95 South

Ordered take out for 3 — we all finished our food. The fried chicken was amazing. Mac and cheese was good (but of course my mom’s is better). The bartender who took the order was really friendly. The music they played inside was classic soul (Earth, Wind and Fire, Al Jarreau — everything you expect to hear at the family reunion)…loud but nice.
One reviewer insinuated that 95 South is homophobic and racist. I can’t speak for other people’s experience but me nor my white girlfriend felt out of place. I’m black and it was quite obvious that we are an interracial lesbian couple. No one said anything rude to us — and again — the staff was polite.
The only reason why I gave the food 4 stars is because I’m hard to please when it comes to southern black food. Once you’ve lived in the South — almost nothing compares. But it was good for NYC.
And sidenote — some of these reviews are dripping with racist microagression. The food is cheap (10ish a plate) — try it and decide for yourself.

Redeemed a groupon deal. Got 2 jerk chicken and 1 catfish, each with 2 sides. The fried catfish was a bit overcooked, but the jerk chicken was good and spicy. Good amount of spice which gave it that flavor i love. Rice didnt taste great, kinda reminded me of the Goya yellow rice, but greens and mac n cheese was good. This place has potential and I want to give it another try because its almost there. The bartender lady who took my order was nice. I do love the atmosphere for sports. I love soul and caribbean food and this place isnt bad. Always room for improvement but lets see how the second round goes.

I had such a bad experience here tonight. The «bartender» was an insult to my profession — essentially just playing on her phone and not saying a word to me, except the fact that the «food was a lot». I ordered the Fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp, in which the cook, exclaimed «That’s what I love to make» (sarcastically). I got a bunch of pasta — which, in regards to the bartender claiming «it’s a lot», which should be because pasta is like a dollar a pound and I know they got this stuff from the SYSCO truck, which isn’t housemade, had 9 pieces of 10 – 14 shrimp. Small as all get out. This is a dish I’m paying 19 dollars for. Insane.
Their cost was easily less than $ 3 in house for a dish I’m paying 19 for.
The «bartender» was talking about her daddy to one of those co-​workers, which makes me think she might be the boss’ daughter. Never hire family, especially if they aren’t competent enough to do their jobs. It makes your business appear worse than it is.
I probably won’t ever come back to this place, seeing as how poorly it’s ran from the food, to the drinks and bartenders, to the overall lack of oversight. It appears there wasn’t even a manager there at all.
Also, I grew up along I-​95 South, this food is nothing like what I grew up with. Seems like a Northerner’s interpretation of Southern cuisine.
Just all around bad and it pains me to say it because I always try to support black businesses. Stay as far away from this place as possible.
Also, quit trying to charge cover at the door on certain nights. You’re not that popular. You don’t want me to spend my 50 on the bar? That’s a good way to make me not want to come in.

Great place to watch football and chill and have some drinks, however, while the bartender was nice, service was extremely SLOW. Management has clearly set up this bad experience by having the bartender have to pour drinks and take orders, run to the kitchen, pick up food, serve food, etc. I am guessing management wants to cut costs a day have one person do the job of three. Only problem is it creates a bad service problem.
If 95 South wants to step up its game, go see how the bar functions down the street at Mayfield.

Visited again. Got food to go this time though, had a drink while I waited. Rum Punch was on point!!! Still a fan, going back again.
Btw, food that I ordered to go was good stuff. Had the grilled salmon with greens and candy yams, tasted very good!

I was so surprised after my visit here. Hands down one of my most favorite comfort food spots to go to. It’s very fun, friendly, and family oriented. My boyfriend and I ordered the fried chicken with two sides– SO AMAZING! Like girl… What?! The food took a while to come out but our waitress informed us that they like to cook everything fresh. After eating the meal, I could care less how long the wait was. It was definitely worth it!

Listen, all the reviews about this place are true; the good the bad and the ugly. Hood service (waitress said she was going to knock a rude male patron OUT), G (h)ood food (Mac n chz and cabbage taste just like my mommas), hood dranks (blue Hawaii was the poppin!) and they are in desperate need of some bus boys and bar maids (some lady in a denim jacket – Probably somebody’s «Aunty Tina» started cleaning tables!)
My groupon was well worth it! I’m going back…

Laid back vibe with great southern food, large screens and multiple screens for sports viewing. Come for Sunday brunch and football. The staff make you feel like family and they are hilarious.

So I went to Franklin Ave with the intention on going to one Brunch spot but happened upon 95 South close by and decided to go in with my partner to support a local black business. Nadine was super nice and I feel like I knew her from somewhere. and the bartender was also nice. Bruch was suppose to start at 11am didn’t really get started until 12:30pm.
The food was not that great nor was it hot. For $ 25 all you can eat I did expect more from the selection and taste. It was your run of the mill breakfast fair that you might make at home but better.
I don’t normally write reviews but now after reading a few earlier as I waited I can understand some of the feedback the restaurant has received.
I know what good food and service is this was ¹⁄₂ of that thanks to Nadine and female bartender.
Step your game up 95 South. There are a ton of choices on Franklin for a adventurous foodie.
Good Luck
Saddened patron

Service was the worst. They kept skipping me to serve people they knew and gave me an attitude once I spoke up. WTF.
Can’t wait to see them close this WHACK spot.

So this past Tuesday me and my honey spent the entire day at the Botanic Gardens, and I must say 95 South was the perfect end to my day. I was extremely hungry (café at Botanic Gardens is not for everyone). After walking for a bit I saw this place and said lets go in. The bartender was just the sweetest and I wish I could remember her name, but she answered my annoying happy hour questions sweetly and took my food order. I had the grilled shrimp it was delicious and so was my wine! But the collard greens were too damn good!!! I read the other review of disdain for this place and saw nothing wrong with the owners response. I work in the hospitality industry and have for several years and I am a native resident of Brooklyn. 95 South is just what the people are looking for. Will definitely be back soon… oh and it turned out my honey had been there several times and wanted me to judge the place for myself, he told me after!

