While visiting a media agency for work here in Birmingham, the girls I was with suggested we do Social for lunch as it is "truly Birmingham." The outdoor patio we sat on was absolutely beautiful with a canopy, giving it pretty lighting. I was practically drooling over the whole lunch menu but ended up choosing the build-your-own salad, where you can check all the boxes of items on the list, but it's still a flat rate. Uh, cool. Love it. The only negative: Let's be real, the service could be WAY better though...yikes. I'd like to at least see my waiter more than to drop off the check... Overall, the price for lunch was right, and the atmosphere can't be beat.
(4)
Samantha L.
Came for 4th July brunch and the food was awesome! The sticky bun was huge, so make sure your super hungry if you get it as a app. Our waiter was not the best.....seemed to forget about us and try to consistently upsell us. But, overall I would come back!
(4)
Christina C.
Had a fabulous Sunday brunch date with a group of friends at the social! Our server was very attentive and informative of the menu! I ordered the (make your own) skillet that was delicious! It was fun to choose what I wanted in my skillet and it was nice to avoid things I didn't like in it (instead of having to pick it out my dish :p). Ps: ORDER THE SIDE OF FRIES Fun fact: our waitress told us that all the sauces they have are homemade at the restaurant! So they don't have honey mustard, but a lot of other delicious vinaigrette based sauces!
(5)
Christina O.
i'm so glad i brought my parents here for sunday brunch. the atmosphere is laid back and the decor is awesome. they have a great covered patio where we sat and enjoyed our meal. the bloody mary bar is really cool with every possible toping you can imagine. we all made our personal 'social skillet' which was delicious and at $12 it's a great deal. the mac and cheese is SPECTACULAR!
(5)
Scott C.
Celebrated a birthday with family and friends on the roof top. With a large group of about 25, the service was great!!!. The kitchen kept the food coming all evening. Of all the entrees I sampled that evening, the Tenderloin Steak Frites and the Falafel dish were my favorite. And the bar service did not allow anyone's thirst to go unquenched. The weather was absolutely beautiful for an outdoor celebration. Couldn't have asked for better. Great job with such a large group. We will definitely be back for more rooftop fun.
(5)
Christina K.
Great Ambiance and Food! Got the Kale Salad with Salmon and it was great. Also, the salmon entree with lentils and kale was delicious. Always have to get the sangria's here :) All in all everything was great. However, they were out of a handful of different items on the menu. Luckily j did not want any of them. Thank You Social!
(5)
Crimson T.
Never before have I been asked to move to another table (where the server told me to sit) so that a larger party of 4 could have my table, which was being held by 2. I will never be back. You're not that fancy, Social Kitschen. The food is not all that, either. There's many better places in Birmingham.
(1)
Amanda K.
So I went back to social today and was very pleased with my experience! I ordered the salad and crab cake appetizer- so good!!! The service was outstanding. Thanks to the manager Mike for inviting me back! I really appreciate it and I'll be back again.
(5)
Karen S.
We were at social kitchen Friday night for the rehearsal dinner / meet and greet for the Bowden-Sabatini wedding. The staff was amazing - attententive to every detail - kind - gracious - efficient - remarkable!!!! The food was AMAZING!!! We loved the box kale salad, Caesar salad skewers, chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and really enjoyed the hot chocolate chip cookies and cheesecake!!!! I would strongly recommend this restaurant for any event and look forward to our next visit!!!! Many thanks!!!!
(5)
Caleb Y.
Great setting! The Ambiance is nice. The food was good. Only one beer on draft? Kind of weird for a "bar" in Michigan. I had the falafel lettuce wraps! They were good. Great falafel. Also, the fries. They are good but they bring out wayyyyy to many. It is somewhat ridiculous and off-putting. However, overall it was enjoyable.
The ambiance in this restaurant is exactly what I've been looking for. Fresh, fun, and full of life, it's never a dull experience at Social. I love the outdoor seating (available during warmer months) and the bar inside. I've always loved my meals here. I especially love coming for brunch and getting a "Social skillet," which you can custom order with eggs/veggies/sauces. Also, if you like fries, order a side of them - it's quite possibly the largest side of fries I've ever seen! Only complaint I have is the staff. Slightly snobby, I've never had a really friendly or warm server here. They're a little cold and standoffish so it isn't as nice dealing with them.
(5)
Jennifer G.
I have eaten here about ten times and have never been disappointed with the food. Today's service started out poorly: we had to get the hostess's attention to get our server over. After she took our order, the owner came to our table to apologize and then took it upon himself to bring out our food. I was so impressed! I will continue to support Social kitchen!
(5)
Michele A.
Review based on a week night sitting at the bar party of 2. We came in and sat ourselves at the bar. The bartenders were very nice and make great mixed drinks. The only bad part is no draft beer it was bottles. The food was outstanding. I got the shrimp cobb salad which was fantastic shrimp was cooked perfect. The side of frys FYI is HUGE! it can be split with 4 people. The french frys we split were amazing and had toasted rosemary in them. My husband got the french dip which we split, and so glad I did it was huge and super flavorful. You dip it in an onion soup rather than au jus much better their way. Cannot wait to come back and try some more items.
(5)
Jennifer G.
We went here for my birthday brunch and had a great farm to table meal on their patio. The majority of the table had the breakfast skillet which was one price and choose your own items with a large selection of fresh ingredients. Everything tasted delicious. Sticky bun was ordered and it was the best. To top it all off the make yourself Bloody Mary bar. Not too pricey. Good price for the delicious and fresh meal. Plan on returning soon
Love the brunch!! Came back with the bf, and we both ordered and loved our skillets!! Bf got hash browns, caramelized onions, mushrooms, sausage, and cheddar cheese topped with avocado, sunny side up eggs, and gravy, with a side of hot sauce. Next time I think he'll try over easy bc they're runnier. I got hash browns, caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, and bacon topped with cilantro and sunny side up eggs...and loved my meal! Also, the fries are a must get. $5 for the hugest portions of fries I've seen. I think it's enough for 4-6 people. They're like rosemary/onion, crispy fries. Ask for a side of garlic aioli to dip in! I also got a still shaker (I requested peach and mango), and the bf got a coffee. Overall, brunch was $35. Not bad at all! We'll be back!
(5)
Everett G.
The brunch is an excellent way to start your day. The Bloody Mary bar is a wonderful was to express yourself before your meal. The Pork Belly Eggs Benedict was the best I have ever had. I have eaten her several times and never once have I been disappointed. The menu has such an array of culinary choices. Made my reservations a couple days in advance because that is how good Social is. You don't want to be the person that says I tried to go their for brunch but could not get a table. The service is the best. Enjoy!!!!
(5)
Lauren P.
I've been here twice and both times were really good! I really wish yelp had half stars because I'd give it 4 1/2 stars. The few reasons its not a 5: 1. No beer on tap 2. Drinks are a bit pricey (I know it's Birmingham but cime on!) 3. Servers could improve a little. On to the food!! Have to try the mac and cheese side, possibly one of the best mac and cheeses I've ever had (fyi large side portion). For starters, the brussel sprouts are amazing! Beware if you don't like salty food, you may not love them. As for the meals I've. Had the salmon and it was average BUT the Naan grilled cheese is the bombbb! Not your average grilled cheese, comes on a fancy yummy bun and lots of warm cheesy goodness! Oh and they don't forget a tomato soup side to dip!
(4)
Evie B.
Saturday afternoon, busy and loud. They were going to seat us in the center of the room, only table left available inside, but we requested one in the enclosed outside area. Muuuuuuch quieter and less traffic. Very limited brunch menu - 12... Hmmmm would have preferred more options. Service was fast. I chose the chicken salad sandwich. It was good but nothing spectacular .The description mentioned chips- I didn't taste or see any chips. Very very pricey !!!! Price $11 was a sandwich only and although filling it wasn't huge. Hubs ordered egg tacos- flavorful - filling - yummy, but very very expensive for 3 tacos . We ordered fries- soggy, cold, over fried greasy tasting fries yuck! I would like to try the other menu and their Bloody Mary bar
(3)
Tom S.
We went in on Monday night with some guests. The entire experience was FABULOUS! We trusted the restaurant to select items for us and they did a Detroit-inspired meal. The falafel was amaz-balls! The pulled pork slider was great! The smoked pork was probably the best thing we had-just great. And the spice rubbed tenderloin was also terrific. Veggies great, dessert great!! And reasonably priced too. There are a lot of other new, trendy places in tiwn that have hugely disappointed, even angered me. Social far exceeded my expectations! Thank you Chef James!!
(5)
Karianne V.
I've been here several times, having been seated in every area of the restaurant. I've been for happy hour, girls nights, and date nights with my husband. Service is always good, and the cocktails are especially wonderful. Most recently I tried their carrot margarita, something recommended by the bartender. I would never have ordered this on my own but can say it was the best drink I've had in quite some time. Cheers!
