Best Southern American Restaurants in Santa Monica

Meat dishes were very flavorful but the “lean” instructions were problematic. Some of the slices were lean but others were fatty. We asked them to try again but received pushback from the kitchen. “This IS lean.” We complained to the wait staff with much better results. Sides were good to outstanding. Service friendly and helpful but we had to ask multiple times for extra napkins and never got salt, which would have helped one of the vegetable dishes. We were able to get a small portion of BBQ sauce although it seemed (without being obvious) as though they took it as a bit of an insult. Maybe the salt as well. I get that but the customer is always right, eh?

The service was as outstanding as the food! I was a little disappointed that I couldn’t order off the regular menu (Thanksgiving) but our waitress and the manager more than made up for it and were happy to accommodate my dietary restrictions!

Good barbecue. Good sauces. Decent sides. I’ve cold beer.

I had a great time at Irie Restaurant & Lounge, West Hollywood’s gem of a cannabis café! The service was attentive, and the food was delicious, with plenty of plant-based options to choose from. That said, it would be even better with a bit more effort in offering a plant-based protein—just a little tweak to make the menu even more inclusive. The cannabis offerings were absolutely superb—great quality and variety. The dual-server system (one for food and drink, and another for cannabis) makes regulatory sense, but it can feel a bit confusing for first-time visitors trying to navigate all their options. Streamlining that process could elevate the overall experience from great to phenomenal. That said, Irie’s vibe, service, and offerings have already won me over. I plan to make regular visits! Highly recommend this wonderful spot for a unique and enjoyable dining and cannabis experience.

Restaurant was out of cornbread; however, the chef personally gave us some on the way out from brunch. Wish they offered real maple syrup. Appreciate if butter was not in disposable packaging (to help with environment). Chicken and waffles were good. Yams were a bit sweet; however good recipe and enjoyed them.