can remember having thick cut sweet onion rings w/breading that had thick slices of scallions to up the oniony delight factor. I'm a fan! The brisket at SWK was at the head of the pack for best in the region; the smokiness, the pink smoke ring, the tenderness of the flesh, the insta-melt-in-ya-mouf, and the pleasingly tart, sassy, spicy sauce made this an instant favorite in my entire group. Sure, the pull pork and hot links (dressed w/their own glorious chile and onion relish) were excellent as well, but that brisket has tremendous, stand alone upside. I will have to update and upgrade this review as per necessary, sometime in the future, when I'm more comfortably situated somewhere in the firmament, where this places happily and deservedly reside. Take a bow, fine folks of SKW, for your service was just about as good as what came out of your kitchen. Finally, unlike many bbq-type eateries around town, you folks actually carry your heavenly aroma outside as a sort of calling card to the public, and happy are those who take heed and follow their noses and their tummies into the dining room, properly. Ladies and gents a salute. Can't wait to see how long you can maintain the awesome at such lofty levels... for now you belong right up there w/Podnah's....
(5)
Andrew P.
Hosting some Brits who wanted a first taste of southern/Texan BBQ. Helped along significantly by a very friendly and knowledgeable server who steered us towards a good range of options. The menu is very diverse and the quality of the food was outstanding. Great beer list and the whiskey options are simply amazing. I love the ambience of the place, a nice relaxed atmosphere and attentive service. Clean, crisp...just right. Overall definitely four stars and highly recommended!
(4)
William C.
Stopped in here last night, didn't have to wait for a table. The interior is warmly lit and spacious enough that you don't feel cramped. There are a few tvs above the bar to watch sports. Our server was super friendly and attentive throughout our meal. She was very helpful and proactive by telling us what was already sold out for the evening and offered recommendations for drinks and food. We ordered a flight of Oregon bourbons, some beers, a small beef brisket with mac, collard greens and a chicken and dumpling dish. The food was all very delicious and we didn't have to wait long for it to be served. We finished our meal with the sweet potato beignet. Deep fried doughy balls of heaven dusted in confectioners sugar with hot syrup for dipping. Will be back!
(5)
Kristie L.
This review is only for the late night happy hour. The price is reasonable... $7 for fried mac and cheese, bbq pork sandwich with chips... although, that night they had run out of the bbq pork and offered the bbq brisket instead. The brisket was tough and the sauce was too sweet for my taste. Also, the chips were actually French fries... not regular chips... although they have both on their menu... so that was confusing. Service for a big group was sub par.
(3)
Nora F.
A friend and I decided to grab dinner, and had heard good things about Southland. We wanted a laid back atmosphere so we could just sit and talk for an hour or two - no problems there. The service was solid, and while we saw very little of our server, I never felt as though we needed to send out a search party. Unfortunately, the food wasn't particularly outstanding - while our shrimp and grits starter was fantastic, I thought the pulled pork was very fatty and very salty compared to some I've had in the past, and I ended up eating very little of it. Overall, a decent experience, but I wouldn't necessarily order the same again. This seems like a good place to grab drinks and chat in the bar rather than enjoying a full dinner.
(3)
Brittany H.
Oh how I wanted to love you Southland. Being from Arkansas I was so excited to see Southern items in the menu. The interior of the restaurant is rustic, which I love. The service was incredible, which can only be a good thing. But the food, it was lacking the love Southerners put into their food. Everything on my plate lacked flavor. The baked beans looked like they came straight from a can and even the sauces were lacking Any sort of kick to them. Unfortunately, I don't believe we will be returning. In a place where there are hundreds of delicious restaurant choices, sub par just won't do.
(2)
Brenna D.
I am in love with SWK! The food was right up my alley. In two different visits we tried the shrimp and grits (nice and spicy), smoky baked beans, coleslaw, collard greens, garlic mashers, baby back ribs, Brunswick stew and their amazing cornbread with honey bourbon (yes, bourbon!) butter. Some of the best baked beans I've ever had, and the cornbread is perfectly moist, not too dense. The garlic mashed potatoes were heaven, and I wish I'd asked for the stew in a bigger bowl! The mint julep is quite a treat, but if you're not in the mood for a libation, the sweet tea is scrumptious too. Brent, the manager, was so kind, our server, Mandi, was sweet as could be. We have found one of our favorite spots in Nob Hill.
(5)
Elizabeth D.
Let me start by saying this, they serve the best onion rings I can remember ever eating. I had the baby back ribs as my main couse which had a great smoke flavor and tooth resistance - rather like pasta al dente. I prefer this texture rather than the super soft texture others prefer, so keep that in mind. As my other side, I had the coleslaw, which I enjoyed because it was light with a nice balance of acidity. My husband had the pulled pork, which had a great smoke flavor that he enjoyed immensely. He ordered the baked beans as his main side, which he loved. The service was prompt, efficient and friendly. My only criticism concerns the "secret children's menu." We travel with our 7-year old son. When we were seated, he was given the adult menu. Because our son is seven, I doubted that he could eat two pieces of chicken and two sides (the fried ckicken dinner), so I asked whether they make any adjustments for children. Only after I asked whether they make any adjustments for kids did our server recite the secret kids menu. While I appreciate the fact that they do accommodate children, I was put off by the secret nature of it all, particularly given the history and inclusiveness of the barbecue culture. This restaurant calls itself a barbecue place - which should be family oriented. It did not market itself as the French Laundry or another 5 star, fancy adult date night restaurant ( where I would never take my son). They should embrace families, not alienate them.
(4)
Erin J.
Disclaimer - I lived my first 23 years on earth in Texas and the next 10 in Arkansas so I've been around a LOT of BBQ and do base all of my BBQ opinions on that. Just wanted to throw that out there. I went to Southland in a party of 4. We went on a Friday, around 6 and were seated right away (the crowd showed up a bit later here than I expected... not sure if that is common or just happened that night but might be worth noting if looking for a good spot on a Friday). We had a couple of appetizers - the chicken wings and sausage plate. I could eat those wings all the time - they were GREAT. The sausage and pickles were good too but kind of fancy if you're hoping for standard BBQ dill pickle fare. There were beets, turnips, carrots - they were good but some of the people at our table were put off by that. For dinner I had the brisket - being from Texas I'm one to sample that wherever I can. It was as good as I've had in Portland but not quite what I'm missing from home. Good quality, good smoke flavor, tender - I'd buy it again. The sides were delicious as well and you cant' go wrong with their cornbread. Service was good as well. We'll be back.
(3)
Andy J.
Great atmosphere @ Southland Whiskey Kitchen, very nice place! I had the pulled pork and brisket minis and would recommend. The best part was signing up for the rewards program which by the way was free! I received a reward on my account for 15$ for my next visit. Nice bar too with three TV's and good happy hour menu.
(5)
Jason M.
Southland captured us on our walk by while headed to dinner somewhere else. Being bartenders, we sat down at the bar. First impression of the back bar was wow, they have an exhaustive selection of whiskey, bourbon and for some reason, flavored vodkas... The style and atmosphere feels very corporate, the back bar lighting is straight outta Los Angeles with LED light strips which is a weird mixed with the antique, Edison style bulbs they have throughout the rest of the establishment. The music was so low you could barely hear it and once the crowd popped in you couldn't hear it at all. We ordered dinner, I had a half rack of ribs with a baked potato and cornbread. While the drinking is on par the food, given that this is a southern style spot swimming in the vain of everything Texas, was mediocre. My ribs were cool and arrived dry with no option of BBQ sauce, my potato wasn't hot enough to melt any of the cheese and while cornbread rocked it came with a tiny ramekin of whipped butter soaking in about a quarter ounce of whiskey honey. It was barely enough to flavor one piece. I'll say there's no such thing as bad BBQ and we were both members of the clean plate club on this Sunday night but it's not the food or atmosphere that'll bring us back. We'll be back because they offer every single spirit from High West however priced at $18 a shot... All and all, as I watch my favorite city slowly drift in to this pseudo corporate style sea of establishments our visit wasn't bad at all nor something to write home about.
(3)
Emily C.
Despite the somewhat dry, tough fried green tomato appetizer, my meal here was pretty good, and perhaps the perfect precursor to a red eye flight back east. The pulled pork was delicious and my French 75 cocktail (I know, not the most common bbq pairing) was made perfectly. Service was totally decent and the whiskey list definitely deserves a nod. Among other dishes, my dining companion ordered an artery busting loaded baked potato brimming with smoked pork shoulder, cheddar, sour cream, and chives. It looked like heaven. Not the very top of my list for Portland restaurants but a solid option for some southern comfort food in town.
(3)
Jason W.
Although others feel differently (and that's what you find when it comes to opinions over BBQ) Southland has some of the best BBQ in town. The smoked flavors of their meat alone is enough to have you wanting more. Add to that the variety of sauces, each one better than the last, and you can't go wrong. Our server was Mandy and we couldn't have asked for friendlier, more down-home, service. She is amazing! The only downside is the coleslaw. We ordered it and asked for extra dressing thinking it was missed, but it wasn't. The flavor fell a bit flat for what it sounded like it should be. If you haven't given them a try, You Must! Take it from this southern boy, you won't be mad you did.
(4)
Joe W.
I've only been there twice but loved the place both times! Had the pulled pork sandwich and the pickle sausage plate on my first visit and then shared the $38 plate on the second visit and brought home a lot of leftovers, more than the two of us could eat. Can't wait to come back!
(5)
John F.
Wow, have these guys slipped. After my first visit I rated these guys at five stars. Two years later it's like a whole other crew was in the kitchen. As before the staff was awesome, checking in a lot and very friendly. Too bad the food was mediocre at best, and felt more like a bad chain than a real, local BBQ joint. Here were the four deal killers for me, which I really hope they address. The brisket was dry and sliced super thin, and lacked that pull apart texture and red ring from a long, slow smoke. It just felt hurried and looked grey and lifeless. BBQ sauce was NOT present on the table, nor was it offered. There used to be five choices, now there is one...AND I had to ask for it...AND the staff person was surprised when I did ask for more sauce than the slight drizzle applied to my meat when it was plated. It came not in a bottle but in a small metal condiment dish, like you get for mustard or ketchup at fancy restaurants. Just strange. The horseradish coleslaw sounded really good, but arrived virtually dry. DRY?!? It's coleslaw!!! I get the creamy vs. vinegar debate, and the crunchy versus soft, but some sort of moisture has to be present!!! That's the point. Finally, the cornbread was just a dry, tasteless square. Neither sweet nor coarse, just a sort if box-mix bland. If it was any one issue I would have mentioned something to the manager, but the collection of issues seems to indicate a complete lack of BBQ fundamentals and a lack of desire to excel. At least the place was clean and the staff smiled.
(2)
Rachel B.
I've been here 3 times but I think the third visit is my last. The first time the food was great. The second time I got the catfish po'boy which was covered in jalapeños (why on earth would you do that?). Today I went at a non busy time and got my food right away. The beef brisket was 3 pieces of nothing but fat! It was not even edible. I'm giving 2 stars for the service (waitress was great and took the meal off my bill) and the southern punch. But...if your main menu revolves around barbecue you have failed miserably.
(2)
Suzanne Z.
We came here for post-dinner drinks and the two of us made up 50% of the bar on a Sunday night. The bartender was courteous and quick with drinks, and didn't get upset when my friend spilled/broke her glass. She also didn't kick us out of the place, which was also very nice of her! Drinks were good- I tried one of their signature cocktails which was delicious and a whiskey ginger ale after that. For a Sunday, the bartender was vague on closing time and basically said "I pick what time it closes". She did last call at 1030, and that was fine, we probably should've gone back to our hotel before that!! All in all, nice time, and nice atmosphere.
(4)
Doni B.
Bland macaroni and cheese, and bland corn bread. Ribs tasted like they were drenched in liquid smoke and they were not the type of ribs where the meat falls off the bone. I can tolerate some heat but the Chili was overly spicy to the point where my lips were on fire as I tried to eat it, and my stomach is now feeling the after effects. Ribs arrived at the table with no BBQ sauce, I waited for about 5 minutes then finally walked up to the three waitresses standing around talking at the counter and asked for some sauce. I guess I'm accustomed to the wait staff asking if there's anything else BEFORE they sprint off... but maybe she was afraid I would say yes.
(2)
Jason F.
I've tried to like this place, but it's just not very good. The serving of fried green tomatoes was comically small and not terribly good. You can recreate this at home in about ten minutes for 1/10 the price, and it'll come out better. The BBQ chicken tasted like, well, I'm honestly not sure what they were going for, but the end result was not good. It tasted like something that would come out if one went to New Seasons, bought every BBQ rub they had, mixed them all together, then smeared it on. The ribs were sub-par (dry and charred) and the catfish was bland. Prepare to be taken aback when you look at the drink menu and realize they have the gall to charge $8 for such fantastic selections as Widmer. They do have pretty good side dishes (onion rings, mashed potatoes). There's plenty of good BBQ in portland. You don't need to subject yourself to this.
(2)
Sheena B.
I'm prefacing this review by stating that I worked in restaurants for 10 years, including this place, I started when they opened and left a year ago when I finally got a well paying job in my field of interest. That being said, when I worked here I would have given the food a 3.5, the service has always been a 5 :) Today is the first time I've eaten a meal here since I left, and I am being completely honest when I say, the food has improved to a 5! Legit. I got the staples (in my opinion) of what a southern/barbecue restaurant should do right, a pulled pork sandwich, baked beans, and mac and cheese. The pork is super juicy w/ a nice punch of vinegar (love Carolina BBQ), the mac is no longer dry but creamy and full of cheesy flavor and the baked beans are sweet, spicy, and loaded with pork. A+ Chef Mcrae! Kudos to a fantastic job with this place :)
(5)
Cola V.
Considering we live around the corner, you'll most likely find us sitting at the bar at least once a week. Great happy hour items and prices. Shrimp and grits have improved & a favorite, wedge salad is great, but that catfish....oh boy. Get it. Greens & mac are the go to sides, but the cornbread does taste like dessert and worth it if you haven't tried. TONS of whiskey to sip, but try the Southern Punch at least once. Great outdoor seating and huge windows in the dining room that are open on nice days to keep the outdoor feel flowing. Great service, bartenders have been here for a long time and have their routine down.
(4)
Jay B.
The low star rating is well deserved. Service was good, Don't get me wrong, but the food was terrible. Like a dark cave that serves bland southern food.
(2)
Shy A.
I've been sitting on this review for awhile and I realized why....First, let me put out the highlights... We were seated quickly, ordered a couple of whiskey gingers and a couple of plates to share... Friend green tomato-I've always loved these! Brisket-tender and delicious. This was the highlight of my meal Mash potatoes & Gravy-tastes homemade! yum! Mac & Cheese-bland and disappointing. Service was fast and nice.... This basically sums up my experience at SWK. There was nothing bad that happened but nothing that really made an impression....A fairly "meh" experience. I'll have to try it again and see if it will be one of my go-tos for BBQ in Portland.
(3)
Laura C.
I loathe collard greens no more! Not that I love them but SWK makes them good enough that I didn't gag when I sampled my friends order and actually found the smoky taste appealing. Not that I would actually order a side for myself (I find all green vegetables to be less than appealing), but at least I can say that if prepared right, they aren't actually mushy - like canned spinach. As for my friend, she loved them and said they were the best she's had in a very long time. I'm all about calories and carbs when it comes to dining out. I can diet and eat healthy at home but I'm not spending money for rabbit food (salad and veggies). No holding back for me, I ordered the 4-cheese mac, jalapeno hush puppies and these deep fried smoked cheddar tasso grit sticks. Go big or go home, right? My friends were "good" and got sides of collards and fried green tomatoes. If you could say those tomatoes are still healthy after being fried. The male at our table went for 3 sliders...all of which were a little larger than he expected. I was too stuffed eating my own artery clogging goodness to ask for a bite but he said both the brisket and pork shoulder were fantastic. We each ordered something different to drink. The male got a bourbon flight. I got a mint julep, one friend got the whiskey smash and our pregnant friend got a rhubarb strawberry lemonade. We each sampled the others and agreed we liked them all. When we arrived, the restaurant was quiet. Before we left it was packed full of families having dinner. Who knew?? I thought it was just a bar. I was also shocked by the size of the interior. From the outside it looked like most of the building was Casa Del Matador and that SWK was half it's size. Upon walking in, the place is a full sized bar and full sized restaurant. Just goes to show, looks can be very deceiving. Lastly, the decor is very southern. I'm really digging the old, rustic wood I've been seeing adhered to walls lately. Back-lighting the bar makes the booze bottles glisten like gold. I'm not sure if panning for gold in the wild west was the look they were going for, but it's what came to mind - and I really liked it! Funny thing, there were so many scrumptious items on the happy hour menu, we forgot to order ribs. Oh well! Next time....
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Jill S.
A bit smoky smelling (not cigarette) inside for my taste but this place has AC! Perhaps not a lot of ventilation happening that day since doors/windows remained closed to keep everyone cool. Plenty of whiskey options to select from along with a cocktail menu. I didn't try the food but would be curious to visit during brunch hours.
(4)Alvin S.
I don't claim to be a BBQ connoisseur nor have I ever, so here goes my humble and objective review of Southland Whiskey Kitchen... First things first: Convenient NW location, casual atmosphere and so-so service. It had been a while since I'd visited NW 23rd and had been hearing good things about Southland Whiskey Kitchen from several friends. I decided to seek this place out for lunch this particularly busy afternoon and was pleased to find available seating. A rarity on bright, shiny days. The host was very attentive and seated me and my guest in the dining area of the dimly-lit yet cool venue. The first thing I noticed was the attractive and extensive display of whiskeys behind the bar. The menu wasn't cluttered and featured several southern-style plates from fried green tomatoes to southern fried chicken and BBQ. I chose the southern buttermilk fried chicken cobb salad and my guest had the cornmeal encrusted catfish po'boy sandwich. We commenced our lunch with an appetizer of fried green tomatoes. The fried green tomatoes were very delightful. They were coated in cornmeal and served with a shrimp and cherry tomato relish. The combination of tart green and sweet cherry tomatoes was very pleasing to the palate. The accompanying shrimp was equally delightful. The lunch entrees arrived on time and the presentation was absolutely beautiful. The battered chicken tenders rested nicely on a fresh bed of romaine lettuce and was surrounded by a colorful array of traditional cobb ingredients. The po'boy was served on a freshly baked roll and was flanked by homemade potato chips flavored with a hint of vinegar and salt. The food was amazing and plentiful. Both me and my guest were quite pleased with the experience. Our server paid close attention and made sure we remained hydrated and satisfied. Needless to say, my experience was satisfactory and I would highly recommend this place for any occasion. The restaurant advertised a brunch menu for the weekend which goes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The menu is comprised of seasonal favorites and remains true to their southland roots. I will definitely be paying Southland Whiskey Kitchen another visit soon. I'm almost certain that this place becomes popular around the Kentucky Derby as their mint juleps seem to be among one of Portland's best.
(4)Derek B.
Decant place. It's walking distance from my apartment so I eat there alot. I'm from Louisiana so alot of their food isnt exactly southern as they lead you go believe but, it is close. I recommend the smokestack sandwich, brisket, catfish or catfish po boy, or the BBQ bacon burger. Yum!
(4)Neil C.
Evelyn was our server. So sweet and great service. Had the wings, shrimp and grits, and two cocktails (a south sour and a side car). All great.
(5)C F.
Brunch here is fantastic! I've been a few times now and everything we have eaten was delicious. The poached eggs on the brisket hash are unreal. The biscuit with honey butter is a meal in itself! And my husband mowed the chicken fried steak like his plane was going down. Not to mention the bourbon + bubbles cocktail. Add champagne and any cocktail becomes a breakfast beverage!! Best part: never had to wait for a seat. In fact we are always some of the only people there for brunch. It's always slammed in the evenings so I was shocked breakfast hasn't caught on. Go now before everyone else discovers this culinary gem!
(5)Kearney Q.
Hot Doggett damn. My wife and I split the big meat sampler platter thing. It had ribs, brisket, half a chicken, pulled pork, and sides. It came with FOUR different BBQ sauces, including a white, mayonnaise based one that I'd never seen before. It was brain meltingly delicious on the chicken, which even on its own was probably the best chicken I've ever had. Everything was amazing. Our service was great as well; our waitress was funny, charming, and attentive. This place is spectacular and though a bit out of my price range not ridiculously expensive. Huge recommend.
(5)Garrett T.
I had the pulled pork sandwich with the mac and cheese side. The sandwich was ok, could have used More sauce. I didn't think it had much flavor, the pork was cooked well though. The Mac and cheese was amazing though, one of the better ones I've had. I also had the bread pudding for desert. The consistency was perfect but I was not a fan of the jack Daniels sauce.
(3)Reynolds P.
We just had a delish lunch at Southland. We sat at the bar, got excellent service. I had first class brisket chili* and my wife had chicken fried steak. Both were quite good. She had a glass of cabernet, and I had a Michter's rye old fashioned. We checked out the brunch and lunch and dinner menus. Plenty of thoughtful choicesto select from. The restaurant's stylish decor is to be applauded. One of the best looking new places we've dined at. Hope you check it out. We certainly will be back. *Nice slice of cornbread, too. P.S. Plenty of TVs for the sports fans.
(5)caeton f.
Hey southland, want to know why you're dead? Because you're charging $13 for TWO SLICES of brisket (and 2 baby sides) and you're under staffed. My wife and I have been through three times now and been underwhelmed each time but keep trying because we live in the neighborhood. But this was just silly. Your staff is totally nice and knowledgable and trying hard but the higher ups aren't doing you any favors. Poor bartender running his arse off trying to make it happen, but alas, you come up short. I'll go try your other establishment next door and see how it goes. (2 stars for your hard working staff and really cold beer)
(2)Kelsie O.
This place isn't always crowded so getting a table fast is a plus. Service was good. The interior is really cute especially the bar. Fried chicken 5/5. It came with two pieces of chicken, slaw, mashed potatoes, and a huge biscuit. Everything was delicious! Skin was so crispy and the chicken was juicy. This order can take a little longer so just a heads up. And you can order two or three pieces of chicken. Pulled pork plate 3/5. It was tasty and tender but just good. Nothing really special. I thought it would be more saucy or something. It comes with two sides of your choice. Maybe we'll get the sandwich one next time. Cornbread 5/5. They give BIG pieces and it comes with this special butter. We weren't exactly sure what's in it, but either you love it or hate it.
(4)Holy-foo' X.
