Soul food is aptly named. It's food for the soul. It's comforting, nourishing and tells a story of home recipes.



"While not all Southern food is considered soul food, all soul food is definitely Southern.

Soul food is an ethnic cuisine traditionally prepared and eaten by African-Americans in the Southern United States. The expression "soul food" originated in the mid-1960s, when "soul" was a common word used to describe African-American culture. At its core, soul food is basic, down-home cooking that's been passed down through many generations, with its roots in the rural South.

The staples of soul food cooking are beans, greens, cornmeal (used in cornbread, hush puppies, johnnycakes, and as a coating for fried fish), and pork. Pork has been almost limitless in a number of uses in soul food, from seasoning vegetables and stews to dehydrating and pickling staples like pork rinds and pig feet and ears (DELISH)."



Wild Wild West Soulfood Express is a new soul food restaurant on the West Side that is carry-out only along Washington Street. I came across their Facebook page and called in an order: Homestyle Meatloaf dinner with sides of mac & cheese and candied yams. They also have options like fish, pork chops, chicken, black eyed peas, collard greens and more. 



There was a little bit of confusion on pick up and then paying, but after that was cleared up, I was able to take my meal home and dig in. The mac & cheese was by far the standout! Cheesy, thick and a bit sweet. Perfection. The yams were also delicious - makes me think of Thanksgiving dinner. The meatloaf was good, a touch on the dry side, but the flavor was there. Overall, not bad.

Grade: B