4. Restaurants

Southern Rail Restaurant

300 W Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ, 85013
  • (602) 200-0085
  • Store is closed

Southern Rail Restaurant Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

Visit below restaurant in Phoenix for healthy meals suggestion.

Arby’s ( 17031 N Tatum Blvd )
Arby’s ( 2402 W Thomas Rd )

Visit below restaurant in Phoenix for healthy meals suggestion.

Arby’s ( 17031 N Tatum Blvd )
Arby’s ( 2402 W Thomas Rd )

  • Faye C.

    Brioche rolls with apple butter make a great start. The fried chicken and gumbo (add shrimp) are a must. Save room for dessert- the bread pudding is delicious. The atmosphere is good and service both times we've been was excellent. Definitely recommend!

    (4)

  • Starr N.

    Phenomenal food!! I also had the gumbo but I did not feel that it was real true gumbo more of a jambalaya then anything but it was still delicious!! Our waiter Chris was amazing and tended to all of our needs. We even got to speak with the manager and gave her big thumbs up which is a big deal coming from foodies! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone and everyone!

    (5)

  • Jessica L.

    I had a great first visit! I had a good sandwich but the star of the show was the banana pudding. They use ginger snaps instead of vanilla wafers and it took it to the next level! Loved it, can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Michael R.

    It wasn't bad... had the mellon soup, which wasn't quite what I expected. The grits needed salt, the Mac and Cheese was okay... The brocolli/cauliflower bake was really good. I might try it again if someone else wanted to go there, but probably wouldn't go out of my way. Kind of pricey too.

    (3)

  • Connie L.

    I went during Marti gras. It was unpleasantly loud but made the atmosphere uppity. The staff was friendly but service was mehh. I was in a party of 7 and food arrived like 15-20 min apart from each other. So makes it awkward to either courteously wait for other peoples to arrive and have yours get cold.. Or just start eating when they didn't get their food yet. Also, the cocktails came after the food arrived. The food was good but not worth the $45 for a meal for two (with tax and tip) and the atmosphere and service.

    (3)

  • Jeanine L.

    Just okay. The BLT salad is a wedge salad, which I don't care for (not a fan of iceberg lettuce). Perhaps that was mentioned on the menu, but didn't catch it. Essentially was an expensive snack. Spouse had the roast beef po'boy, which was just okay. Fries were terrific. Service was polite but not attentive. This is our second visit to this restaurant and although the surroundings are beautiful, we probably won't go out of our way to eat here again.

    (2)

  • Claire I.

    Awesome server Chris recommended the fried green tomatoes they are fantastic! Great service great menu can't wait to have brunch. Every time I come here the service is better than the time before. Would recommend hands down.

    (5)

  • Jason O.

    First time coming to this place and let me tell you....we will be back. Our server Jordan was excellent!! He walked us through each menu item, gave us his suggestions and recommendations and was just awesome. Service is HUGE in my book and Jordan knocked it out of the park!! This place has a great ambiance and atmosphere. Can't wait to come back and try the dinner menu. Great way to start off a Sunday morning.

    (5)

  • Megan Y.

    We've been wanting to check out this place for a while now since we love Beckett's so much. Very cozy rustic feel and knew we'd get some good "home cooking" yet at a restaurant. 1/2 rack pork ribs were delish! I'm a fan of the sauce and this is coming from the girl who grew up with legendary Dinosaur BBQ from NY. Mom ordered the chicken and biscuits and was thoroughly pleased, minus the mushrooms. Sis got the butternut squash soup to start which was just heavenly. She had the brined pork dinner which looked good but I think she said it was a little dry. I suggest not "splitting" the cornbread salad because there wasn't much on the plate but all together it was a great salad. Server was quick to clear our plates. When I worked in the industry we were taught not to clear plates until everyone was finished. He took a while to take our order as well but was otherwise attentive with water, extra napkins, and a finger bowl with a wet napkin, as I had the ribs. Would definitely go back. My boyfriend is from the South and would appreciate good Southern comfort food with some New Orleans style favorites. Wanted a good hot meal after our horse trail ride so this hit the spot!

    (4)

  • Cliff S.

    This place is OK, very cool atmosphere, wanted more out of the food. Fried Okra and gumbo, I was excited. Food came out to meet expectations but nothing to write home about. Gumbo was more or less bland, same for the okra. Service was strong and the location is cool. I would go back for drinks, maybe need to do some more exploration on the menu. Cool location near Camelback and Central with light rail running right in front. Food presentation was on point as well. Probably worth a try .

    (3)

  • Daniel A.

    I wanted to try this new place and waited for the restaurant to get settled in before we tried it (I didn't wait long enough) bland grits, Duck was cooked well but with the sides was just ok and gumbo was inedible and burned The item was removed from check (thank you) but the manager tried to tell me about how a black roux taste not knowing I have a culinary degree it wasn't the roux some one scorched the pot !!!

    (3)

  • Andrew S.

    I have a feeling that Southern Rail is not going to make it. The service is just so/so, it may be because they are new and working out the kinks, but we didn't particularly feel welcomed. Everyone seemed kind of frenzied. I do love the atmosphere, it's very open and fresh looking. I also like that they kept the booths from Beefeaters, something new something old... We lived in Atlanta so we have high standards when it comes to southern cooking. The ribs were a standout. They were tender and the meat fell off the bone. The gumbo was also excellent. Unfortunately, just about everything else we ordered was not good. Let me start with the biscuits which were hard as rocks. Biscuits should be light and fluffy.... The fried green tomatoes were too firm, not sweet the way they are down south. The corn bread was dry...the biggest One of the biggest food disappointments of the night was the coconut cake it was so dry it was hard to eat. It is a major fail. I wanted to like Southern Rail but I am not a fan. I give it two stars for atmosphere and the excellent ribs.

    (2)

  • Brian A.

    Been here three times, every time sat at the bar, only ordered drinks. The menu looks interesting. First time it was in the afternoon and not busy so my needs were attended to immediately. Second was early Christmas Eve evening. After I told barkeep I needed a minute he gave me at least 7, closer to 10, until I finally flagged him down. Of course they sold out of the beer on the menu I wanted. When I asked a different barkeep about Wi-Fi password, she wasn't sure. When I used provided password she gave that didn't work, she said "I guess it's down" and didn't inquire about the correct password. Next time try harder to please your customers. Third was mid afternoon and didn't have any problems.

    (2)

  • Greg M.

    Went for lunch, sat at the bar... Couldn't be more satisfied. The house toast was one of the best appetizers I've had in quite some time. The bartender provides excellent service. I'll be back.

    (5)

  • Amos N.

    First time at this amazing "new" place. Food was excellent and our server (Jordan) took great care of us, all of his suggestions were spot on. Great selection of beers too. We will be back for sure.

    (5)

  • Adam S.

    I don't usually write poor reviews. This place is a waste of time, money, and energy to get there. After our table not being ready at time for our reservation, we sat down. Then we waited 10 mins to get the server to bring us water. Another 10 mins for cocktails, and wow, we finally get to order!. We got the cornbread salad and the chicken and biscuit dumplings. Salad was good, chicken not so much. Especially after waited 10 mins after our entree was served to get the wine. To dessert, the French toast was very good. Only issue, is that it was supposed to be bread pudding and $8 for one piece of French toast, they must be making some great margins!

    (2)

  • Geoff S.

    They've done an excellent job with the restaurant. First time visiting and we will returning soon. Drink menu is very good with a nice variety of bourbons and scotches. Small plate selection is also very good. We ordered the tomato, onion, and bacon tart -- along with the fried green tomatoes, both were excellent! For our entrees we ordered the gumbo and pork tenderloin... absolutely amazing! Service was handled by Chris who was very friendly, relaxed, and knew the menu. I don't usually make note of waitstaff by name for future reference but he left a lasting impression and will certainly ask for him the next time we visit. Thank you to everybody for an excellent dinner!

    (5)

  • Kaylen M.

    Always had great service here. The people are friendly and sweet and very helpful. Every dish I've ever gotten I have absolutely loved. I miss the pan-seared trout, but the new smoked trout is almost just as good. I love sitting at the bar because the bartenders are always really nice, friendly and very helpful. I just love this place.

    (5)

  • Connie C.

    Absolutely ridiculous! Food should not be this great. From start to finish with Chris as our guide. If you have not eaten here, get in your car and go!

    (5)

  • Rick G.

    Southern Rail is Top on my Scale! Kudos to Chef Justin Beckett, Southern Rail's Foodist Awards 2013 Top Chef who made it Food and Wine's Places to Eat in Phoenix and Zagat's #1 of 11, not to mention #8 restaurant on Seftel's top 10 and his staff! But the awards are meaningless lest the eatery equals the significance of the honors - and by Jove the "Rail" does just that. Since moving to the area, I had been hankering for some really good comfort vittles, refreshing Southern cuisine that is, and Restaurant Week helped make that happen! Our weekly date night at the Southern Rail recently was started with a fantastic local wine, a Lawrence Dunham Vineyards Viognier 2012. A wine rendition bringing back memories of the lush Viogniers we enjoyed while living in Virginia. This version is full bodied yet with a lush and easy character are expressed the apparent longer growing seasons in Arizona. With the wine, we began the incredible tastings with their cornbread muffins made with black pepper and honey butter - an incredible muffin. For starters, we gave in to ordering "Rail's" appetizers of a great tasting and extremely well prepared fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese and pea tendrils and their smoked chicken and andouille gumbo ya ya with white rice and green onions - a fanciful rendition of a southern standard. I loved every single spoonful - I was sorry it was gone so soon. For the main courses, my wife thoroughly enjoyed the Grand mama's Meatloaf - my wife summing it up best said... "this has been the best meatloaf I've ever had!" Meanwhile, I had the brilliantly prepared portion of cider brined pork loin served over brown butter whipped nicely sweet potatoes, sided by very nicely prepared collard greens - no, not vinegary. We both enjoyed a sampling of their home-made "super" creamy grits. So much enjoyed, that I can honestly say, I cannot remember when was the last time I had them this good. I even asked for the recipe nicely, but was courteously denied access to it - 'bummer'! We finished off the meal with an order of beignets with powdered sugar. I must say though, that of the total delightful dinner extravaganza, only the beignets were not what we expected - but nobody can be perfect! For anyone who has a love of Southern Cuisine, whether as comfort food or nouveau cuisine, Southern Rail will astonish your taste buds. The location is a fabulous piece of restoration, redesign and history along with a comfortable, homey and yet modern atmospheric approach that is desirable, laid-back, and aesthetically pleasing to both the ambiance and comfort! The initial views on approaching the location, is as if reaching a circa 1950's new drive-in-style structure, but once inside, everything from the incredible bar area, to the tables and seating areas, not to mention their airy and nicely landscaped and appointed outdoor area are fabulous and appealing. Their desire to combine great food, great atmosphere, great service and great ambience has been flawlessly accomplished, and reserves us the right to continue to frequent this Chef's Masterpiece. Chef Beckett and Staff, please continue to amaze the Gourmét and the Novice of your splendid artistry, as we plan to continue to enjoy it. Gástro Ecléctico rates Southern Rail at the top of the heap. Bon appétit ya'll!

    (5)

  • Megan O.

    The service was absolutely perfect, friendly and efficient but not overbearing. The atmosphere is warm, comforting and inviting just like their food. The food... Oh the food!! The passion for amazing food done right was apparent in ever single dish. This is the perfect place to take friends for happy hour or a date for dinner. My new favorite restaurant in Phoenix!

    (5)

  • Michelle A.

    For those of you who have lived in the area a while, you may remember the wonderful little hole in the wall on Cave Creek Rd called The Ragin' Cajun. There has been nothing in comparison since it closed. Until now! Ordering an ice cold Dixie beer put my taste buds and memories into high gear! We've been back twice in a week. Both of our waiters were helpful, personable. We loved Chris on our first visit. He was funny and made our evening more enjoyable with his suggestions and comments. Buddy was our second visit. Cute, helpful and attentive. I had the Gumbo YaYa on our first visit and the red beans and rice with andouille sausage on the second. Both were spot on! Fried green tomatoes, collard greens, beignets. I can't wait to go back again and try something else. As long as I get my Dixie beer, I'm in heaven. Hmmmm. Maybe tomorrow?

    (5)

  • Malinda L.

    My husband loves the chicken dumplings. I'm vegetarian, so I have to chose from the salad selection. It would be nice to have a meatless entree, but I'm used to the lack of not veg options at restaurants. The dark haired bartender is knowledgeable about Gin, which is great because unfortunately, most bartenders are not. Drinks were good, cornbread and brioche were great, and I'm a sucker for Mac n Cheese. The best part, however, is being next to changing hands book store. I give it a 4 for meat lovers and drinks, and 2 1/2 for vegetarians. Cool atmosphere, but beware the table bases- they are metal with corners and easy to hit your legs on.

    (4)

  • J. P.

    Beautiful reuse of an old classic building, the wood ceiling, brick walls, old tile and mirror all add up to a nice space. But the noise, oh the noise! I felt like I was a victim of auditory assault! Contemporary Southern Food made for an interesting menu but the "hearty" fish and shrimp jambalaya was more of a nice fish dish not at all a jambalaya (and shrimp were so shrimpy they were nonexistent.) Please don't call a dish something that's it's not. Best looking dishes of the night were companions' pork chop and the tomato tart. Service needs some fine tuning. Small plates as appetizers came out at the same time as main course and drinks and dishes were randomly put down in front of diners. Finally, if you can't make separate checks but will take different credit cards for different amounts, then at least put the right amount on each card please. With the same parents as Beckett's Table, I know this baby is going to work out the growing pains and will be an asset to the 'hood soon!

    (2)

  • Andrea D.

    I don't really get this place. It's absolutely lovely, the location is awesome, and if you want to grab lunch and then browse books, you would be wise to try this place. But the food...? I am not a picky eater by a long shot but I found this menu limited and unappealing. I finally chose the BLT salad, but it was way overthought--a hunk of iceberg topped with tomatoes and bacon and, it seems, barbecue sauce? It was not the light lunch I anticipated. The fried green tomatoes appetizer was kind of good but similarly overwrought, what with the pimiento spread. Our (adorable) waiter explained that the food concept was "Southern but not really Southern" and I guess I would have to agree with that. I hail from south of the Mason Dixon, and this strikes me as food that some Yankee on a highfalutin cooking show would think is Southern. I am not at all tempted to return, at least until they round out the menu with some more solid, traditional, Southern-inflected classics.

    (3)

  • Alexandra G.

    Amazing! We loved brunch and can't wait to return for dinner! Tried the grilled watermelon salad with pecan chimichurri, peaches and sweet pea tendrils on top! I added smoked chicken and had never tasted better smoked chicken. Yum! We also ordered the BLT salad with cola BBQ drizzle and charred green onions. Excellent ambiance, with even original Beefeaters chandeliers! Adorable! Job well done....we will be back again & again & again!!!!

    (5)

  • Nasos P.

    Loved the concept and the single malt and bourbon selection, But when the bill came there was an extra 2$ ice charge for each of my drinks!! Seriously! The bartender's excuse was that they pour 1oz more when ordered with ice!! It would be nice if this was actually mentioned in the menu!!

    (1)

  • Caryn W.

    My colleague and I stopped here to kill a couple hours before a meeting. They have a great selection of whiskeys, a couple local beers on tap and a good selection of wine. We ordered a couple light bites - the rice balls were tasty despite the unattractive sauce they were presented in and fried green tomatoes were delicious dressed in this amazing pepper aioli. The bar is partly inside and outside and much of the restaurant opens up to a nicely landscaped patio. The only downside of this place was our server - pretty unfriendly. I think we were there at the changing of shifts. I arrived excited about the selection of whiskeys and my partner was happy his favorite beer was on tap but we left feeling meh. Maybe we'll try again next time we're in town.

    (3)

  • R B.

    This is a lovely space with great ambiance. Our waiter Josh, was amazing and had some good recommendations. However, for the price I had higher expectations of the food. It was average. The small plates are decently priced for that style of al a cart eating, but the entree item I had seemed grossly over priced for the portion size. I don't think I'd return simply because I don't feel like I got my moneys worth, but the waiter made the experience worth while for a rare expensive night out. However, if you rarely go out and have expensive meals, there are better places to go for the money.

    (3)

  • Cristie F.

    I can honestly say this was one of the worst restaurants I have been to in a long time. The food is bland and the service was poor. I brought my friend here during restaurant week, but opted to order off of the menu instead of the restaurant week one. We ordered: friend green tomatoes, Mac n cheese, ribs, gumbo, wedge salad, collard greens, and the red velvet cake. None of which was good. Such a disappointment too because we were so excited to eat here as we are both foodies and love trying new local spots!

    (1)

  • Steve S.

    Let some friends talk me into going here a few nights ago. Walked in without a reservation and were seated within a few minutes. Decor was interesting, but there's one problem: NOISE! Between the concrete floors, flat wooden ceiling and glass along one wall, the place is deafening. Could not hear the petite waitress's voice (apparently she couldn't hear us either because when she informed us that they were out of cornbread (how does that happen???), she asked if we wanted the brioche rolls. The answer was "No, that's OK", but they showed up anyway). Food was decent but not fantastic. Gumbo was not very zesty. Agree with others that Chicken & Dumplings was anemic with the chicken portion. Servings were anything but generous for the price paid. Been there, done that - probably will not return as nothing stood out and I really like to be able to hear my dining companions.

    (3)

  • Amanda W.

    The atmosphere is great! The service was also great, however the food really left more to be desired. I felt the food really was not very good and it was rather cold and overpriced. We went in for brunch and left disappointed. The gumbo was very bland and the portions and incredibly small for the price.

    (2)

  • Mo B.

    A friend and I were next door at Changing Hands and after glancing at some fine books, we got curious at the bar next door. Intrigued, we decided to check it out. The bar was full. After all, it was Thirsty Thursday. The host accommodated us at a table even though it was reserved for some people who were expected to show up within the hour. So, our time was limited. And to ease our "press for time" stress level, the service attendants did just that...attend attentively. We got water on schedule. Our waiter worked diligently to get us our meals quickly knowing our time was short. But as soon as we tasted the fried green tomatoes, we knew we were in trouble! There was no way we were going to devour our food and savor it at the same time. We knew our limited time meant that we would have to inhale and run! And that we would have to return at a later time when the clock would tick our way. The food was simply DELICIEUX... (gotta write 'delicious' in French) because it was that good. We added to our plate the crispy duck leg confit and, of course, good ole mac n cheese. I have a feeling we also ordered the dirty rice but I can't recall for certain at this point. Perhaps I was thinking about it so much that I thought it up on my plate. Southern Rail is one of those restaurant experiences that you won't soon forget. The taste of the food is etched on your palate for quite some time.

    (5)

  • AJ S.

    Service was nice. Pork loin was very good and kale salad was pretty good. Overall most dishes were average. Drinks were reasonable but this place doesn't compare to its sister restaurant beckett table and they ran out of 4 things at 8pm on Saturday night...come on...

    (3)

  • John A.

    We had a wonderful dining experience at The Southern Rail. I recommend the duck. The service was fantastic.

    (5)

  • Kristen A.

    beautiful restaurant! love the decor and the inside/outside bar. during the spring and fall, there is no better place in AZ to enjoy a cocktail and snack than outside at the bar or on the patio. my boyfriend and i like to frequent their social hour quite often where we have tried nearly all of the $7 cocktails and all of them are wonderful. my favorite is "medlock by moonlight" and the fella is preferential to "the gentleman johnson". in terms of food, we always go with the potted shrimp remoulade and the dirty rice croquettes--both are delicious. we've also tried the toast n jam n cheese, but i don't love the croutons they use (too crunchy) and i'm not a fan of pimento (the bacon jam is bomb though). we have also thoroughly enjoy the okra and my boyfriend loves the fried green tomatoes. mostly we go for social hour, but one visit we split a daily special (aka not on the regular menu) that came with salmon and veggies and it was SO GOOD. i wish i could describe it in detail, but it was awhile ago and i may or may not have had a few medlock cocktails beforehand so my memory is fuzzy ;) all in all, a great place to relax, enjoy some quality food & drinks and hang out!

    (4)

  • Julie L.

    This place is awesome. I would give it a 3.5 but Yelp doesn't have that as an option. I think it could be a 4 in the very near future. The space itself is amazing. Gorgeous. Right next door to Changing Hands bookstore which is so...cool. I'd never been in one before. I'm from Georgia so I love southern food and get excited when I find a good one especially in AZ! The food was really, good. I had the fried chicken. It was super crispy and super juicy. The only complaint I would have would be that I went home with 3 pieces of friend chicken but I had no sides left. The side size of serving is too small in proportion to the amount of the main part of your entree. That's the only negative I have. The service was great. Will definitely go back again soon.

    (3)

  • Erik C.

    Great food & excellent service combined with a good location next to Changing Hands make this a restaurant to visit

    (5)

  • Marie G.

    Gourmet Southern, that's what the food here is! We tried just about every item on the social hour menu (that's the menu between lunch and dinner) and I can't tell you which plate, or drink, was the best because we couldn't agree on it. They were all fantastic. We moved from the bar to a lovely table in the back room for dinner and were again thrilled by the offerings. Smoked trout, chicken with bread dumplings, peel and eat shrimp, and, of course, bread pudding with bourbon sauce for desert. Because... Southern! Now, about the service. We were here on a Friday without having made a reservation. It was my mother-in-law's 70th birthday and we weren't certain she would be able to go out for dinner. The staff handled all of that for us and gave us a great experience where many other restaurants could (and probably would) have gone the other way on such a busy night. So a big thank-you to Hunter and Jacob.

    (5)

  • Erica C.

    Wonderful looking restaurant. Cool ceiling and decor. Even the bathrooms are pretty. Ok. Let's get down to the food. We had the brioche with Apple butter to start. Apple butter was creamy and sweet. Delicious. The brioche buns were average. Nothing special. Thank goodness Apple butter was served with it. For my main course I had cider pork loin with sweet potato mash and collard greens. The loin needed salt but was cooked very well. Flavor was fine. Nothing spectacular. Sweet potato mash was yummy For dessert we had the bread pudding. It was delicious and if I wasn't drunk before I ate it, I definitely was after. The bourbon sauce is definitely for those of legal drinking age. All in all it was a good meal. But would I go back? Maybe. There are so many great restaurants in phoenix

    (4)

  • Carol C.

    This restaurant is great to go for lunch. The restaurant is super comfortable and nice inside and the service is terrific. This new little plaza is really nice with Changing Hands Book Store and Southwest Gardener right next door. Alas, I didn't have enough time to shop on my lunch hour. I had the shrimp po'boy with a side of collard greens. The po'boy wasn't like what I've eaten in New Orleans but then, I don't think anything will be. All in all it was a really great sandwich and I would definitely order it again. There are several things on the menu that look fantastic but I'm really interested in trying the fried green tomatoes. The day I went the doors were wide open and it was as if we were sitting outside, enjoying Phoenix's beautiful Spring weather.

    (4)

  • Catalina C.

    Went for social hour, had the Austin mule. It was tasty, served in a stainless steal mug. Also had the fried green tomatoes, spicy and crunchy. The 3 stars are due to the service. I wasn't ready to order, my friend was, so be got his drink. Then we had to make sure to get the bartender's attention in order to place our order. He brought no plates, napkins or utensils so we had to go and take them from one of the tables that was set up. The bartender was our server, not very friendly and kept saying "ya"instead of, of course, anything else? The gal that came after was soooooo much nicer, like day and night.

    (3)

  • Rachel D.

    This place was absolutely amazing!! The original restaurant we had reservations at for Valentine's Day cancelled on us...Turned out to be a good thing because we ended up here!! What an amazing restaurant, from the ambiance to the service. They were very very busy being a holiday and the server did not skip a beat. Even when I found that they had run out of my favorite kind of dessert, he not only took care of our dessert, but brought me chocolate ice cream for my "chocolate craving." So thoughtful! We absolutely loved this place and cannot wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Jeff C.

    Came here for social hours, menu was great and prices were cheap. Great drink list and good beer selection. Emily behind the bar was great.

    (5)

  • Elisha D.

    Like most on yelp I really wanted to like this place..food is super bland,staff super rude.what a waste of historical space.something good awesome and delicious needs to be here!

    (1)

  • Brian C.

    I'll probably get some criticism for my review, but it was just my opinion of my visit. Going in you could tell this is one of the those places that makes things complicated for its own sake. Rather than taking something simple and tested, they try to change it by adding a bunch of unheard of spices and charge double the price. We came in around 8 on a Saturday night, however everything was sold out as far as the daily specials go. They don't serve the lunch menu, so that pretty much leaves salads and appetizers. After a 4 hour car ride, I wanted more than a salad, so I tried the Mac and cheese. It was strange, hints of fennel seed in a non-creamy sort of wet powdered texture that wasn't pleasant at all. It was almost like bland paste with fennel and peppercorn. $8 please! We also had brioche rolls and the apple butter. The rolls were about $7 and around the size of a kings Hawaiian roll. They were soft, but as soon as you bit in, it instantaneously turned into this mushy glop of flavorless paste. It did come with apple butter and that was about the only thing going for it. I don't know who their market is, but not serving even sandwiches and having the choice between a salad and a $22 entree is a big gap. I wish they had cheeseburgers at least. What's wrong with cheese burgers? This place gives me the feeling that it's pretentious for the sake of being pretentious. People paying more to get the feeling that they're somehow different than everyone else because they had a "culinary experience." I'm not buying it. You'll find me around the corner at the Windsor where at least their food tastes good. They do get stars for service I guess. The wait staff was friendly enough.

    (3)

  • David W.

    I went very excited on thursday to enjoy the meatloaf. unfortunately it was just plain not good. It could have been anything molded into a cube or loaf with only the flavor of the bbq sauce or the pepper in the meatloaf. I spent years traveling the south on Business, Savannah, New Orleans, Dallas, and all in between and never have I had meatloaf even remotely like this. The brocolli was good, and the potato salad was ok. My friend had appetizers only, the smoked trout and the onion tomato tart both fab!. The corn bread was great! The desert, coconut cake, was just ok but the Beignets (sp?) were over the top. I hope in the outside month that you can sit outside and order coffee and the Beignets....then worth the trip. I spend so much time at Becketts table because it is really good! This.....well, they need to close for a month, take a road trip south, spend some time with Art Smith, Paul Prudhomme, and yes Paula Deen, to name a few. Then regroup. I'm not sure if I will go back.

    (2)

  • Dennis M.

    Ok, I have been there now 4 times. Two times for drinks and once with my wife for lunch. For lunch I had the trout and it was OK. Its served cold which surprised me a little. Wife had the po boy and it was OK...mediocre flavor. So now we go tonight for a drink and our 17 yr old daughter is with us. We enter and host tells us it is prix fris night... mind you there is NO one sitting at full rail along Camelback road or at long table by bar. Then manager comes to say he can probably accommodate us but they are closing early. Its 740pm on a Tuesday and we have our daughter with us...pretty obvious we are not intending to close the place down. Really awkward overall experience. Tragic because we live in Encanto, work with the neighborhood association, and would love a local venue to hang at. Highly unlikely we will give it another shot. Very Unfortunate.

    (2)

  • Joseph K.

    The reviews for this place have been mixed; here's my take. Atmosphere - Good; Service - Good; Prices - Average; Portions - Small (you don't get much for your money); Food - mediocre at best. We had reservations and were seated promptly. Service was friendly and attentive. For an appetizer we ordered their "signature" Fried Green Tomatoes. $9 for 3 tomato slices that were heavily covered with cornmeal - too much coating. For my entrée I had the Smoked Chicken & Grilled Andouille Gumbo. It was the best dish of the evening however it was unlike any Gumbo I've ever had - tasty but nothing like what you get in Louisiana. Again, very small portion especially considering it is listed on the menu as a "Large Plate" dinner entrée. My companion ordered the la Plancha Blackened Catfish and she did not care for it at all. A thin piece of fish heavily coated in corn meal with no detectable Blackened spice. All you could taste was deep-fried cornmeal. There are a few decent Cajun/Creole restaurants in the Phoenix area. This is not one of them.

    (2)

  • Justin W.

    Positive: Nice decor. Seated right away. Not so positive: Let's start with cocktails. 9 dollars for cocktails. Not very good ones at that and they were very small. I am pretty sure there wasn't much for alcohol in the Austin Mule. I am a light weight and I didn't feel a thing. We ordered the appetizer fried green tomatoes. They were just ok. Not great. If southern food is your thing then I think fried green tomatoes is something you should do absolutely amazingly. They just weren't. We opted not to order any more food because it was priced rather expensive from the start. Price is not an issue when you get value for your money, but when there didn't seem to be much justifying the high prices we skipped the rest of meal. I am not sure if we will go back. It is disappointing because we high hopes for a new restaurant in the neighborhood. On a positive note, go have a glass of wine at the cute bookstore next to the restaurant.

    (1)

  • Jennifer H.

    Waiter Chris was awesome! Fried green tomatoes were perfect. . Loved the Austin Mule drink!

    (5)

  • Epicentre R.

    Excellent atmosphere great food A great twist on classic Southern comfort food-our server Chris was excellent! I will definitely be coming back.

    (5)

  • Ryan B.

    The food is simply delicious. The building is amazing and the staff are great. Definitely one of the best restaurants in Az.

    (5)

  • Adrian M.

    Just tried the gumbo here at southern rail. Not too heavy, just right with shredded chicken and sausage . The place has a simple southern style and has plenty of space. next door offers a different bar- coffee shop with a neat book store full of knick knacks and what nots. Also there's plenty of space for studying. It's kind of a shame it's not more packed, perhaps it's due to the fact that it's Thursday. All I know is I'll be coming more to try out more food and drinks

    (4)

  • Melissa H.

    Will have to revisit in a few weeks once the kitchen works out the kinks. The menu looks a lot like Beckett's table in layout, but with a southern twist. Warning, the place can get spendy. You'll order some fried green tomatoes, some mac and cheese and the brioche rolls and then tuck into a cocktail, an entree and dessert and you'll find yourself dropping about 80 bucks. The interior is very welcoming and bright. You can't beat the location next to changing hands bookstore. Warning, do not park next door in the business building next door. They will tow! Our table found things a bit over cooked with the only flavor being salt rather than more nuanced smokiness, also the lack of hot sauce was a little disappointing. I loved the brioche rolls which come in a pool of butter in a cast iron pan, although they are a buck a roll. The fried green tomatoes are what enticed us in, but we found them on the thin side with a breading that seemed like something premade and dredged, the pimento cheese needed a kick. Like I said, it's never fair to judge a place this new, but it's great to see something new go into the old Beef Eater's space which was languishing. The interior bar is (there are two) is great looking and one of them opens into changing hands. I have a feeling there will be a lot of blind dates going on there :)

    (3)

  • Toney N.

    Well having once lived in Alabama and Oklahoma I was expecting some old fashion southern cooking hence the name "Souther Rail" That was not the case. I started with the appetizer fried green tomatoes. The totatoes were small I felt like a giant eating them. Biting into them did not really taste the tomato as much as I did the crispy coating. I added 3 sugars into the sweet tea. As an entree I had the chicken and dumplings. It reminded me more of a soup with vegetables and bread.The broth was tasty but just missing the mark on sothern cooking for me. For desert had the coconut cake. It was tasty but a little bit dry. The resturant itself is beautiful and comfortable, but I was a little disappointed. I think there are a few things you just dont mess with and that is real southern cooking that looks and taste like someone's mother or grandmother made. I dont think I will return. I do hope you like it, but its not for me.

    (3)

  • Rick M.

    Jesus!! This place is great, I had the pork loin but dined with relatives so I tried a bunch of things off of the menu and it was worth every single dollar. The restaurant has a wonderful ambience and the service was excellent. I have been restaurant hopping around Phoenix and after about fifteen or so meals at their competition and neighbors, Southern Rail would definitely be in the top 3. Wonderful place and it took my by surprise, give this place a chance!

    (5)

  • Renee L.

    I loved every minute of it. It is a true dining experience. The service was spot on, and the Fried green tomatoes were AMAZING!!!!!!!!! This was a fine dining experience with expert and experienced chefs in the back. Their twist on "Southern Food" is amazing. The servers are experts and know the food, ingredients and how it is prepared. The Pork Loin was perfection, and the Bread Pudding is to DIE for (sorry G'Ma). Cant wait until patio season has returned to Phoenix, so I can enjoy their beautiful patio.

    (5)

  • Katie W.

    Great food, great service Went to Southern Rail on an early Friday night (6:30). Good crowd but easy to get a table. They have a good bourbon list and fine scotch list - bartender knew his stuff and was able to make some good recommendations. We had the grilled watermelon salad, trout, and catfish. All were great. Changing hands in the same building is a great stop to walk off your drinks or stop in for a pre-dinner drink and browse. Would definitely go again.

    (4)

  • Judy C.

    My husband and I were looking for unique birthday gifts and came across Southern Rail for lunch--yum, yum. We had the BLT Salad with the best pickled relish dressing and a friend green tomato and pimento cheese po boy, which was scrumptious! Redding, our server was very accommodating and helpful. I had a bloody mary with their own pickled carrots. OMG!!!! What more can I say?

    (5)

  • Lyndon V.

    Great food, atmosphere, and good service. Awesome take on southern classics and stepping them up.

    (5)

  • Shannon W.

    I just had a small dinner meeting in the private dining room. It was fantastic! Dinner was excellent. All of my guest gave it rave reviews. They especially loved the duck and the Wednesday special of fried chicken. The dessert cannot be missed! The private room was perfect. Not too loud at all. Our server, Chris, was funny and attentive! The whole evening went off beautifully. Thanks!

    (5)

  • Donna L.

    I had the grilled watermelon salad not bad but disappointed with the name only 3 or 4 small pieces of watermelon to be found. Had good flavors though. I had the head on BBQ shrimp. Wasn't exactly expecting to have to remove all the shell to eat, also a bit surprised with the flavors. Tasted fine but expected a lighter sauce without body shells in-tacked and more BBQ flavor. We had the beignets for dessert they were excellent.

    (4)

  • Kristine C.

    After reading all of the negative reviews, I was a bit skeptical of dining at Southern Rail. The entire experience was just wonderful and I'm glad I ignored these reviews! I've dined extensively in Europe...I know what good food is! I thoroughly enjoyed the chicken and biscuit dumplings and was also able to sample the pork tenderloin. If you're not a picky eater, you'll certainly enjoy the yummy vegetables. Collard greens and sweet potatoes...doesn't get any better! We finished our meal with beignets...almost as good as Cafe du Monde in New Orleans! Plus, our waitress was a real gem and checked on us multiple times. We'll be back!

    (4)

  • Kristin B.

    I have been to Southern Rail for dinner and just had the privilege to sample their lunch menu. It is delicious and absolutely love the atmosphere and ambience . A culinary tour of the south from the Carolinas on over. Loved the fried green tomatoes, po boys, gumbo and trout! Chef Beckett never disappoints! Make your way over for dinner or mark your calendars for the new lunch opening August 4th! Can't wait to head back - may have to try a Wednesday for fried chicken!

    (5)

  • Dave B.

    Fantastic service - the hostess greeted us promptly and we were seated quickly. Our waiter was excellent; quick service on cocktails, our water was never less than half full, he knew the menu very well and had excellent timing for when to appear. Collard greens -- fantastic!!! Brown Butter sweet potatoes -- OMFG!!! Not an official side, but we pleaded and they gave us a dish as a side. Excellent beignets -- they even came with a warning about the powdered sugar! :P Spicy gumbo w/lots of sausage. Bread pudding -- wow. just wow. Wife had the fish special with a corn flan -- Ms. 'Always takes half home' ate everything! Would give this place 5 stars, but the noise was a problem. We were too close to the 'community table' and could barely carry a conversation because of how loud those people were.

    (4)

  • Sterling L.

    Where to begin on this restaurant: a group of coworkers and I decided to go to this restaurant as a going away present for a coworker that was leaving. It was a total of 16 of us that decided to give this restaurant shot. Everything was wonderful about this restaurant including the food, the drinks, and the service! The waiter was awesome - I think his name was Chris. When it came time for us to leave we asked the waiter if we could split the bill and we were told that it was restaurant policy that they never split the bill for any large groups. So we spent just under the next hour trying to figure out who purchased what and finding out what each person's financial responsibility was. At the end of the evening, we all ended up splitting purchase anyway. This is not what I consider a very customer friendly experience. At the end of the day the waiter probably would've ended up with more tips if he was able to split the bill.

    (2)

  • Mr. M.

    Service was great, drinks were fantastic (especially the wine) and the ambiance was equally enjoyable. However, not a group-friendly place. See below: This evening, my supervisor took 15 faculty and staff members out for drinks to celebrate our week. The service was great and so were our drinks. We spend an hour drinking and enjoying the beautiful patio by the fireplace. When our supervisor left, she paid for our drinks. We were having such a good time, we all decided to stay and order food and more drinks. When some of us were getting ready to leave at 8pm, we asked to have our bills. Our server explained that he could not split our bills. Since the majority of us did not have cash on us, we grew concerned. We asked again to please have our bills split so we could individually cover our tabs. We were told that it was restaurant policy to not split the tab. We spent the next 45 minutes as a group trying to figure out how to pay the bill, we ended up splitting it up anyway according to what each of ordered tossing in several credit cards and some cash. The cashier ended up splitting it anyway according to our notes on the receipt. What was a fun night of great food and time with our co-workers turned into disappointing and frustrating mathematical nightmare lasting 45 minutes. Total buzz kill. We didn't bring this to the attention to the manager because we did not want to throw our server (Chris) under the bus since his service was impeccable. While I would enjoy returning to this place, I would not recommend bringing a group. We all left disappointed and frustrated by our experience. This could have been a 5-star review.

    (2)

  • Lisa G.

    I have visited Southern Rail twice now. As a native Southerner, I very much appreciate anywhere outside the South that is able to hold a candle to real Southern food. I also appreciate the elevation of Southern food outside fried foods and meat. Southern Rail does all of that. First of all, the vegetable small plates are fantastic. I highly recommend the butter beans and garden peas. The beans are cooked until just soft, the lemon zest is a zingy addition, and the crispy chicken skin makes for a great crunch. Another standout is the grilled watermelon salad, which is as tasty as it is beautiful. My girlfriend is a vegetarian, so any Southern restaurant that lets her eat is a huge bonus. On my last visit, I had the ribs, which were just the right level of sweet and spicy, falling off the bone, and delicious. My dad had the fried chicken and really enjoyed it. And the peach and pickle relish? Delicious. To finish, order the bread pudding. With a whiskey sauce, it's a real winner. Also, consider any of the whiskey cocktails--a must for a Southern meal. To summarize--y'all come!

    (5)

  • Seth K.

    Yep, def a little loud in there. But if you want a cool ceiling you can't have egg carton foam or a typ drop. Chicken & dumplings dish was good almost great, a tad salty. But we sweat a lot in PHX and need to replace the salt! The shrimp...fantastic. Nice bottled beer selection And finally!!!!!!.....for the first time in my life a server noticed when i was in the middle of a story/joke and was coming by the table & didn't interrupt! Wish i cld remember her name!

    (4)

  • J B.

    Complete disappoint! We had a reservation and they started to seat us then determined the table was occupied. Then told us to stand in the middle of the restaurant and wait. We moved back to the hostess stand....ackward. Then when we got seated and ordered our drink order came bout the same time our tasteless cold food arrived. Regretfully we ordered dessert the bread pudding. It was warm on the edges and ice cold in the center! The bourbon sauce was horrible. We moved here from the south and this is not what we expected. It was grossly overpriced and the noise made it difficult to hold a conversation. I never complain but this was bad.

    (1)

  • Blake S.

    Excellent southern tastes in Central Phoenix. I was blown away by the BBQ shrimp and the ribs...a definite must have meal when I go back. The drinks were tasty and the service was spectacular. Friendly staff with great knowledge of the menu. Not being from the south, I didn't know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised by the different taste explosions in my mouth. And the new restaurant layout and ambience is pleasant right in the heart of the city. Oh, and don't forget to get the beignets covered in powered amazingness before you leave. It's a good idea to get a reservation as it was busy and we had to wait a bit. Worth it though as Chef Beckett delivers...again.

    (5)

  • Desiree N.

    Having visited the Phoenix area two weeks ago I stumbled across this GEM of a restaurant! My mouth exploded with such rich flavors of the south it was truly a wonderful mix of New Orleans, South Carolina, and a bit of Texas thrown in there. Not to mention the specialty cocktails ROCKED. So to move on to the atmosphere I thought it was equally exciting with rich texture,s including the ceiling with its little secret. And the train that runs say every 15 min. or just adds the charm. It just had this fabulous hustle bustle about it. The servers were attentive, the hostess was CHARMING, and we will certainly return again when we move here permanently in September. p.s can you deliver out of state until we move here?.

    (5)

  • Michelle J.

    My 2nd visit and both were superb. The duck and risotto take me back home. Delicious!

    (5)

  • Robin P.

    The food, the service, the atmosphere...spectacular! Feels like home the second you walk in. I've had a taste of almost everything on the menu and nothing has ever been short of my expectations. Fried green tomatoes with the pimento spread is a winner. The pork loin is out of this world. If you're down to get dirty with some New Orleans inspired dishes the head on BBQ shrimp is hands down amazing. Now onto desert if you can fit anything more the beignets are pockets of heaven..just make sure you know how to eat them without getting the sugar dust everywhere! Amazing people and the work of a genius! Thank you Justin Beckett as always for an amazing dinner and Scott for such a warm welcoming! A+++++++

    (5)

  • John H.

    In summary... our service was very good, the food was OK, and the space was cool with really interesting use of reclaimed architectural details. However, as other reviewers have mentioned - IT IS REALLY LOUD. It was rather challenging for our table of six people to have a meaningful conversation over the din of the bar and kitchen with nothing to absorb the sound. To start off, we really enjoyed the fried green tomatoes with cheese spread, but the muffins were nothing to get too excited about. I ordered the duck confit which came with collard greens, and it was excellent. My boys ordered the ribs and declared that mine are way better. Given that I only make them about once a year, I'm no expert. However, I have to agree with them - they were rather unremarkable. My wife seemed to like her watermelon salad with shrimp. The 3 adults each had a glass of wine, we shared four appetizers and one desert, and each had an main course meal. After tips I walked out with a wallet that was $300 lighter.

    (3)

  • D F.

    We just returned from dinner at Southern Rail and I am one happy 'effin customer! I sit here typing in a post-grazing, satisfied, slightly-smug, aura of contentment. I have never eaten "down south", but if this is how good it can be, then I wanna' move south! The building is big and bustling, with a good mix of metal and wood and cool light fixtures and stuff. It was hot outside, but the AC cooled off the inside to a very comfortable level. There are big doors that open to a nice patio. When we come back we will check it out. Since it was Father's Day (a special occasion!), we went all out and the three of us tried almost everything on the menu. .Among the appetizer and salad stars were Fried Green Tomatoes, Croquettes, Gumbo, a cool salad of watermelon and peach. They were all good, and the croquettes were so good that my wife and I had to rock-paper-scissor for the last one. I won, but my wife then proved that although rock-beats-scissors, fork-beats-wrist, and she got the last croquette. For entrees we tried the peel-'n-eat shrimp which were fun and flavorful, the duck confit which was FANTASTIC and an order of ribs which rocked! the table beside us ordered pork-loin which (although we didn't actually try it) looked and smelled great. I read that some folks think the place is noisy, and the place is lively and high-energy, but certainly not as bad as others have indicated. I politely suggest that those folks should wear thick wool sweaters and Snuggies to help with the acoustics. We met one of the owners there (he recommended the wine we had) and the Chef/owner visited our table and asked how everything was. We admitted that we were new to the genre of southern cooking, but he shared the story of how the menu came to be, and the cultures behind it. I guess I never realized the precision that goes into classic, comfort food. My wife and her friend had the beignettes (spelling?) which they liked and I had a slice of sweet and savory dessert that was a cool balance like an Arnold Palmer (iced tea / lemonade blend). Southern Rail made some new fans tonight... congrats on the new place!

