The kind of food that makes you pause after the first bite lives quietly in Charlotte.
Nana Morrison’s Soul Food doesn’t chase attention or shout from the sidewalk. It wins people over the old-school way—through plates that feel personal.
Fried chicken hits with that perfect crunch, mac and cheese stretches like it means it, and greens arrive rich, warm, and comforting.
Step inside and the mood shifts right away. The space feels relaxed, welcoming, and familiar, like a place someone brought you to on purpose.
Orders come out hot, portions don’t play games, and the aromas alone can stop a conversation mid-sentence.
This kitchen has become a favorite through word of mouth, not hype. Locals return, visitors spread the news, and first-timers leave convinced they just found something special.
Nana Morrison’s isn’t loud about what it does. It just feeds you well—and that’s enough.
Quick Facts and Why Locals Keep Coming Back
Nana Morrison’s Soul Food sits at 2908 Oak Lake Blvd Suite 106 in Charlotte, open seven days a week from 11 AM to 8 PM. It is a casual, cafeteria style experience where you slide a tray, pick your meats and sides, and grab a seat in a bright, spacious dining room.
Prices land around the mid range, and portions lean generous enough for leftovers.
Reviews are varied but passionate, with many praising fried chicken, smothered pork chops, and yams, while others call out mac and cheese or greens for inconsistency. The vibe is welcoming, family friendly, and efficient, especially when staff guide first timers through the line.
If you are flying in or out, it is an easy stop from hotels and main roads nearby.
Expect classics made from scratch most days, occasional daily specials like chicken Alfredo, and desserts such as banana pudding and sweet potato pie. Peak times can mean a short wait, but turnover is steady.
Loud laughter or bustling energy might surface, which adds character for some and distraction for others.
Bring questions about sauces, ask for extra napkins, and choose your sides wisely. If you like sweet tea, theirs is very sweet.
Save room for cobbler if you can.
How the Line Works and What to Order First
When you walk in, you will notice the cafeteria line to the left, a display of mains under heat lamps, and sides in steam pans. Grab a tray, slide forward, and choose one or two meats, then pair your plate with two sides and cornbread or a roll.
Pay at the register, find a table, and staff will still check on you.
If you love crispy comfort, start with fried chicken or fried catfish. If saucy and rich appeals, smothered pork chops or baked chicken with gravy deliver cozy depth.
Daily specials rotate, so glance at the board for surprises like chicken Alfredo or bourbon chicken.
Sides steer the whole experience. Mac and cheese divides opinions, but when it hits, it is creamy and dense.
Yams are sweet, sometimes very sweet, and greens can be punchy with vinegar, so balance with cabbage, green beans, or rice and gravy.
Ask about portion size if you are not sure, since large plates are filling. If you prefer a char, consider ribs and ask for a saucy finish.
Finish with banana pudding or peach cobbler if you like classic, old school desserts.
Signature Mains: Fried Chicken, Catfish, and Smothered Pork Chops
The fried chicken is a favorite for a reason, served hot with a crackly crust and juicy meat. Catfish arrives golden and tender, best when fried hard for extra crunch.
Smothered pork chops come blanketed in creamy brown gravy that spills into whatever sides you choose.
On busy nights, timing matters, since freshness can vary. Ask for the latest batch if you like your bird extra crisp.
Pork chops love a side of rice or mashed potatoes to catch drippings, and catfish sings with tartar and a lemon squeeze.
Prices are fair for the portion, and a two meat plate lets you sample without regret. If you crave heat, drizzle hot sauce on chicken or catfish.
Those who want saucy comfort should not skip baked chicken with gravy, especially with dressing on the side.
Expect consistency on the chicken more often than not. Catfish texture is usually right, though seasoning can feel mild, so add salt and pepper.
If ribs are calling, ask for a bit more char, then finish with extra sauce.
Sides Strategy: Mac, Yams, Greens, and More
Sides make or break your plate here, so think balance. The mac and cheese is rich and creamy, sometimes heavy on processed cheese, which some love and others do not.
Yams are dessert level sweet for many palates, caramelized and soft.
Collard greens bring vinegar tang, which can feel bright or a bit sharp depending on the batch. If you like a meaty seasoning base, ask how they are prepared that day.
Cabbage and green beans are reliable savory counters to sweet yams.
Rice and gravy or mashed potatoes with gravy work beautifully under smothered meats. Fried okra offers crisp bites that add texture to a soft plate.
Pinto beans, black eyed peas, or curry chicken rice appear as alternates, giving you extra ways to round things out.
If you are ordering for a group, mix sweet and savory sides so everyone finds a favorite. Cornbread muffins are mildly sweet, but you can ask for a roll if you prefer neutral.
When in doubt, pick one creamy, one green, and one starchy side for harmony.
Daily Specials and Value Plays
Daily specials add variety beyond the core rotation. Guests call out chicken Alfredo as a popular special on Thursdays, a creamy, cheesy comfort that pairs with stuffing or mashed potatoes.
