Nana's Southern Kitchen

10234 SE 256th St, Kent, WA 98030, United States
+1 253-243-6711
$$$ Restaurant
(759 Reviews)
Price Range $20–30

Nana's Southern Kitchen is a full-service soul food restaurant tucked away on SE 256th Street in Kent. It offers a slice of Southern comfort far from the usual Pacific Northwest fare, making it a spot where locals and visitors alike come to satisfy cravings for hearty, traditional dishes with genuine Louisiana flair.

The atmosphere feels welcoming and familiar, reminiscent of family gatherings or Sunday dinners back in the South. The staff tends to be warm and attentive, contributing to a laid-back but attentive dining experience that makes you feel more like a guest than a customer. This vibe pairs fittingly with the robust flavors on the plate.

You'll find the menu anchored around classic Southern staples — standouts include jumbo fried chicken wings, crispy catfish nuggets, and generous pork chops. Sides like collard greens, candied yams, and the much-discussed "After Church Mac and Cheese" bring the home-cooked touch that elevates the meals beyond standard fried fare. Cornbread, served as a side, is notably thick and moist, and a variety of sauces, including Nana’s special homemade tartar sauce, allow you to tailor each bite.

The portion sizes tend to be substantial — the four jumbo wings or two pork chops can fill you up—and the flavor profiles strongly echo Southern roots. Think savory, slightly smoky, and rich, with a blend of spice and sweetness, especially in their fried chicken and accompanying gravies. A few have noted the prices lean toward the higher side for some dishes, but the meals generally deliver on quality and authenticity.

Drinks lean into Southern staples, featuring sweet tea, lemonade, and nostalgic Kool-Aid flavors rather than alcoholic options, so plan accordingly if you’re hoping for a cold beer to complement the fried catfish.

Best time to visit is lunch or early dinner when the kitchen is in full swing and you can settle in for a relaxed meal that isn’t rushed. It’s especially suited for those craving genuine Southern comfort food — whether you’re visiting Kent from out of state or local folks seeking a break from chain fast food.

Who will enjoy it most:

  • Soul food enthusiasts looking for Louisiana-style cooking in Washington State
  • Visitors from the South aiming for a taste of home away from home
  • Families and groups wanting generous portions of down-home dishes
  • Anyone wanting a casual, unpretentious dining experience with welcoming service

While it’s not a bar or late-night spot, Nana’s Southern Kitchen fills a specific niche in Kent’s dining scene with honest, flavorful Southern classics and a community-minded approach to hospitality.

Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegetarian dishes
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Has counter service
Serves dessert
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday

12:00 PM - 10:00 PM

759 Reviews
L. C.

03 Dec 2025

The fried catfish, greens, cornbread, and mac and cheese were amazing! On the next trip, I'll try the pork chop! Excellent service! Unfortunately, I'm sorry to report that there is no beer... The fish would've gone nice with an ice-cold lager!!

THEBLKSUPERMan

09 Nov 2025

It was my first time, but definitely not my last time. It's hard to find soul food and Louisiana style restaurants in Washington state but I'm glad to have learned about the existence of "Nana's Southern Kitchen". The food was a amazing! Thank you ALL at Nana's Southern Kitchen!!

Sherrone McCord

04 Nov 2025

Okay Nana’s!!! Visiting out of town from the south, my finance and I wanted something filling and good something other than the usual fast food chains Nana’s didn’t disappoint us. I got the 2 main and 2 sides, my finance got the 1 main and 3 sides. Goodness the chicken wings were huge and tasty and the shrimp were shrimping with flavor and the “special nana sauce”” mmm mmm. My fiancé had the pork chops, Mac and cheese, potato salad and candied yams.. I didn’t hear one word from him the whole time . The food was fresh, hot, and well packaged we did take out, they do have dine in. The only thing I wasn’t to fond of was the candied yams they were to sweet for my likings great texture though. I would recommend and eat here again when I visit Seattle-Kent again in the near future.

S Mayeda

24 Oct 2025

Our first time at Nana's. I ordered the wings with two sides $26. My wife had the catfish bites, greens with potato salad also $26. My wings were good but the fries were a bit over breaded and salty. I received four full size wings a little expensive for wings. My wife loved the greens and the cornbread but the catfish bites were just okay. The food was good but pricey. Probably won't come back. I can get better and less expensive soul food elsewhere.

Kevin Fisk

15 Oct 2025

Well, where do I begin, I put it this way. It's been a long time since I have had food that made me feel like a fat in a candy store. So let me explain it better for everyone. I mean that, the hospitality reminded me of being back in Tennessee visiting family, the quality of the food and the ingredients where top notch, the flavors took me back home 25 30 years ago instantly, I tried the catfish and shrimp, with collard greens, mac&cheese, and potatoe salad, and there version of amazing stake/fries. The portions where perfect size for the price points, oh and the house made Nana sauce, ranch and BBQ, was OMG so good, im gonna ask if the sell it in bulk, it was that good, And I saved the best for last if your a Sweet tea person from the south, stop in and try there's, reminded me of my grandma's sweet sun tea, if you know what I mean. So my hats hats off to Nana and her recipes and for bringing some of the best soul food to the PNW. Thank you. Will be going back tomorrow for dessert and try other menu items and some more of that tea.

Steph Carvin

01 Oct 2025

A couple of months ago, my coworkers treated me to lunch here for my birthday, and it was such a great experience from start to finish. The food was absolutely delicious, and they offered a lunch deal that was genuinely reasonable. I ordered the catfish with a side of mac & cheese, and it was amazing. The flavors reminded me of authentic Southern cooking. rich, comforting, and made with real care. What truly made the experience stand out was the owner. She took the time to personally greet me and my coworkers, shared the history of the restaurant, and made us feel genuinely welcomed. Her warm, personable energy added so much to our visit. She even surprised me with a courtesy dessert for my birthday, which was incredibly thoughtful. Overall, this spot exceeded my expectations in every way. Amazing food, wonderful service, and a personal touch you don’t find everywhere. Highly recommended!

Beril Ozay

23 Sep 2025

We're from the south and this is the best soul food we have had in all of Western Washington. The fried catfish is TO DIE FOR.... Best I've ever had in my life. The collards and the yams will make you drool. The chicken and shrimp were very good too. The peach cobbler was amazing. We feasted. The gentleman cooking and the lady who was running the register were great also.

Manuel

18 Sep 2025

The food is here is so fresh Taste delicious every single time friendly staff family orientated. I love that catfish nice and fluffy soft highly recommend. Thank you again.

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