    (5)

  • Cindy C.

    So I've purposely waited for this joint to work out the kinks but had a late birthday brunch yesterday with a couple of the besties. First of all, the place is adorable. I am so glad to see the care and respect for history taken into account as part of it's restoration. The outside seating really needs some sound dampening, though. The menu is interesting, but limited. Two of us shared a side of fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese and banana bread French toast. Our other buddy had a salad and fried green tomatoes. We were told that ONLY brunch is served on the weekends. Adding more side/stand alone selections will give diners more choices and help repeat business. We usually have a cocktail or two but were told there were no drink specials at brunch. $14 for a glass of wine is absolutely prohibitive to our group and, I suspect, to many others. This area is PACKED with great brunch places that recognize the importance of affordable drinks and their impact on repeat business. (See: Windsor and Switch) Our waitress was nice but not visible very often. Our interaction with other staff was completely nonexistent. No welcome, no eye contact, no hello, even when I initiated it. I said hello to the manager (?) as we were leaving and got nothing in return. I suspect the loudness of the patio interfered with his hearing. I got nothing from the inside staff either. Complete crickets. This is a HUGE coaching opportunity and it costs NOTHING to implement! To sum it up: the food is interesting but not enough to bring me back. The value of my dining experience has to include comfort , feeling appreciated, and affordability. I didn't get that at Southern Rail and won't be returning unless things improve dramatically. It's too bad, I realllllly wanted to like it.

    (3)

  • Jeffrey S.

    Southern Rail has run off of the tracks. I understand newly opened jitters. They opened Friday. I called earlier today for reservations for tonight. I was told that I had the choices of 5:45 or 8:30. I chose 5:45. The place was hardly full when my party of 4 arrived. We were seated at an open table while an empty booth was clearly available. No big deal at this point. As we are sitting there waitning for our server, we noticed that most of the place was empty. We tried to talk about it, but the noise level was so load, that we couldn't hear each other. The server took our drink orders. He brought water, and we ordered appetizers and entrees at the same time. The appetizers arrived and were mediocre at best. We were finishing them when we finally had to flag down a manager to ask about our drinks. It was at least 15 minutes. BTW, our server wasn't seen at all during this time. He finally brought the drinks. The prices seemed very, very high, but we are ok if the food is worth it. Beckett's Table never disappoints, and we are frequent flyers there. I am from Tennessee, and I know Southern food. Wishful thinking. The entrees arrived. Their Wednesday special, fried chicken, was aweful. It was over cooked on the skin and undercooked at the bone. Two of us had ordered that plate. KFC has them beat hands down. We could have enjoyed 6 buckets for what we paid for this bad food. The BLT salad is a joke. The B is listed as bacon. it was more like bits of bacon sprinkled over a large wedge of lettuce. There was some sort of drizzle, also. This was nothing but a $10.00 plate of ho hum. It didn't even look good, much less act as a real salad. There was a resounding, "no," when asked if we wanted dessert. We weren't going to waste another dime in this place. St Francis is right down the street and well worth the visit if you have to eat in this area. Will not go back to Southern Rail. Too bad, too. It is very convenient, and we had high hopes of at least a decent eatery in the hood. The light rail is the only tracks I would visit on this stretch of Camelback. Not sure who the 5 star people are, but... hmmm.

    (1)

  • K W.

    Gave "Southern Rail" another shot. I won't go back. Went with 3 girlfriends this time and we all felt the menu wasn't that girl friendly as it's all pretty heavy food. We ordered 2-3 items each and none of it blew us away and we left disappointed.

    (2)

  • Guy W.

    Disappointing. As fan of Beckett's Table, I hoped to enjoy this new venture, but no such luck. Maybe southern food should just stay in the south where it belongs. The so-called crispy duck was neither crispy nor tasty -- just a bland piece of poultry with soggy skin. Another issue: when rolls are available only as an a la carte item, they should be served with the drinks or other appetizers, not simultaneously with the presentation of the entrees. I may go back to Beckett's Table, but not to Southern Rail.

    (2)

  • Robert B.

    One of the best things ever is to see talented people develop a new concept, plan it with care, and execute it masterfully. When the buzz began months ago about Chef Beckett and partners, Katie and Scott Stephens, wanting to bring a southern flair to the area, Peg and I were all in. That the new place was going to be at the site of a landmark (Beef Eaters Restaurant) with its own history of fine food was a nice touch. This is not Beckett's Table West...the concept is totally different. The fried green tomatoes and dirty rice croquettes were spot on. The tomato tart and the house smoked trout appetizers were addictive, inventive and wonderfully balanced. A grilled watermelon salad was a light refreshing bite. As you would expect, all things pork were terrific, and Rail's cider brined pork loin was amazing. Ditto the crispy duck leg confit. The BLT salad was very tasty but the other apps were better yet. Making the call to try their gumbo (ya ya style) and BBQ shrimp was mandatory, and they were full of flavor, not obnoxiously hot like some "Cajun style" dishes out there have become. I strongly recommend wearing something that will handle butter and sauce well from the shrimp. Limitless napkins are provided... Staples like mac and cheese, collards, and brioche with apple butter (think Parker House rolls) were very good. Beignets were authentic and pillowy. Even with it being opening night and week, the service (Jerod (hopefully not misspelled too badly) and Sarah were attentive and very helpful. Front of the house was welcoming. With concepts and execution like this, I frankly don't care "what the fox say!"

    (5)

  • Bill F.

    We had a wonderful night here on my son's birthday. What made it so special was the great service that we had out of our waiter. Even though we were in a remote far-off corner of his outdoor patio on a chilly evening, he kept his eyes on us and we were never left wanting. [They have great heaters and they aren't afraid to use them.] The atmosphere is not as cool or charming as it could be -- I wish they'd spent a bit more to make the place look good. But, I did like the food, and that's what counts. I had a huge piece of pork tenderloin, and some great Mac 'n Cheese. While nothing is especially unique, their comfort food does just that . . . it gives you the feeling that someone who loves you just cooked you a home-cooked meal. I don't get that feeling in a restaurant very often. The next night we had dinner in another famous Phoenix restaurant (Tarbell's) and it was a let-down compared to this. When the waiter heard me reference my son's birthday, he brought out a large desert item which was enjoyed by all. A great experience! We were there on Arizona Wines night, and enjoyed a great bottle of Cochise Country white wine for half off. I like promotions like that.

    (4)

  • Linda W.

    Don't let them seat you outside if you want to hear anyone else at the table. Monday lunch and they asked us to wait 20-25 minutes (turned out to be less) to seat a group of 6. Have to agree with another reviewer that things were a bit pricey. I ordered the cornbread salad which was great except that for the price, I thought it could have filled more of the plate -- definitely on the stingy side. The dirty rice croquettes were excellent also. But it annoyed the heck out of me that when I asked what the little green things were in my corn bread salad (the menu was long gone by the time we finally got our lunch), the server said he'd have to ask the kitchen and then came back to say they were seared green onions. I couldn't decide if he was deliberately insulting my intelligence or if the kitchen had set him up. No resemblance to green onion, which is not surprising since it was actually okra. Hope he was the newbie because he didn't seem to know enough about the menu when we were ordering either. 2 people had the butternut squash soup and told me mine was far superior. Glad I didn't order the shrimp po-boy based on the one the came out for another person at the table. Summary: Food interesting but overpriced. Not sure I'll go back.

    (3)

  • Tim A.

    Went with two friends last night. Overall a solid place. NOISE is a major issue, we were seated in the back room and I can honestly say the noise level was the worst of any place I've ever eaten and have lived in five major cities before Phoenix. Hopefully they can go back to their designer and see if they can't do something. My friends said they would not go back because it was so unpleasant. So the decor looks cool, but doesn't function well. The food was pretty good, two of us had the Gumbo and it was excellent. One person has the fried chicken special and it was overcooked, actually some of the crust was black from overcooking. The side potatoes were meh that came with the chicken. The server was super nice and helpful, but he also was having a hard time giving service because of the noise level. None of us had dessert, but they had some tempting options. I personally will go again! Maybe when they open for lunch and try to get in the main room.

    (3)

  • Bryan H.

    I'm not sure if we just came on a bad night or what. But, based on the fact that the place was half empty on a Saturday night I think probably not. First off, let me say that the service was very good and the restaurant is very comfortable and nicely decorated. I tried several dishes, all of which I thought were mediocre or ...worse. The fried green tomatoes were over cooked and under seasoned. The pimento cheese that comes with it was just not right either. I had the broccoli and cauliflower casserole and I have to wonder why this is even on the menu? It was dry, bland and just plain not good. The chicken and biscuits were bland and the catfish dish as a whole seemed very disjointed. The red velvet cake was so sweet that it literally made my teeth hurt. It was also oddly crunchy (?). For someplace that is charging exceptionally high prices, I would expect that the chef would at least be able to use salt correctly. I can usually forgive mediocre food when the prices are reasonable, but I left here feeling like I really got ripped off.

    (2)

  • Amy R.

    Wow, wow, wow, WOW! We had the most amazing meal here this passed weekend. I had an out of town guest with me from Georgia and not only did he say that it was the best meal he'd had since we started our "let's go to all the awesome restaurants in Scottsdale, Tempe and Phoenix" but that the food was better than in the South! The whipped mashed sweet potatoes were insanely delicious. I'm not a huge fan of collard greens but these I gobbled up! The best part was the pork (loin? Chop?) I should know better as much as I eat out. ....but it was like a chicken breast. Thick, juicy, and perfectly flavored, I'll share a secret with you bc it was soooooo good that maybe someone at becketts will see this & add it to the menu! Get the plain green salad (which is not plain at all, had lots of yummy veggies in it!) AND the cornbread salad & mix them TOGETHER! Our "on point" waiter thought we were crazy to mix the dressings but it all worked and was sooooo good! Sort of want that for lunch now! Also, the cocktails were killer! As a side note, our server was so awesome & patient with this AZ native not knowing anything about southern food, he was HAPPY to explain everything to me & never showed any annoyance with my southern cuisine ignorance. Definitely worth the drive from south tempe! Thank you Southern Rail for making me look really good to my guest! I'll see you soon bc EVERYTHING on the menu sounded good!!!!

    (5)

  • Ellen M.

    Wow! A long overdue delicious meal. I was pleasantly surprised, in a good way. I had the chicken and dumplings, I thought it was going to be on a dinner plate, but was actually served as a soup. It was incredibly delicious. My friend had their Thursday special of Grandmama's meatloaf. Another yummy tasty meal. We shared the beignets and bread pudding for desert. Again, YUM~ there is no other way to say it~ We both laughed and said, we are going to have to roll out of here, we were stuffed...ya think? It did get kinda noisy, but we were next to the community table near the bar. A place with great food, and great service. It just tells me that everyone was having a great time. I will go back there in a heart beat.

    (5)

  • Jake K.

    Great experience, friendly wait staff and a cool location. We got drinks and shared an appetizer and a "large plate" and we were pretty happy with our meal. 4 stars because we couldn't get a table without a reservation (or an hour wait) but we really did enjoy the time we had in the bar area! No regrets! Check it out and if you have time, stop at changing hands next door!

    (4)

  • Bill J.

    Really enjoyed this restaurant. The food was authentic to what I remember southern food was made when growing up in East Tennessee. Food seemed to lean more towards Louisiana style southern food but nothing wrong with that. Phoenix needs this restaurant and I will be back for sure.

    (5)

  • Michelle H.

    Loved my experience at Southern Rail! The service is amazing and the food was fantastic. We went opening weekend and they were still working out some kinks and the food was still amazing! Love the menu options. Great for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The atmosphere is great! I had the gumbo which was delicious. I have been waiting for some good gumbo here in Phoenix.

    (5)

  • Cathy W.

    Visited the restaurant for an early dinner with two friends to celebrate a birthday. As has been our custom for three years I walked in with a container with a few fancy, expensive cupcakes and birthday candles.as soon as I approached the hostess station to tell the hostess that we had a reservation, she informed me that we couldn't have the cupcakes. She said that it was a health department thing and you can't bring in outside food. Interesting because we have done the same thing- sometimes with an entire home made birthday cake to- most recently True Foods, Clever Koi, and Sochu House and never had a problem or been charged. There are generally four of us and rotate restaurants every month, only bringing cupcakes or a cake for birthdays. In addition, the birthday girl arrived a half an hour early, at 4:30. There were 4 people at the bar and nobody in the restaurant and yet she was told that she couldn't be seated in a booth because it was still social hour! Back to the cupcakes, our server , Chris was awesome, and the poor guy had to deal with the three of us and we weren't happy. I told him that I had brought in a small birthday cake to Becketts Table in the past..how could it be different here? When he spoke to the owner who was in the kitchen he was told that ,yes, sometimes at Becketts it was allowed with a service charge. That wasn't my experience..and what is it..health department or money? So all of this influenced our experience. The place was nearly empty most of the time we were there..it was early. So, the food- Mac and cheese great and creamy, chicken and dumplings still need some work, the BBQ pork fabulous and creative, ribs good. The presentation very attractive and beignets big pillows of delishisness. I give our server Chris five stars but overall, I will spend my money ( and it's not inexpensive comfort food) someplace where I feel welcome and there is more flexibility. I'm disappointed.

    (3)

  • James N.

    Great atmosphere and the drinks and food were good. We had several apps and all got different entrees and dessert, everyone we all seemed to feel the same. Go with the steak over the pork loin! We were in the back room and it was super loud with large parties but otherwise a great experience. Great redevelopment of a historic restaurant and the bookstore next store is awesome as well.

    (4)

  • Eric S.

    Southern Rail is brand new but they make a great first impression! Service staff is well-trained and Tim's food is on track to be very good. Unfortunately, the noise levels are uncomfortably loud for any type of reasonable table conversation which is an important feature for any Southern restaurant. Wine list is average, cocktails are creative, and the desserts rock the house! We'll definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Kenda V.

    Nice ambiance and acoustics in spite of a very open floor plan. Super nice servers, attentive and knowledgeable. Overall good vibe and I have added them to my PATIO dining choices for when the nice weather returns! SALADS exceed expectation - Shrimp Remoulade was flavorful and the shrimp had good texture, not mushy. The Barley/Kale was outstanding, the flavors complement each other nicely. Companion added the smoked chicken (generous portion!) but I think next time I would try it with shrimp to sop up the chimichurri sauce that comes on the side.

    (4)

  • Steve D.

    Very nice evening tonight at Southern Rail, delicious southern-inspired food, great atmosphere. Quite impressed with the entire place having hit the ground running after only a couple of days. The space is beautifully designed with interesting touches, and is slightly elevated from Camelback road which gives it a nice view of the surrounding area (without the sometimes grimy reality of west camelback road). Extensive beer selection with some southern favorites, as well as a wine list that should suit anyone. The menu is southern, so if you're looking to go "light" you might be better off elsewhere. We had the tomato and bacon tart which was decadent. We also had the gumbo which had perfectly smoky flavor and a not too thick roux. We did not think the three tiny head-on shrimp were worth the $6 supplement, however. Finally, the pork loan was delicious with a smoky, candied flavor and delicious sweet potatoes. Desserts looked wonderful but we couldn't muster another bite. A couple of kinks with service and timing that we can overlook because it has been open less than a week, but overall a wonderful night at a place that is definitely on our rotation from here on! Excited to try the rest of the menu, as we'll be back many times.

    (5)

  • Lisa U.

    My husband and I went here for or anniversary and were a bit disappointed. Our waiter (I think it was John? Something with a J) was great. Friendly, attentive without being overbearing, and gave good recommendations. We got the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer at his suggestion, and they were delicious. They come with a spicy pimiento cheese that really makes it. The entrees were what knocks this down to 3 stars. I got the gumbo, my husband got the shrimp. The gumbo was watery and tasted burnt. It had very little flavor so I had to pour a good amount of salt just to taste something (besides burn). The shrimp came in a cream sauce that was overly sweet because it had not been cooked down enough. The weak-flavored gumbo and the sweet shrimp sauce made me think that neither had been cooked long enough. Neither of the entrees were bad enough to send back, but considering the reputation of the chefs and the prices, I was expecting a whole lot more. And if you're a southern restaurant you should know how to make gumbo. The other bright spot (another rec from our waiter) was the dessert - we got the pie of the day which was some insane chocolate almond mousse. If it weren't a rotating special I would go back specifically for the dessert. I would not recommend this place for dinner. I had a similar experience at Beckett's Table, interestingly enough - great appetizers and desserts but very underwhelming entrees. But I would go for a drink and a snack - it's a pretty place and the service is good.

    (3)

  • Marla L.

    Visited on a Saturday around 3:00. Not crowded. Tried the Fried green tomatoes poor boy. Great flavor. A bit messy to eat. Did not like the gumbo. Lemonade very good. Home made. Good service.

    (4)

  • Kelley H.

    Had brunch there today, and there were a total of 6 people in our party. Our service was terrible, it took forever to get or meals. the waitress did not check back with us after our meals were served, it took almost 20 minutes to get a refill on coffee. The Fried Green Tomato Eggs Benedict were not great-poached eggs were like hard boiled eggs. The Cuban Po-Boy has little flavor and was just wet. When asked to split a dish back in the kitchen-they told us that are not allowed to do that?? The prices were really expensive for very poor food and service. Lastly, there were a ton of flies due to the "Open Restaurant Concept" and the traffic from the light rail and passing loud motorcycles made it difficult to hear. I will not go back ever again-waste of time.

    (1)

  • Heather B.

    Pork ribs were nothing but fat and a little tough meat. The rest, including drinks, 3 appetizers, a small dish and dessert, were mediocre and overpriced. We were disappointed.

    (1)

  • Mary L.

    This was our first and much anticipated visit. The restaurant is very charming. I like that it's a bit brighter. The menu offers lots of variety and as a girl from Mississippi I was looking forward to some tastes reminiscent of home. I was not disappointed! Drinks were strong yet flavorful. Fried Green tomatoes with pimento cheese spread were nice. We had the gumbo app and added shrimp, knowing how subjective gumbo tastes can be I thought this was a great option to give it a try. It was tasty. However, could have been much hotter in temperature. The servers spiel of the flat iron sold me and it was amazing. Perfectly cooked. My boyfriend had the catfish and it too was great. A bit on the spicy side for his usual taste but I enjoyed the taste I had and he liked it regardless. The corn on the cob pieces that accompany this dish are tasty but having to cut it off the cob to enjoy is odd. I get creative plating though! Side dish of collard greens was the only miss for me as I thought the vinegar was too forward and strong. We finished with a (giant) piece of coconut cake to share which was amazeballs. Our server, Chris was fantastic!! He was very busy but hit every mark of attentiveness during our visit. His knowledge of the menu was great and we really liked his approach and personality. With so many great menu items enticing me I'm certain future visits are close on the horizon. We love Becketts table so we knew we were in for a treat here. On a side note: what's with the Japanese good luck cat? We had a good laugh with Chris our server over this one.

    (4)

  • S C.

    Went for lunch on Sunday, since we're having such great cool weather we sat outside. I ordered two sides, gumbo and collard greens - both were great. Gumbo was very flavorful and had a ton of sausage and chicken. The greens were cooked perfectly, just the right amount of heat and no bitterness. Though they were both 'sides' they were big portions I could only finish half of each. My hubs had the catfish PO boy with red beans and rice. Lots of sausage in the red beans. Our server was very attentive. We will definitely be back to try them for dinner. If you're craving gumbo this is a great place to get your fix.

    (4)

  • J g.

    I really want to love this place, I really do! But... the food just isn't there... I've had +/- 7 or 8 different dishes now (two visits) and only two have been better than average (just slightly better). Those being, the mac and fried green tomatoes. However, I think both are over priced. 4 slices of a tomato is like $8 or something? Youch! Justin homie, we all know green tomatoes and batter don't cost dat much! Conversely, the gumbo is so far from what I was expecting and just flat boring that it really took me back. I literally looked at my wife when it came out and asked if she thought that was the gumbo?? It looked like rice and KFC gravy (similar taste to appearance). Almost no flavor, complexity, zing, pow, pop, bang, etc! Maybe that's traditional gumbo? Don't know, but in my humble opinion, it needs a total redo. We're talking tear up the script and start over again. A page one rewrite. Ok, 'nuff dissin' on the expensive food. The building/property/story/decor/location/atmosphere/­super close to my house is uber tight. Real good stuff, so I slide it up to 3 stars (really more like a 2.85). All that said, I really do encourage you to check it out for yourself. Venue Projects did an outstanding job on the whole thing. Wishing them the best of luck and will definitely be back but beg and plead they keep working on the food and prices.

    (3)

  • Tony H.

    The service was top-notch and the food exquisite. The prices were outrageous for the portion sizes and the restaurant has a policy of not splitting checks which was irritable. We stopped in on a whim as we had noticed lots of cars whenever we drove by. Turns out, the night we were there, most of the cars either belonged to the bar/bookstore next door or to employees because the restaurant was almost empty. I wouldn't go back. This restaurant just seems so out of place in this area of Phoenix.

    (2)

  • Claire C.

    Amazing atmosphere, beautiful beautiful building, awesome service and the food is to die for! Our server was so attentive and friendly. The food alone would would warrant a 5 star rating but combine everything together and its a truly awesome experience.

    (5)

  • Joanie H.

    Pros: great food, great service Cons: loud, pricey The food was really delicious. Split the grilled watermelon salad, cornbread, grits, gumbo yaya, and coconut cake with a girlfriend who was in town visiting. The salad wasn't really "grilled" that I could tell, but still tasty. The smokiness of the pork in the yaya was fantastic! I will dream of that dish for a long time. Want to try the duck or BBQ shrimp next. Cool venue. Love the entire development. Please just tweak the prices so I can become a regular.

    (4)

  • Allie V.

    Terrible service and small servings that are over priced. It was our first time and will no doubt be our last. The menu doesn't describe the dishes in detail like that something comes with mushrooms so if you don't like that there is no chance to have it taken off. When asked by the waiter to have them removed it took 3 times to get him to understand I wanted my meal simply without them. He tried offering me a different dish and even argued he told us it had mushrooms when in fact he didn't. Just wasn't the restaurant environment we are use to and won't return. Unfriendly staff! Def will not ever recommend.

    (2)

  • Diana K.

    FABULOUS! Great ambiance. Great food. (oooh....fried green tomatoes!) Great service. We went for Valentine's and had a wonderful evening. We went with another couple and cleaned our plates! We'll go back. Diana K.

    (5)

  • Adam M.

    Southern Rail is the bee's knees. Try the pork loin with sweet potatoes and collared greens!

    (5)

  • Lindsay A.

    Looking for a new happy hour spot where you end up staying for dinner? Southern Rail just might be what you are looking for. We met here with a small group of friends where we posted up at the bar on a Friday evening. Had the chance to sample some of the cocktails from their drink menu. My absolute favorite was the Austin Mule. An updated version of the moscow mule...very refreshing! I also tried the hush puppy. It was good, but different. I am a fan of grapefruit and bitter, but this was maybe a little too bitter for my taste. By about 8pm we were hungry. At that time, the restaurant was still busy, so we were seated at an extended bar. Our waiter was great. Very informative regarding the menu and the wine list. He helped us choose an amazing bottle of wine. Our group decided to sample a few things from the menu and share. So while this list will look like we ordered the entire menu, we didn't (this time). Our selections were...Cornbread muffins, fried green tomatoes, succotash, broccoli/cauliflower/leek/rice casserole, the gumbo, and the cider brined pork loin. My favorites were the succotash and the cider brined pork loin. I know that some people on here have mentioned it being over done, but ours was cooked perfectly. Very tender and juicy. And the collard greens and brown butter sweet potatoes that came with the pork were AWESOME. I know that some people have had a fit over the gumbo not having a proper roux. I get it. But seeing that I have lived in the south, I wouldn't consider this place as authentic southern food. It is southern food with some changes and interpretations. If I expect authentic fried green tomatoes, I need to go and talk to my Mother In Law in Tennessee. This is great southern food, but it has an upscale twist. So just have an open mind if you do decide to go here. Worth trying! Just come early or be prepared to wait during dinner hours. And as other diners have mentioned, it can be a tad loud in the space.

    (4)

  • Ashley D.

    We had a triple date at SR and it was awesome. We ordered several apps: corn bread, brioche, dirty rice croquettes and fried green tomatoes. They were all delicious. Then we got a couple peel and eat shrimp and a couple chicken and biscuits at the table as well as a pork loin. Everyone cleaned their plate. We finished it off with bread pudding, red velvet cake and coconut cake. Our serve Sara was friendly, attentive and fun and we sat and enjoyed the great food and each other's company for 3 hours. What a great night. I wasn't sure what to expect since I haven't loved the food at Becketts's and there were some early reviews and them having to work the kinks of a new place out but id say they are worked out! We also started our night at the first draft bar at changing hands. I think we will hang at this new plaza quite often.

    (4)

  • Laura S.

    Great location for some yummy food and nice happy hour! Stopped in for some great $5 wines and fried green tomatoes! All wines are US born and great selections! Definitely recommend!

    (4)

  • Alison B.

    Took the risk of going opening night, and it was well worth it! We decided on several small plates since it was our first time: Fried Green Tomatoes- Good enough, the pimento cheese that came with it was tasty. Would have liked a larger portion of greens. House Smoked Trout- My favorite! All the flavors really worked wonderfully together, the trout, sweet pea cakes, and tomato jam. Peas are usually so boring, but I love them like this! I would get this again as a meal with a side salad. Grilled Watermelon Salad- My other favorite dish along with the trout. A lot of flavors going on, but it works beautifully. The pea tendrils on top lend a real bright green taste to the whole dish. Truly a perfect summer salad. I would order it again. Mac and Cheese- Disappointing, arrived cold. M&C should only be piping hot. It was served in a shallow bowl. Perhaps served straight from the oven in a tiny crock would be better. As for flavor, very sharp mustard/horseradish taste to it that you can sense even as you bring the fork up to your mouth. While chewing you do get some of mild, creamy cheese taste, but it was lost. My dining partner and I agreed that you can't really call this dish M&C, more like "creamy pasta." Cornbread Muffins- We only got these because they sold out of what we originally ordered, the brioche "pull apart" rolls. I have never in my life had cornbread wow me, and these were no exception. I did enjoy the black pepper honey butter that came with them. I will be back for sure to try more of the salads, and I have my eye on the catfish stew, the chicken & dumplings, and those brioche rolls we missed out on! As for service, we were quoted a ~40 minute wait when we arrived, and that is exactly what we waited. I love when that happens! Good thing that Changing Hands is next door, so we were able to browse and kill the time. You could even get a beer or wine at the First Draft Book Bar while you wait! You could get drinks at Southern Rail's bar too but it was tiny and crowded. Our waiter met expectations. He was able to answer all of our questions about the food, and kept our drinks full. I initially ordered a tropical iced tea, but he convinced us both to get the strawberry/peach tea. While it was a refreshing beverage, it was red, with a taste very reminiscent of kool-aid, and no tea flavor at all. I am still not clear if they have actual unsweetened black tea available. The space is beautiful and I am happy to have a new option for casual dinners in the neighborhood!

    (4)

  • Janie B.

    Lived in Phoenix for three years, the smoked trout is easily the best meal I've had here. But don't sit outside, the exhaust from the cars is not pleasant.

    (5)

  • Crys W.

    The food was absolutely superb!! I attended with a party of 10 and the server was kind and very sufficient in making sure our food was served hot in a timely matter! I ordered the pork loin with collard greens and sweet potatoes. It was delicious!! We also had the opportunity to taste all of the desserts on the menu and all of them were little tastes of heaven. Great place, great atmosphere and great food!!

    (5)

  • Fabian L.

    This place absolutely SUCKS! It's super expensive for crappy food. The bartender doesn't know how to make a whiskey sour. The server I had was named buddy and he was crap too. Such an expensive place and they still hand you a to go box instead of doing it themselves. Real classy. What a horrible redone place. Beef eatery atleast was good.

    (1)

  • Trevor D.

    I basically reserve writing reviews at all for places that REALLY stand out to me as great restaurants. Southern Rail is in the running for my new favorite restaurant in the valley. Amidst all of the amazing local food coming out of Central Phoenix lately, this place leads the pack for me. I lived in Georgia for a couple years and developed a deep love for American southern cooking. Phoenix doesn't have a lot of true southern food restaurants besides Lolo's--this place is SEVERAL steps up from Lolo's in quality, atmosphere, and aesthetic. Of course, with that, it's several steps up in price as well. We had great service. I've read in some other reviews that it's a noisy place. I didn't have that experience myself, probably since we went on a Tuesday evening. Our server was very enthusiastic about the food and made some on-point recommendations. The building is beautiful. A restored historic structure that now houses 3 great local businesses: Southern Rail Restaurant, Changing Hands Bookstore (with a beer/wine/coffee bar called "First Draft"), and Southwest Gardener. Awesome atmosphere and great people.

    (5)

  • Patty G.

    A few weeks ago... The crispy duck leg confit was reduckulously good. I would have liked more collard greens though. They satisfied my southern side fo sho'! The pimento cheese spread atop of the Fried Green Tomatoes was a welcomed blast from my childhood past. My "date" had the cider brined pork loin which she generously shared a bite of - I felt while tasty it was a bit overdone - and a big spoonful of the brown-butter whipped sweet potatoes were so dee-lish I almost had to skip dessert. ALMOST. The coconut cake, while on the dry side, was nicely held together by the luscious coconut pudding. Thankfully, we opted to add a la mode. No regrets! Definitely a good idea to make a reservation and get dropped off. Parking is ridiculous.

    (4)

  • Adam S.

    The cider pork loin with mashed sweet potatoes and kale was great. The grits were unlike anything I had ever had before. Good cocktails too. Pricy, but worth it I think. Would definitely go again.

    (4)

  • Victoria M.

    This place is really cute, but I have to give it 3 stars because I was disappointed in the service and my main course. The chicken and biscuit dumplings are bland and, quite frankly, just bad. The only reason for the 3 stars would be because the pork loin is absolutely fantastic. This place has a great concept, but the food could be so much better. Love the atmosphere, but it's not enough to bring me back.

    (3)

  • Noah B.

    We couldn't wait to try this restaurant. Unfortunately it did not live up to expectations. We started with cornbread muffins. My cornbread muffins are much better. And I'm not a professional chef. Then we had the po' boys and gumbo on the side. The bread was delicious; the sandwiches overall were just alright. The catfish po'boy had the fish put in last so it was only in one bite in three. That gumbo was not what I was expecting it all, it looked and tasted like pork stew. No seafood, barely any andouille. My father and I were eating and having the exact same thought: "I miss Baby Kay's." Unfortunately this place is quite a bit more expensive than Baby Kay's was. I don't think I'll be back. Which sucks, because it's right down the street from my house.

    (2)

  • Amber D.

    Cool atmosphere! Looking outward while the light rail goes past, you feel like you are in a train station (or at least I did). The decor is bright and clean; but seemed to get louder as the time passed. Our reservation was at 6. We were greeted and seated timely and courteously. I'm glad I reviewed the menu online as I still wasn't sure what I wanted to order. We started with the Fried Green Tomatoes (how can't you?). They were pretty good, but not like the ones my grandmother would make (hers were thicker and a different breading). I ordered the Blackened Prime Flatiron. The steak was good to order, but I felt it lacked anything to constitute calling it blackened - no crust, no extra pepper or spices that I could tell. The succotash was hardly worth talking about, but then again, I don't ever recall an excellent succotash? The other 2 people in my party ordered the Cider Brined Pork Loin and the Chicken & "Biscuit Dumplings". Both of them enjoyed their entrees. The staff was friendly and on spot with filling up our water glasses and escorting us to the restroom, when asked where it was. Dessert. Not sure I have ever spent $11 on a dessert, but last night I did. I ordered the Bread Pudding a la mode. It was pretty great. Another person at my table ordered the Pie in a Jar, apple a la mode, and said it was great as well. My biggest gripe would be the noise level. They had music on; by the middle of our meal, all I could hear was the bass under the loud voices. It made it difficult to have a conversation with the 2 people at my table. I know this establishment is brand new, but look forward to going back and hopefully seeing some improvements.

    (3)

  • Lindsay M.

    My fiancé and I ate here Saturday night with another couple. First off, I was disappointed that they only have fried chicken on Wednesdays (and our waiter said there is a limited quantity even then so plan to eat earlier rather than later if that's what you're after). Their menu is somewhat limited so be sure to check it out beforehand if you have picky eaters in your party. Our table had the pork loin, which was EXCELLENT, the smoked trout (not really up my alley; my fiancé wasn't over the moon about it), the macaroni and cheese (I had a bite - wasn't a huge fan, but I'm a mac and cheese connoisseur), the gumbo which I didn't try, cornbread, and the beignets. Our service was top notch. My fiancé loves olives and with both of his martinis the waiter brought him five or six olives. He also remembered to bring regular better along with the apple butter as I requested with our cornbread and he was ever so patient with me and my several questions! If the menu looks tempting to you, try it out. I don't think you'll be disappointed!

    (4)

  • Tiffany M.

    My husband and I ate lunch here today and it was delicious!! The building is beautiful, very modern and hip! I started off with the red sangria and it was light and refreshing. Perfect to drink on the warm patio. I ordered the chicken and dumplings, the waiter described it perfectly. It was smokey flavored and delicious. The chicken, carrots, mushrooms and biscuits in a warm smokey broth. My husband had the gumbo ,Cuban sandwich and colored greens. I think he licked his plate. The food is priced appropriately and our server was attentive and informative. I look forward to going back and trying brunch and dinner!

    (5)

  • Andy A.

    Some friends and I decided to finally check out this new restaurant in our neighborhood. Getting a table for 3 on a Thursday evening was not hassle at at. The overall dining space is beautiful! Gorgeous wood ceiling and beams, beautiful lighting, and an amazing sliding glass wall, which I'm sure will be wonderful when it's not 115 degrees outside! One of the guests in our party noted that while the chairs for the tables are very cute - the comfort level is lacking. With the concrete floors, ceiling, and lack of sounds absorbing surfaces in the space the restaurant was rather loud (especially for only having about 7 tables at this time of night). I can imagine that it would get rather deafening during the peak hours. The drinks were amazingly priced - not sure if it was a reverse happy hour or just a special Thursday night special but the Kettle One and Belvedere martinis were only $7!! Service was excellent - Mike had a gift for explaining recipes on the menu that helped you taste the food without anything in front of you. Service staff really catered to the southern hospitality making sure our dinning experience was nothing short of wonderful. We started off with the Fried Green Tomatoes which had a delicious spread accompanying. I felt they were fried perfectly - not to heavy on the batter. I thought the duck was delicious - cooked perfectly served on top of a delicious risotto The Chicken and dumplings was given an "ok" as the dumplings were very tough, the chicken was flavored nicely, but the sauce/broth was the best part. The Pork Loin was a generous cut but was very dry and lacking flavor. However, the sweet potato that came with the pork was life changing!

    (4)

  • Kristen R.

    Very disappointing. We were really looking forward to trying this place, but nothing we ordered was very good. Service was terrible too. We were sat at seats that had 2 empty wine glasses there. After about 5 mins someone came over and asked if we wanted refills on the wine. After we explained that they weren't our glasses and no one had cleared the table yet it took another 5-10 min for anytime to come take our drink order. We won't be back.

    (2)

  • RETHA H.

    The location is great, the design is cool but the food was nothing to write home about. With the exception of the smoked trout, my bf and I sampled a few of the dishes and found them lacking in seasoning or any type of southern flavor. The fried green tomatoes seemed to be dipped in bread crumbs and fried - with not even a hint of flavor. I've had tastier greens from a can. The cornbread was forgettable. I did use the left over succatash in an omelet the next day and it was good after I added a sprikle of seasoning. We are going to give it one more try (lunch) to see if the Po Boys can win us over. Maybe.

    (2)

  • Marcus C.

    It is a sad moment to say the food was awesome but the service. Not so much. We sat at the bar and was never more dissatisfied. I felt we were an inconvenience to the bartender. 2/3/2015 at 5 pm. Come on be bright and brilliant. If you don't like your job go somewhere else. I won't be back anytime soon.

    (1)

  • Mary K.

    Pros: The atmosphere is just gorgeous. Mostly reclaimed materials, much of which is from the old Beefeaters restaurant. Beautiful design; I just sat there looking around the room. Also, the staff is excellent. Everyone I spoke with--the host/hostess, bartender, server--they all were totally professional and totally friendly at the same time. Really great group of people. Cons: The food is overpriced. I live in this neighborhood but feel excluded from being able to eat here more than once or twice a year because of the high cost. It's obvious that most diners are not from the neighborhood (you can just tell; look at their cars and clothes), which is a bummer since it would be nice to have a local spot that served people IN the neighborhood. I also wasn't that impressed by the food, as I expected to be. I had the fried chicken and pork loin (split with my husband). If you're looking for fancy fried chicken, Tuck Shop is better; trust me on that one. The pork loin was good but not worth $24 at all. The mashed sweet potatoes that surrounded it were so, so rich and buttery--and I LOVE butter--but it was just too much; it kind of made me feel sick. I personally prefer to spend less money and have the same or even better quality food at other nearby spots like Gallo Blanco, Thai Rama, etc. (I know those aren't the same cuisine, but just when it comes to judging the value for the money.) I'll probably come back here when my husband's parents come into town since they're fancy and they'll likely pay for our meal, but otherwise I unfortunately can't afford to spend as much time here as I'd like!

    (3)

  • Larry O.

    I'm a fan of chef derived restaurants, so we have to start with 5 stars and go from there. We not only eat with our mouth but with our eyes and ears. The energy in this place at dinner is "high throttle" and that can be fun, but the noise level makes it difficult to have a conversation with dinner mates. Gumbo, collard greens, bread all satisfied my desire for southern food. Gumbo is outstanding, collard greens advertised "ham hocks" except we could barely find ham. All in all, Southern Rail is a must go to restaurant in Central Phoenix.

    (4)

  • Nick D.

    Joined some friends here who enjoy supporting new restaurants in the valley. I always stick with the standards and ordered the roast beef po boy. The meat was terrible. I tried eating the 1st half of the sandwich and 1/2 the meat was uneatable, which had to be put in a napkin. I attempted to try the 2nd half and realized it was just as bad. I dinner mates enjoyed their meals but my experience tells me not to try it again.

    (1)

  • elyse j.

    Lovely space, excellent server, great sweet tea, good vibe. Po boy veg was great. Grilled watermelon salad was an unexpected treat. No room for a sticky bun....next time!

    (5)

  • Richard B.

    Food was delicious, beautiful decor and good service. My big issue is the price. Way too expensive for regular visits. Brunch for two was nearly $40 with tip,

    (4)

  • Kristopher H.

    The food and ambiance were both decent at best. Food was extremely bland. Only upside was the server seemed to be quite knowledgeable and friendly.

    (1)

  • Sally S.

    Mixed...the interior is breathtaking. The food and service were a mixed bag. We arrived at opening on a Sunday for brunch. After the waiter described the Dutch Pancakes and I ordered them...someone called from the kitchen no, no we don't have them this morning. What a disappointment since I had been salivating over them based on the online menu. Also a bad first impression since I was the first to order at the table. OK what can I order quickly so the next person can order. Hoe cakes ok - somewhat similar...I'll try that. OH NO...I didn't read the fine print. The Hoe cakes are covered with Duck and I do not eat Duck. Yuck. So I said I'll pay for my first dish but I can't eat it. Can you bring me the french toast that has been served to others at the table? They replaced my order quickly. The french toast was bread pudding covered with Bananas Foster and it was outstanding. Here's the service question ....since the Dutch Pancakes with Bananas Foster was not available. He should have suggested I order the French Toast with Bananas Foster. Ultimately I was filled and happy with my food. I surveyed the table and got a mixed bag of reviews. Several tasted my duck but no one wanted to eat it. Take it off the menu. Two of the ladies at my table have lived in France and were disappointed with the Croque Monsieur. They expected the egg to be inside the sandwich not on top of it. I did hear a few complaints about price but hey I'm used to paying more for Brunch and the atmosphere and experience were worth it. So my advice for the staff...prepare better so menu items are always available. Eat each of the dishes and edit. Continue to refine.

    (3)

  • Jeanne R.

    Great food and Chris was awesome. Fried green tomatoes were delicious. Blackened catfish and gumbo were really good. We ordered a variety of sides and all were great. Also found out they can accommodate a vegan so we will be back.

    (4)

  • Greg R.

    Southern Rail has the best food I have had in a long time. Chris is a great waiter and I will definitely be back and ask for Chris.

    (5)

  • Nancy O.

    I liked this place but my gawd it was expensive! I had 2 drinks, fried green tomatoes and the fish special for $55. That's not including the tip. It's also VERY loud! Our service was pretty good for a semi busy weekday evening.

    (3)

  • David G.

    Southern Rail, what a restaurant should be! You can't only judge an establishment by the excellent food, you have to take in the entire experience...they crushed it! Wait staff was awesome, Drew, our server was personable, gave great recommendations and was attentive without being overbearing. The ambiance is phenomenal as it feels very relaxing and comfortable. The build out is awesome from the wood plank ceilings to the southern style bar! The food had tremendous flavor, was well prepared and very original; a decent amount of options for non-pork eaters too. Highly recommend great times had by all, thanks!

    (5)

  • Will S.

    I love Beckettt's Table and eat there frequently, so of course I was eager to check this place. Some things at Southern Rail are absolutely spectacular. The physical reinvention of space that is The Newton is a real treasure, possibly the most beautiful Urban Dining spot in Phoenix. The drinks are awesome -- I had an updated Sazerac that just sang on my palate. The service is a joy, just like Beckett's Table. But the menu is not quite as tightly controlled as at Chef Justin's earlier place; while my Duck Confit rocked, and their Brioche Parker House Rolls are transcendent, my companion's Pork Loin was overcooked to the point of dreadful, shoe leather quality dryness.. The dessert selections are rather more interesting at Beckett's Table as well. Restaurants can all have off menu choices or line cook mistakes, so I'm not going to give SR a thumbs down. But when so many other elements were so perfect, I must be honest and say that a classic Southern Pork Loin that was so badly managed is disappointing. Looking forward to going back, however.

    (3)

  • Chris B.

    great place. nice atmosphere, friendly service, and the food was delicious. overall concept of the property is pretty cool too.

    (5)

  • Rochelle S.

    Delicious meal! I understand the the higher prices come at the cost of eating predominantly local fresh ingredients. I am 100%ok with this! We ordered the bacon onion tart with delicious tomatoes baked on top. Amazing. Our meals were delicious, both the pork loin and catfish were tasty. Beautiful set up, not too crowded and loved the booths. Can't wait for the full patio to open up. Great job, we will be back!

    (5)

  • Nick S.

    What can I say....this may be the best newer restaurant in town. I laughed with happiness, I cried with joy. At one point the best bartender in town, Emily, had to pinch me to convince this experience was indeed real. I will most likely be here waiting for the doors to open tomorrow morning.