It fills me with complete joy and gratitude and pleasure, surely as the SWK filled the whole family w/extraordinary yummy pleasures, to review the BBQ offered at this still new-ish eatery on NW 23rd for my 1,000th (!!!) Yelp Review (patent pending). Southland Whiskey Kitchen bbq and catfish was so good, it went straight into the "afraid to eat there ever again, knowing it can't possibly stay at this level" category. Yet I've had several meals there, and so far they have been simply outstanding. I can't wait to show them off to more friends and out of town visitors, as though I had a hand in their singular excellence! First, the catfish po' boy... Oh boy! Therre were so many succulent, perfectly, which is to say, lightly breaded filets filled this little gordito, that I actually had to remove several of them in order to fit them into my ever gluttonous aperture. That's like the ice cream shoppes that let you have the stainless steel cup that mixed your milkshake, w/all the extra that couldn't fit into the regular milkshake cup. Unbridled joy! The only complaint about the po' boy, and it is admittedly a pretty small one, is they should consider looking at more robust hoagie rolls, as this sandwich was exploding into mulch between my fingers after only a couple bites into the beast. Look for something like at best baguette- that's fluffy on the inside, but so delightfully crunchy and crispy on the outside, strong enough to hold the delicious innards of your po boys.... Every side dish I tried at Southland I greatly enjoyed, including the greens, the shrimp and grits (decadence thy name is Southland), and the tasso sticks w/the gorgeous chunks o' jamon and grits provide such a pleasing mouthfeel. It wasn't too long into this meal that I realized we were dealing with some highly skilled craftsmen who knew what they were doing. A special word about the onion rings: I surely must have lived a sheltered existence, as this was the first time I can remember having thick cut sweet onion rings w/breading that had thick slices of scallions to up the oniony delight factor. I'm a fan! The brisket at SWK was at the head of the pack for best in the region; the smokiness, the pink smoke ring, the tenderness of the flesh, the insta-melt-in-ya-mouf, and the pleasingly tart, sassy, spicy sauce made this an instant favorite in my entire group. Sure, the pull pork and hot links (dressed w/their own glorious chile and onion relish) were excellent as well, but that brisket has tremendous, stand alone upside. I will have to update and upgrade this review as per necessary, sometime in the future, when I'm more comfortably situated somewhere in the firmament, where this places happily and deservedly reside. Take a bow, fine folks of SKW, for your service was just about as good as what came out of your kitchen. Finally, unlike many bbq-type eateries around town, you folks actually carry your heavenly aroma outside as a sort of calling card to the public, and happy are those who take heed and follow their noses and their tummies into the dining room, properly. Ladies and gents a salute. Can't wait to see how long you can maintain the awesome at such lofty levels... for now you belong right up there w/Podnah's....
(5)Andrew P.
Hosting some Brits who wanted a first taste of southern/Texan BBQ. Helped along significantly by a very friendly and knowledgeable server who steered us towards a good range of options. The menu is very diverse and the quality of the food was outstanding. Great beer list and the whiskey options are simply amazing. I love the ambience of the place, a nice relaxed atmosphere and attentive service. Clean, crisp...just right. Overall definitely four stars and highly recommended!
(4)William C.
Stopped in here last night, didn't have to wait for a table. The interior is warmly lit and spacious enough that you don't feel cramped. There are a few tvs above the bar to watch sports. Our server was super friendly and attentive throughout our meal. She was very helpful and proactive by telling us what was already sold out for the evening and offered recommendations for drinks and food. We ordered a flight of Oregon bourbons, some beers, a small beef brisket with mac, collard greens and a chicken and dumpling dish. The food was all very delicious and we didn't have to wait long for it to be served. We finished our meal with the sweet potato beignet. Deep fried doughy balls of heaven dusted in confectioners sugar with hot syrup for dipping. Will be back!
(5)Kristie L.
This review is only for the late night happy hour. The price is reasonable... $7 for fried mac and cheese, bbq pork sandwich with chips... although, that night they had run out of the bbq pork and offered the bbq brisket instead. The brisket was tough and the sauce was too sweet for my taste. Also, the chips were actually French fries... not regular chips... although they have both on their menu... so that was confusing. Service for a big group was sub par.
(3)Nora F.
A friend and I decided to grab dinner, and had heard good things about Southland. We wanted a laid back atmosphere so we could just sit and talk for an hour or two - no problems there. The service was solid, and while we saw very little of our server, I never felt as though we needed to send out a search party. Unfortunately, the food wasn't particularly outstanding - while our shrimp and grits starter was fantastic, I thought the pulled pork was very fatty and very salty compared to some I've had in the past, and I ended up eating very little of it. Overall, a decent experience, but I wouldn't necessarily order the same again. This seems like a good place to grab drinks and chat in the bar rather than enjoying a full dinner.
(3)Brittany H.
Oh how I wanted to love you Southland. Being from Arkansas I was so excited to see Southern items in the menu. The interior of the restaurant is rustic, which I love. The service was incredible, which can only be a good thing. But the food, it was lacking the love Southerners put into their food. Everything on my plate lacked flavor. The baked beans looked like they came straight from a can and even the sauces were lacking Any sort of kick to them. Unfortunately, I don't believe we will be returning. In a place where there are hundreds of delicious restaurant choices, sub par just won't do.
(2)Brenna D.
I am in love with SWK! The food was right up my alley. In two different visits we tried the shrimp and grits (nice and spicy), smoky baked beans, coleslaw, collard greens, garlic mashers, baby back ribs, Brunswick stew and their amazing cornbread with honey bourbon (yes, bourbon!) butter. Some of the best baked beans I've ever had, and the cornbread is perfectly moist, not too dense. The garlic mashed potatoes were heaven, and I wish I'd asked for the stew in a bigger bowl! The mint julep is quite a treat, but if you're not in the mood for a libation, the sweet tea is scrumptious too. Brent, the manager, was so kind, our server, Mandi, was sweet as could be. We have found one of our favorite spots in Nob Hill.
(5)Elizabeth D.
Let me start by saying this, they serve the best onion rings I can remember ever eating. I had the baby back ribs as my main couse which had a great smoke flavor and tooth resistance - rather like pasta al dente. I prefer this texture rather than the super soft texture others prefer, so keep that in mind. As my other side, I had the coleslaw, which I enjoyed because it was light with a nice balance of acidity. My husband had the pulled pork, which had a great smoke flavor that he enjoyed immensely. He ordered the baked beans as his main side, which he loved. The service was prompt, efficient and friendly. My only criticism concerns the "secret children's menu." We travel with our 7-year old son. When we were seated, he was given the adult menu. Because our son is seven, I doubted that he could eat two pieces of chicken and two sides (the fried ckicken dinner), so I asked whether they make any adjustments for children. Only after I asked whether they make any adjustments for kids did our server recite the secret kids menu. While I appreciate the fact that they do accommodate children, I was put off by the secret nature of it all, particularly given the history and inclusiveness of the barbecue culture. This restaurant calls itself a barbecue place - which should be family oriented. It did not market itself as the French Laundry or another 5 star, fancy adult date night restaurant ( where I would never take my son). They should embrace families, not alienate them.
(4)Erin J.
Disclaimer - I lived my first 23 years on earth in Texas and the next 10 in Arkansas so I've been around a LOT of BBQ and do base all of my BBQ opinions on that. Just wanted to throw that out there. I went to Southland in a party of 4. We went on a Friday, around 6 and were seated right away (the crowd showed up a bit later here than I expected... not sure if that is common or just happened that night but might be worth noting if looking for a good spot on a Friday). We had a couple of appetizers - the chicken wings and sausage plate. I could eat those wings all the time - they were GREAT. The sausage and pickles were good too but kind of fancy if you're hoping for standard BBQ dill pickle fare. There were beets, turnips, carrots - they were good but some of the people at our table were put off by that. For dinner I had the brisket - being from Texas I'm one to sample that wherever I can. It was as good as I've had in Portland but not quite what I'm missing from home. Good quality, good smoke flavor, tender - I'd buy it again. The sides were delicious as well and you cant' go wrong with their cornbread. Service was good as well. We'll be back.
(3)Mike G.
This place is really great inside! The menu looked fantastic and our service started out wonderful, then...we had a different server and she was just alright. Our food showed up and I must say, the flavors were delightful (My wife didn't like the coleslaw...bland) but the portions were too small. the LARGE brisket platter had 2 pieces of brisket with a big portion of fat on them and to small sides. Would I recommend it or order it again...NO. Would I go back and try there sandwiches...yes. I would like to try the salads and Gumbo too.
(3)Jason M.
Southland captured us on our walk by while headed to dinner somewhere else. Being bartenders, we sat down at the bar. First impression of the back bar was wow, they have an exhaustive selection of whiskey, bourbon and for some reason, flavored vodkas... The style and atmosphere feels very corporate, the back bar lighting is straight outta Los Angeles with LED light strips which is a weird mixed with the antique, Edison style bulbs they have throughout the rest of the establishment. The music was so low you could barely hear it and once the crowd popped in you couldn't hear it at all. We ordered dinner, I had a half rack of ribs with a baked potato and cornbread. While the drinking is on par the food, given that this is a southern style spot swimming in the vain of everything Texas, was mediocre. My ribs were cool and arrived dry with no option of BBQ sauce, my potato wasn't hot enough to melt any of the cheese and while cornbread rocked it came with a tiny ramekin of whipped butter soaking in about a quarter ounce of whiskey honey. It was barely enough to flavor one piece. I'll say there's no such thing as bad BBQ and we were both members of the clean plate club on this Sunday night but it's not the food or atmosphere that'll bring us back. We'll be back because they offer every single spirit from High West however priced at $18 a shot... All and all, as I watch my favorite city slowly drift in to this pseudo corporate style sea of establishments our visit wasn't bad at all nor something to write home about.
(3)Emily C.
Despite the somewhat dry, tough fried green tomato appetizer, my meal here was pretty good, and perhaps the perfect precursor to a red eye flight back east. The pulled pork was delicious and my French 75 cocktail (I know, not the most common bbq pairing) was made perfectly. Service was totally decent and the whiskey list definitely deserves a nod. Among other dishes, my dining companion ordered an artery busting loaded baked potato brimming with smoked pork shoulder, cheddar, sour cream, and chives. It looked like heaven. Not the very top of my list for Portland restaurants but a solid option for some southern comfort food in town.
(3)Jason W.
Although others feel differently (and that's what you find when it comes to opinions over BBQ) Southland has some of the best BBQ in town. The smoked flavors of their meat alone is enough to have you wanting more. Add to that the variety of sauces, each one better than the last, and you can't go wrong. Our server was Mandy and we couldn't have asked for friendlier, more down-home, service. She is amazing! The only downside is the coleslaw. We ordered it and asked for extra dressing thinking it was missed, but it wasn't. The flavor fell a bit flat for what it sounded like it should be. If you haven't given them a try, You Must! Take it from this southern boy, you won't be mad you did.
(4)Joe W.
I've only been there twice but loved the place both times! Had the pulled pork sandwich and the pickle sausage plate on my first visit and then shared the $38 plate on the second visit and brought home a lot of leftovers, more than the two of us could eat. Can't wait to come back!
(5)John F.
Wow, have these guys slipped. After my first visit I rated these guys at five stars. Two years later it's like a whole other crew was in the kitchen. As before the staff was awesome, checking in a lot and very friendly. Too bad the food was mediocre at best, and felt more like a bad chain than a real, local BBQ joint. Here were the four deal killers for me, which I really hope they address. The brisket was dry and sliced super thin, and lacked that pull apart texture and red ring from a long, slow smoke. It just felt hurried and looked grey and lifeless. BBQ sauce was NOT present on the table, nor was it offered. There used to be five choices, now there is one...AND I had to ask for it...AND the staff person was surprised when I did ask for more sauce than the slight drizzle applied to my meat when it was plated. It came not in a bottle but in a small metal condiment dish, like you get for mustard or ketchup at fancy restaurants. Just strange. The horseradish coleslaw sounded really good, but arrived virtually dry. DRY?!? It's coleslaw!!! I get the creamy vs. vinegar debate, and the crunchy versus soft, but some sort of moisture has to be present!!! That's the point. Finally, the cornbread was just a dry, tasteless square. Neither sweet nor coarse, just a sort if box-mix bland. If it was any one issue I would have mentioned something to the manager, but the collection of issues seems to indicate a complete lack of BBQ fundamentals and a lack of desire to excel. At least the place was clean and the staff smiled.
(2)Rachel B.
I've been here 3 times but I think the third visit is my last. The first time the food was great. The second time I got the catfish po'boy which was covered in jalapeños (why on earth would you do that?). Today I went at a non busy time and got my food right away. The beef brisket was 3 pieces of nothing but fat! It was not even edible. I'm giving 2 stars for the service (waitress was great and took the meal off my bill) and the southern punch. But...if your main menu revolves around barbecue you have failed miserably.
(2)Suzanne Z.
We came here for post-dinner drinks and the two of us made up 50% of the bar on a Sunday night. The bartender was courteous and quick with drinks, and didn't get upset when my friend spilled/broke her glass. She also didn't kick us out of the place, which was also very nice of her! Drinks were good- I tried one of their signature cocktails which was delicious and a whiskey ginger ale after that. For a Sunday, the bartender was vague on closing time and basically said "I pick what time it closes". She did last call at 1030, and that was fine, we probably should've gone back to our hotel before that!! All in all, nice time, and nice atmosphere.
(4)Doni B.
Bland macaroni and cheese, and bland corn bread. Ribs tasted like they were drenched in liquid smoke and they were not the type of ribs where the meat falls off the bone. I can tolerate some heat but the Chili was overly spicy to the point where my lips were on fire as I tried to eat it, and my stomach is now feeling the after effects. Ribs arrived at the table with no BBQ sauce, I waited for about 5 minutes then finally walked up to the three waitresses standing around talking at the counter and asked for some sauce. I guess I'm accustomed to the wait staff asking if there's anything else BEFORE they sprint off... but maybe she was afraid I would say yes.
(2)Jason F.
I've tried to like this place, but it's just not very good. The serving of fried green tomatoes was comically small and not terribly good. You can recreate this at home in about ten minutes for 1/10 the price, and it'll come out better. The BBQ chicken tasted like, well, I'm honestly not sure what they were going for, but the end result was not good. It tasted like something that would come out if one went to New Seasons, bought every BBQ rub they had, mixed them all together, then smeared it on. The ribs were sub-par (dry and charred) and the catfish was bland. Prepare to be taken aback when you look at the drink menu and realize they have the gall to charge $8 for such fantastic selections as Widmer. They do have pretty good side dishes (onion rings, mashed potatoes). There's plenty of good BBQ in portland. You don't need to subject yourself to this.
(2)Sheena B.
I'm prefacing this review by stating that I worked in restaurants for 10 years, including this place, I started when they opened and left a year ago when I finally got a well paying job in my field of interest. That being said, when I worked here I would have given the food a 3.5, the service has always been a 5 :) Today is the first time I've eaten a meal here since I left, and I am being completely honest when I say, the food has improved to a 5! Legit. I got the staples (in my opinion) of what a southern/barbecue restaurant should do right, a pulled pork sandwich, baked beans, and mac and cheese. The pork is super juicy w/ a nice punch of vinegar (love Carolina BBQ), the mac is no longer dry but creamy and full of cheesy flavor and the baked beans are sweet, spicy, and loaded with pork. A+ Chef Mcrae! Kudos to a fantastic job with this place :)
(5)Cola V.
Considering we live around the corner, you'll most likely find us sitting at the bar at least once a week. Great happy hour items and prices. Shrimp and grits have improved & a favorite, wedge salad is great, but that catfish....oh boy. Get it. Greens & mac are the go to sides, but the cornbread does taste like dessert and worth it if you haven't tried. TONS of whiskey to sip, but try the Southern Punch at least once. Great outdoor seating and huge windows in the dining room that are open on nice days to keep the outdoor feel flowing. Great service, bartenders have been here for a long time and have their routine down.
(4)Jay B.
The low star rating is well deserved. Service was good, Don't get me wrong, but the food was terrible. Like a dark cave that serves bland southern food.
(2)Shy A.
I've been sitting on this review for awhile and I realized why....First, let me put out the highlights... We were seated quickly, ordered a couple of whiskey gingers and a couple of plates to share... Friend green tomato-I've always loved these! Brisket-tender and delicious. This was the highlight of my meal Mash potatoes & Gravy-tastes homemade! yum! Mac & Cheese-bland and disappointing. Service was fast and nice.... This basically sums up my experience at SWK. There was nothing bad that happened but nothing that really made an impression....A fairly "meh" experience. I'll have to try it again and see if it will be one of my go-tos for BBQ in Portland.
(3)Laura C.
I loathe collard greens no more! Not that I love them but SWK makes them good enough that I didn't gag when I sampled my friends order and actually found the smoky taste appealing. Not that I would actually order a side for myself (I find all green vegetables to be less than appealing), but at least I can say that if prepared right, they aren't actually mushy - like canned spinach. As for my friend, she loved them and said they were the best she's had in a very long time. I'm all about calories and carbs when it comes to dining out. I can diet and eat healthy at home but I'm not spending money for rabbit food (salad and veggies). No holding back for me, I ordered the 4-cheese mac, jalapeno hush puppies and these deep fried smoked cheddar tasso grit sticks. Go big or go home, right? My friends were "good" and got sides of collards and fried green tomatoes. If you could say those tomatoes are still healthy after being fried. The male at our table went for 3 sliders...all of which were a little larger than he expected. I was too stuffed eating my own artery clogging goodness to ask for a bite but he said both the brisket and pork shoulder were fantastic. We each ordered something different to drink. The male got a bourbon flight. I got a mint julep, one friend got the whiskey smash and our pregnant friend got a rhubarb strawberry lemonade. We each sampled the others and agreed we liked them all. When we arrived, the restaurant was quiet. Before we left it was packed full of families having dinner. Who knew?? I thought it was just a bar. I was also shocked by the size of the interior. From the outside it looked like most of the building was Casa Del Matador and that SWK was half it's size. Upon walking in, the place is a full sized bar and full sized restaurant. Just goes to show, looks can be very deceiving. Lastly, the decor is very southern. I'm really digging the old, rustic wood I've been seeing adhered to walls lately. Back-lighting the bar makes the booze bottles glisten like gold. I'm not sure if panning for gold in the wild west was the look they were going for, but it's what came to mind - and I really liked it! Funny thing, there were so many scrumptious items on the happy hour menu, we forgot to order ribs. Oh well! Next time....
(5)Michael D.
I'm going to be generous and round up here, since 2.5 stars isn't an option... This place isn't necessarily bad, but it doesn't meet expectations, primarily because the space is so nice and it feels authentic, especially with the great whiskey selection. The biggest problem here are the Mains- just not very good. I had the pulled pork this last time and it was all stuck together in some big tendon-like clump and soaked in vinegar. First of all, pulled pork should be PULLED- that's the point and the reason for its name. None of it should be chewy. Second, don't EVER douse meat in sauce. Ever. Yes, it's N.C. style, but let me add my own sauce, don't do it for me. First time here I had brisket. Best way to describe it is bland, dry, and way too lean to be very good. Service is pretty much disinterested. You'll need to get their attention if you want something- don't expect them to check in on you. Sides are good and so is the alcohol selection. I might be back, but it'll be for a drink at the bar, which is great. But the food isn't worth it.
(3)Robert L.
Can't fill for Saturday brunch in Portland? Not even with a really great bloody mary? Hmmm... The concept of the place is great. It's a beautiful place to eat a meal. The drinks are creative and the one bartender on duty when I went for brunch time on a Saturday was nice. But that's what was weird, there are lines out the door at other places on this very street for brunch, but not here. I think the reason is the food - it's just not ready for primetime. BBQ is currently en vogue right now and Portland is trying its best. There are a few notable entries (look toward gas stations in Vancouver, for better options) around town, but Southland lacks a little something. I grew up in the South and know what properly smoked BBQ should be like. This is nothing special. You can tell all you need to know about a BBQ place by how good the brisket is. Anyone can do ribs and pulled pork or smoked chicken. Brisket separates the fakes from the real ones. This brisket was grey, overcooked, but still tender due to the amount of fat in this particular section. The gave me a part off of what is called the point - the really fatty part. That's fine, but it better be tasty! It was average to below average at best. I also tried the chicken and waffles. I could only eat about 1/4 of it because of how bad it made me feel. I've never had a more dripping, oily piece of fried chicken in my life. Which is too bad because the taste of the breading was actually not so bad. This one drumstick and half-breast was so greasy that it made the waffle they put it on completely mushy. Let alone putting any of their special butter or syrup on it. The best high-point, however, is that house bloody mary they gave me. It was good. Try it (they put brisket on it and that is fine). Overall, I'd go back to try other things, but I know the BBQ is not properly smoked and won't have that certain something special that properly smoked food should have. I blame commercial kitchen smokers.
(3)Rena J.
Came here to watch the World Cup. They have tv's lining the bar making it easy to watch the game from the front half of the restaurant. It's never crowded and the food is solid. I got the smoke master chop salad, smoked chicken, cheddar, ranch dressing and bacon. My partner got the rib plate with baked beans and mac and cheese. The ribs were a dry rub which was good, the meat had a touch of smoke and was fully moist. We're just saucy people so I would have appreciated a side of bbq sauce but I'm not going to complain. The mac and cheese was awesome. It was a little addicting and if I'm having a fatty day, I may have to get the entree portion of it... The baked beans were fine, my partner said that he preferred the beans from Smokehouse 21. I enjoyed the salad, the chicken was really tender and tasty. Overall the food was pretty good but nothing special. We finished watching the game with a mason jar of banana pudding. We were afraid the peanut butter would have been too much but it didn't over power the pudding and went really well together. Felt pretty gross and heavy after that. Note to self, banana pudding is to be shared with more people. :-P Didn't feel like day drinking but the cocktails looked solid.
(3)Rama L.
A group of us at work wanted to do take out. Food isn't too shabby but my review is my take out experience. Step 1, phone in to make the order. Utterly failed. Called multiple times and no one answered. I'm out of town so I thought this place was happening (more on that in a bit). Finally the chef answered!! rRally, the chef taking orders. It was 12:55pm at this time. We had a 2pm meeting so that leaves me 1 hr to order, pick up and eat all in 1 hr. That should be a key warning sign of bad things to come). So, he transfer me to the right person who didnt answer the calls. Step 2, placed an order.. that went like how it suppose to be.. i want this and he repeated my order... (didnt ask for my name and number though). He said it will be 25 minutes. Step 3 pick up order.. so I arrived 25 minutes later and the place was freaking dead. I thought this place was off the hook and that is why they couldnt attend my phone calls. When I arrived, I was told it will be in just a bit. Nice place to dine but if someone does a take out for lunch in the middle of the week, its usually is because they dont have time to go out so pls make it quick and easy. In this case, I sat down....watched the bartender/ckout/who place my phone order was pouring several of drinks and a repeat football game. I got to watch half a quarter of football which was another 15 minutes. All said and done, it took 40 minutes from the time I place the 7 order to pickup. While I waited, I agree with some of the other yelper's comments is that this place seems to be understaff or lack of urgency or process to make a meal in a reasonable timeframe. I personally think the owner of this place is just being cost conscience when the place is not so happening. As a result, I had to wait more than we should. I wouldnt be recommending this place to my collegues for takeout.. We needed somehing quick and easy. Slabtown is much to our office building.
(2)Katie P.
Absolutely love this place! Great food, great drinks (especially the bloody mary), great service, great atmosphere!!!! What more could you ask for. Try the horseradish coleslaw, and everything else for that matter. Yummy.
(5)Teresa T.
I had the fried chicken served with mashed potatoes, cole slaw, and a buttermilk biscuit. Every bite was delicious. The cole slaw was not sweet which I prefer. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the fry was tasty. The buttermilk biscuit was large and served with a honey butter that I wanted to eat by the spoonful. I'll be back.
(5)Kimmy S.
The fried chicken is bomb! And the cornbread is amazing, don't skip the butter. Trust me!
(4)Kristen M.
This place is amazing. The pulled pork was delicious. I couldn't have asked for anything more. Jonalyn was great. Oh and have Southern punch!!
(5)Scott S.
