Soul food
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Carmi Soul Food Express - Southern Take Out

4.6
·491k reviews·,

Pittsburgh's beloved soul food destination, serving up authentic homestyle classics with generous portions and a welcoming atmosphere.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

CrowdLow
Soul food

Carmi Soul Food Express - Southern Take Out

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Pittsburgh's beloved soul food destination, serving up authentic homestyle classics with generous portions and a welcoming atmosphere.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"Come taste why we've been voted Pittsburgh's best soul food 15 years strong!"

TIP

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

Enjoy a more relaxed experience with fewer crowds by visiting on weekdays or during non-peak hours.

Spice it Up!

If you crave spicy or Cajun flavors, Carmi Soul Food will not disappoint.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Thursday 11AM

Cuisine

Soul Food

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(412) 307-9700

Address

1219 Federal St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Soul Food

Authentic Soul Food

Indulge in hearty soul food classics like pork chops, ribs, shrimp & grits, and chicken & waffles.

Generous Portions

Generous Portions

Experience incredibly generous portions that ensure you'll have delicious leftovers.

Cornbread Perfection

Cornbread Perfection

Savor the moist and perfectly sweet cornbread, a delightful complement to any meal.

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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

We’re serving up all the soul food flavor you’ve been craving — hot, fresh, and made with love at Carmi Express. From smoked ribs to mac & cheese, shrimp & grits to chicken & waffles… every bite tells a story. Come taste why we’ve been voted Pittsburgh’s best soul food 15 years strong! 📍1219 Federal St. 🕚 Open Tuesday–Saturday 11AM–6PM | Sunday 12PM–5PM Come get that Carmi flavor today — you know ...
@carleeneking766
7 likes • 141 views

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

Enjoy a more relaxed experience with fewer crowds by visiting on weekdays or during non-peak hours.

Spice it Up!

If you crave spicy or Cajun flavors, Carmi Soul Food will not disappoint.

🎭 Hell's Kitchen Eats Pittsburgh Soul Food 🍗 Join the cast of @hellskitchenbway, Gigi Lewis (@thegigilewis/Tiny) and Marley Soleil (@marley.soleil/Jessica), as they sit down to try @carmisoulfood with Owner Carleen King. They talk about community, purpose, and overcoming adversity through art and family like Ali in the show! Ali is a 17-year-old girl full of fire – searching for freedom, passion a...
@pghculturaltrust
101 likes • 815 views
#TODAY is the LAST DAY! It’s your final chance to grab our $12.99 Fried Catfish Sandwich special at Carmi Express — just in time to close out Lent! Sink your teeth into 12 ounces of cornmeal-coated, crispy catfish piled high on a sandwich bun, served with a heap of fresh-cut fries. No substitutions. No regrets. Pull up before we sell out! Available today only at Carmi Express 1219 Federal Street |...
@carmisoulfood
12 likes • 852 views

Takeout Option Available

Short on time? Order delectable Southern cuisine for takeout from Carmi Express.

Don't Miss Fried Catfish

Highly recommended: the fried catfish served with yams and mac & cheese.

When the craving hits… fried chicken wingdings, creamy mac & cheese, and slow-simmered greens from Carmi Express always understand the assignment. Come taste why we’re Pittsburgh’s soul food favorite! #Hashtags: #CarmiExpress #SoulFoodDoneRight #PittsburghEats #BlackOwnedBusiness #Wingdings #MacAndCheese #SouthernComfortFood #GreensAndThings #FriedChickenLove #FoodieFavorites #EatLocalPGH #PGHSoul...
@carmisoulfood
23 likes • 4.3K views

Tips

from all over the internet

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

Enjoy a more relaxed experience with fewer crowds by visiting on weekdays or during non-peak hours.

Spice it Up!

If you crave spicy or Cajun flavors, Carmi Soul Food will not disappoint.

Takeout Option Available

Short on time? Order delectable Southern cuisine for takeout from Carmi Express.

Don't Miss Fried Catfish

Highly recommended: the fried catfish served with yams and mac & cheese.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Carmi Soul Food is celebrated for its authentic, flavorful Southern cuisine and generous portions, with many diners raving about the chicken and waffles and shrimp and grits. While the food is often praised for its homestyle appeal and deliciousness, some reviews mention inconsistencies in seasoning and quality, with a few diners finding certain dishes bland or overpriced. The cornbread and mac and cheese, however, frequently receive high marks.

"Never knew of this place, I was originally gonna go nextdoor to Hook N Fish but saw this place and figured I’d try it. So glad I did! I was warmly greeted and could tell the food was made with love, heart, and soul. I ordered the catfish and grits meal though I’ve never found grits that I liked. These grits however, where on a whole other level, they were seasoned to perfection and to me, tasted like cheesy mashed potatoes, best grits I’ve ever had!
The catfish was seasoned to perfection and was delicious! You could tell they make the food with love. I will be back."

James Hurst

"If I can give 0 stars I would. Lettuce in salad was wilted. The Cook was eating the damn fries in front of me that that goes with my order.. no proper etiquette what so ever, ordered a slice of cake it was hard as hell smh…. Just straight trash throw the whole restaurant away"

S B

"We ordered so much food when we were here and we're obsessed. Every single thing you can get at this restaurant is so good. There is so much flavor in every dish and side. I can not wait to go back again! If you like spicy or cajun food do not sleep on this place it will blow your mind."

Brandee Youngclaus

What People Like

Flavorful soul food classics
Generous portion sizes
Moist and sweet cornbread

What People Dislike

Inconsistent seasoning
Some dishes perceived as bland
Occasional concerns about price/value

Frequently Asked Questions

Diners highly recommend the chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, fried catfish, and the moist cornbread. Many also praise the mac and cheese and yams.

Google Review+1

Yes, Carmi Soul Food is known for its generous portions, often ensuring leftovers for another meal.

Yes, Carmi Soul Food Express offers takeout for those short on time, allowing you to enjoy their Southern cuisine on the go.

TikTok

Absolutely! If you enjoy spicy or Cajun flavors, this restaurant will not disappoint.

Google Review

For an enjoyable experience without large crowds or long wait times, consider visiting during off-peak hours or on weekdays.

The cornbread is frequently highlighted for being moist, slightly sweet, and having a cake-like texture, often described as perfect.

Google Review

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