    (5)

  • Pat O.

    We came to check it out expecting something moderately priced with good options. We got over priced, low quality ribs, and a vegetable dish I could've made at home for $1.99 ...and this was after staring at a menu for ten minutes that certainly needed more food choices on the other side instead of an (ahem) overpriced wine list. The bookstore/bar next door is great. Skip the restaurant and fill up on brownies and stouts instead. Oh, and it's loud. Super loud. Loud as balls.

    (2)

  • Papa Pete W.

    An excellent dining experience with a thoroughly delightful waitress. Food was excellent! Good southern taste. Generally Southern cooking means deep fried grease. Not the case here. Just good down wholesome healthy food.

    (5)

  • Christopher M.

    Great service. Attentive and friendly. Roast beef Po boy was really good. Nice horseradish bite. The gumbo was unique. Less new Orleans and more of a beef stew. Different but good. Nice ambience and beautiful interior.

    (4)

  • Claire K.

    I wanted to share my SUPREME disappointment with my visit to Southern Rail restaurant last night. I had been excited to visit since I first heard of the Newton project and another Justin Beckett restaurant in Phoenix, as my husband and I love Beckett's Table. We have two young children, and it's not very often we get a date night out to enjoy a dinner just the two of us. When the opportunity presented itself yesterday, we were so excited to try out Southern Rail. Great wine list--featuring one of our all-time favorite wines (The Franc)--great menu...it was idyllic. We decided to start with sharing a gumbo appetizer while we figured out what our actual meal would be. It arrived quickly, which was nice, but I have never been as disappointed in a dish served to me at a restaurant as I was with that gumbo. I presume Chef Beckett knows what a roux is, but this gumbo was completely lacking a roux as its base. This gumbo tasted like brown water with some chunks of chicken and sausage thrown into it with a scoop of rice. My husband grew up in New Orleans, and his Cajun aunt taught me how to make a proper roux and gumbo. If I order gumbo at a restaurant, I expect it to be better than what I can make at home (which is pretty tasty if I do say so myself) or at the very least to have a decent roux, and to say this gumbo was disappointing doesn't even scratch the surface. We sent the gumbo back (I have never before sent back a dish), finished our wine, and left. It wasn't worth even trying anything else on the menu, wasting precious date night time or money! I really hope this was just some kind of weird fluke and that the entire menu isn't as completely lackluster as the gumbo, but I won't be back to give it another shot.

    (1)

  • Bryan F.

    The service was good, and the food was good. I can't say I was completely wowed but I did enjoy myself.

    (4)

  • John K.

    Ouch. The gumbo sucked. They could not make a decent roux base. We didn't try anything else due to this basic failure.

    (1)

  • Richard C.

    Sat at the bar and had a great experience. Enjoyed the special of a combo pork belly and pastrami. There was enough to share. The bartender, Garret, suggested some novel Gins for our Gin and Tonic. They have some very unique options in their Rums, Whiskeys and Gins. The beignet dessert was fun to share. The bar will offer an even better experience as things cool this fall as there is a very nice patio adjacent to and served by the bar.

    (5)

  • Pam B.

    We sat at the bar as it was a beautiful day outside today. If the service had been even close to adequate I would have easily given this place a better rating. The appetizers and drinks were great. At no time during our visit (3 cocktails each and a few appetizers) did our server ask us ONCE if we would like another drink or how our food was. Completely disappointing service!

    (2)

  • candee s.

    I live in the neighborhood of the Newton--and have anxiously awaited the opening of all the components. Had dinner with a friend last night and we did all the recommended dishes: fried green tomatoes, watermelon salad, and the duck and coconut cake for dessert. I thought all the food was pretty good. I was a little disappointed about not being able to taste/find the sausage that was in the rice that came with the duck--it would have added a nice little spice. The coconut cake was terrific and a nice ending to the meal. The reason for the three are things with a little work could be fixed: 1. The restaurant is noisy--I think there is a trend that somehow the noise is supposed to be an indicator of coolness--it is a decision that restaurants have to make--it is loud but wasn't intolerable. 2. The service was just off--sometimes very attentive and sometimes a desert. If you are going to suggest splitting a dish that has rice--then by all means bring a spoon out so one doesn't have to transfer the rice from one plate to another grain by grain with a knife and a fork--Obviously we would have asked for a spoon had the waiter not been in the desert mode at the time. 3. Again if people are splitting plates--have the good sense to bring out clean small plates between courses--they were not offered and we could not ask because again we were in the waiter desert at the moment we needed them. 4. In my mind, unless specifically requested, an appetizer and a salad are two different courses and should be served separately so there is time to enjoy them. 5. We had a little bit of the pimento spread left over from the tomatoes and asked from some bread. What we got was something that was spongy and white on the inside and had barely a crust on the outside--I would certainly not call it bread. A restaurant at this level has no excuse for serving yucky bread--if you are going to serve it should be able to stand on its own as well as being a complement to whatever it is going with. A great tasty rye would have been wonderful for the left over pimento or even a robust baguette, but certainly not what we got. Southern Rail--I really want you to get to your act together --you are such a welcome addition to the neighborhood--It won't take much--but you have to start paying attention to the details. Our little corner of the world is pretty competitive--I can just as easily walk east or west as walk south--Please step up your game so I want to head south on a regular basis.

    (3)

  • Paul S.

    We wanted to give it five stars, the food is amazing and the drinks were excellent! Try the house smoked trout or the duck confit, both are delicious, but the service was mediocre. We would sit at the bar next time. The drinks didn't arrive for 15 minutes and appetizer took 30. We were still waiting for food at 8:30 PM, the hostess has to bring out both dishes, and we had to ask another server for more water. We are not even sure why Tai was our waiter. They are almost great...

    (4)

  • Jamie B.

    AMAZING dinner! Upscale southern with a relaxed indoor/outdoor atmosphere. I had the special which was a southern/Asian fusion soba noodle bowl with perfectly cooked piece of fried chicken sitting on top of soba and broth. It came with chef made pickled vegetables, a perfectly cooked soft boiled egg and collard greens. Fried green tomato with pimiento cheese appetizer was also very good. We will be going back!

    (5)

  • Jennifer S.

    We came by for brunch with friends and had an amazing time! First off, the restaurant is stunning...hats off to the decorator on a job well done! The staff was super friendly and understanding...our group was having a great time and they seemed to have fun along with us. The fried green tomato benedict was so unique and so ridiculously good...my mouth is actually watering thinking about it while writing this review. The beignets are not to be missed either...trust me. Looks like another visit to Southern Rail is in my future!

    (4)

  • MICHAEL M.

    Excellent prices for the social hour menu, unbeatable service and top notch food. For starters we had the fried green tomatoes, which were the best I've ever had in Phoenix. The dirty rice balls were even better though, pairing exceptionally well with sweet corn relish and smoked onion cream sauce. I nearly licked the plate clean! The cocktails here are otherworldly and the bartenders really know their craft. We talked intently about whiskeys and down-home fried southern cooking and I can't remember the last time I was so impressed with a drink as I was with the hush puppy hush. I could get away with ordering pink fruity martinis more often I wouldn't drink anything else! We will be back soon for fall restaurant week to try their fried okra, duck confit, and black forest chocolate cake. I must say, I'm excited to return.

    (5)

  • Michelle C.

    Very cool atmosphere, great service, so-so food for the price. I love the Changing Hands bookstore next to this restaurant, so I thought I might as well pop in for some dinner with my husband. The outside patio was participating in the Urban Ale Trail at the time, which sounded interesting, but my husband and I don't drink, so we went for a table inside. The interior decor was modern and comfortable. Our waitress was the perfect model of what a waitress should be, very attentive and friendly. Unfortunately, the food was a bit of a let down. I ordered the pork loin and my husband ordered the goulash. Both were under seasoned. Nice size potions, just not worth the price. I expect something particularly tasty for $25 a plate!

    (3)

  • Jennifer L.

    We came for the first time for my mother's birthday. We made a reservation ahead of time just in case. The girl I spoke to was very pleasant. It is very chic and modern and a modern version of the South. Kim was our serving and she was very nice, made us feel welcome, and answered any questions we had. Even the staff around us that took plate and presented our food were really nice. The food was equally as impressive. I had the Southern Fried Chicken, which was the best fried chicken I have ever had, especially in AZ. My mom had the Chicken and Dumplings, which had smoked chicken with a wonderful added smoky flavor. My dad didn't have a single bite of his Salmon left and my brother ate all of the Southern Fried Chicken he ordered. He loved the Yukon Gold Mash and the Corn on the Cobb that came with the Southern Fried Chicken. We also ordered the Beignets. Light, fluffy, warm pillows dusted with powdered sugar. The lightest doughnut like pastry I've ever had. No sauce required, super moist on the inside. We left stuffed and extremely happy with our time at Southern Rail. We left stuffed

    (5)

  • Pam D.

    We've been to Southern Rail for lunch several times. The food, service, and ambiance are great. Went for supper last night. Fried green tomatoes for the starter were wonderful. Crisp, not greasy. We had the cider brined pork and the flatiron steak for our mains. Both were excellent. Try the sweet tea. Not too sweet and nicely infused with mint. Perfect on a warm day. The service was attentive without being intrusive. At night it's a little loud, so if you want conversation I suggest sitting next to your companion instead of across the table. All in all, a lovely evening.

    (4)

  • Adam P.

    We hit this up for restaurant week. Service was really slow, maybe because of said restaurant week but the food was good and would go back for another visit. It is nice to see this style of southern food in the valley though. We shared some starters, the fried green tomato and gumbo, both were solid. The tomato looked to be a real nice heirloom and was wonderfully crispy fried. I had a veal meatloaf which was out of this world for how fluffy and moist it was but crusty on the outside. The gravy was a most excellent pairing. I also tasted the fish and pork chop, both good, the pork chop was perfectly cooked tender and juicy. Desert was red velvet cake and a dutch chocolate cake both of which were average and nothing to write home about. But they did have beignets which finished off the night on a high note. Not sure it was the best beignet I ever had but hey, it was a beignet!!! Definitely earned a trip back for us, just hope there isn't so much of a wait between the courses next time. That might be about the only thing keeping it from a 5* for me.

    (4)

  • Eric L.

    I ordered the Dutch pancake here with honey lemonade. I've never had this before. I was quite impressed. .. it was really good.

    (5)

  • Erin M.

    What gets five stars at Southern Rail? Absolutely everything. If anything, I'd fault them for being such a drive from my house. If we lived closer, we'd be here WEEKLY. I made a Saturday reservation on a whim last week, and it was basically the best decision I've made all year. The space is Southern-classic-sleek (we found it reminiscent of The Henry) and very inviting. Service (we had Seth watching over us) was perfection. Wine and herbal iced tea was delicious. Food was transcendent. The cornbread muffins with black pepper/honey butter (!!!) were perfect little bites. The kale and barley salad came with collard green pesto, roasted grapes (IMMEDIATE FAVORITE THAT I MUST RE-CREATE), orange segments and toasted candied pecans. So delicious; the texture contrasts were awesome. The edamame/corn/tomato/green bean/pepper/pea succotash was basically everything I need in my life. I believe I detected a sautee in white wine as the mysterious flavor undertone that made it SO. VERY. GOOD. Fiance had to go with the fried chicken and yes, this $20 fried chicken is worth it. The mashed potatoes that accompanied the four gigantic pieces were what dreams are made of. If anything, my only regret is that we were too stuffed for dessert. I spied a brioche bread pudding (with *bourbon*sauce*!?) that we will absolutely get on our next visit. And there will be PLENTY of next visits! Cheers, Southern Rail!

    (5)

  • Ashley K.

    We went for brunch and loved the atmosphere, building design and decor. Our waiter was attentive but not pressuring, and friendly. We especially enjoyed the sticky bun, cafe au lait (to die for), and the croque (add a soft boiled egg and you will not be disappointed). The mimosas seemed small (but were only $4), and my Bloody Mary was sweet rather than spicy (not a fan). A cool place to check out, but probably not one of our go to brunch spots since the menu is slightly limited (seems like half the brunch menu is po' boys).

    (4)

  • Tori B.

    Really enjoyed brunch at Southern Rail this past weekend in celebration of Father's Day. The Hubs and I (and baby-to-be) booked brunch at Southern Rail because we absolutely love Beckett's Table and had to give their sister restaurant a try. Loved the decor of this spot, open and very "garage" chic feeling. It seemed industrial, but quaint. Service was OK, not bad, but not great. The food was delish... I had the honey lemonade, which I thought was very refreshing and the Hubs had some drink with milk in the name. He really liked it, said it almost tasted like a banana smoothie without the banana. We started with the beignets, which were hot, fresh, fluffy, and covered in powdered sugar... so. good. I had the fried green tomato benedict, which was so tasty and interesting. It was surprisingly sweet thanks to the tomato jam. I could have done without the frisee salad though. The Hubs had the savory dutch pancake special. It wasn't what we expected, but it was really good. Basically, it was like a skillet breakfast on top of a savory, egg pancake. He enjoyed it, but liked mine better (as did I). Based on this visit, we are super excited to come back and try dinner!

    (4)

  • Martha C.

    Had dinner with my work team last night. Overall a really good time in a fun, unique environment. The decor is different with wood ceilings that look like they are reclaimed from another building or ordinal from the prior establishment on the same premise. Regardless the ceilings, light fixtures and furnishes made for a comfortable vibe. Very enjoyable. We ordered a few appetizers to start. I'd never had fried green tomatoes before last night and wow, what a surprise! They were more delicious than I had imagined. Next came an interesting platter of pickled vegetables, various spreads including a yummy one with bacon and caramelized onions. My absolute favorite were the picked carrots. After that out came warm, delicious corn muffins. I happen to love corn bread so these were right up my alley. As others have said, there were long-ish gaps between courses, but no one at our table seemed to mind! Service was great, our server was attentive and so willing to explain each menu item. Every employee we talked with was accommodating and professional. Great job here! I had the Mac and Cheese but must say its not the best I've ever had. My biggest disappointment of the night? My dessert was so small and I shared it with my hubby. Dang! Should ordered my own....Next time! Would love to go again and support our local entrepreneurs.

    (4)

  • Lisa C.

    We had a truly delightful dinner at Southern Rail. The food was fresh beautiful and delicious. After four amazing courses we were happily satiated. Southern Rail is a delight for the eyes and taste buds. Literally no detail has been overlooked. We look forward to returning in the cooler months and sitting outside! They also have a great wine list that is one third Arizona wine which we love! This is on our must hit list every time we are visiting Phoenix!

    (5)

  • Norm R.

    A pleasant atmosphere, an attentive staff, and a convenient location (part of the Newton on Camelback and 3rd Ave.) make this a good choice for a casual light meal or a special celebration. The Southern cuisine inspired food is very well prepared and presented, as would be expected from a kitchen staff trained by Chef Justin Beckett.

    (4)

  • George L.

    The food of the South is so rich in its own history and recipes that it even has its own cultural organization devoted to it, the Southern Foodways Alliance and anyone from that group, I believe, would be proud of the representation of this most uniquely American cuisine here at Southern Rails. Tucked away in a little shopping center with a Changing Hands bookstore with its own wine and beer bar and a gardening center this establishment is an oasis of generally good food and warm Southern Hospitality. I took my father here yesterday for his 77th birthday and my mother, never one to pass up a good thing, came along as well. Though we are from Texas originally, and not the true South, we appreciate this more Louisiana inspired approach to food. We started with a sampler of spreads ranging from homemade pimento cheese (quite good, with a kick of spice to it, I think the one at La Grande Orange may be better but this was still delightful), bacon and caramelized onion jam (like an umami bomb to the senses) and tomato jam (sweeter than I expected). We also had a serving of fried okra for $6 and it was a surprisingly small serving, though good. For the entrees we got a fried green tomato and pimento cheese po-boy (my favorite, ask and they will also put the bacon and onion jam on it), and the special of the day, a fried chicken po-boy, both of which came with homemade pickles on them and a litel pickled carrot that was rather delightful and reminded me of the lightly pickled veggies one sees in Japanese cuisine. In addition there was a small side of gumbo made with a rich rue, as the gumbo was a lovely dark brown, chicken and andouille (smoked pork) sausage. My father ordered the chicken and dumplings, or the variation at this establishment with pea shoots. I have to admit, it sort of threw of off as it doesn't look too much like traditional chicken and dumplings, but he said it was good. I recommend they shift this dish to a more traditional look and presentation but it is pretty, just not what I think most people expect. For desert, because my father got to select one for free, we had the red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. Here it comes more more like a little cake and a bit drier than I would like, though the frosting was good. As with the pimento cheese I recommend the chefs at Southern Rail take a trip to La Grande Orange and compare as that establishment gets it right and folks, a slice please, of a regular looking cake. Sometimes a place can get too creative for its own good, i would say this is one of those times. I would love to see Southern Rails offer both a traditional red velvet and a carrot cake, and to complete the holy trinity of Southern deserts, some sort of banana pudding, if they don't already. As for their beignets, my mother walked by someone and they said the ones here are a bit doughy so as another field trip, I recommend the folks who run this place do a side jaunt to Clever Koi to have their banana fosters fritters. I think that is the sort of texture and look Southern Rails should go for. Oh, final thoughts, my father and I had the cafe' au lait which the waiter noted was made with chicory coffee. I've had the beignets with cafe' au lait at Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans and the chicory flavor is much less strong than it is here. I think a little of that flavor would be nice but it was strong in mine that I couldn't finish it. So as with many places strong on the appetizers and the meals are rather good but when it comes to desert and coffee I think Southern Rails has some work to do. In summation, I do intend to go back and hopefully for the Wednesday Fried Chicken special and the one thing I did not do but will when I ride the rails, is to try one of their lovely looking cocktails. Maybe Sunday will be a good day to go sit on the veranda and sip a hush puppy hush.Oh, and the wait service, amazing. We had the nicest waiter and I wish I had taken down his name so we could give him a shout out but honestly, he helped make for a great dining experience and tipped accordingly! Good luck Southern Rail and I hope your take those recommendation for some visits to other establishments in the spirit in which they are given, just a desire to see a good restaurant become even better. Oh, p.s. - as someone else mentioned, the locking mechanism on the bathrooms is confusing, might you consider putting a sliding bolt lock on the bathroom doors? I can promise you, an extremely traditional way to keep the bathroom closed in the South. ;-)

    (4)

  • Zachary H.

    After having great experiences at Becketts Table my wife and I were looking forward to Southern Rail, she loves southern style cooking and I've really enjoyed Becketts so it seemed like a "can't miss", unfortunately it really was off target, by a lot. Positive notes: the waiter was good, we both had the feeling that they grabbed some of the great staff from Beckets and brought them over, by the end of supper I felt bad for the guy, I think he knew the place was not up to snuff. Which made it kind of feel sad, the waiter was superb, he really was, but the dishes just plain were not. Oh, the Apple butter is just like Becketts so that is a big plus. Negatives: I had the salmon, the first bite was kind of a surprise, super crispy outside, kind of raw/ soft center, at first I was a little put off but figured hey it's good. That did not last though the fish got progressively less cooked and ended up being kind of rubbery/uncooked. I just want to say I like raw fish, but undercooked is very different from raw, and when part of a filet is cooked the rest ought to be as well. My wife had the chicken and dumplings, it was inedible. As for drinks, forgettable. Long story short, southern rail you've got a ways to go. We really like Becketts, it's a no contest sort of play here.

    (2)

  • Teresa S.

    I brought my Daughter here for her Birthday Lunch. We had been wanting to try it. So this is where she chose. Parking is very busy, as there are several businesses here. There is lots of parking ,you just have to search! We were greeted by a very nice young man when we came in, & we were seated on the patio. I had told the Host, it was my daughters Birthday and did they do any thing for Birthdays. He said yes, absolutely . We did see one person get a little Birthday treat. However, it took us so long to even get our check and such here that we never had time to get her Birthday treat. (She had to go to work) ,Which yes I told him. Our server was the Bartender and in all fairness , he was Very Busy. We were seated at a table. So I know it is hard to wait on tables ,when they are making drinks for all the servers & making drinks and food orders at the bar as well. I think we should of had a server, no the Bartender. Anyway, the place is nice. Decorated very well. We sat on the patio which is not too close to the street. So that is good. It is not like you are eating in the parking lot ,like some places. We had an appetizer of Green fired Tomatoes, which came with a side of spicy cream cheese. That was the best I have ever had. I hope they do not change that. sometimes places are good and then they change the way they cook things. Anyway, that is a winner. I got a grilled Watermelon Salad ,which was good. My daughter got The Roast Beef Poorboy which was Ohh La laaa! It came with a side of Gumbo. Also very good. I was drinking hot green tea, one thing there, you need a plate to out the Tea Bag on. I know it is an American Thing to drink Tea with the Bag in the Cup. But, no thank you not for me. That is about the only thing I would change. Water on the table ,very good. Of course the Bartender got busy as Lunch got busier, so then we had to wait for to go boxes ,the check, etc. No Birthday treat. Our time there 1 and half hours. So it is not like we were there for 30 min lunch rush. I would go back, I did like it. The food was very good. The Rest rooms are a little different. They are clean and nice, but they are one person at a time, and the locks are strange, so no one seems to be able to lock them properly. So in return, lots of opened doors while people are using them. Just a small thing, but just saying. I will go back and give it another try.

    (4)

  • Megan R.

    This place has been on my bucket list for a while and finally made there a couple weeks ago for my birthday. I had never been there when it was Beefeaters, but my parents had and were impressed with what they had done with the place. It is a very trendy, hip place and has a great bar/patio. Upon walking in, we were seated immediately as I had made a reservation on Open Table. However after about 10-12 minutes of waiting, our server had still not made an appearance. We flagged over the manager and informed him and after his apologies, our server was over within 2 minutes. The manager also notified us that all our desserts would be comped because of this as well as it being my birthday. This is an example of a restaurant going above and beyond and we had impeccable service the remainder of the night. The food.....AMAZING! I've spent a lot of time in Georgia and Louisiana, so I always have a taste for Southern/Cajun, but it can be a little difficult to find in Arizona. We ordered: Shrimp & Tomato Bisque and Simple Salad - both winners! Fried Chicken Pork Loin Macaroni & Cheese Red Beans & Rice - best I've found outside of New Orleans so far! Chicken & Grilled Andouille Gumbo Beignets - didn't want a whole plate, so the server ordered me just one which was plenty Butterscotch Banana Pudding German Chocolate Cake Everything we ordered was great and there were no complaints from any of us. This place is more laid back and less stuffy then Beckett's Table so I will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Donna J.

    Wonderful lunch, great atmosphere and fantastic service. Will need to go back and try dinner.

    (5)

  • Chloe C.

    Disclaimer - I only had drinks at the bar. I had the Creole Lemonade, which was delicious. The acoustics at the bar were awful though, and I could barely hear my friend who I'd gone with - a huge bummer for an avid conversationalist.

    (3)

  • Trevor A.

    A warm and inviting atmosphere. The outdoor patio, bar and interior seating were all appealing. We chose a comfortable booth inside. It was very clean and I appreciated the service - thanks "Buddy". If your a fan of loin than your taste buds will be happy with their cider brined pork loin! The house smoked pork ribs and grandma's meatloaf were not something I would personally be back for. We enjoyed and it was nice to stroll the adjoining bookstore afterwards.

    (4)

  • Katie C.

    Tried the chicken poboy with gumbo on side and date tried the watermelon salad. Sat in the side patio and enjoyed the view and decor but finished the meal with little to rave about. Needless to say, we were both underwhelmed.

    (2)

  • Ron D.

    Brunch today at the "Rail." Croque Madame for two with Bloody Mary's. Food was excellent. Service was excellent. Atmosphere was good. This is a place we will come back to. The menu is like being back in Charleston, SC.

    (4)

  • Travis B.

    this was a first stop for us for restaurant week spring of 2015. we had heard very positive things about this new (to us) restaurant, and i was particularly intrigued considering i grew up in the deep south, where everything was fried, came with grits, and seasoning was considered "bacon". alas, we now don't eat meat, so i was surprised when my wife picked this place. she said the menu offered a few non-pork options. we started with the fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese. they were nice. crunchy. a little on the bland side for my taste. when your dining companions say "i like yours better", i take that as a huge compliment. next we tried the corn risotto and the red snapper with red rice for our entree. the red snapper was super flavorful and a fish you don't regularly see on a menu. the corn risotto was also a treat, almost like a desert the corn was so sweet. we ended with a red velvet cake....moist and delicious, with just the right amount of buttery taste goodness. before we even started our order, our server asked if we had any dietary limitations. we told him about our non-meat diet. he pointed out all the items on the menu that did not contain meat. which is why we ordered those 2 entree items. as usual, food from a southern inspired restaurant is rarely pork-free and sure enough, the red rice on my plate was full of bacon slivers. noticeable on the first bite. i pointed it out to the server, he apologized and asked what he could do. but really, what could he do? i don't know, so i just pushed the rice off to the side, hoping our desert wouldn't have hidden bacon bits in it. i wanted to ask for a trade out of the grits or collards, both southern staples, but like i said, i wasn't going to risk having silent bacon show up again. decor is beautiful. clean, homey, trendy, hip. overall, if you are looking for authentic southern food, this is pretty good, albeit a little on the high side.

    (3)

  • Ryan P.

    While it's a great location.... Great ambience. Fun atmosphere. Food took over 45 minutes to reach the table. Not complicated or hard to make food, not a packed house, now I know why. I ordered drinks from the bar, no server in sight. Just lots of smiles from passing staff. I won't bother coming here to eat again. I might just swing in for a drink. I'll eat somewhere else before I come back here. Giant let down.

    (2)

  • Jody K.

    Had brunch here with my girlfriends over the weekend. It was a perfect Sunday so we sat outside. Our server was very friendly. I ordered the cuban po boy sandwich with a side of gumbo. The cuban was delish and paired perfectly with the mustard and pickles. I enjoyed every bite!! The gumbo was also very tasty. We also ordered some beignets to share and they were perfectly fluffy, warm and chewy. There was an overkill of the powdered sugar, but we aren't complaining!! There are several other items on the menu that I definitely wanted to try so this just means that we need to come back again.

    (4)

  • maryanne S.

    I just ate a Sunday night fried chicken dinner at Southern Rail. Which is funny because when they opened up, like 18 months ago, I thought, I gotta go eat "REAL" southern fried chicken. Now, I cannot cite what that is, exactly, but there's going to be a difference between Popeye's and real southern fried chicken. God, was this good. Really, really, good. Friendly people, I ate at the bar, waiters came by, bartender very nice. The order was quite big actuallty. I always think a nice restaurant, 2 pieces of chicken, mashed pats, $25 is a rip, and it is! I'm tempted to say this order was huge: four, nice sized pieces. SO (heat) HOT! The breast boneless, the crust absolutely delicious! Again, very, very moist, tender, HOT, absolutely delicious...and I noticed a hint of sweetness....was it in the crust or the chicken? Hmmmm. I'll have to go back and study it. Stuffed, it was well worth the $20. The bartender said the cider brined pork loin was also quite good. I'll be back.

    (5)

  • Craig S.

    My son got us a gift card for Christmas. We had tried to eat there a few weeks ago but it was after the lunch hour and they had just closed to start getting ready for dinner. It was our anniversary and we arrived around 5:30. Offered seating inside or on the patio. Southern Rail is located on Camelback along side the light rail. If you did not know they were there you would probably miss them. Parking lot is small. At the rush hour it will be hard to find a spot. Not sure what you call the decor. The tables are made of channel iron and angle iron with wood set in for the top. Very simple. Waiters all had on blue jean. The decor and the dress of the waiters made me feel very comfortable. We chose to eat on the patio. There were so many tables inside, looked cluttered. Patio was great. Nice relaxed atmosphere plenty of room. Ty was our waiter and did a superb job. Seemed to just know when we needed something. Spent time to answer questions. I wanted the blackened prime flatiron but the pairing of the vegetables was not what I wanted and they were not willing to substitute what I wanted. And that is fair. Everyone has their rules. I got the chicken with biscuit dumplings. The meal was very taste. Definitely a good choice. Just a comment, the dumplings were not cooked on the broth. They were oven cooked, cut up and added to the chicken. I am from the south and I have never had or would call these dumplings. This does not mean I did not enjoy the meal. Just that is not how it is done in the South. When I go back I will again sit on the patio. Very relaxing, even with the street noise, which was not so loud that it made conservation hard. Oh! My wife had fried chicken and it looked delicious and she said it was very good. Plenty left for a meal at home. I will definitely be back. Give them a try. If you luck out you will get Ty for a waiter.

    (4)

  • Jennifer M.

    Big fan of Beckett's Table so was expecting the same high level of service, atmosphere, food quality, wine list, etc. We dined there on a Saturday night - two couples and a fifth wheel. Our reservation still showed for 4 at the restaurant, which was unfortunate. I'm chocking this up to OpenTable - and it could be why I'm seeing fewer of my favorite haunts use OT for their reservation system. Not holding that against Southern Rail. The place was P.A.C.K.E.D.!!! Everywhere you looked - bodies. It was a very noisy place, not very good for group or intimate conversations. We often found ourselves yelling at our dinner companions. The decor was beautiful... along with the rustic charm were splashes of opulence and beauty - including the ginormous arrangement of flowers right behind us. It was breathtakingingly beautiful and fresh. Much as I loved looking at the arrangement, sadly, it's scent interfered with the taste and smell of my dinner. It was gorgeous - I'd hate to see the restaurant stop providing their guests with such an amazing thing of beauty - but in the end, its smell did interfere with my food experience. Our waiter was great - quick, attentive, did a great job explaining the specials and offering suggestions. Where my issue is, is with the food. I just feel that it didn't measure up to its sister restaurant. It lacked the WOW factor that Beckett's Table had. I left there satiated, but not astonished - as I did with Beckett's. I had the chicken with biscuit dumplings. It was simply "ok". My husband and one of our companions both had the ribs, which were pretty good - the sauce was very obviously scratch made and had some robust, complex flavors to it - not like most bbq sauces. This stuff was high brow, for sure. The other couple tried the prix fixe menu (it was restaurant week afterall) and loved what they had - the FGTs were amazing, according to them. We all enjoyed the deserts. We all liked the food - don't get me wrong... it was simply missing that WOW that Beckett's Table has.

    (3)

  • Steven J.

    I finally had the fried chicken and it was hit and spicy. I loved it and the coating was crunchy and well seasoned. The bread pudding is as good as it gets too!

    (5)

  • Julie S.

    Was not disappointed. Sitting at the bar now closing out our tab, wish I could start from the beginning. Food was scrumptious, and service gold star!

    (5)

  • Mike L.

    Definitely a very nice place, the patio, the bar, everything is done with attention to detail. The food was good but not great. Same for the service. Mac n cheese, OK but could have been richer. Fried green tomatoes... Likely the highlight of the dinner. Duck.. Good but small Gumbo... OK but lacked real flavor. Wines.. They are half off on Sunday, that was a nice surprise. I'd go back but I am not in a hurry. I think I'd likely go there to hang out at the bar and patio, have some drinks and order a few small plates.

    (3)

  • Patience H.

    So happy to have found a truly wonderful spot to enjoy dinner/drinks in central Phoenix! We have been raving about it to everyone! Location is convenient, across the street from the Central//Camelback light rail station. Menu is anything but boring; the difficulty is in deciding what to order when everything sounds so scrumptious. I was so pleased with their dinner menu, I opted for the Sunday brunch last week because the menu is different. I'm not gonna lie...the house made honey lemonade was perfection.

    (5)

  • Andrew L.

    My new favorite restaurant! I've been twice in the last week and can't wait to come back. Fried green tomatoes are great, the pimento cheese that comes with is so good I could eat it by itself! First I had the cider brined pork loin, served with whipped sweet potatoes and collard greens. I found this dish to be best when all three elements are eaten together rather than separately. For dessert I had the bread pudding with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top. This is basically a thick piece of French toast with bourbon caramel sauce, all plates were cleaned. Second visit I had the fried okra (along with fried green tomatoes) and the blackened flat iron steak. This steak is a nice thick cut served with buttered succotash and marble potatoes. This is an amazing dish with great flavors and was perfectly cooked by the chef. As for the building itself, I love the way it was remodeled and decorated (outside you can still see the original Beef Eaters stained concrete). The patio is comfortable, large, and has a nice fireplace. I cannot wait to come back to try the fried chicken, meatloaf, catfish cioppino and the duck. **UPDATE** I have now had a chance to try the cioppino and the fried chicken. The cioppino was great, the catfish was cooked well with a nice corn meal breading. The cioppino was thicker, not too soupy, with large chunks of deep red tomatoes with a nice amount of acidity. The fried chicken was great, the breading was thicker and was a little over-cooked but I will definitely be ordering it again.

    (5)

  • Paul S.

    Had dinner here last night and everything was delicious. We had the fried chicken, smoked chicken and biscuits, blackened catfish, and a side of macaroni. Portions are generous. Will be visiting again, soon!

    (5)

  • Sara S.

    We had a nice brunch here. Mmm, beignets. Beautiful interior. Everyone was satisfied with their meal (eggs Benedict, po boy, trout salad).

    (4)

  • Drew J.

    Decided to have easter brunch here. The server was top notch but handicapped by the ridiculous rules where they "can't" split checks. This is the age of technology but they refuse to make life easier for their guests. Also ordered the French toast. Not good. Should have ordered the poor boy. Don't make the mistake I made.

    (1)

  • Linda A.

    The ambience is terrific; very open and airy. The light rail strolls by the windows giving it a city-vibe. Happy hour is a deal with a decent half-off, $5.00 wine selection and a broad array of appetizers. The rice balls and fried green tomatoes are excellent (the cold shrimp appetizers not so much). Service was perfect!

    (4)

  • Erika K.

    We visited Southern Rail on a lovely Phoenix "fall" Sunday morning for brunch. We sat out on the patio. It was 10:45am and still relatively quiet. We started our brunch by sharing the ultimate sticky bun, pecans, icing($5), which was large enough to share a few bites between 4 people. We loved it. For my main course, I ordered the fried green tomato benedict, biscuit, tomato jam, creole hollandaise, frisee salad ($13). The creole hollandaise sauce was not too spicy. It was definately a favorite at the table! My son ordered the SR bread pudding french toast, banana caramel bourbon sauce ($11). Yes, they turned the bread pudding into french toast -- genious! (I'm going to try this out at home.) Ding. Ding. Winner. Our friend ordered the shrimp and grits ($13). She thought it was delicious, but it was very greasy (as in the oil was pooling to the side of the grits. I ordered a Bloody Mary, which I promptly gave to my husband. I think it must be made with "creole" spices and I much prefer a more simpler version with my horse-radish. Definately consider Southern Rail for an early morning lunch -- it's realtively quite and the menu interesting. I love the architectural space and decore of Southern Rail -- very open, airy, urban, with lots of outdoor bar and patio space for us to enjoy the good weather we have in Phoenix. I would definately put this on the top of the list to bring visitors and family members from out of town. It's a great space for happy hour too. And bonus: After Brunch, we stimulated the economy at "Changing Hands Bookstore" located there on the premises.

    (4)

  • John R.

    Explosion of flavor, Service was perfect, Glad someone had foresight to save the cool old beefeaters building, the food and atmosphere was a welcome change. As you can tell I am not handing out reviews at all but "just had to" after my visit.

    (5)

  • Patricia M.

    Really pretty design inside. I liked my watermelon salad with smoked pulled chicken, though I had a bone in my very last bite. John's shrimp po boy was delicious with the house made pickle. But the gumbo was one note.

    (4)

  • Margarete N.

    I ordered the Smoked chicken and cheddar biscuit dumplings with pea tendrils and it was very filling, with a subtle smoked flavor and extremely tender chicken pieces. The bartenders were amazing and the crowd great. I arrived at 6:30 on a Friday and it was busy, but plenty of seats available. Loved that they have a "community table" as well as indoor and outdoor seating. Managed to spend over 3 hours here and felt comfortable with the wait staff and clientele even though it was my first time here. I will definitely be coming back and highly recommend this restaurant for individual, dates or larger groups.

    (5)

  • Kat B.

    I went in for brunch and had the Bread Pudding French Toast. It was SO good! The staff was friendly and I loved the decor. I would definitely go there again.

    (5)

  • Michael M.

    A for ambiance, B- for food. Justin Beckett has done an excellent job of rehabbing this old restaurant into an attractive compound of businesses that includes Southern Rail and First Draft Book Bar. Southern Rail is the crown jewel. The booths are holdovers from Beefeaters, but everything else seems to be new. I especially liked the large windows that open up to a patio facing Camelback; the light rail whizzes right past. I was mixed on the food and drinks. I got a Rail Runner, which didn't taste as good as the description (bulleit bourbon, lemonade, soda) and came in a fairly small julep cup. The cornbread was tasty and I liked the accompanying black pepper honey butter, but it only came with 3 small cornbread muffins. My wife got the flatiron, which was cooked well and had a bit of spice to it that we enjoyed. Surprisingly, my gumbo was not spicy at all. The andouille sausage was pretty good (but still not that spicy), but everything else fell flat. That was the most disappointing, as the gumbo seems to be one of the featured items. The mac n' cheese came to the rescue, however. You'd think mac n' cheese would always be good, but I've had some fairly mediocre mac at restaurants, so I complement Southern Rail's. All of the foregoing could be forgiven except for the fact that Southern Rail is pricey. Being pricey is okay where you feel like you're getting the right bang for the buck, like at the sister restaurant Beckett's Table, but that wasn't the case for me here. The high price point makes me consider this more of a 2.5 star review.

    (3)

  • Travis T.

    I ate here for Restaurant Week over the weekend. I'm a huge fan of Chef Justin Beckett and his other establishment Beckett's Table. Southern Rail is a beautiful restaurant with lots of open space and is located inside The Newton right off the light pail path. It has an open kitchen and a large size patio/bar area. Its rustic-style, nostalgic decor that gives off a warm, hospitable feel. Because it was my first time, I went with some of their signature dishes. The cup of Gumbo Ya-Ya for appetizer, the Cider Brined and Slow Roasted Pork Loin for my main course and their delicious Red Velvet cake for dessert. I was met with great service and enjoyed every bite. The Gumbo soup was full of flavor and delicious. The Pork Loin was nice and tender and you can't go wrong with the Red Velvet cake. I look forward to stopping in again on Wednesday Fried Chicken night.

    (5)

  • Nancy S.

    Birthday dinner for our best friend now has to be rescheduled. We did not like the waitress from the beginning, she was too good for us! Thought the dirty rice balls were just okay. The fried chicken was overcooked on the outside, good on the inside. Definitely not what was expected. Red Velvet cake was good, not great! Very disappointing evening! Won't try again.

    (1)

  • Danica K.

    For a solid southern dish with a twist - this is your place! For those with more mild taste buds I wouldn't recommend because you wouldn't appreciate all this place has to offer. Donuts /beignets (sp?) are amazing!!!!! Little pricey - but you pay for the quality of the food! Cool atmosphere, just not my favorite type of food. Recommend it nonetheless, classy place!

    (4)

  • Eric W.

    Modernized southern classics that make you drool. Great atmosphere and incredible service. I ordered 3 apps an entrée and two desserts along with a few sides with a friend and had zero complaints, only compliments...to the chef.

    (4)

  • Yvette J.

    The decor is wonderful. It was a beautiful night so they had everything open so even though we were inside we got the cool night breeze and the sound of the light rail going by. The waiter was nice enough and attentive. Being southern and in a southern restaurant I asked for sweet tea. He brought me sweet tea in a mason jar...cute enough but at first sip I could tell it wasn't true sweet tea and didn't care for the taste of the simple syrup that was used to make my sweet tea. When the waiter came back for our order I advised him I didn't care for the tea and he corrected me and said oh you don't like sweet tea? To which I corrected him and said no I love sweet tea, I just don't care for that. And asked him to remove it. I asked him for his dining suggestions before looking at the menu. We were there on Wednesday "Fried Chicken" night so I thought about it but then realized...I didn't smell any chicken. In fact, I didn't smell anything cooking...my dining companions and I decided to just have dessert. Huge mistake on my part..I own a southern style bakery..but I did so anyways. My companion ordered the bread pudding. Which came out looking like an extra thick slice of french toast. I'm sure if it were sliced, dipped and thrown on a griddle it would make an excellent french toast..but bread pudding it was not. I ordered the red velvet. Awful. Box mix, shortening based cream cheese flavored frosting. What they use on top is not the same as what they use in the middle..or two entirely different people made the frosting. Just not good in my opinion.. I was really hoping this place would be good. And maybe I'll give it another shot at another time in the day and not at 8 when they've obviously already started their clear down for the night. Disappointed.

    (2)

  • Estee A.

    i brought my mom with me because the building is the old Beefeaters on camelback and mom worked there in college :) this is the reason we gave this place the old college try ;) First our bartender was great - nice and friendly. Drinks were good :) they have a huge beer selection but its American only. Mom is not so into american beer but besides that the beer on tap could be colder. Its summer in AZ and tap beer needs to feel like its on ice. Second the food selection has a southern theme which is awesome - I'm a southern girl so its a great fit! We had the okra - it was excellent and perfectly fried now the sauce that comes with it not so much. Its like they tried to do a relish ramoulade but it tastes more like a thousand island fail. Third we tried the toast and jams - now the jams were great very different and fun there was an excellent tomato jam that had an orange background- it was great! Then the onion bacon jam different but great - and a pimento spread that wasn't bad and I'm not crazy about pimento so thats saying something- the problem was the toast :/ it was this toasted bread that had a soft crunch like it was stale :/ they did bring us more but it tasted the same - i think its the wrong bread selection for this dish - toasted french bread would have been amazing! They did take the dish off the bill. Now overall i enjoyed what we ordered but i did not find it worth the price - it is very pricey for what is served. If you do go do not miss the okra or the ginger beer - those 2 items cannot go wrong.

    (3)

  • Kitty Kat D.

    I was surprised by all the reviews that had less than a stellar experience. So my husband and I decided to go during lunch, to avoid having a huge bill to pay for in the event that we had a similar experience. Holy hell. This was awesome! Go for lunch if you aren't sure about dinner. We arrived a little after 11am, and the place had a few customers but not many. It was quiet. And our service was quick. The place is decorated really nicely, and they even kept the original booths from Beef Eaters. Loved the old country music they played! Reminded me of my grandma and I even got a little teary-eyed while waiting for our food. What a wonderful moment I had with my husband on a random lunch date. Our server was Sarah, she was phenom! Very quick, polite, asked if we had any questions, attentive, and even brought my husband a new dessert plate because the one she gave him looked spotty. We didn't even have to ask for drink refills. She was just great and I can't say enough about her. We ordered an app, lunch, and dessert. For the appetizer we had the toast n jam n cheese. It was small but enough to satisfy 2 people. It tasted great and the sweet onion jam is to die for! For lunch we ordered the chilled corn soup and gumbo. Both were great. For dessert we ordered the beignets. Only 2 come in an order but 1 is enough for one person. They are fairly big. They came out fresh and covered in powdered sugar. It was a neat presentation. We will definitely be back, can't wait to try brunch and dinner!

    (5)

  • Kirsten P.

    Came here with two of my girlfriends tonight, and honestly I can't even express how delicious the food was. Our server Chris was beyond amazing, and had great recommendations for drinks and food. We met one of the owners Michelle, and felt the need to let her know about our amazing service. I will definitely be coming back! And side note: the fried green tomatoes are my favorite! In conclusion, Chris is the best and the food is bomb.