(4)
Pat G.
Went there last night around 10. Scene was still lively but we were able to get a 4 top by the bar. Staff was awesome. Very friendly and attentive. Turkey sloppy joes as an appetizer were on point. The sweet pickles with the salty meat was delicious. I had falafel. Not sure if get it again but it was decent. The general manager brought out our entres to check how everything was going. Appreciate that attention to detail. Great place!
(5)
Eddie D.
Honestly, nothing too special about the menu. Had the burger and odered it medium well...but came out really under cooked. The chicken and waffles weren't the greatest. My daughters mac and cheese was pretty good though. All in all for my family of 4 we paid about $100 bucks, for two under cooked burgers, a not - so - great chicken and waffles and a decent mac and cheese. Not really worth it in my opinion. Not sure if we'll go back.
(3)
Li G.
The ambience is good. The food is not so impressive. Can be very busy for weekend morning.
(3)
Kimberly T.
food was great. Fries could feed 5 people lol the burger was amazing, stake not a big deal. Kale salad was great too they were a little slow though.
(4)
BRIAN T.
If you dont enjoy your meal, please say something. They will go out of their way to accomodate!
(4)
Danielle P.
Tried this place out with 2 friends the other night. Terrible service. There were 4 other people at the bar....2 bartenders, and it took 10 minutes to get greeted. Food was no better. I got chicken and it was horribly over cooked. Neither of my friends liked their food either. Not one of us at more than half, and we all left hungry. Unpressed with everything. Will not be back, there are way too many better options in Birmingham.
(1)
Katie M.
Excellent food trumps OK service. Plus, a visit from the manager and free dessert makes the wrongs a little more tolerable. Celebrated my new job here with the hubby. First off - love the design and decor. I felt like I stepped into a West Elm catalog. Bar area was crowded, but still manageable and got a little corner table to tuck into while we waited to dine. Ordered two drinks from the bartender - a Tito's Dirty w/ Bleu Cheese olives and a sapphire tonic. The martini was good, but was surprised at the size of the olives (very small!) We were seated in the time that they estimated, in the enclosed patio area. It was a chilly night but the many heaters did the trick and the room was a perfect temperature. Our server was a bit slow to get over to the table. He seemed pretty busy and even forgot my glass of wine later in the experience. While everything on the menu sounded great, I had a hard time deciding. I love trying new things so I opted to try the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. How unique! I have never had them before but I felt like with each bite I was unwrapping a new layer of flavor! I really enjoyed this dish. For my entree I selected the Turkey Burger. I was a bit unsure but ... wow. This was by far the best turkey burger I've ever had! It is not a "regular" burger, but very unique with its meat infused with feta, and topped with a perfect blend of parsley, mint and a hot sauce. It came served with house made potato chips which were also excellent, fresh, and perfect amount of crisp and salt. My husband chose the brick chicken, which was also very nicely done. He enjoyed the intense flavor (thyme maybe?) of the chicken, crisp skin and the potatoes were also very flavorful. We decided to be major hogs and also got a side of the mac and cheese. THIS IS ONE PIECE OF THE MENU YOU SHOULD NOT SKIP. Best. Mac. EVER. EVER!!! The downside was most definitely the amount of time that it took for our food to arrive at the table. The server and GM did come over to apologize, and mentioned two larger parties that had caused a jam up in the kitchen. The food, when it did come, was well worth the wait. And the free dessert was a nice touch too. I would have opted for the pecan pie, but I was full as it was. Hubby enjoyed every morsel of the banana pudding. I personally like my dad's better but it was still good. Served in a cute little mason jar - this place is well thought out in every way. Comfort food done classy. I love it!
(4)
Bonnie G.
I have only been for brunch and had a good experience both times. I have had the breakfast sandwich and skillet. For the skillet the have a sheet you can fill out and personalize. They have unlimited items and do no charge or limit the toppings. My mom also got the skillet and we both enjoyed ours. The eggs were cooked well and all of the veggies tasted fresh. They do not come with toast or anything, that is all separate. We shared a sticky bun, I would not order again. It was $7 and burnt, not worth it. Everything we ordered came in the iron skillets. Good coffee, they were good about refills and warm-ups. Both times I have sat on the side patio and have enjoyed it.
(4)
Kathryn G.
The restaurant was awesome! Everyone had something different and said it was the best they'd ever had. Service was wonderful
(5)
Holly S.
I come here all the time so I think it's time for a review! I really really like this place! The atmosphere is amazing, especially the rooftop at night and the outdoor seating. I love the wood floors here too lol. Anyways, the food! My favorite thing here is the brick chicken and the chicken salad sammy. I have NEVER in my life had a sandwich that has such amazing texture. The bread was super crispy as was the bacon and the chicken was super moist. Perfectly balanced with sweet and savory from the sauce, pickles, bacon. It literally tantalizes every tastebud! The brick chicken is super savory, ultra crispy skin and juicy. Great option too if you're really hungry :) The slider bites are interesting. Not one of my favs but whenever I bring someone new we order them because they're different and I like hearing other people's opinion on them lol. They almost have a weird metallicy/chemical flavor to them and I never know what it is. I also think the meat inside needs to have more texture but they're fun. Overall, this is one of my favorite spots in Birmingham :)
(4)
J. D.
Food is ok. The staff needs to smile more and try to act like they want guests to come in and give them business. Do you not smile because you believe your Birmingham clientele are stuck up? Smile anyway! Kill us with kindness! Anyway, got a tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich to go. There were no crackers that the soup is supposed to come with and I was supplied no plastic silverware or napkins. This was during a non-rush lunch period. I was in my suit. Please do the little things that help businesses become great!
(2)
Thomas L.
Very cool place but a bit pricey. Ordered two entrees salad and appitizer and came to almost $70 bucks. Guess it is all about location. That being said everything was very good. Fried brussels sprouts were the best with the kale salad a close second. Atmosphere was really neat with outdoor and indoor seating. Noise level very good so can carry a conversation and service was very good as well.
(4)
C J.
Good food albeit a little pricey for what you get. Friendly staff and cool hip vibe. Turkey on pita and cheese burger were both delicious, however no fries? The donuts were good. The Brussels were too salty and the portion was tiny. If you enjoy people watching, this is the place for you. We will go again with friends.
(3)
Andrew W.
I visited for the first time today for lunch. I had their twist on a turkey burger. It had a nice kick of heat after every bite and was served in pita bread. The flavor was very good, but it was akward to eat because of the pita bread. The sevice was friendly and did a nice job explaining to a rookie like me.
(4)
Rachel M.
Disappointed is probably the best way to describe every experience I've had at social. I enjoy the food and cocktails but it's not good enough to justify how long I have to wait for it. Despite expressing to our server that we were in a bit of a time crunch there was no sense of urgency. There's plenty of other places in the metro area to order $11 cocktails and get better service.
(1)
Leesa J.
June 9, 2015, I brought my mother there for dinner on a warm sunny evening. Our waitress Misty seemed friendly at first, our orders were placed, I opted for a turkey burger, and my mother the brick chicken dish, alongside with two refreshing beverages for us both. To my dismay there were a few things that didn't sit well with me soon thereafter regarding this restaurant's matter of how they cater to customers, or shall I say how particular customers being that of color are dealt with. The service my mother and I received for the duration of our dine in was less than sub par. Our drinks were late and were never asked for refills on our beverages, mind you this placed wasn't busy. Our meals arrived to us beyond the time I felt was adequate for its preparation. While my burger was delightful in presentation, however tolerable to taste, my mothers chicken was tasteless and not quite thrououghly cooked to her liking, let me be clear it was't raw, or pink, it just didn't taste done. My mother isn't the complaining kind, she stated she would live with it. Meanwhile, Misty, who continued to show the rest of the guests she was assigned, attentive service, never returning back to our table once our meals were delivered by another serving employee there, can I say we were a little parched by then. So, I ended up forgetting about water or the refills, and ended up summoning Miss Misty and told her my dilemma regarding the uncooked chicken, never mind its lack of flavor. She gave her reasoning/run down of how the chicken is brined, cooked this way, flipped another with a transfer from skillet, to oven or whatever.....this wasn't any of my concern, it was a matter that it wasn't to my mothers liking and she was unhappy. Misty took the chicken back to the Chef, and never returned with a resolution. Meanwhile, she continued carrying on her waitress duties never to show any initiative, or concern for making things better with us. I grew quite frustrated and peeved, and rather than me showing out in front of mother in such a civil matter, we opted to end our visit peacefully. I ended up having to flag down Misty for our bill, we probably would've still been siting there awaiting for check out til this very day. Upon Misty presenting my check, she nor the chef, nor the manager on duty never mentioned anything about rectifying my mother's issues, it was totally ignored. It just goes to show you, that even though there may not be signs in your face that say "we don't want you here, we don't serve negros", the negative vibes, and tacky demeanor, are nothing short of a message that says what your mouth can't say openly. Never will there be ANY recommendations of the Social Kitchen & Bar from my book, NEVER EVER.
