Tucked away in Kent, Washington, Nana’s Southern Kitchen has built something rare — a loyal fan base that stretches far beyond the neighborhood. People are driving from eastern Washington, flying in from Texas, and making special trips just to taste the kind of food that feels like a warm hug from home.
With a 4.2-star rating and hundreds of glowing reviews, this family-owned restaurant is proof that real Southern cooking speaks for itself. If you haven’t heard of Nana’s yet, you’re about to find out exactly why comfort food lovers across the state can’t stop talking about it.
The Fried Catfish That Keeps People Coming Back
Some dishes earn legendary status, and the fried catfish at Nana’s Southern Kitchen is one of them. Reviewer after reviewer calls it the best catfish they’ve had on the West Coast — high praise in a region not exactly known for Southern-style fish fry.
The catfish arrives with a crispy, lightly Cajun-seasoned crust that gives it a satisfying crunch without overpowering the fish underneath. What really wins people over is how juicy and tender the inside stays, even when the outside is perfectly fried.
One guest from an area famous for catfish back home said Nana’s nailed it in a way most West Coast restaurants simply don’t. Paired with a side of collard greens or candied yams, this dish alone is worth the drive to Kent.
Don’t skip the homemade tartar sauce on the side either — it ties the whole plate together beautifully.
Mac and Cheese That Earned ‘Best in Any Restaurant’
Bold claim? Maybe.
But multiple guests at Nana’s Southern Kitchen have used almost exactly those words — “best mac and cheese I’ve ever had at a restaurant.” That kind of consistency doesn’t happen by accident.
The baked mac here is layered with real cheese, and you can taste the difference immediately. It’s not the boxed stuff, and it’s not the bland version that shows up at chain restaurants.
One reviewer even described getting a hint of biscuits and gravy in the cheese flavor, which sounds unusual but apparently works in the most delicious way.
The owner has mentioned that three real cheeses go into the recipe, and it shows in every bite. Whether you order it as a side with catfish or pork chops, the mac and cheese at Nana’s has a way of stealing the spotlight.
First-timers are often the most surprised — and the most converted.
Collard Greens Seasoned Like Grandma Made Them
There’s a reason collard greens show up in almost every five-star review of Nana’s Southern Kitchen. Getting greens right is an art form — too bland and they’re forgettable, too bitter and they’re a chore to eat.
Nana’s gets the balance just right.
Guests from Georgia, Alabama, and the Deep South have all said the greens taste like home, which is the ultimate test for any Southern restaurant. The seasoning is layered and slow-cooked in, not thrown on at the end as an afterthought.
One reviewer said the greens were the best thing on an already impressive plate, even outshining the catfish. That’s saying something.
For people who grew up eating real Southern food, finding greens this good in the Pacific Northwest feels like a small miracle. Order them as a side with any main dish and you’ll understand the excitement immediately.
Candied Yams That Melt Right in Your Mouth
Candied yams might sound simple, but getting them right requires patience and a generous hand with the seasoning. At Nana’s Southern Kitchen, they’ve mastered the art of turning a humble sweet potato into something that feels downright indulgent.
Reviewers describe them as deliciously sweet with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that almost reminds you of dessert. One first-time visitor was offered a free sample of the yams by a staff member before ordering — one taste and they were immediately added to the order.
The candied yams pair especially well with the cornbread, creating a sweet-and-savory combo that Southern food lovers will recognize instantly. A couple of reviewers noted they could be slightly less sweet depending on personal preference, but most guests consider the sweetness level to be spot-on.
Either way, they’re one of the most-talked-about sides on the entire menu.
Pork Chops That Visitors From Dallas Called the Best Ever
When someone flies in from Dallas, Texas — a city with no shortage of incredible food — and declares your pork chops the best they’ve ever had, you’ve done something special. That’s exactly the kind of review Nana’s Southern Kitchen has earned more than once.
The pork chops here are cooked with care, coming out tender and full of flavor rather than dry and chewy the way cheaper cuts often do. Paired with seasoned greens and mac and cheese, the plate becomes a full Southern experience that hits every note.
Guests from Georgia mentioned ordering pork chops with candied yams and mixed greens, calling it some of the best food they’d eaten anywhere — period. For a restaurant in Kent, Washington to earn that kind of praise from people raised on authentic Southern cooking is remarkable.
The pork chops alone make Nana’s worth putting on your radar.
The Family Atmosphere That Feels Like Sunday Dinner
Walking into Nana’s Southern Kitchen isn’t just about the food — it’s about the feeling you get the moment you step through the door. The walls are covered in family photos of Nana and loved ones, giving the space the kind of warmth you’d expect at a relative’s house, not a restaurant.
One reviewer described it perfectly: eating there felt like having dinner at grandma’s place in Memphis. Staff members go out of their way to make guests feel welcome, not just served.
A first-time visitor was offered a free sample of yams by a staff member who wanted to make the experience special.
A guest from Dallas even gave away his hat to someone he connected with during his visit — that’s the kind of place Nana’s is. The atmosphere of a Sunday evening dinner after church is something multiple reviewers have specifically called out as unforgettable.
Fried Shrimp and Potato Salad Worth the Trip Alone
Not everyone at Nana’s orders the catfish, and that’s perfectly fine because the fried shrimp gives it serious competition. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, the shrimp delivers the same bold flavor that makes Nana’s seafood options stand out from typical Pacific Northwest fare.