    (5)

  • Dawntoya T.

    This place is extremely hit or really miss. I've given it 3 chances. I had a good experience the first time I visited, but it had just opened, so maybe they were pulling out all of the stops. From that point on the food has been less than average. Ordered fried chicken and it was raw. Sent it back and when it came back it was still raw and they tried to convinced me that it was just braised. I know pink fleshy chicken when I see it. We had a few other dishes, but I'm actually from the south and I'd take my grandmothers fried chicken and collards any day. Everything is just ok. They have a couple of things on the menu that are ok, but overall I am not a fan when my friends suggest we meet there for dinner. Always feels like a waste of money. I want to give it 2 stars but I'd feel mean. Lol

    (3)

  • Aubrey R.

    Food was wonderful and staff did a great job as well. I will come back again. I had Scottish salmon wife had seared prime cut her meal was very rich. A+ place

    (5)

  • Mike D.

    I had very high hopes for Southern Rail. On the night I came we arrived a little before 6 so we elected to sit at the bar to take advantage of happy hour prior to eating. The staff here hate each other. Seriously, I've never seen a group of people with more vitriol in such a crammed space. The 3 people working the bar took turns snipping and yelling at each other, arguing over who stocked what, and occassionally talking to customers to see if anything was needed. There were two, a very skinny young lady and a younger guy with a hipster combover that HAD to have dated at some point. The tension between them was uncomfortable. I was waiting for him to ask for vodka and have her respond "why, so you can just stick it in every drink that walks by??" But I digress. The food was av-er-age. For a place that claims to have roots in the low country of Charleston, it was very disappointing. It seemed everything lacked seasoning. If I could describe the food in one word, it'd be "bland." The prices were reasonable and the outdoor patio/bar area is very cool. I wanted to like it but i was let down. I wouldn't go back on my own but if a group chose to go here, I'd go along to give it another try.

    (2)

  • Karis A.

    My husband and I went based on other reviews and it did not disappoint. While the restaurant was a bit loud, the food was exceptional. We shared a small plate of the gumbo and it was extremely flavorful. I had the flat iron steak and it was delicious. Cooked to perfection, seared and flavorful, and very tender. My husband had the duck confit with the risotto. He said he hadn't enjoyed a meal as much as this one in the last 10 years. The staff was wonderful. Knowledgeable and offered great information based on our questions. We would definitely recommend.

    (5)

  • Tony K.

    I decided to give the restaurant another opportunity to change my opinion . The waiter was friendly But there was no bread that came out as a appetizer . The service was slow. I tried their green fried tomatoes poorboy with jam . This was tasteless. The gumbo again had no vegables and was too salty. I ordered a cup and just got the side .This place needs a lot or changes

    (2)

  • David M.

    Delicious, delicious, delicious!!! Service, however, was VERY inattentive. We went around 8pm on a Tuesday... Not busy at all, so it's perplexing on why our waiter was never to be found. Lots of new restaurants opening up in the north central corridor, this place would be wise to establish a high level of expected hospitality among their employees if they plan on competing and staying in business.

    (3)

  • Bradley S.

    We went for the first time and had a great experience. It was Friday night and we got right in. Really nice decor. Loved the sea scallop special. My wife enjoyed the veggie casserole. I am glad I ordered wine instead of ice tea because if they had brought me a sweet tea I would have spit it out. We saved room for dessert. Red velvet cake is cute but nothing to rave about. Bread pudding is ok, certainly not special and looks like toast. But the sauce was yummy. Best part was our service. Everyone very friendly, waitress going over and above to make our first visit memorable. We shall return!!

    (4)

  • Paula L.

    When I discovered there was a new restaurant that opened in Central Phoenix I was excited. When I learned it was southern food I became apprehensive. The southern food that I grew up eating was all cooked with pork fat. Well, I was thrilled that SR had vegetarian options. I started with the mac & cheese sampler. It was larger than I expected so I shared with my husband. The dish was good, but needed a splash of red pepper flake on top. I went with the broccoli, cauliflower, leek casserole entree that was topped with candied pecans. Overall, it was pretty good. The best part of the meal was the coconut cake with coconut pudding. It's not a thick pudding more like a pudding glaze that accompanies the cake. The cake was moist, light and not at all sugary. There are a few things that I would like to mention. Rochelle, our waitress was friendly and welcoming. When I finished the mac & cheese sampler I sat the empty bowl at the corner of the table. Several waiters walked by without picking it up. When I was done with the dessert plate I did the same thing and again it was ignored. I've been to several restaurants in the area (Central Ave) and it feels like a team effort. Everyone fills empty water glasses and everyone removes dirty dishes.There was a table of 4 sitting to the left of us that received special attention. We are all here spending money so aren't we all special! Southern Rail gets 4 stars for the food and 3 stars for customer service.

    (3)

  • Asina G.

    This is really a 2.5 star review, but I'm bumping up because of good service. I had been wanting to try Southern Rail, so I went for Arizona Restaurant Week. The restaurant is really loud, even in the back room, so it makes having a conversation hard because you can hear everyone else's conversations around you. I ordered the gumbo, pork loin and red velvet cake from the ARW menu, while my BF ordered the fried green tomatoes, red snapper and banana pudding. While my food was okay -- not bad, but not the best food I've had, my BF did not enjoy his food at all. And he's not typically one to complain about food, so it must've been bad. The first thing I noticed about the fried green tomatoes is how thin they were and how hard they were fried. If you've had fried green tomatoes in the South, you know they are supposed to be thicker slices of tomato lightly fried. They also didn't have any seasoning. He also did not enjoy his snapper. My gumbo was pretty good, as was the pork loin -- although it could've been seasoned better. The sweet potatoes and collards served with the pork loin were both good! We ended up taking our dessert to go and it's still sitting in the fridge, so I can't speak to the dessert. Having had such a good experience at Beckett's Table, I'm definitely disappointed with my experience at Southern Rail and won't be going back.

    (3)

  • Toryanni E.

    I love Beckett's Table so there was no doubt in my mind that I would also love Southern Rail, however the Fried Chicken was beyond belief good!! I have been waiting months to actually be able to go on a Wednesday to have it and I was not disappointed! Service was fantastic! I definitely recommend the Pie in the Jar ours were Key Lime and it was perfectly tart and sweet and soooo cute in the little jar!

    (5)

  • David L.

    I love this restaurant and have gone back every week since we first tried it on Valentines day. The service is very good... I really like Redding and Kristen... Probably the best service that I have had in Phoenix. I mean it is so hard to find someone that can wait tables properly. The other places we go have people that are so snobbish, and they have absolutely no reason to be. The southern rail is a breath of fresh air. The manager, Jason, is very pleasant as well. He has a eye for detail that had been lost in so many other establishments. Anyway, the food is amazing. I have had southern food, but this place is by far the best. We mostly come for brunch, and love the beignets and dutch pancakes. The drinks are very good. The atmosphere is so very nice and bartenders are very nice looking. It is a peace of heaven to be sure. This is now on our rotation of restaurants and is our favorite. Thank you Southern Rail for bringing the old fashion custom of good taste and good service in everything that you do.

    (5)

  • Crel V.

    We have been wanting to go to Southern Rail for a while but we like to give a restaurant time to get on it's feet so to speak. It has been open for a while now so we made reservations for 7:30 - Saturday for 6 of us. All of us were excited. We got there and it was painfully apparent we really didn't need a reservation. We were one of 5-6 tables with between 20-30 open tables (inside and out) - on a Saturday at 7:30. The people who were there seemed to be enjoying themselves. The space is fun - if a bit on the Kitsch-y side. The staff were... good... but they did not seem happy to be there. No one smiled. They seemed rushed without reason. From the food perspective the salads were nice. But unfortunately that is pretty much the best part of the meal. I had the pork chop - the pork chop itself was good but the goopy mash of wilted greens and orange glop the pork chop was sitting in was less than appealing. Our friends had apps for dinner, nothing remarkable nor memorable. The bill however was remarkable and not in a good way. It is a shame. I like Becket's table (which needs a refresh on the menu as it is getting quite stale this far along). I like Southern food in general. Unfortunately Southern Rail was just so so and pretty expensive for what it is.

    (2)

  • Bradley Z.

    Spoke with Justin earlier this week on an industry related matter. Justin, Chef invited us in on Saturday to try his brunch. Absolutely the finest brunch in Phoenix today!!! Nice work Chef. Enjoy your summer.

    (5)

  • Angie F.

    It was decent food, however it was a bit pricey for just decent food. Ambiance is really nice and I love the first draft next to it!

    (3)

  • Shigeru Y.

    Pretty great location. I loved that they're next to a book store! Wait staff was friendly and water was kept full via a glass bottle on the table they kept full. The decor inside is very nicely done, all wood and Americana, but as others have noted, it is extremely loud...and it wasn't even crowded when we went during a rain storm! (Note that there was also quite a bit of parking because of said storm...) I had the smoked chicken and grilled andouille gumbo with rice. It was tasty, not too spicy, and more of a soup or chili consistency than a chunkier jumbalaya type consistency. I admit I had to save the giant sausage on top of it for leftovers, and felt it was overkill and a bit one-note. There was definitely NOT enough rice for me, but that's probably because of my Hawaiian background which requires copious rice with chili and soup. I'd want at least double the portion of rice, and maybe half the amount of gumbo, with a piece of fried chicken or something to go along with it (blame the background again for wanting a "mixed plate"). Next time I would order the "small plate" size of this (and probably still want extra rice). I haven't been back yet, but I would consider it if I am looking for heavier, heartier, upscale Southern-ish food. The prices are quite high (the gumbo was $17), so I don't see this as a place I would dine at by myself.

    (3)

  • Nicole V.

    My boyfriend and I went here for the first time for a date night and really enjoyed it! The ambience wasn't quite what I would have expected for evening dining, they have a lot of spot lights and didn't dim the lights after the sun went down so it didn't quite have that "romantic" feel. With that being said, the service was good outside of a longer than expected wait on our food. The couple that came in after us got their food quite a bit before we did. Thankfully our fried green tomatoes appetizer was delicious and held us over. My BF got the fried chicken which had the perfect breading along with a small piece of corn on the cob and mashed potatoes. I got the smoked chicken and dumplings which tasted amaaaazing! We didn't have dessert, but I've been told by others is great too. We will definitely come back!

    (4)

  • Stacey S.

    Surprisingly poor food quality & disappointing options at this place. The name "Southern Rail" suggests the food has Southern flair which I would take to mean, plentiful seafood options. As a pescatarian, I was disappointed by the lack of seafood on the menu. Pork was flowing like water though. So whatevs, I ordered the BBQ shrimp. Can't go wrong with that right? Ha! That's what I thought. Shame on me for assuming it'd be shrimp with BBQ sauce. Instead I got a bowl full of shrimp (head & eyes still intact) swimming in a sea of weird orange gravy that looked & tasted NOTHING like BBQ sauce. It was disgusting. On the side I ordered mashed sweet potatoes and sadly, they too were abysmal. The "sweet" had been drowned in salty butter & odd spices that killed the essence of what a sweet potato should taste like. I had four bites of "dinner", chalked it up as a loss & set my sights on dessert- red velvet cake. Yikes. It was ALSO wretched. While the texture of the cake was moist & bouncy, the sickeningly excessive sweetness off the cream cheese frosting ruined the entire dish. I, a frosting junkie, did something I've never ever done before: scraped the frosting off & ate only the cake. Shameful but Southern Rail drove me to it. I won't be back.

    (2)

  • Tabitha D.

    There is nothing I dislike more than being told that the item on the menu that I just ordered is not available. If an item in on the menu, it needs to be available. It's not a special...it's a regular menu item. Yesterday, the tomato and onion tart was not available. Although the food is delicious it is INCREDIBLY OVERPRICED. I ordered an $11 salad that filled half a salad-sized plate. My husband ordered the Monday special and paid $18 for about 1 1/2 cups of beans and rice and a single andouille sausage. It's not that these are expensive ingredients or huge portions, thus the large price tag. They are simply using a much bigger multiplier than other restaurants. It's just not worth it. Most people will feel they are being taken advantage of, unfortunately. When you see an $11 salad on the menu, you expect it to be a meal-sized salad, not a side dish.

    (1)

  • Becci B.

    This grade is not biased on the food or service. Both were wonderful. This is biased on the fact that they have an out dated policy that they will not slips checks. Personally it's 2015, you should be able to split checks. It doesn't sound like a big deal but it really is to your customers. So if you're planning on enjoying an outing with friends plan on doing some math, splitting one bill between cards or taking on the whole check yourself.

    (2)

  • Stephanie N.

    I went to hang out with a friend for Restaurant Week. Great patio. Good drinks. Ok food. Just ok. Dry. My fish was overlooked. I put salt on it. I hate salt. And Southern Food usually has plenty! I was open for a great dinner and it was a "meh". The desert was yummy. Although I can't remember what I had for the life of me. Just that desert was my favorite part. Not a good sign. I will remember the patio. Bummer. I love Southern Food... But not Southern Rail...

    (3)

  • Stacy M.

    Checked this out last night & I must say that it might just be my fave new place for cocktails. Wow! Hunter is the mixologist there & this guy knows how to mix a cocktail. You must order an old-fashioned from him and I loved the dog hunt ( not sure the name) cocktail!!! Can't wait to go back for more! Had the fried green tomatoes and biscuits and sausage gravy, both solid. Wed night is fried chicken night & I need to check that out!

    (4)

  • Joseph C.

    The best dinner night out with my wife in a long time. Service was great. Food was great too. It was a happy place with talk and laughter all around you. The whole restaurant was ablaze with life and patrons having a great evening. Gotta go back.

    (5)

  • Shea P.

    We went in for dinner for the first time this past weekend with a party of four. We loved the décor (with the exception of the giant plastic stars- someone please explain this to me...) and everyone we interacted with was friendly. The problem(s) came when we attempted to order entrees. We had been seated for a while, enjoying a cocktail and appetizers when our server asked if we were ready. We had been catching up and I hadn't even looked at my menu, but you never want to be the one person who doesn't know when everyone else is starving! I responded with, "Start with them, they definitely know what they want!" (the two guests in our party had chosen the restaurant after seeing the fried chicken on the menu). She replied with, "I hope it's not the fried chicken." She then proceeded to tell us that they had run out. To be fair, it does say "limited quantity" next to the fried chicken on the menu. But this would have been information that would have been more useful to us had she told us right after we sat down. To make matters worse, she continued by telling us that they run out of fried chicken almost every night around 7-730. Now, I understand that fried chicken is not an item you want to risk over-prepping and then having to throw out. But if you are running out on a consistent basis 2-3 hours before you close every night... that might be a sign that you need to up your pars. We told her we would need a few more minutes and when she returned, we attempted ordering again. It went a little something like this. Me (who ordered first): I'm going to have the cider brined pork chop Server: Actually, we are out of that too... *This would probably be a good time to mention that they only have 8 or so entrees on the menu, so running out of 2 drastically limits your choices. After confirming that there weren't any other items they were out of, we asked for one more minute to decide (for the third time). When she returned again, she let us know that in the kitchen had prepped more fried chicken and it was now available to order, but to hurry as it would probably sell out again very quickly... This time I ordered the flat iron steak and all three of my dinner companions decided to try the fried chicken. The last in our party to order informed the server that she did not eat potatoes and asked if she could substitute for another side item. Her response? Server: "They really don't like to do that... but we can substitute a potato for another potato." Guest: "But I don't eat potatoes." Server: Yeah... *long, awkward pause* In the end, they did substitute a vegetable for the potatoes. And all the food we got was great. My steak was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. The succotash was vibrant and fresh and everyone else loved the fried chicken. And- beignets!!! No one makes these! What a treat! With some staff training and some better prep planning, I think they could be a real contender.

    (3)

  • Pepper T.

    Southern Rail is on the right track but at the time of this review is brand new and possibly still working things out. The servers seemed well polished and the cocktails we tried were tasty and strong. We shared a small plate of House Smoked Trout with Pea Cakes and Tomato Jam. I thought this dish was put together well and was my favorite of the plates I tried. The Trout was smoked nicely and wasn't too much smoke. The Pea Cakes reminded me of Falafels but green with fresh peas bursting out and the Tomato Jam wasn't just sweet Tomatoes it had a little Kick to it. They all harmonized nicely together. The starter plate of Cauliflower Casserole was for my taste (maybe not yours) was overly generous with cheese and seemed to lack the onion cream that was in the description. For me this plate was too heavy and I think someone just slipped with the cheese that wasn't in the description of this dish. Possibly an opening hiccup. I need to reveal a full disclosure that I am sensitive about smoked foods and only care for a mild smoke taste that might differ from you. I tried the Chicken and Biscuit Dumplings. I received a bowl of many nicely made cheesy dumplings in a very smoky dark sauce with 2-maybe 3 ounces of nicely prepared dark meat chicken a few very thin shaves of Local McClendon Carrots, Chunks of Mushrooms and some fresh pea tendrils. I was slightly disappointed for a few reasons. As good as the Biscuit Dumplings were and they were. This dish for me was too much Dumplings and should have been called Biscuit Dumplings with Chicken. I could only eat maybe one and a half and had I think three maybe three more dumplings. In the description of the dish was the mention of McClendon Carrots. I was expecting carrots to have a co-staring role and not to be just a few shaves for color. For my taste the sauce was WAY too smoky but might be great to other people who like smoky food. My husband tried the Smoked Chicken and Andouile Sausage Gumbo. He said it was good. He eats Authentic Gumbo whenever he is in New Orleans and said the one at Southern Rail was good but thinner than other Gumbos he tried and also more smoky than others he tried but still good to him. 3.5 stars On the right track but a LOT of Smoke a little steam.

    (3)

  • Joe O.

    First off, the food is excellent. Fried Green Tomatoes are delicious, and everything was very good or better. HOWEVER, I have to give the service an "F", and not because of our waitress, but an odd policy that made our experience there downright angering. We had a large party of 15 for which we made a reservation in advance. Upon asking to split the check, we were told by our waitress that restaurant policy was to not allow split checks, but they would accept multiple credit cards to pay the final tab. I expressed my concern over this, given that figuring out the bill for 15 people would be a huge task. I asked for clarification on that rule, which I never got. Our waitress would only tell us it was the policy and she could do nothing about it. Sure enough, when the bill came, mass confusion began. We had a $600 tab that we had to figure out amongst ourselves. First submission of cards proved that the total came up short, despite our math that put us at just above the total. The waitress was frustrated with the confusion, and she asked if I would like to speak to the manager to figure this out. I said yes, but she returned shortly to tell me that her manager just said "that's restaurant policy". After over 30 minutes of trying to work amongst ourselves and with our waitress, we finally got it settled. During all this confusion and frustration, the manager looked on and said nothing, and refused to address the issue for both his customers and his waitress. Why would a restaurant defer this sort of problem to his customers to figure out for themselves? Our waitress suggested this was time saving for the staff. Clearly this did nothing but cause problems for everyone involved. She was perhaps more frustrated than we the customers were, and the manager left her high and dry to deal with it herself. That is poor customer service. It was enough to leave us with a bad experience at Southern Rail. Sure, the food was good, but that doesn't matter if the "policy makers" make policies that hurts its customers, and then gives no explanation as to their policy. I will think twice before considering dining at Southern Rail again. If you are going with a party, take into consideration that at the end of your meal, you are going to be tasked with figuring out how to divide your bill.

    (2)

  • Morgan C.

    We have driven past this place countless times, and with Central being closed and is being unable to get to Windsor we figured it was fate. Long story short, the food was alright but the service was lacking. Our server was MIA and flighty, dropping dirty silverware on my dad multiple times. Also, after waiting an obscene amount of time for the beignets, the manager finally dropped them off at the table spilling powder sugar all over my black suit and didn't apologize Since it was a Saturday afternoon we figured that the food would come quickly, but we waited over an hour for our food. The food was decent and we would've given it a second chance if our server would've cared about our dining experience.

    (2)

  • Rick B.

    My first visit. Lunch. The menu is very different. My tomato and shrimp bisque was outstanding. I could eat it twice a day. My Cuban sandwich was very good, with homemade pickles as promised. The place is spacious and bright, and the staff is young, pleasant and on top of things. I will be back.

    (5)

  • Jo-Ann Y.

    In meeting Justin Beckett at McClarendons Farmers Market I am Extremely Disappointed and shocked

    (1)

  • Jennifer O.

    I went to Southern Rail last Friday with a friend and her mom with a miraculous reservation (called at around 4 and got a res for 5:45 despite no availability online... yesss!). We tried many of the salads and small plates and they were all good (I guess they worked their kinks out) Here is what we had: onion and tomato tart - very good, the onions were nicely caramelized, so their flavor was not overly strong... yum! Cornbread salad- every element on this dish was delicious, the okra was perfect, the sauce was good, the beets were even good (and I do no like beets) The brioche rolls - these things could be addicting, they are served with some wonderful apple butter and when eaten together, they are a good balance of sweet and salty. Dirty rice croquettes- these were my overall favorite... they were bursting with flavor and extremely filling. They were spicy with a nice fresh element from the greens served with it and the pea shoots. Overall, a real winner. Watermelon salad - very light and fresh, yummy Gumbo- nice flavor, a little less spicy than I would typically like, but overall a solid dish. The small plate is a small cup, but it's hearty. The broccoli and cauliflower casserole - this was ok, but parts of it were ice cold.... not great. These small plates were more than enough for the 3 of us, we were stuffed and didn't even finish all of the food. We also had a couple of cocktails. The Austin mule was delicious... perfectly gingery and citrusy. My friend had another cocktail that sounded good... the name escapes me, but it was way too boozy tasting. Overall, this place was very good, and I am already planning a return visit!

    (4)

  • Stephanie S.

    Had Mother's Day brunch a day early due to scheduling conflicts and we decided to try southern rail since it is new to us. Whether you sit inside or outside the flies will be an issue. The waiter was super sweet and he did a great job with the service. The problem lied with certain food items. My daughter got pancakes that were sticky and unsweetened with the batter. The watermelon salad was ok . It needed either goat cheese or feta to add a little depth. Don't add chicken to it. It didn't make it any better. The sticky buns and crab cakes were amazing. They have some items that are great, but overall it was a disappointment. The portions are way too small for what you pay and we went at brunch too

    (2)

  • Christine P.

    Finally a family restaurant thats put into use in this poor building... which its use to be a beef eaters. I came here with my mother and sister! :) Such a good atmosphere here. As an appetizer, we have the macaroni and cheese. It was delicious. The texture and the cheese was on point. Mom, she got the catfish. Was not fond of it at all. It was so oily and very salty... :/ Sister, she got pork ribs, it was delicious and the side corn salad was like salsa mix, she enjoyed it. Me, I had the broccoli, cauliflower casserole.....It was too salty, too cheesy, not enough broccoli and too much onions in it :( Our waiter was so attentive in the beginning. Then midway, she forgot a few things and didn't come to the table til I ask for the bill.. Me likes scaring him I'm doing things right Maybe, I'll try something else?

    (4)

  • A T.

    This is not a place if you're in a hurry. This is the perfect place to relax with a good glassss (-not a typo) of wine and conversation. To start we shared the broccoli and cauliflower rice and leek casserole. If the portion was larger, it could have been the entree' it was really good! Just add garlic toast . Then the blt salad which was wonderful! For dinner we both had the Cider Brined pork loin. Ah! It was absolutely heaven! I could have eaten more, I wished the large portion was extra large so I could have taken some home! I wanted to order another one to go. YUM!! YUM!! can not describe its' flavor we both loved it. Afterward we had coffee and desert. We shared the German chocolate cake with pecan coconut icing and also the beignets with powdered sugar(comes 3 to an order we took 2 home) The waiter was attentive and the service was excellent. Never wanted for more anything, water, coffee, wine etc. He was there with it before we asked, great service. The orders were slow to come out though. We were there for about an hour and a half. So like I said if you're in a hurry, come when you can spend some time, -and money. It's not the most expensive place around, it's not cheap. But, It's well worth it! I highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Kiana B.

    I visited this location for my birthday dinner based on an article I read on a local blog. The restaurant is beautiful and the staff was helpful. However, the food was just "okay". For as much as me and my guests paid, I expected to be "wowed". Decent portion sizes. The chicken and dumplings were not what I was expecting. Salty, the chicken was dry, the dumplings seemed like they were just pieces of cornbread. Also there was an issue with splitting the check which we were not made aware of previously. All in all, I don't think I'll be returning because the food above all else, wasn't anything special.

    (3)

  • Bill B.

    We were very excited to try this restaurant. As big fans of Beckett's Table we thought this would be the best new restaurant. Not so much. With four of us...two had meat loaf and two had pork tenderloin. Both dishes, especially the tenderloin were EXTREMELY dry. To their credit the very nice manager offered us free desert for the poor food experience. The bread "pudding" was essentially a piece of French toast...umm not so good. The beignets however were very good. All four of us decided we would not return...too many other great options in the Camelback | Central area. Hopefully they can figure this out and turn things around. They have invested a lot of money in this establishment to not have it be successful.

    (2)

  • Allison Z.

    Most outstanding brunch in Phoenix!! We are humbled to have a chef in Phx who knows his ingredients and constructs his dishes so well!! Well Done Chef Justin!

    (5)

  • Terry E.

    5 Star food and service! 1 Star decor. Sunday brunch food was excellent - I highly, highly recommend the sticky bun to start if you dare, with all its glorious maple goo on top. Corned beef hash was a hit too, and service was attentive and very friendly. The decor just looked like they took what was left from the PV Mall Coco's that recently closed and is being bulldozed...dated. I would go back for sure, just not with someone I wanted to impress.

    (4)

  • Mike K.

    I have resided for long stretches and at several locations throughout the South and am an unabashed fan of country cooking. Southern Rail has tasty and authentic fare(you can always tell by the gumbo), and the atmosphere and location are appealing. That guy Beckett really knows how to package his good food. Why then were both my wife and I underwhelmed? Why do Lolo's or Mrs White's hold more appeal for us? It's the association of Southern cooking with home style. Our service was friendly, but somehow slick. It's not about price. It's about feeling welcome. Antoine's in NO is expensive and fancy, but you always feel like family coming home. Maybe Mr Beckett can inject a little "Y'awl come back now, Hear" into his plan

    (4)

  • Ray D.

    With great reluctance I write this Review as I visited with such high hopes. Just a word about the "Service." Our Waitress was sensational and I could see her and others interfacing with Customers and they seemed equally as tuned in. Unfortunately the food did NOT measure up to these folks stellar service. I never reviewed Beckett's Table because I felt I was in the minority and maybe just hit it on a bad night (won't go back there either) but now a second of his Restaurants shows poorly to me and I can't imagine how others have given such raving Reviews. I visited with a native New Orlinian and he, like I was sorely disappointed. We tried: * Fried Green Tomatoes with Pimento Cheese - lacked taste and was clearly overcooked. The "Gold Standard" in Phoenix is certainly Short Leash Sit and Stay and these didn't even come close. * Fried Okra - Fresh is the best thing I can say about it. The batter was fired "hard" and wasn't pleasant to eat * Shrimp Po Boy - NOT even close to what one would expect, plus a small portion. (Old bad joke, "the food was bad but there was a lot of it!") Chef should take a trip to Pappadeux's, with certainly the best Po Boys in Phoenix that I have had. All in all, will NOT go back even though my inclination, based on other Reviews is to try it one more time. Too many great alternatives!

    (2)

  • Karen T.

    We dined at Southern Rail to celebrate my daughter's birthday - and WOW are we glad we did! The restaurant is light - bright - and full of upscale, modernized Southern touches. The beamed ceiling lent height and the full windows brought in a lot of natural light. As we passed by the patio, we noted it was set off the busy street, and it was incredibly charming that included a beautiful fireplace and the right blend of seating. The service was excellent! Personal but not overbearing. Prompt and thoughtful. My restless 3yo grandson was with us, and our server immediately brought him some water in a colorful, age appropriate cup (think covered top, plastic, and a straw). Slightly disappointed that the restaurant manager did not personalize the visit by a casual hello but our server more than made up for it. The food was amazing! The modernized Southern fare was fresh, delicious and visually appealing. Cider-brined Pork Loin was cooked perfectly - medium - tender, and flavorful. My spicy shrimp was fresh, perfectly cooked, and appropriately messy. The delightfully spicy sauce didn't overpower the head-on shrimp, while the accompanying french bread was a perfect pairing. My daughter's Gumbo was perfection! Andouille sausage, fresh shrimp, and the broth over rice couldn't be more authentic and flavorful. Along with family style sides of fried green tomatoes and the exceptionally delicious collard greens were a great thing to share! Overall, this was a GREAT first time experience and I KNOW it won't be my last!

    (5)

  • Liz S.

    All these stars are for the service and taste of some of the dishes. Went here last Friday night after some friends texted saying they were there and I should come join them! I was excited since it's a 5 min walk from home and have been wanting to check it out. My friends had the Mac and cheese, cheesy grits, and grilled pork chop. The Mac and cheese was the big hit. my friend said the grilled pork chop wasn't worth the price, nothing wrong with it, just nothing special about it either. I got a Moscow mule and the tomato tart, both of which were delicious, but the portions were tiny for the prices. If I were to go again, I would probably only go during happy hour.

    (3)

  • Assia A.

    The smoked trout! Unbelievable... And I don't generally like fish. The leek/broccoli/cauliflower casserole is also delectable - something I will try making at home, because it is a great combination.

    (5)

  • Willie P.

    Went to dinner with family and tried the macaroni and cheese and fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. The fried green tomatoes were crisp and served with a spicy sauce. Very good. The macaroni and cheese was ok but wasn't something that couldn't have been made at home. They also provided cornbread which was a little dry. Had the fried catfish for the entree and it was served over a tomato relish with a few potatoes and corn on the cob. It wasn't bad but didn't have the 'wow' factor I was looking for. Also tried the fried chicken which was nice and crispy and red beans and rice which were also delicious. The waitress was very nice and attentive but it took about 40 minutesfor the food to come out with the restaurant being about a quarter filled. I liked the open restaurant concept but they need blowers to keep flies out as they were flying around our table.

    (3)

  • Jared T.

    Went in the other night for the first time with some friends. We did everything family style and shared. Perfect way to try several things. The grits were AWESOME! Asked for them to throw a couple shrimps on top which made it even better. Tried the gumbo, fried green tomatoes (first time) and the dirty rice crockets. All were superb. Opted for the ribs (just ok), pork chop (highlight of the meal) and the catfish (tasty and light). All the sides were tasty and full of flavor. Tried collard greens for the first time, cooked to perfection. Wine list was extensive and offered many local AZ selections which is great. Neat rustic atmosphere with a elegant twist. Would be an awesome date spot. :)

    (4)

  • Steve J.

    6 stars! Can you do that? This place is always amazing. From the gracious hostess all the way through the stellar service and amazing food. Way to go Chef Beckett, you never let us down!

    (5)

  • Michael D.

    05/16/2015 around 4:45 pm They had a wine crawl that you could sample 3 wines for about $3 a good deal , we didn't participate. We arrived a bit early for dinner service and the employees were off to the side having a shift meeting ( some would say this shouldn't have been seen , done in the background , but it kind of impressed me that they were taking the time for training the staff and later it showed in the service) . we had a before dinner drink they were made right not to strong just right on . We decided to go with the special $33 for 3 courses , Starter , Main , and Dessert . We both chose Pork loin served on mashed sweet potatoes and Kale/Collard greens ( not sure here) it was done very well , Service was spot on ( one of my pet peeves is the tables , set up .. I noticed all salt shakers were full , I think its lazy for a restaurant to not have a clean full set up each time example being soy sauce at most Asian restaurants) so that said all tables looked well done. Service was spot on we asked for dessert to go and the communication between staff was well executed. management did well was very hands on was willing to take my order, make suggestions and even do the seating , also noticed manager was working behind the bar helping out.... getting a bit tired of typing I could say a lot more ... I give this a strong must see place

    (5)

  • Patty R.

    Enjoyed dinner starting with the gumbo which was delicious. Next I had the pork loin which is a very large piece and very tender. You could have cut it with a fork. The pork sat on a bed of sweet potatoes with a few greens. The area is unique with a few stores to shop next to the restaurant. Service was friendly and attentive. We will definitely come back again

    (5)

  • Chris H.

    Stopped in tonight for dinner before the crowd came in. Our Server John did a great job of explaining everything and handling our requests. Other staff members were tentative cleaning our plates and getting us setup for the next round. I've seen lots of complaints about their service, but stopped in anyway to see what its all about, no big complaints at all on my end. We ordered the Kale Salad, Mac & Cheese, Fried Green Tomatoes, Corn Bread, and some beer. In all the food was good, portion to price ratio is a bit off in my opinion, but all other areas were good. I'll stop in for lunch next month to try a PO' Boy and see how that goes.

    (3)

  • Julianne C.

    I had dinner at southern rail on a Sunday night with a group of coworkers. We love the restaurant's sister restaurant Beckett's table and were excited to try it! Overall, the restaurant looked wonderful and had great outdoor seating options which we enjoyed. We ordered a bottle of local arizona wine and split a couple of appetizers. The brocoli/vegetable casserole was by far the best. I ordered the pork chop which was good wonderfully but the blackened salmon and gumbo was also good. I was a little sad not to see shrimp and grits on the menu for a southern restaurant and overall I think they could take the southern influences up a notch as the flavors were very mild. Beignets were served for dessert but no honey for dipping was provided which was strange. Overall, I'd say a great atmosphere, solid food, but didn't knock my socks off.

    (4)

  • Kerstin B.

    I have eaten here a few times now and have not been dissapointed! Brunch Croque Mansieur! OO LA LA OMG! Heaven on a plate, the bechamel is so good and the ham is a little sweet, the tomato really balances the dish. I ordered the Poached egg on top it was perfect! The Gumbo is delish the smokey sausage and the head on shrimp set this chicken gumbo up. It's one of the best gumbo's I've ever eaten. I really reminds me of our trip to New Orleans. Only thing missing was a piece of French bread to get every drop out of my bowl! My mother had the Cuban po boy it wasn't what I expected from a Po boy but very good. The grilled watermelon salad is amazing! The wedge was equally delicious! We had Beniets and Cafe Au lait yummmmmmmmm! The shrimp and cheesy grits were so creamy and flavorful will definately have this dish again. I think a little larger portion and again a piece of bread or a bisquit to go with it. I really love how they revitalized the old Beefeaters! It is a really great space and what Beckett has done here definately turns heads. It is a fun rustic kinda sexy open space. The only draw back in my opinion is we were pestered by a few fly's that should be addressed and I would like to see the shrimp and grits be a larger portion. Other than that Bravo! I will be back!

    (4)

  • Nathan G.

    So this place is located, for any of you locals who have been in the area for a while, where Beef Eaters used to be. Across from the restaurant is a book store and it looked as if there was another shop onsite as well. I liked the Po' Boys sandwich that I had. It had decent flavor and my daughter enjoyed her meal as well. Would probably go back for a second visit, but wouldn't make it a regular spot to stop by. It seemed like the menu had a Cajun theme to it.

    (3)

  • Veda E.

    Don't come expecting the same ol' thing! Our server, Kuni, was the best. I ordered the Pork Cuban - excellent. Flavorful and filling. Others ordered the Chicken & Biscuits - unique and received high praise. Loved the ambiance. Four of us had a delightful lunch. We ended the meal with Beignets. Tasty!

    (5)

  • Randall C.

    A very unique menu full of amazing stuff. We have yet to find anything we didn't love. This is a foodies restaurant and if you like different and unique cuisine, you have found the spot. As a chef myself I thought it was a bit over priced for what we had and given the location as well as the noise from pretty bad acoustics, I feel I have to hold back one star though I will be going back. Our waiter was attentive, honest about likes and dislikes and really knew the menu. In all it was a great experience but plan on spending some money.

    (4)

  • Jeffrey S.

    The chicken and dumplings are EXCELLENT. I highly recommend. The surroundings and décor are very welcoming. I can't say the same for the staff. I sat at the bar and felt like the staff were more interested in talking to one another than the patrons. I'll be back for the food and even recommended the place to a friend while eating there.

    (4)

  • Deb S.

    Have so been wanting to try Southern Rail and finally got a chance. It's in a great location near the brand-new Changing Hands in Phoenix. Outdoor seating with heaters and the fireplace on a fairly brisk evening - gorgeous! Terrific service throughout the evening. They were out of DiSaranno for one of their specialty cocktails and the bartender made us a surprise - out of this world! Food is really good here... jambalaya, fried green tomatoes, bbq ribs, cornbread salad, succotash, and sweet potatoes. All of it wonderful. I am surprised that they don't have fried chicken on the menu every day - really surprised. You'll have to visit on a Wednesday for that item. Desserts were only passable - the beignets were rather donut like, not light and airy like they are in New Orleans. The bread pudding (highly praised) was cold in the middle and dense. Otherwise... a perfect meal.

    (4)

  • Mary S.

    I have eaten here many more times and each time has been fantastic. Their desserts are to die for as well as there cornbread muffins. That Honey Pepper butter is so delish!

    (5)

  • Shawna L.

    Stopped next door at Changing Hands to grab a new read and then stopped in Southern Rail to check the place out. I loved the ambiance at Southern Rail, great for group gatherings, or just a relaxing wine. The menu was filled with unique items. I went with the trout with a sweet pea cake. The fish was smoke and served cold and I never had trout this way before. It really brought out he smokey flavor and it was perfectly paired with a berry jam and sweet pea cake. The service was excellent and being so close to my home, I will definitely be coming back here with friends!

    (5)

  • Alfie N.

    All around great experiences here. Have been to Southern Rail a number of times. I have had nothing but great experiences here so far. I frequent the bar and the bartenders are always pleasant with me. The food at this place is excellent. I have always loved southern style food and their twist on Southern is very worth while. I would recommend this place to anyone who values good service, great tasting food, accommodating staff, and a fresh friendly environment.

    (5)

  • Gabriel G.

    Good food. Outrageous prices. 13$ for the cheapest glass of wine. The ingredients used are low quality but with a fancy twist . The environment and service is great but we left feeling very ripped off. My wife had a flat iron steak which was low quality meat but they charged us 27$!! Which is basically the price of a filet mignon I'm some places. I had shrimp with the head on. 6 shrimps,(medium size) 20$!!!

    (1)

  • Julie P.

    We went to this restaurant for the first time during AZ Restaurant week. We usually attend Restaurant week twice a year and have for the past several years. We always try a different or new restaurant each time. We had the fried green tomatoes and the gumbo as our starters. We did not sample each others starters. Loved the pimento cheese with the tomatoes. My DH had the meatloaf for the entree served with broccoli and a mushroom gravy; I did not care for it,but he loved it. I had the cider brined pork loin with sweet potatoes, and collard greens; I loved the nice thick cut and taste of mine. We ordered the cornbread muffins as a side to go with our starters($5),they came with 3 muffins for 2 people. We shared them,but had 1 left. I did not care for them- I only had a bite. Good thing since it is difficult to share 3 muffins with 2 people. They should serve them for 2 people(1 each) For dessert we sampled and ordered the chicory beignets and the butterscotch banana pudding. I can not recommend the beignets;they did not taste like coffee or have any flavor at all,very disappointing. I would however go back just for the pudding, it was great. The gingersnap cookie on top was wonderful. Our meal was $33./person and included a house red or white glass of wine or a craft beer on tap. We chose the Sauvignon blanc and the Four Peaks peach ale. We had server Rochelle and she was very efficient as were all the staff members from the time we checked in at the hostess stand to the moment we departed. The restaurant shares a building in an area called The Newton with Changing Hands bookstore,First Draft-a coffee,wine, & beer bar, and Southwest Gardener store. There is a complimentary parking lot and an overflow lot east of 3rd Avenue. The light rail passes right in front of the building,with a stop not too far away. The patio looked very nice,but we ate inside. The floor to ceiling windows open all over the restaurant and were open on the nice weather night we were there. Not sure if they close them once the weather gets over 100 degrees. The place is a little noisy. They offer lunch,social hour, and dinner. I believe Southern Rail has been open for just less than 1 year. Love to come back to try lunch or Happy Hour soon.

    (4)

  • Phil M.

    Had lunch at southern rail. Loved the place. As any foodie in Phoenix knows Justin Beckett has blazed new trails here in Phoenix for some time. The location on west camelback has an urban feeling that is not found in Phoenix. The Space is in an old building that has been refurbished wonderfuly . But the food is the Main Attraction, We had the Gumbo for a starter and it was one of the best I have ever had. For our main dish I had the Chicken and Biscuts , WOW! Amazing

    (5)

  • Andrew C.

    I had the duck....excellent, excellent, excellent. My wife had the Gumbo, a complete miss. How do you miss on gumbo when your a southern restaurant is beyond me. Taking both of the plates into consideration and the fact that i thought it was overpriced, took it to a 3 star. Separate note, the design and remodel of the old building is cool and worth checking out.

    (3)

  • Dani C.

    Dear me. I try and be stingy with 5 stars, but Southern Rail earned all five last night. I was there for the grand opening and they were not serving their full menu yet, so I was excited to return when a friend decided to have her birthday dinner there. We arrived a little early for our reservation, but no problem we were seated within a couple of minutes. Our waiter was right there to bring us water and get us started on drinks. The fried green tomatoes and the pull apart rolls with apple butter were devine. I was stuck between ordering the duck or the pork, then our waiter described them both and I ended up with the duck on dirty rice risotto and collard greens. Amazing, the duck basically melted in my mouth. Everything was so full of flavor, and just the right amount so you are not too full, but satisfied. Also had the beignets for dessert, those were also perfect. Chef Beckett happened to be in the kitchen last night, so he came out and said Happy Birthday to the guest of honor, which was so nice. She has always loved his restaurants and his cooking, so she fan girled just a little bit. It was a perfect dinner. The wait-staff was attentive, the food was excellent, and although it is a very noisy place, I want to go back soon! (It's pricey, so unfortunately it can't be a weekly (or daily) event as much as I would like it to be.)

    (5)

  • J B.

    Surprisingly cute venue. The interior is amazing! We came between brunch and dinner so we were limited to the small plate menu. Have to come back for the regular menu. Interesting drinks, sampler and good fried green tomatoes.

    (4)

  • Hilary C.

    Our first time here for our anniversary was great! We used yelp to make a reservation and had zero wait time. The service was great! We started with the cornbread which was good. My husband ordered the steak and it was amazing! The best steak we may have ever had. Neither of us has ever had a steak cooked so perfect. The entire piece of meat was medium, no over cooked edges, it was juicy and perfectly flavored and amazing. I had the salmon special and it was great. We had the coconut cake for dessert and it was light and delicious with this amazing sauce stuff on the side. Wonderful experience!

    (5)

  • Ana L.

    Of course, the food here is divine. Everything was absolutely delicious. What really touched me about this place, however, was the service. Our waiter, Josh, recognized that my dad doesn't speak English and he spoke to him in spanish! This was really special for me and so touching that not only did he know how to speak Spanish (he was clearly not latin-american), but he made the effort to make my father feel comfortable and included. The waiters and waitresses here are seasoned professionals. It's evident that they're there because it's what they like to do, not because it's their crappy part-time job. Josh took the time to get on one knee and play with my son's toy, we never had a dirty plate on our table for longer than about a minute before he picked it up, my delicious lemonade was constantly refilled, and my father always had a beer in front of him. I just can't say enough about this place. A real Phoenix treasure.