(1)
Beauty G.
Awful with carry out orders . Take forever . When you order a salad for carry out they give you the tiniest cup of dressing that doesn't even cover the salad. Duh
(1)
Tamara K.
Lunch is great. The outdoor patio is toasty warm. Had the chicken and waffles with the bacon bourbon maple syrup. Simply delicious. Tomato soup was fantastic. Very filling. Had a little bit of dairy but was not tough on me as I am slightly lactose intolerant. Had the banana whiskey drink which was also very good. Portion for the waffle and chicken was great but I did order the full meal version not the appetizer one on the menu.
(4)
Kelly O.
Here is a story about 2 managers, a waitress, several food-runners and a drive-by "Kale-ing." Preface: This was my second visit. First time: great food, great service. Second time: great food, terrible service & management. Friday night my boyfriend and I had reservations here. I was taking him out for a special night to celebrate a recent success he had. We were promptly seated. We waited for about 5 minutes before we were greeted by our waitress. We started by ordering a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. She brought it right out to us, opened the bottle, poured a small taste and then poured us each a glass. The wine bottle was placed in a plastic bag that had ice water in it to keep it cool. After we each had a couple sips of the wine, we realized it was VERY warm. I stopped her as she was walking by, told her it was warm and asked if there was a colder bottle & if not, we would just switch to red. She then said, "it's warm?" and proceeded to pick up my glass and hold it to check. Then, she pulled the bottle out of the bag to feel the bottle. (Not AT ALL an accurate way to check temperature, furthermore, why are you touching my glass at all?) She says she'll see what she can do and walks away. A new lady comes by, a manager we presume, and takes the bag and bottle and says, "we're going to make this really cold for you," we thank her and she walks away. Moments later she's back with the same bottle and same bag annnnnnnddddd (drum roll please) the solution to chilling our $35 bottle of Sauv Blanc was to....... add more ice? Hmm. Okay. Well, we figured "what the heck" and let it go. Next, two DELICIOUS appetizers ordered: Brussels Sprouts and Shrimp & Grits. They were delivered separately at two different times by two different people. No sign of the waitress. A lot of time goes by and she finally comes back to take our orders. We each order a salad. The boyfriend has a gluten intolerance so orders the gluten free Barramundi Skillet. Waitress asks if he wants spinach or kale. Kale. I order the regular Barramundi Skillet. Next, more food runners with our salads. No waitress to check on how everything is. No one ever checks back about the wine. Salads are delicious. Now, more food runners with our entrees. His is on greens, mine is with kale and pasta. He starts looking at his and says, "is this spinach or kale?" and it was definitely spinach (not what he asked for). Well, apparently some "wise and helpful" employee was walking by while we're talking about this and shouts "KALE" at us and continues walking by. What the heck?!!! Waitress comes by, he tells her it's spinach, she blames the chef and brings out a side of kale. I should interject here that all of the food is DELICIOUS. Absolutely fantastic! Our dining experience comes to a close and a male manager comes by our table. We've been sitting for about 15 minutes with empty waters. He asks how everything was and the boyfriend says he would like some water. Manager gets water and returns. I told him that we were disappointed in our level of service, explained the problems we had and he said he'd "take care of it." We never saw him again. We only saw our waitress again for the bill. Long story short, the manager did nothing. No money off, no return to the table to follow up, essentially, no customer service. Our bill was about $150 for both of us before the tip. You would think that when they are serving food and wine that is about average price-points that they would try to maintain a decent level of customer service. We left with the feeling that they really didn't care and that there was a SEVERE lack of management, experience, communication and organization to the team. Will we be back? Maybe... the food is great, but what incentive do we have to return after being treated poorly?
(2)
Vivian X.
I would actually give this place three stars for the food and everything else, but I just love the atmosphere too much! We came here for brunch. The menu looked so promising. I really couldn't decide what to get. I changed my order a few times, but our server graciously took it. My brother got the speculoos banana pancakes with a side of bacon, I got breakfast tacos, and my mom got something with quinoa in it (salad?). The tacos were cold when they got here, but I guess they tasted alright. My brother ended up not finishing half of a pancake because they were too sickeningly sweet, and was hungry again once we got home (swimmer probs). My mom was indifferent towards her salad. Would come here again with friends because of the fun and *social* atmosphere.
(4)
Darvell P.
Went here on a Tuesday evening (date). Great ambiance. Most people were out on the patio, a fair amount inside but there was still good seating available. Ordered the Chicken and Waffle appetizer. Perfect size for 1 or 2 people (half a Belgian waffle). Server was attentive enough at first, then started to fade away after our entrees came. Great American but self-inspired menu. Drink menu looked decent also but I didn't buy any this time. Ordered a burger cooked medium well but it came out a little less cooked than medium well; actually sent it back to cook a bit more. Very gracious about it, no fuss, in fact our server suggested it. Burger was OK but it's big and very juicy. The burger is sold a la carte; They only have one size serving of fries and its ridiculous. It's meant to share between 2-4 people. We didn't eat half of it. They were OK too, nothing to write home about. Overall I will repeat again and try some other food, different server, and and see how it goes.
(4)
E P.
This is my kind of place. Both times I have been here the sandwiches were great, I enjoy the outdoor seating and the decor is perfect. The check even came in a little mason jar. I know that sounds pointless and people will hate the "hipster" quality, but I still enjoy it. Pricing isn't super expensive for a restaurant these days and the service was on point. They weren't very busy after 2pm. Just be prepared to sit near a gaggle of wealthy women talking about multi million dollar homes. But such is Birmingham
(4)
Brian P.
good food, nice clean restaurant. manager jared is great! get the doughnuts for dessert!
(4)
Mary Y.
Just a little too Bham for me. The waitstaff was certainly friendly and nice, but the surrounding attitude I just wasn't a fan of. Lots of socials just sitting waiting to be seen. We went on a Sunday late morning so the only thing available was the brunch menu. Coffee was very good and strong, and we ordered up the tray of french fries that our neighbors were eating. That was a mistake. We overate. They were good. I ordered chicken and waffles. The chicken was a little overgreasy and overbreaded. We sat outside on the patio and though it was freezing cold and windy outside, it was cozy and warm inside the covered patio. Our waiter suggested dessert and although we were stuffed we ordered up the cookies and milk which was delightfully delivered in a pitcher, still warm. I'm not sure I'd return, but it was a worthy experience.
(3)
Stephen M.
A simple name for a restaurant and aptly named. Very Social. Very good. My son and I walked in to get a drink and some dessert after having made a slight tactical error on dinner, choosing to go Italian and landing at a nearby average eatery. So this review is really based upon one dish--the pecan pie. And what a slice of pie! Moist, sweet, slightly crunchy, great crust. If you can take a classic and 'own' it in every respect, you're making your mark. Social made its mark with the pie. For drinks: my son had a Manhattan--same idea--classic! The coffee was rich and enjoyable. As we sat and talked, I enjoyed watching plates of food head to other tables. They all looked to be in the 'definitely-to-try' category. This place has a nice chatter environment. There's a buzz from many enjoying themselves, being social. As you sit and enjoy, its all very manageable in terms of your own conversation without shouting, being happily social.
(4)
Scott S.
More of a heads up. Had lunch today. Decided to have a crab cake appetizer. It thought 16 dollars. I thought I'd get two. Heck 16 dollars anywhere is a lot for one crab cake. But that is what I got. No garnish. No sauce of any kind just a crab cake on a plate. Decent tasting but 16 for a crab cake appetizer at lunch and to just get one medium sized crab cake and nothing else Night before was at kruse and Muer. Had crab cake dinner. With soup. Remoulade sauce. Vegetable. Bread. 18 dollars.
(3)
Bill F.
This is an awesome restaurant. The food is great and they are very accommodating. I am so glad he is opening up more restaurants.
(5)
Omar A.
Favorite place for breakfast in metro Detroit! This is our go to Sunday brunch spot, especially if someone is in town visiting and we want to show off what the area has to offer. The skillets here are the go-to meal and I recommend them to any first time diners.. Oh and excellent hollandaise sauce. The server staff is extremely friendly and the restaurant always has a pleasant upbeat atmosphere. Protip: Call ahead the night before for Brunch reservations if you have a larger party. Social fills up pretty quickly once 11AM hits and the wait can be close to an hour. It's still worth it though!
(5)
Nancy V.