On Sundays, pulled BBQ chicken sometimes shows up, offering a saucy change of pace.
Value comes from portion size more than rock bottom pricing. A large plate can cover lunch and a late snack if you plan it.
If you want to sample, consider splitting a two meat plate and adding a small side.
Keep an eye on ribs and bourbon chicken when they rotate in. Ribs may benefit from an extra char, but the sauce is crowd pleasing.
Bourbon chicken leans sweet savory, a nice bridge for diners who are not sure where to start.
Ask staff what just came out of the kitchen. Freshness makes a remarkable difference with fried items and mac.
If time is tight, call ahead to confirm specials and avoid decision paralysis at the line.
Desserts and Sweet Sips
Banana pudding is the crowd pleaser, creamy with soft wafers and a nostalgic finish. Sweet potato pie is smooth and gently spiced, though some guests debate whether it tastes house made every time.
Peach cobbler offers soft fruit and syrupy edges that cozy up with ice cream if you take it home.
The sweet tea is bold and very sweet, which may delight or overwhelm depending on your sweet tooth. Fruit punch Kool Aid brings childlike joy and pairs oddly well with salty fried chicken.
If you want less sugar, grab bottled water and save sweetness for dessert.
On busy nights, desserts can sell out, so ask early. If pie is your thing, request a whipped topping if available.
Banana pudding travels well and survives a car ride without losing its charm.
For a balanced finish, split one dessert and two forks. If you love ultra sweet sides like yams, consider cobbler instead of tea.
When it all comes together, dessert feels like a final hug from Nana.
What Recent Reviews Say: The Good and The Gaps
Recent feedback paints a lively picture. Fans rave about fried chicken, smothered pork chops, yams, and cornbread that borders on world class on a good day.
Many praise warm service, clean dining rooms, and a quick moving line with helpful guidance.
Critiques focus on consistency. Some find mac too Velveeta forward, greens too vinegary, or certain proteins not fresh enough late in the day.
Portion value gets mixed notes, with a few guests feeling shorted on specific plates.
Noise and crowd energy can run high during rush, which some love and others do not. Desserts occasionally read store bought to a few palates, while others happily clean the plate.
When ribs appear, a little extra char would elevate them.
Overall, the pattern is clear. When the kitchen is in rhythm, plates sing.
Ask what is freshest, balance sweet and savory, and you will likely leave happy and full.
When To Go, How To Park, and What To Budget
Hours are straightforward: open daily 11 AM to 8 PM, making it a reliable lunch and early dinner stop. Weekends bring families and travelers, so expect a line and a lively room.
Weeknights are a sweet spot for shorter waits and fresher turnover.
Parking is easy in the strip mall lot, with accessible spots near the entrance. Seating includes indoor and some outdoor options, good for groups after airport pickups.
If you need quiet, aim for mid afternoon between lunch and dinner.
Budget around mid range pricing, with large plates and extras pushing the total if you grab dessert and drinks. Value comes from portion size and next day leftovers.
If cost is a priority, share a two meat plate and add a side.
For speed, decide on your meat before you reach the glass. Keep cashless payment ready and ask for to go lids at the register.
If you are sensitive to sugar, swap sweet tea for water and put sweetness into cobbler.
Tips for First Timers and Out of Town Guests
Start by scanning the line to see what looks freshest. If fried chicken just hit the pan, get it.
If smothered pork chops look glossy and thick, pair them with mashed potatoes or rice to catch the gravy.
Balance your plate with one sweet, one green, and one creamy side. Yams plus cabbage plus mac is classic.
If you like tang, collards are punchy, but ask for a taste if you are sensitive to vinegar.
Save room for banana pudding or split a dessert. Sweet tea is intense, so consider water if you are already ordering yams.
If you need guidance, staff are happy to walk you through options without rushing you.
For travelers, this is close to hotels and an easy post flight comfort meal. Keep expectations grounded and lean into the classics.
Snap a photo, then dig in while everything is still hot and crisp.
Essential Info and Contact Details
Nana Morrison’s Soul Food is located at 2908 Oak Lake Blvd Suite 106, Charlotte, NC 28208. Hours run daily from 11 AM to 8 PM, reliable for lunch and early dinner.
Call (704) 357-3700 or visit nanamorrisonssoulfood.com for menus and updates.
The restaurant carries a 4.2 star rating across thousands of reviews, signaling strong community support with honest feedback loops. It is a casual, counter service setup with fast moving lines and friendly staff.
Expect hearty portions, classic flavors, and a neighborhood crowd.
Popular topics include curry chicken, baked or fried chicken, catfish, ribs, mac and cheese, yams, and sweet potato pie. Desserts rotate, but banana pudding and cobbler are fixtures.
Specials like chicken Alfredo add variety during the week.
Use maps to navigate to 35.190176, -80.9219402 if you want precise pin drop routing. If something misses the mark, staff are responsive and open to making things right.
Bring your appetite, your patience during rush, and a plan for leftovers.