    (5)

  • Tom H.

    Food was great, service from Chris was probably the best I have had at a restaurant in Phoenix.

    (5)

  • MICHAEL M.

    Excellent prices for the social hour menu, unbeatable service and top notch food. For starters we had the fried green tomatoes, which were the best I've ever had in Phoenix. The dirty rice balls were even better though, pairing exceptionally well with sweet corn relish and smoked onion cream sauce. I nearly licked the plate clean! The cocktails here are otherworldly and the bartenders really know their craft. We talked intently about whiskeys and down-home fried southern cooking and I can't remember the last time I was so impressed with a drink as I was with the hush puppy hush. I could get away with ordering pink fruity martinis more often I wouldn't drink anything else! We will be back soon for fall restaurant week to try their fried okra, duck confit, and black forest chocolate cake. I must say, I'm excited to return.

    (5)

  • Michelle C.

    Very cool atmosphere, great service, so-so food for the price. I love the Changing Hands bookstore next to this restaurant, so I thought I might as well pop in for some dinner with my husband. The outside patio was participating in the Urban Ale Trail at the time, which sounded interesting, but my husband and I don't drink, so we went for a table inside. The interior decor was modern and comfortable. Our waitress was the perfect model of what a waitress should be, very attentive and friendly. Unfortunately, the food was a bit of a let down. I ordered the pork loin and my husband ordered the goulash. Both were under seasoned. Nice size potions, just not worth the price. I expect something particularly tasty for $25 a plate!

    (3)

  • Jennifer L.

    We came for the first time for my mother's birthday. We made a reservation ahead of time just in case. The girl I spoke to was very pleasant. It is very chic and modern and a modern version of the South. Kim was our serving and she was very nice, made us feel welcome, and answered any questions we had. Even the staff around us that took plate and presented our food were really nice. The food was equally as impressive. I had the Southern Fried Chicken, which was the best fried chicken I have ever had, especially in AZ. My mom had the Chicken and Dumplings, which had smoked chicken with a wonderful added smoky flavor. My dad didn't have a single bite of his Salmon left and my brother ate all of the Southern Fried Chicken he ordered. He loved the Yukon Gold Mash and the Corn on the Cobb that came with the Southern Fried Chicken. We also ordered the Beignets. Light, fluffy, warm pillows dusted with powdered sugar. The lightest doughnut like pastry I've ever had. No sauce required, super moist on the inside. We left stuffed and extremely happy with our time at Southern Rail. We left stuffed

    (5)

  • Michael R.

    It wasn't bad... had the mellon soup, which wasn't quite what I expected. The grits needed salt, the Mac and Cheese was okay... The brocolli/cauliflower bake was really good. I might try it again if someone else wanted to go there, but probably wouldn't go out of my way. Kind of pricey too.

    (3)

  • Adam P.

    We hit this up for restaurant week. Service was really slow, maybe because of said restaurant week but the food was good and would go back for another visit. It is nice to see this style of southern food in the valley though. We shared some starters, the fried green tomato and gumbo, both were solid. The tomato looked to be a real nice heirloom and was wonderfully crispy fried. I had a veal meatloaf which was out of this world for how fluffy and moist it was but crusty on the outside. The gravy was a most excellent pairing. I also tasted the fish and pork chop, both good, the pork chop was perfectly cooked tender and juicy. Desert was red velvet cake and a dutch chocolate cake both of which were average and nothing to write home about. But they did have beignets which finished off the night on a high note. Not sure it was the best beignet I ever had but hey, it was a beignet!!! Definitely earned a trip back for us, just hope there isn't so much of a wait between the courses next time. That might be about the only thing keeping it from a 5* for me.

    (4)

  • Eric L.

    I ordered the Dutch pancake here with honey lemonade. I've never had this before. I was quite impressed. .. it was really good.

    (5)

  • Erin M.

    What gets five stars at Southern Rail? Absolutely everything. If anything, I'd fault them for being such a drive from my house. If we lived closer, we'd be here WEEKLY. I made a Saturday reservation on a whim last week, and it was basically the best decision I've made all year. The space is Southern-classic-sleek (we found it reminiscent of The Henry) and very inviting. Service (we had Seth watching over us) was perfection. Wine and herbal iced tea was delicious. Food was transcendent. The cornbread muffins with black pepper/honey butter (!!!) were perfect little bites. The kale and barley salad came with collard green pesto, roasted grapes (IMMEDIATE FAVORITE THAT I MUST RE-CREATE), orange segments and toasted candied pecans. So delicious; the texture contrasts were awesome. The edamame/corn/tomato/green bean/pepper/pea succotash was basically everything I need in my life. I believe I detected a sautee in white wine as the mysterious flavor undertone that made it SO. VERY. GOOD. Fiance had to go with the fried chicken and yes, this $20 fried chicken is worth it. The mashed potatoes that accompanied the four gigantic pieces were what dreams are made of. If anything, my only regret is that we were too stuffed for dessert. I spied a brioche bread pudding (with *bourbon*sauce*!?) that we will absolutely get on our next visit. And there will be PLENTY of next visits! Cheers, Southern Rail!

    (5)

  • Ashley K.

    We went for brunch and loved the atmosphere, building design and decor. Our waiter was attentive but not pressuring, and friendly. We especially enjoyed the sticky bun, cafe au lait (to die for), and the croque (add a soft boiled egg and you will not be disappointed). The mimosas seemed small (but were only $4), and my Bloody Mary was sweet rather than spicy (not a fan). A cool place to check out, but probably not one of our go to brunch spots since the menu is slightly limited (seems like half the brunch menu is po' boys).

    (4)

  • Connie L.

    I went during Marti gras. It was unpleasantly loud but made the atmosphere uppity. The staff was friendly but service was mehh. I was in a party of 7 and food arrived like 15-20 min apart from each other. So makes it awkward to either courteously wait for other peoples to arrive and have yours get cold.. Or just start eating when they didn't get their food yet. Also, the cocktails came after the food arrived. The food was good but not worth the $45 for a meal for two (with tax and tip) and the atmosphere and service.

    (3)

  • Tori B.

    Really enjoyed brunch at Southern Rail this past weekend in celebration of Father's Day. The Hubs and I (and baby-to-be) booked brunch at Southern Rail because we absolutely love Beckett's Table and had to give their sister restaurant a try. Loved the decor of this spot, open and very "garage" chic feeling. It seemed industrial, but quaint. Service was OK, not bad, but not great. The food was delish... I had the honey lemonade, which I thought was very refreshing and the Hubs had some drink with milk in the name. He really liked it, said it almost tasted like a banana smoothie without the banana. We started with the beignets, which were hot, fresh, fluffy, and covered in powdered sugar... so. good. I had the fried green tomato benedict, which was so tasty and interesting. It was surprisingly sweet thanks to the tomato jam. I could have done without the frisee salad though. The Hubs had the savory dutch pancake special. It wasn't what we expected, but it was really good. Basically, it was like a skillet breakfast on top of a savory, egg pancake. He enjoyed it, but liked mine better (as did I). Based on this visit, we are super excited to come back and try dinner!

    (4)

  • Martha C.

    Had dinner with my work team last night. Overall a really good time in a fun, unique environment. The decor is different with wood ceilings that look like they are reclaimed from another building or ordinal from the prior establishment on the same premise. Regardless the ceilings, light fixtures and furnishes made for a comfortable vibe. Very enjoyable. We ordered a few appetizers to start. I'd never had fried green tomatoes before last night and wow, what a surprise! They were more delicious than I had imagined. Next came an interesting platter of pickled vegetables, various spreads including a yummy one with bacon and caramelized onions. My absolute favorite were the picked carrots. After that out came warm, delicious corn muffins. I happen to love corn bread so these were right up my alley. As others have said, there were long-ish gaps between courses, but no one at our table seemed to mind! Service was great, our server was attentive and so willing to explain each menu item. Every employee we talked with was accommodating and professional. Great job here! I had the Mac and Cheese but must say its not the best I've ever had. My biggest disappointment of the night? My dessert was so small and I shared it with my hubby. Dang! Should ordered my own....Next time! Would love to go again and support our local entrepreneurs.

    (4)

  • Lisa C.

    We had a truly delightful dinner at Southern Rail. The food was fresh beautiful and delicious. After four amazing courses we were happily satiated. Southern Rail is a delight for the eyes and taste buds. Literally no detail has been overlooked. We look forward to returning in the cooler months and sitting outside! They also have a great wine list that is one third Arizona wine which we love! This is on our must hit list every time we are visiting Phoenix!

    (5)

  • Norm R.

    A pleasant atmosphere, an attentive staff, and a convenient location (part of the Newton on Camelback and 3rd Ave.) make this a good choice for a casual light meal or a special celebration. The Southern cuisine inspired food is very well prepared and presented, as would be expected from a kitchen staff trained by Chef Justin Beckett.

    (4)

  • George L.

    The food of the South is so rich in its own history and recipes that it even has its own cultural organization devoted to it, the Southern Foodways Alliance and anyone from that group, I believe, would be proud of the representation of this most uniquely American cuisine here at Southern Rails. Tucked away in a little shopping center with a Changing Hands bookstore with its own wine and beer bar and a gardening center this establishment is an oasis of generally good food and warm Southern Hospitality. I took my father here yesterday for his 77th birthday and my mother, never one to pass up a good thing, came along as well. Though we are from Texas originally, and not the true South, we appreciate this more Louisiana inspired approach to food. We started with a sampler of spreads ranging from homemade pimento cheese (quite good, with a kick of spice to it, I think the one at La Grande Orange may be better but this was still delightful), bacon and caramelized onion jam (like an umami bomb to the senses) and tomato jam (sweeter than I expected). We also had a serving of fried okra for $6 and it was a surprisingly small serving, though good. For the entrees we got a fried green tomato and pimento cheese po-boy (my favorite, ask and they will also put the bacon and onion jam on it), and the special of the day, a fried chicken po-boy, both of which came with homemade pickles on them and a litel pickled carrot that was rather delightful and reminded me of the lightly pickled veggies one sees in Japanese cuisine. In addition there was a small side of gumbo made with a rich rue, as the gumbo was a lovely dark brown, chicken and andouille (smoked pork) sausage. My father ordered the chicken and dumplings, or the variation at this establishment with pea shoots. I have to admit, it sort of threw of off as it doesn't look too much like traditional chicken and dumplings, but he said it was good. I recommend they shift this dish to a more traditional look and presentation but it is pretty, just not what I think most people expect. For desert, because my father got to select one for free, we had the red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. Here it comes more more like a little cake and a bit drier than I would like, though the frosting was good. As with the pimento cheese I recommend the chefs at Southern Rail take a trip to La Grande Orange and compare as that establishment gets it right and folks, a slice please, of a regular looking cake. Sometimes a place can get too creative for its own good, i would say this is one of those times. I would love to see Southern Rails offer both a traditional red velvet and a carrot cake, and to complete the holy trinity of Southern deserts, some sort of banana pudding, if they don't already. As for their beignets, my mother walked by someone and they said the ones here are a bit doughy so as another field trip, I recommend the folks who run this place do a side jaunt to Clever Koi to have their banana fosters fritters. I think that is the sort of texture and look Southern Rails should go for. Oh, final thoughts, my father and I had the cafe' au lait which the waiter noted was made with chicory coffee. I've had the beignets with cafe' au lait at Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans and the chicory flavor is much less strong than it is here. I think a little of that flavor would be nice but it was strong in mine that I couldn't finish it. So as with many places strong on the appetizers and the meals are rather good but when it comes to desert and coffee I think Southern Rails has some work to do. In summation, I do intend to go back and hopefully for the Wednesday Fried Chicken special and the one thing I did not do but will when I ride the rails, is to try one of their lovely looking cocktails. Maybe Sunday will be a good day to go sit on the veranda and sip a hush puppy hush.Oh, and the wait service, amazing. We had the nicest waiter and I wish I had taken down his name so we could give him a shout out but honestly, he helped make for a great dining experience and tipped accordingly! Good luck Southern Rail and I hope your take those recommendation for some visits to other establishments in the spirit in which they are given, just a desire to see a good restaurant become even better. Oh, p.s. - as someone else mentioned, the locking mechanism on the bathrooms is confusing, might you consider putting a sliding bolt lock on the bathroom doors? I can promise you, an extremely traditional way to keep the bathroom closed in the South. ;-)

    (4)

  • Pam D.

    We've been to Southern Rail for lunch several times. The food, service, and ambiance are great. Went for supper last night. Fried green tomatoes for the starter were wonderful. Crisp, not greasy. We had the cider brined pork and the flatiron steak for our mains. Both were excellent. Try the sweet tea. Not too sweet and nicely infused with mint. Perfect on a warm day. The service was attentive without being intrusive. At night it's a little loud, so if you want conversation I suggest sitting next to your companion instead of across the table. All in all, a lovely evening.

    (4)

  • Zachary H.

    After having great experiences at Becketts Table my wife and I were looking forward to Southern Rail, she loves southern style cooking and I've really enjoyed Becketts so it seemed like a "can't miss", unfortunately it really was off target, by a lot. Positive notes: the waiter was good, we both had the feeling that they grabbed some of the great staff from Beckets and brought them over, by the end of supper I felt bad for the guy, I think he knew the place was not up to snuff. Which made it kind of feel sad, the waiter was superb, he really was, but the dishes just plain were not. Oh, the Apple butter is just like Becketts so that is a big plus. Negatives: I had the salmon, the first bite was kind of a surprise, super crispy outside, kind of raw/ soft center, at first I was a little put off but figured hey it's good. That did not last though the fish got progressively less cooked and ended up being kind of rubbery/uncooked. I just want to say I like raw fish, but undercooked is very different from raw, and when part of a filet is cooked the rest ought to be as well. My wife had the chicken and dumplings, it was inedible. As for drinks, forgettable. Long story short, southern rail you've got a ways to go. We really like Becketts, it's a no contest sort of play here.

    (2)

  • Teresa S.

    I brought my Daughter here for her Birthday Lunch. We had been wanting to try it. So this is where she chose. Parking is very busy, as there are several businesses here. There is lots of parking ,you just have to search! We were greeted by a very nice young man when we came in, & we were seated on the patio. I had told the Host, it was my daughters Birthday and did they do any thing for Birthdays. He said yes, absolutely . We did see one person get a little Birthday treat. However, it took us so long to even get our check and such here that we never had time to get her Birthday treat. (She had to go to work) ,Which yes I told him. Our server was the Bartender and in all fairness , he was Very Busy. We were seated at a table. So I know it is hard to wait on tables ,when they are making drinks for all the servers & making drinks and food orders at the bar as well. I think we should of had a server, no the Bartender. Anyway, the place is nice. Decorated very well. We sat on the patio which is not too close to the street. So that is good. It is not like you are eating in the parking lot ,like some places. We had an appetizer of Green fired Tomatoes, which came with a side of spicy cream cheese. That was the best I have ever had. I hope they do not change that. sometimes places are good and then they change the way they cook things. Anyway, that is a winner. I got a grilled Watermelon Salad ,which was good. My daughter got The Roast Beef Poorboy which was Ohh La laaa! It came with a side of Gumbo. Also very good. I was drinking hot green tea, one thing there, you need a plate to out the Tea Bag on. I know it is an American Thing to drink Tea with the Bag in the Cup. But, no thank you not for me. That is about the only thing I would change. Water on the table ,very good. Of course the Bartender got busy as Lunch got busier, so then we had to wait for to go boxes ,the check, etc. No Birthday treat. Our time there 1 and half hours. So it is not like we were there for 30 min lunch rush. I would go back, I did like it. The food was very good. The Rest rooms are a little different. They are clean and nice, but they are one person at a time, and the locks are strange, so no one seems to be able to lock them properly. So in return, lots of opened doors while people are using them. Just a small thing, but just saying. I will go back and give it another try.

    (4)

  • Faye C.

    Brioche rolls with apple butter make a great start. The fried chicken and gumbo (add shrimp) are a must. Save room for dessert- the bread pudding is delicious. The atmosphere is good and service both times we've been was excellent. Definitely recommend!

    (4)

  • Starr N.

    Phenomenal food!! I also had the gumbo but I did not feel that it was real true gumbo more of a jambalaya then anything but it was still delicious!! Our waiter Chris was amazing and tended to all of our needs. We even got to speak with the manager and gave her big thumbs up which is a big deal coming from foodies! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone and everyone!

    (5)

  • Jessica L.

    I had a great first visit! I had a good sandwich but the star of the show was the banana pudding. They use ginger snaps instead of vanilla wafers and it took it to the next level! Loved it, can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Kenda V.

    Nice ambiance and acoustics in spite of a very open floor plan. Super nice servers, attentive and knowledgeable. Overall good vibe and I have added them to my PATIO dining choices for when the nice weather returns! SALADS exceed expectation - Shrimp Remoulade was flavorful and the shrimp had good texture, not mushy. The Barley/Kale was outstanding, the flavors complement each other nicely. Companion added the smoked chicken (generous portion!) but I think next time I would try it with shrimp to sop up the chimichurri sauce that comes on the side.

    (4)

  • Cindy C.

    So I've purposely waited for this joint to work out the kinks but had a late birthday brunch yesterday with a couple of the besties. First of all, the place is adorable. I am so glad to see the care and respect for history taken into account as part of it's restoration. The outside seating really needs some sound dampening, though. The menu is interesting, but limited. Two of us shared a side of fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese and banana bread French toast. Our other buddy had a salad and fried green tomatoes. We were told that ONLY brunch is served on the weekends. Adding more side/stand alone selections will give diners more choices and help repeat business. We usually have a cocktail or two but were told there were no drink specials at brunch. $14 for a glass of wine is absolutely prohibitive to our group and, I suspect, to many others. This area is PACKED with great brunch places that recognize the importance of affordable drinks and their impact on repeat business. (See: Windsor and Switch) Our waitress was nice but not visible very often. Our interaction with other staff was completely nonexistent. No welcome, no eye contact, no hello, even when I initiated it. I said hello to the manager (?) as we were leaving and got nothing in return. I suspect the loudness of the patio interfered with his hearing. I got nothing from the inside staff either. Complete crickets. This is a HUGE coaching opportunity and it costs NOTHING to implement! To sum it up: the food is interesting but not enough to bring me back. The value of my dining experience has to include comfort , feeling appreciated, and affordability. I didn't get that at Southern Rail and won't be returning unless things improve dramatically. It's too bad, I realllllly wanted to like it.

    (3)

  • Jennifer S.

    We came by for brunch with friends and had an amazing time! First off, the restaurant is stunning...hats off to the decorator on a job well done! The staff was super friendly and understanding...our group was having a great time and they seemed to have fun along with us. The fried green tomato benedict was so unique and so ridiculously good...my mouth is actually watering thinking about it while writing this review. The beignets are not to be missed either...trust me. Looks like another visit to Southern Rail is in my future!

    (4)

  • Megan R.

    This place has been on my bucket list for a while and finally made there a couple weeks ago for my birthday. I had never been there when it was Beefeaters, but my parents had and were impressed with what they had done with the place. It is a very trendy, hip place and has a great bar/patio. Upon walking in, we were seated immediately as I had made a reservation on Open Table. However after about 10-12 minutes of waiting, our server had still not made an appearance. We flagged over the manager and informed him and after his apologies, our server was over within 2 minutes. The manager also notified us that all our desserts would be comped because of this as well as it being my birthday. This is an example of a restaurant going above and beyond and we had impeccable service the remainder of the night. The food.....AMAZING! I've spent a lot of time in Georgia and Louisiana, so I always have a taste for Southern/Cajun, but it can be a little difficult to find in Arizona. We ordered: Shrimp & Tomato Bisque and Simple Salad - both winners! Fried Chicken Pork Loin Macaroni & Cheese Red Beans & Rice - best I've found outside of New Orleans so far! Chicken & Grilled Andouille Gumbo Beignets - didn't want a whole plate, so the server ordered me just one which was plenty Butterscotch Banana Pudding German Chocolate Cake Everything we ordered was great and there were no complaints from any of us. This place is more laid back and less stuffy then Beckett's Table so I will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Donna J.

    Wonderful lunch, great atmosphere and fantastic service. Will need to go back and try dinner.

    (5)

  • Chloe C.

    Disclaimer - I only had drinks at the bar. I had the Creole Lemonade, which was delicious. The acoustics at the bar were awful though, and I could barely hear my friend who I'd gone with - a huge bummer for an avid conversationalist.

    (3)

  • Trevor A.

    A warm and inviting atmosphere. The outdoor patio, bar and interior seating were all appealing. We chose a comfortable booth inside. It was very clean and I appreciated the service - thanks "Buddy". If your a fan of loin than your taste buds will be happy with their cider brined pork loin! The house smoked pork ribs and grandma's meatloaf were not something I would personally be back for. We enjoyed and it was nice to stroll the adjoining bookstore afterwards.

    (4)

  • Katie C.

    Tried the chicken poboy with gumbo on side and date tried the watermelon salad. Sat in the side patio and enjoyed the view and decor but finished the meal with little to rave about. Needless to say, we were both underwhelmed.

    (2)

  • Ron D.

    Brunch today at the "Rail." Croque Madame for two with Bloody Mary's. Food was excellent. Service was excellent. Atmosphere was good. This is a place we will come back to. The menu is like being back in Charleston, SC.

    (4)

  • Travis B.

    this was a first stop for us for restaurant week spring of 2015. we had heard very positive things about this new (to us) restaurant, and i was particularly intrigued considering i grew up in the deep south, where everything was fried, came with grits, and seasoning was considered "bacon". alas, we now don't eat meat, so i was surprised when my wife picked this place. she said the menu offered a few non-pork options. we started with the fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese. they were nice. crunchy. a little on the bland side for my taste. when your dining companions say "i like yours better", i take that as a huge compliment. next we tried the corn risotto and the red snapper with red rice for our entree. the red snapper was super flavorful and a fish you don't regularly see on a menu. the corn risotto was also a treat, almost like a desert the corn was so sweet. we ended with a red velvet cake....moist and delicious, with just the right amount of buttery taste goodness. before we even started our order, our server asked if we had any dietary limitations. we told him about our non-meat diet. he pointed out all the items on the menu that did not contain meat. which is why we ordered those 2 entree items. as usual, food from a southern inspired restaurant is rarely pork-free and sure enough, the red rice on my plate was full of bacon slivers. noticeable on the first bite. i pointed it out to the server, he apologized and asked what he could do. but really, what could he do? i don't know, so i just pushed the rice off to the side, hoping our desert wouldn't have hidden bacon bits in it. i wanted to ask for a trade out of the grits or collards, both southern staples, but like i said, i wasn't going to risk having silent bacon show up again. decor is beautiful. clean, homey, trendy, hip. overall, if you are looking for authentic southern food, this is pretty good, albeit a little on the high side.

    (3)

  • Ryan P.

    While it's a great location.... Great ambience. Fun atmosphere. Food took over 45 minutes to reach the table. Not complicated or hard to make food, not a packed house, now I know why. I ordered drinks from the bar, no server in sight. Just lots of smiles from passing staff. I won't bother coming here to eat again. I might just swing in for a drink. I'll eat somewhere else before I come back here. Giant let down.

    (2)

  • Jody K.

    Had brunch here with my girlfriends over the weekend. It was a perfect Sunday so we sat outside. Our server was very friendly. I ordered the cuban po boy sandwich with a side of gumbo. The cuban was delish and paired perfectly with the mustard and pickles. I enjoyed every bite!! The gumbo was also very tasty. We also ordered some beignets to share and they were perfectly fluffy, warm and chewy. There was an overkill of the powdered sugar, but we aren't complaining!! There are several other items on the menu that I definitely wanted to try so this just means that we need to come back again.

    (4)

  • maryanne S.

    I just ate a Sunday night fried chicken dinner at Southern Rail. Which is funny because when they opened up, like 18 months ago, I thought, I gotta go eat "REAL" southern fried chicken. Now, I cannot cite what that is, exactly, but there's going to be a difference between Popeye's and real southern fried chicken. God, was this good. Really, really, good. Friendly people, I ate at the bar, waiters came by, bartender very nice. The order was quite big actuallty. I always think a nice restaurant, 2 pieces of chicken, mashed pats, $25 is a rip, and it is! I'm tempted to say this order was huge: four, nice sized pieces. SO (heat) HOT! The breast boneless, the crust absolutely delicious! Again, very, very moist, tender, HOT, absolutely delicious...and I noticed a hint of sweetness....was it in the crust or the chicken? Hmmmm. I'll have to go back and study it. Stuffed, it was well worth the $20. The bartender said the cider brined pork loin was also quite good. I'll be back.

    (5)

  • Craig S.

    My son got us a gift card for Christmas. We had tried to eat there a few weeks ago but it was after the lunch hour and they had just closed to start getting ready for dinner. It was our anniversary and we arrived around 5:30. Offered seating inside or on the patio. Southern Rail is located on Camelback along side the light rail. If you did not know they were there you would probably miss them. Parking lot is small. At the rush hour it will be hard to find a spot. Not sure what you call the decor. The tables are made of channel iron and angle iron with wood set in for the top. Very simple. Waiters all had on blue jean. The decor and the dress of the waiters made me feel very comfortable. We chose to eat on the patio. There were so many tables inside, looked cluttered. Patio was great. Nice relaxed atmosphere plenty of room. Ty was our waiter and did a superb job. Seemed to just know when we needed something. Spent time to answer questions. I wanted the blackened prime flatiron but the pairing of the vegetables was not what I wanted and they were not willing to substitute what I wanted. And that is fair. Everyone has their rules. I got the chicken with biscuit dumplings. The meal was very taste. Definitely a good choice. Just a comment, the dumplings were not cooked on the broth. They were oven cooked, cut up and added to the chicken. I am from the south and I have never had or would call these dumplings. This does not mean I did not enjoy the meal. Just that is not how it is done in the South. When I go back I will again sit on the patio. Very relaxing, even with the street noise, which was not so loud that it made conservation hard. Oh! My wife had fried chicken and it looked delicious and she said it was very good. Plenty left for a meal at home. I will definitely be back. Give them a try. If you luck out you will get Ty for a waiter.

    (4)

  • Patience H.

    So happy to have found a truly wonderful spot to enjoy dinner/drinks in central Phoenix! We have been raving about it to everyone! Location is convenient, across the street from the Central//Camelback light rail station. Menu is anything but boring; the difficulty is in deciding what to order when everything sounds so scrumptious. I was so pleased with their dinner menu, I opted for the Sunday brunch last week because the menu is different. I'm not gonna lie...the house made honey lemonade was perfection.

    (5)

  • Marla L.

    Visited on a Saturday around 3:00. Not crowded. Tried the Fried green tomatoes poor boy. Great flavor. A bit messy to eat. Did not like the gumbo. Lemonade very good. Home made. Good service.

    (4)

  • Kelley H.

    Had brunch there today, and there were a total of 6 people in our party. Our service was terrible, it took forever to get or meals. the waitress did not check back with us after our meals were served, it took almost 20 minutes to get a refill on coffee. The Fried Green Tomato Eggs Benedict were not great-poached eggs were like hard boiled eggs. The Cuban Po-Boy has little flavor and was just wet. When asked to split a dish back in the kitchen-they told us that are not allowed to do that?? The prices were really expensive for very poor food and service. Lastly, there were a ton of flies due to the "Open Restaurant Concept" and the traffic from the light rail and passing loud motorcycles made it difficult to hear. I will not go back ever again-waste of time.

    (1)

  • Heather B.

    Pork ribs were nothing but fat and a little tough meat. The rest, including drinks, 3 appetizers, a small dish and dessert, were mediocre and overpriced. We were disappointed.

    (1)

  • Allie V.

    Terrible service and small servings that are over priced. It was our first time and will no doubt be our last. The menu doesn't describe the dishes in detail like that something comes with mushrooms so if you don't like that there is no chance to have it taken off. When asked by the waiter to have them removed it took 3 times to get him to understand I wanted my meal simply without them. He tried offering me a different dish and even argued he told us it had mushrooms when in fact he didn't. Just wasn't the restaurant environment we are use to and won't return. Unfriendly staff! Def will not ever recommend.

    (2)

  • Mary L.

    This was our first and much anticipated visit. The restaurant is very charming. I like that it's a bit brighter. The menu offers lots of variety and as a girl from Mississippi I was looking forward to some tastes reminiscent of home. I was not disappointed! Drinks were strong yet flavorful. Fried Green tomatoes with pimento cheese spread were nice. We had the gumbo app and added shrimp, knowing how subjective gumbo tastes can be I thought this was a great option to give it a try. It was tasty. However, could have been much hotter in temperature. The servers spiel of the flat iron sold me and it was amazing. Perfectly cooked. My boyfriend had the catfish and it too was great. A bit on the spicy side for his usual taste but I enjoyed the taste I had and he liked it regardless. The corn on the cob pieces that accompany this dish are tasty but having to cut it off the cob to enjoy is odd. I get creative plating though! Side dish of collard greens was the only miss for me as I thought the vinegar was too forward and strong. We finished with a (giant) piece of coconut cake to share which was amazeballs. Our server, Chris was fantastic!! He was very busy but hit every mark of attentiveness during our visit. His knowledge of the menu was great and we really liked his approach and personality. With so many great menu items enticing me I'm certain future visits are close on the horizon. We love Becketts table so we knew we were in for a treat here. On a side note: what's with the Japanese good luck cat? We had a good laugh with Chris our server over this one.

    (4)

  • J g.

    I really want to love this place, I really do! But... the food just isn't there... I've had +/- 7 or 8 different dishes now (two visits) and only two have been better than average (just slightly better). Those being, the mac and fried green tomatoes. However, I think both are over priced. 4 slices of a tomato is like $8 or something? Youch! Justin homie, we all know green tomatoes and batter don't cost dat much! Conversely, the gumbo is so far from what I was expecting and just flat boring that it really took me back. I literally looked at my wife when it came out and asked if she thought that was the gumbo?? It looked like rice and KFC gravy (similar taste to appearance). Almost no flavor, complexity, zing, pow, pop, bang, etc! Maybe that's traditional gumbo? Don't know, but in my humble opinion, it needs a total redo. We're talking tear up the script and start over again. A page one rewrite. Ok, 'nuff dissin' on the expensive food. The building/property/story/decor/location/atmosphere/­super close to my house is uber tight. Real good stuff, so I slide it up to 3 stars (really more like a 2.85). All that said, I really do encourage you to check it out for yourself. Venue Projects did an outstanding job on the whole thing. Wishing them the best of luck and will definitely be back but beg and plead they keep working on the food and prices.

    (3)

  • Tony H.

    The service was top-notch and the food exquisite. The prices were outrageous for the portion sizes and the restaurant has a policy of not splitting checks which was irritable. We stopped in on a whim as we had noticed lots of cars whenever we drove by. Turns out, the night we were there, most of the cars either belonged to the bar/bookstore next door or to employees because the restaurant was almost empty. I wouldn't go back. This restaurant just seems so out of place in this area of Phoenix.

    (2)

  • AJ S.

    Service was nice. Pork loin was very good and kale salad was pretty good. Overall most dishes were average. Drinks were reasonable but this place doesn't compare to its sister restaurant beckett table and they ran out of 4 things at 8pm on Saturday night...come on...

    (3)

  • John A.

    We had a wonderful dining experience at The Southern Rail. I recommend the duck. The service was fantastic.

    (5)

  • S C.

    Went for lunch on Sunday, since we're having such great cool weather we sat outside. I ordered two sides, gumbo and collard greens - both were great. Gumbo was very flavorful and had a ton of sausage and chicken. The greens were cooked perfectly, just the right amount of heat and no bitterness. Though they were both 'sides' they were big portions I could only finish half of each. My hubs had the catfish PO boy with red beans and rice. Lots of sausage in the red beans. Our server was very attentive. We will definitely be back to try them for dinner. If you're craving gumbo this is a great place to get your fix.

    (4)

  • Diana K.

    FABULOUS! Great ambiance. Great food. (oooh....fried green tomatoes!) Great service. We went for Valentine's and had a wonderful evening. We went with another couple and cleaned our plates! We'll go back. Diana K.

    (5)

  • Adam M.

    Southern Rail is the bee's knees. Try the pork loin with sweet potatoes and collared greens!

    (5)

  • Trevor D.

    I basically reserve writing reviews at all for places that REALLY stand out to me as great restaurants. Southern Rail is in the running for my new favorite restaurant in the valley. Amidst all of the amazing local food coming out of Central Phoenix lately, this place leads the pack for me. I lived in Georgia for a couple years and developed a deep love for American southern cooking. Phoenix doesn't have a lot of true southern food restaurants besides Lolo's--this place is SEVERAL steps up from Lolo's in quality, atmosphere, and aesthetic. Of course, with that, it's several steps up in price as well. We had great service. I've read in some other reviews that it's a noisy place. I didn't have that experience myself, probably since we went on a Tuesday evening. Our server was very enthusiastic about the food and made some on-point recommendations. The building is beautiful. A restored historic structure that now houses 3 great local businesses: Southern Rail Restaurant, Changing Hands Bookstore (with a beer/wine/coffee bar called "First Draft"), and Southwest Gardener. Awesome atmosphere and great people.

    (5)

  • Lindsay A.

    Looking for a new happy hour spot where you end up staying for dinner? Southern Rail just might be what you are looking for. We met here with a small group of friends where we posted up at the bar on a Friday evening. Had the chance to sample some of the cocktails from their drink menu. My absolute favorite was the Austin Mule. An updated version of the moscow mule...very refreshing! I also tried the hush puppy. It was good, but different. I am a fan of grapefruit and bitter, but this was maybe a little too bitter for my taste. By about 8pm we were hungry. At that time, the restaurant was still busy, so we were seated at an extended bar. Our waiter was great. Very informative regarding the menu and the wine list. He helped us choose an amazing bottle of wine. Our group decided to sample a few things from the menu and share. So while this list will look like we ordered the entire menu, we didn't (this time). Our selections were...Cornbread muffins, fried green tomatoes, succotash, broccoli/cauliflower/leek/rice casserole, the gumbo, and the cider brined pork loin. My favorites were the succotash and the cider brined pork loin. I know that some people on here have mentioned it being over done, but ours was cooked perfectly. Very tender and juicy. And the collard greens and brown butter sweet potatoes that came with the pork were AWESOME. I know that some people have had a fit over the gumbo not having a proper roux. I get it. But seeing that I have lived in the south, I wouldn't consider this place as authentic southern food. It is southern food with some changes and interpretations. If I expect authentic fried green tomatoes, I need to go and talk to my Mother In Law in Tennessee. This is great southern food, but it has an upscale twist. So just have an open mind if you do decide to go here. Worth trying! Just come early or be prepared to wait during dinner hours. And as other diners have mentioned, it can be a tad loud in the space.

    (4)

  • Ashley D.

    We had a triple date at SR and it was awesome. We ordered several apps: corn bread, brioche, dirty rice croquettes and fried green tomatoes. They were all delicious. Then we got a couple peel and eat shrimp and a couple chicken and biscuits at the table as well as a pork loin. Everyone cleaned their plate. We finished it off with bread pudding, red velvet cake and coconut cake. Our serve Sara was friendly, attentive and fun and we sat and enjoyed the great food and each other's company for 3 hours. What a great night. I wasn't sure what to expect since I haven't loved the food at Becketts's and there were some early reviews and them having to work the kinks of a new place out but id say they are worked out! We also started our night at the first draft bar at changing hands. I think we will hang at this new plaza quite often.

    (4)

  • Laura S.

    Great location for some yummy food and nice happy hour! Stopped in for some great $5 wines and fried green tomatoes! All wines are US born and great selections! Definitely recommend!

    (4)

  • Alison B.

    Took the risk of going opening night, and it was well worth it! We decided on several small plates since it was our first time: Fried Green Tomatoes- Good enough, the pimento cheese that came with it was tasty. Would have liked a larger portion of greens. House Smoked Trout- My favorite! All the flavors really worked wonderfully together, the trout, sweet pea cakes, and tomato jam. Peas are usually so boring, but I love them like this! I would get this again as a meal with a side salad. Grilled Watermelon Salad- My other favorite dish along with the trout. A lot of flavors going on, but it works beautifully. The pea tendrils on top lend a real bright green taste to the whole dish. Truly a perfect summer salad. I would order it again. Mac and Cheese- Disappointing, arrived cold. M&C should only be piping hot. It was served in a shallow bowl. Perhaps served straight from the oven in a tiny crock would be better. As for flavor, very sharp mustard/horseradish taste to it that you can sense even as you bring the fork up to your mouth. While chewing you do get some of mild, creamy cheese taste, but it was lost. My dining partner and I agreed that you can't really call this dish M&C, more like "creamy pasta." Cornbread Muffins- We only got these because they sold out of what we originally ordered, the brioche "pull apart" rolls. I have never in my life had cornbread wow me, and these were no exception. I did enjoy the black pepper honey butter that came with them. I will be back for sure to try more of the salads, and I have my eye on the catfish stew, the chicken & dumplings, and those brioche rolls we missed out on! As for service, we were quoted a ~40 minute wait when we arrived, and that is exactly what we waited. I love when that happens! Good thing that Changing Hands is next door, so we were able to browse and kill the time. You could even get a beer or wine at the First Draft Book Bar while you wait! You could get drinks at Southern Rail's bar too but it was tiny and crowded. Our waiter met expectations. He was able to answer all of our questions about the food, and kept our drinks full. I initially ordered a tropical iced tea, but he convinced us both to get the strawberry/peach tea. While it was a refreshing beverage, it was red, with a taste very reminiscent of kool-aid, and no tea flavor at all. I am still not clear if they have actual unsweetened black tea available. The space is beautiful and I am happy to have a new option for casual dinners in the neighborhood!

    (4)

  • Janie B.

    Lived in Phoenix for three years, the smoked trout is easily the best meal I've had here. But don't sit outside, the exhaust from the cars is not pleasant.

    (5)

  • Crys W.

    The food was absolutely superb!! I attended with a party of 10 and the server was kind and very sufficient in making sure our food was served hot in a timely matter! I ordered the pork loin with collard greens and sweet potatoes. It was delicious!! We also had the opportunity to taste all of the desserts on the menu and all of them were little tastes of heaven. Great place, great atmosphere and great food!!

    (5)

  • Fabian L.

    This place absolutely SUCKS! It's super expensive for crappy food. The bartender doesn't know how to make a whiskey sour. The server I had was named buddy and he was crap too. Such an expensive place and they still hand you a to go box instead of doing it themselves. Real classy. What a horrible redone place. Beef eatery atleast was good.

    (1)

  • Patty G.

    A few weeks ago... The crispy duck leg confit was reduckulously good. I would have liked more collard greens though. They satisfied my southern side fo sho'! The pimento cheese spread atop of the Fried Green Tomatoes was a welcomed blast from my childhood past. My "date" had the cider brined pork loin which she generously shared a bite of - I felt while tasty it was a bit overdone - and a big spoonful of the brown-butter whipped sweet potatoes were so dee-lish I almost had to skip dessert. ALMOST. The coconut cake, while on the dry side, was nicely held together by the luscious coconut pudding. Thankfully, we opted to add a la mode. No regrets! Definitely a good idea to make a reservation and get dropped off. Parking is ridiculous.

    (4)

  • Adam S.

    The cider pork loin with mashed sweet potatoes and kale was great. The grits were unlike anything I had ever had before. Good cocktails too. Pricy, but worth it I think. Would definitely go again.

    (4)

  • Amber D.

    Cool atmosphere! Looking outward while the light rail goes past, you feel like you are in a train station (or at least I did). The decor is bright and clean; but seemed to get louder as the time passed. Our reservation was at 6. We were greeted and seated timely and courteously. I'm glad I reviewed the menu online as I still wasn't sure what I wanted to order. We started with the Fried Green Tomatoes (how can't you?). They were pretty good, but not like the ones my grandmother would make (hers were thicker and a different breading). I ordered the Blackened Prime Flatiron. The steak was good to order, but I felt it lacked anything to constitute calling it blackened - no crust, no extra pepper or spices that I could tell. The succotash was hardly worth talking about, but then again, I don't ever recall an excellent succotash? The other 2 people in my party ordered the Cider Brined Pork Loin and the Chicken & "Biscuit Dumplings". Both of them enjoyed their entrees. The staff was friendly and on spot with filling up our water glasses and escorting us to the restroom, when asked where it was. Dessert. Not sure I have ever spent $11 on a dessert, but last night I did. I ordered the Bread Pudding a la mode. It was pretty great. Another person at my table ordered the Pie in a Jar, apple a la mode, and said it was great as well. My biggest gripe would be the noise level. They had music on; by the middle of our meal, all I could hear was the bass under the loud voices. It made it difficult to have a conversation with the 2 people at my table. I know this establishment is brand new, but look forward to going back and hopefully seeing some improvements.

    (3)

  • elyse j.

    Lovely space, excellent server, great sweet tea, good vibe. Po boy veg was great. Grilled watermelon salad was an unexpected treat. No room for a sticky bun....next time!

    (5)

  • Richard B.

    Food was delicious, beautiful decor and good service. My big issue is the price. Way too expensive for regular visits. Brunch for two was nearly $40 with tip,

    (4)

  • Kristopher H.

    The food and ambiance were both decent at best. Food was extremely bland. Only upside was the server seemed to be quite knowledgeable and friendly.

    (1)

  • Lindsay M.

    My fiancé and I ate here Saturday night with another couple. First off, I was disappointed that they only have fried chicken on Wednesdays (and our waiter said there is a limited quantity even then so plan to eat earlier rather than later if that's what you're after). Their menu is somewhat limited so be sure to check it out beforehand if you have picky eaters in your party. Our table had the pork loin, which was EXCELLENT, the smoked trout (not really up my alley; my fiancé wasn't over the moon about it), the macaroni and cheese (I had a bite - wasn't a huge fan, but I'm a mac and cheese connoisseur), the gumbo which I didn't try, cornbread, and the beignets. Our service was top notch. My fiancé loves olives and with both of his martinis the waiter brought him five or six olives. He also remembered to bring regular better along with the apple butter as I requested with our cornbread and he was ever so patient with me and my several questions! If the menu looks tempting to you, try it out. I don't think you'll be disappointed!

    (4)

  • Andy A.

    Some friends and I decided to finally check out this new restaurant in our neighborhood. Getting a table for 3 on a Thursday evening was not hassle at at. The overall dining space is beautiful! Gorgeous wood ceiling and beams, beautiful lighting, and an amazing sliding glass wall, which I'm sure will be wonderful when it's not 115 degrees outside! One of the guests in our party noted that while the chairs for the tables are very cute - the comfort level is lacking. With the concrete floors, ceiling, and lack of sounds absorbing surfaces in the space the restaurant was rather loud (especially for only having about 7 tables at this time of night). I can imagine that it would get rather deafening during the peak hours. The drinks were amazingly priced - not sure if it was a reverse happy hour or just a special Thursday night special but the Kettle One and Belvedere martinis were only $7!! Service was excellent - Mike had a gift for explaining recipes on the menu that helped you taste the food without anything in front of you. Service staff really catered to the southern hospitality making sure our dinning experience was nothing short of wonderful. We started off with the Fried Green Tomatoes which had a delicious spread accompanying. I felt they were fried perfectly - not to heavy on the batter. I thought the duck was delicious - cooked perfectly served on top of a delicious risotto The Chicken and dumplings was given an "ok" as the dumplings were very tough, the chicken was flavored nicely, but the sauce/broth was the best part. The Pork Loin was a generous cut but was very dry and lacking flavor. However, the sweet potato that came with the pork was life changing!