Southland is the hidden gem on NW 23rd. Rarely crowded, unlike its neighbors, and sporting an amazing happy hour seven days a week. The atmosphere is quiet but energetic, and the wait staff are enthusiastic about the food. Jared was our server and he guided us to an amazing meal. We had the fried mac and cheese, the pulled pork sandwich, onion rings and the banana cheesecake. The fried mac was served with a great sauce that spiced up the pub grub staple. The onion rings were fried to perfection. I thought the pulled pork was passable, while my fiancée loved it. The cheesecake was awesome, but it was only being offered for Mardi Gras weekend. The drinks were tasty and strong. My only complaint would be the number of menus they have. Some items on their happy hour menu are not listed on the standard menu, and there are additional entrees listed on the dessert menu. I am coming back for that pork platine, you sneaky bastards. Great meal. Great staff. Great place.
(4)Johnny B.
Walked in no hello. Sat at the bar for ten minutes, bartender had his head in the POS, never even acknowledged us. We left. Too bad I'm a local was looking forward to trying this place out.
(1)Mollie A.
I thoroughly enjoyed my meal at Whiskey Kitchen! They have a huge bar that I would LOVE to get into trouble at when I visit during happy hour/dinner. The menu is pricey, but the portion sizes are HUGE. I ordered the barbeque chicken with cornbread and mac n' cheese and took half of my meal home with me to enjoy later. The BBQ sauce on the chicken was slightly sweet and I believe it was tomato based...YUM, IT WAS DELICIOUS. Authentic? Absolutely not. This southern girls knows better. Nice alternative alllllllll the way on the West coast when you're craving some yummy southern food? Absolutely. Con: Slow service when the restaurant was empty.
(4)Kevin Y.
The whiskey selection is pretty darn amazing! The bartenders are very knowledgeable and will tell you everything about a good whiskey! The happy hour is pretty sweet. the Ribs are to die for! Give it a try!
(5)D J.
Second time here. Such amazing food. Try the Bloody Mary and the catfish!! Oh and the homemade chips!! Oh and the... Needless to say, we are coming again!!
(5)Kandis F.
The food came out at different temperatures; the sides and toast were cold and the meat was warm. The food also took a really long time to come out (guessing around 35 minutes). Also, for any parents of young children- they don't have a changing table! Our toddler had a dirty diaper and we ended up having to use two metal chairs to change her, and they couldn't even provide a private place to change her. People were walking by the whole time and it made my daughter very upset. We won't be going back.
(2)Jaime C.
Day, Saturday, happy hour, perfect at almost 60' w the windows pulled opened and sunshine peeking from the clouds, I could actually feel some natural vitamin D :) Server: Mandi, was prompt, smiling, and attentive to our needs & asking about our day. She made some great recommendations, from my ice cube to apps. She was SUPER friendly & nice :) Glenlivet 12yr - amazing. Old Fashioned - de-fucking-licious! I love the muddled orange & cheery w the powerful kick in the throat of Bourbon. Hot damn I say! My lady friend suddenly looks even better ;) Fried green tomatoes were just OK. They were a bit soft and lacked a real kick of flavor or crunch. :( damn it man, I love the crunch! However, the breading was very good :) It's a cornmeal base and I loved the texture! A bit bland for my tastes. The sauce was good & kept my gal pal & I dippin' away. House side salad: Oh. Its a Caesar salad w some paprika in the dressing. :| oh. My small disappointment didn't last long, bc the romaine was fresh, OH SO crunchy (see sucker for the crunch!), and cut perfect bite sized. Cheese shreds were amazing but the lettuce was totally overdressed. I'll get the dressing on the side next time, but yes I would order it again :) Pulled pork slider: love it! Smokey, perfect amount of saucy, tender, pork w a generous but not overpowering amount of slaw. Slaw has nice crisp (see) and isn't to saucy. My sandwich didn't fall apart on my second bite bc some dude/ette slopped on some extra sauce or what not. Thanks for that. Hell, it even got passed across the table for a share bite. Dude/ette in kitchen. Well done. Chili- meaty brisket bits, tomato, spice, beans and a smokey flavor... I like it. A lot. Keep that cornbread in the bowl for just a feeeew bites to get the optimal soakage. :) Last, salt & vinegar chips. Eh. Idk. They're 'ight. Didn't taste the vinegar but hella BOMB CRUNCH. (heh heh, I'm not even trying here) Don't get me wrong, the plate was empty between us two, but a little more flavor yo' :) We'll be back.
(3)Tony T.
Food was OK, definitely not southern cuisine but not northwest cuisine either. Good selection of drinks. Good place for groups to hang out. Try to get the large table in the back of you have a lot of people.
(3)Andrew N.
I struggled whether this was a two or four - I give this a two for food, however I'd do a four or even five were I commenting on the whiskeys. Gave it a three, averaging the two The serve was great - our server made informed suggestions and really understood her whiskeys. I had the ribs with beans and coleslaw as a side. The ribs were disappointing at best - good smoked flavor, but under cooked. Beans and slaw were average at best. IF you're in the market for good beer and whiskey parings, with a broad array to chose from this is the place. IF you're look gin for good barbecue - I'd suggesting looking a little harder.
(3)Lizzy J.
Three stars AT MOST... The best thing about this place is the location, well designed decor, and the fact that it wasn't crowed when we went. Everything else...was not as good as many other restaurants in Portland, especially for the price. I would describe this place as a good clean bar with better than average bar food. If you are looking for good southern BBQ go elsewhere. We ordered the baby back ribs which arrived hardly warm and were dry. Thankfully, we were able to get BBQ sauce on the side (the spicy bbq sauce was most tasty). We also ordered gumbo which was okay. Our sides were edible. If you are coming to drink, the menu offered many choices. If you are a whiskey fan you'd probably be happy. We had beer so I can't review the quality. If you want good food, I'd go somewhere else.
(3)Maddy S.
This place was okay. Unfortunately, the worst part was the food. My side of corn bread was burnt and dry. The onion rings were fine as was the pulled pork. The sides were bigger than the actual meal which I did not like. They Definitely skimped on the meat. The service was fine. There was basically no one there and the food came out slow. The drinks took forever which is one of my biggest complaints. Also, the ambiance was fine, nothing special.
(2)Stephanie O.
Arrived at 5:30pm on a Tuesday, the service was amazing (probably because it was kinda empty), and the food was fantastic. Happy Hour drinks are innovative and well priced ($6) until 6:00pm. You can order the fried chicken a la carte and I highly recommend it. I've had better mac and cheese but the fires were awesome. Wanted to try everything but will have to come back again.
(5)Aubrey F.
My wife and I stopped in last night for dinner and it was great. We started with some hush puppies which were really good. The remoulade sauce was a perfect companion. We also ended up with two whiskey wedge salads. My wife ordered one without bacon and they mistakenly brought it out with bacon. Instead of throwing it out, they offered it to me gratis. I took them up on the offer and it was really good. The combination of french and blue cheese dressings is one of my favorite and neither disappointed here. For the main, I had planned on getting some brisket, but my wife wanted me to get the Nashville hot chicken out of her own curiosity what it was. The waiter overheard our discussion and practically insisted I get the chicken. I am glad he did. The chicken leg was the largest leg I've ever seen. Both the leg and thigh were moist and hot, but hot in a good way. I enjoyed every bite of that chicken. The mashers and gravy were also really good. The coleslaw was ok, but that's fine, the other items made up for it. The biscuit was humongous and the butter was such a surprise that my wife laughed at my expression of surprise and enjoyment when I took my first bite. My wife had the cornbread and onion rings which she said were both really good. Some of the cornbread was breakfast this morning and it was still really good. The bbq sauce that came with the onion rings wasn't our cup of tea, so we just left it alone. The dessert menu looked great too, but we were way too full to partake. All in all I would definitely come back to Southland Whiskey Kitchen again if we're back in Portland.
(5)Tiffany G.
I love the waitstaff here, but the food since they changed the happy hour menu when you're ago just isn't the same. I really miss that beef ribs that are used offer on the happy hour menu. If the food was as cool as the waitstaff, I'd go back a lot more often.
(3)Steven C.
If I lived in Portland, I would weigh 200 pounds. This town has such great food and beer. Dropped by SWK with some old friends. Normally, this type of food wouldn't appeal to me but ya gotta go with the locals. When in Rome... Order up the bourbon barrel IPA. It had a nice bite but the bourbon flavor was way too subtle. What's this on the menu? Fried Chicken Cassoulet? One of my comfort food favorites, let's check this out. So an interesting play on the traditional version - black eyed peas, a bed of collards and confit chicken on top. Major creative points for this one. The greens and chicken were excellent but the cassoulet portion wasn't as good. It had solid flavor but the texture just wasn't close enough to the original for me. Our server was insanely well versed and helped me pick out a local bourbon after dinner. Good food, atmosphere and service - hope you enjoy it as well. On a side note, it seems pretty unfair that some haters with only a few reviews can bring down a rating. Yelp should really work to figure that out.
(4)Mario D.
Sorry to say but the experience wasn't that great. At the first visit, one of our glasses were dirty with someone's lipstick mark on it. We told the waiter and she just replaced it without any apology (talk about rudeness). We ordered the meat platter and was actually good and tasty and great portion. The cornbread was ok but dry. Because the food was good, we decided to come back. The second time we came back, the waiter was very nice. We ordered the same meat platter for two and was very disappointed because the meat was like leftover from two days ago. The meat was cold and very dry. That would be our last visit, because they lack consistency. I hope they change for the better and there is no excuse for serving cold and dry food.
(3)Dominque D.
Came with a couple friends to try out the food. Got here on Sunday night around happy hour. There was four if us so we ordered a good amount of food. After waiting 45min and no food I asked our server what the deal was. He said sorry too many people ordered at the same time and the kitchen was backed up. Oh my bad sorry that your kitchen cant handle a rush. Why is that my problem? I got the shrimp poboy with slaw and the onion rings. Among other dishes like the chili and pull pork that my friend got was all cold. Obviously it was going to be cold because the cooks were in the shit so they started sand bagging food. So when i told the server our food was cold he said it wasn't his fault that everyone ordered food at the same time. Southland step ur game up. Rookies. Never coming back.
(2)Vanessa M.
I came here with my friend who has a baby girl and a large carriage. The staff was accomodating and was able to fit us in at a table that was out of the way. Everything we ordered came out the way we expected it. We tried a sampling of what feels like every meat and side they offered because we were so hungry and really couldn't decide what we wanted. We had so much food that we brought a lot of it home to have for lunch the next day. It reheated well!
(4)Anthony K.
Wish I would have ordered the Shrimp and Grits like half of the other people at the table. I was very disapointed with the Catfish. To me it more or less seemed like it came out of a frozen food bag and was heated up, either that or from a long john silver but not from somewhere where you pay good money for people who went to culinary school to learn how to cook your meals. The greens that came with the catfish were very tasty. However, the catfish had no seasoning on it. Maybe I was expecting more of a blackened catfish, or maybe some lemon wedges to give it some flavor, or something besides being plain. The whiskey selection is more than impressive. We ordered the Oregon Bourbon flight as well as teh Bourbon flight. Both were wonderful. The grits that accompanied the shrimp were creamy and delicious too. I recommend this ten times before I would suggest the catfish. I would more than likely go back and try some of their other items.
(3)Ben L.
Came here for brunch. The first time I came it was for happy hour and I wasn't too impressed. However gave it a second chance and brunch was really good. Excellent portions and the biscuits and gravy and sticky buns were good. In addition we ordered a pulled pork scramble. Overall I was happy. Brunch is a good deal and I ll definitely try this place again on 23rd.
(4)Marlon T.
Absolutely my new favorite restaurant in Portland considering I live 2 blocks away but the food is great. I recommend the BBQ chicken and catfish. Bartenders are very knowledgable and nice. I frequent this place at least once a week. Good ambiance as well.
(5)Ramie M.
Love this place. Great way to go if you want to sample a variety of whiskey and bourbon without dealing with "too much Portland". Street parking, so sometimes you have to walk. The brisket has always been good here, but the rest of the food is hit or miss. I feel like some of it lacks the right spices/flavor combinations. Nonetheless, the prices are right and the BBQ sauces are tasty. Have been at least 40 times and will continue to go.
(4)Roger M.
My wife is visiting a friend, while I'm nibbling out and yelping solo, sitting at the bar chatting with the bartender. I am cooling off with the Bourbon barrel aged IPA with a hint of bourbon on my gullet. Like it! It's happy hour 3 to 6:30 PM on a Saturday. Enjoying a beef brisket mini the size of my fist with horseradish slaw squishing out of a bun for $2.50 (big value and no CAFO beef) along with homemade salt and vinegar potato chips and dip. Hot day, cool inside, big windows opening wide to 23rd Ave. I see many in their steel & glass bubbles simmering by. Park that fossil breathing guzzler by the curb, it's beer and whiskey time.
(4)Jenni B.
Strong drinks but bad food. I would come here again for HH drinks, but that's it. The food was mostly terrible, collard greens way too salty. I'm not sure if we were just here on an off night or what the deal is with other reviewers giving it such high ratings. The pork was a skimpy serving and really fatty. Broccoli casserole side tasted like smoke and nothing else and was served cold. The salad I ordered had chicken that was cold and shredded into pieces that were uneven sizes. It would have been nice if it was actually cut off the bone instead of just torn- it looked like a salad I would make for myself at home an eat, but be too embarrassed to serve to anyone else. Terrible presentation and not a great salad. Sauce and seasoning on the pork was mediocre. They spent too much on the decor, but not enough on the quality of their food. I've had much better BBQ in Portland and I would not go back here for the food.
(1)Ruth C.
I'm glad I tried this place, and I'm sure I'll be back. My boyfriend and I were wandering around 23rd on a Tuesday night, looking for some delicious, filling food. The art on the Southland building caught our eye, and we decided to grab some ribs. The place was relatively quiet (again, 6pm on a Tuesday night). The atmosphere is great - dim lights, cool chandeliers, and lots of wood. The staff was kind and attentive, as well. The menu is vast, but we opted for a whole rack of ribs (which comes with 2 sides) for $28. The food came out relatively fast, which is both wonderful and worrisome. The ribs were hit-or-miss. Some were a bit dry, while others fell off the bone. The seasoning was mildly spicy and the BBQ sauce was just sweet enough. For the 2 sides, we went with some mashed potatoes and 4-cheese macaroni. The sides were smaller than anticipated (about the size of my fist - which isn't much). Covered in delicious gravy, the mashed potatoes tasted like mother's. As for the 4-cheese macaroni? Eh. The crumble on top was epic, but the mac (sadly) lacked flavor! I had to add some salt, which is weird for me. At the end, we were comfortably full, and we both eat a lot, normally. Pros: Vibe, options, priced fairly, great spices, wet-naps for your nasty post-ribs face Cons: Hit-or-miss food, small-ish sides
(4)Katherine V.
Came in with a group for late night drinks after being at Casa del Matador for hours. Was full from filling up on happy hour nachos next door so we only ordered drinks. The Southern Punch was really good and only $6 during happy hour (3pm-6pm and 10pm to close, seven days a week). I would love to come back and try the happy hour food. Next time I'm starting here. I was impressed with the service. The waiter was friendly and attentive. It wasn't very busy and we were seated in a large booth right after we walked through the door. The decor was unique and it wasn't very crowded, which was a nice change from Matador on Saturday night.
(4)Nate P.
Had the sampler for two. Great deal for $38 bucks. Baby back ribs, pulled pork , brisket , sausages and chicken. Good atmosphere and clean peeps. Not to many Portlandia idiots .
(4)Tessie M.
We came here and it was crowded but we were still able to get in for dinner with no reservations since it was still early (around 6:45 pm). The dry rub ribs, collared greens, onion rings, and fried chicken were all sooooo yummy! I love that you're given a plate with a mix of all of their sauces for dipping. The prices were very reasonable! Plus, this place was kid friendly which was nice since Matador (next door) does not allow kids due to bar. The atmosphere is overall very cool even the wash room! You can tell that the owners put so much thought into the restaurant furnishings! I would definitely come here to watch a sports game...they have a full bar and a few televisions.
(5)Lindi C.
If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. It was SOOOOO good! I've told at least a dozen people to go and try it out. My husband and I are huge fans of BBQ and randomly decided to try this place out after I walked past it one day and thought it smelled really good! My husband has lived in North Carolina and Texas and said the food here was as good as anything he's had there. He said he can't quite find brisket here like in Texas, but their brisket was pretty damn close. He got the Smokestack Sandwich with hand-cut fries. I'm SO tired of the Sysco fries every restaurant uses. It's amazing how much better hand-cut fries taste! I got the pulled pork with garlic mashers and our kiddo got the Macaroni and Cheese (they don't have a printed kids menu but they will verbalize one to you). The food was AMAZING. I immediately wanted more. But, definitely did not have any room to even try dessert (though it looked super yummy as well). We also tried two cocktails which were on point. You could definitely taste the booze, which I appreciate. I hate ordering $9 cocktails and you wonder if they even put any alcohol in it. Our server was also very pleasant and attentive. Our son spilled his water all over the table and booth while we were waiting for our food. I asked her for some napkins or a towel to clean it up and she nicely refused to let me clean it up. I thought that was sweet of her (and tipped her extra for doing so)! I ask my husband every other day if we can go to Southland Whiskey Kitchen for dinner. He thinks I'm kidding, but I'm not!
(5)Juliana S.
Well I will give 3 stars because my first experience was better than my second. Pulled pork is good and so are the greens but honestly everything is bland for southern food. Since I'm from the south I might be overly critical but salt was clearly needed. Overall a 40min wait for dinner in a Wednesday should have been better. Great service, long whiskey list, and my daughter liked her shrimp po' boy. Also points for rare North Carolina vinegar pulled pork
(3)Dave L.
The first time I went I got the BBQ chicken and really was not a fan. I told myself I would never go back. Then I went back. I had their fried chicken and a side order of hot links. Wow. It was so good that I still think about that chicken all the time. Not a day goes by that i dont think about that juicy chicken that they brine to perfection before they fry it to a crisp golden brown. Its that tasty brine that gives it a juicy savory flavor throughout every square inch of fall off the bone poultry the way god intended fried chicken to be had. The 5 stars is for their chicken. It was some of the best fried chicken ive ever had.
(5)Andy J.
Great atmosphere @ Southland Whiskey Kitchen, very nice place! I had the pulled pork and brisket minis and would recommend. The best part was signing up for the rewards program which by the way was free! I received a reward on my account for 15$ for my next visit. Nice bar too with three TV's and good happy hour menu.
(5)Andrew Y.
Southern decadence in its truest form: deliciously made comfort food. The venue is designed like many pubs: large bar, heavy wooden tables, in a large open space. Sound carried from booth to standalone tables, but conversations weren't disrupted. As a last-minute dine before heading to the airport for my return to Los Angeles, there was still ample seating and it was still happy hour. Clearly, my friends and I were going to go big, for the last meal of the city. Fried Green Tomatoes - tomatoes were crusted with cornmeal for a gritty crunch and flash-fried, holding the heat like a batch of fresh onion rings. Careful on the tongue, the neatly packaged tomatoes popped with juice when bitten. Four Cheese Macaroni and Cheese - Well-done, though I wished I could've discerned the individual cheeses. I used the steaming concoction as a "palate cleanser" between the heavier dishes. That's how it works right? Well, maybe it was just another excuse to eat even more, and with no gravy to dip, I had few alternatives. Smoked Cheddar + Tasso Grit Sticks - the cheese grits were fried to a flawless crunch, but where does the Tasso play in? Were they fried in Tasso? I couldn't answer that question either, but as the server expressed when I ordered it "Trust me, you'll like them." The dish was paired with a slightly spiced, creamy onion dip. Call me simple: ketchup worked just fine. Buttermilk Biscuit w/Pulled Pork - the shredded pork was tossed in a smoky barbecue sauce, topped with a horseradish slaw and sandwiched between two warm halves of a buttermilk biscuit. The combination suited the flavors and the soft and flaky, biscuit that I ordered. I also put in for a batch of Collard Greens, softened and seasoned - nothing of note here. Fried Chicken - If I could have an expression with amorous eyes, that would most closely equate to my satisfaction with this version of one of my favorites. A lightly peppered breading encased each wing to that much sought-after gold. The meat fell off the bone with each bite. Ah, yes, good fried chicken is known to do that. There were no complaints on my end, I only wanted more.
(4)Miz C.
delicioius craft cocktails. ive been here a few times, and im not a huge fan of their barbecue, but really i just like to drop in for their happy hours (they have a late night one too i believe) for a drink and a snack. fried okra, house pickles, cheese fries, all delicious.
(4)James L.
I've been to Southland Whiskey Kitchen several times - almost always late at night. The food is hit or miss. It's actually a pretty good value for the area - the burger is huge, the fried chicken portion is nice as well. However, don't go expecting the greatest BBQ ever. At best it's serviceable, at worst it's just late night filler. The reason for 4 stars is because of the drinks - the bartenders consistently pour yummy whiskey drinks. Also, it's a fun late night place to hit when others are closed to get a nice drink and some OK BBQ grub.
(4)Desire' G.
Southland, you had me at strawberry rhubarb lemonade, yum! The fried chicken was super crispy, well season and cooked to perfection. It was accompanied by scratch made sides, mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh cut slaw, and a giant buttermilk biscuit. The brisket was tender served with a sweet and tangy sauce, the baked beans and collard greens were delicious. If your looking for southern home cookin, with an endless list of whiskey, southland has a great atmosphere with friendly service. Great for date night or family outing.
(4)Mike J.
Extremely small portions for the money. Very loud and the drinks were watered down big time. Nice place other than that.
(2)Lucy S.
The best thing about this place is location and that it's empty all the time, so you don't have to wait in line for a table. The drinks aren't bad but the food is pretty disappointing. Really dry pulled pork and tasteless with minimal BBQ sauce on the side. The friend catfish was also just odd and without much flavor. I love BBQ but I'll have to keep looking.
(2)Anna Marie C.
ribs ribs ribs. that's what i would get here. they're on the spicier side of things. better than the rest of their bbq selection. the drinks are pretty good. but i can't comment on their whiskey selection... get the ribs. and a strong drink. and you'll like this place. get anything else... you'll walk out feeling 'meh'.
(3)Gene-Allen M.
We loved the Smoked meat (platter) sampler for 2! The whiskey choices were great(tons of choices from cheap but good quality, to elite flavor-quality-price). We walked in about an hour from closing, had a helpful waitress helping with both sides and whiskey/brandy choices. My only tiny issue was how burned the edge of the cornbread was. It was still flavorful, and great consistency past the crust, but had to soak the edge in their delicious sauce choices to soften it up a little. We will gladly return on our next portland trip.
(4)Jeff W.
Best Restaurant in Portland. Hands Down. My girlfriend and I come here regularly. The food is to die for, and the whiskey/bourbon flights are icing on the cake. Whatever you order, it will be the best meal you have ever had. Always a great experience!
(5)Carl T.
Chicken dinner was over cooked and bland. The restaurant was packed and loud early. Not impressed at all. I did try the chocolate pecan pie! YUM that earned you an extra star
(2)Will C.
Really bad service, even worse food. Menu reads great... But this place does not know what BBQ is. Disappointing.
(1)Kelsie V.
