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Rack & Soul

Critics' Pick

258 W. 109th St., New York, NY 10025
nr. Broadway See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-222-4800 Send to Phone

Price Range:
$$
Key to Prices and ratings
Upscale

Almost Perfect

Exceptional

Generally Excellent

Very Good

Good

Cheap Eats

Best in Category

Excellent

Delicious

Very Good

Noteworthy
Very Expensive

Expensive

Moderate

Cheap
Reader Rating:
5.0 out of 10
|
2 Reviews | Write a Review
Cuisine: BBQ, Southern/Soul

Photo by Shanna Ravindra

Map Rate & Review

Official Website

rackandsoul.com

Hours

Mon-Thu, 11am-10pm; Fri, 11am-11pm; Sat, 10am-11pm; Sun, 10am-9:30pm

Nearby Subway Stops

1 at Cathedral Pkwy./110th St.

Prices

$6-$20

Payment Methods

American Express, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Special Features

Delivery
Kids' Menu
Lunch
Take-Out

Alcohol

Full Bar

Reservations

Not Accepted

Delivery Area

79th St. to 125th St., Central Park West to Riverside Dr.

Profile

Charles Gabriel, a Harlem luminary known for the peerless pan-fried chicken and soul-food buffet at his Charles’ Southern Style Kitchen, has infiltrated lower Manhattan (lower for him, that is), entering into a consulting partnership at the new Rack & Soul. The casual upper-Broadway spot, with its Greek-coffee-shop layout and disarmingly friendly service, serves the full gamut of southern-style cuisine, with a pit smoker overseen by co-chef John Wheeler. The chicken, ordered with a fluffy round waffle as one of the two included sides, is crisp, golden-brown crust, moist meat, and a well-seasoned flavor that induces uninhibited bone gnawing and finger licking. Although the space is plain, with red vinyl booths and a designated takeout counter and entrance, Rack & Soul, unlike Charles’s uptown HQ, does offer wine and a couple of unusual beers, like Louisiana’s Abita and Gosser from Austria. There is iced tea and lemonade, of course, and the usual dessert suspects—a supersweet banana pudding and a decent red velvet cake—trucked in from a Harlem bakery. — Rob Patronite and Robin Raisfeld

Food:	8

Service:	8

Décor:	5

Value:	7

Had dinner here on an uncrowded Wednesday evening. The service was terrific with a friendly greating and a quick effecient wait staff. My daughter had the Fried chicken, I had the catfish. Both arrived immediately out of the fryer and were great. Batted 3 for 4 on the sides: Collards were tasty with smoked meat included, the waffle crispy and tasty and the mashed potatos fine. The Mac & Cheese was not "cheesy" enough for my daughter. By the way, the included corn muffins were great. I also overhead the man in the next booth praising the BBQ he had.Only down sides were the gale force breeze from the ventilation system, and my 18 y.o daughter's rejection of the bathroom("I'll hold it in"). Overall good grub and I will go back.

Customer Service

hotep49 from 10031 | Posted on 9/24/06

Overall Rating: 3 (Not Recommended)


Food:	5
Service:	1

Décor:	5

Value:	5

Customer service is the utmost principle regarding the success of a restaurant, a neighborhood bar or a momma and poppa coffee shop. When I order a meal, whether I remain at the restaurant or I take it to go, I do not expect the bubble gum smacking take out girl ,who allows me to stand there for ten minutes, not to address my presence. Nor do I like her to address me as "Are you ready?" after answering two delivery orders without addressing me or apologizing for the inconvience. Then to add insult to injury you dont apprise me of the dishes that are not longer available until I request it. Despite this, I still order and upon receipt of my food no "Thank you for coming" or "Please come again" instead I receive "Here you go"while making no eye contact with me. No warmth, no apology, no customer service etiquette. Do we blame that on her lack of interpersonal skills or do we direct that toward management who should train their employees that customer service is the center of financial success? I would not recommend this place for a chicken sandwich or for using the restroom.

Read All 2 Reviews >>

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