    (4)

  • Kristen R.

    Very disappointing. We were really looking forward to trying this place, but nothing we ordered was very good. Service was terrible too. We were sat at seats that had 2 empty wine glasses there. After about 5 mins someone came over and asked if we wanted refills on the wine. After we explained that they weren't our glasses and no one had cleared the table yet it took another 5-10 min for anytime to come take our drink order. We won't be back.

    (2)

  • Mary K.

    Pros: The atmosphere is just gorgeous. Mostly reclaimed materials, much of which is from the old Beefeaters restaurant. Beautiful design; I just sat there looking around the room. Also, the staff is excellent. Everyone I spoke with--the host/hostess, bartender, server--they all were totally professional and totally friendly at the same time. Really great group of people. Cons: The food is overpriced. I live in this neighborhood but feel excluded from being able to eat here more than once or twice a year because of the high cost. It's obvious that most diners are not from the neighborhood (you can just tell; look at their cars and clothes), which is a bummer since it would be nice to have a local spot that served people IN the neighborhood. I also wasn't that impressed by the food, as I expected to be. I had the fried chicken and pork loin (split with my husband). If you're looking for fancy fried chicken, Tuck Shop is better; trust me on that one. The pork loin was good but not worth $24 at all. The mashed sweet potatoes that surrounded it were so, so rich and buttery--and I LOVE butter--but it was just too much; it kind of made me feel sick. I personally prefer to spend less money and have the same or even better quality food at other nearby spots like Gallo Blanco, Thai Rama, etc. (I know those aren't the same cuisine, but just when it comes to judging the value for the money.) I'll probably come back here when my husband's parents come into town since they're fancy and they'll likely pay for our meal, but otherwise I unfortunately can't afford to spend as much time here as I'd like!

    (3)

  • Larry O.

    I'm a fan of chef derived restaurants, so we have to start with 5 stars and go from there. We not only eat with our mouth but with our eyes and ears. The energy in this place at dinner is "high throttle" and that can be fun, but the noise level makes it difficult to have a conversation with dinner mates. Gumbo, collard greens, bread all satisfied my desire for southern food. Gumbo is outstanding, collard greens advertised "ham hocks" except we could barely find ham. All in all, Southern Rail is a must go to restaurant in Central Phoenix.

    (4)

  • Nick D.

    Joined some friends here who enjoy supporting new restaurants in the valley. I always stick with the standards and ordered the roast beef po boy. The meat was terrible. I tried eating the 1st half of the sandwich and 1/2 the meat was uneatable, which had to be put in a napkin. I attempted to try the 2nd half and realized it was just as bad. I dinner mates enjoyed their meals but my experience tells me not to try it again.

    (1)

  • RETHA H.

    The location is great, the design is cool but the food was nothing to write home about. With the exception of the smoked trout, my bf and I sampled a few of the dishes and found them lacking in seasoning or any type of southern flavor. The fried green tomatoes seemed to be dipped in bread crumbs and fried - with not even a hint of flavor. I've had tastier greens from a can. The cornbread was forgettable. I did use the left over succatash in an omelet the next day and it was good after I added a sprikle of seasoning. We are going to give it one more try (lunch) to see if the Po Boys can win us over. Maybe.

    (2)

  • Sally S.

    Mixed...the interior is breathtaking. The food and service were a mixed bag. We arrived at opening on a Sunday for brunch. After the waiter described the Dutch Pancakes and I ordered them...someone called from the kitchen no, no we don't have them this morning. What a disappointment since I had been salivating over them based on the online menu. Also a bad first impression since I was the first to order at the table. OK what can I order quickly so the next person can order. Hoe cakes ok - somewhat similar...I'll try that. OH NO...I didn't read the fine print. The Hoe cakes are covered with Duck and I do not eat Duck. Yuck. So I said I'll pay for my first dish but I can't eat it. Can you bring me the french toast that has been served to others at the table? They replaced my order quickly. The french toast was bread pudding covered with Bananas Foster and it was outstanding. Here's the service question ....since the Dutch Pancakes with Bananas Foster was not available. He should have suggested I order the French Toast with Bananas Foster. Ultimately I was filled and happy with my food. I surveyed the table and got a mixed bag of reviews. Several tasted my duck but no one wanted to eat it. Take it off the menu. Two of the ladies at my table have lived in France and were disappointed with the Croque Monsieur. They expected the egg to be inside the sandwich not on top of it. I did hear a few complaints about price but hey I'm used to paying more for Brunch and the atmosphere and experience were worth it. So my advice for the staff...prepare better so menu items are always available. Eat each of the dishes and edit. Continue to refine.

    (3)

  • Jeanne R.

    Great food and Chris was awesome. Fried green tomatoes were delicious. Blackened catfish and gumbo were really good. We ordered a variety of sides and all were great. Also found out they can accommodate a vegan so we will be back.

    (4)

  • Greg R.

    Southern Rail has the best food I have had in a long time. Chris is a great waiter and I will definitely be back and ask for Chris.

    (5)

  • Nancy O.

    I liked this place but my gawd it was expensive! I had 2 drinks, fried green tomatoes and the fish special for $55. That's not including the tip. It's also VERY loud! Our service was pretty good for a semi busy weekday evening.

    (3)

  • David G.

    Southern Rail, what a restaurant should be! You can't only judge an establishment by the excellent food, you have to take in the entire experience...they crushed it! Wait staff was awesome, Drew, our server was personable, gave great recommendations and was attentive without being overbearing. The ambiance is phenomenal as it feels very relaxing and comfortable. The build out is awesome from the wood plank ceilings to the southern style bar! The food had tremendous flavor, was well prepared and very original; a decent amount of options for non-pork eaters too. Highly recommend great times had by all, thanks!

    (5)

  • Will S.

    I love Beckettt's Table and eat there frequently, so of course I was eager to check this place. Some things at Southern Rail are absolutely spectacular. The physical reinvention of space that is The Newton is a real treasure, possibly the most beautiful Urban Dining spot in Phoenix. The drinks are awesome -- I had an updated Sazerac that just sang on my palate. The service is a joy, just like Beckett's Table. But the menu is not quite as tightly controlled as at Chef Justin's earlier place; while my Duck Confit rocked, and their Brioche Parker House Rolls are transcendent, my companion's Pork Loin was overcooked to the point of dreadful, shoe leather quality dryness.. The dessert selections are rather more interesting at Beckett's Table as well. Restaurants can all have off menu choices or line cook mistakes, so I'm not going to give SR a thumbs down. But when so many other elements were so perfect, I must be honest and say that a classic Southern Pork Loin that was so badly managed is disappointing. Looking forward to going back, however.

    (3)

  • Chris B.

    great place. nice atmosphere, friendly service, and the food was delicious. overall concept of the property is pretty cool too.

    (5)

  • Rochelle S.

    Delicious meal! I understand the the higher prices come at the cost of eating predominantly local fresh ingredients. I am 100%ok with this! We ordered the bacon onion tart with delicious tomatoes baked on top. Amazing. Our meals were delicious, both the pork loin and catfish were tasty. Beautiful set up, not too crowded and loved the booths. Can't wait for the full patio to open up. Great job, we will be back!

    (5)

  • Nick S.

    What can I say....this may be the best newer restaurant in town. I laughed with happiness, I cried with joy. At one point the best bartender in town, Emily, had to pinch me to convince this experience was indeed real. I will most likely be here waiting for the doors to open tomorrow morning.

    (5)

  • Pat O.

    We came to check it out expecting something moderately priced with good options. We got over priced, low quality ribs, and a vegetable dish I could've made at home for $1.99 ...and this was after staring at a menu for ten minutes that certainly needed more food choices on the other side instead of an (ahem) overpriced wine list. The bookstore/bar next door is great. Skip the restaurant and fill up on brownies and stouts instead. Oh, and it's loud. Super loud. Loud as balls.

    (2)

  • Papa Pete W.

    An excellent dining experience with a thoroughly delightful waitress. Food was excellent! Good southern taste. Generally Southern cooking means deep fried grease. Not the case here. Just good down wholesome healthy food.

    (5)

  • Christopher M.

    Great service. Attentive and friendly. Roast beef Po boy was really good. Nice horseradish bite. The gumbo was unique. Less new Orleans and more of a beef stew. Different but good. Nice ambience and beautiful interior.

    (4)

  • Claire K.

    I wanted to share my SUPREME disappointment with my visit to Southern Rail restaurant last night. I had been excited to visit since I first heard of the Newton project and another Justin Beckett restaurant in Phoenix, as my husband and I love Beckett's Table. We have two young children, and it's not very often we get a date night out to enjoy a dinner just the two of us. When the opportunity presented itself yesterday, we were so excited to try out Southern Rail. Great wine list--featuring one of our all-time favorite wines (The Franc)--great menu...it was idyllic. We decided to start with sharing a gumbo appetizer while we figured out what our actual meal would be. It arrived quickly, which was nice, but I have never been as disappointed in a dish served to me at a restaurant as I was with that gumbo. I presume Chef Beckett knows what a roux is, but this gumbo was completely lacking a roux as its base. This gumbo tasted like brown water with some chunks of chicken and sausage thrown into it with a scoop of rice. My husband grew up in New Orleans, and his Cajun aunt taught me how to make a proper roux and gumbo. If I order gumbo at a restaurant, I expect it to be better than what I can make at home (which is pretty tasty if I do say so myself) or at the very least to have a decent roux, and to say this gumbo was disappointing doesn't even scratch the surface. We sent the gumbo back (I have never before sent back a dish), finished our wine, and left. It wasn't worth even trying anything else on the menu, wasting precious date night time or money! I really hope this was just some kind of weird fluke and that the entire menu isn't as completely lackluster as the gumbo, but I won't be back to give it another shot.

    (1)

  • Bryan F.

    The service was good, and the food was good. I can't say I was completely wowed but I did enjoy myself.

    (4)

  • John K.

    Ouch. The gumbo sucked. They could not make a decent roux base. We didn't try anything else due to this basic failure.

    (1)

  • Richard C.

    Sat at the bar and had a great experience. Enjoyed the special of a combo pork belly and pastrami. There was enough to share. The bartender, Garret, suggested some novel Gins for our Gin and Tonic. They have some very unique options in their Rums, Whiskeys and Gins. The beignet dessert was fun to share. The bar will offer an even better experience as things cool this fall as there is a very nice patio adjacent to and served by the bar.

    (5)

  • Pam B.

    We sat at the bar as it was a beautiful day outside today. If the service had been even close to adequate I would have easily given this place a better rating. The appetizers and drinks were great. At no time during our visit (3 cocktails each and a few appetizers) did our server ask us ONCE if we would like another drink or how our food was. Completely disappointing service!

    (2)

  • candee s.

    I live in the neighborhood of the Newton--and have anxiously awaited the opening of all the components. Had dinner with a friend last night and we did all the recommended dishes: fried green tomatoes, watermelon salad, and the duck and coconut cake for dessert. I thought all the food was pretty good. I was a little disappointed about not being able to taste/find the sausage that was in the rice that came with the duck--it would have added a nice little spice. The coconut cake was terrific and a nice ending to the meal. The reason for the three are things with a little work could be fixed: 1. The restaurant is noisy--I think there is a trend that somehow the noise is supposed to be an indicator of coolness--it is a decision that restaurants have to make--it is loud but wasn't intolerable. 2. The service was just off--sometimes very attentive and sometimes a desert. If you are going to suggest splitting a dish that has rice--then by all means bring a spoon out so one doesn't have to transfer the rice from one plate to another grain by grain with a knife and a fork--Obviously we would have asked for a spoon had the waiter not been in the desert mode at the time. 3. Again if people are splitting plates--have the good sense to bring out clean small plates between courses--they were not offered and we could not ask because again we were in the waiter desert at the moment we needed them. 4. In my mind, unless specifically requested, an appetizer and a salad are two different courses and should be served separately so there is time to enjoy them. 5. We had a little bit of the pimento spread left over from the tomatoes and asked from some bread. What we got was something that was spongy and white on the inside and had barely a crust on the outside--I would certainly not call it bread. A restaurant at this level has no excuse for serving yucky bread--if you are going to serve it should be able to stand on its own as well as being a complement to whatever it is going with. A great tasty rye would have been wonderful for the left over pimento or even a robust baguette, but certainly not what we got. Southern Rail--I really want you to get to your act together --you are such a welcome addition to the neighborhood--It won't take much--but you have to start paying attention to the details. Our little corner of the world is pretty competitive--I can just as easily walk east or west as walk south--Please step up your game so I want to head south on a regular basis.

    (3)

  • Paul S.

    We wanted to give it five stars, the food is amazing and the drinks were excellent! Try the house smoked trout or the duck confit, both are delicious, but the service was mediocre. We would sit at the bar next time. The drinks didn't arrive for 15 minutes and appetizer took 30. We were still waiting for food at 8:30 PM, the hostess has to bring out both dishes, and we had to ask another server for more water. We are not even sure why Tai was our waiter. They are almost great...

    (4)

  • Jamie B.

    AMAZING dinner! Upscale southern with a relaxed indoor/outdoor atmosphere. I had the special which was a southern/Asian fusion soba noodle bowl with perfectly cooked piece of fried chicken sitting on top of soba and broth. It came with chef made pickled vegetables, a perfectly cooked soft boiled egg and collard greens. Fried green tomato with pimiento cheese appetizer was also very good. We will be going back!

    (5)

  • Marcus C.

    It is a sad moment to say the food was awesome but the service. Not so much. We sat at the bar and was never more dissatisfied. I felt we were an inconvenience to the bartender. 2/3/2015 at 5 pm. Come on be bright and brilliant. If you don't like your job go somewhere else. I won't be back anytime soon.

    (1)

  • David W.

    I went very excited on thursday to enjoy the meatloaf. unfortunately it was just plain not good. It could have been anything molded into a cube or loaf with only the flavor of the bbq sauce or the pepper in the meatloaf. I spent years traveling the south on Business, Savannah, New Orleans, Dallas, and all in between and never have I had meatloaf even remotely like this. The brocolli was good, and the potato salad was ok. My friend had appetizers only, the smoked trout and the onion tomato tart both fab!. The corn bread was great! The desert, coconut cake, was just ok but the Beignets (sp?) were over the top. I hope in the outside month that you can sit outside and order coffee and the Beignets....then worth the trip. I spend so much time at Becketts table because it is really good! This.....well, they need to close for a month, take a road trip south, spend some time with Art Smith, Paul Prudhomme, and yes Paula Deen, to name a few. Then regroup. I'm not sure if I will go back.

    (2)

  • Dennis M.

    Ok, I have been there now 4 times. Two times for drinks and once with my wife for lunch. For lunch I had the trout and it was OK. Its served cold which surprised me a little. Wife had the po boy and it was OK...mediocre flavor. So now we go tonight for a drink and our 17 yr old daughter is with us. We enter and host tells us it is prix fris night... mind you there is NO one sitting at full rail along Camelback road or at long table by bar. Then manager comes to say he can probably accommodate us but they are closing early. Its 740pm on a Tuesday and we have our daughter with us...pretty obvious we are not intending to close the place down. Really awkward overall experience. Tragic because we live in Encanto, work with the neighborhood association, and would love a local venue to hang at. Highly unlikely we will give it another shot. Very Unfortunate.

    (2)

  • Joseph K.

    The reviews for this place have been mixed; here's my take. Atmosphere - Good; Service - Good; Prices - Average; Portions - Small (you don't get much for your money); Food - mediocre at best. We had reservations and were seated promptly. Service was friendly and attentive. For an appetizer we ordered their "signature" Fried Green Tomatoes. $9 for 3 tomato slices that were heavily covered with cornmeal - too much coating. For my entrée I had the Smoked Chicken & Grilled Andouille Gumbo. It was the best dish of the evening however it was unlike any Gumbo I've ever had - tasty but nothing like what you get in Louisiana. Again, very small portion especially considering it is listed on the menu as a "Large Plate" dinner entrée. My companion ordered the la Plancha Blackened Catfish and she did not care for it at all. A thin piece of fish heavily coated in corn meal with no detectable Blackened spice. All you could taste was deep-fried cornmeal. There are a few decent Cajun/Creole restaurants in the Phoenix area. This is not one of them.

    (2)

  • Justin W.

    Positive: Nice decor. Seated right away. Not so positive: Let's start with cocktails. 9 dollars for cocktails. Not very good ones at that and they were very small. I am pretty sure there wasn't much for alcohol in the Austin Mule. I am a light weight and I didn't feel a thing. We ordered the appetizer fried green tomatoes. They were just ok. Not great. If southern food is your thing then I think fried green tomatoes is something you should do absolutely amazingly. They just weren't. We opted not to order any more food because it was priced rather expensive from the start. Price is not an issue when you get value for your money, but when there didn't seem to be much justifying the high prices we skipped the rest of meal. I am not sure if we will go back. It is disappointing because we high hopes for a new restaurant in the neighborhood. On a positive note, go have a glass of wine at the cute bookstore next to the restaurant.

    (1)

  • Jennifer H.

    Waiter Chris was awesome! Fried green tomatoes were perfect. . Loved the Austin Mule drink!

    (5)

  • Epicentre R.

    Excellent atmosphere great food A great twist on classic Southern comfort food-our server Chris was excellent! I will definitely be coming back.

    (5)

  • Ryan B.

    The food is simply delicious. The building is amazing and the staff are great. Definitely one of the best restaurants in Az.

    (5)

  • Adrian M.

    Just tried the gumbo here at southern rail. Not too heavy, just right with shredded chicken and sausage . The place has a simple southern style and has plenty of space. next door offers a different bar- coffee shop with a neat book store full of knick knacks and what nots. Also there's plenty of space for studying. It's kind of a shame it's not more packed, perhaps it's due to the fact that it's Thursday. All I know is I'll be coming more to try out more food and drinks

    (4)

  • Melissa H.

    Will have to revisit in a few weeks once the kitchen works out the kinks. The menu looks a lot like Beckett's table in layout, but with a southern twist. Warning, the place can get spendy. You'll order some fried green tomatoes, some mac and cheese and the brioche rolls and then tuck into a cocktail, an entree and dessert and you'll find yourself dropping about 80 bucks. The interior is very welcoming and bright. You can't beat the location next to changing hands bookstore. Warning, do not park next door in the business building next door. They will tow! Our table found things a bit over cooked with the only flavor being salt rather than more nuanced smokiness, also the lack of hot sauce was a little disappointing. I loved the brioche rolls which come in a pool of butter in a cast iron pan, although they are a buck a roll. The fried green tomatoes are what enticed us in, but we found them on the thin side with a breading that seemed like something premade and dredged, the pimento cheese needed a kick. Like I said, it's never fair to judge a place this new, but it's great to see something new go into the old Beef Eater's space which was languishing. The interior bar is (there are two) is great looking and one of them opens into changing hands. I have a feeling there will be a lot of blind dates going on there :)

    (3)

  • Victoria M.

    This place is really cute, but I have to give it 3 stars because I was disappointed in the service and my main course. The chicken and biscuit dumplings are bland and, quite frankly, just bad. The only reason for the 3 stars would be because the pork loin is absolutely fantastic. This place has a great concept, but the food could be so much better. Love the atmosphere, but it's not enough to bring me back.

    (3)

  • Noah B.

    We couldn't wait to try this restaurant. Unfortunately it did not live up to expectations. We started with cornbread muffins. My cornbread muffins are much better. And I'm not a professional chef. Then we had the po' boys and gumbo on the side. The bread was delicious; the sandwiches overall were just alright. The catfish po'boy had the fish put in last so it was only in one bite in three. That gumbo was not what I was expecting it all, it looked and tasted like pork stew. No seafood, barely any andouille. My father and I were eating and having the exact same thought: "I miss Baby Kay's." Unfortunately this place is quite a bit more expensive than Baby Kay's was. I don't think I'll be back. Which sucks, because it's right down the street from my house.

    (2)

  • Tiffany M.

    My husband and I ate lunch here today and it was delicious!! The building is beautiful, very modern and hip! I started off with the red sangria and it was light and refreshing. Perfect to drink on the warm patio. I ordered the chicken and dumplings, the waiter described it perfectly. It was smokey flavored and delicious. The chicken, carrots, mushrooms and biscuits in a warm smokey broth. My husband had the gumbo ,Cuban sandwich and colored greens. I think he licked his plate. The food is priced appropriately and our server was attentive and informative. I look forward to going back and trying brunch and dinner!

    (5)

  • Toney N.

    Well having once lived in Alabama and Oklahoma I was expecting some old fashion southern cooking hence the name "Souther Rail" That was not the case. I started with the appetizer fried green tomatoes. The totatoes were small I felt like a giant eating them. Biting into them did not really taste the tomato as much as I did the crispy coating. I added 3 sugars into the sweet tea. As an entree I had the chicken and dumplings. It reminded me more of a soup with vegetables and bread.The broth was tasty but just missing the mark on sothern cooking for me. For desert had the coconut cake. It was tasty but a little bit dry. The resturant itself is beautiful and comfortable, but I was a little disappointed. I think there are a few things you just dont mess with and that is real southern cooking that looks and taste like someone's mother or grandmother made. I dont think I will return. I do hope you like it, but its not for me.

    (3)

  • Rick M.

    Jesus!! This place is great, I had the pork loin but dined with relatives so I tried a bunch of things off of the menu and it was worth every single dollar. The restaurant has a wonderful ambience and the service was excellent. I have been restaurant hopping around Phoenix and after about fifteen or so meals at their competition and neighbors, Southern Rail would definitely be in the top 3. Wonderful place and it took my by surprise, give this place a chance!

    (5)

  • Renee L.

    I loved every minute of it. It is a true dining experience. The service was spot on, and the Fried green tomatoes were AMAZING!!!!!!!!! This was a fine dining experience with expert and experienced chefs in the back. Their twist on "Southern Food" is amazing. The servers are experts and know the food, ingredients and how it is prepared. The Pork Loin was perfection, and the Bread Pudding is to DIE for (sorry G'Ma). Cant wait until patio season has returned to Phoenix, so I can enjoy their beautiful patio.

    (5)

  • Katie W.

    Great food, great service Went to Southern Rail on an early Friday night (6:30). Good crowd but easy to get a table. They have a good bourbon list and fine scotch list - bartender knew his stuff and was able to make some good recommendations. We had the grilled watermelon salad, trout, and catfish. All were great. Changing hands in the same building is a great stop to walk off your drinks or stop in for a pre-dinner drink and browse. Would definitely go again.

    (4)

  • Judy C.

    My husband and I were looking for unique birthday gifts and came across Southern Rail for lunch--yum, yum. We had the BLT Salad with the best pickled relish dressing and a friend green tomato and pimento cheese po boy, which was scrumptious! Redding, our server was very accommodating and helpful. I had a bloody mary with their own pickled carrots. OMG!!!! What more can I say?

    (5)

  • Lyndon V.

    Great food, atmosphere, and good service. Awesome take on southern classics and stepping them up.

    (5)

  • Shannon W.

    I just had a small dinner meeting in the private dining room. It was fantastic! Dinner was excellent. All of my guest gave it rave reviews. They especially loved the duck and the Wednesday special of fried chicken. The dessert cannot be missed! The private room was perfect. Not too loud at all. Our server, Chris, was funny and attentive! The whole evening went off beautifully. Thanks!

    (5)

  • Donna L.

    I had the grilled watermelon salad not bad but disappointed with the name only 3 or 4 small pieces of watermelon to be found. Had good flavors though. I had the head on BBQ shrimp. Wasn't exactly expecting to have to remove all the shell to eat, also a bit surprised with the flavors. Tasted fine but expected a lighter sauce without body shells in-tacked and more BBQ flavor. We had the beignets for dessert they were excellent.

    (4)

  • Kristine C.

    After reading all of the negative reviews, I was a bit skeptical of dining at Southern Rail. The entire experience was just wonderful and I'm glad I ignored these reviews! I've dined extensively in Europe...I know what good food is! I thoroughly enjoyed the chicken and biscuit dumplings and was also able to sample the pork tenderloin. If you're not a picky eater, you'll certainly enjoy the yummy vegetables. Collard greens and sweet potatoes...doesn't get any better! We finished our meal with beignets...almost as good as Cafe du Monde in New Orleans! Plus, our waitress was a real gem and checked on us multiple times. We'll be back!

    (4)

  • Kristin B.

    I have been to Southern Rail for dinner and just had the privilege to sample their lunch menu. It is delicious and absolutely love the atmosphere and ambience . A culinary tour of the south from the Carolinas on over. Loved the fried green tomatoes, po boys, gumbo and trout! Chef Beckett never disappoints! Make your way over for dinner or mark your calendars for the new lunch opening August 4th! Can't wait to head back - may have to try a Wednesday for fried chicken!

    (5)

  • Dave B.

    Fantastic service - the hostess greeted us promptly and we were seated quickly. Our waiter was excellent; quick service on cocktails, our water was never less than half full, he knew the menu very well and had excellent timing for when to appear. Collard greens -- fantastic!!! Brown Butter sweet potatoes -- OMFG!!! Not an official side, but we pleaded and they gave us a dish as a side. Excellent beignets -- they even came with a warning about the powdered sugar! :P Spicy gumbo w/lots of sausage. Bread pudding -- wow. just wow. Wife had the fish special with a corn flan -- Ms. 'Always takes half home' ate everything! Would give this place 5 stars, but the noise was a problem. We were too close to the 'community table' and could barely carry a conversation because of how loud those people were.

    (4)

  • Sterling L.

    Where to begin on this restaurant: a group of coworkers and I decided to go to this restaurant as a going away present for a coworker that was leaving. It was a total of 16 of us that decided to give this restaurant shot. Everything was wonderful about this restaurant including the food, the drinks, and the service! The waiter was awesome - I think his name was Chris. When it came time for us to leave we asked the waiter if we could split the bill and we were told that it was restaurant policy that they never split the bill for any large groups. So we spent just under the next hour trying to figure out who purchased what and finding out what each person's financial responsibility was. At the end of the evening, we all ended up splitting purchase anyway. This is not what I consider a very customer friendly experience. At the end of the day the waiter probably would've ended up with more tips if he was able to split the bill.

    (2)

  • Mr. M.

    Service was great, drinks were fantastic (especially the wine) and the ambiance was equally enjoyable. However, not a group-friendly place. See below: This evening, my supervisor took 15 faculty and staff members out for drinks to celebrate our week. The service was great and so were our drinks. We spend an hour drinking and enjoying the beautiful patio by the fireplace. When our supervisor left, she paid for our drinks. We were having such a good time, we all decided to stay and order food and more drinks. When some of us were getting ready to leave at 8pm, we asked to have our bills. Our server explained that he could not split our bills. Since the majority of us did not have cash on us, we grew concerned. We asked again to please have our bills split so we could individually cover our tabs. We were told that it was restaurant policy to not split the tab. We spent the next 45 minutes as a group trying to figure out how to pay the bill, we ended up splitting it up anyway according to what each of ordered tossing in several credit cards and some cash. The cashier ended up splitting it anyway according to our notes on the receipt. What was a fun night of great food and time with our co-workers turned into disappointing and frustrating mathematical nightmare lasting 45 minutes. Total buzz kill. We didn't bring this to the attention to the manager because we did not want to throw our server (Chris) under the bus since his service was impeccable. While I would enjoy returning to this place, I would not recommend bringing a group. We all left disappointed and frustrated by our experience. This could have been a 5-star review.

    (2)

  • Lisa G.

    I have visited Southern Rail twice now. As a native Southerner, I very much appreciate anywhere outside the South that is able to hold a candle to real Southern food. I also appreciate the elevation of Southern food outside fried foods and meat. Southern Rail does all of that. First of all, the vegetable small plates are fantastic. I highly recommend the butter beans and garden peas. The beans are cooked until just soft, the lemon zest is a zingy addition, and the crispy chicken skin makes for a great crunch. Another standout is the grilled watermelon salad, which is as tasty as it is beautiful. My girlfriend is a vegetarian, so any Southern restaurant that lets her eat is a huge bonus. On my last visit, I had the ribs, which were just the right level of sweet and spicy, falling off the bone, and delicious. My dad had the fried chicken and really enjoyed it. And the peach and pickle relish? Delicious. To finish, order the bread pudding. With a whiskey sauce, it's a real winner. Also, consider any of the whiskey cocktails--a must for a Southern meal. To summarize--y'all come!

    (5)

  • Seth K.

    Yep, def a little loud in there. But if you want a cool ceiling you can't have egg carton foam or a typ drop. Chicken & dumplings dish was good almost great, a tad salty. But we sweat a lot in PHX and need to replace the salt! The shrimp...fantastic. Nice bottled beer selection And finally!!!!!!.....for the first time in my life a server noticed when i was in the middle of a story/joke and was coming by the table & didn't interrupt! Wish i cld remember her name!

    (4)

  • J B.

    Complete disappoint! We had a reservation and they started to seat us then determined the table was occupied. Then told us to stand in the middle of the restaurant and wait. We moved back to the hostess stand....ackward. Then when we got seated and ordered our drink order came bout the same time our tasteless cold food arrived. Regretfully we ordered dessert the bread pudding. It was warm on the edges and ice cold in the center! The bourbon sauce was horrible. We moved here from the south and this is not what we expected. It was grossly overpriced and the noise made it difficult to hold a conversation. I never complain but this was bad.

    (1)

  • Blake S.

    Excellent southern tastes in Central Phoenix. I was blown away by the BBQ shrimp and the ribs...a definite must have meal when I go back. The drinks were tasty and the service was spectacular. Friendly staff with great knowledge of the menu. Not being from the south, I didn't know what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised by the different taste explosions in my mouth. And the new restaurant layout and ambience is pleasant right in the heart of the city. Oh, and don't forget to get the beignets covered in powered amazingness before you leave. It's a good idea to get a reservation as it was busy and we had to wait a bit. Worth it though as Chef Beckett delivers...again.

    (5)

  • Desiree N.

    Having visited the Phoenix area two weeks ago I stumbled across this GEM of a restaurant! My mouth exploded with such rich flavors of the south it was truly a wonderful mix of New Orleans, South Carolina, and a bit of Texas thrown in there. Not to mention the specialty cocktails ROCKED. So to move on to the atmosphere I thought it was equally exciting with rich texture,s including the ceiling with its little secret. And the train that runs say every 15 min. or just adds the charm. It just had this fabulous hustle bustle about it. The servers were attentive, the hostess was CHARMING, and we will certainly return again when we move here permanently in September. p.s can you deliver out of state until we move here?.

    (5)

  • Michelle J.

    My 2nd visit and both were superb. The duck and risotto take me back home. Delicious!

    (5)

  • Robin P.

    The food, the service, the atmosphere...spectacular! Feels like home the second you walk in. I've had a taste of almost everything on the menu and nothing has ever been short of my expectations. Fried green tomatoes with the pimento spread is a winner. The pork loin is out of this world. If you're down to get dirty with some New Orleans inspired dishes the head on BBQ shrimp is hands down amazing. Now onto desert if you can fit anything more the beignets are pockets of heaven..just make sure you know how to eat them without getting the sugar dust everywhere! Amazing people and the work of a genius! Thank you Justin Beckett as always for an amazing dinner and Scott for such a warm welcoming! A+++++++

    (5)

  • D F.

    We just returned from dinner at Southern Rail and I am one happy 'effin customer! I sit here typing in a post-grazing, satisfied, slightly-smug, aura of contentment. I have never eaten "down south", but if this is how good it can be, then I wanna' move south! The building is big and bustling, with a good mix of metal and wood and cool light fixtures and stuff. It was hot outside, but the AC cooled off the inside to a very comfortable level. There are big doors that open to a nice patio. When we come back we will check it out. Since it was Father's Day (a special occasion!), we went all out and the three of us tried almost everything on the menu. .Among the appetizer and salad stars were Fried Green Tomatoes, Croquettes, Gumbo, a cool salad of watermelon and peach. They were all good, and the croquettes were so good that my wife and I had to rock-paper-scissor for the last one. I won, but my wife then proved that although rock-beats-scissors, fork-beats-wrist, and she got the last croquette. For entrees we tried the peel-'n-eat shrimp which were fun and flavorful, the duck confit which was FANTASTIC and an order of ribs which rocked! the table beside us ordered pork-loin which (although we didn't actually try it) looked and smelled great. I read that some folks think the place is noisy, and the place is lively and high-energy, but certainly not as bad as others have indicated. I politely suggest that those folks should wear thick wool sweaters and Snuggies to help with the acoustics. We met one of the owners there (he recommended the wine we had) and the Chef/owner visited our table and asked how everything was. We admitted that we were new to the genre of southern cooking, but he shared the story of how the menu came to be, and the cultures behind it. I guess I never realized the precision that goes into classic, comfort food. My wife and her friend had the beignettes (spelling?) which they liked and I had a slice of sweet and savory dessert that was a cool balance like an Arnold Palmer (iced tea / lemonade blend). Southern Rail made some new fans tonight... congrats on the new place!

    (5)

  • Jake K.

    Great experience, friendly wait staff and a cool location. We got drinks and shared an appetizer and a "large plate" and we were pretty happy with our meal. 4 stars because we couldn't get a table without a reservation (or an hour wait) but we really did enjoy the time we had in the bar area! No regrets! Check it out and if you have time, stop at changing hands next door!

    (4)

  • Bill J.

    Really enjoyed this restaurant. The food was authentic to what I remember southern food was made when growing up in East Tennessee. Food seemed to lean more towards Louisiana style southern food but nothing wrong with that. Phoenix needs this restaurant and I will be back for sure.

    (5)

  • Michelle H.

    Loved my experience at Southern Rail! The service is amazing and the food was fantastic. We went opening weekend and they were still working out some kinks and the food was still amazing! Love the menu options. Great for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The atmosphere is great! I had the gumbo which was delicious. I have been waiting for some good gumbo here in Phoenix.

    (5)

  • Jeffrey S.

    Southern Rail has run off of the tracks. I understand newly opened jitters. They opened Friday. I called earlier today for reservations for tonight. I was told that I had the choices of 5:45 or 8:30. I chose 5:45. The place was hardly full when my party of 4 arrived. We were seated at an open table while an empty booth was clearly available. No big deal at this point. As we are sitting there waitning for our server, we noticed that most of the place was empty. We tried to talk about it, but the noise level was so load, that we couldn't hear each other. The server took our drink orders. He brought water, and we ordered appetizers and entrees at the same time. The appetizers arrived and were mediocre at best. We were finishing them when we finally had to flag down a manager to ask about our drinks. It was at least 15 minutes. BTW, our server wasn't seen at all during this time. He finally brought the drinks. The prices seemed very, very high, but we are ok if the food is worth it. Beckett's Table never disappoints, and we are frequent flyers there. I am from Tennessee, and I know Southern food. Wishful thinking. The entrees arrived. Their Wednesday special, fried chicken, was aweful. It was over cooked on the skin and undercooked at the bone. Two of us had ordered that plate. KFC has them beat hands down. We could have enjoyed 6 buckets for what we paid for this bad food. The BLT salad is a joke. The B is listed as bacon. it was more like bits of bacon sprinkled over a large wedge of lettuce. There was some sort of drizzle, also. This was nothing but a $10.00 plate of ho hum. It didn't even look good, much less act as a real salad. There was a resounding, "no," when asked if we wanted dessert. We weren't going to waste another dime in this place. St Francis is right down the street and well worth the visit if you have to eat in this area. Will not go back to Southern Rail. Too bad, too. It is very convenient, and we had high hopes of at least a decent eatery in the hood. The light rail is the only tracks I would visit on this stretch of Camelback. Not sure who the 5 star people are, but... hmmm.

    (1)

  • K W.

    Gave "Southern Rail" another shot. I won't go back. Went with 3 girlfriends this time and we all felt the menu wasn't that girl friendly as it's all pretty heavy food. We ordered 2-3 items each and none of it blew us away and we left disappointed.

    (2)

  • Guy W.

    Disappointing. As fan of Beckett's Table, I hoped to enjoy this new venture, but no such luck. Maybe southern food should just stay in the south where it belongs. The so-called crispy duck was neither crispy nor tasty -- just a bland piece of poultry with soggy skin. Another issue: when rolls are available only as an a la carte item, they should be served with the drinks or other appetizers, not simultaneously with the presentation of the entrees. I may go back to Beckett's Table, but not to Southern Rail.

    (2)

  • John H.

    In summary... our service was very good, the food was OK, and the space was cool with really interesting use of reclaimed architectural details. However, as other reviewers have mentioned - IT IS REALLY LOUD. It was rather challenging for our table of six people to have a meaningful conversation over the din of the bar and kitchen with nothing to absorb the sound. To start off, we really enjoyed the fried green tomatoes with cheese spread, but the muffins were nothing to get too excited about. I ordered the duck confit which came with collard greens, and it was excellent. My boys ordered the ribs and declared that mine are way better. Given that I only make them about once a year, I'm no expert. However, I have to agree with them - they were rather unremarkable. My wife seemed to like her watermelon salad with shrimp. The 3 adults each had a glass of wine, we shared four appetizers and one desert, and each had an main course meal. After tips I walked out with a wallet that was $300 lighter.

    (3)

  • Robert B.

    One of the best things ever is to see talented people develop a new concept, plan it with care, and execute it masterfully. When the buzz began months ago about Chef Beckett and partners, Katie and Scott Stephens, wanting to bring a southern flair to the area, Peg and I were all in. That the new place was going to be at the site of a landmark (Beef Eaters Restaurant) with its own history of fine food was a nice touch. This is not Beckett's Table West...the concept is totally different. The fried green tomatoes and dirty rice croquettes were spot on. The tomato tart and the house smoked trout appetizers were addictive, inventive and wonderfully balanced. A grilled watermelon salad was a light refreshing bite. As you would expect, all things pork were terrific, and Rail's cider brined pork loin was amazing. Ditto the crispy duck leg confit. The BLT salad was very tasty but the other apps were better yet. Making the call to try their gumbo (ya ya style) and BBQ shrimp was mandatory, and they were full of flavor, not obnoxiously hot like some "Cajun style" dishes out there have become. I strongly recommend wearing something that will handle butter and sauce well from the shrimp. Limitless napkins are provided... Staples like mac and cheese, collards, and brioche with apple butter (think Parker House rolls) were very good. Beignets were authentic and pillowy. Even with it being opening night and week, the service (Jerod (hopefully not misspelled too badly) and Sarah were attentive and very helpful. Front of the house was welcoming. With concepts and execution like this, I frankly don't care "what the fox say!"

    (5)

  • Bill F.

    We had a wonderful night here on my son's birthday. What made it so special was the great service that we had out of our waiter. Even though we were in a remote far-off corner of his outdoor patio on a chilly evening, he kept his eyes on us and we were never left wanting. [They have great heaters and they aren't afraid to use them.] The atmosphere is not as cool or charming as it could be -- I wish they'd spent a bit more to make the place look good. But, I did like the food, and that's what counts. I had a huge piece of pork tenderloin, and some great Mac 'n Cheese. While nothing is especially unique, their comfort food does just that . . . it gives you the feeling that someone who loves you just cooked you a home-cooked meal. I don't get that feeling in a restaurant very often. The next night we had dinner in another famous Phoenix restaurant (Tarbell's) and it was a let-down compared to this. When the waiter heard me reference my son's birthday, he brought out a large desert item which was enjoyed by all. A great experience! We were there on Arizona Wines night, and enjoyed a great bottle of Cochise Country white wine for half off. I like promotions like that.

    (4)

  • Linda W.

    Don't let them seat you outside if you want to hear anyone else at the table. Monday lunch and they asked us to wait 20-25 minutes (turned out to be less) to seat a group of 6. Have to agree with another reviewer that things were a bit pricey. I ordered the cornbread salad which was great except that for the price, I thought it could have filled more of the plate -- definitely on the stingy side. The dirty rice croquettes were excellent also. But it annoyed the heck out of me that when I asked what the little green things were in my corn bread salad (the menu was long gone by the time we finally got our lunch), the server said he'd have to ask the kitchen and then came back to say they were seared green onions. I couldn't decide if he was deliberately insulting my intelligence or if the kitchen had set him up. No resemblance to green onion, which is not surprising since it was actually okra. Hope he was the newbie because he didn't seem to know enough about the menu when we were ordering either. 2 people had the butternut squash soup and told me mine was far superior. Glad I didn't order the shrimp po-boy based on the one the came out for another person at the table. Summary: Food interesting but overpriced. Not sure I'll go back.

    (3)

  • Tim A.

    Went with two friends last night. Overall a solid place. NOISE is a major issue, we were seated in the back room and I can honestly say the noise level was the worst of any place I've ever eaten and have lived in five major cities before Phoenix. Hopefully they can go back to their designer and see if they can't do something. My friends said they would not go back because it was so unpleasant. So the decor looks cool, but doesn't function well. The food was pretty good, two of us had the Gumbo and it was excellent. One person has the fried chicken special and it was overcooked, actually some of the crust was black from overcooking. The side potatoes were meh that came with the chicken. The server was super nice and helpful, but he also was having a hard time giving service because of the noise level. None of us had dessert, but they had some tempting options. I personally will go again! Maybe when they open for lunch and try to get in the main room.

    (3)

  • Bryan H.

    I'm not sure if we just came on a bad night or what. But, based on the fact that the place was half empty on a Saturday night I think probably not. First off, let me say that the service was very good and the restaurant is very comfortable and nicely decorated. I tried several dishes, all of which I thought were mediocre or ...worse. The fried green tomatoes were over cooked and under seasoned. The pimento cheese that comes with it was just not right either. I had the broccoli and cauliflower casserole and I have to wonder why this is even on the menu? It was dry, bland and just plain not good. The chicken and biscuits were bland and the catfish dish as a whole seemed very disjointed. The red velvet cake was so sweet that it literally made my teeth hurt. It was also oddly crunchy (?). For someplace that is charging exceptionally high prices, I would expect that the chef would at least be able to use salt correctly. I can usually forgive mediocre food when the prices are reasonable, but I left here feeling like I really got ripped off.

    (2)

  • Amy R.

    Wow, wow, wow, WOW! We had the most amazing meal here this passed weekend. I had an out of town guest with me from Georgia and not only did he say that it was the best meal he'd had since we started our "let's go to all the awesome restaurants in Scottsdale, Tempe and Phoenix" but that the food was better than in the South! The whipped mashed sweet potatoes were insanely delicious. I'm not a huge fan of collard greens but these I gobbled up! The best part was the pork (loin? Chop?) I should know better as much as I eat out. ....but it was like a chicken breast. Thick, juicy, and perfectly flavored, I'll share a secret with you bc it was soooooo good that maybe someone at becketts will see this & add it to the menu! Get the plain green salad (which is not plain at all, had lots of yummy veggies in it!) AND the cornbread salad & mix them TOGETHER! Our "on point" waiter thought we were crazy to mix the dressings but it all worked and was sooooo good! Sort of want that for lunch now! Also, the cocktails were killer! As a side note, our server was so awesome & patient with this AZ native not knowing anything about southern food, he was HAPPY to explain everything to me & never showed any annoyance with my southern cuisine ignorance. Definitely worth the drive from south tempe! Thank you Southern Rail for making me look really good to my guest! I'll see you soon bc EVERYTHING on the menu sounded good!!!!

    (5)

  • Ellen M.