Counting down the days to try their fried chicken ! ---- I was looking for my friend/bartender John at Cassidy's and this fella behind the bar said, oh he went to Southland Whiskey Kitchen. Well, hell, a new place in my hood. Was greeted by John on my first visit. Yeah. Has a feel of Casa Del Matador, same owners I guess, high end, great feel for business meeting or birthday. But casual enough for low key drinks. I've drank here and recently had a brisket sammie (slider style). My friend had the chili. Good food. Looking forward to friend chicken. Extensive Whiskey's of course. Great beers on tap. Ron has waited on us twice. Cute, funny, good bartender. Thank you for the hospitality. Also, their mural outside is fabulous-really catches your eye from the road. And I hear they pump barbeque odor into the air. Brilliant.
(4)Marisol J.
I haven't tried much of the menu to give a fair review. What I can say is that the chicken was amazing- juicy, tender and just the right amount of crisp. The drinks are also very yummy. The beans were good, and biscuit was OK. The collard greens had a strong sour taste to them that I personally could not handle. Atmosphere wise - I liked the ambiance and there are very nice light fixtures. I definitely intend on eating here again to try more of the food.
(4)Jerry M.
I've been to Southland Whiskey Kitchen several times. Their specialty is house-smoked BBQ meats, and it is really good. Every time I've gone there, I've always ordered the same thing, the "BBQ Trio". It's perfect for me because I like to get a variety of things. It's a sampler plate consisting of brisket, pulled pork, and two baby back ribs, plus cornbread. The meat is tender and has a nice smoky flavor to it. I like it that they don't drown everything in BBQ sauce because I want to be able to taste the smokiness of the meat itself. The first few times I went there, I also ordered fried okra which comes coated with a cornmeal crust. That stuff is good too. Unfortunately, the most recent time I was there, okra wasn't on the menu anymore. The server said that it was out of season or something. Too bad, because okra and BBQ go great together. Anyway, the food is very tasty, but I do have a complaint about the inconsistency in the portion sizes from visit to visit. Sometimes I get more, other times not so much. I especially notice this since I always order the SAME THING. (Naturally, I'd rather have consistently BIG portions.)
(4)Henry A.
Food was only ok to poor, definitely nothing special, had much better BBQ in the city. Service was good, gentleman was prompt, and recommended a great cocktail.
(3)Tim S.
Pros: great atmosphere, clean looking, clean environment, friendly and cozy. Cons: The food consistently sucks. Hush puppies are unbelievably bland, meats are boring and dry (ya I know bbq has various styles). I really wish they would get their kitchen together. I want a solid southern joint in this hood
(2)David C.
Got a BLT and fries. The fries were over cooked and the bacon was burnt and I got the runs because of it. Will definitely never go here again.
(1)Charlie B.
Whiskey flights! Southern cooking!! I'm in heaven! Tremendous whiskey and scotch selection! The food is magnificent!
(5)Sarah B.
I really thought I was going to hate this place - it had all the trimmings of a hate-able venue. Located on the main drag in snob hill, trendy interpretation of Southern food, won't take reservations. But I actually really dug it - we showed up for a Friday night dinner and it wasn't packed with trendy asshats. The service was just right - not snooty but still attentive. We ordered a bunch of different side dishes and shared - everything was just right. I don't know that we'll be back, since it's not near home, but we'd consider taking a group here. Roomy booths, rustic decor and just-so lighting make it look like a pretty good spot for the beginning of a nice night out.
(4)Eunice K.
Great whiskey selection, with prices comparable to Pope house. Their BBQ is good but not consistently good across the board. I like their smokestacks sandwich, and their mashed potatoes are heavenly. I also love the decor.
(4)Amy D.
Best Carolina chopped bbq that I've ever had, and I lived in North Carolina for two years. Really good chow chow and in-house hot sauce. My boyfriend also liked his poboy. Rye selection was incredible. Friendly, attentive service. What more could you want? I wish we had a similar restaurant in SF!
(5)Mike E.
We randomly discovered this place on a windy, wet night. Once inside the warm customer service made us feel at home. Lots of yummy smells and stimulating sights of whiskey abound. Its like I stepped into the lair of the 'Hole In The Wall' gang. Lots of discussions with my wife on what to order, the kid was easy. We decided on a Meat Platter for 2. It could have fed 3! It was absolutely mouth watering. It was a true NW PDX gem. Cocktail specials were blended to perfection. Pretty much figuring out when we can come back- its that good.
(4)Anne W.
Really great BBQ meats. Great look and feel inside. Ask for sauce on the side or you get just meat. They charge 5 dollars each for groups, surprise! most of the tables are fixed in place, cannot group together. Do not, repeat, Do not order the sweet potato pie. Need a hammer and chisel on the crust and the filling was bland and tasteless.
(4)Lauren B.
Good food and a lot of it. We ordered the sampler for $38 and got so much food we had left overs for the rest of the day and the day after that. Service was nice but kinda slow for how empty the place was. Overall we liked it and will most likely be back :)
(4)Toni M.
Holy BBQ Batman! Put the meat in my month hole. This place is so good. They cook the meat to perfection. The brussel sprout side dish is to die for. Serving sizes are big, but you pay for what you get.
(5)Julia C.
This place is bomb! The Mac and cheese & beef brisket was delicious. Even though it's a bbq spot there are plenty of choices for vegetarians the service was great! Kevin made some of the best cocktails I've tried for a long time!! The Sazarac was scrumptious! Definitely would recommend this place.
(5)Genius F.
Per the owner/managers request we went back one more time to see if it was any better. We are glad to see that it may have been a one time thing that we experienced. This time our bartender was very attentive and talented. We had a fantastic time and will be back again.
(5)Mary B.
The wood walls, tables, the huge wood and bare-bulb chandeliers are beautiful and warm. We are usually able to get a booth, which is a little more quiet and private as the music can be loud and the happy hour crowd, louder. But the servers have always been very nice and helpful. Hubbs is that person with a thousand questions and they never bat an annoyed eye at him. They have a great whiskey selection and drinks, but are expensive. Happy Hour is probably your best bet to try the place out, though we usually order off of the regular menu and it's good (not great) and on the spendy side, which is normal for BBQ. The first time we visited, it was because the Matador was too busy so we wandered next door. This is also when we discovered that Salt & Straw is within a good walk and a window shop away if you are craving dessert afterward. There's another place that I prefer on the East side that is less beautiful with better food, so if it's Southern food you're looking for, keep looking.
(2)Noy R.
Tried this place on a lark just because we were feeling adventurous. 11:00pm was when I arrived and ordered. VERY nice place, friendly waitstaff. Tried the catfish dinner for the wife, BBQ trio for me, sides of baked beans, red beans and rice, smothered yellow squash. Wife LOVED the catfish, thought the red beans were pretty good, but she disliked the squash.........said it was lacking. The brisket was nice and tender, nice flavor but not over-the-top great. Pulled pork was actually good......sauce was tasty and spicy. Baby back ribs were a bit tough, but that was probably because of being done earlier in the day.....no fault there. Flavor was good but not much meat. Baked beans were not too bad, nice flavor again. All in all, decent meal for the price, the decor was fantastic, will probably revisit again.
(3)J.c. B.
I can't comment on the food...yet. But I can say the drinks at the bar where really good. The bar tender was very knowledgeable and did a very good job of explaining whiskies. He was very polite as well especially for dealing with a large crowd of drunks at the bar. Prices are a tad high, but nothing unexpected for this location. The place is very cool inside as well. I loved the fact that they had borax powder hand soap in the rest rooms. Reminds me of being in grade school again.
(5)Laurie A.
When I saw this place I immediately thought "HOME!" (being from southern Oklahoma and all). I am sad to report that this place wouldn't last a month in OK (or Texas, or Arkansas, or Kansas, or any place that knows even a little about great BBQ). I was very disappointed. I have to say, all the reviews before mine that talk about how bad the BBQ is..... they hit the nail on the head. I was hoping the Yelp community had this one wrong, but nope. So, the BBQ is just not good. Not much more to elaborate on. It just does not taste good. It is not made with love that is for sure! (the corn bread really needs some work too). Fried green tomatoes! Oh man was I excited to see this on the menu. When I saw it I thought to myself "these are seasonal and it's March......but if they have them, they have them". So, I ordered it. They were nowhere close to green. They were just red tomatoes. Totally not the same thing!! If you don't have green tomatoes, then you tell the customer that when they order it, or say "the tomatoes are just red tomatoes man, no green ones in house, sorry". Shame on me for thinking I could get them in March. Well played Whiskey kitchen, well played. The atmosphere at this place is nice. It looks cool and you feel cool sitting there. The whiskey selection is pretty great (but given the establishments name... they are kind of required to have a great whiskey selection). So, if you care nothing about how your food tastes and want to sit in a cool looking bar and pretend you are in Texas, this might just be the place for you. But if you have any love for your taste buds at all..... spare them and don't eat here. (they get 2 stars instead of 1 due to the fact that they remade my drink for free after I asked if there was any whiskey in it at all. Silly me for thinking that if I order my drink in a larger glass they will take into consideration the whiskey to lemonade ratio. They did not. And she explained "that's why I asked what size glass you want. We do a pour count here". Whatever.... I got a new drink so I shouldn't complain TOO much about it. And honestly, the service was pretty good and they were friendly folks). I won't be back. Sorry whiskey kitchen. Do yourself a favor and hire some good southern boys to smoke that BBQ!
(2)Cheryll C.
Good food, but the atmosphere would be so much better if they had live small country bands 1-2 nights a week! The place isn't very big, so it for up pretty quick on weekends. They are a great addition to the NW 23rd area! Not the greatest date place, since the music is so loud, but fun get together spot for a group of friends
(4)D K.
Fantastic place, their smoke flavor is amazing. Monsterous whiskey selection and the Hot Brown and hushpuppies are to die for. Big portions and cool decor too.
(5)Tony H.
BBQ Fail. The meats were flavorless and dry. I would NEVER say this to a BBQ place: At least put some BBQ sauce on it or something. It's THAT bad. The only thing going for it is the location.
(1)Carrie R.
We were starving after checking out the International Rose Test Garden in full bloom at Washington Park. Since we were on the Westside we figured that 23rd would have good choices for lunch. We stumbled upon Southland Whiskey Kitchen and were drawn in by the smells. The décor was beautiful with lots of wood and cast iron embellishments. I ordered the Southern punch which was a tasty cocktail, and my husband ordered the smoky bloody mary (after trying his drink I was kicking myself for ordering the girlie drink). We couldn't get over the selection of whiskey - lots of different flights for whiskey snobs out there. I ordered the catfish po'boy that came with hand-cut salt & vinegar chips. The catfish was perfect and the spicy mayo complimented the fresh tomato and lettuce. My husband ordered the half rack of baby-back ribs with a side of coleslaw and beans. Everything was delicious & well seasoned & mouthwatering. Next time I go I want the gumbo with a side of fried green tomatoes...
(4)Mitali K.
Great for parents with young kids!! Good drinks and food with reasonable price. This sums it all!!
(5)Jami R.
Amazing place. Great atmosphere and a very extensive whiskey list if that's your poison of choice. Service was excellent and their food was incredible. I had the Georgia peach spare ribs. Just a quarter rack and I only finished two of them. Definitely one of my favorite places!
(5)Brian M.
The food was good. Service was good. Everything here was all well and good. The horseradish cole slaw is interesting if a bit overpowering. Nothing wrong with this place....but nothing overwhelming great though. For every dish....I can think of other places is Portland have it better.
(3)Courtney E.
This place is soooo delicious. The fried green tomatoes were super crispy and yummy. But the best part was the chocolate pecan pie. Besides the crust not being that great, the flavor and texture was top notch. Best pecan pie I've ever had.
(5)Ana M.
I have only been here once but omfg one of the best burgers I have ever freaking had. I ordered the BBQ Burger cooked medium and it was so yummy. Also the cornbread they give you has like butter and honey mixed together to spread, and the tea is so so sweet but I'm not complaining had two refills of the stuff. The whole night was lovely and just a really cool restaurant.
(5)Miche A.
if you were to combine every portland aesthetic that has put this rainy artsy city on the map the past few years, add barbecue, and you would arrive at the whiskey kitchen. I found this place to be horribly unoriginal, and trendy at best. after wading through the hipster fodder and new-wave barbecue menu, you still can't escape the overly crowded frat boy feel that this restaurant drowned itself in filament bulbs trying to escape. food is decent, get BBQ somewhere else.
(2)Jena L.
Went there for "lunner" with my sister. We were the only ones there, our server was great. I had the brisket plate with the baked beans and the (something...) sticks (like polenta?). The brisket was very good, thinly sliced, tender and plenty of it. It came with a side of very thin sauce that basically hit me as A-1 sauce, meh. The beans were good flavor but thicker than I normally prefer. The sticks were pretty bland, could use some dipping sauce to go with them. Also had some cornbread, which came with honey butter - good flavor but a bit overcooked, the crust was hard as a rock. My sister had the rib plate with mashed potatoes and gravy, horseradish slaw, and a biscuit. The ribs were just OK (my brisket won!), the potatoes were great and she really liked the slaw and biscuit. She also ordered a drink (whiskey/peach?) that was delicious. Overall, would come back for a visit for sure. The decor is well done, the bathroom was spotless (always a good sign!).
(3)Claire G.
The service was very friendly, the atmosphere was great. I felt like they spent a ton of money to make the place look old, but hip. It works. The food was....meh. It certainly wasn't bad, but out of the five dishes we ordered, we only finished the burger. Really good burger, but order it medium rare and prepare to have the meat sweats. The whiskey seemed like it was priced to cover the high cost rent for 23rd. I mean, jack Daniels at $9? I'll sick to beer... I hope they iron out the rest of their menu, because I would be back for the burger, but I would have to be in the area, it's not a first choice.
(3)Steven B.
You know those times you go to a new place and hope it will be great, but things do not go well from the start? Well I just had my first meal at Southland Whiskey Kitchen. It is one of those places. I decided to sit at the bar for lunch. Something told me that a totally empty bar at lunch was not a good sign. The bar stools are high and have small foot rings (fine if your knees are without pain), but mine are not. No foot rail so I used the foot ring of the empty stool next to me. The menu looks good and the prices reasonable. I selected an appetizer sampler. Out it came fairly quickly, but speed is the only good thing about the plate. The meat temperature was between cool and ice cold. There was too little BBQ sauce and the extra sauce I got after asking was cold (refrigerator cold). Even the ribs were cold to the touch. I sent things back and ordered the gumbo. It came out warm (not hot) with "the chef" as server explaining that the kitchen air system uses outside air and that was why the meat was cold (I did not buy that explanation). BTW, the gumbo was over salted! They offered to comp my food and coke. I refused, paid what the menu said I would owe and when out the door thinking I will not return! They received two stars because their whiskey selection seemed good.
(2)Jen g.
I haven't been to many BBQ joints, but this place was tops! The ribs fell off the bone like butter and the Mac and cheese and horseradish coleslaw were amazing! I tried my first mint julep and it was heaven...hello snow cone for adults! This is also the first time I've tried fried green tomatoes and I was in heaven!
(5)Stanley T.
SWK is a few blocks from my house. I was JAZZED when I saw that a southern BBQ themed restaurant was coming to my near-in 'hood. Offering FRIED CHICKEN, no less! Before they opened, some of those nose prints on the window were mine and I liked what I saw. A LOT of thought and expense went into the decor and the space is quite pleasing. We had reports from a friend (who is a nearby business owner and thus got invited to a pre-grand-opening dinner extravaganza) that led us to believe this place would be DA BOOM that we hoped it would be. We first visited a couple of weeks after opening. I had fried chicken. Ronda had a salad that (supposedly) included fried chicken. My fried chicken was good - not great. Easily 3+ stars. Ronda's salad had these chickeny looking things on top that certainly couldn't have held up in court as the fried chicken described on the menu. We questioned the server and got an overly involved explanation about the impossibility of providing what she expected (read: what was described on the menu). My friend had this very salad at the pre-soirée and, in fact, has had it subsequently and assures us there was bona fide fried chicken involved both times. I totally believe her. Maybe we were there on a bad night when the serving staff had instructions to defend the shortcomings. I decided to wait to review. Second visit, I had catfish and Ronda had some sides My catfish was OK. My experience with catfish is that it can be sweet or it can be what I describe as "weedy". This was a bit on the weedy side, though still OK. Ronda's coleslaw was very good. the beans were MEH. She ordered the onion rings because we saw a plate of them delivered to someone else on our previous visit and they looked great. What Ronda received looked nothing like what we had seen previously. These rings and the portion were much smaller and much overcooked. Inconsistency might be a theme at SWK (so your results might vary;-) Still, I decided to wait to review as I had yet to taste the meat. Tonight we went back for thirds and we shared the meat platter that includes ribs, chicken, hot links, pulled pork and brisket. This is only available as a "for two" platter (why's that?!?). For the two sides we chose mac & cheese and collards. Starting there, the mac & cheese was forgettable. Is there cheese in there? The collards were OK. The high point of the meat offerings was definitely the pulled pork - four star stuff. The brisket was good, though a bit dry. The ribs (baby back) weren't bad, but a bit overloaded with a too-salty rub. The hot links were OK. The chicken was barely recognizable as such due to whatever spice infusing technique they employed before (over)cooking. I can no longer wait to review. Service all three times was uninspired (to put it kindly). Food and decor I've described above. In some ways it's a relief that I'm done with SWK. I gave them what I consider to be a really fair shot and I don't need to go back. In some ways it's sad, as I had such high hopes.
(2)Christie B.
I went here for the late night Happy Hour, and it was a great value. I tried all 3 of their happy hour cocktail specials- the Mint Julep, the Whiskey Smash, and the Southern Punch- and they were strong and tasty. I also had the HH house salad, and it was very good. I went with a huge group (about 12 people) and the waitress had no trouble splitting the bill. I'd definitely try this place again, maybe for dinner next time.
(4)Aj T.
Me likely some whiskers. Southland was recommended to me by a fellow bourbonite. So I went for a flight and a bite. As you approach the building you are bombarded with sweet sweet smoke. The decor is modern rustic industrial western...Blerg. (That's a lot of words.) The food was super mediocre. I felt betrayed by the wafting smokey bliss. It felt like a parlor trick from a shifty one-eyed snake oil purveyor dressed as a well to do hipster. I was expecting huge flavor. Sliders were drab and over cooked. The aromatic invitation outside failed to deliver with less than gracious hostesses. Our server explained that the brisket chile was spicy. She was correct. She failed to mention it was only spicy, had no depth of flavor and the brisket chunks were stringy tough and primarily unflavored fat. I know how can it be stringy and fatty? I would drop down to 1-2 *'s but the whiskey was great and the cheese fries were tasty.
(3)Jason T.
When your family cannot cook, and you want a delicious Xmas Eve meal, where do you go? Apparently for 2013, Southland Whiskey Kitchen was my answer. Wide selection of whiskeys, wine and drink to sample. But the food, mostly BBQ, was fantastic. For being open on Xmas Eve, 8pm at night, service was spot on and timely. Food was mouth watering and worth a return. My only real concern, is location. With this being on 23rd, I'm afraid a return visit will yield an overflowing location and poor service. Alas, it's worth a return and I can only hope that I'm not disappointed.
(5)Kate N.
Southland is a beautiful restaurant. I love all the wood trimming and layered design. It gives this place a warm, sophisticated yet rustic feel. I had a long time to admire the decor when I waited 45 minutes for my food. At least I had some good whiskey drinks to bide. The whisky bar is impressive covering a long side of the restaurant. My dinner pals and I waited so long for the food that we were pleased to get whatever we got. I only grimaced slightly at my anemic chicken wing and leg, even though the menu had promised a much bigger thigh and leg. My friend didn't send back his small portion of pulled pork even though he had asked for the large.( At least he wasn't charged the full price. ). It wasn't very good anyway. Only one of us won out at the Southland roulette. He ordered the stack house and had heaps of fine smoky brisket. This place only opened a month ago, so maybe it needs time to ripen. The choice of five sauces is great. The sweet spreadable for my biscuit was divine. Maybe I will try this again, especially if I am willing to spend extra dollars
(3)Abby S.
The baby-back ribs had so much potential, but they were pretty dry. I think my bf got the BBQ chicken, which was so succulent and awesome. I spent most of my time on his dish, haha. My mint julep and his whiskey shot were pleasantly served. When we were done eating, it took us 15-20 min for us to catch our waitress's attention (this was after we had both stood up and started to pack to leave). I would sympathize with the busy waitress, but she passed our table a few times and didn't think to check on us. I would only come back for their happy hour.
(3)Bob B.
5 stars for the whiskey selection, 2 stars for the food, averaging out to 3.5 stars. My friend and I shared the brisket plate with collard greens and garlic mashers, and the pulled pork sandwich. Southland's pit boss needs to step up if they want the goodness of the BBQ to match the prices they charge. Not much smoke flavor, almost zero bark on the brisket. The brisket plate came with a little smear of sauce on the plate; BBQ shouldn't depend on the sauce to give it flavor, but they should still provide a container of the stuff. Without the sauce, the brisket tasted a lot like - baked beef. I'd love to try their ribs and chicken, but for what they charge, I need to know they'll be good, but I'm not persuaded by what I've had so far. Still, everything seemed to be made with quality ingredients, and was well-prepared; we just wished it had been more like real BBQ. The high point of the meal was the collard greens and garlic mashers. Service was efficient. I do plan to come back and sample some of their bourbons, though - Pappy van Winkle? I'm there!
(3)Tracey F.
My husband and I spent about a half hour trying to decide where to eat while walking up and back down 23rd. We decided to stop here as a second chance and I won't lie. All of our food was amazing (we got the mac and cheese, the wings, house salad, and pulled pork with the homemade fries and baked beans, and fried green tomatoes) and we were beyond thrilled. Everything we ate was perfectly cooked and seasoned. I would easily go back there and devour my weight again in the delicious and decadent food. The service was spot on. Super attentive but not pushy. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough!!!
(5)Chris M.
Great food. Superb atmosphere. Nice beer selection. Mediocre service. Wicked whiskey menu. Loved it here overall
(4)Myra F.
I love the idea. I love the location I love the space I ordered the brisket sliders and still have a smokers' migraine 3 days later. They were yummy, but I ordered a side of cole slaw and I think the slaw on the slider was the side. I HATE cold salad on warm food. I didn't say anything, but a side should be a side. They wouldn't have put the side of mashed potatoes on the sliders!!!! OK, my daughter wolfed down her Catfish Po'Boy, so I assume she loved it. Her fries were abundant, but instead of fries, they should have been called, soaked! They were tasty, but not at all hot. Sort of greasy. My husband's pulled pork dinner came cold, but he didn't say anything, so he won't be going back. My daughter loved the Apple Crumble. Oh, Schweppe's Tonic is so much better than the Coke product Tonic, which is bitter!
(2)DJ Z.
There are better places for BBQ in Portland. (There are better places for BBQ in this neighborhood). I'll save the rant about BBQ for yuppies and just say this: Any restaurant, especially one where people eat with their hands, that doesn't have paper towels in the bathroom, is repugnant. I'm supposed to use the restroom, wash my hands, then touch the disgusting door handle before I eat my food with my hands? I walked out and saw a guy licking BBQ sauce off his fingers and felt ill. I won't be back...
(1)Katya L.