Had a nice time with my mini… Blue Hawaii nice and strong… thank you barmaid Jennifer… try the sampler $ 16 but worth it TRUST

Came here for a fundraiser with my bestie. The place itself is pretty nice. Its clean & spacious. I guess we didnt get a happy hour because of the fundraiser *no biggie* the prices for drinks arent too bad. Soo my first drink was a barbie $ 7 *yes i said barbie* its actually really good. Kinda sweet. My bestie got a blue hawaii that tasted pretty like pure pineapple so i decided to get silk stockings. Omg the bartender is heavy handed *which is awesome* soo that drink which is nothinh but different kinds of liquor had me smacked. Oh lawd jesus it was lit! Definitely wanna come back here just for that bartender. Also had hot wings $ 8 which was great. only downfall is that its 5 wings –_​– but i would go back again

This place is great! Watched the nba finals there and had a blast. Came back game after game because of the great drink specials, awesome bartenders/​hostesses and fun crowd. Definitely a great place to catch a game and eat some good old fashioned southern food.

It’s unfortunate that I have to give this place only three stars but…
The food is delicious! I just wish I didn’t have to wait forever and a day to get it. It’s never really that crowded to justify why service is sooooo slow! Prices are reasonable, the bar seemed well stocked and the crowd is mixed…
This is an ideal spot for locals to grab a drink and watch the game on the big screen t.v. at least that will take your mind off the food you probably won’t get… anytime soon ugh!
Overall, it’s an ok spot but nothing to make an effort to get to.

Clearly the owner’s anger towards customers and excuse-​making will be this place’s ultimate downfall. (Not to mention his hilarious attempts to insult and minimize me. Whatever makes him happier, I guess?) Read his wonderful response to my review. 3 more years until this place’s lease is up. Next, please.
«We want our customers to feel at home.» So, customers, if you like to be insulted when giving honest feedback, then please, walk right in and feel «at home.» Look no further!
*One needs to have some respect for this place as it has somehow withstood the test of time. That said. That’s where it ends. I don’t know how this place has stood the test of time. As somebody who has seen his fair share of restaurant turnover in this city for years, I’m going to guess a lot of debt keeps this place still going, or for some sad family members who are in for a surprise on their investment.*
We walked in, and after waiting 6 minutes for a bar-​tender to show-​up to the bar, we left.
We went to one of the other bars where we were immediately greeted with a friendly «hello,» before the door was fully open, and had our drinks within the next 60 seconds for the four of us. Imagine that! Hospitality from the hospitality industry.
Can’t wait for a new place/​real business to move in here. Clearly this place is a stale left-​over from the bye-​gone era of when Crown Heights didn’t have a hint anything in the wake of a culinary or legitimate bar scene. Glad my neighbordhood is on the up-​and-​up and leaving places like this far behind.
John Taffer couldn’t even rescue this bar if he came, since the owners clearly don’t give a darn. Sad that it’s just taking up space in such a vibrant neighborhood.
As far as some of the owners comments, it doesn’t matter how long you have been here. Your product is terrible. Change it. Nobody that I know in Crown Heights takes you seriously, and that’s people that have been here for 20+ years, and people that have been here for 2 days. The first part of the problem is admitting you have one.

A cool local bar! The DJ always making the crowd dance! A extra plus for the bar staff! The girls now the regular people and make u fell welcome!

The service sucked! We left thinking that we misunderstood it as a restaurant when it actually was just a bar that served food. No one approached me as i sat at a table waiting for my business associates to arrive. I had to go ask the bartender what the procedure was for getting food and drinks at the table.
Had to ask for a drink menu on which was no wine! Our orders were taken multiple times by two different people who wrote it done each time, but came back to ask us over again WTH? They were out of ribs, so i got the catfish instead. Food arrive after some time with no utensils. The napkin was the size of a pocket square. Imagine if I had gotten those ribs. No condiments on the table and i was afraid asking for ketchup would have been a whole nuther event.
Drinks sucked royally! We all had a hard day and couldn’t wait for the alcohol to kick in and we got nothing. NO zig or zap of a buzz. It was like i ordered a lemonade. Total disappointment.
Maybe if this place was more INCLUSIVE you would have enough money to hire better wait staff and buy good liquor. We saw white men looking in the window at the BB game on the TVs, but didn’t come in. I wonder why? Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face my people.
Food was good! Just like down south.

The food is cheap and good try the wings
Happy hours is great and the bartender is extra sweet always smiling
The music make you get up and jump
Nice neighborhood hang out

95 South is what it is. It’s a neighborhood bar in what used to be a primarily African-​American and West Indian neighborhood. They might serve a drink in a plastic cup, they might play music at a dancing (not chatting) volume, they also might charge you a cover to come in and hear said music, and if one of the guys outside thinks you’re cute he might let you know in so many words. And so what? It’s the place where you can watch the game with your neighbors of 15 years, hear some 90s hip-​hop (beyond the customary Bigge and Jay-​Z), attend a summertime white party, and basically NOT be stuck in another hipster bar in a gentryfying neighborhood.
For those who knew Crown Heights before it was Prospect Heights/​Prospect Lefferts Garden or whatever cutesy name developers have lobbed on it you know that this is serving the needs of the people who’ve seen CH in worse times and know that they and 95 South deserve to stick around and see it in better.
I raise a plastic cup to this place, hipsters have Franklin Park, yuppies have the rest of the Franklin Ave. stroll, but the natives have 95 South.