The expression "soul food" is thought to have derived from the spirit and soul-satisfying flavors of African-American food. Soul food is, in essence, comfort food. It's food that warms your soul and reminds you of family.
Priscilla's Ultimate Soul Food, in Hillside and Streamwood, is taking aim at both your stomach and your heart.
The food is served cafeteria style, but this isn't an ordinary cafeteria. If you start with, say, three pieces of fried chicken, Priscilla herself may decide that you don't have enough food, and will add an extra drumstick and a piece of catfish to your plate -- something one of your own aunts might do! "Aunt Priscilla" will then add add mac and cheese, candy yams, green beans, cornbread, and sweet potato pie.
Similar to your old lunchroom cafeteria, the menu changes daily with only a few staples available every day, so a next visit featured barbeque spareribs, meat loaf, catfish, mashed potatoes, baked beans, mac and cheese, cornbread, peach cobbler, and cheesecake.
If you're lucky enough on your visit, make sure to check out the crispy, peppery, flaky, fried catfish! The homemade mac and cheese and sweet baked beans are also stellar items. The first bite of sweet potato pie will leave you rejoicing, and you'll be searching for a glass of milk after your first bite of the fudge and caramel cheesecake.
Seen your dentist lately? Pricilla makes a homemade punch capable of decaying every tooth in your mouth! The first few sips are wonderful, but he rest may leave your teeth begging for Colgate!
Dinner for two ranges between $20 and $30, a value considering how much food ends up on your tray. Pricilla's isn't just ordinary soul food -- it's food for your soul.
Read more of Hungry Z's reviews on HungryZ.com and on the NBC Chicago Street Team blog.