Clearly still working out some kinks, but I'd say they're off to a good start! We came in for drinks and a few bites around 9pm on Sunday. The place was half-empty, with the bar relatively crowded and the dining room far emptier; the restaurant seemed well-enough staffed, but it was clear that the staff had some trouble communicating clearly with one another. Three out of five of us ordered drinks almost immediately, and the other two ordered shortly thereafter. The first two got their drinks, then the second two, and the boy, who ordered with the first group, waited... and waited... and waited. He had to remind various staff three times to get his drink, and our server ended up bringing a second one (that no one ordered) shortly after someone else brought the first one. Not only was it given to another member of our party, but it was also put on their bill, and I was rather shocked that after all that, one of the drinks wasn't comped, as it was the staff's mistake. The boy did end up keeping the drink, but it should have been offered to him complementary. A minor annoyance, but nonetheless. The rest of the evening went more smoothly. The food and drinks we ordered were quite good - I split the fried green tomatoes and a pulled pork plate with fries and baked beans with a friend, and we ended up stuffed. The cornmeal breading on the tomatoes could have used more flavor, but the BBQ was delightful. The fries and beans were fantastic as well. I do love that they have five different house-made sauces at each table, so you can taste-test them and season your food to your liking. I do wish the sauces were thicker in consistency, but that's personal preference. The boy had one of the burgers, and loved it. I tried the bloody mary, which came with a hunk of brisket on a skewer - yum! I wish the bloody mix was thicker as well, as it was a bit on the watery side, but had good flavor. The salted caramel martini was quite tasty, but it could have used more caramel and less salt on the rim. Perhaps drizzle the inside of the glass with caramel instead of letting it pool on the bottom? I also had the summer punch, which is a good bourbon drink for non-bourbon drinkers. The food menu is extensive, and the whiskey offerings even more so. The cocktails are strong and reasonably priced. The decor and ambiance is somewhat Wild West by way of the South, and while the food isn't quite authentic (think hipster Portland take on Southern classics) it's still tasty. I'm sincerely hoping that they'll work out the service kinks, because I'd really like to become a fixture at this restaurant.
(4)Kaylin N.
Me and my boyfriend decided to barhop throughout the neighborhood on Valentine's Night. Both of us love southern food and whiskey so we said "why not?!" We just went again tonight and sat at the bar, service was once again awesome, fell in love with the Texas Brisket Chili, Cornbread is delicious, and the old fashions are a forever favorite. Manager checked in on us, talked with us a bit, very nice. Server Daniel sat next to us after his shift and was nice to talk to. He spoke about traveling and we mentioned we were planning a Thailand trip this year. We spent the next half hour talking to him while he told us all the places we needed to go to and stay away. Definitely a favorite on our list and we'll keep coming back!
(5)Michelle K.
I think this is a five star restaurant by Salt Lake City standards but a four star restaurant by Portland standards. The boy wanted a sazerac and I wanted cornbread, so we headed to Southland Whiskey Kitchen. Though things started off slow (we went unnoticed without water for a bit, but they gave the boy a free, generous, and delicious sazerac so no hard feelings), the meal made up for it. The cornbread was really good. My favorite cornbread is at a joint in Salt Lake, but this was a very good effort. Light, moist interior to gobble up with honey butter spread. My only complaint about the cornbread is that the exterior was somewhat overcooked. We both got burgers and fries. The burger was perfectly well-done and came with fresh ingredients. Though my burger came with habanero chiles and spicy mayo/sauces (on the side), it was not "hot" at all. I thought the chiles were sweet red pepper bits. The fries were too salty for my taste (disclaimer: we use very little salt on our home cooked meals), though I did like the cut and the tenderness. Servers were attentive and friendly after the initial miscommunication among the staff. The manager was also attentive. I loved the southern style design and general dining layout. The use of space was great, though my favorite feature of the restaurant were the unique lighting fixtures. Ultimately, it was a very good meal and would've been great if we had ordered a signature dish such as the fried chicken. Since we were not totally floored, we will probably try a new place next time we are in town.
(4)Eli H.
This is the best Southern food I have ever had. They make a delicious Bloody Mary too! The prices are pretty reasonable, about what I expect of most restaurants in the NorthWest neighborhood.
(5)Jessica G.
Had a late dinner and drinks here with friends. Decent pulled pork, but a mess of a sandwich, so be prepared, and average drinks. All on the bit pricier side and poor service to boot. Hubby had the brisket and enjoyed it but they got the sides mixed up and we didn't see our waitress again until we were well past done and she was bringing the check. Took half of the sandwich home and have to say that it tasted better the next day after the flavors all melded. Cornbread got super dry though, so that didn't make it to day 2, it just crumbled. Also, the atmosphere felt more like a bar, and it was packed on a Friday night with essentially standing room only and we all had to yell to be heard, but suppose that could be expected in the middle of NW 23rd on the weekend!
(3)Katherine C.
Would give them 3 1/2 if it were possible- solid, nothing spectacular, but good food and ok service. Pricey mid grade whiskeys.
(3)Jeffro C.
Drinks? Great. Atmosphere? Cool. Service? Fast, friendly. BBQ? The worst. I have been searching Portland for some good to great BBQ. So far, I've eaten many mediocre racks of ribs. Southland was another HUGE disappointment. Dry, dry, DRY! The first two ribs were edible but everything else down the line was like a chew toy. These ribs were visibly dry and hard - not much meat on the bone either. Any cook or chef worth their weight would have spotted these flaws and tossed them out. Not a lot of BBQ sauce, which was very tasty and a touch spicy. My sides were easily the best part of my ($18!) meal. 4 cheese mac and collard greens were both seasoned right and decently portioned. I would go back for a cocktail but NOT the FOOD. If anyone knows where the best secret, super-awesome Portland-area BBQ joint is located, I'm ready to hear about it!
(2)Mike R.
Delicious food. Fresh and local ingredients. Very friendly staff. Reasonable prices. And to top it off...best Mint Julep I've had in Portland. I would highly recommend eating here. I will definitely visit again, as well as adding it to the list for places to take out-of-town guests.
(5)Naurry K.
I was looking for brunch on 23rd (my bad) and ended up at Southland Whiskey Kitchen... And that's all I remember, the meal was unmemorable.
(2)Manny G.
Another great addition to NW 23rd street. Food was great wait staff is quick and helpful. I will be back. I just hope the tourist don't start screwing this area up.
(4)Ace C.
Sometimes you can't let the bright lights and fancy decorations fool you into thinking a place is great. Also sometimes location can sway your opinion of a place. I think that's what all the others are being fooled by. The food is okay and overpriced. The drinks are over priced and it really resembles the place next door to it. Happy hour here is also not the greatest, but it's probably to best time to frequent this place. I think experiencing it once is a good idea or when Matador is jammed packed give it a go.
(3)Stacey B.
I'm from Texas and finally found some good southern food! was NOT disapointed! we will come back again and again!
(5)Jon L.
great food, great service! overall a wonderful experience! The colleague I was with raved about the restaurant and can't wait to take her family when she returns!
(5)Hungrylone W.
It's a great place to eat, and the staff was really great. The food was just not our style.
(3)Robert K.
Excellent place to be. Above all the service on the restaurant side is excellent. When I can risk the carb count the fried Chicken is the best I have had in Portland. the kickin boot burger is one of my favorites. I am an Iced tea snob and they do it right. the Cobb Salad is excellent. I am not much into BBQ food except on occasion and when I have had it here it was very good.
(4)Valerie W.
Friday night...figured there would be a line out the door like any other restaurant in the downtown vicinity at 8pm. Low and behold Southland Whiskey Kitchen. We got seated right away. Staff here is excellent. Always checking on you and they are fine if you "need a few minutes"... The drinks here are also excellent. Yes, order whiskey and you can't go wrong. They have a TON to choose from. The atmosphere is loud, but the "cowboy chic" decor is quite nice. Wood everywhere...really cool lighting. The food...great. I ordered half a chicken that came with two sides. I got bacon Brussels sprouts and the horseradish coleslaw. The Brussels sprouts were excellent. Grilled and cooked just right with a hint of bacon. The coleslaw was dismiss able. It didn't taste like horseradish at all. My chicken was smoked nicely with a bit of spice. Try one of their 5 sauces...or all 5 like I did :) My fave was the spicy one. Date had the pulled pork plate and opted for cornbread and garlic mashers. I tried a bite of each and they were all super tasty. Even after being completely stuffed, we ordered the banana pudding desert. Banana pudding, peanut butter...I mean you can't really go wrong. There are a ton of great options on their menu and all are reasonably priced. I would highly recommend trying this place out if you are in the area looking for some good BBQ!
(4)NinJas A.
Love this place! Especially during happy hour. We had brisket chilli, pulled pork sandwich, fried green tomatoes, and brisket sandwich. The drinks are strong and they even have some whiskey tastings on some days! Love the brick and wood theme which continues to the bathrooms. A lovely place to get your southern food on!
(5)B A.
Portland needed a place like this. My husband is a competition BBQer and he felt that this place did it better than others we have tried. Leaps and bounds better than Russell Street BBQ. I ordered the shrimp and grits and WOW! So full of flavor, fantastic spice level (spicier side) and perfectly cooked shrimp. I will most definitely order it again the next time we head to Portland. My husband ordered a trio of meats, and he was the most impressed with the brisket, which is hard to get correct (both as an experienced BBQer and meat consumer). We will be back!
(4)Darryl E.
Great greens and iced tea.
(2)JOE M.
1st time...the place opened two weeks ago according to our server and it was packed. Great smoky brisket for my wife and I had the sausage..one cheddar jalapeno, one hot link. Nice selection of sides. A few niceties...a carafe of water on the table (you'll need it after the hot link). Wine from the cask...very fresh. Vintage cocktails are wonderful.
(4)Ashley K.
Popped in here for Happy Hour after being curious about this nice looking spot. We got two cocktails, which were just OK and two food items off the Happy Hour menu. Both of us ended up spitting out giant chunks of fat from the pulled pork and pork stew into napkins and not wanting to eat any more of our items. Major bummer.
(1)Lori C.
It takes a LOT for me to decide to write a review, the place has to either be spectacular or horrendous. I've gone to Southland several times now and I love it. The abundance of their whiskey selection is what drew me in but what has kept me going back is the service is amazing, the food is great, and they have a whiskey menu that is nearly longer than I am tall. The bartenders actually are knowledgeable about the whiskey they carry as well, nothing is worse than asking for recommendations and being told to try Jack Daniels. Yeah we've all had Jack. The atmosphere is great as well. My favorite time to go is during the summer when they open the large floor to ceiling windows. It is a great place for a group of friends or a casual date. I seriously implore everyone to try Southland Whiskey out immediately.
(5)Lauren G.
Great happy hour. Friendly service. Fun atmosphere. Yummy ribs. Mediocre mac and cheese.
(4)Tyler M.
I went to Southland on a first date and was anticipating a great whiskey flight and some food I didn't know about, but the date was a bomb from before it even started, so I skipped the whiskey and went right for the food. I had the Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage and it was extremely flavorful and came with excellent chow chow and a great sauce (and two sides of my choice). The plate was gigantic and I found myself unable to consume the entire thing, which is amazing for a man of my size! I will be back here soon, with friends!
(4)Jon G.
I tried the Oregon bourbon flight. I got three generous samples of Oregon-based bourbons and enjoyed them all. We ordered fried chicken, the BBQ sampler light plate and a side of potato salad and a side of collard greens. I live in Texas so I had pretty high expectations for the southern comfort food we ordered. Pork rib was tasty but could have been cooked longer. Brisket was good. Pulled pork had too much sauce for my tastes. I hear the potato salad was awesome, but I didn't try it. The collard greens were pretty amazing. They had bacon and some vinegar sauce. They were cooked just right - not all soggy and not tough. Really excellent. The fried chicken was amazing. It was the best fried chicken I've ever had. Perfect crispy skin and batter. The batter was nice and thin - not globs of dough. It was spiced just right. Incredibly juicy meat. The food didn't fit my idea of perfect comfort food but it was still really, really good. Really blown away to find this in the PNW. The staff was really friendly and we never wanted for anything. We will definitely be coming back here before we head back to Texas.
(5)Jaime C.
Coming from the South as I do, I had to appreciate the authenticity of the food, the drink, and the decor at Southland Whiskey Kitchen. At the hospitality of the hostess and server, and it's a perfect match for a sunny afternoon. I only wish I could've enjoyed the extensive whiskey menu, but Jaime had to take a walk and couldn't be passed out in the street. I'll be back in the midnight hour for that. Don't skip the shrimp and grits! They are wonderful. The fried chicken is delicious, if a bit on the salty side. Will have to come back to try more items, and we will do that.
(5)Dave R.
Let's try some place new the wife tells me how about some BBQ ? BBQ Yes BBQ I'm ready now lets go ! I luvs me BBQ....but where to besides all the normal places and where can I find me some good Q ? We take a look of my list of new places to try and on it is Southland Whiskey Kitchen, ok lets give it a try. First off parking is a bitch being its NW 23 so we ended up about three blocks away and we were lucky to find it. Place looks great and has great atmosphere with a lot of whiskeys on the shelf by the bar. Wife gets baby backs I go with brisket with sides of cornbread, bbq beans & potato salad. Brisket was not bad but very dry and the rest of our dinners was nothing more than garbage. Baby backs had a dry rub of chili on them and not very flavorful, I know they are bad when the wife is asking me to take them. Cornbread so burnt on the bottom that I just about broke a tooth. Overall this place has just about everything going for it but good food and with average prices around $18 each I can spend my money elsewhere.
(1)Paolina T.
If you want a good drink or are in need of some good whiskey, then this is your place. If you are here for great barbecue, then there are many other places in Portland to go. Having lived in the south and with neighbors from Texas, I have experienced great bbq. You will not find great bbq coming to Southland. We ordered the fried green tomatoes, SMOKE MASTER PLATTER: baby back ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket, bbq chicken, hot link, with sides of collard greens and Smoked Cheddar + Tasso Grit sticks. Fried green tomatoes were good, though Bernie's on Alberta still makes them better. The ribs were not falling off the bone. The rub had great flavor, when the meat is not well cooked, bbq falls flat. THe chicken was a bit dry, the hot link will set your mouth on fire and the flavors were ok, the pulled pork and brisket were tender, but again didn't have any flavors that made by tastebuds sing. The collard greens were ok, but not cooked in what I consider Southern Style. The Grit sticks were amazing. Crispy on the outside and smooth and creamy on the inside. Take home message: Have some grit sticks with your whiskey. If you want great bbq in NW Portland, go to Smokehouse 21 or Slabtown.
(2)Sarah B.
Great whiskey list and happy hour menu. The chili dishes (including chili cheese fries) don't have a mild option which is a bummer. It's either all spice or no chili, but the potato salad was fresh and the arugala salad is a good choice also. They also have a pretty decent tequila selection even though that isn't their specialty. Wine list is decent there too, it's a nice restaurant but also a great bar to visit while in the neighborhood. For the price of the beers you should experiment with the whiskeys. Their mint julip is one of my favs.
(4)Sean S.
Great happy hour but I could eat the bread pudding everyday of my life and not be content it is a MUST! !!!
(4)Kemi A.
I'm not a whiskey girl, but my friend is, so I'm going to take her word and say that her drink was delicious. I stuck to the mac and cheese N' beans dish which was great! Service was great, too.
(3)Jim C.
We were both Hungary and thirsty to start with. Seated right away, short wait, perfect weather. My wife is gluten sensitive /intolerant, and they had a terrific GF IPA. I ordered a draft pilsner and the premium flight. The Jefferson 18 yr. bourbon was the best. Food was excellent. My wife had a salad with house cured pork, yummy. Not a morsel left. I had the pulled pork with sweet BBQ sauce, horseradish slaw and cornbread. OMG.
(4)Allison E.
One of my favorite new spots!! This is REAL food with some REAL good FLAVOR that won't disappoint! I'm not usually a big sauce person but I love their house bbq sauce and the sandwiches are big, won't disappoint! I always leave this place going *wow* sooo good! Great for happy hour and a cozy, wooden decor for a nice sit down lunch or dinner. Windows open in front and a few outdoor tables so nice in warm weather too
(4)S M.
Was happy to see this place finally open, offering NWites a bbq option that isn't too far away. Very cool atmosphere, nice drink menu.......but the food is terrible. I had never intended to write a review, but this experience compelled me to act. Especially after hearing the story about how the owners travelled the country assembling a menu that would represent the "Best-of-the-best". Not sure what happened along the way, but boy did they miss the mark. My wife and I aren't terribly picky, and have experienced great BBQ all over the country. "Serviceable" food is often enough for us to at least enjoy the meal. That said - the ribs, greens, cornbread, etc. were quite literally the worst we have ever had. We pushed our plate back to the bartender with most of our ribs, all of our cornbread, 3/4 of the fries, and most of the greens. He eyed the full helpings, asked if we needed a go box (to which we answered "no"), and then got us a check. Wouldn't a curious situation like that generally raise a flag or two to the proprietor of newly opened business that will probably live-or-die by word of mouth? "Sorry it obviously sucked, but I will in no way try to make it right while we are trying to establish our business. Here is your bill, now go away". The baby-back ribs are dry rubbed in a too-salty mixture of god knows what. The consistency, rather than fall off the bone, is more like trying to rip raw wet pork off the bone with your teeth. I am sure it was cooked, but I did have a moment of concern after the first bite that maybe our batch was somehow not cooked properly. It was gross. Neither of us finished a rib. The cornbread looks lovely, but tastes like a combination of classic yellow cake and coffee cake. I couldn't quite determine if the sweetness was from the butter or the cake/cornbread. You can make a better batch from a box that you get at the store for $1.50. Sorry, but it's true. The greens certainly qualify as "meh", which is how I see it described by others on this site. My wife considers herself a greens fanatic, and was only able to knock down two bites before giving up. The fries look awesome, have a great consistency, but are seasoned with something that made us both come home and want to brush our teeth. BBQ is great because it is simple recipes executed well. I think these guys got way too cute and decided to put out product that they hope is unique enough to make them stand out. The problem is that the best BBQ isn't different or unique, it's just done really well. Hopefully the rest of the menu is wonderful, because the atmosphere is awesome. We eat out 3 or 4 night a week and will likely never go back unless forced to by friends. Which isn't likely unless it's their first trip.
(1)Erika B.
Underwhelmed with this place. I too, had high hopes. The decor is perfect...exposed brick, cool light fixtures,generously sized, smooth wood tables with hardware accents, great music. The service was A+...our server was knowledgeable about everything on the menu and gave detailed descriptions on preparation and ingredients. If only the food was close to as good as she described, this would be a top spot for me. There were 4 of us dining that night and it was unanimously agreed that the food is kinda...meh. Some "lowlights" were the Brisket (super fatty, moreso than I am used to), Horesradish Coleslaw( Swimming in dressing and soggy, though we were told that it was "lightly dressed"), Garlic Mashers (could not detect the garlic), Mac and Cheese (for boasting of 3 cheeses, this was a big let down with little flavor and soggy breadcrumbs), Baked Beans (4 people at one table could not finish the one ramekin that we had. They just sucked). The Smokey Tasso Cheese Grit Sticks (pretty good, but not crisp at all). The table liked the pulled pork and the House Made Potato Chips.
(2)Jess M.
I patiently awaited the opening, expecting something like Podnah's on my side of town. The inside is beautiful, a lot of thought went into the interior. The food was pretty standard southern, average though. The thing that killed me was draft beers are $6 each.... which i must say is a bit silly.
(2)Ninja J.
Great ambiance, great staff, great food, great WHISKEY! My only complaint is that the beer is overpriced, but that's what I get for eating out on NW 23rd.
(5)Adam C.
Great food all around. Really nice atmosphere and vibe. The mac and cheese was amazing.
(5)Jack K.
Got seated immediately on a Saturday night at 5:30. Service was really friendly and the beer list was good. The atmosphere is nice, but pretty loud. So loud you can barely hear the music. The hush puppies and grit sticks were okay, but no evidence of any tasso in the sticks. Not sure why people think these are so good. All the meats on the sampler platter were really good. This is what they do well. All of the sides were mediocre. Edible, but not great. The sauces were also just okay, although I liked the mustard sauce which was very vinegary. The habanero sauce is not kept at the table, assumably so people don't hurt themselves. But it wasn't that hot at all. The sausage was actually hotter. The prices are sort of high for barbecue, but I wouldn't mind if the sides were better. I wouldn't mind going back, but there is better barbecue in Portland.
(4)charley a.
Love this place. I've been several times and the food is always amazing. Try the bbq chicken, pulled pork & mac and cheese. Best whiskey selection in town and the bartenders know their stuff.
(5)Bridget C.
Been here twice now. Once with a big group of girls for drinks, once with my bf. Fun place for both. BBQ is pretty good, especially for a Portland restaurant, not necessarily out of this world. Atmosphere is a 10++ and drinks are super tasty. Staff was really cool too. Will def go back soon.
(4)Rebecca S.
Went here the other night with a few friends , I really enjoyed the cheerful service. Our bartender was extremely helpful and friendly. As for the food it wasn't the best BBQ I've ever had, but it was delicious non the less. I will definitely return.
(4)Lelay P.
went here in @ around 11 a.m. and had the seafood gumbo. It was really good, not too spicy and not fishy at all. Plenty of shrimp and I really enjoyed it. Our server was fast, and friendly. I also had the southern punch. It was a tad on the sweet side, i took out one star from a five star experience because I think they should have some brunch menu items since they are open @ 11. who doesn't want a southern breakfast? i know i will.
(4)Julie P.
Tried this spot on a Friday night. The place was packed, but we happily sat at the bar. Our bartender, John, was friendly, helpful and attentive. We really enjoyed our whiskey (cocktails for me, a flight for the husband) and those delicious grit sticks. Very impressed with the great service, reasonable prices, and hip decor. Not that impressed with the "spicy" bbq sauce (not spicy at all) or the baby back ribs (very dry). I'll pass on those next time, but there will definitely be a next time! Great spot!
(4)Linda L.
Nice place. I live across the street and have been waiting to try this place out. I got the pulled pork with cornbread and greens. The meat was tender, but a little too burnt for my taste. The greens weren't as cooked or cut up like normal, but it was actually good. The cornbread was great, 'cause I like it sweet and it wasn't super dry. I liked the atmosphere, and next time I'll try out the happy hour food and drinks. Oh yeah, the workers there were really nice too. I ordered take out and three people asked me if I'd been helped yet. I even tipped them when I normally don't for take-out.
(4)Holly C.
My fiance & I came here on Friday evening for dinner. We LOVED it! The atmosphere is cozy & comfortable & the food was amazing! We started off with fried green tomatoes - the remoulade was outstanding! So outstanding that I probably could've ordered a second plate :) For entrees, I got the pulled pork sandwich & my fiance got the catfish po boy. My sandwich was pilled high with pork and coleslaw. I had to eat it with a fork, there was so much food! The pork was amazing - I would definitely order it again! I didn't try the catfish po boy - but my fiance raved about it! We tried some of their house-made BBQ sauces (Spicy & Gold). I loved the gold so much that I plan on going back and buying a bottle to take home! There was an extensive list of whiskeys as well. I'm not much of a whiskey person, but my fiance got a glass & loved it! I worte a review of this place & published it on my blog if you're interested ( littlemissholls.com/2012… )
(5)John W.