Best best crispy Brussel sprouts you will ever ever have My fave place for that...and Now Im hooked on Bloody Mary Sundays..Awesome set up for that.
(5)
Linda G.
What a lousy experience. I went with a friend for lunch on Saturday. She had been there before for me it was the first time. I ordered a skillet with poached eggs she ordered the waffle plain with the bananas and syrup on the side. My skillet 1/2 full of food with hard cooked poached eggs was sent back. Her waffle covered in everything sent back. My skillet returned still not worth $12, my friends waffle returned raw. She sent it back. I won't return. The manager gave her a $10 gift card. She may go back for lunch during the week. What a rip off.
(1)
Ian P.
I was very impressed with my first time eating here. It has a great atmosphere and cocktail options. The staff were casual even for an uptight Birmingham area. The food was amazing and everything came out in a reasonable time, presented well and tasted even better. On a busy night even one of the managers named Jared came by and made sure everything was satisfactory. Looking forward to coming back and trying the amazing sounding dessert menu.
(5)
Lynette A.
I loved this restaurant! I went for brunch this past Saturday AND Sunday. I had the skillet on Saturday, which you can't go wrong with. You can put as many of the ingredients (w/the exception of the meat and cheese) as you want for $11!!! Great deal and more then enough food. I had the steak and eggs (medium rare) on Sunday, it was delicious. We also had french fries, cookies and banana pudding. Everything was so good and well prepared. I tried the slice of life (cucumber based drink) and the white sangria. Both of the drinks were really good and refreshing. The service is really great from the moment you walk in the door and we didn't have to wait for a table either day. The music is on the louder side but I think it fits the hip & modern atmosphere. If the music is a real issue for you, you can always get a table on the enclosed patio. I will going back indefinitely to try the chicken and waffles. Great place
(5)
Esther G.
After a mediocre brunch experience, I wanted to give this restaurant another shot, so this time I visited for dinner. Eh, it's more of the same. But really, I can't seem to figure them out. I feel like it's supposed to be a more upscale place. I mean, it's Birmingham. Is that a stereotype? There's nice wood furniture and everything, but all the workers (and I mean ALL) were wearing plaid shirts in all different colors, which gave my friend the impression that they're trying to give off a homey vibe, which I agreed. So what is it, homey or upscale? The two entrees that we ordered were both $13. Mine was the warm chicken salad sandwich ... with shredded lettuce. Really? And my friend's grilled cheese naan (aka Grease Mountain) with tomato soup that's basically a small cup of soup, bread and cheese. So they use rather simple ingredients on what's supposed to pass as unique, but charge a lot more than what it should be worth -- and with no sides. Furthermore, the food isn't served on plates but rather silver trays, like the one I had inside my toaster oven. Am I nit-picking? Don't get me wrong, the food was good. But I guess I was just expecting more. What exactly, I don't know, which is why I can't seem to figure them out. But back to my sandwich. I liked that the slices of whole grain toast were thick and sturdy, and it was stuffed with the chicken mix, bacon, BBQ chips and the shredded lettuce. We split a side of fries, or tried to at least. For $5 we got an overflowing brown bag of them topped and TOPPED with salt. Even after we gorged on them, it looked like we had barely made a dent. It didn't help that we had a server who threw the stink eye at my friend after the waitress came to ask what we wanted to drink as SOON as she sat down and my friend said she didn't a minute to look at the drink menu. Then she didn't come back for 10 minutes. When no one else was at the restaurant besides the just-out-of-work people at the bar. Then made this offhand, overly sweet but borderline fake comment about how she LOVED(!) my friend's credit card design! Omg, really? Me too! Anyway, I did appreciate the complimentary corn muffins that were just out of the oven. So thanks for that.
(3)
Chef R.
I love creating my own salad without having to go to a salad bar. The ingredient are fresh and the options are plentiful. I'm head over heels for any of their salad dressings yet, but they do the job and the amazing quality ingredients deliver.
(4)
Michael K.
Crispy noodles in the menu actually implies inedible and burnt. I ordered the Barramundi Skillet, the fish was great and flavorfull but it was served on a birds nest of burnt noodles that a knife couldn't cut. So when I would cut the fish it would fall into this nest and become trapped. It was a pleasure to eat. Don't cooks try their own food? And why do servers not observe the food they're selling and send it back when something is obviously wrong. Good atmosphere, good vibe, but another Detroit area restaurant that lives up to its mediocre compeitition.
(2)
Michelle C.
It is spendy, but for lunch I really liked the create your own salad for $9. The only down side is the older lady who has hosted at lunch, is not very friendly. I hope she's someone mom or the owner because otherwise...She's not very inviting. I've gone with a couple different people for the salad and each of them was a little taken back by how brash she was. Like she was irritated to be seating us.
(3)
Dano R.
If you like dining at trendy establishments this place is for you. The service is decent and the food is not bad but not outstanding. Previous reviews talked about how good the grits and shrimp appetizer is but I thought it was just "ok". Decent flavor but my grits had the consistency of soup. The side of Brussels spouts was disappointing at best. Dry and appeared over cooked and devoid of that savory taste. If you're a woman and seated at the bar for a pre-dinner glass of wine or a beer, you might get better service than I did. This is not a place I would recommend at this time.
(2)
Danielle B.
I like everything about this place except for the abrasive older lady they had working as a hostess yesterday afternoon. I walked into Social hoping to pass some time before meeting a friend and told her I was just going to sit at the bar -- "are you going to eat or not?!" Lol seriously? I haven't thought that far and will eat when I want to lady. Other than that though..this place is golden. I've been here for brunch and lunch...and you see all types: ladies who lunch, business meetings, people on a lunch dates, etc etc. The menu is simple, but good.. And I especially like the "social salad" salad option for those days you want something on the lighter side. I had it yesterday with mixed greens and falafel and it was perfect. (I chose to drink my calories instead with two glasses of the delicious social sangria.) The decor is trendy, the patio is nice for warm days, the staff is professional, and the location in the heart of Downtown Birmingham close to all of the shops is perfect. What more could you want? I'll tell you..I wish there were more places like Social in GP!
(4)
Mona W.
I keep wanting to like this place. I really do. They have a decent brunch but for the most part, food and service is terrible. Today.. I asked the bartender for no oil and butter on one of the dishes and said I'm looking for lighter option. She brings out the scallops and shrimp appetizers soaked in more oil and butter than I've ever seen. It was terrible. I mentioned it to her and her reply was: "ah I didn't realize you were looking for something not greasy. Yup you're right. Not a healthy option." Welp....
(2)
Am W.
This used to be one of my favorite restaurants- had some of the worst service and in not hygienic with customer's food. The guy next to us had to send back cold-uncooked meat. We ordered salads and after waiting a long time they gave them to the couple next to us who picked through them and saw it want their order and retuned them. The bartender then handed them to us without saying anything! The woman even told Us not to eat what she touched because she is sick. They didn't apologize or say anything for pretending to serve us new salads hat were touched by the people next to us! We ended up paying for the overpriced salads we couldn't even eat and had to go get food elsewhere. Do yourself a favor and eat somewhere with stricter health codes.
(1)
Renee Y.
One of my favorite spots in Birmingham-- very chill atmosphere with good food and drinks. It's a perfect place to catch up with friends.. love both the inside and outside (open during warmer months).
(5)
Scott W.
The "go to" place for my office in B'Ham. Has the gluten free/vegan folks covered - menus for both. Must Haves: 1. Chicken and Waffles - bacon maple something on top - Awesome 2. Crispy Brussel Sprouts - even if you think you don't like BS try'em - Awesome 3. French Frys - enough for four - best in B'Ham Great beer selection and good wine selection - priced on the high side but hey it's B'Ham.
(4)
Regina B.
I've been to Social too many times to count, but going for brunch last weekend was quite the experience. They now have loud music which reminded me of the brunch parties in NYC. The only thing missing is the DJ and bottle service!
(5)
Sara B.
It's been a while since I've been here, but when I went I was very pleased. Our group of 9 was accomodated after making reservations, and we were able to sit outside. It was absolutely gorgeous out, and I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant. I can't speak for anything else on the menu, but I will say that I had a $9 build your own salad that rocked my socks off. They have a great selection of base and toppings that you can put on your salad, and while some items come with a price (chicken, steak, shrimp, etc) most are free of charge. All of the ingredients were fresh, service was prompt, and everyone was happy with their food. I call this a win! The main reason why I knocked off a star was because I went there on the weekend and was disappointed that I could only order brunch and salads/normal food was not offered.
(4)
Melinda S.
I have been here a two times. My first wasn't a great experience. I wasn't planning to come back until a birthday party was there. The food was great the second time! I ordered the brick chicken & was very pleased!! The waiter was super nice, the food came fast & the atmosphere was cool!! I will come back again for sure!
(4)
Kristina L.
