Lillie Mae's House of Soul Food

- 2670 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95051

Lillie Mae's House of Soul Food is a genuine culinary treasure in Santa Clara, CA, offering a taste of authentic Southern comfort that is often hard to find on the West Coast. Situated on the iconic El Camino Real, this establishment is much more than just a Restaurant; it is a full-service experience that proudly specializes as a Soul food restaurant, Barbecue restaurant, and Chicken restaurant, complete with a Bar for patrons to enjoy a complete meal. Named after the owner's grandmother, the restaurant carries on a rich family legacy of cooking that spans over three decades, bringing time-honored recipes from the South right here to the heart of Silicon Valley.

The atmosphere is known to be casually set, combining a warm, family-friendly eatery vibe with the easygoing feel of a local bar. This unique blend makes it suitable for a wide variety of customers, from individuals looking for a hearty, traditional meal to groups gathering for a relaxed dinner with drinks. The menu is an expansive celebration of Southern cuisine, built around smoked meats, expertly fried dishes, and rich, savory soul food sides. Dishes are characterized by generous portions and deep, authentic flavors, ensuring that visitors leave satisfied and often with enough leftovers for another meal—a testament to the reasonable pricing considering the labor-intensive nature of the barbecue and soul food cooking process.

This family-owned business has become a beloved staple in the Santa Clara community, often drawing a diverse clientele eager for the exceptional quality of its Southern cooking. The dedication to recipes passed down through generations provides a genuine culinary experience, making Lillie Mae's a must-visit for anyone craving truly "soul good" food in the California region.

Lillie Mae's House of Soul Food is conveniently located at 2670 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95051, USA. This prominent location on a major thoroughfare makes it easily reachable for residents and visitors throughout Santa Clara, San Jose, and the surrounding South Bay Area.

The restaurant offers practical accessibility features for diners. It provides ample parking on the property, which is a major advantage given its busy location. While specific details on official ADA compliance features like wheelchair ramps or specialized restrooms are not explicitly stated, the presence of a dedicated Restroom amenity and on-site parking suggests a consideration for customer comfort. The casual setting and multi-faceted services—including dine-in and takeout—ensure that customers can access their favorite Soul Food with ease, regardless of their preferred dining method. The location is an established part of the local business landscape, meaning it is well-known and easy to find for those seeking authentic Southern and BBQ flavors.

The restaurant offers flexible service options to accommodate the modern Californian lifestyle, ensuring their comforting meals are available in various formats.

• Dine-in: Enjoy a relaxed meal within the casual, family-friendly setting, complete with comfortable Seating. The restaurant's bar is open, providing a full-service experience.
• Takeout: Meals can be ordered for quick pickup, perfect for those on the go or planning a meal at home.
• Delivery: Partnering with various third-party services, Lillie Mae's ensures its delicious menu is available for delivery to homes and offices across the Santa Clara area.
• Outdoor Seating: An option for patrons to enjoy their barbecue and soul food in the fresh air.
• Full Bar Service: Offering a selection of Alcohol, which enhances the dining experience and makes it a suitable spot for happy hour or an evening out.
• Catering: While not explicitly listed in the service options, the extensive a la carte and large-quantity 'Meats' and 'Soul Food Sides' lists suggest a robust capacity for catering events and large family gatherings.

Lillie Mae's stands out for its commitment to authentic preparation methods, generous portions, and a menu rich in traditional Southern and BBQ items.

• Authentic Soul Food Sides: Famous for its savory side dishes, which are frequently highlighted by customers. Favorites include the "excellent" Baked Mac & Cheese ($4.95 for a side, $42.95 per pan) and the flavorful Collard Greens ($4.50 for a side, $36.95 with Smoked Turkey per pan), noted for their melt-in-your-mouth texture and vinegary heat. Other classics include Potato Salad, Boomin' Baked Beans, Fried Okra, and Candied Yams.
• Signature Barbecue and Smoked Meats: The BBQ offerings are central to the menu, featuring 12 Hr. Smoked Beef Brisket, Smoked BBQ Pork Ribs, and the "Big Ole" Smoked BBQ Turkey Leg. The brisket is unique, often chopped and tossed in a house-made sauce, distinguishing it from traditional sliced barbecue.
• Southern Fried Staples: The Southern Fried Chicken and Fried Catfish (3pc, $17.95 plate) are highly praised. The fried chicken, for example, is noted for being moist and tasty, while the cornmeal-battered catfish is considered a true Southern delicacy.
• Combination Meals for Value: The menu heavily features Dinner Combos, which offer the best value by allowing diners to pair two different meats—such as Pork Ribs / Fried Chicken or Catfish / Brisket—and served with two soul food sides and Cornbread or Hushpuppies.
• Unique Dessert Selection: The "Simple Soul Food Desserts" provide a perfect, comforting end to the meal, including Scream'In Peach Cobbler ($4.50) and Go'In On Sweet Potato Pie ($4.50), with the option to add a scoop of ice cream. Catering pans of these desserts are also available.
• Traditional Southern Beverages: The restaurant offers authentic Southern drinks, including DaShawna's Sweet Tea ($2.95) and the iconic Kool-Aid (Ghetto Grape or Red, $2.95), completing the down-home dining experience.
• Flexible Dining Times: Serving customers for Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner, making it an ideal choice for any time of day, from a mid-day chicken and waffles craving to a late evening BBQ feast.

For orders, reservations, or general inquiries about Lillie Mae's House of Soul Food in Santa Clara, please use the following contact information:

• Address: 2670 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95051, USA
• Phone Number: (408) 227-7685 or +1 408-227-7685

Choosing Lillie Mae's House of Soul Food means opting for an experience steeped in family tradition and culinary excellence, a rare find in the hustle of Silicon Valley. For local users in California, what truly sets this establishment apart is the authenticity and quality of the soul food sides. As one satisfied customer explicitly noted, their favorite part of the combo was the Collard Greens, and they praised the Mac & Cheese as "excellent." These sides, often considered the heart of soul food, are prepared with exceptional care and depth of flavor that rivals true Southern cooking.

The value offered in the Combo Plates is another compelling reason to choose Lillie Mae's. These options allow diners to sample the restaurant's top meats—from the smoky Brisket and Pork Ribs to the moist Southern Fried Chicken and Fried Catfish—alongside two generous helpings of their famous sides and cornbread. The portions are substantial, often providing enough food for an entire second meal, which is a great economic advantage for diners. Finally, the ability to enjoy the full range of Southern flavors, from savory meats and vegetables to genuinely sweet desserts like the Peach Cobbler, all in a single casual location with the convenience of a bar, takeout, and delivery options, makes Lillie Mae's House of Soul Food the definitive destination for authentic Southern comfort food in Santa Clara, CA. It’s a family legacy you can taste, ensuring every visit is a deeply satisfying, down-home dining experience.

Lillie Mae's House of Soul Food

2670 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95051, USA