New bbq on NW trendy third. This is a nice place, high ceilings and great decor. Drink specials have rye whiskey, that's good. I had the fried chicken; almost as good as The Screendoor. I like that when you order it they tell you its gonna be 30 minutes, it's not sitting around in the back. The brisket is as good as Russell St. My girl is all about the sides, always comparing to "back in Texas". The mac n cheese passed muster. Corn bread passed the test with flying colors. I'll be back to try some more of the menu.
(4)Sita P.
Just got back from dinner and was pleasantly surprised! Food was reasonably priced, good atmosphere, overall nice dinner and a nice time. My friend and I split a small brisket with beans and onion rings and a small pulled pork with mac and cheese and grit sticks. --The onion rings were huge! I only ate two and was onion ring-ed out. I wish they tasted less greasy and had more flavor though. --Mac and cheese was great! Got better with every bite! --Baked beans were baked beans. What can I say? Not any better than anywhere else but it was good. Got the job done to balance out the meat. --GRIT STICKS! Best part of the meal! Think of a hashbrown had a baby with mac and cheese. Mmmm. --Pulled pork was nothing special, but it wasn't bad. --The brisket was perfectly tender. --my friend also got a whiskey lemonade type drink (forgot the name). If you like the taste of whiskey, you'll definitely like the drinks here. I thought this one couldn't be any better. Perfectly proportioned with a strong whiskey flavor but not enough to overwhelm you. Meat portions were not impressive when the food arrives, but you'll definitely finish the meal feeling satisfied. I would go back for drinks, but if I had to choose between this or Screen Door for food, I'd still go with Screen Door... different type of atmosphere and it was nice to try something new.
(4)Sarah V.
My catfish po'boy was spot-on, with perfectly pan-fried, generously sized filets (and I hail from East Texas, so I know catfish). Other items were tasty but less generous. Stingy portions on the pulled pork platter and the dessert (banana pudding parfait). An even stingier old fashioned (a thimble-full of liquid moistening a huge ice cube). Bottom line, I'll come back to eat fish, but afterwards I'll mix myself a drink at home.
(3)Hannah M.
I'm really saddened by the poor reviews on here. Southland is AWESOME! You come here for the authentic Southern food, the slow-style service and the great whiskey selection. I have sat at the bar every time - so I can't say much about the waiter service. The service behind the bar has been incredible every time. I recommend starting with a whiskey flight and an appetizer. If you're not a fan of straight whiskey I would recommend their mint julep. They soak a pound of fresh mint in their whiskey and let it absorb for God knows how long, then wring it out and BAM! you have natural mint whiskey. Best mint julep I've ever had. The macaroni and cheese is to die for. So is the fried chicken - mmm can't go wrong! The chili is also amazing. I can't speak any more highly of this place. Great atmosphere and location, too. I really appreciated the thorough service and information they provided about the food and drink. I work at a hotel in Downtown Portland and send my guests to Southland all the time, and they always come back satisfied! Not enough people write good reviews. Give it a try with no expectations!
(5)Niall R.
Useless manager, very disappointing. We made a reservation for a birthday party, booking 2 tables for 15 people. We were there in person to make the reservation and even choose the tables. Turning up at that night the manager said, they do not have our reservation. Trying to solve the situation, with guests arriving, he was just completely unhelpful and unfriendly. We actually got people to move ourselves and sorted it out, him just standing there doing nothing to try and accommodate their mess up. Definitely won't go back or recommend it to anybody.
(1)Laura J.
We went for happy hour. They have a happy hour menu and the food was good, we got two chopped salads and chili cheese fries to share. Hubby got two beers and I got a glass of wine. The price for beer was high even during happy hour and the wine was definitely expensive for a happy hour. Liked the decor and the bathrooms although I agree with others, you need to have a way to push open the bathroom door if there is no paper towels. The BBQ was good on the chili fries. The salads were a little small although the waitress said they would be just a little bit smaller than the original, they were like a side salad. But the worst part was that the drinks were supposed to be a dollar off the price and when she gave us our bill, the happy hour price for the drinks was not there. So we had to wait for that. Not cool for sure. And then change it. And she made some excuse like that wine that was on the happy hour menu really was not supposed to be there. Well, if it is not, then take the wine off the menu but since it is, honor the price. And really, the price for a glass of wine was $6 - should have been a bigger pour. Oh well, we live and we learn. We will not be back.
(3)Ninihada C.
Whoopie pie. That is all.
(4)Jessica B.
Fried chicken Cobb salad was great. Good staff, ambiance and will come back. Nice alternative to other spots nearby.
(4)Steven K.
I would like to give more than 3 stars but just cannot. Ordered the baby back ribs and they were a bit dry. Had the sides of Mac & Cheese(fantastic but tiny) and collard greens(very good but spicy after I was told otherwise). Ordered a lemonade and after requesting a refill I'm told no free refills. Really? Inexcusable. All in all pretty good and worthy of 3 stars but no more.
(3)Miki B.
I can't believe we haven't been here before! Great service, amazing BBQ! Will continue to come back!
(5)Sam M.
This place has amazing BBQ. This place has put Texas and Memphis on notice for BBQ. The beef ribs were amazing and melted in your mouth. To make them better being half price for happy hour was even better. The pulled pork was rich and flavorful, the BBQ sauce cute the fatty richness perfectly. As for the hooch, they delivered as well. The burnside bourbon was like a lite whiskey, which was a nice and pleasant surprise.
(5)J. K.
Shockingly bad food and terrible service. My husband and I went for a late dinner on Thursday night. It seemed slow at 8:30, and half the tables were empty. Good design and decor, even with the bank of TVs blasting sports. We were seated and given water by the hostess. Our server finally came to greet us and took our orders since we had been waiting quite a while (15 minutes) and had decided. I ordered the fried chicken and sides (slaw, mashers, and biscuit) and sweet tea, and my husband ordered the loaded baked potato. The server said they were out of fried green tomatoes and brisket. We waited 30 minutes for our food. In the end, a different person brought our food. He was dressed like management, but was bussing tables. The food had obviously been sitting under the heat lamps for a while because the cheese on the potato had congealed, the temps were inconsistent, and the slaw had leaked over everything. I'm not sure who would ever put these flavors on a plate together -- honey butter, horseradish slaw, cayenne fried chicken, and strange canned gravy flavor mashed potatoes. Our server never did come back. We wanted more drinks and I ended up going up to the bar to get our drinks. Our server intercepted me and I told her that we wanted more drinks. She proceeded to check on three more tables and finally brought us our drinks (a sweet tea and a soda, so it wasn't complicated) after 10 minutes. We probably interacted with our server twice in more than an hour, had food delivered by an anonymous person, and ended up feeling pretty terrible after our dinner. I don't think any amount of design can cover the fact that this food would have been subpar for even a chain like Famous Dave's, and the menu was strongly reminiscent of a Guy Fieri endeavor. Appallingly disgusting and poorly prepared food, and bizarrely poor service.
(1)Brent B.
Went last night and must say the place was friendly and deecorated well. Service was great, food ok but not great. Had the baby back ribs and the wife had the fried chicken. Ribs were smoked well but the rub was boring and did little to bring out the smoke flavor. Chicken was good but not great and a little spendy for a wing thigh and leg. The sauce choices looked impressive but were all thin and similar in taste. Had sides of beans, slaw, and greens Beans and greens were good but the slaw had little taste and was dry. I was disapointed that unless we ordered the sampler for two one could only try one smoke item. May go back for another try but not sure.
(3)Terri A.
I am giving it 3 stars because of the service . . . The food, not so good. I read reviews from my fellow yelpers but went anyway. I know better. The service was very good and the drinks were as well but the pulled pork and brisket, not so much. Note to management, if you are going to put "spicy" on a sauce . . . It should then be spicy. I won't go back and for me that is the ultimate measure.
(3)Jake C.
The atmosphere is great, love the setting and location! The fried chicken was full of flavor, really moist with a great crisp to the outside. The pulled pork was tender and juicy. Amazing banana pudding!
(5)Meghan Z.
Holy crap this place is GOOD!!!! Our waitress was super friendly and gave us lots of recommendations (cant remember her name but she was younger and had blonde hair). We got the bbq feast for four, which at $65 is a great deal and we even took home plenty of leftovers. The ribs were so tender and the chicken was absolutely fall-off-the-bone amazing! The brisket was really good, too. My husband is a big BBQ snob and he loved everything we ordered. Great beer list and drink menu, too, and I don't drink whiskey but they had hundreds of choices of whiskey. Oh and I love sauces, and they have 5 or 6 different kinds right at the table for you. I cannot wait to come back here!!!!!!
(5)M J.
We ate dinner at the whiskey kitchen the day after the grand opening during Happy Hour. The decor was great just what we expected...large spoke lighting mesquite ( I think) wood bar top. Sets the mood just right for the meal. We sat at the bar so we could look at the Whiskeys displayed. We ordered the Fried pickles for an appetizer and let them know we would order dinner after the pickles arrived. However, five minutes later they asked if we were ready to order. We figured why not...the pickles should be on the way any second. So we ordered the beef brisket plate with spicy bbq sauce to split with a side of mac and cheese and grit stix. Unfortunately all the food arrived at the same time. That kind stunk because we were out for a leisurely evening. That said, the food was tasty. The brisket was nicely cooked and not too smoky. The sauce wasn't quite as spicy as we like luckily, the bartender recommend their habanero sauce which was delicious perfect spice. The mac and cheese was o.k. maybe a little on the dry side, it could have been a little creamier. And the grit stix were a nice little surprise. They were like eating deep fried Mac and cheese. We would definitely order them again. They are also on the happy hour menu. Good choice! Oh! and the pickles were great too. kind of a small little app (approx 5) but very good. They were thick cut with a buttermilk coating served with a ranch dip. These are also on our re-order list. on a final note...parking is difficult anywhere near NW 23rd so keep that in mind.
(4)Tripp W.
Popped in for lunch on a Saturday and we were immediately impressed with the decor: upscale BBQ joint...rustic but very comfy. The restaurant, as you might imagine from the name, has a very impressive whiskey list, but I am a big bloody mary fan and theirs did not disappoint. It is served with a nice hunk of smoky brisket and it comes with a small beer back. But of course, the star is the food and I was very impressed with the pulled pork sandwich. Portions are huge and the hand cut chips and fries are just about perfect. I also love the spicy sweet pickles that garnish every plate. Two of my dining companions ordered from the "small plate" menu and the portions are still quite large...Mr. D had a BLT and it features 12 strips of house cured bacon! Every table has five different house made BBQ sauce and the three I tried (house, spicy, and gold) were all very good. The prices are incredibly reasonable especially given the quality and portion size. We will definitely be back!
(5)Blaine W.
The ambiance is awesome here, really nice lighting. booths are not comfortable though (don't mind the hard back, but cushions would be nice). Killer bourbon selection - but overpriced. OK so, i don't care about any of that as long as the BBQ is awesome. which it is not. Especially with Smokehouse 21 a few blocks away. Granted, Smokehouse 21 lacks the full bar and the ambiance, but Smokehouse 21 BBQ completely dominates. At Smokehouse, they would NEVER serve the BBQ pre-sauced! The BBQ at Southland was over-sauced, cold, dry, bland and with a predominate flavor of salt. Totally unsatisfying. The ribs are smoked very heavily with what I believe was mesquite smoke - so the ribs tasted like a peaty scotch. Anyhow, I'd go back for the ambiance and the bourbon selection, but I would not order the BBQ again. Dry, cold brisket. Over smoked ribs. Dry, cold pulled pork. Over salted. Over sauced. Cornbread was more like dry, overcooked cornbread cake. Smokehouse 21 cornbread is absolutely heavenly and cooked to perfection (seriously amazing). If Smokehouse 21 is a 10, then this place is a 6 or 7. I will say the banana pudding dessert kicked ass. So, if you go here, get bourbon and banana pudding and skip the BBQ!
(2)R M.
This place was a huge disappointment. It looks cool and the whiskey selection is awesome and service was good enough, but food was just terrible. On a BBQ scale of 0 being Famous Dave's chain, 6 being Russell Street, and 10 being Padnah's, this place is a 1 even though it's the most expensive of all. Probably the worst ribs I've ever had: flavor was fine but they were pink-smoked and completely-stuck-to-the-bone variety that no one except my dog likes. The pulled pork and the brisket weren't terrible, but you get a teeny tiny portion of them on the $38 plate, and despite the fact that there are 5 sauces on the table, none had any discernible flavor besides black pepper. It gets two stars because I can see it would be a cool place to get drinks, but I'll never eat there again.
(2)Carmel U.
Oh man this place is good. I checked out local dinner spots on Yelp while my husband and I were visiting Portland and saw that this place served BBQ and Whiskey -- SOLD! When we arrived, we were greeted with a 1-hour wait! Seeing this as an auspicious sign, we used that hour to explore the rest of the neighborhood. When we returned (with about 20 more minutes to kill) we decided to have a drink at Southland's Bar. The whiskey list was super impressive. I ordered a manhattan and my husband ordered some rye whiskey straight up. Our bartender was friendly and prompt and the drinks went down SMOOTH. Now, the food. One thing worth mentioning is that when you order food from Southland, they don't skimp on portions. We ordered the combo (for 2) and were surprised at the behemoth placed before us when our order was ready. We had a chance to sample the delicious meats Southland had to offer (ribs, pulled pork, brisket, chicken and sausage!). The plate came with 2 sides and our waitress highly recommended we order a side of cornbread (which we are so glad we did because that was some pretty damn good cornbread). The meat was delicious. I especially liked the BBQ chicken! It was juicy and flavorful and even better than most BBQ chicken I've had in KC (blasphemous, I know!!!). Almost 2 hours later, we were drunk on smoked meats and whiskey and smiled the entire walk home. We will definitely be back the next time we are in town.
(4)Lyniese B.
We were headed to the Matador and we were enticed by the terrific bbq menu that was plastered on the wall. Pulled pork, coleslaw, cornbread, ribs, and much more. It sounded much better than our original plan so we headed in to see what Portland has to offer in the way of authentic bbq. We were greeted by the friendly staff and ushered to our pub style table. Dimly light with a cabin style decor we immediately noticed the bar was well stocked with row after row of scotch and whiskey. We perused the whiskey menu in search of something that sounded vaguely familiar (as neither of us know a thing about whiskey). Precursor- A week or two earlier we decided to have a shot of something new and fabulous after a late brunch at Urban Farmer before we headed out to stroll the cold streets of downtown PDX in search of a fabulous and undiscovered boutique. Our waitress suggested a a special 10-year whiskey made especially by Russell's Reserve for Urban Farmer. Ummm....ok, sure. Why not? Long story short...We sipped our fine glass of rye whiskey and found it to be flavorful and complicated, interesting and surprisingly palatable. We left our table feeling joyous and light on our feet! We knew we would have to explore this throw back spirit once again. Fast forward - Saturday evening, Southland Whiskey kitchen, BBQ, and our first flight of rye whiskey. John (our bartender) is our super social genuinely all-round great guy. Knowledgeable and friendly ..... the embodiment of everything a great bartender should be .... as we sipped our tastes of whiskey John educated us on the distillery processes, history, and best bangs for your buck! I honestly am giving up my dirty martini (as least a for time) to explore whiskey thing. I truly enjoy it and honestly find it down to earth, complicated yet basic and a little intriguing. And let's be honest ..... it's damn cool to walk pass the bar and see a woman sipping a neat shot of whiskey! lol! We've returned on several occasions to chat John up and pick his brain a bit. My mom was just up for a visit and I treated her to a Crown Royal XR (neat) while I enjoyed a nice glass of Middleton Very Rare (neat). What a treat!!! CHEERS!!!
(4)Jake R.
Even after reading the pretty scathing Oregonian review, I thought the design aesthetic of the bar looked appealing enough to give it a try. I am a big whiskey fan and I was really just going for the spirit selection. I was there with a non-whiskey drinker, so I thought I would go with a local selection first and then expand our smokey bouquet of flavorings else where. My Portland favorite is McCarthy's from Clear Creek. It was fairly priced I thought at $13.50 given the $55 retail value per bottle. However, when it came to the table the color was muddled and after tasting, it was clear that they had watered it down. I know it's a limited run whiskey every year but come on folks! You are a whiskey bar! Have some class. I will say that the service was good, despite it being fairly crowded on a Saturday night, and the server was quite knowledgeable when it came to their overall selection. It was the only saving grace and why I didn't just give it one star. Given other comments about the food and the Oregonian review, we stayed away. It's a great concept, but poorly executed.
(2)Lauren A.
The decor is wonderful, both in the restaurant and in the bathroom. My mixed drink was excellent. Their website is good. Disclaimer: I am a harsh bbq critic. The food is forgettable. The house sauce was spicier than the "spicy". My beef brisket didn't have much flavor, and lacked the smokiness I'd hoped it would have. The mac and cheese side was tasty, but $4 for 5 bites of food? That's kind of a lot. I'd come back for drinks and ambiance, but not so much for the food. It's really too bad, I wanted this to become my new bbq place. :(
(2)Beth B.
As a vegetarian - you're better off going to a Chinese buffet. I only went for a friend's birthday mind you. That said - EVERYTHING HAS BACON IN IT. Sure - some people might like this, fair enough. But I specifically asked for a salad and for them to omit the bacon. The waitress understood. You know where this is going - clearly she, the kitchen - someone messed up. I also found out that their grits have bacon in them as well - even though the waitress told me they did not (and it was not included in the ingredients on the menu). At the end, they did discount me the grits - but not the salad - which I explicitly asked for no bacon. 1. Terrible waitress 2. Poor information on the menu 3. Bad management. And PS the grit sticks were NOT that good.
(1)Renee L.
Took some out-of-town friends here for dinner. Had been to happy hour before and really enjoyed it. Dinner was amazing, all were impressed. Started with the Corpse Reviver #2 to drink, awesome. Pulled pork plate, awesome. Tasso grit sticks, awesome. Onion rings, just ok. When we came for happy hour when they first opened they had cute little bottles of all their sauces on the tables. When they weren't there this time we asked and they had to bring them out in little ramekins. Guess there was some issue with the bottling? Hope those come back. Waitstaff has all been wonderful. Recommended.
(4)Diane M.
Okay guys....totally awesome BBQ! I wish I did whiskey because the menu for booze is off the charts! The food is really really really good! Beer is icy cold and service excellent!
(5)Mike W.
I have given this place a raving review in the past, however, I cannot in good conscience allow my past experience to mask how wildly inconsistent and as a whole just plain bad this place really is. My brisket sandwich was barely room temperature and the replacement for it was mostly fat mixed in with chewy bits of bland brisket. Good thing for us there were two bartenders because the guy who was supposed to be serving us hardly spoke a word after he took our initial order. It's too bad that this has been the norm over the last few months, I had high expectations and really thought this place was going to be a neighborhood favorite. Finally, while walking out this evening I told my girlfriend that the next time I bring up going here, please remind me how much I dislike this place
(1)Jeff M.
A Haiku Review of Southland Whiskey Kitchen: Loved the pulled pork plate. Mac & cornbread sides were nom. The sauces need work.
(4)Dashya K.
Good service, good sweet tea and good burger. The Mac and cheese was okay but nothing spectacular. The ribs looked tasty and their selection of whiskey was impressive.
(4)Yoel T.
Checked this place out during the grand opening, so of course everything was in top shape to impress everyone. The location is just 3 blocks north of the NW 23rd ave streetcar stop. Living my entire life in the south before I moved to Portland, I have eaten quite a bit of classic southern food and BBQ. I can say that the food here is quite fantastic. Is it BBQ and potato salad the way your grandmother in Alabama made it? Maybe, or maybe not, depending on how she made it. Maybe it is better. This is classic southern foods served up with great care to deliver a powerful flavor, and presented with a very impressive aesthetic. It's maybe not always classic and traditional (I have never seen grit sticks in the south, but they sure are good. But on the other hand, the south is a big place, they could be out there.) Southland offers 6 different varieties of BBQ sauce. It is also a Whiskey Kitchen, so has over 100 different whiskeys and much of the food is cooked with some whiskey flavor! Service is excellent and very friendly. The design and decor of the restaurant is very pleasing, with attention to every detail down to the Boraxo powdered soap in the restrooms! There does not seem to be an abundance of such restaurants in Portland, so this is welcome addition. Tips: Order the grit sticks. Get your your favorite whiskey old fashioned.
(5)Alena H.
So we went out to matador one night coming to find out that minors are not allowed after 10, and they recommended to go over to Southland Whiskey Kitchen. First of all, this is one of the few places that allows minors at this time which is a plus seeing that a couple friends are just a few months away from being of age. We were still able to enjoy a few drinks and happy hour foods, which are the same portion as they would be on the regular menu which is AWESOME. I got a reasonable sized, delicious ass salad for only 5 bucks! That being said, the place smells fantastic, I love the country vibe and I swear they were playing my pandora station the whole time! 2 thumbs up to the friendly staff and lovely experience. Definitely coming back. .....So I've consistently enjoyed the SWK Master House Chop salad..and I must say that it's different every time. Sometimes it's a large portion, other times half the size. Today, the meat tasted like someone picked out the remains of a week old Costco rotisserie chicken. The peppers were slimy, a few rotten pieces of lettuce, 3 blocks of cheese that I barely found and the worst surprise saved itself for last when I gagged up a piece of chicken jelly..WTF? Changing my rating from a 5 to 3..Because that's no bueno. Also, they took it off the happy hour menu which was very upsetting. This shouldn't matter much considering the fact that people go here for BBQ and whatnot.. but I get salads anywhere and everywhere I go so it mattered a lot to me. I still love the vibe and people, I got a Jack & Coke and I could barely taste the Coke which is always a good thing, and their cherries were INCREDIBLE. The end.
(3)Laura D.
Solid whisky drinks and southern food at Southland. The best deal is the smokestack sandwich---its insane!--- and they have many tasty, authentic side dishes. Try the grit sticks and don't pass up the collard greens. Yum!
(4)Erin K.
I don't usually give 5 stars on a first impression, but this place was awesome on all levels! We visited on New Year's Eve and I was very impressed! Cozy, relaxed, dimly lit, with one side of the place filled with huge booths. I love that the servers were not snotty when it came to talking about whiskey, but really approachable and down to earth about it, but they also seemed to know their stuff. I am in love with their whiskey smash and Smokestack sandwich. The only food I tried that I didn't love was one of the sirloin burgers (lacked flavor to the meat and the toppings were underwhelming too, pretty bland overall), but I think at least part of this was because I was comparing it to the amazing Smokestack. The brisket plate was wonderful also, not too dry, and the sides were a delight as well (the mac and cheese is super!)
(5)KB B.
We picked up take out last night from Southland. Neither of us had dined at this spot before, but were craving BBQ. What a disappointment. The brisket was SO tough and bland, the sausage was spicy, which I liked, but was very fatty. The one bright spot was the fried chicken.
(1)Phil M.