The ambiance in this place is great, it's different and hopping, but the actual food I was not impressed with at all. My BLT had thick pieces of bacon and tasted very greasy. It came with chips which were hard and okay. I tried the fries as well which was a huge portion served on a tray. A friend got the falafel which came on palate with a sauce and oil. I got a peach juice to drink which was refreshing but didn't get a refill for that price wish it would have came with one.. The warm cookies and milk we had for dessert was a cute touch and idea but not impressed with the taste at all. Maybe if your going there for a few drinks and appetizer instead of dinner you may be more satisfied.
(2)
Sean C.
Man, where did the time go? I have been meaning to post a review ever since we ate here a few weeks ago. It was a nice, cool evening and we opted for the rooftop for dinner. They warned us that there weren't any heaters up there, but we figured we could tough it. And really, I didn't think it was all that cool. I could have used long sleeves, but it certainly wasn't cold enough to warrant heaters. Unfortunately, I guess we were in the minority, as we had the rooftop patio pretty much to ourselves the whole evening. That wouldn't have been a problem, except it meant that our server was not quite as present as if we were in the dining room downstairs. The food was fantastic though. We had the fried brussel sprouts for an appetizer, which was a definite winner. I had the brick chicken for dinner and we shared an order of warm donuts for dessert. Nothing about the food was disappointing. My dining companions had the kale salad and the naan bread grilled cheese. All the dishes got rave reviews. Thanks again to Yelp for leading me here. This is exactly the kind of place I like to find when I am out on the road!
(4)
Sa2 S.
Not happy at all. Sat and watched other people get served their food at least 6 tables that came in after us. We were the only Black people there. The manager had the audacity to ask, did we want to take our food to go. Absolutely not was my reply!! Never going there again. Very upset and hungry.
(1)
Amy Z.
We had a fabulous brunch! We had been here once before for dinner and we enjoyed the brunch menu more then dinner menu. We both created our own skillet..... They were amazing. My husband enjoyed a Bloody Mary where a bar was set up and he could make his own. Service was attentive. We didn't get the sticky buns but we did hear they are excellent. Brunch is way better then dinner at this restaurant!!
(5)
Trish P.
Yummy Kale salad and friendly wait staff.
(4)
Megan C.
Social didn't quite match my expectations based on other Yelpers' reviews and how I have come to know many other Birmingham establishments as a frequent visitor to the area. While I don't think you'll be flat-out disappointed in coming here, I don't think you'll be blown away enough by the food/service/ambiance to put it on your regular rotation. Social lives up to its name in that it's definitely a busy gathering spot - even on an unassuming Tuesday night, Social's open-concept bar and dining area were buzzing about with locals and business people, so reservations are a must if you're planning on claiming a seat at one of their moden, SoCal-esque blond wood high-top tables for waiter service. Even though they accept reservations, I think part of what soured us on our overall experience there was the cavalier (bordering on rude) attitude the front-of-house staff took toward reservations. Even though 2 of our 6 attendees had arrived, she wouldn't seat us, and they weren't on a wait. Even when we said we'd like to be seated and that we'd order drinks, she seemed exasperated and told us we could go to the bar. Poor attitude and lackluster customer handling skills; front-of-house needs work. Upon being seated, it was cool to sit so close to the semi-open kitchen; always fun to see the chefs and sous-chefs at work. However, being on a high-top stool with my back against another patron one party over who kept bumping into our table? Not so fun. Tables here are way too NYC-intimate, but this is B-ham, Michigan. Space it out. Our waiter was fine, nothing amiss there. Food was fine, but mostly forgettable. For apps, we had Slider Bites (more so rolls stuffed with ground beef), crispy brussels sprouts (over-burned and too shredded to really share), and spinach dip (not much different than TGI Friday's). Among 7 guests, none of the appetizers were finished. Entrees brought some renewed hope - the Kale Salad was actually the most phenomenal item IMHO, and hearty and delicious while being gluten-free and vegetarian for those who are concerned. We also had Naan Grilled Cheese (way too greasy, as most other reviews state), Barramundi Skillet (great presentation of fish, but too temperature hot for too long - scorching), Steak Frites (nice GF option without the fries and great steak), and the spaghetti (hard to mess up). I see potential for fun roof-top outdoor drinks when the weather's nicer, but if you coming here looking for service and food to match the look and feel of the place, you might come up a bit disappointed. As long as your expectations are aligned, you'll feel "A-OK" about Social Kitchen, too.
(3)
Ann W.
One of my friend's go-to restaurant, we met up on a Sunday evening to catch up. A popular restaurant in downtown Birmingham, there was a mix of guests: sorority sisters, a date looking to make a good impression, a young family. Eclectically decorated, the restaurant features a wood plank accent wall with a map of Detroit in the shape of a pig with an industrial light fixture affixed. We jumped straight to dinner, opting to skip the appetizer to save room for dessert. There were several interesting options on the menu that I considered: naan grilled cheese, spaghetti, pork chops, before settling on the juicy cheeseburger, cooked medium rare, with a shared order of the thinly-cut fries. The house-ground patty was well prepared and was served with pickles on the side. Yum. Now, onto dessert. We shared freshly-made yeast doughnuts that were rolled in cinnamon sugar. The hot doughnuts were crisp and tasty, even more so after we added vanilla ice cream. In all, the meal was lovely and a perfect way to cap off the week-end.
Well it's a very lively spot. This was my second time dining here in a few years. First time I had a really bad experience with the chicken dish and never wanted to go back after that. But this time I went on a Saturday night and it was packed so the atmosphere is good. Food is ok tho. Nothing I would really crave but then again I haven't tried everything on the menu. We ordered the Brussels sprouts which were good at first bite but then I noticed how extremely salty they were and I couldn't eat it any more. Mac and cheese was good- nothing super amazing. Fries were ok, they give you a ton! Scallops were pretty good, it was my first time trying a scallop. We got carrot cake at the end because they were out of the German choc cheesecake. Good carrot cake. Overall I think the food is average, I really only went there for the atmosphere.
(3)
Kooky K T.
Ordered a salad. Huge. And delicious spread of toppings, veggies. Loved their French onion soup! Eating on the roof is an option too!
(4)
Charisse G.
Uniquely prepared twist on the egg skillet. Really enjoyed building it by choosing my favorite ingredients. Taste was fantastic and price was even better! The seasonal blueberry pancakes w/lemon curd were wonderful! I continue to expose new friends to this quaint spot in Birmingham!
(4)
Alexandra Z.
I can't stop coming here. BEST MAC AND CHEESE EVER. It's amazing. I get Mac and cheese everywhere and Social's amaaazzzzing. I haven't eaten anything that wasn't great. It's all amazing and I would order all again. I go a lot for brunch on the weekends. Stuffed Pumpkin French Toast - they make their own bread per order!!!! AMAZING. Not super sweet but def sweet. I literally crave these daily. Chicken 'n Waffles - tell them not to put the syrup on for you, ask for a side. They are syrup happy with this dish SOMETIMES. Tuna Casserole - great if you like tuna! Warm Chicken Salad is a sandwich..comes on toast. Creamy and delicious Sticky Bun. Get it. Without a doubt. The atmosphere is trendy and modern. Down to earth servers that are outstanding. Social truly understands customer service. I'll never stop coming here. COFFEE IS GOOD TOO! :)
(5)
Nayha I.
Great place to go out for drinks on the weekend! Love the atmosphere. The donuts are to die for!!!
(4)
Dan C.
Fantastic brunch food. Chicken and waffles just plain rocks the house. Every dish at our table was equally delicious. For breakfast, brunch or lunch, this place is great...
(5)
Emily M.
I've been here twice. The first was a disastrous experience on a Friday night. I had to wait 2 hours even though I had an 8:00pm reservation. The second was on a weekday where I had excellent service and food. I'm glad I gave Social a second chance! They have an excellent salad and drink selection! Not too mention...love the outdoor seating with heated lamps! Can't wait to try the rooftop sometime!
(4)
Varun B.
I was pleasantly surprised by this place. To start, the ambiance and decor was excellent and tastefully done. Go the Rol n' Rye fashioned drink, which was delicious. My wife had gotten the Hibiscus lime-aid, which was also pretty good. As for appetizers, we decided on the Fried Green tomatoes. The were nicely fried, and had a nice complementing garnish to go with it. For dinner, I had the Brick Chicken. Usually, I don't get a half chicken, but this one had a nice crispy skin with extremely juicy, tender meat. I love the crispy Yukon gold potatoes that came as a side. They also give a cornbread muffin with the meal, which was a nice touch. My wife got the steak frites. I don't eat steak, but she said it was pretty good. And they give a butt-load of fries with the dish, of which I ate plenty.
(4)
Omar O.