    Wow! A long overdue delicious meal. I was pleasantly surprised, in a good way. I had the chicken and dumplings, I thought it was going to be on a dinner plate, but was actually served as a soup. It was incredibly delicious. My friend had their Thursday special of Grandmama's meatloaf. Another yummy tasty meal. We shared the beignets and bread pudding for desert. Again, YUM~ there is no other way to say it~ We both laughed and said, we are going to have to roll out of here, we were stuffed...ya think? It did get kinda noisy, but we were next to the community table near the bar. A place with great food, and great service. It just tells me that everyone was having a great time. I will go back there in a heart beat.

    (5)

  • Cathy W.

    Visited the restaurant for an early dinner with two friends to celebrate a birthday. As has been our custom for three years I walked in with a container with a few fancy, expensive cupcakes and birthday candles.as soon as I approached the hostess station to tell the hostess that we had a reservation, she informed me that we couldn't have the cupcakes. She said that it was a health department thing and you can't bring in outside food. Interesting because we have done the same thing- sometimes with an entire home made birthday cake to- most recently True Foods, Clever Koi, and Sochu House and never had a problem or been charged. There are generally four of us and rotate restaurants every month, only bringing cupcakes or a cake for birthdays. In addition, the birthday girl arrived a half an hour early, at 4:30. There were 4 people at the bar and nobody in the restaurant and yet she was told that she couldn't be seated in a booth because it was still social hour! Back to the cupcakes, our server , Chris was awesome, and the poor guy had to deal with the three of us and we weren't happy. I told him that I had brought in a small birthday cake to Becketts Table in the past..how could it be different here? When he spoke to the owner who was in the kitchen he was told that ,yes, sometimes at Becketts it was allowed with a service charge. That wasn't my experience..and what is it..health department or money? So all of this influenced our experience. The place was nearly empty most of the time we were there..it was early. So, the food- Mac and cheese great and creamy, chicken and dumplings still need some work, the BBQ pork fabulous and creative, ribs good. The presentation very attractive and beignets big pillows of delishisness. I give our server Chris five stars but overall, I will spend my money ( and it's not inexpensive comfort food) someplace where I feel welcome and there is more flexibility. I'm disappointed.

    (3)

  • James N.

    Great atmosphere and the drinks and food were good. We had several apps and all got different entrees and dessert, everyone we all seemed to feel the same. Go with the steak over the pork loin! We were in the back room and it was super loud with large parties but otherwise a great experience. Great redevelopment of a historic restaurant and the bookstore next store is awesome as well.

    (4)

  • Eric S.

    Southern Rail is brand new but they make a great first impression! Service staff is well-trained and Tim's food is on track to be very good. Unfortunately, the noise levels are uncomfortably loud for any type of reasonable table conversation which is an important feature for any Southern restaurant. Wine list is average, cocktails are creative, and the desserts rock the house! We'll definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Steve D.

    Very nice evening tonight at Southern Rail, delicious southern-inspired food, great atmosphere. Quite impressed with the entire place having hit the ground running after only a couple of days. The space is beautifully designed with interesting touches, and is slightly elevated from Camelback road which gives it a nice view of the surrounding area (without the sometimes grimy reality of west camelback road). Extensive beer selection with some southern favorites, as well as a wine list that should suit anyone. The menu is southern, so if you're looking to go "light" you might be better off elsewhere. We had the tomato and bacon tart which was decadent. We also had the gumbo which had perfectly smoky flavor and a not too thick roux. We did not think the three tiny head-on shrimp were worth the $6 supplement, however. Finally, the pork loan was delicious with a smoky, candied flavor and delicious sweet potatoes. Desserts looked wonderful but we couldn't muster another bite. A couple of kinks with service and timing that we can overlook because it has been open less than a week, but overall a wonderful night at a place that is definitely on our rotation from here on! Excited to try the rest of the menu, as we'll be back many times.

    (5)

  • Kitty Kat D.

    I was surprised by all the reviews that had less than a stellar experience. So my husband and I decided to go during lunch, to avoid having a huge bill to pay for in the event that we had a similar experience. Holy hell. This was awesome! Go for lunch if you aren't sure about dinner. We arrived a little after 11am, and the place had a few customers but not many. It was quiet. And our service was quick. The place is decorated really nicely, and they even kept the original booths from Beef Eaters. Loved the old country music they played! Reminded me of my grandma and I even got a little teary-eyed while waiting for our food. What a wonderful moment I had with my husband on a random lunch date. Our server was Sarah, she was phenom! Very quick, polite, asked if we had any questions, attentive, and even brought my husband a new dessert plate because the one she gave him looked spotty. We didn't even have to ask for drink refills. She was just great and I can't say enough about her. We ordered an app, lunch, and dessert. For the appetizer we had the toast n jam n cheese. It was small but enough to satisfy 2 people. It tasted great and the sweet onion jam is to die for! For lunch we ordered the chilled corn soup and gumbo. Both were great. For dessert we ordered the beignets. Only 2 come in an order but 1 is enough for one person. They are fairly big. They came out fresh and covered in powdered sugar. It was a neat presentation. We will definitely be back, can't wait to try brunch and dinner!

    (5)

  • Kirsten P.

    Came here with two of my girlfriends tonight, and honestly I can't even express how delicious the food was. Our server Chris was beyond amazing, and had great recommendations for drinks and food. We met one of the owners Michelle, and felt the need to let her know about our amazing service. I will definitely be coming back! And side note: the fried green tomatoes are my favorite! In conclusion, Chris is the best and the food is bomb.

    (5)

  • Dawntoya T.

    This place is extremely hit or really miss. I've given it 3 chances. I had a good experience the first time I visited, but it had just opened, so maybe they were pulling out all of the stops. From that point on the food has been less than average. Ordered fried chicken and it was raw. Sent it back and when it came back it was still raw and they tried to convinced me that it was just braised. I know pink fleshy chicken when I see it. We had a few other dishes, but I'm actually from the south and I'd take my grandmothers fried chicken and collards any day. Everything is just ok. They have a couple of things on the menu that are ok, but overall I am not a fan when my friends suggest we meet there for dinner. Always feels like a waste of money. I want to give it 2 stars but I'd feel mean. Lol

    (3)

  • Aubrey R.

    Food was wonderful and staff did a great job as well. I will come back again. I had Scottish salmon wife had seared prime cut her meal was very rich. A+ place

    (5)

  • Mike D.

    I had very high hopes for Southern Rail. On the night I came we arrived a little before 6 so we elected to sit at the bar to take advantage of happy hour prior to eating. The staff here hate each other. Seriously, I've never seen a group of people with more vitriol in such a crammed space. The 3 people working the bar took turns snipping and yelling at each other, arguing over who stocked what, and occassionally talking to customers to see if anything was needed. There were two, a very skinny young lady and a younger guy with a hipster combover that HAD to have dated at some point. The tension between them was uncomfortable. I was waiting for him to ask for vodka and have her respond "why, so you can just stick it in every drink that walks by??" But I digress. The food was av-er-age. For a place that claims to have roots in the low country of Charleston, it was very disappointing. It seemed everything lacked seasoning. If I could describe the food in one word, it'd be "bland." The prices were reasonable and the outdoor patio/bar area is very cool. I wanted to like it but i was let down. I wouldn't go back on my own but if a group chose to go here, I'd go along to give it another try.

    (2)

  • Karis A.

    My husband and I went based on other reviews and it did not disappoint. While the restaurant was a bit loud, the food was exceptional. We shared a small plate of the gumbo and it was extremely flavorful. I had the flat iron steak and it was delicious. Cooked to perfection, seared and flavorful, and very tender. My husband had the duck confit with the risotto. He said he hadn't enjoyed a meal as much as this one in the last 10 years. The staff was wonderful. Knowledgeable and offered great information based on our questions. We would definitely recommend.

    (5)

  • Tony K.

    I decided to give the restaurant another opportunity to change my opinion . The waiter was friendly But there was no bread that came out as a appetizer . The service was slow. I tried their green fried tomatoes poorboy with jam . This was tasteless. The gumbo again had no vegables and was too salty. I ordered a cup and just got the side .This place needs a lot or changes

    (2)

  • David M.

    Delicious, delicious, delicious!!! Service, however, was VERY inattentive. We went around 8pm on a Tuesday... Not busy at all, so it's perplexing on why our waiter was never to be found. Lots of new restaurants opening up in the north central corridor, this place would be wise to establish a high level of expected hospitality among their employees if they plan on competing and staying in business.

    (3)

  • Bradley S.

    We went for the first time and had a great experience. It was Friday night and we got right in. Really nice decor. Loved the sea scallop special. My wife enjoyed the veggie casserole. I am glad I ordered wine instead of ice tea because if they had brought me a sweet tea I would have spit it out. We saved room for dessert. Red velvet cake is cute but nothing to rave about. Bread pudding is ok, certainly not special and looks like toast. But the sauce was yummy. Best part was our service. Everyone very friendly, waitress going over and above to make our first visit memorable. We shall return!!

    (4)

  • Paula L.

    When I discovered there was a new restaurant that opened in Central Phoenix I was excited. When I learned it was southern food I became apprehensive. The southern food that I grew up eating was all cooked with pork fat. Well, I was thrilled that SR had vegetarian options. I started with the mac & cheese sampler. It was larger than I expected so I shared with my husband. The dish was good, but needed a splash of red pepper flake on top. I went with the broccoli, cauliflower, leek casserole entree that was topped with candied pecans. Overall, it was pretty good. The best part of the meal was the coconut cake with coconut pudding. It's not a thick pudding more like a pudding glaze that accompanies the cake. The cake was moist, light and not at all sugary. There are a few things that I would like to mention. Rochelle, our waitress was friendly and welcoming. When I finished the mac & cheese sampler I sat the empty bowl at the corner of the table. Several waiters walked by without picking it up. When I was done with the dessert plate I did the same thing and again it was ignored. I've been to several restaurants in the area (Central Ave) and it feels like a team effort. Everyone fills empty water glasses and everyone removes dirty dishes.There was a table of 4 sitting to the left of us that received special attention. We are all here spending money so aren't we all special! Southern Rail gets 4 stars for the food and 3 stars for customer service.

    (3)

  • Asina G.

    This is really a 2.5 star review, but I'm bumping up because of good service. I had been wanting to try Southern Rail, so I went for Arizona Restaurant Week. The restaurant is really loud, even in the back room, so it makes having a conversation hard because you can hear everyone else's conversations around you. I ordered the gumbo, pork loin and red velvet cake from the ARW menu, while my BF ordered the fried green tomatoes, red snapper and banana pudding. While my food was okay -- not bad, but not the best food I've had, my BF did not enjoy his food at all. And he's not typically one to complain about food, so it must've been bad. The first thing I noticed about the fried green tomatoes is how thin they were and how hard they were fried. If you've had fried green tomatoes in the South, you know they are supposed to be thicker slices of tomato lightly fried. They also didn't have any seasoning. He also did not enjoy his snapper. My gumbo was pretty good, as was the pork loin -- although it could've been seasoned better. The sweet potatoes and collards served with the pork loin were both good! We ended up taking our dessert to go and it's still sitting in the fridge, so I can't speak to the dessert. Having had such a good experience at Beckett's Table, I'm definitely disappointed with my experience at Southern Rail and won't be going back.

    (3)

  • Toryanni E.

    I love Beckett's Table so there was no doubt in my mind that I would also love Southern Rail, however the Fried Chicken was beyond belief good!! I have been waiting months to actually be able to go on a Wednesday to have it and I was not disappointed! Service was fantastic! I definitely recommend the Pie in the Jar ours were Key Lime and it was perfectly tart and sweet and soooo cute in the little jar!

    (5)

  • Jennifer M.

    Big fan of Beckett's Table so was expecting the same high level of service, atmosphere, food quality, wine list, etc. We dined there on a Saturday night - two couples and a fifth wheel. Our reservation still showed for 4 at the restaurant, which was unfortunate. I'm chocking this up to OpenTable - and it could be why I'm seeing fewer of my favorite haunts use OT for their reservation system. Not holding that against Southern Rail. The place was P.A.C.K.E.D.!!! Everywhere you looked - bodies. It was a very noisy place, not very good for group or intimate conversations. We often found ourselves yelling at our dinner companions. The decor was beautiful... along with the rustic charm were splashes of opulence and beauty - including the ginormous arrangement of flowers right behind us. It was breathtakingingly beautiful and fresh. Much as I loved looking at the arrangement, sadly, it's scent interfered with the taste and smell of my dinner. It was gorgeous - I'd hate to see the restaurant stop providing their guests with such an amazing thing of beauty - but in the end, its smell did interfere with my food experience. Our waiter was great - quick, attentive, did a great job explaining the specials and offering suggestions. Where my issue is, is with the food. I just feel that it didn't measure up to its sister restaurant. It lacked the WOW factor that Beckett's Table had. I left there satiated, but not astonished - as I did with Beckett's. I had the chicken with biscuit dumplings. It was simply "ok". My husband and one of our companions both had the ribs, which were pretty good - the sauce was very obviously scratch made and had some robust, complex flavors to it - not like most bbq sauces. This stuff was high brow, for sure. The other couple tried the prix fixe menu (it was restaurant week afterall) and loved what they had - the FGTs were amazing, according to them. We all enjoyed the deserts. We all liked the food - don't get me wrong... it was simply missing that WOW that Beckett's Table has.

    (3)

  • Steven J.

    I finally had the fried chicken and it was hit and spicy. I loved it and the coating was crunchy and well seasoned. The bread pudding is as good as it gets too!

    (5)

  • Julie S.

    Was not disappointed. Sitting at the bar now closing out our tab, wish I could start from the beginning. Food was scrumptious, and service gold star!

    (5)

  • Mike L.

    Definitely a very nice place, the patio, the bar, everything is done with attention to detail. The food was good but not great. Same for the service. Mac n cheese, OK but could have been richer. Fried green tomatoes... Likely the highlight of the dinner. Duck.. Good but small Gumbo... OK but lacked real flavor. Wines.. They are half off on Sunday, that was a nice surprise. I'd go back but I am not in a hurry. I think I'd likely go there to hang out at the bar and patio, have some drinks and order a few small plates.

    (3)

  • Andrew L.

    My new favorite restaurant! I've been twice in the last week and can't wait to come back. Fried green tomatoes are great, the pimento cheese that comes with is so good I could eat it by itself! First I had the cider brined pork loin, served with whipped sweet potatoes and collard greens. I found this dish to be best when all three elements are eaten together rather than separately. For dessert I had the bread pudding with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top. This is basically a thick piece of French toast with bourbon caramel sauce, all plates were cleaned. Second visit I had the fried okra (along with fried green tomatoes) and the blackened flat iron steak. This steak is a nice thick cut served with buttered succotash and marble potatoes. This is an amazing dish with great flavors and was perfectly cooked by the chef. As for the building itself, I love the way it was remodeled and decorated (outside you can still see the original Beef Eaters stained concrete). The patio is comfortable, large, and has a nice fireplace. I cannot wait to come back to try the fried chicken, meatloaf, catfish cioppino and the duck. **UPDATE** I have now had a chance to try the cioppino and the fried chicken. The cioppino was great, the catfish was cooked well with a nice corn meal breading. The cioppino was thicker, not too soupy, with large chunks of deep red tomatoes with a nice amount of acidity. The fried chicken was great, the breading was thicker and was a little over-cooked but I will definitely be ordering it again.

    (5)

  • Paul S.

    Had dinner here last night and everything was delicious. We had the fried chicken, smoked chicken and biscuits, blackened catfish, and a side of macaroni. Portions are generous. Will be visiting again, soon!

    (5)

  • Sara S.

    We had a nice brunch here. Mmm, beignets. Beautiful interior. Everyone was satisfied with their meal (eggs Benedict, po boy, trout salad).

    (4)

  • Erika K.

    We visited Southern Rail on a lovely Phoenix "fall" Sunday morning for brunch. We sat out on the patio. It was 10:45am and still relatively quiet. We started our brunch by sharing the ultimate sticky bun, pecans, icing($5), which was large enough to share a few bites between 4 people. We loved it. For my main course, I ordered the fried green tomato benedict, biscuit, tomato jam, creole hollandaise, frisee salad ($13). The creole hollandaise sauce was not too spicy. It was definately a favorite at the table! My son ordered the SR bread pudding french toast, banana caramel bourbon sauce ($11). Yes, they turned the bread pudding into french toast -- genious! (I'm going to try this out at home.) Ding. Ding. Winner. Our friend ordered the shrimp and grits ($13). She thought it was delicious, but it was very greasy (as in the oil was pooling to the side of the grits. I ordered a Bloody Mary, which I promptly gave to my husband. I think it must be made with "creole" spices and I much prefer a more simpler version with my horse-radish. Definately consider Southern Rail for an early morning lunch -- it's realtively quite and the menu interesting. I love the architectural space and decore of Southern Rail -- very open, airy, urban, with lots of outdoor bar and patio space for us to enjoy the good weather we have in Phoenix. I would definately put this on the top of the list to bring visitors and family members from out of town. It's a great space for happy hour too. And bonus: After Brunch, we stimulated the economy at "Changing Hands Bookstore" located there on the premises.

    (4)

  • John R.

    Explosion of flavor, Service was perfect, Glad someone had foresight to save the cool old beefeaters building, the food and atmosphere was a welcome change. As you can tell I am not handing out reviews at all but "just had to" after my visit.

    (5)

  • Patricia M.

    Really pretty design inside. I liked my watermelon salad with smoked pulled chicken, though I had a bone in my very last bite. John's shrimp po boy was delicious with the house made pickle. But the gumbo was one note.

    (4)

  • Margarete N.

    I ordered the Smoked chicken and cheddar biscuit dumplings with pea tendrils and it was very filling, with a subtle smoked flavor and extremely tender chicken pieces. The bartenders were amazing and the crowd great. I arrived at 6:30 on a Friday and it was busy, but plenty of seats available. Loved that they have a "community table" as well as indoor and outdoor seating. Managed to spend over 3 hours here and felt comfortable with the wait staff and clientele even though it was my first time here. I will definitely be coming back and highly recommend this restaurant for individual, dates or larger groups.

    (5)

  • Kat B.

    I went in for brunch and had the Bread Pudding French Toast. It was SO good! The staff was friendly and I loved the decor. I would definitely go there again.

    (5)

  • Michael M.

    A for ambiance, B- for food. Justin Beckett has done an excellent job of rehabbing this old restaurant into an attractive compound of businesses that includes Southern Rail and First Draft Book Bar. Southern Rail is the crown jewel. The booths are holdovers from Beefeaters, but everything else seems to be new. I especially liked the large windows that open up to a patio facing Camelback; the light rail whizzes right past. I was mixed on the food and drinks. I got a Rail Runner, which didn't taste as good as the description (bulleit bourbon, lemonade, soda) and came in a fairly small julep cup. The cornbread was tasty and I liked the accompanying black pepper honey butter, but it only came with 3 small cornbread muffins. My wife got the flatiron, which was cooked well and had a bit of spice to it that we enjoyed. Surprisingly, my gumbo was not spicy at all. The andouille sausage was pretty good (but still not that spicy), but everything else fell flat. That was the most disappointing, as the gumbo seems to be one of the featured items. The mac n' cheese came to the rescue, however. You'd think mac n' cheese would always be good, but I've had some fairly mediocre mac at restaurants, so I complement Southern Rail's. All of the foregoing could be forgiven except for the fact that Southern Rail is pricey. Being pricey is okay where you feel like you're getting the right bang for the buck, like at the sister restaurant Beckett's Table, but that wasn't the case for me here. The high price point makes me consider this more of a 2.5 star review.

    (3)

  • Travis T.

    I ate here for Restaurant Week over the weekend. I'm a huge fan of Chef Justin Beckett and his other establishment Beckett's Table. Southern Rail is a beautiful restaurant with lots of open space and is located inside The Newton right off the light pail path. It has an open kitchen and a large size patio/bar area. Its rustic-style, nostalgic decor that gives off a warm, hospitable feel. Because it was my first time, I went with some of their signature dishes. The cup of Gumbo Ya-Ya for appetizer, the Cider Brined and Slow Roasted Pork Loin for my main course and their delicious Red Velvet cake for dessert. I was met with great service and enjoyed every bite. The Gumbo soup was full of flavor and delicious. The Pork Loin was nice and tender and you can't go wrong with the Red Velvet cake. I look forward to stopping in again on Wednesday Fried Chicken night.

    (5)

  • Nancy S.

    Birthday dinner for our best friend now has to be rescheduled. We did not like the waitress from the beginning, she was too good for us! Thought the dirty rice balls were just okay. The fried chicken was overcooked on the outside, good on the inside. Definitely not what was expected. Red Velvet cake was good, not great! Very disappointing evening! Won't try again.

    (1)

  • Danica K.

    For a solid southern dish with a twist - this is your place! For those with more mild taste buds I wouldn't recommend because you wouldn't appreciate all this place has to offer. Donuts /beignets (sp?) are amazing!!!!! Little pricey - but you pay for the quality of the food! Cool atmosphere, just not my favorite type of food. Recommend it nonetheless, classy place!

    (4)

  • Drew J.

    Decided to have easter brunch here. The server was top notch but handicapped by the ridiculous rules where they "can't" split checks. This is the age of technology but they refuse to make life easier for their guests. Also ordered the French toast. Not good. Should have ordered the poor boy. Don't make the mistake I made.

    (1)

  • Linda A.

    The ambience is terrific; very open and airy. The light rail strolls by the windows giving it a city-vibe. Happy hour is a deal with a decent half-off, $5.00 wine selection and a broad array of appetizers. The rice balls and fried green tomatoes are excellent (the cold shrimp appetizers not so much). Service was perfect!

    (4)

  • Eric W.

    Modernized southern classics that make you drool. Great atmosphere and incredible service. I ordered 3 apps an entrée and two desserts along with a few sides with a friend and had zero complaints, only compliments...to the chef.

    (4)

  • Yvette J.

    The decor is wonderful. It was a beautiful night so they had everything open so even though we were inside we got the cool night breeze and the sound of the light rail going by. The waiter was nice enough and attentive. Being southern and in a southern restaurant I asked for sweet tea. He brought me sweet tea in a mason jar...cute enough but at first sip I could tell it wasn't true sweet tea and didn't care for the taste of the simple syrup that was used to make my sweet tea. When the waiter came back for our order I advised him I didn't care for the tea and he corrected me and said oh you don't like sweet tea? To which I corrected him and said no I love sweet tea, I just don't care for that. And asked him to remove it. I asked him for his dining suggestions before looking at the menu. We were there on Wednesday "Fried Chicken" night so I thought about it but then realized...I didn't smell any chicken. In fact, I didn't smell anything cooking...my dining companions and I decided to just have dessert. Huge mistake on my part..I own a southern style bakery..but I did so anyways. My companion ordered the bread pudding. Which came out looking like an extra thick slice of french toast. I'm sure if it were sliced, dipped and thrown on a griddle it would make an excellent french toast..but bread pudding it was not. I ordered the red velvet. Awful. Box mix, shortening based cream cheese flavored frosting. What they use on top is not the same as what they use in the middle..or two entirely different people made the frosting. Just not good in my opinion.. I was really hoping this place would be good. And maybe I'll give it another shot at another time in the day and not at 8 when they've obviously already started their clear down for the night. Disappointed.

    (2)

  • Estee A.

    i brought my mom with me because the building is the old Beefeaters on camelback and mom worked there in college :) this is the reason we gave this place the old college try ;) First our bartender was great - nice and friendly. Drinks were good :) they have a huge beer selection but its American only. Mom is not so into american beer but besides that the beer on tap could be colder. Its summer in AZ and tap beer needs to feel like its on ice. Second the food selection has a southern theme which is awesome - I'm a southern girl so its a great fit! We had the okra - it was excellent and perfectly fried now the sauce that comes with it not so much. Its like they tried to do a relish ramoulade but it tastes more like a thousand island fail. Third we tried the toast and jams - now the jams were great very different and fun there was an excellent tomato jam that had an orange background- it was great! Then the onion bacon jam different but great - and a pimento spread that wasn't bad and I'm not crazy about pimento so thats saying something- the problem was the toast :/ it was this toasted bread that had a soft crunch like it was stale :/ they did bring us more but it tasted the same - i think its the wrong bread selection for this dish - toasted french bread would have been amazing! They did take the dish off the bill. Now overall i enjoyed what we ordered but i did not find it worth the price - it is very pricey for what is served. If you do go do not miss the okra or the ginger beer - those 2 items cannot go wrong.

    (3)

  • David L.

    I love this restaurant and have gone back every week since we first tried it on Valentines day. The service is very good... I really like Redding and Kristen... Probably the best service that I have had in Phoenix. I mean it is so hard to find someone that can wait tables properly. The other places we go have people that are so snobbish, and they have absolutely no reason to be. The southern rail is a breath of fresh air. The manager, Jason, is very pleasant as well. He has a eye for detail that had been lost in so many other establishments. Anyway, the food is amazing. I have had southern food, but this place is by far the best. We mostly come for brunch, and love the beignets and dutch pancakes. The drinks are very good. The atmosphere is so very nice and bartenders are very nice looking. It is a peace of heaven to be sure. This is now on our rotation of restaurants and is our favorite. Thank you Southern Rail for bringing the old fashion custom of good taste and good service in everything that you do.

    (5)

  • Crel V.

    We have been wanting to go to Southern Rail for a while but we like to give a restaurant time to get on it's feet so to speak. It has been open for a while now so we made reservations for 7:30 - Saturday for 6 of us. All of us were excited. We got there and it was painfully apparent we really didn't need a reservation. We were one of 5-6 tables with between 20-30 open tables (inside and out) - on a Saturday at 7:30. The people who were there seemed to be enjoying themselves. The space is fun - if a bit on the Kitsch-y side. The staff were... good... but they did not seem happy to be there. No one smiled. They seemed rushed without reason. From the food perspective the salads were nice. But unfortunately that is pretty much the best part of the meal. I had the pork chop - the pork chop itself was good but the goopy mash of wilted greens and orange glop the pork chop was sitting in was less than appealing. Our friends had apps for dinner, nothing remarkable nor memorable. The bill however was remarkable and not in a good way. It is a shame. I like Becket's table (which needs a refresh on the menu as it is getting quite stale this far along). I like Southern food in general. Unfortunately Southern Rail was just so so and pretty expensive for what it is.

    (2)

  • Bradley Z.

    Spoke with Justin earlier this week on an industry related matter. Justin, Chef invited us in on Saturday to try his brunch. Absolutely the finest brunch in Phoenix today!!! Nice work Chef. Enjoy your summer.

    (5)

  • Angie F.

    It was decent food, however it was a bit pricey for just decent food. Ambiance is really nice and I love the first draft next to it!

    (3)

  • Shigeru Y.

    Pretty great location. I loved that they're next to a book store! Wait staff was friendly and water was kept full via a glass bottle on the table they kept full. The decor inside is very nicely done, all wood and Americana, but as others have noted, it is extremely loud...and it wasn't even crowded when we went during a rain storm! (Note that there was also quite a bit of parking because of said storm...) I had the smoked chicken and grilled andouille gumbo with rice. It was tasty, not too spicy, and more of a soup or chili consistency than a chunkier jumbalaya type consistency. I admit I had to save the giant sausage on top of it for leftovers, and felt it was overkill and a bit one-note. There was definitely NOT enough rice for me, but that's probably because of my Hawaiian background which requires copious rice with chili and soup. I'd want at least double the portion of rice, and maybe half the amount of gumbo, with a piece of fried chicken or something to go along with it (blame the background again for wanting a "mixed plate"). Next time I would order the "small plate" size of this (and probably still want extra rice). I haven't been back yet, but I would consider it if I am looking for heavier, heartier, upscale Southern-ish food. The prices are quite high (the gumbo was $17), so I don't see this as a place I would dine at by myself.

    (3)

  • Nicole V.

    My boyfriend and I went here for the first time for a date night and really enjoyed it! The ambience wasn't quite what I would have expected for evening dining, they have a lot of spot lights and didn't dim the lights after the sun went down so it didn't quite have that "romantic" feel. With that being said, the service was good outside of a longer than expected wait on our food. The couple that came in after us got their food quite a bit before we did. Thankfully our fried green tomatoes appetizer was delicious and held us over. My BF got the fried chicken which had the perfect breading along with a small piece of corn on the cob and mashed potatoes. I got the smoked chicken and dumplings which tasted amaaaazing! We didn't have dessert, but I've been told by others is great too. We will definitely come back!

    (4)

  • Stacey S.

    Surprisingly poor food quality & disappointing options at this place. The name "Southern Rail" suggests the food has Southern flair which I would take to mean, plentiful seafood options. As a pescatarian, I was disappointed by the lack of seafood on the menu. Pork was flowing like water though. So whatevs, I ordered the BBQ shrimp. Can't go wrong with that right? Ha! That's what I thought. Shame on me for assuming it'd be shrimp with BBQ sauce. Instead I got a bowl full of shrimp (head & eyes still intact) swimming in a sea of weird orange gravy that looked & tasted NOTHING like BBQ sauce. It was disgusting. On the side I ordered mashed sweet potatoes and sadly, they too were abysmal. The "sweet" had been drowned in salty butter & odd spices that killed the essence of what a sweet potato should taste like. I had four bites of "dinner", chalked it up as a loss & set my sights on dessert- red velvet cake. Yikes. It was ALSO wretched. While the texture of the cake was moist & bouncy, the sickeningly excessive sweetness off the cream cheese frosting ruined the entire dish. I, a frosting junkie, did something I've never ever done before: scraped the frosting off & ate only the cake. Shameful but Southern Rail drove me to it. I won't be back.

    (2)

  • Tabitha D.

    There is nothing I dislike more than being told that the item on the menu that I just ordered is not available. If an item in on the menu, it needs to be available. It's not a special...it's a regular menu item. Yesterday, the tomato and onion tart was not available. Although the food is delicious it is INCREDIBLY OVERPRICED. I ordered an $11 salad that filled half a salad-sized plate. My husband ordered the Monday special and paid $18 for about 1 1/2 cups of beans and rice and a single andouille sausage. It's not that these are expensive ingredients or huge portions, thus the large price tag. They are simply using a much bigger multiplier than other restaurants. It's just not worth it. Most people will feel they are being taken advantage of, unfortunately. When you see an $11 salad on the menu, you expect it to be a meal-sized salad, not a side dish.

    (1)

  • Becci B.

    This grade is not biased on the food or service. Both were wonderful. This is biased on the fact that they have an out dated policy that they will not slips checks. Personally it's 2015, you should be able to split checks. It doesn't sound like a big deal but it really is to your customers. So if you're planning on enjoying an outing with friends plan on doing some math, splitting one bill between cards or taking on the whole check yourself.

    (2)

  • Stephanie N.

    I went to hang out with a friend for Restaurant Week. Great patio. Good drinks. Ok food. Just ok. Dry. My fish was overlooked. I put salt on it. I hate salt. And Southern Food usually has plenty! I was open for a great dinner and it was a "meh". The desert was yummy. Although I can't remember what I had for the life of me. Just that desert was my favorite part. Not a good sign. I will remember the patio. Bummer. I love Southern Food... But not Southern Rail...

    (3)

  • Stacy M.

    Checked this out last night & I must say that it might just be my fave new place for cocktails. Wow! Hunter is the mixologist there & this guy knows how to mix a cocktail. You must order an old-fashioned from him and I loved the dog hunt ( not sure the name) cocktail!!! Can't wait to go back for more! Had the fried green tomatoes and biscuits and sausage gravy, both solid. Wed night is fried chicken night & I need to check that out!

    (4)

  • Joseph C.

    The best dinner night out with my wife in a long time. Service was great. Food was great too. It was a happy place with talk and laughter all around you. The whole restaurant was ablaze with life and patrons having a great evening. Gotta go back.

    (5)

  • Shea P.

    We went in for dinner for the first time this past weekend with a party of four. We loved the décor (with the exception of the giant plastic stars- someone please explain this to me...) and everyone we interacted with was friendly. The problem(s) came when we attempted to order entrees. We had been seated for a while, enjoying a cocktail and appetizers when our server asked if we were ready. We had been catching up and I hadn't even looked at my menu, but you never want to be the one person who doesn't know when everyone else is starving! I responded with, "Start with them, they definitely know what they want!" (the two guests in our party had chosen the restaurant after seeing the fried chicken on the menu). She replied with, "I hope it's not the fried chicken." She then proceeded to tell us that they had run out. To be fair, it does say "limited quantity" next to the fried chicken on the menu. But this would have been information that would have been more useful to us had she told us right after we sat down. To make matters worse, she continued by telling us that they run out of fried chicken almost every night around 7-730. Now, I understand that fried chicken is not an item you want to risk over-prepping and then having to throw out. But if you are running out on a consistent basis 2-3 hours before you close every night... that might be a sign that you need to up your pars. We told her we would need a few more minutes and when she returned, we attempted ordering again. It went a little something like this. Me (who ordered first): I'm going to have the cider brined pork chop Server: Actually, we are out of that too... *This would probably be a good time to mention that they only have 8 or so entrees on the menu, so running out of 2 drastically limits your choices. After confirming that there weren't any other items they were out of, we asked for one more minute to decide (for the third time). When she returned again, she let us know that in the kitchen had prepped more fried chicken and it was now available to order, but to hurry as it would probably sell out again very quickly... This time I ordered the flat iron steak and all three of my dinner companions decided to try the fried chicken. The last in our party to order informed the server that she did not eat potatoes and asked if she could substitute for another side item. Her response? Server: "They really don't like to do that... but we can substitute a potato for another potato." Guest: "But I don't eat potatoes." Server: Yeah... *long, awkward pause* In the end, they did substitute a vegetable for the potatoes. And all the food we got was great. My steak was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. The succotash was vibrant and fresh and everyone else loved the fried chicken. And- beignets!!! No one makes these! What a treat! With some staff training and some better prep planning, I think they could be a real contender.

    (3)

  • Pepper T.

    Southern Rail is on the right track but at the time of this review is brand new and possibly still working things out. The servers seemed well polished and the cocktails we tried were tasty and strong. We shared a small plate of House Smoked Trout with Pea Cakes and Tomato Jam. I thought this dish was put together well and was my favorite of the plates I tried. The Trout was smoked nicely and wasn't too much smoke. The Pea Cakes reminded me of Falafels but green with fresh peas bursting out and the Tomato Jam wasn't just sweet Tomatoes it had a little Kick to it. They all harmonized nicely together. The starter plate of Cauliflower Casserole was for my taste (maybe not yours) was overly generous with cheese and seemed to lack the onion cream that was in the description. For me this plate was too heavy and I think someone just slipped with the cheese that wasn't in the description of this dish. Possibly an opening hiccup. I need to reveal a full disclosure that I am sensitive about smoked foods and only care for a mild smoke taste that might differ from you. I tried the Chicken and Biscuit Dumplings. I received a bowl of many nicely made cheesy dumplings in a very smoky dark sauce with 2-maybe 3 ounces of nicely prepared dark meat chicken a few very thin shaves of Local McClendon Carrots, Chunks of Mushrooms and some fresh pea tendrils. I was slightly disappointed for a few reasons. As good as the Biscuit Dumplings were and they were. This dish for me was too much Dumplings and should have been called Biscuit Dumplings with Chicken. I could only eat maybe one and a half and had I think three maybe three more dumplings. In the description of the dish was the mention of McClendon Carrots. I was expecting carrots to have a co-staring role and not to be just a few shaves for color. For my taste the sauce was WAY too smoky but might be great to other people who like smoky food. My husband tried the Smoked Chicken and Andouile Sausage Gumbo. He said it was good. He eats Authentic Gumbo whenever he is in New Orleans and said the one at Southern Rail was good but thinner than other Gumbos he tried and also more smoky than others he tried but still good to him. 3.5 stars On the right track but a LOT of Smoke a little steam.

    (3)

  • Joe O.

    First off, the food is excellent. Fried Green Tomatoes are delicious, and everything was very good or better. HOWEVER, I have to give the service an "F", and not because of our waitress, but an odd policy that made our experience there downright angering. We had a large party of 15 for which we made a reservation in advance. Upon asking to split the check, we were told by our waitress that restaurant policy was to not allow split checks, but they would accept multiple credit cards to pay the final tab. I expressed my concern over this, given that figuring out the bill for 15 people would be a huge task. I asked for clarification on that rule, which I never got. Our waitress would only tell us it was the policy and she could do nothing about it. Sure enough, when the bill came, mass confusion began. We had a $600 tab that we had to figure out amongst ourselves. First submission of cards proved that the total came up short, despite our math that put us at just above the total. The waitress was frustrated with the confusion, and she asked if I would like to speak to the manager to figure this out. I said yes, but she returned shortly to tell me that her manager just said "that's restaurant policy". After over 30 minutes of trying to work amongst ourselves and with our waitress, we finally got it settled. During all this confusion and frustration, the manager looked on and said nothing, and refused to address the issue for both his customers and his waitress. Why would a restaurant defer this sort of problem to his customers to figure out for themselves? Our waitress suggested this was time saving for the staff. Clearly this did nothing but cause problems for everyone involved. She was perhaps more frustrated than we the customers were, and the manager left her high and dry to deal with it herself. That is poor customer service. It was enough to leave us with a bad experience at Southern Rail. Sure, the food was good, but that doesn't matter if the "policy makers" make policies that hurts its customers, and then gives no explanation as to their policy. I will think twice before considering dining at Southern Rail again. If you are going with a party, take into consideration that at the end of your meal, you are going to be tasked with figuring out how to divide your bill.

    (2)

  • Morgan C.

    We have driven past this place countless times, and with Central being closed and is being unable to get to Windsor we figured it was fate. Long story short, the food was alright but the service was lacking. Our server was MIA and flighty, dropping dirty silverware on my dad multiple times. Also, after waiting an obscene amount of time for the beignets, the manager finally dropped them off at the table spilling powder sugar all over my black suit and didn't apologize Since it was a Saturday afternoon we figured that the food would come quickly, but we waited over an hour for our food. The food was decent and we would've given it a second chance if our server would've cared about our dining experience.

    (2)

  • Rick B.

    My first visit. Lunch. The menu is very different. My tomato and shrimp bisque was outstanding. I could eat it twice a day. My Cuban sandwich was very good, with homemade pickles as promised. The place is spacious and bright, and the staff is young, pleasant and on top of things. I will be back.

    (5)

  • Jo-Ann Y.

    In meeting Justin Beckett at McClarendons Farmers Market I am Extremely Disappointed and shocked

    (1)

  • Jennifer O.

    I went to Southern Rail last Friday with a friend and her mom with a miraculous reservation (called at around 4 and got a res for 5:45 despite no availability online... yesss!). We tried many of the salads and small plates and they were all good (I guess they worked their kinks out) Here is what we had: onion and tomato tart - very good, the onions were nicely caramelized, so their flavor was not overly strong... yum! Cornbread salad- every element on this dish was delicious, the okra was perfect, the sauce was good, the beets were even good (and I do no like beets) The brioche rolls - these things could be addicting, they are served with some wonderful apple butter and when eaten together, they are a good balance of sweet and salty. Dirty rice croquettes- these were my overall favorite... they were bursting with flavor and extremely filling. They were spicy with a nice fresh element from the greens served with it and the pea shoots. Overall, a real winner. Watermelon salad - very light and fresh, yummy Gumbo- nice flavor, a little less spicy than I would typically like, but overall a solid dish. The small plate is a small cup, but it's hearty. The broccoli and cauliflower casserole - this was ok, but parts of it were ice cold.... not great. These small plates were more than enough for the 3 of us, we were stuffed and didn't even finish all of the food. We also had a couple of cocktails. The Austin mule was delicious... perfectly gingery and citrusy. My friend had another cocktail that sounded good... the name escapes me, but it was way too boozy tasting. Overall, this place was very good, and I am already planning a return visit!

    (4)

  • Stephanie S.

    Had Mother's Day brunch a day early due to scheduling conflicts and we decided to try southern rail since it is new to us. Whether you sit inside or outside the flies will be an issue. The waiter was super sweet and he did a great job with the service. The problem lied with certain food items. My daughter got pancakes that were sticky and unsweetened with the batter. The watermelon salad was ok . It needed either goat cheese or feta to add a little depth. Don't add chicken to it. It didn't make it any better. The sticky buns and crab cakes were amazing. They have some items that are great, but overall it was a disappointment. The portions are way too small for what you pay and we went at brunch too

    (2)

  • Christine P.

    Finally a family restaurant thats put into use in this poor building... which its use to be a beef eaters. I came here with my mother and sister! :) Such a good atmosphere here. As an appetizer, we have the macaroni and cheese. It was delicious. The texture and the cheese was on point. Mom, she got the catfish. Was not fond of it at all. It was so oily and very salty... :/ Sister, she got pork ribs, it was delicious and the side corn salad was like salsa mix, she enjoyed it. Me, I had the broccoli, cauliflower casserole.....It was too salty, too cheesy, not enough broccoli and too much onions in it :( Our waiter was so attentive in the beginning. Then midway, she forgot a few things and didn't come to the table til I ask for the bill.. Me likes scaring him I'm doing things right Maybe, I'll try something else?

    (4)

  • A T.

    This is not a place if you're in a hurry. This is the perfect place to relax with a good glassss (-not a typo) of wine and conversation. To start we shared the broccoli and cauliflower rice and leek casserole. If the portion was larger, it could have been the entree' it was really good! Just add garlic toast . Then the blt salad which was wonderful! For dinner we both had the Cider Brined pork loin. Ah! It was absolutely heaven! I could have eaten more, I wished the large portion was extra large so I could have taken some home! I wanted to order another one to go. YUM!! YUM!! can not describe its' flavor we both loved it. Afterward we had coffee and desert. We shared the German chocolate cake with pecan coconut icing and also the beignets with powdered sugar(comes 3 to an order we took 2 home) The waiter was attentive and the service was excellent. Never wanted for more anything, water, coffee, wine etc. He was there with it before we asked, great service. The orders were slow to come out though. We were there for about an hour and a half. So like I said if you're in a hurry, come when you can spend some time, -and money. It's not the most expensive place around, it's not cheap. But, It's well worth it! I highly recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Kiana B.

    I visited this location for my birthday dinner based on an article I read on a local blog. The restaurant is beautiful and the staff was helpful. However, the food was just "okay". For as much as me and my guests paid, I expected to be "wowed". Decent portion sizes. The chicken and dumplings were not what I was expecting. Salty, the chicken was dry, the dumplings seemed like they were just pieces of cornbread. Also there was an issue with splitting the check which we were not made aware of previously. All in all, I don't think I'll be returning because the food above all else, wasn't anything special.

    (3)

  • Bill B.

    We were very excited to try this restaurant. As big fans of Beckett's Table we thought this would be the best new restaurant. Not so much. With four of us...two had meat loaf and two had pork tenderloin. Both dishes, especially the tenderloin were EXTREMELY dry. To their credit the very nice manager offered us free desert for the poor food experience. The bread "pudding" was essentially a piece of French toast...umm not so good. The beignets however were very good. All four of us decided we would not return...too many other great options in the Camelback | Central area. Hopefully they can figure this out and turn things around. They have invested a lot of money in this establishment to not have it be successful.

    (2)

  • Allison Z.

    Most outstanding brunch in Phoenix!! We are humbled to have a chef in Phx who knows his ingredients and constructs his dishes so well!! Well Done Chef Justin!

    (5)

  • Terry E.