Pair it with the potato salad and you’ve got a combination that one first-time Southern food eater rated “1000 out of 10” when eaten together. That kind of enthusiasm from someone brand new to the cuisine says a lot about how well the flavors complement each other.
The potato salad has a creamy texture with just the right balance of seasoning — not too tangy, not too bland. It’s the kind of side dish that makes you keep sneaking forkfuls between bites of everything else.
For newcomers to Southern food, this combo is an excellent starting point that’s approachable, satisfying, and genuinely memorable.
Cornbread That Comes Out Moist Every Single Time
Dry cornbread is one of the great disappointments of Southern cooking done wrong. Nana’s Southern Kitchen clearly knows this, because reviewers consistently praise their cornbread for being moist, flavorful, and a perfect companion to the rest of the meal.
One guest specifically highlighted how the cornbread paired beautifully with the candied yams, creating a sweet-savory combination that felt completely intentional. Another reviewer called out the moist texture as a standout detail, noting it made the entire meal feel more complete and satisfying.
Cornbread at Nana’s isn’t an afterthought — it’s a supporting player that elevates every dish it sits beside. Whether you’re soaking up greens with it or just eating it on its own, the quality is noticeable.
For a restaurant that prides itself on cooking everything with love, even the cornbread reflects that standard. Small detail, big impact.
Sweet Potato Pie and Banana Pudding for Dessert
Saving room for dessert at Nana’s Southern Kitchen is a decision you won’t regret. The sweet potato pie has earned its own fan base among regulars, with guests calling it a satisfying end to an already impressive meal.
Some reviewers noted they’d prefer it slightly less sweet, but the majority find it hits the right notes for a traditional Southern dessert. The filling is smooth and spiced just enough to remind you why sweet potato pie has been a Southern staple for generations.
The banana pudding, meanwhile, earned a perfect 10 out of 10 from a guest who took an order home along with oxtails. Creamy, rich, and layered with flavor, it’s the kind of dessert that makes you wish you’d ordered two.
Between the pie and the pudding, Nana’s makes a strong case for always leaving a little extra stomach space for something sweet.
Oxtails That Show the Kitchen’s Full Range
Oxtails are one of those dishes that separate serious Southern kitchens from the rest. They require time, patience, and a deep understanding of how to coax flavor out of tough cuts of meat — and not every restaurant is willing to put in that effort.
At Nana’s Southern Kitchen, the oxtails have earned a 10 out of 10 rating from at least one reviewer who took them home after dining in. That kind of score for a to-go order — where food has to survive the trip and still impress — speaks volumes about the quality coming out of the kitchen.
Oxtails aren’t always on every customer’s radar at first, but regulars know to check if they’re available. Rich, slow-cooked, and deeply seasoned, they represent the full ambition of what Nana’s is trying to do: bring honest, soulful Southern cooking to Washington state, one unforgettable plate at a time.
Smothered Chicken, Rice, and Gravy as a Comfort Classic
Few dishes capture the essence of Southern comfort food quite like smothered chicken with rice and gravy. When done right, it’s the kind of meal that makes you slow down, take a deep breath, and just enjoy being exactly where you are.
Nana’s Southern Kitchen offers this classic on their menu, and for many guests it’s the dish that feels most like home cooking. The combination of tender chicken, savory gravy, and fluffy rice creates a hearty, filling plate that satisfies in a way fast food simply never could.
Reviews on this dish have been mixed — some guests found the seasoning to be exactly what they were looking for, while others wished for a bolder flavor profile. The owner has been responsive to this feedback and encourages guests to reach out directly.
For most visitors, though, the smothered chicken delivers the kind of warmth and familiarity that keeps them returning.
A Loyal Following That Spans the Entire Country
It’s one thing to have regulars from the neighborhood. It’s another thing entirely when people from Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and Dallas are making Nana’s Southern Kitchen a planned stop on their Washington trips.
Review after review tells the same story: visitors from the South who thought they’d never find food that tasted like home in the Pacific Northwest walk into Nana’s and immediately feel the difference. One couple from Georgia said they’d been searching for two years before discovering Nana’s, and they ordered extra food to take home.
A family from Texas declared they’d drive back no matter what part of Washington they were visiting next time. That kind of loyalty — built plate by plate, visit by visit — is what separates a good restaurant from a beloved one.
Nana’s has clearly become more than just a meal stop. For many people, it’s become a tradition worth repeating every time they’re in the area.
Why the Drive to Kent Is Absolutely Worth It
People don’t drive hours out of their way for average food. The fact that Nana’s Southern Kitchen consistently draws visitors from across Washington — and from states like Texas and Georgia — tells you everything you need to know about what’s happening in that kitchen on SE 256th Street.
Open most days from 11 AM, with Sunday hours starting at noon, Nana’s is accessible enough for a planned outing or a spontaneous road trip craving. The phone number is easy to find, online ordering is available, and the staff genuinely tries to make every visit feel personal and welcoming.
Whether you’re a lifelong Southern food fan or someone who’s never tried collard greens before, Nana’s meets you where you are. First-timers become regulars, and regulars become the kind of loyal fans who leave reviews saying they’d give ten stars if they could.
For comfort food this good, the drive is always worth it.
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