This place is okay but nothing special. The menu is relatively limited and most of the food offered is greasy or fried. People say the fries are good but even those we pretty soggy and without much flavor.
(3)
Lisa S.
I have heard about this place since it opened, only to come back in town and have everything over salted to the point of not being edible.
(1)
Louai S.
Gorgeous design, very eclectic, shabby chic interior, however; front desk personalty needs serious work and food need way more work after all, people come here to eat. Here is the food at 2:30 on a Tuesday afternoon with a nearly empty restaurant. Clam chowder is more like salt pork chowder with very little clams and way to salty. we ordered two custom salads, not interesting, most ingredients ordered did not make it on or very little of made it on, Bland dressings, asked for more however it did not help. Chicken added to salad was over cooked, cold and very dry, not good quality. Falafel "2" add on for $5 really? tasted like dough not that we have any good falafel in town however this is just another bad version of the real deal. Burgers were just OK, however for $15 burger only with no sides, tomato or lettuce, you'd better be grinding 8 oz Delmonico steaks and not 5 oz chuck. Mac and Cheese, good, fries, delicious enough for the whole table. At the end of day, go ahead and charge whatever you want, I am willing to pay for a great meal just like many I know, but do not over charge and deliver below even the mere average quality. I know clams are expensive, however $7 for a 4 oz cup is extremely expensive. It should be loaded with fresh clams and 7 ounces.
(1)
Sarah S.
Amazing place, amazing location , and amazing food !! that's how I can describe social !!
So delicious! One star off only because they are marking up their wine aggressively. The brussel sprouts are amazing, kale salad don't bother though. Don't bother with the broccolini either. I went with one veg, so can't speak to the meat dishes. But great service- they brought me an unopened bottle of wine after mine was taken away so that I could Vivino it (download the app) and tolerated our many requests- all around a very good experience!
(4)
Lauren V.
I wish I could give this 5 stars, but after several visits to Social Kitchen & Bar, three stars is as high as I can go. The positives: the food!! Such yummy options at Social. I've had the Kale and Quinoa salad (which continues to be one of my faves), chicken & waffles, crispy brussel sprouts, sliders, grilled cheese, several different salads, oatmeal, Bloody Mary bar (on Sundays), and most of the desserts. I've always enjoyed the food. They are great about catering to dietary limitations as well. I have friends who are vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, vegan, as well as a whole host of other "issues" and the waitstaff doesn't even hesitate with these special requests (some of which I feel are personally ridiculous, by the way!). Just Okay: the service. Although I've had a few great waitresses, for the most part, I find the staff to be a bit terse and unapproachable. It is almost as if I'm inconveniencing them by trying to dine there. Also in the "just okay" category is the seating. It's pretty uncomfortable, unless you get a booth. If you dine in the patio area, many times the tables are off-balance and I've had to manually "fix" it by placing a napkin or something under a leg to balance it out. A few negatives: The time the food takes to be prepared. Once, a friend and I went for breakfast and ordered oatmeal, an omelet, and the Bloody Mary bar (which is self-help, so not included in the wait time, obviously). Our food took 85 minutes to be delivered (and as you can see, our order was not special or high-maintenance). At 45 minutes, the waitress finally came over and said our food would be out in a "few minutes". After that, we didn't see her again until our food came. At an hour, the manager came to the table NEXT to ours, offered copious heartfelt apologies and comped their entire meal, as well as providing some lovely "extras" to account for their delayed meals. Our table did not even get an apology, let alone a comped meal or extras. I emailed the restaurant twice and never got a response or even anything indicating they read my letter. This was a very upsetting experience. Other times I've dined there, my food has come out quickly--in fact, I feel that this has improved over time. Just an added observation: I can't help but notice that service seems to be directly related to who you are: when I've dined here with people who are well known somehow or connected to the owners, managers, or staff in some way, my service has been overwhelmingly better. That's quite rude and VERY insulting. I don't feel I should have to name-drop or be a "who's who of Birmingham" in order to get the same service as others. I've been here for private parties, and they seem to do a lovely job. No complaints there. The rooftop patio area is lovely in nicer weather and a great place for parties and events.
(3)
J T.
Social Kitchen & Bar is one of those places that will always be packed, no matter how bad the food might actually be, thanks to the trendy decor and Birmingham hipsters. I had a kale salad (quinoa, parmesan, raisins, pine nuts, pickled onion, rice wine vinaigrette) that had the potential to taste quite good. I've made and eaten kale salads that were very flavorful. This one wasn't. It was extremely bland and flavorless and not worth $9. I will not be returning.
(2)
Stacey C.
We just moved to Michigan from Texas 3 months ago, and this southern cooking made me home sick! No chance the food at this place deserves any less than 5 stars. The artichoke dip, chicken and waffles, brussel sprouts, shrimp n grits and desserts were out of this world. The hostesses are terrible though! So, that took a star away. We waited 45 minutes for a roof table only to be told that a 15 top came in wanting the roof so they couldn't accommodate us. Thankfully, the manager agreed with us that bumping us from the list for a larger party was not good business! He sat us right away. Our server, Rebecca was awesome. She was attentive and funny and added to our experience. She saved this review from being a 3 star.
(4)
Katie B.
I've been here twice and both times been impressed with the food. The chicken and waffle appetizer is amazing.
(4)
Crystal C.
Nice place good food I tried the Maurice wrap it was very good if you like the Maurice salad just in a wrap
(3)
Erin K.
I love finding places that are unique and different from every other restaurant in the area and Social Kitchen fits the bill. The menu is not huge, but the offerings are unique and everything we had was wonderful. We started off with cocktails: Slice of Life (Effen cucumber vodka, cucumber, basil, lime, Goslings ginger beer) and Social Motif Martini (Kettle one orange, pisco, lychee liqueur and orange juice) and they were both really good. I was able to talk my boyfriend into the chicken & waffle appetizer and we both loved it. The chicken was juicy and crispy, but the maple-bacon glaze was amazing! I would definitely recommend trying this! My boyfriend had the Seafood Cobb (blackened shrimp, avocado, bacon, egg, tomato, white beans, and blue cheese) which he said was great and I had the Naan grilled cheese (onion-poppy naan, cheddar, tomato soup dipper). The naan was really good. Roasted garlic on it would take it to another level. And the tomato soup to dip was really good. The only negative was the cheese was not very flavorful. Maybe a sharper cheddar or more flavorful cheese would be better, but because of the naan and tomato soup, I would still recommend it. For dessert, we had the chocolate pudding (peanut butter whipped cream with rice krispie croutons). The peanut butter whipped cream and peanuts were great and the rice krispie croutons were perfect in it. The pudding is served cold; but if it were server hot, it would be even better. Here is a tip: I have tried to make reservations at Social Kitchen through Open Table and they never have availability. We decided to go anyways and it was mostly empty, so don't use that app as an indication on if you can get a table or not.
(4)
B J.
Pretty much everything about this place is tremendous. I've been for both dinner and brunch and have found all my experiences here to be outstanding. Everything I've had on the menu has been excellent and is worth trying, so it's hard to even specify what is great. I guess the turkey burger and brussel sprouts stand out the most to me. Also, the sticky buns at brunch are ridiculously good. They have very creative, tasty cocktails. The atmosphere is really great, especially the patio seating and the upstairs/outdoor cocktail area. The place can get pretty busy and the service isn't all that fast, but that is part of the fun -- taking your time and enjoying some drinks. It's not the most price-friendly date spot, but it's worth every penny.
(5)
Mario H.
Just ordered a carry out from here and ordered 2 turkey burgers and they only made me 1 and ruined mine and my wife's dinner because we ordered 2 but what's even more disgusting and u professional is they expected me to wait an additional 15 to 20 min for the second one instead saying we will have it ready in 5 min for you and even with there mess up and ruining our dinner they still charged me for the one and showed me compensation in there screw up I will never come here or order here again but what is sad is people will still support an unprofessional business that doesn't have good customer service at all
(1)
Josh H.
Hadn't been to Social in several months. My wife reminded me how good the Barramundi was last time we were there, so we decided to go back. This time I had the Chicken Salad Sandwich, and she had the burger. When I tell you they were both amazing, they were both amazing! (gee that was creative). The chicken salad had a delightful tangy mustardy pickely potato-chippy goodness that made me want to order on to-go so I could eat it again later that night. Her burger was perfectly cooked medium, oozing juice, and finally a chef who knows how to use salt! kudos whoever the chef is! I usually don't bother with the cocktail list, but I tried a slice-of-life. We both agreed it was balanced nicely and very delicious. I'll order it again, especially when the weather gets warmer. No dessert this time, too full. Next time we'll try the donuts... the server said they're famous for them.
(5)
Cassie M.
The chicken sandwich is amazing and I like their seasonal cocktails- I just wish they weren't $12! I would also give a five star rating if the sides were included with an entree.