As I've mentioned before, I judge places that attempt Southern cuisine needlessly harshly. With that caveat in mind, here's what I thought about Southland: We started with the fried green tomatoes appetizer. The tomatoes were a lot more red than green and missed that zing that you find in a good fried green tomato. For the main meal, my wife and I had the catfish and the brisket, respectively, and shared between us. The catfish had a great flavor and texture, but the greens that accompany it could've been cooked a bit longer. Southern greens need not be crispy. Great flavor on them though. Also, the red beans and rice were excellent. The brisket came by default covered in their house sauce, which is really good if not a tad bit tomato-y. Personally, I liked making a mix of their sweet and spicy sauces (available at your table), so my suggestion would be to order it dry and go your own way on the sauces. For my sides, I got the baked beans and the grit sticks. While the baked beans were standard fare, the grit sticks blew my freaking mind! They're grits... in cheesy "log" form. Think cheese grits disguised as cornbread. They were definitely the highlight of the meal, and I'll probably be getting them as one of my sides from here on out. So, the meal was solid. Some things weren't like "back home" (oh, boo hoo!) but all in all, I have no real complaints. Probably the 3rd best Southern-style meal I've had in PDX, behind Po'Shines and Screen Door. That said, if you don't want to wait an hour+ for good food, Southland is your boy. I'm definitely looking forward to taking down their ribs and fried chicken at some point. And apparently, there's whiskey here as well! :)
(4)Jacob M.
Waitstaff was great, ambiance was great, food seemed ok. Don't get me wrong, not horrible, but just BBQ you could get anywhere. The brisket was quite fatty and biscuits were dry, but the honey/bourbon butter was amazing!
(3)S D.
I recommended coming here for one thing...whiskey. If you are wanting a good meal, there are better places around. Like next door. And there are way better places for BBQ. We got the Smoke Master Platter for two for $38. What a waste. The hot link tasted like anything you could buy from Safeway. The pulled pork had way too much fat in there. And the ribs were almost all bone and fat. I would have liked to eat some meat for $38. The biggest highlight of our evening here was the "seasonal veggie" side. It costs $3.00. What did we get for $3.00? 4 Brussels sprouts cut in half and placed on tooth picks. Seriously. $3.00 for four Brussels sprouts. Yikes. On the positive side, we did enjoy the corn bread and the selection of whiskey.
(2)Brian N.
Yikes. For a BBQ joint, BBQ is not their specialty. Pass...
(2)Rob S.
My plate? The Chipotle Pork Cheeseburger was freaking excellent. My wife keeps telling me that every new place we go, she always wishes she had gotten what I ordered. This time was no exception. She really didn't care for her fried chicken but I'm pretty sure I would have finished it off for her had I not been busy shoveling my cheeseburger into my face. Although, maybe I just have lower standards than her. Still... A great place. Definitely coming back.
(4)Mike C.
Great atmosphere, service, and food. I have eaten here a few times and have had great experiences every time. It is owned by the same people who own Matador next door and it shows. A lot of time went into the decor and menu. The food is good, solid, BBQ and southern food with lots of sides. There is an extensive wine, beer and cocktail list. I don't know how anyone can complain about the service, as every time we were greeted right away, sat right away, and had just the right amount of attention. We will definitely be eating at Southland more in the future.
(4)DJ C.
Gave it a try... twice. Shame on me. Not very good BBQ. Unfortunate as I live across the street. Will not be back.
(1)Kim I.
I've been wanting to go here for a long while now, and i really like it!!! Bartenders soooo nice and really went above and beyond. I recommend the fried chicken, the ribs and the mac and cheese. It was delicious. I'll go back for sure. Whiskey education there is fun too. Got a run down from the bartender.
(4)Anthony B.
**BAR ONLY: Great atmosphere. Lost a star to small pores, but made up for it because the Bloody came with a beer back. You never see that.
(4)Chad C.
Damn good food, and they're quick so you can actually eat there on your hour-long lunch break! Great for groups, too.
(4)Rachael M.
Everything I tasted was outstanding! Beef ribs, fried chicken, red beans and rice, mac and cheese, FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, and a whiskey smash. Very, very satisfying meal.
(5)Rebecca R.
Awesome decor all over the place. The woodwork is pretty great. I love that they carried that through to the bathrooms. Speaking of the bathooms, they have an option to use regular soap or a powdered version. I haven't seen that in years. The menu is pretty much what you would expect for a Southern inspired restaurant. I had the mac and cheese with pulled pork. Thepork was served on the mac. I would have liked it on the side so I could try the various sauces available. The pulled pork was smoky and tender. I am excited to go back and try the rest of the menu.
(4)Tim A.
A great bbq and bourbon spot on 23rd. Fitting right in with the rest of the strip, the low lighting and wall of whiskey creates a great atmosphere. The excellent smoked meats and southern soul sides complete the experience. A great way to warm up on a cool winter night. Will return for the tasty bbq and a great list of house bourbon cocktails.
(4)Kyle I.
Great bbq good whiskey beats most places in PDX although when it's busy the servers get kinda bitchy. Sorry ladies but your a server and you chose to be one.
(5)lee k.
If you are tired of the Tex Mex food at Casa Del Matador, go try the new Texas Smoke BBQ at the other end of the building on NE 23rd. Foods are delicious. Small kitchen but with a army of professional chefs (can tell from how they crank out the excellent food in a timely manner). The smoke brisket I ordered was so tender and tasty. There are many choices of BBQ sauces of their own. The whole staff is very friendly, attentive and helpful. The open bar is welcoming. Decor is great very thoughtfully done. Great addition to the many fine restaurants in district. They deserve a high five. Will definitely return to try more of the food in their menu.
(5)Damion C.
Wen't to Southland Whiskey Kitchen on a Saturday for Happy Hour with a big group of friends. They serve 10 dishes or so and 5 side dishes. Drinks are $1.00 off. First the service was excellent, very attentive and took good care of our group. We ordered pretty much everything off the menu to give it a try. We did the chili, wings, ribs, shrimp/grits, fried green tomato, hush puppies, pulled pork, brisket, chicken/waffles, cornbread, Mac n cheese, and collard greens. Now there was not a bad dish in this group. Reading some of the reviews about the BBQ you might think it was inedible. Not at all. The dishes were good, filled us up(nice portions), lots of flavor, meats were not dry. Maybe it's because we ate early in the night. For us(10) the food did its job. Was it BBQ worthy of winning any competitions? No. But it gets the job done. Great selections of whiskey and very stiff mint Julips. Cool place, cool happy hour, will go hit it up again.
(4)HOWIE B.
I wanted to like Southland more than I actually did. What's not to like? Nice decor, chill vibe, laid back, friendly service and a well- stocked bar. Then there's the food. It''s disappointing. This is not to say it's bad, it's not. But it's totally forgettable. The entrees and sides all lack proper spices and oompth. The quality is there - the ingredients are all top notch--but everything from the sauces to the dull collards to the bland horseradish slaw to the unexciting key lime pie all lack pizzazz. Oh well, It's too bad. Like I said, I wanted to like this place but there's simply better southern food/bbq out there.
(2)Bella N.
Me and my boyfriend came here on a Tuesday for some dinner. We we're both for some "real" food for a decent price. There were a quite a lot of people there and the atmosphere was very warm. I ordered the small batch salad with chévre, bacon and caramelized onion. On the side I got the cornbread. Everything was yummy! The salad was satisfying and delicious. My boyfriend ordered pulled pork with onion ring and asparagus and he was also very happy with his choice. The staff was friendly and alert, although I believe we had about four different servers asking us if we were ok while we were eating. + for the nice interior + for the whiskey mixed butter(!) that came with the cornbread + for the price on the food Had an overall very pleasant dinner, and I'm sure we'll be back soon :)
(5)Charlie S.
This place is awesome! I stopped in last night for a birthday and I have to say, hands down impressed. Best BBQ restaurant I have ever been in. Very cool atmosphere and our server was awesome. We tried a couple of the Whiskey flights and the whiskey menu is nothing if not impressive. Over 100 different whiskey and bourbons to choose from and when it comes to the dinner menu, we were graced with five different kinds of sauces on the table to try. Once again, a must try. I can not say enough good things about this place!!
(5)H M.
Definitely decent. I'm not a fan of their cocktails or BBQ particularly, but their cornbread? Oh my god. Especially with their butter, not sure but think I tasted whiskey in it. Regardless, it's bomb.
(3)Christina B.
Great whiskey. Pass on the food. The server was friendly. Was hosting a birthday party for a friend and had to ask for the birthday cake three or four times before she brought it over. The food was blah, I can not think of anything I liked that was on my plate and heard the same feedback from everyone else. I gave them two stars for the large selection of whiskey, location and ability to seat a party of twelve without reservations.
(2)Ken P.
Just a note mention the customer care here. My first couple visits not wow'd. I ate there this weekend and what a difference. I ordered fried chicken plate that had 2 pieces. When the kitchen manager brought it he apologized for the thigh being too small and the kitchen was cooking me another one. Sure enough they brought me a second one free and without me requesting. In this day when good service can separate the good from bad it was refreshing.
(5)Katie C.
I wanted to like Southland so much more than I actually did. We had walked by once before, but weren't hungry. I was impressed by the look and love BBQ, so I made a mental note to return. We finally did-still impressed by the look, not so much by the food. The interior of SWK is just wonderful. They took a tricked out warehouse theme and just ran with it. Even the bathroom has tons of well-thought out details. Sadly, not much of that thought made it to the food. I had the pulled pork platter and my boyfriend had this giant tower of a meat sandwich. He was pleased with the portion size and most of the meat. The sausage on top seemed sort of an unnecessary addition. My dish was just eh. I had mac&cheese and garlic mashers as my side. Both were kind of just warm and blah. I barely tasted garlic on the potatoes. The pulled pork was good, not great. It was nice that there were so many sauces on the table, but my boyfriend and I were both a little confused by them. The 'sweet' was spicier than the 'spicy'! Service was friendly and prompt. They did have what appeared to be an amazingly extensive whiskey list. We skipped it because we were just there for some lunch, but that might be worth going back for.
(3)Jaime S.
So incredibly happy we found this place! The atmosphere was lovely. The service was great. Our server was attentive, friendly and accurate with our order. The food was VERY good! We ordered grit sticks, fried green tomatoes, spicy shrimp, ribs, greens, shrimp and grits and many other things. Not one item was disappointing. Finished the meal with sweet potato pie and a salted caramel martini. Our only regret was that we couldn't try more. We will absolutely be back!
(5)Jordan C.
I was all up in this joint on their opening night. it was the balls. the ribs were so tender, i was like "HOT DAMN!" and the house made hot link were so delish. i got my dirty martini on and i feasted and it was fantastic. the grit sticks were a little disappointing. double that portion size yo! i live down the street from this place and i'm gonna slide to the spot all the time. next time i'm going to hook up just the straight rib platter because they are just so finger licking good! i will also be trying to seafood gumbo and shrimp and grits. sometimes i wish i was a fat lard so i could order everything and try it all in one sitting. but i'm not fat and i can't afford a meal of that size, so i shall be back time and time again. Southland... you did me so right
(4)Erich S.
Great southern food and great whiskey. Check this place out.
(4)Lindsay D.
hello meat. I have missed you. If you too are from Oklahoma and have been depressed at the lack of edible BBQ, (who puts cheese on brisket? WHO) you will be delighted. We got the platter for 4. The only thing I would not go back for is the hotlinks (super spicy). Go meat!
(5)Matt R.
Seriously the worst bbq I've ever had. So much it inspired me to sign up on yelp. Their bbq sauce tasted like marinara.....not even good marinara. Like everyone else I love the idea, look and feel but their food does not deliver. Too expensive for very poor bbq. In this town of great food (and bbq) this place is not it.
(1)Kyra N.
My husband work nearby and when he saw that this place had opened. We had to go. We were there on Friday for dinner. We order the Smoke Master Platter because we wanted to try a little bit of everything. Glad we did, it was delicious. Oh yeah, the drinks were good as well. I had the southern punch and my husband had the mint julep and whiskey smash. Service was great and we found out that they were "kid-friendly" from our server. However, when we were there on Sunday night for dinner, we discovered that they weren't really. They didn't have highchairs. They only had booster seats. So we had to get our food to go. By the time we got home, our food was cold. Keep in mind, we only lived a few block away on the water front. Great place to go, if you don't have kids or kids that need a highchair.
(4)Andrew A.
This place was the best. The food was pretty legit, and Scott, our server provided the best customer service I've had in PDX, hands down. Will definitely go back and try more!
(5)Dave S.
Unbelievable BBQ sauce. Had brisket, my eyes rolled back. And four cheese Mac and cheese, so homey. Front of restaurant is completely open with sliding folding doors. Cool filament light fixtures. Great place to hang and enjoy.
(5)Allen N.
Brisket was dry, chewy, and flavorless. Collard greens were incredibly too salty and the cornbread crumbled in my mouth for all the wrong reasons. Service was good and her whiskey recommendation was spot on have to give em that.
(2)Angie J.
Stopped in during HH on Saturday. Decor and ambiance was great, waitress answered a few questions we had on the southern style menu (what in the hell are grit sticks?) Ended up with the mac and cheese appetizer, pork brisket and yes, the grit sticks. The mac was just OK, the brisket was dry and flavorless (according to my main squeeze) and the grit sticks were bland although I'm not sure what they're supposed to taste like. If you're looking for a place to meet for drinks or a plentiful whiskey menu give this place a shot, otherwise move on.
(2)James E.
Great food. I miss the south and this place helps. Good selection of whiskey.
(5)Peter G.
Great happy hour great service great food
(5)Kevin G.
Awesome BBQ ribs and a very large whiskey list, but a little over priced on the whiskey.
(4)Liz C.
I really like SWK! I love that they have a huge selection of drinks lots of local spirits and wines...I always get bubbles, pairs surprisingly well with BBQ. I've had the baby back ribs (big and meaty), brisket (very tender) pulled pork (thought it lacked a bit on flavor) coleslaw ( vinegar based much preferred over mayo) grit sticks (I am not a fan of grits...this are deelicious!) cornbread (slightly sweet and a little salty love)...service has always been great!
(4)Ben F.
As far as BBQ in Portland goes, don't waste your time or money. Portland will never be Memphis, Kansas City or Austin, but that doesn't mean you can't get some decent BBQ in town, especially with Podnah's. Our group ordered the smoked platter that was recommended by the server. Chicken was ok, little dry. Ribs were bad, hadn't smoked nearly long enough and probably at too high of a temp. The meat was chewy and stuck to the bone. Pulled pork had way too much sauce and some big chunks of fat that hadn't rendered out during smoking, another sign that they are not on top of things in the BBQ department. The hot link, to be fair, was pretty good. Its definitely hot. Brisket was ok, had a decent smoke ring but again a bit on the dry side. Ribs and brisket are the two gauges of a BBQ place and both were way sub-par here. All of the sides we tried were middle of the road. Nothing great, but nothing offensive either. The sauces were pretty hit or miss, avoid the white sauce at all costs, its disgusting. I got the mint julep, again at the servers suggestion. It was a nice touch coming in a copper cup, but it was piled incredibly high with crushed ice, like a snow cone, that promptly got all over the table when i tried to stir it. Seemed like the pour was pretty light too, 3 sips and it was gone. Those 3 sips tasted good though. Wasn't surprised at all to learn this place is run by the Casa Del Matador folks. If you think Matador does great Tex-Mex, you will probably think Southland does great BBQ. For everyone else, I would pass on this place.
(2)Carrie F.
We tried SWK the first week it opened and really enjoyed our food and experience. Since then we have been back several times and the food has been pretty disappointing - I've tried the pulled pork, brisket, fried chicken salad and the BBQ chicken and all have been very mediocre. The drinks are good, but a bit spendy. Service is friendly and relatively prompt. One other thing: the floors are EXTREMELY SLIPPERY. I have slipped several times walking from the table to the bathroom. The first time it happened, I just chalked it up to heels, but the last time I was there I was wearing flats and slipped just walking in the door. Then when I was headed to the bathroom, I walked very carefully and still slipped on the floor. For a place that serves alcohol, this is very dangerous!!! I won't be going back. It's just not worth it; there are lots of other good food options on NW 23rd.
(2)Jess L.
Meh... nothing to wright home about. We started with a Salted Caramel before sitting down. Honestly, it just tasted like some Bailey's- nothing fantastic. For dinner we ordered the Cheddar & Tasso Grit sticks to start, then the Smoke Master Platter to share. The Grit sticks were pretty good, not super cheesy, but if you like grits they're good to try. I enjoyed the Smoke Master Platter, but one thing was super annoying and that was that the meats were all warm, but none were hot. Except the sausage, which is HOT AS HELL. Our server didn't forewarn us, and we weren't it to be as hot as it was. The coleslaw is pretty darn good- it has a really great amount of horseradish. Don't waste your time on the cornbread. It was the biggest disappointment. Overall, not bad, but we won't go again.
(3)Pete F.
I traveld with my wife up to Portland for a show last week and a friend told me I had to go check out this place. When I looked it up it, was a bit out of the way but holy kitten titties I'm glad we did go. I don't know why exactly but we got VIP treatment. I chatted with the front-of-house manager about my culinary prowess with southern and cajun cooking (I've studied and cooked both for 15+ years) and when we sat down our server informed us we weren't allowed to order and that the kitchen was going to give us a tour of the menu. When does that ever happen? They started with a small plate of fried green tomatoes which I know from experience are hard to get right. These were spot on. The tomatoes held firm and were meaty. The cornbread breading was lightly salted and really lifted the experience. The remoulade was made in house and was phenomenal. It was creamy and poignant but not overwhelming and the whole dish was very well balanced. Next was a kind of southern charcuterie plate with a couple ribs, a pile of pulled pork, and a stack of sliced brisket. Now I'm a sucker for brisket but the ribs were out of this world. You wouldn't expect a place like SWK to compete with Roper's in St. Louis or a rack of "extra bark" from Central in Memphis but they did. They held to the bone just enough for me to manage slathering them with the house and spicy sauce and they were smoked just enough to taste the meat still. The brisket was unique in the way it was presented. It was what brisket should be, not pulled, and it was less smoked then most others I've had. It was a great vehicle for the gold sauce (a mustard, tamarind, jalapeno blend not soon forgotten) but my favorite and a complete surprise with the brisket was the white sauce: tangy, sweet, and savory. While it didn't pair particularly well with anything on the plate, I couldn't help slathering it on everything and even mopping it up with the cornbread. Our next plate was the fried chicken... served as hot as possible as only the best southern fried chicken should. It wasn't heavily breaded which was nice and made for a lighter plate. The chicken has been brined and really shined through. I lot of places put the salt in the breading and hide the chicken under it but not at SWK. Those were some of the cleanest bones I've ever returned to a plate. The garlic mashers and gravy were as expected, I'd have like them to have a bit of cream worked in and maybe whipped them a bit more but they came off as "homestyle" and I'm ok with that. The chicken came with a side of beans and collards. The collards were some of the best I've had outside of the south and could've been a meal in themselves. They had to have been locally sourced. Next up was the heavy-weight champion of the night, shrimp and grits. I've had some good downhome grits in my life but these were so much more than grits. The shrimp was grilled with a sweet lime dressing and the grits themselves were creamy and light with a flavor so intoxicating I needed to take a moment between bites to reassess my life. After the grits we were given a moment to call our parents and tell them we loved them before we were presented with an amuse-bouche style dessert plate with bites of key-lime pie, apple crumble, and sweet potato pie. The key lime was a bit pudding-ish and was pretty standard otherwise but not bad. The apple crumble was nicely caramelized and had a lot of depth of flavor. The sweet potato pie was so light and sweet I could've taken home a whole pie if I wasn't already struggling to exist. Another bite might have killed me. And now I find myself 1,000 miles away dying to go back. Bravo SWK you've given me a great reason to come back to the City of Roses.
(5)Brett M.
I've been here a few times and waited to write a review until I had several visits under my belt. I'll go on record as saying that I find the BBQ to be pretty damn good. As someone who has lived up and down the east coast, I'll qualify that a bit and note that there are literally hundreds of varieties of BBQ. Eastern Carolina, South Carolina, vinegar base, mustard base, tomato base, etc, etc, etc. So, if you're looking for that ONE particular type, you may be disappointed. But if you are looking for a variety of BBQ options, try their different sauces. I think you'll find what you're looking for. Full marks for the catfish po'boy. The jalapeño peppers give it that little something extra that a spicy po'boy needs. My experience with the mixed drinks has been hit or miss. Sometimes they nail it and sometimes it seems a bit too watery or icy. In terms of service, I've only had one visit where everything was great. All the other visits seem to be like the staff is just tag teaming things, but not necessarily in a coordinated manor. One persons greets/seats you, another takes orders, someone else brings drinks sometimes. food is delivered by some one else and then the original server comes back to check on you after a few bites. Just seems like no one really has everything planned out properly. All that being said, overall, it's a good place with solid food at fair prices. Some kinks to work out, for sure, but it won't keep me from coming back.
(3)Mary D.
Great drinks and apps! Good for groups or a date night. Really great service.
(4)Robert M.
Stopped in tonight with a friend. Woah, Texas comes to portland!! Or a more spashy version of Red Robin. I don't get it. Portland is about good food, not fried this and fried that. But the place was packed, so it's hard to argue with success. If your looking for big portions of heavy foods, don't pass go, go here. They do actually do "heavy" dinners well. If you're interested in the "less is more" concept of dinner out and looking for the type of portland food that gets written up in the NY times... skip it.
(2)Courtney C.
Mac and cheese was great, had an appetizer portion and it was well worth the $4. The drinks however leave something to be desired. My husband ordered an old fashioned and he literally laughed when the drink came. The cup was half full and contained a huge ice cube which was then balanced on an orange slice, the drank was less than 1/3 of the glass. It was ridiculous! If you are going to put huge ice cubes in a drink, at least fill the glasses full or simply get smaller glasses so the patrons don't feel like they are being ripped off. I could see a partially full glass for an order of straight spirits but for a mixed drink, no way. My husband was also unimpressed with the salad and thought the place was contrived. I wouldn't come back here but it would rate it at 3 stars based on the awesome mac and cheese, everything else was lacking.
(3)Rich M.
I do enjoy their BBQ, and their sides are pretty legit. BEWARE that the take-out menu on their website DOESN'T MATCH their full menu. I was surprised to find jalapeños ALL OVER my catfish po'boy that I got to go. The to-go menu doesn't mention jalapeños at all, but the regular menu mentions "chiles" (by the time I checked it was of course too late). I also ordered my po' boy with no tomatoes, and it came slathered in them. A little more attention to detail would be appreciated.
(3)Jill S.
A bit smoky smelling (not cigarette) inside for my taste but this place has AC! Perhaps not a lot of ventilation happening that day since doors/windows remained closed to keep everyone cool. Plenty of whiskey options to select from along with a cocktail menu. I didn't try the food but would be curious to visit during brunch hours.
(4)Kearney Q.
Hot Doggett damn. My wife and I split the big meat sampler platter thing. It had ribs, brisket, half a chicken, pulled pork, and sides. It came with FOUR different BBQ sauces, including a white, mayonnaise based one that I'd never seen before. It was brain meltingly delicious on the chicken, which even on its own was probably the best chicken I've ever had. Everything was amazing. Our service was great as well; our waitress was funny, charming, and attentive. This place is spectacular and though a bit out of my price range not ridiculously expensive. Huge recommend.
(5)Garrett T.
I had the pulled pork sandwich with the mac and cheese side. The sandwich was ok, could have used More sauce. I didn't think it had much flavor, the pork was cooked well though. The Mac and cheese was amazing though, one of the better ones I've had. I also had the bread pudding for desert. The consistency was perfect but I was not a fan of the jack Daniels sauce.
(3)Alvin S.