    5 Star food and service! 1 Star decor. Sunday brunch food was excellent - I highly, highly recommend the sticky bun to start if you dare, with all its glorious maple goo on top. Corned beef hash was a hit too, and service was attentive and very friendly. The decor just looked like they took what was left from the PV Mall Coco's that recently closed and is being bulldozed...dated. I would go back for sure, just not with someone I wanted to impress.

    (4)

  • Mike K.

    I have resided for long stretches and at several locations throughout the South and am an unabashed fan of country cooking. Southern Rail has tasty and authentic fare(you can always tell by the gumbo), and the atmosphere and location are appealing. That guy Beckett really knows how to package his good food. Why then were both my wife and I underwhelmed? Why do Lolo's or Mrs White's hold more appeal for us? It's the association of Southern cooking with home style. Our service was friendly, but somehow slick. It's not about price. It's about feeling welcome. Antoine's in NO is expensive and fancy, but you always feel like family coming home. Maybe Mr Beckett can inject a little "Y'awl come back now, Hear" into his plan

    (4)

  • Ray D.

    With great reluctance I write this Review as I visited with such high hopes. Just a word about the "Service." Our Waitress was sensational and I could see her and others interfacing with Customers and they seemed equally as tuned in. Unfortunately the food did NOT measure up to these folks stellar service. I never reviewed Beckett's Table because I felt I was in the minority and maybe just hit it on a bad night (won't go back there either) but now a second of his Restaurants shows poorly to me and I can't imagine how others have given such raving Reviews. I visited with a native New Orlinian and he, like I was sorely disappointed. We tried: * Fried Green Tomatoes with Pimento Cheese - lacked taste and was clearly overcooked. The "Gold Standard" in Phoenix is certainly Short Leash Sit and Stay and these didn't even come close. * Fried Okra - Fresh is the best thing I can say about it. The batter was fired "hard" and wasn't pleasant to eat * Shrimp Po Boy - NOT even close to what one would expect, plus a small portion. (Old bad joke, "the food was bad but there was a lot of it!") Chef should take a trip to Pappadeux's, with certainly the best Po Boys in Phoenix that I have had. All in all, will NOT go back even though my inclination, based on other Reviews is to try it one more time. Too many great alternatives!

    (2)

  • Karen T.

    We dined at Southern Rail to celebrate my daughter's birthday - and WOW are we glad we did! The restaurant is light - bright - and full of upscale, modernized Southern touches. The beamed ceiling lent height and the full windows brought in a lot of natural light. As we passed by the patio, we noted it was set off the busy street, and it was incredibly charming that included a beautiful fireplace and the right blend of seating. The service was excellent! Personal but not overbearing. Prompt and thoughtful. My restless 3yo grandson was with us, and our server immediately brought him some water in a colorful, age appropriate cup (think covered top, plastic, and a straw). Slightly disappointed that the restaurant manager did not personalize the visit by a casual hello but our server more than made up for it. The food was amazing! The modernized Southern fare was fresh, delicious and visually appealing. Cider-brined Pork Loin was cooked perfectly - medium - tender, and flavorful. My spicy shrimp was fresh, perfectly cooked, and appropriately messy. The delightfully spicy sauce didn't overpower the head-on shrimp, while the accompanying french bread was a perfect pairing. My daughter's Gumbo was perfection! Andouille sausage, fresh shrimp, and the broth over rice couldn't be more authentic and flavorful. Along with family style sides of fried green tomatoes and the exceptionally delicious collard greens were a great thing to share! Overall, this was a GREAT first time experience and I KNOW it won't be my last!

    (5)

  • Liz S.

    All these stars are for the service and taste of some of the dishes. Went here last Friday night after some friends texted saying they were there and I should come join them! I was excited since it's a 5 min walk from home and have been wanting to check it out. My friends had the Mac and cheese, cheesy grits, and grilled pork chop. The Mac and cheese was the big hit. my friend said the grilled pork chop wasn't worth the price, nothing wrong with it, just nothing special about it either. I got a Moscow mule and the tomato tart, both of which were delicious, but the portions were tiny for the prices. If I were to go again, I would probably only go during happy hour.

    (3)

  • Assia A.

    The smoked trout! Unbelievable... And I don't generally like fish. The leek/broccoli/cauliflower casserole is also delectable - something I will try making at home, because it is a great combination.

    (5)

  • Willie P.

    Went to dinner with family and tried the macaroni and cheese and fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. The fried green tomatoes were crisp and served with a spicy sauce. Very good. The macaroni and cheese was ok but wasn't something that couldn't have been made at home. They also provided cornbread which was a little dry. Had the fried catfish for the entree and it was served over a tomato relish with a few potatoes and corn on the cob. It wasn't bad but didn't have the 'wow' factor I was looking for. Also tried the fried chicken which was nice and crispy and red beans and rice which were also delicious. The waitress was very nice and attentive but it took about 40 minutesfor the food to come out with the restaurant being about a quarter filled. I liked the open restaurant concept but they need blowers to keep flies out as they were flying around our table.

    (3)

  • Jared T.

    Went in the other night for the first time with some friends. We did everything family style and shared. Perfect way to try several things. The grits were AWESOME! Asked for them to throw a couple shrimps on top which made it even better. Tried the gumbo, fried green tomatoes (first time) and the dirty rice crockets. All were superb. Opted for the ribs (just ok), pork chop (highlight of the meal) and the catfish (tasty and light). All the sides were tasty and full of flavor. Tried collard greens for the first time, cooked to perfection. Wine list was extensive and offered many local AZ selections which is great. Neat rustic atmosphere with a elegant twist. Would be an awesome date spot. :)

    (4)

  • Steve J.

    6 stars! Can you do that? This place is always amazing. From the gracious hostess all the way through the stellar service and amazing food. Way to go Chef Beckett, you never let us down!

    (5)

  • Michael D.

    05/16/2015 around 4:45 pm They had a wine crawl that you could sample 3 wines for about $3 a good deal , we didn't participate. We arrived a bit early for dinner service and the employees were off to the side having a shift meeting ( some would say this shouldn't have been seen , done in the background , but it kind of impressed me that they were taking the time for training the staff and later it showed in the service) . we had a before dinner drink they were made right not to strong just right on . We decided to go with the special $33 for 3 courses , Starter , Main , and Dessert . We both chose Pork loin served on mashed sweet potatoes and Kale/Collard greens ( not sure here) it was done very well , Service was spot on ( one of my pet peeves is the tables , set up .. I noticed all salt shakers were full , I think its lazy for a restaurant to not have a clean full set up each time example being soy sauce at most Asian restaurants) so that said all tables looked well done. Service was spot on we asked for dessert to go and the communication between staff was well executed. management did well was very hands on was willing to take my order, make suggestions and even do the seating , also noticed manager was working behind the bar helping out.... getting a bit tired of typing I could say a lot more ... I give this a strong must see place

    (5)

  • Patty R.

    Enjoyed dinner starting with the gumbo which was delicious. Next I had the pork loin which is a very large piece and very tender. You could have cut it with a fork. The pork sat on a bed of sweet potatoes with a few greens. The area is unique with a few stores to shop next to the restaurant. Service was friendly and attentive. We will definitely come back again

    (5)

  • Chris H.

    Stopped in tonight for dinner before the crowd came in. Our Server John did a great job of explaining everything and handling our requests. Other staff members were tentative cleaning our plates and getting us setup for the next round. I've seen lots of complaints about their service, but stopped in anyway to see what its all about, no big complaints at all on my end. We ordered the Kale Salad, Mac & Cheese, Fried Green Tomatoes, Corn Bread, and some beer. In all the food was good, portion to price ratio is a bit off in my opinion, but all other areas were good. I'll stop in for lunch next month to try a PO' Boy and see how that goes.

    (3)

  • Julianne C.

    I had dinner at southern rail on a Sunday night with a group of coworkers. We love the restaurant's sister restaurant Beckett's table and were excited to try it! Overall, the restaurant looked wonderful and had great outdoor seating options which we enjoyed. We ordered a bottle of local arizona wine and split a couple of appetizers. The brocoli/vegetable casserole was by far the best. I ordered the pork chop which was good wonderfully but the blackened salmon and gumbo was also good. I was a little sad not to see shrimp and grits on the menu for a southern restaurant and overall I think they could take the southern influences up a notch as the flavors were very mild. Beignets were served for dessert but no honey for dipping was provided which was strange. Overall, I'd say a great atmosphere, solid food, but didn't knock my socks off.

    (4)

  • Kerstin B.

    I have eaten here a few times now and have not been dissapointed! Brunch Croque Mansieur! OO LA LA OMG! Heaven on a plate, the bechamel is so good and the ham is a little sweet, the tomato really balances the dish. I ordered the Poached egg on top it was perfect! The Gumbo is delish the smokey sausage and the head on shrimp set this chicken gumbo up. It's one of the best gumbo's I've ever eaten. I really reminds me of our trip to New Orleans. Only thing missing was a piece of French bread to get every drop out of my bowl! My mother had the Cuban po boy it wasn't what I expected from a Po boy but very good. The grilled watermelon salad is amazing! The wedge was equally delicious! We had Beniets and Cafe Au lait yummmmmmmmm! The shrimp and cheesy grits were so creamy and flavorful will definately have this dish again. I think a little larger portion and again a piece of bread or a bisquit to go with it. I really love how they revitalized the old Beefeaters! It is a really great space and what Beckett has done here definately turns heads. It is a fun rustic kinda sexy open space. The only draw back in my opinion is we were pestered by a few fly's that should be addressed and I would like to see the shrimp and grits be a larger portion. Other than that Bravo! I will be back!

    (4)

  • Nathan G.

    So this place is located, for any of you locals who have been in the area for a while, where Beef Eaters used to be. Across from the restaurant is a book store and it looked as if there was another shop onsite as well. I liked the Po' Boys sandwich that I had. It had decent flavor and my daughter enjoyed her meal as well. Would probably go back for a second visit, but wouldn't make it a regular spot to stop by. It seemed like the menu had a Cajun theme to it.

    (3)

  • Veda E.

    Don't come expecting the same ol' thing! Our server, Kuni, was the best. I ordered the Pork Cuban - excellent. Flavorful and filling. Others ordered the Chicken & Biscuits - unique and received high praise. Loved the ambiance. Four of us had a delightful lunch. We ended the meal with Beignets. Tasty!

    (5)

  • Randall C.

    A very unique menu full of amazing stuff. We have yet to find anything we didn't love. This is a foodies restaurant and if you like different and unique cuisine, you have found the spot. As a chef myself I thought it was a bit over priced for what we had and given the location as well as the noise from pretty bad acoustics, I feel I have to hold back one star though I will be going back. Our waiter was attentive, honest about likes and dislikes and really knew the menu. In all it was a great experience but plan on spending some money.

    (4)

  • Jeffrey S.

    The chicken and dumplings are EXCELLENT. I highly recommend. The surroundings and décor are very welcoming. I can't say the same for the staff. I sat at the bar and felt like the staff were more interested in talking to one another than the patrons. I'll be back for the food and even recommended the place to a friend while eating there.

    (4)

  • Deb S.

    Have so been wanting to try Southern Rail and finally got a chance. It's in a great location near the brand-new Changing Hands in Phoenix. Outdoor seating with heaters and the fireplace on a fairly brisk evening - gorgeous! Terrific service throughout the evening. They were out of DiSaranno for one of their specialty cocktails and the bartender made us a surprise - out of this world! Food is really good here... jambalaya, fried green tomatoes, bbq ribs, cornbread salad, succotash, and sweet potatoes. All of it wonderful. I am surprised that they don't have fried chicken on the menu every day - really surprised. You'll have to visit on a Wednesday for that item. Desserts were only passable - the beignets were rather donut like, not light and airy like they are in New Orleans. The bread pudding (highly praised) was cold in the middle and dense. Otherwise... a perfect meal.

    (4)

  • Mary S.

    I have eaten here many more times and each time has been fantastic. Their desserts are to die for as well as there cornbread muffins. That Honey Pepper butter is so delish!

    (5)

  • Shawna L.

    Stopped next door at Changing Hands to grab a new read and then stopped in Southern Rail to check the place out. I loved the ambiance at Southern Rail, great for group gatherings, or just a relaxing wine. The menu was filled with unique items. I went with the trout with a sweet pea cake. The fish was smoke and served cold and I never had trout this way before. It really brought out he smokey flavor and it was perfectly paired with a berry jam and sweet pea cake. The service was excellent and being so close to my home, I will definitely be coming back here with friends!

    (5)

  • Alfie N.

    All around great experiences here. Have been to Southern Rail a number of times. I have had nothing but great experiences here so far. I frequent the bar and the bartenders are always pleasant with me. The food at this place is excellent. I have always loved southern style food and their twist on Southern is very worth while. I would recommend this place to anyone who values good service, great tasting food, accommodating staff, and a fresh friendly environment.

    (5)

  • Gabriel G.

    Good food. Outrageous prices. 13$ for the cheapest glass of wine. The ingredients used are low quality but with a fancy twist . The environment and service is great but we left feeling very ripped off. My wife had a flat iron steak which was low quality meat but they charged us 27$!! Which is basically the price of a filet mignon I'm some places. I had shrimp with the head on. 6 shrimps,(medium size) 20$!!!

    (1)

  • Julie P.

    We went to this restaurant for the first time during AZ Restaurant week. We usually attend Restaurant week twice a year and have for the past several years. We always try a different or new restaurant each time. We had the fried green tomatoes and the gumbo as our starters. We did not sample each others starters. Loved the pimento cheese with the tomatoes. My DH had the meatloaf for the entree served with broccoli and a mushroom gravy; I did not care for it,but he loved it. I had the cider brined pork loin with sweet potatoes, and collard greens; I loved the nice thick cut and taste of mine. We ordered the cornbread muffins as a side to go with our starters($5),they came with 3 muffins for 2 people. We shared them,but had 1 left. I did not care for them- I only had a bite. Good thing since it is difficult to share 3 muffins with 2 people. They should serve them for 2 people(1 each) For dessert we sampled and ordered the chicory beignets and the butterscotch banana pudding. I can not recommend the beignets;they did not taste like coffee or have any flavor at all,very disappointing. I would however go back just for the pudding, it was great. The gingersnap cookie on top was wonderful. Our meal was $33./person and included a house red or white glass of wine or a craft beer on tap. We chose the Sauvignon blanc and the Four Peaks peach ale. We had server Rochelle and she was very efficient as were all the staff members from the time we checked in at the hostess stand to the moment we departed. The restaurant shares a building in an area called The Newton with Changing Hands bookstore,First Draft-a coffee,wine, & beer bar, and Southwest Gardener store. There is a complimentary parking lot and an overflow lot east of 3rd Avenue. The light rail passes right in front of the building,with a stop not too far away. The patio looked very nice,but we ate inside. The floor to ceiling windows open all over the restaurant and were open on the nice weather night we were there. Not sure if they close them once the weather gets over 100 degrees. The place is a little noisy. They offer lunch,social hour, and dinner. I believe Southern Rail has been open for just less than 1 year. Love to come back to try lunch or Happy Hour soon.

    (4)

  • Phil M.

    Had lunch at southern rail. Loved the place. As any foodie in Phoenix knows Justin Beckett has blazed new trails here in Phoenix for some time. The location on west camelback has an urban feeling that is not found in Phoenix. The Space is in an old building that has been refurbished wonderfuly . But the food is the Main Attraction, We had the Gumbo for a starter and it was one of the best I have ever had. For our main dish I had the Chicken and Biscuts , WOW! Amazing

    (5)

  • Andrew C.

    I had the duck....excellent, excellent, excellent. My wife had the Gumbo, a complete miss. How do you miss on gumbo when your a southern restaurant is beyond me. Taking both of the plates into consideration and the fact that i thought it was overpriced, took it to a 3 star. Separate note, the design and remodel of the old building is cool and worth checking out.

    (3)

  • Dani C.

    Dear me. I try and be stingy with 5 stars, but Southern Rail earned all five last night. I was there for the grand opening and they were not serving their full menu yet, so I was excited to return when a friend decided to have her birthday dinner there. We arrived a little early for our reservation, but no problem we were seated within a couple of minutes. Our waiter was right there to bring us water and get us started on drinks. The fried green tomatoes and the pull apart rolls with apple butter were devine. I was stuck between ordering the duck or the pork, then our waiter described them both and I ended up with the duck on dirty rice risotto and collard greens. Amazing, the duck basically melted in my mouth. Everything was so full of flavor, and just the right amount so you are not too full, but satisfied. Also had the beignets for dessert, those were also perfect. Chef Beckett happened to be in the kitchen last night, so he came out and said Happy Birthday to the guest of honor, which was so nice. She has always loved his restaurants and his cooking, so she fan girled just a little bit. It was a perfect dinner. The wait-staff was attentive, the food was excellent, and although it is a very noisy place, I want to go back soon! (It's pricey, so unfortunately it can't be a weekly (or daily) event as much as I would like it to be.)

    (5)

  • J B.

    Surprisingly cute venue. The interior is amazing! We came between brunch and dinner so we were limited to the small plate menu. Have to come back for the regular menu. Interesting drinks, sampler and good fried green tomatoes.

    (4)

  • Hilary C.

    Our first time here for our anniversary was great! We used yelp to make a reservation and had zero wait time. The service was great! We started with the cornbread which was good. My husband ordered the steak and it was amazing! The best steak we may have ever had. Neither of us has ever had a steak cooked so perfect. The entire piece of meat was medium, no over cooked edges, it was juicy and perfectly flavored and amazing. I had the salmon special and it was great. We had the coconut cake for dessert and it was light and delicious with this amazing sauce stuff on the side. Wonderful experience!

    (5)

  • Ana L.

    Of course, the food here is divine. Everything was absolutely delicious. What really touched me about this place, however, was the service. Our waiter, Josh, recognized that my dad doesn't speak English and he spoke to him in spanish! This was really special for me and so touching that not only did he know how to speak Spanish (he was clearly not latin-american), but he made the effort to make my father feel comfortable and included. The waiters and waitresses here are seasoned professionals. It's evident that they're there because it's what they like to do, not because it's their crappy part-time job. Josh took the time to get on one knee and play with my son's toy, we never had a dirty plate on our table for longer than about a minute before he picked it up, my delicious lemonade was constantly refilled, and my father always had a beer in front of him. I just can't say enough about this place. A real Phoenix treasure.

    (5)

  • Tom H.

    Food was great, service from Chris was probably the best I have had at a restaurant in Phoenix.

    (5)

  • Claire I.

    Awesome server Chris recommended the fried green tomatoes they are fantastic! Great service great menu can't wait to have brunch. Every time I come here the service is better than the time before. Would recommend hands down.

    (5)

  • Jason O.

    First time coming to this place and let me tell you....we will be back. Our server Jordan was excellent!! He walked us through each menu item, gave us his suggestions and recommendations and was just awesome. Service is HUGE in my book and Jordan knocked it out of the park!! This place has a great ambiance and atmosphere. Can't wait to come back and try the dinner menu. Great way to start off a Sunday morning.

    (5)

  • Nasos P.

    Loved the concept and the single malt and bourbon selection, But when the bill came there was an extra 2$ ice charge for each of my drinks!! Seriously! The bartender's excuse was that they pour 1oz more when ordered with ice!! It would be nice if this was actually mentioned in the menu!!

    (1)

  • Rachel D.

    This place was absolutely amazing!! The original restaurant we had reservations at for Valentine's Day cancelled on us...Turned out to be a good thing because we ended up here!! What an amazing restaurant, from the ambiance to the service. They were very very busy being a holiday and the server did not skip a beat. Even when I found that they had run out of my favorite kind of dessert, he not only took care of our dessert, but brought me chocolate ice cream for my "chocolate craving." So thoughtful! We absolutely loved this place and cannot wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Jeanine L.

    Just okay. The BLT salad is a wedge salad, which I don't care for (not a fan of iceberg lettuce). Perhaps that was mentioned on the menu, but didn't catch it. Essentially was an expensive snack. Spouse had the roast beef po'boy, which was just okay. Fries were terrific. Service was polite but not attentive. This is our second visit to this restaurant and although the surroundings are beautiful, we probably won't go out of our way to eat here again.

    (2)

  • Alexandra G.

    Amazing! We loved brunch and can't wait to return for dinner! Tried the grilled watermelon salad with pecan chimichurri, peaches and sweet pea tendrils on top! I added smoked chicken and had never tasted better smoked chicken. Yum! We also ordered the BLT salad with cola BBQ drizzle and charred green onions. Excellent ambiance, with even original Beefeaters chandeliers! Adorable! Job well done....we will be back again & again & again!!!!

    (5)

  • Megan Y.

    We've been wanting to check out this place for a while now since we love Beckett's so much. Very cozy rustic feel and knew we'd get some good "home cooking" yet at a restaurant. 1/2 rack pork ribs were delish! I'm a fan of the sauce and this is coming from the girl who grew up with legendary Dinosaur BBQ from NY. Mom ordered the chicken and biscuits and was thoroughly pleased, minus the mushrooms. Sis got the butternut squash soup to start which was just heavenly. She had the brined pork dinner which looked good but I think she said it was a little dry. I suggest not "splitting" the cornbread salad because there wasn't much on the plate but all together it was a great salad. Server was quick to clear our plates. When I worked in the industry we were taught not to clear plates until everyone was finished. He took a while to take our order as well but was otherwise attentive with water, extra napkins, and a finger bowl with a wet napkin, as I had the ribs. Would definitely go back. My boyfriend is from the South and would appreciate good Southern comfort food with some New Orleans style favorites. Wanted a good hot meal after our horse trail ride so this hit the spot!

    (4)

  • Cliff S.

    This place is OK, very cool atmosphere, wanted more out of the food. Fried Okra and gumbo, I was excited. Food came out to meet expectations but nothing to write home about. Gumbo was more or less bland, same for the okra. Service was strong and the location is cool. I would go back for drinks, maybe need to do some more exploration on the menu. Cool location near Camelback and Central with light rail running right in front. Food presentation was on point as well. Probably worth a try .

    (3)

  • Daniel A.

    I wanted to try this new place and waited for the restaurant to get settled in before we tried it (I didn't wait long enough) bland grits, Duck was cooked well but with the sides was just ok and gumbo was inedible and burned The item was removed from check (thank you) but the manager tried to tell me about how a black roux taste not knowing I have a culinary degree it wasn't the roux some one scorched the pot !!!

    (3)

  • Andrew S.

    I have a feeling that Southern Rail is not going to make it. The service is just so/so, it may be because they are new and working out the kinks, but we didn't particularly feel welcomed. Everyone seemed kind of frenzied. I do love the atmosphere, it's very open and fresh looking. I also like that they kept the booths from Beefeaters, something new something old... We lived in Atlanta so we have high standards when it comes to southern cooking. The ribs were a standout. They were tender and the meat fell off the bone. The gumbo was also excellent. Unfortunately, just about everything else we ordered was not good. Let me start with the biscuits which were hard as rocks. Biscuits should be light and fluffy.... The fried green tomatoes were too firm, not sweet the way they are down south. The corn bread was dry...the biggest One of the biggest food disappointments of the night was the coconut cake it was so dry it was hard to eat. It is a major fail. I wanted to like Southern Rail but I am not a fan. I give it two stars for atmosphere and the excellent ribs.

    (2)

  • Brian A.

    Been here three times, every time sat at the bar, only ordered drinks. The menu looks interesting. First time it was in the afternoon and not busy so my needs were attended to immediately. Second was early Christmas Eve evening. After I told barkeep I needed a minute he gave me at least 7, closer to 10, until I finally flagged him down. Of course they sold out of the beer on the menu I wanted. When I asked a different barkeep about Wi-Fi password, she wasn't sure. When I used provided password she gave that didn't work, she said "I guess it's down" and didn't inquire about the correct password. Next time try harder to please your customers. Third was mid afternoon and didn't have any problems.

    (2)

  • Greg M.

    Went for lunch, sat at the bar... Couldn't be more satisfied. The house toast was one of the best appetizers I've had in quite some time. The bartender provides excellent service. I'll be back.

    (5)

  • Amos N.

    First time at this amazing "new" place. Food was excellent and our server (Jordan) took great care of us, all of his suggestions were spot on. Great selection of beers too. We will be back for sure.

    (5)

  • Adam S.

    I don't usually write poor reviews. This place is a waste of time, money, and energy to get there. After our table not being ready at time for our reservation, we sat down. Then we waited 10 mins to get the server to bring us water. Another 10 mins for cocktails, and wow, we finally get to order!. We got the cornbread salad and the chicken and biscuit dumplings. Salad was good, chicken not so much. Especially after waited 10 mins after our entree was served to get the wine. To dessert, the French toast was very good. Only issue, is that it was supposed to be bread pudding and $8 for one piece of French toast, they must be making some great margins!

    (2)

  • Geoff S.

    They've done an excellent job with the restaurant. First time visiting and we will returning soon. Drink menu is very good with a nice variety of bourbons and scotches. Small plate selection is also very good. We ordered the tomato, onion, and bacon tart -- along with the fried green tomatoes, both were excellent! For our entrees we ordered the gumbo and pork tenderloin... absolutely amazing! Service was handled by Chris who was very friendly, relaxed, and knew the menu. I don't usually make note of waitstaff by name for future reference but he left a lasting impression and will certainly ask for him the next time we visit. Thank you to everybody for an excellent dinner!

    (5)

  • Kaylen M.

    Always had great service here. The people are friendly and sweet and very helpful. Every dish I've ever gotten I have absolutely loved. I miss the pan-seared trout, but the new smoked trout is almost just as good. I love sitting at the bar because the bartenders are always really nice, friendly and very helpful. I just love this place.

    (5)

  • Connie C.

    Absolutely ridiculous! Food should not be this great. From start to finish with Chris as our guide. If you have not eaten here, get in your car and go!

    (5)

  • Rick G.

    Southern Rail is Top on my Scale! Kudos to Chef Justin Beckett, Southern Rail's Foodist Awards 2013 Top Chef who made it Food and Wine's Places to Eat in Phoenix and Zagat's #1 of 11, not to mention #8 restaurant on Seftel's top 10 and his staff! But the awards are meaningless lest the eatery equals the significance of the honors - and by Jove the "Rail" does just that. Since moving to the area, I had been hankering for some really good comfort vittles, refreshing Southern cuisine that is, and Restaurant Week helped make that happen! Our weekly date night at the Southern Rail recently was started with a fantastic local wine, a Lawrence Dunham Vineyards Viognier 2012. A wine rendition bringing back memories of the lush Viogniers we enjoyed while living in Virginia. This version is full bodied yet with a lush and easy character are expressed the apparent longer growing seasons in Arizona. With the wine, we began the incredible tastings with their cornbread muffins made with black pepper and honey butter - an incredible muffin. For starters, we gave in to ordering "Rail's" appetizers of a great tasting and extremely well prepared fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese and pea tendrils and their smoked chicken and andouille gumbo ya ya with white rice and green onions - a fanciful rendition of a southern standard. I loved every single spoonful - I was sorry it was gone so soon. For the main courses, my wife thoroughly enjoyed the Grand mama's Meatloaf - my wife summing it up best said... "this has been the best meatloaf I've ever had!" Meanwhile, I had the brilliantly prepared portion of cider brined pork loin served over brown butter whipped nicely sweet potatoes, sided by very nicely prepared collard greens - no, not vinegary. We both enjoyed a sampling of their home-made "super" creamy grits. So much enjoyed, that I can honestly say, I cannot remember when was the last time I had them this good. I even asked for the recipe nicely, but was courteously denied access to it - 'bummer'! We finished off the meal with an order of beignets with powdered sugar. I must say though, that of the total delightful dinner extravaganza, only the beignets were not what we expected - but nobody can be perfect! For anyone who has a love of Southern Cuisine, whether as comfort food or nouveau cuisine, Southern Rail will astonish your taste buds. The location is a fabulous piece of restoration, redesign and history along with a comfortable, homey and yet modern atmospheric approach that is desirable, laid-back, and aesthetically pleasing to both the ambiance and comfort! The initial views on approaching the location, is as if reaching a circa 1950's new drive-in-style structure, but once inside, everything from the incredible bar area, to the tables and seating areas, not to mention their airy and nicely landscaped and appointed outdoor area are fabulous and appealing. Their desire to combine great food, great atmosphere, great service and great ambience has been flawlessly accomplished, and reserves us the right to continue to frequent this Chef's Masterpiece. Chef Beckett and Staff, please continue to amaze the Gourmét and the Novice of your splendid artistry, as we plan to continue to enjoy it. Gástro Ecléctico rates Southern Rail at the top of the heap. Bon appétit ya'll!

    (5)

  • Megan O.

    The service was absolutely perfect, friendly and efficient but not overbearing. The atmosphere is warm, comforting and inviting just like their food. The food... Oh the food!! The passion for amazing food done right was apparent in ever single dish. This is the perfect place to take friends for happy hour or a date for dinner. My new favorite restaurant in Phoenix!

    (5)

  • Michelle A.

    For those of you who have lived in the area a while, you may remember the wonderful little hole in the wall on Cave Creek Rd called The Ragin' Cajun. There has been nothing in comparison since it closed. Until now! Ordering an ice cold Dixie beer put my taste buds and memories into high gear! We've been back twice in a week. Both of our waiters were helpful, personable. We loved Chris on our first visit. He was funny and made our evening more enjoyable with his suggestions and comments. Buddy was our second visit. Cute, helpful and attentive. I had the Gumbo YaYa on our first visit and the red beans and rice with andouille sausage on the second. Both were spot on! Fried green tomatoes, collard greens, beignets. I can't wait to go back again and try something else. As long as I get my Dixie beer, I'm in heaven. Hmmmm. Maybe tomorrow?

    (5)

  • Malinda L.

    My husband loves the chicken dumplings. I'm vegetarian, so I have to chose from the salad selection. It would be nice to have a meatless entree, but I'm used to the lack of not veg options at restaurants. The dark haired bartender is knowledgeable about Gin, which is great because unfortunately, most bartenders are not. Drinks were good, cornbread and brioche were great, and I'm a sucker for Mac n Cheese. The best part, however, is being next to changing hands book store. I give it a 4 for meat lovers and drinks, and 2 1/2 for vegetarians. Cool atmosphere, but beware the table bases- they are metal with corners and easy to hit your legs on.

    (4)

  • J. P.

    Beautiful reuse of an old classic building, the wood ceiling, brick walls, old tile and mirror all add up to a nice space. But the noise, oh the noise! I felt like I was a victim of auditory assault! Contemporary Southern Food made for an interesting menu but the "hearty" fish and shrimp jambalaya was more of a nice fish dish not at all a jambalaya (and shrimp were so shrimpy they were nonexistent.) Please don't call a dish something that's it's not. Best looking dishes of the night were companions' pork chop and the tomato tart. Service needs some fine tuning. Small plates as appetizers came out at the same time as main course and drinks and dishes were randomly put down in front of diners. Finally, if you can't make separate checks but will take different credit cards for different amounts, then at least put the right amount on each card please. With the same parents as Beckett's Table, I know this baby is going to work out the growing pains and will be an asset to the 'hood soon!

    (2)

  • Andrea D.

    I don't really get this place. It's absolutely lovely, the location is awesome, and if you want to grab lunch and then browse books, you would be wise to try this place. But the food...? I am not a picky eater by a long shot but I found this menu limited and unappealing. I finally chose the BLT salad, but it was way overthought--a hunk of iceberg topped with tomatoes and bacon and, it seems, barbecue sauce? It was not the light lunch I anticipated. The fried green tomatoes appetizer was kind of good but similarly overwrought, what with the pimiento spread. Our (adorable) waiter explained that the food concept was "Southern but not really Southern" and I guess I would have to agree with that. I hail from south of the Mason Dixon, and this strikes me as food that some Yankee on a highfalutin cooking show would think is Southern. I am not at all tempted to return, at least until they round out the menu with some more solid, traditional, Southern-inflected classics.

    (3)

  • Caryn W.

    My colleague and I stopped here to kill a couple hours before a meeting. They have a great selection of whiskeys, a couple local beers on tap and a good selection of wine. We ordered a couple light bites - the rice balls were tasty despite the unattractive sauce they were presented in and fried green tomatoes were delicious dressed in this amazing pepper aioli. The bar is partly inside and outside and much of the restaurant opens up to a nicely landscaped patio. The only downside of this place was our server - pretty unfriendly. I think we were there at the changing of shifts. I arrived excited about the selection of whiskeys and my partner was happy his favorite beer was on tap but we left feeling meh. Maybe we'll try again next time we're in town.

    (3)

  • R B.

    This is a lovely space with great ambiance. Our waiter Josh, was amazing and had some good recommendations. However, for the price I had higher expectations of the food. It was average. The small plates are decently priced for that style of al a cart eating, but the entree item I had seemed grossly over priced for the portion size. I don't think I'd return simply because I don't feel like I got my moneys worth, but the waiter made the experience worth while for a rare expensive night out. However, if you rarely go out and have expensive meals, there are better places to go for the money.

    (3)

  • Cristie F.

    I can honestly say this was one of the worst restaurants I have been to in a long time. The food is bland and the service was poor. I brought my friend here during restaurant week, but opted to order off of the menu instead of the restaurant week one. We ordered: friend green tomatoes, Mac n cheese, ribs, gumbo, wedge salad, collard greens, and the red velvet cake. None of which was good. Such a disappointment too because we were so excited to eat here as we are both foodies and love trying new local spots!

    (1)

  • Steve S.

    Let some friends talk me into going here a few nights ago. Walked in without a reservation and were seated within a few minutes. Decor was interesting, but there's one problem: NOISE! Between the concrete floors, flat wooden ceiling and glass along one wall, the place is deafening. Could not hear the petite waitress's voice (apparently she couldn't hear us either because when she informed us that they were out of cornbread (how does that happen???), she asked if we wanted the brioche rolls. The answer was "No, that's OK", but they showed up anyway). Food was decent but not fantastic. Gumbo was not very zesty. Agree with others that Chicken & Dumplings was anemic with the chicken portion. Servings were anything but generous for the price paid. Been there, done that - probably will not return as nothing stood out and I really like to be able to hear my dining companions.

    (3)

  • Amanda W.

    The atmosphere is great! The service was also great, however the food really left more to be desired. I felt the food really was not very good and it was rather cold and overpriced. We went in for brunch and left disappointed. The gumbo was very bland and the portions and incredibly small for the price.

    (2)

  • Mo B.

    A friend and I were next door at Changing Hands and after glancing at some fine books, we got curious at the bar next door. Intrigued, we decided to check it out. The bar was full. After all, it was Thirsty Thursday. The host accommodated us at a table even though it was reserved for some people who were expected to show up within the hour. So, our time was limited. And to ease our "press for time" stress level, the service attendants did just that...attend attentively. We got water on schedule. Our waiter worked diligently to get us our meals quickly knowing our time was short. But as soon as we tasted the fried green tomatoes, we knew we were in trouble! There was no way we were going to devour our food and savor it at the same time. We knew our limited time meant that we would have to inhale and run! And that we would have to return at a later time when the clock would tick our way. The food was simply DELICIEUX... (gotta write 'delicious' in French) because it was that good. We added to our plate the crispy duck leg confit and, of course, good ole mac n cheese. I have a feeling we also ordered the dirty rice but I can't recall for certain at this point. Perhaps I was thinking about it so much that I thought it up on my plate. Southern Rail is one of those restaurant experiences that you won't soon forget. The taste of the food is etched on your palate for quite some time.

    (5)

  • Kristen A.

    beautiful restaurant! love the decor and the inside/outside bar. during the spring and fall, there is no better place in AZ to enjoy a cocktail and snack than outside at the bar or on the patio. my boyfriend and i like to frequent their social hour quite often where we have tried nearly all of the $7 cocktails and all of them are wonderful. my favorite is "medlock by moonlight" and the fella is preferential to "the gentleman johnson". in terms of food, we always go with the potted shrimp remoulade and the dirty rice croquettes--both are delicious. we've also tried the toast n jam n cheese, but i don't love the croutons they use (too crunchy) and i'm not a fan of pimento (the bacon jam is bomb though). we have also thoroughly enjoy the okra and my boyfriend loves the fried green tomatoes. mostly we go for social hour, but one visit we split a daily special (aka not on the regular menu) that came with salmon and veggies and it was SO GOOD. i wish i could describe it in detail, but it was awhile ago and i may or may not have had a few medlock cocktails beforehand so my memory is fuzzy ;) all in all, a great place to relax, enjoy some quality food & drinks and hang out!

    (4)

  • Julie L.

    This place is awesome. I would give it a 3.5 but Yelp doesn't have that as an option. I think it could be a 4 in the very near future. The space itself is amazing. Gorgeous. Right next door to Changing Hands bookstore which is so...cool. I'd never been in one before. I'm from Georgia so I love southern food and get excited when I find a good one especially in AZ! The food was really, good. I had the fried chicken. It was super crispy and super juicy. The only complaint I would have would be that I went home with 3 pieces of friend chicken but I had no sides left. The side size of serving is too small in proportion to the amount of the main part of your entree. That's the only negative I have. The service was great. Will definitely go back again soon.

    (3)

  • Erik C.

    Great food & excellent service combined with a good location next to Changing Hands make this a restaurant to visit

    (5)

  • Marie G.

    Gourmet Southern, that's what the food here is! We tried just about every item on the social hour menu (that's the menu between lunch and dinner) and I can't tell you which plate, or drink, was the best because we couldn't agree on it. They were all fantastic. We moved from the bar to a lovely table in the back room for dinner and were again thrilled by the offerings. Smoked trout, chicken with bread dumplings, peel and eat shrimp, and, of course, bread pudding with bourbon sauce for desert. Because... Southern! Now, about the service. We were here on a Friday without having made a reservation. It was my mother-in-law's 70th birthday and we weren't certain she would be able to go out for dinner. The staff handled all of that for us and gave us a great experience where many other restaurants could (and probably would) have gone the other way on such a busy night. So a big thank-you to Hunter and Jacob.

    (5)

  • Erica C.

    Wonderful looking restaurant. Cool ceiling and decor. Even the bathrooms are pretty. Ok. Let's get down to the food. We had the brioche with Apple butter to start. Apple butter was creamy and sweet. Delicious. The brioche buns were average. Nothing special. Thank goodness Apple butter was served with it. For my main course I had cider pork loin with sweet potato mash and collard greens. The loin needed salt but was cooked very well. Flavor was fine. Nothing spectacular. Sweet potato mash was yummy For dessert we had the bread pudding. It was delicious and if I wasn't drunk before I ate it, I definitely was after. The bourbon sauce is definitely for those of legal drinking age. All in all it was a good meal. But would I go back? Maybe. There are so many great restaurants in phoenix

    (4)

  • Carol C.

    This restaurant is great to go for lunch. The restaurant is super comfortable and nice inside and the service is terrific. This new little plaza is really nice with Changing Hands Book Store and Southwest Gardener right next door. Alas, I didn't have enough time to shop on my lunch hour. I had the shrimp po'boy with a side of collard greens. The po'boy wasn't like what I've eaten in New Orleans but then, I don't think anything will be. All in all it was a really great sandwich and I would definitely order it again. There are several things on the menu that look fantastic but I'm really interested in trying the fried green tomatoes. The day I went the doors were wide open and it was as if we were sitting outside, enjoying Phoenix's beautiful Spring weather.

    (4)

  • Catalina C.

    Went for social hour, had the Austin mule. It was tasty, served in a stainless steal mug. Also had the fried green tomatoes, spicy and crunchy. The 3 stars are due to the service. I wasn't ready to order, my friend was, so be got his drink. Then we had to make sure to get the bartender's attention in order to place our order. He brought no plates, napkins or utensils so we had to go and take them from one of the tables that was set up. The bartender was our server, not very friendly and kept saying "ya"instead of, of course, anything else? The gal that came after was soooooo much nicer, like day and night.

    (3)

  • Jeff C.

    Came here for social hours, menu was great and prices were cheap. Great drink list and good beer selection. Emily behind the bar was great.

    (5)

  • Elisha D.

    Like most on yelp I really wanted to like this place..food is super bland,staff super rude.what a waste of historical space.something good awesome and delicious needs to be here!

    (1)

  • Brian C.

    I'll probably get some criticism for my review, but it was just my opinion of my visit. Going in you could tell this is one of the those places that makes things complicated for its own sake. Rather than taking something simple and tested, they try to change it by adding a bunch of unheard of spices and charge double the price. We came in around 8 on a Saturday night, however everything was sold out as far as the daily specials go. They don't serve the lunch menu, so that pretty much leaves salads and appetizers. After a 4 hour car ride, I wanted more than a salad, so I tried the Mac and cheese. It was strange, hints of fennel seed in a non-creamy sort of wet powdered texture that wasn't pleasant at all. It was almost like bland paste with fennel and peppercorn. $8 please! We also had brioche rolls and the apple butter. The rolls were about $7 and around the size of a kings Hawaiian roll. They were soft, but as soon as you bit in, it instantaneously turned into this mushy glop of flavorless paste. It did come with apple butter and that was about the only thing going for it. I don't know who their market is, but not serving even sandwiches and having the choice between a salad and a $22 entree is a big gap. I wish they had cheeseburgers at least. What's wrong with cheese burgers? This place gives me the feeling that it's pretentious for the sake of being pretentious. People paying more to get the feeling that they're somehow different than everyone else because they had a "culinary experience." I'm not buying it. You'll find me around the corner at the Windsor where at least their food tastes good. They do get stars for service I guess. The wait staff was friendly enough.

    (3)

  • Claire C.

    Amazing atmosphere, beautiful beautiful building, awesome service and the food is to die for! Our server was so attentive and friendly. The food alone would would warrant a 5 star rating but combine everything together and its a truly awesome experience.

    (5)

  • Joanie H.

    Pros: great food, great service Cons: loud, pricey The food was really delicious. Split the grilled watermelon salad, cornbread, grits, gumbo yaya, and coconut cake with a girlfriend who was in town visiting. The salad wasn't really "grilled" that I could tell, but still tasty. The smokiness of the pork in the yaya was fantastic! I will dream of that dish for a long time. Want to try the duck or BBQ shrimp next. Cool venue. Love the entire development. Please just tweak the prices so I can become a regular.

    (4)

  • Lisa U.

    My husband and I went here for or anniversary and were a bit disappointed. Our waiter (I think it was John? Something with a J) was great. Friendly, attentive without being overbearing, and gave good recommendations. We got the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer at his suggestion, and they were delicious. They come with a spicy pimiento cheese that really makes it. The entrees were what knocks this down to 3 stars. I got the gumbo, my husband got the shrimp. The gumbo was watery and tasted burnt. It had very little flavor so I had to pour a good amount of salt just to taste something (besides burn). The shrimp came in a cream sauce that was overly sweet because it had not been cooked down enough. The weak-flavored gumbo and the sweet shrimp sauce made me think that neither had been cooked long enough. Neither of the entrees were bad enough to send back, but considering the reputation of the chefs and the prices, I was expecting a whole lot more. And if you're a southern restaurant you should know how to make gumbo. The other bright spot (another rec from our waiter) was the dessert - we got the pie of the day which was some insane chocolate almond mousse. If it weren't a rotating special I would go back specifically for the dessert. I would not recommend this place for dinner. I had a similar experience at Beckett's Table, interestingly enough - great appetizers and desserts but very underwhelming entrees. But I would go for a drink and a snack - it's a pretty place and the service is good.

    (3)

Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.

Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.

Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Brunch, Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Hipster
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Southern Rail Restaurant

Share with your social network

WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES

Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online

Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.

© 2024 Restaurant Listings. All rights reserved.