(4)
Virginia C.
I really wanted to like this place, but this was not a fine dining experience. The atmosphere was great and they try to be trendy/hip with their cafeteria like serving trays- but the food misses the mark. Why are people hyped about the brussel sprouts? Unfor. my brussel sprout were more than extra crispy and greasy. Mussels with Chorizo- Sounds great, lacked flavor The best part of my meal was the Kale Salad Naan Grill Cheese was greasy and soggy Brick Chicken- sounds cool b/c they do cook it with a Brick... lacks complete flavor I wished I did get the fried chicken though since everything was greasy and how can you mess up fried chicken?
(2)
Lindsey S.
Another fabulous evening at Social Kitchen and Bar !! Last night I was seated right away, I truly have never had any issues waiting for a table here. There is both indoor and patio seating. It is a great restaurant for groups of 2,3,4. The restaurant is super trendy with its style and menu. There is a giant bar in the front with small high tops to rest your drinks on and stand by. There is also a fabulous roof top deck with a full bar, and lounge seating. Appetizers -- chicken and waffles is an absolute must !! if you have never tried them before, this is a place to do it. the crispy chicken fingers are flaked with corn flakes and the scrumptious bacon maple glaze over it melts in your mouth with the waffle. Crispy Brussels sprouts are divine, they are the perfect combination of crunchy and salty. HINT -- order them and add them to your salad!! Salads- I personally love the chopped salad! it is the perfect mixture of vegetables, and I also added grilled chicken breast. my friends ordered the kale salad which they have been raving about non stop. one friend added salmon, it was a large piece for a salad!! in a good way! Ask for the homemade chips, they are fabulous. All of the staff is super friendly and accommodating, they wear plaid shirts for a causal trendy feel! would go back again asap!! DRINKS -- they serve strong drinks -- the hand craft cocktails are totally worth trying, I had a social punch?
(5)
Jessica K.
Great place to hang out, even if it's just for drinks. I appreciate the unique offerings of the menu and hospitable wait staff. It is a bit pricey..but pretty reasonable for birmingham :)
(4)
Stacy M.
Cool atmosphere in this 1 year old establishment. Reclaimed wood and fun lighting, with nice outdoor patio - made this an enticing stop for a summer lunch. Unfortunately the food prices were ridiculously overstated ($12 for a tiny patty melt with 8 stale kettle chips?!? $14 for fish tacos with wilted slaw?!? $8 for a side of mac and cheese!?!). If the food tasted amazing or was made from a creative recipe or was made only from organic ingredients...maybe. But this just seems like greedy pretentiousness. Service also was lax, maybe due to the inexperienced, young afternoon waitstaff. Maybe it is better at peak times? A neighboring table was so dis-satisfied with their service it was distracting to our experience and we accidentally were served someone else's meal twice before ours arrived. Nice try, but I won't be making the same mistake twice.
(2)
Megan K.
Fries were delicious, burger was good. A tad high on price for the burger (although the fries were mega cheap). I had a Vivant, from a can (it would have been nice to have it on tap, but maybe Vivant isn't on tap outside its own tap room?). Fried sprouts were delicious. Service was ok.
(4)
Wendy R.
I thought the food was excellent and the wait staff was just that WAIT... we were there for hours before we got real service the guy barely came back to the table, and he expected a TIP, c'mon... that is all part of the experience. Get that together with your staff and maybe a 5 star would come your way!
(4)
Sarah C.
What a disastrous experience! My friend was really excited about this place. I looked at the menu beforehand it was kind of like a cafeteria menu with its grilled cheese and spaghetti and meatballs. Seeing how excited my friend is and the 4 stars on Yelp we came here. We made reservations for a party of 6 for 8pm for a Friday night. We arrived at 8pm to a pack and crowded restaurant. We didn't get seated until close to 9pm. All we got were apologizes. Apologizes doesn't cut it when we waited close to an hour with reservations! If we were walked in that's a different story. We had to ask our waiter if we get free drinks or a discount. The manager did offer us either appetizers or dessert after we asked. We already ordered our food so we opted for the dessert. - Our table was really big which can be a good thing but with the loud music and the giant pole in the middle of our table; we couldn't have good conversations. - Our food took a while to come out! - My steak was overcooked with drench with bbq sauce. I wish they mentioned bbq instead of their "social sauce." I don't particularly prefer bbq sauce. - Drinks were pretty good. - Took forever to get our "on the house" desserts. Donuts and cookies - Both really good. - They box your left overs for you. - The waiter forgot to bring my friend's leftovers back so she had to ask him for it. - We were doing the annoying spliting for the bill when after 25 minutes our waiter comes and told us we could totally just split it easily because he wrote down what every individual person order. Couldn't you have told us that when you gave us the bill? - One women and one unisex bathroom. Really spacious, modern, and clean. Overall, it was an eh experience. My friends who ordered the salads enjoyed their meals and they do have yummy mac and cheese. Everything else was pricy for the food. $21 dollars for over-cooked steak? Not sure if I want to come back.
(2)
Genevieve P.
This place scored high for the taste of the food and the service is excellent. We ordered the barramundi skillet, 2 burgers (one well and one medium, Caesar salad with salmon, brussels sprouts (minus the red wine vinegar) and chocolate chip cookies with milk. All was amazing except for the salmon that was definitively under salted and lacking.... we were VERY impressed with everything else! We were even provided complimentary mini corn muffins that were somehow encrusted with honey, we all agreed that the corn muffins were the best we ever had. Both burgers were cooked perfectly. The well-done burger even tasted amazing, that is hard to accomplish when a burger is cooked well. Service was excellent as far as knowledge of the menu and guidance... we were super impressed. However, after we were done eating, it took about 45 minutes to finally get our bill. This lateness ruined our aspirations to enjoy the cigar bar after our meal.
(4)
Ren S.
This place was recommended by people who know good food so we went and tried it. Wow! We've been back again and again (always for dinner, you'll want to make a reservation). We've had the salmon, sea bass, burger, oysters, spinach dip, chicken and waffles (get the dinner portion for the appetizer if you're more than a party of two-trust me), kale salad is to die for. Service is always good, employees seem happy. I'm not big on alcohol but their 'So Good' is literally so good.
(5)
Hal Z.
Great good, nice atmosphere, but poor management and wait staff. They are not properly trained and the attitude is they are doing you a favor serving you. Sad but true.
(2)
William C.
Revisit Patio upstairs. Great atmosphere Great service Really nice cocktails chicken and waffles. OMG!!! get them. they are awesome. I have been dreaming of them all week. my only complaint now is the tiny bathroom downstairs. not sure they can change that as the space is limited. but this place has delivered big time now twice for us and we will be back again and again, especially for the summer night upstairs patio scene and the CHICKEN AND WAFFLES!
(5)
Alexx M.
Great Brussels sprouts. Love the crab cakes-- they use lump crab in them. The brick oven chicken is great too. The bartenders are a lot of fun. Zac is the best!!
(5)
Camilo A.
Excellent place with an amazing vibe. Foods is outstanding with superb service. In Birmingham? Don't miss to check this gem out.
(5)
Rich B.
This is my first review of social after getting bruch there multiple times. I've been there for late afternoon/ dinner, and it was really good, but it's been too long. Brunch is awesome. The staff are attentive but not intrusive and the they have been able to meet even my unlisted requests. I will come back time and time again. Thanks for running a great restaurant!
(5)
Josh E.
WOW! Shrimp and grits is a great starter. We also tried the pecan trout and the new to the menu steak. Both were cooked PERFECTLY! Finished it off with warm donut a nice piece of peanut butter and banana pie. Can't wait to go again.
(5)
Carole H.
Beautiful decor - the space feels open, inviting, and slightly vintage. Loved the rooftop bar - it's too bad we couldn't find a free seat up there though. We were only there for drinks, but did grab an order of homemade chips (potatoes sliced thin and fried til crispy, in house). Doing a great homemade chip is one of my favorite things a place can do! The dishes I spotted on tables around us looked tasty, too. Specialty cocktails and martinis are tasty, but expensive. (think $11-14 a pop). My pint of Oberon was about $6. Service was a little slow, but then again the place was packed. This is a trendy Birmingham spot, so seating was at a premium even though it was only a Wednesday night. We had to wait standing for about 20 minutes before spots opened - and this was considering tables, bar seats, AND the rooftop. And, you better be dressed well. Not necessarily fancy, but trendy and on point. The clientele here was making me feel like a schlub in the dress that, earlier in the evening, I had felt pretty cute in. What can I say, I can't compete with their Linda Dresner attire and fresh Todd's Room faces. *sigh* Justin Verlander was there hanging out, which was pretty cool. A nice Birmingham spot, but not a place that's really in my vein of hangouts.
