Levi's Restaurant

Very disappointed. 2 stars for portion sizes only. My sister talked this place up, so I was excited when she picked this place for take out dinner for her birthday. Kept it simple with fried shrimp, mac n cheese and yams. Honestly, labeling this as "soul food" should only be limited to the type of food. Not the quality. Yams were good, but the mac n cheese had no seasoning whatsoever and was almost like they put layers of sliced cheese on top and there was almost no cheese throughout to hold it together... the shrimp was bland and rubbery like it'd been sitting under lights all day. Needless to say, I didn't even eat half the food. Oh and I also ordered "peach cobbler" which was more like peach pudding.... The serving size was huge, but the consistency and flavor were way off. One fork full and in the trash it went. SMH. I really wanted to like this place.... oh well

We've tried here several times mainly because proximity makes it convenient. The first time was because there was a Levi's by the Navy Yard that close down several years ago that was North Carolina soul and BBQ, black owned. And we weren't sure of they were the same place. They're nowhere near the same. Now it works if we don't want to go to further or cook. They've dropped in skill each time, so it's a 2/ 2.5 now. I wouldn't have given it higher than a 3.5 the first time. Now that we've gone three times I can speak to all experiences. I like that the catfish is cooked to order so it's hot, but that's as far as it goes. The first time the sides were good and catfish was burned and dried out. But it was carry out, and I didn't check before leaving. So that's on me. Sides are hit or miss. They don't always have all sides that they list on the menu available. Mac and cheese was good once but of late it has been watery like they cooked noodles and mixed everything without draining water. But excess water seems to be a thing with sides. On reheat, Mac and cheese was in a pool of "juice." I thought the green bean juice had spilled over, but no it was Mac noodle water. I wasn't a fan of the yams. Green beans and cabbage are decent. Butter beans taste like Glory. Sides don't seem to be seasoned with much besides salt and oil...or butter, maybe. The catfish is consistently dark brown to the point of looking burned, but the level of doneness is always surprise. It's either almost burned and dried out or almost burned but still undercooked. I've asked they not cook it like that, but apparently they don't know how to cook catfish to be golden brown and done. Fried chicken overcooked and dried out, but the meats do sit under a hot light soooooo. All in all, it took me three times to realize it's a Piccadilly Cafeteria style spot, so I shouldn't expect hot, fresh, home cooked, well-seasone food that's a staple and requirement of southern soul food. I think we'll stick to going to Ella Ray's in Forestville if I don't want to cook myself. They're food is always on point and taste like the southern cooking (SC/GA) we grew up on.

I visit them about 3 months ago, brought 2 dinners to carry me through a busy work week and was very satisfied. It wasn’t like grandma’s cooking but it filled the void. The staff was polite and knew how to pack a plate. My only issue was the wait. A little less joking around and maybe it can help get the customers in and out the door. I plan to return soon!

Not good!!! I went there because three bros pizza next opened later than they were supposed to and didn't have a cook to make my pizza. I went there by default. I hadn't been there in a while, because my last experience sucked. Please, please bring back the cooks and the quality that you had years ago. The special of the day was the worst chicken and dumpling I've ever had. The dumplings were inedible. They were too thick, undone, hard and no seasoning. Please take it off of your menu. I have tried it before and this was the last chance. No more please. Throw whatever you have left in the nearest dumpsite.

Great experience! We sat at the bar and the the service was awesome! Nicke is an awesome bartender! She makes the drinks with ease. She will also whip up something if you're not sure what you want. The food is pretty good too but no healthy options. It's good old soul food that will make your heart sing. Make sure you stop in and see Nicke on Tuesday's and Thursday's. She's the best!!!

My husband and I were visiting a friend in Clinton (Maryland) and decided to stop at this restaurant soul food “LEVI’S for lunch before heading back to DC. What a BIG mistake! My husband got rib tips, corn and rice. There was next to no meat on the tips. Mainly a order of bones and what ribs that had meat on them which were few was tough and couldn’t be eaten. I ordered smothered pork chops, mash potatoes and green beans. Both of my pork chops were full of a lot of fat and where there was some meat it couldn’t be consumed. We will never eat at this establishment in future. Signed: Truly Disappointed