I don't claim to be a BBQ connoisseur nor have I ever, so here goes my humble and objective review of Southland Whiskey Kitchen... First things first: Convenient NW location, casual atmosphere and so-so service. It had been a while since I'd visited NW 23rd and had been hearing good things about Southland Whiskey Kitchen from several friends. I decided to seek this place out for lunch this particularly busy afternoon and was pleased to find available seating. A rarity on bright, shiny days. The host was very attentive and seated me and my guest in the dining area of the dimly-lit yet cool venue. The first thing I noticed was the attractive and extensive display of whiskeys behind the bar. The menu wasn't cluttered and featured several southern-style plates from fried green tomatoes to southern fried chicken and BBQ. I chose the southern buttermilk fried chicken cobb salad and my guest had the cornmeal encrusted catfish po'boy sandwich. We commenced our lunch with an appetizer of fried green tomatoes. The fried green tomatoes were very delightful. They were coated in cornmeal and served with a shrimp and cherry tomato relish. The combination of tart green and sweet cherry tomatoes was very pleasing to the palate. The accompanying shrimp was equally delightful. The lunch entrees arrived on time and the presentation was absolutely beautiful. The battered chicken tenders rested nicely on a fresh bed of romaine lettuce and was surrounded by a colorful array of traditional cobb ingredients. The po'boy was served on a freshly baked roll and was flanked by homemade potato chips flavored with a hint of vinegar and salt. The food was amazing and plentiful. Both me and my guest were quite pleased with the experience. Our server paid close attention and made sure we remained hydrated and satisfied. Needless to say, my experience was satisfactory and I would highly recommend this place for any occasion. The restaurant advertised a brunch menu for the weekend which goes from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The menu is comprised of seasonal favorites and remains true to their southland roots. I will definitely be paying Southland Whiskey Kitchen another visit soon. I'm almost certain that this place becomes popular around the Kentucky Derby as their mint juleps seem to be among one of Portland's best.
(4)Derek B.
Decant place. It's walking distance from my apartment so I eat there alot. I'm from Louisiana so alot of their food isnt exactly southern as they lead you go believe but, it is close. I recommend the smokestack sandwich, brisket, catfish or catfish po boy, or the BBQ bacon burger. Yum!
(4)Neil C.
Evelyn was our server. So sweet and great service. Had the wings, shrimp and grits, and two cocktails (a south sour and a side car). All great.
(5)C F.
Brunch here is fantastic! I've been a few times now and everything we have eaten was delicious. The poached eggs on the brisket hash are unreal. The biscuit with honey butter is a meal in itself! And my husband mowed the chicken fried steak like his plane was going down. Not to mention the bourbon + bubbles cocktail. Add champagne and any cocktail becomes a breakfast beverage!! Best part: never had to wait for a seat. In fact we are always some of the only people there for brunch. It's always slammed in the evenings so I was shocked breakfast hasn't caught on. Go now before everyone else discovers this culinary gem!
(5)Reynolds P.
We just had a delish lunch at Southland. We sat at the bar, got excellent service. I had first class brisket chili* and my wife had chicken fried steak. Both were quite good. She had a glass of cabernet, and I had a Michter's rye old fashioned. We checked out the brunch and lunch and dinner menus. Plenty of thoughtful choicesto select from. The restaurant's stylish decor is to be applauded. One of the best looking new places we've dined at. Hope you check it out. We certainly will be back. *Nice slice of cornbread, too. P.S. Plenty of TVs for the sports fans.
(5)caeton f.
Hey southland, want to know why you're dead? Because you're charging $13 for TWO SLICES of brisket (and 2 baby sides) and you're under staffed. My wife and I have been through three times now and been underwhelmed each time but keep trying because we live in the neighborhood. But this was just silly. Your staff is totally nice and knowledgable and trying hard but the higher ups aren't doing you any favors. Poor bartender running his arse off trying to make it happen, but alas, you come up short. I'll go try your other establishment next door and see how it goes. (2 stars for your hard working staff and really cold beer)
(2)Kelsie O.
This place isn't always crowded so getting a table fast is a plus. Service was good. The interior is really cute especially the bar. Fried chicken 5/5. It came with two pieces of chicken, slaw, mashed potatoes, and a huge biscuit. Everything was delicious! Skin was so crispy and the chicken was juicy. This order can take a little longer so just a heads up. And you can order two or three pieces of chicken. Pulled pork plate 3/5. It was tasty and tender but just good. Nothing really special. I thought it would be more saucy or something. It comes with two sides of your choice. Maybe we'll get the sandwich one next time. Cornbread 5/5. They give BIG pieces and it comes with this special butter. We weren't exactly sure what's in it, but either you love it or hate it.
(4)Mike G.
This place is really great inside! The menu looked fantastic and our service started out wonderful, then...we had a different server and she was just alright. Our food showed up and I must say, the flavors were delightful (My wife didn't like the coleslaw...bland) but the portions were too small. the LARGE brisket platter had 2 pieces of brisket with a big portion of fat on them and to small sides. Would I recommend it or order it again...NO. Would I go back and try there sandwiches...yes. I would like to try the salads and Gumbo too.
(3)Tiffany G.
I love the waitstaff here, but the food since they changed the happy hour menu when you're ago just isn't the same. I really miss that beef ribs that are used offer on the happy hour menu. If the food was as cool as the waitstaff, I'd go back a lot more often.
(3)Holy-foo' X.
It fills me with complete joy and gratitude and pleasure, surely as the SWK filled the whole family w/extraordinary yummy pleasures, to review the BBQ offered at this still new-ish eatery on NW 23rd for my 1,000th (!!!) Yelp Review (patent pending). Southland Whiskey Kitchen bbq and catfish was so good, it went straight into the "afraid to eat there ever again, knowing it can't possibly stay at this level" category. Yet I've had several meals there, and so far they have been simply outstanding. I can't wait to show them off to more friends and out of town visitors, as though I had a hand in their singular excellence! First, the catfish po' boy... Oh boy! Therre were so many succulent, perfectly, which is to say, lightly breaded filets filled this little gordito, that I actually had to remove several of them in order to fit them into my ever gluttonous aperture. That's like the ice cream shoppes that let you have the stainless steel cup that mixed your milkshake, w/all the extra that couldn't fit into the regular milkshake cup. Unbridled joy! The only complaint about the po' boy, and it is admittedly a pretty small one, is they should consider looking at more robust hoagie rolls, as this sandwich was exploding into mulch between my fingers after only a couple bites into the beast. Look for something like at best baguette- that's fluffy on the inside, but so delightfully crunchy and crispy on the outside, strong enough to hold the delicious innards of your po boys.... Every side dish I tried at Southland I greatly enjoyed, including the greens, the shrimp and grits (decadence thy name is Southland), and the tasso sticks w/the gorgeous chunks o' jamon and grits provide such a pleasing mouthfeel. It wasn't too long into this meal that I realized we were dealing with some highly skilled craftsmen who knew what they were doing. A special word about the onion rings: I surely must have lived a sheltered existence, as this was the first time I can remember having thick cut sweet onion rings w/breading that had thick slices of scallions to up the oniony delight factor. I'm a fan! The brisket at SWK was at the head of the pack for best in the region; the smokiness, the pink smoke ring, the tenderness of the flesh, the insta-melt-in-ya-mouf, and the pleasingly tart, sassy, spicy sauce made this an instant favorite in my entire group. Sure, the pull pork and hot links (dressed w/their own glorious chile and onion relish) were excellent as well, but that brisket has tremendous, stand alone upside. I will have to update and upgrade this review as per necessary, sometime in the future, when I'm more comfortably situated somewhere in the firmament, where this places happily and deservedly reside. Take a bow, fine folks of SKW, for your service was just about as good as what came out of your kitchen. Finally, unlike many bbq-type eateries around town, you folks actually carry your heavenly aroma outside as a sort of calling card to the public, and happy are those who take heed and follow their noses and their tummies into the dining room, properly. Ladies and gents a salute. Can't wait to see how long you can maintain the awesome at such lofty levels... for now you belong right up there w/Podnah's....
(5)Andrew P.
Hosting some Brits who wanted a first taste of southern/Texan BBQ. Helped along significantly by a very friendly and knowledgeable server who steered us towards a good range of options. The menu is very diverse and the quality of the food was outstanding. Great beer list and the whiskey options are simply amazing. I love the ambience of the place, a nice relaxed atmosphere and attentive service. Clean, crisp...just right. Overall definitely four stars and highly recommended!
(4)William C.
Stopped in here last night, didn't have to wait for a table. The interior is warmly lit and spacious enough that you don't feel cramped. There are a few tvs above the bar to watch sports. Our server was super friendly and attentive throughout our meal. She was very helpful and proactive by telling us what was already sold out for the evening and offered recommendations for drinks and food. We ordered a flight of Oregon bourbons, some beers, a small beef brisket with mac, collard greens and a chicken and dumpling dish. The food was all very delicious and we didn't have to wait long for it to be served. We finished our meal with the sweet potato beignet. Deep fried doughy balls of heaven dusted in confectioners sugar with hot syrup for dipping. Will be back!
(5)Kristie L.
This review is only for the late night happy hour. The price is reasonable... $7 for fried mac and cheese, bbq pork sandwich with chips... although, that night they had run out of the bbq pork and offered the bbq brisket instead. The brisket was tough and the sauce was too sweet for my taste. Also, the chips were actually French fries... not regular chips... although they have both on their menu... so that was confusing. Service for a big group was sub par.
(3)Nora F.
A friend and I decided to grab dinner, and had heard good things about Southland. We wanted a laid back atmosphere so we could just sit and talk for an hour or two - no problems there. The service was solid, and while we saw very little of our server, I never felt as though we needed to send out a search party. Unfortunately, the food wasn't particularly outstanding - while our shrimp and grits starter was fantastic, I thought the pulled pork was very fatty and very salty compared to some I've had in the past, and I ended up eating very little of it. Overall, a decent experience, but I wouldn't necessarily order the same again. This seems like a good place to grab drinks and chat in the bar rather than enjoying a full dinner.
(3)Brittany H.
Oh how I wanted to love you Southland. Being from Arkansas I was so excited to see Southern items in the menu. The interior of the restaurant is rustic, which I love. The service was incredible, which can only be a good thing. But the food, it was lacking the love Southerners put into their food. Everything on my plate lacked flavor. The baked beans looked like they came straight from a can and even the sauces were lacking Any sort of kick to them. Unfortunately, I don't believe we will be returning. In a place where there are hundreds of delicious restaurant choices, sub par just won't do.
(2)Brenna D.
I am in love with SWK! The food was right up my alley. In two different visits we tried the shrimp and grits (nice and spicy), smoky baked beans, coleslaw, collard greens, garlic mashers, baby back ribs, Brunswick stew and their amazing cornbread with honey bourbon (yes, bourbon!) butter. Some of the best baked beans I've ever had, and the cornbread is perfectly moist, not too dense. The garlic mashed potatoes were heaven, and I wish I'd asked for the stew in a bigger bowl! The mint julep is quite a treat, but if you're not in the mood for a libation, the sweet tea is scrumptious too. Brent, the manager, was so kind, our server, Mandi, was sweet as could be. We have found one of our favorite spots in Nob Hill.
(5)Elizabeth D.
Let me start by saying this, they serve the best onion rings I can remember ever eating. I had the baby back ribs as my main couse which had a great smoke flavor and tooth resistance - rather like pasta al dente. I prefer this texture rather than the super soft texture others prefer, so keep that in mind. As my other side, I had the coleslaw, which I enjoyed because it was light with a nice balance of acidity. My husband had the pulled pork, which had a great smoke flavor that he enjoyed immensely. He ordered the baked beans as his main side, which he loved. The service was prompt, efficient and friendly. My only criticism concerns the "secret children's menu." We travel with our 7-year old son. When we were seated, he was given the adult menu. Because our son is seven, I doubted that he could eat two pieces of chicken and two sides (the fried ckicken dinner), so I asked whether they make any adjustments for children. Only after I asked whether they make any adjustments for kids did our server recite the secret kids menu. While I appreciate the fact that they do accommodate children, I was put off by the secret nature of it all, particularly given the history and inclusiveness of the barbecue culture. This restaurant calls itself a barbecue place - which should be family oriented. It did not market itself as the French Laundry or another 5 star, fancy adult date night restaurant ( where I would never take my son). They should embrace families, not alienate them.
(4)Erin J.
Disclaimer - I lived my first 23 years on earth in Texas and the next 10 in Arkansas so I've been around a LOT of BBQ and do base all of my BBQ opinions on that. Just wanted to throw that out there. I went to Southland in a party of 4. We went on a Friday, around 6 and were seated right away (the crowd showed up a bit later here than I expected... not sure if that is common or just happened that night but might be worth noting if looking for a good spot on a Friday). We had a couple of appetizers - the chicken wings and sausage plate. I could eat those wings all the time - they were GREAT. The sausage and pickles were good too but kind of fancy if you're hoping for standard BBQ dill pickle fare. There were beets, turnips, carrots - they were good but some of the people at our table were put off by that. For dinner I had the brisket - being from Texas I'm one to sample that wherever I can. It was as good as I've had in Portland but not quite what I'm missing from home. Good quality, good smoke flavor, tender - I'd buy it again. The sides were delicious as well and you cant' go wrong with their cornbread. Service was good as well. We'll be back.
(3)Andy J.
Great atmosphere @ Southland Whiskey Kitchen, very nice place! I had the pulled pork and brisket minis and would recommend. The best part was signing up for the rewards program which by the way was free! I received a reward on my account for 15$ for my next visit. Nice bar too with three TV's and good happy hour menu.
(5)Jason M.
Southland captured us on our walk by while headed to dinner somewhere else. Being bartenders, we sat down at the bar. First impression of the back bar was wow, they have an exhaustive selection of whiskey, bourbon and for some reason, flavored vodkas... The style and atmosphere feels very corporate, the back bar lighting is straight outta Los Angeles with LED light strips which is a weird mixed with the antique, Edison style bulbs they have throughout the rest of the establishment. The music was so low you could barely hear it and once the crowd popped in you couldn't hear it at all. We ordered dinner, I had a half rack of ribs with a baked potato and cornbread. While the drinking is on par the food, given that this is a southern style spot swimming in the vain of everything Texas, was mediocre. My ribs were cool and arrived dry with no option of BBQ sauce, my potato wasn't hot enough to melt any of the cheese and while cornbread rocked it came with a tiny ramekin of whipped butter soaking in about a quarter ounce of whiskey honey. It was barely enough to flavor one piece. I'll say there's no such thing as bad BBQ and we were both members of the clean plate club on this Sunday night but it's not the food or atmosphere that'll bring us back. We'll be back because they offer every single spirit from High West however priced at $18 a shot... All and all, as I watch my favorite city slowly drift in to this pseudo corporate style sea of establishments our visit wasn't bad at all nor something to write home about.
(3)Emily C.
Despite the somewhat dry, tough fried green tomato appetizer, my meal here was pretty good, and perhaps the perfect precursor to a red eye flight back east. The pulled pork was delicious and my French 75 cocktail (I know, not the most common bbq pairing) was made perfectly. Service was totally decent and the whiskey list definitely deserves a nod. Among other dishes, my dining companion ordered an artery busting loaded baked potato brimming with smoked pork shoulder, cheddar, sour cream, and chives. It looked like heaven. Not the very top of my list for Portland restaurants but a solid option for some southern comfort food in town.
(3)Jason W.
Although others feel differently (and that's what you find when it comes to opinions over BBQ) Southland has some of the best BBQ in town. The smoked flavors of their meat alone is enough to have you wanting more. Add to that the variety of sauces, each one better than the last, and you can't go wrong. Our server was Mandy and we couldn't have asked for friendlier, more down-home, service. She is amazing! The only downside is the coleslaw. We ordered it and asked for extra dressing thinking it was missed, but it wasn't. The flavor fell a bit flat for what it sounded like it should be. If you haven't given them a try, You Must! Take it from this southern boy, you won't be mad you did.
(4)Joe W.
I've only been there twice but loved the place both times! Had the pulled pork sandwich and the pickle sausage plate on my first visit and then shared the $38 plate on the second visit and brought home a lot of leftovers, more than the two of us could eat. Can't wait to come back!
(5)John F.
Wow, have these guys slipped. After my first visit I rated these guys at five stars. Two years later it's like a whole other crew was in the kitchen. As before the staff was awesome, checking in a lot and very friendly. Too bad the food was mediocre at best, and felt more like a bad chain than a real, local BBQ joint. Here were the four deal killers for me, which I really hope they address. The brisket was dry and sliced super thin, and lacked that pull apart texture and red ring from a long, slow smoke. It just felt hurried and looked grey and lifeless. BBQ sauce was NOT present on the table, nor was it offered. There used to be five choices, now there is one...AND I had to ask for it...AND the staff person was surprised when I did ask for more sauce than the slight drizzle applied to my meat when it was plated. It came not in a bottle but in a small metal condiment dish, like you get for mustard or ketchup at fancy restaurants. Just strange. The horseradish coleslaw sounded really good, but arrived virtually dry. DRY?!? It's coleslaw!!! I get the creamy vs. vinegar debate, and the crunchy versus soft, but some sort of moisture has to be present!!! That's the point. Finally, the cornbread was just a dry, tasteless square. Neither sweet nor coarse, just a sort if box-mix bland. If it was any one issue I would have mentioned something to the manager, but the collection of issues seems to indicate a complete lack of BBQ fundamentals and a lack of desire to excel. At least the place was clean and the staff smiled.
(2)Rachel B.
I've been here 3 times but I think the third visit is my last. The first time the food was great. The second time I got the catfish po'boy which was covered in jalapeños (why on earth would you do that?). Today I went at a non busy time and got my food right away. The beef brisket was 3 pieces of nothing but fat! It was not even edible. I'm giving 2 stars for the service (waitress was great and took the meal off my bill) and the southern punch. But...if your main menu revolves around barbecue you have failed miserably.
(2)Suzanne Z.
We came here for post-dinner drinks and the two of us made up 50% of the bar on a Sunday night. The bartender was courteous and quick with drinks, and didn't get upset when my friend spilled/broke her glass. She also didn't kick us out of the place, which was also very nice of her! Drinks were good- I tried one of their signature cocktails which was delicious and a whiskey ginger ale after that. For a Sunday, the bartender was vague on closing time and basically said "I pick what time it closes". She did last call at 1030, and that was fine, we probably should've gone back to our hotel before that!! All in all, nice time, and nice atmosphere.
(4)Doni B.
Bland macaroni and cheese, and bland corn bread. Ribs tasted like they were drenched in liquid smoke and they were not the type of ribs where the meat falls off the bone. I can tolerate some heat but the Chili was overly spicy to the point where my lips were on fire as I tried to eat it, and my stomach is now feeling the after effects. Ribs arrived at the table with no BBQ sauce, I waited for about 5 minutes then finally walked up to the three waitresses standing around talking at the counter and asked for some sauce. I guess I'm accustomed to the wait staff asking if there's anything else BEFORE they sprint off... but maybe she was afraid I would say yes.
(2)Jason F.
I've tried to like this place, but it's just not very good. The serving of fried green tomatoes was comically small and not terribly good. You can recreate this at home in about ten minutes for 1/10 the price, and it'll come out better. The BBQ chicken tasted like, well, I'm honestly not sure what they were going for, but the end result was not good. It tasted like something that would come out if one went to New Seasons, bought every BBQ rub they had, mixed them all together, then smeared it on. The ribs were sub-par (dry and charred) and the catfish was bland. Prepare to be taken aback when you look at the drink menu and realize they have the gall to charge $8 for such fantastic selections as Widmer. They do have pretty good side dishes (onion rings, mashed potatoes). There's plenty of good BBQ in portland. You don't need to subject yourself to this.
(2)Sheena B.
I'm prefacing this review by stating that I worked in restaurants for 10 years, including this place, I started when they opened and left a year ago when I finally got a well paying job in my field of interest. That being said, when I worked here I would have given the food a 3.5, the service has always been a 5 :) Today is the first time I've eaten a meal here since I left, and I am being completely honest when I say, the food has improved to a 5! Legit. I got the staples (in my opinion) of what a southern/barbecue restaurant should do right, a pulled pork sandwich, baked beans, and mac and cheese. The pork is super juicy w/ a nice punch of vinegar (love Carolina BBQ), the mac is no longer dry but creamy and full of cheesy flavor and the baked beans are sweet, spicy, and loaded with pork. A+ Chef Mcrae! Kudos to a fantastic job with this place :)
(5)Cola V.
Considering we live around the corner, you'll most likely find us sitting at the bar at least once a week. Great happy hour items and prices. Shrimp and grits have improved & a favorite, wedge salad is great, but that catfish....oh boy. Get it. Greens & mac are the go to sides, but the cornbread does taste like dessert and worth it if you haven't tried. TONS of whiskey to sip, but try the Southern Punch at least once. Great outdoor seating and huge windows in the dining room that are open on nice days to keep the outdoor feel flowing. Great service, bartenders have been here for a long time and have their routine down.
(4)Jay B.
The low star rating is well deserved. Service was good, Don't get me wrong, but the food was terrible. Like a dark cave that serves bland southern food.
(2)Shy A.
I've been sitting on this review for awhile and I realized why....First, let me put out the highlights... We were seated quickly, ordered a couple of whiskey gingers and a couple of plates to share... Friend green tomato-I've always loved these! Brisket-tender and delicious. This was the highlight of my meal Mash potatoes & Gravy-tastes homemade! yum! Mac & Cheese-bland and disappointing. Service was fast and nice.... This basically sums up my experience at SWK. There was nothing bad that happened but nothing that really made an impression....A fairly "meh" experience. I'll have to try it again and see if it will be one of my go-tos for BBQ in Portland.
(3)Laura C.
I loathe collard greens no more! Not that I love them but SWK makes them good enough that I didn't gag when I sampled my friends order and actually found the smoky taste appealing. Not that I would actually order a side for myself (I find all green vegetables to be less than appealing), but at least I can say that if prepared right, they aren't actually mushy - like canned spinach. As for my friend, she loved them and said they were the best she's had in a very long time. I'm all about calories and carbs when it comes to dining out. I can diet and eat healthy at home but I'm not spending money for rabbit food (salad and veggies). No holding back for me, I ordered the 4-cheese mac, jalapeno hush puppies and these deep fried smoked cheddar tasso grit sticks. Go big or go home, right? My friends were "good" and got sides of collards and fried green tomatoes. If you could say those tomatoes are still healthy after being fried. The male at our table went for 3 sliders...all of which were a little larger than he expected. I was too stuffed eating my own artery clogging goodness to ask for a bite but he said both the brisket and pork shoulder were fantastic. We each ordered something different to drink. The male got a bourbon flight. I got a mint julep, one friend got the whiskey smash and our pregnant friend got a rhubarb strawberry lemonade. We each sampled the others and agreed we liked them all. When we arrived, the restaurant was quiet. Before we left it was packed full of families having dinner. Who knew?? I thought it was just a bar. I was also shocked by the size of the interior. From the outside it looked like most of the building was Casa Del Matador and that SWK was half it's size. Upon walking in, the place is a full sized bar and full sized restaurant. Just goes to show, looks can be very deceiving. Lastly, the decor is very southern. I'm really digging the old, rustic wood I've been seeing adhered to walls lately. Back-lighting the bar makes the booze bottles glisten like gold. I'm not sure if panning for gold in the wild west was the look they were going for, but it's what came to mind - and I really liked it! Funny thing, there were so many scrumptious items on the happy hour menu, we forgot to order ribs. Oh well! Next time....
(5)