(3)
M A.
Good food - service kind of slow around dinner. Brussels sprouts were legit and tenderloin was perfect!
(4)
Brent A.
OK, the fries are a must order, but one order feeds 4-5 people. for the sandwich. order the egg sandwich. two eggs, cooked over easy with avocado, cheese, and some kind of hot sauce. Delicious. not the egg sandwich you had as a kid for sure
(5)
Francoise G.
I absolutely loved the atmosphere, food and staff service at Social Kitchen. My only complaint is that they should have comfortable seating arrangements for larger crowds. I had a group of 16 for my birthday this past Saturday, and we could not all sit at the same table; we were back to back and had to squeeze in and out of our spaces just to mingle. I didn't like that which is why I gave them a four star rating, but other than that, I would definitely go back. Its an ideal place for date night or a night out with the girls/guys (just make sure there aren't 16 of you)
(4)
Marija D.
After reading all of the great reviews about Social I was excited to try this place. The atmosphere was great! Service was horrible after waiting for our appetizer of spinach dip for over an hour we get a plate of crab cakes. We told the waitress that the order was incorrect and instead of fixing the problem continued to argue with us. We never got any refills of water and only did after I had to get up and search for the manager. It was a slow Tuesday night and there was no need to wait this long. By the the time we got all of our food half the table was already done with their food. Never going back again!
(1)
Alexandra K.
I've been here a few times with larger groups and Social has always provided a fun atmosphere for..well..socializing with good food and drinks. With indoor, outdoor and roof top seating to choose from, there is something for everyone. My most recent visit, we were seated outside and while it was a little bit cooler than we would have liked outside, rest assured there are heat lamps on the patio. The menu is interesting - there is something for everyone, borrowing from many different types of food. I ordered the falafel once and while it was good, I'll probably save that order for Mediterranean restaurants in the future I'd recommend the Brussels sprouts as a must-have, as well as the spinach dip. Their fries are also good and come in a portion big enough to split with a decent-sized group. The kale salad, as well as their other salads from what I've observed, is plentiful and delicious - it tastes healthy and great. I ordered it along side the split pea soup and was very full after. For dessert, go for the warm chocolate chip cookies. They arrive in a cookie jar - really nice touch. The donuts are also perfection. Great place if you are looking for a cool atmosphere, different food, interesting drink menu and want to spend some time catching up with friends over a few appetizers/drinks.
(4)
April L.
I love this place! I come here almost every Sunday with my boyfriend. They have a really simple menu and maybe the food is somewhat expensive, but its Birmingham, and everything we have ordered has been great. The atmosphere is great, very well decorated. Although I haven't tried any of their cocktails, they all sound really good, and they also have a bloody mary bar that I see a lot of people jumping on. The service is amaaazzzing- I love Troy and Jeff. They are attentive, funny, and professional. One time we were here and we even saw Brittany Snow and Kate Flannery eating! The only major downfall is it being a little cramped, and you usually have to wait a while for a table. I hear they are constructing an outdoor area, though. Their water glasses are also very small and usually room temperature.
(5)
Matthew M.
Social Kitchen. What a find. Decor and atmosphere. Spectacular and unique. The pics online do not do the space justice at all and you would never expect what's inside from the street. Very airy open with an artistic edge to the space. We just moved back to Detroit from Chicago and I felt like this was a place I would have found in Bucktown. Very cool. Food: For starters, we tried the fried brussel sprouts. Everyone is raving about these, but we thought they were just o.k. Imagine a flaky, fried leafy app - almost like fried spinach. The flavor was good, but felt a little light for me. For entrees, I had the TV dinner. Cool presentation backed by great taste. The meatloaf melts in your mouth. My wife had the brick chicken. We both agreed - one of the most delicious and juicy chicken dinners we ever had. Service: Great. Very casual attitude, but very attentive. Drinks: Great wine selection with some reasonable choices by bottle and glass. I would definitely recommend Social Kitchen. Thanks for a great experience.
(5)
Kayla V.
Love their roof top for drinks on a summer night! The bartender we had was not only attentive but hilarious. As far as their food goes, new American like sliders and kale salad are what you'll expect and they're good!
(5)
Kat S.
Is it just me? I can't get into the food at these trendy, flock to restaurants. Why is all the food super greasy? I HATE greasy food and don't understand this new fascination of trying to make everything as unhealthy as possible. Social along with Local in Ferndale and Vinsetta Garage have gone all 1950's by reintroducing butter and grease into EVERYTHING. Maybe I'm just not a foodie. I do like a protein, carb and vegetable. I'm vegetarian and settled for the greed cheese......I know that's not the healthiest choice, but why does it have to be served dripping in grease?? The only other veggie option was falafel although they advertisd that they have many veg/vegan options available. Can we get some veggie protein and vegetables??? I am not thrilled with any restaurant that doesn't have a simple house salad without meat. Every salad cost at least $15. I also split the ceasar salad with a friend which came grilled. Again, why? drinks are also over priced and watered down. This place gets a 2 for looking interesting and having a wall papered ceiling. The crowd is very yuppy. I just wish these restaurants could get a little healthier and have more vegetarian/vegan options not sopped in grease.
(2)
yelp s.
DELICIOUS!!! I'm surprised by the quality of food-- seems as though everything that i've had was made from scratch! Falafel was a giant patty with some seemingly indian spices with some whole chick peas, homemade thick lavash on the side, with delicious feta yogurt sauce and a perfect refreshing slaw-- I would order this again. I would skip the oyster appetizer next time-- oysters were small and the taste was covered by their sauce and topping. Beet salad was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!! Banana Pudding was ok-- I'm not sure if I would order this again, but it did taste homemade with their crunchy banana bread croutons and fresh whipped cream on the top. Overall, I would definitely go back and try their other selections- YUMMY!!!
(5)
Rose P.
Great food, good service. That naan grilled cheese sandwich was the best $13 I've ever spent, especially on a sandwich!
(4)
A J.
Service and atmosphere were excellent. Drinks were delish especially the Chasing Venus wine. Food was really good. Just be prepared it's pricey. Will go back.
(4)
j w.
I've been there 4 times and the service has sucked 3 out the four times. This last time was the icing on the cake. I do like the food but the service is absolutely ridiculous. They are completely oblivious to it as well....right down to the moronic hostess. A half filled bar on a Tuesday night and not one of the two morons behind the bar could even acknowledge the three of us for well over five minutes. Not a ..."I'll be right with you"...or "here are some menus, I'll be back in a few"...nothing. No apologies either, only defensive poor excuses. If you can't work a bar that is half full you shouldn't be behind the bar!
(1)
Krissa A.
I typically don't mind waiting to eat at a place, so long as the food is good. I heard a lot of good things about this restaurant, so we decided to give it a try. The hour wait was definitely not worth it. The place was crowded and very loud. Whatever ambience might have existed was completely lost on the howling fans watching the football game. I found the service to be slow and inattentive. The food was over salty and greasy. The noodles that came with the fish were burnt. When we told the server that the main course was burnt and over-salted she just shrugged her shoulders and said that she would mention it too the chef. Nothing was done to make amends for the poor quality, overpriced main course. We had to flag our server in order to ask for bread, cutlery and more drinks. When the waitress brought us our bill, it was inaccurate. We were overcharged for items that we had not ordered. Would I try it again some time? Nope.
(2)
Paul W.
This is a restaurant that you want to love. Birmingham needs places like this to make it interesting. Unfortunately, its not the decor or the location that sucks, its just the people that work there and the over-priced, greasy food. From the moment we walked in, two ladies behind the counter could not be more aloof. Seriously? Are you working so hard that you can't make eye contact, smile or be helpful? Finally, she took my name and told me it would be 20 minutes before she could seat us. OK. We went to the bar to get a drink and the minute we got our drink, she paged me that my table was ready. Nice surprise. Terrible estimate of timing BTW. They seat us outside (cool) in the full sun (not good). Yes -it was a rare sunny day. We apologize and ask to be moved because of the direct sun (we forgot our sunglasses). They move us. It takes our waiter, a guy with dreadlocks, 20 minutes to bring us water. Another 15 minutes before we get to order. Now, remember, the menu for a brunch is only about 15 items long, so the kitchen complexity can't be that bad. Food arrives before the utensils. We order a wide variety of choices for brunch: Person 1 - a skillet (really, it was almost cold to the touch - not hot) Person 2 - chicken and waffles (drenched in syrup) Person 3 - chicken salad (disgusting looking but person said it tasted ok) Person 4 - belgian waffle with banana, belgian butter (great) Total = $63. I left my normal 20%+ tip or in this case, $13. And here is the kicker - just checked my bank account and our slow, incompetent waiter changed the 3 to a 8 so he received an $18 tip. I am furious that a waiter would do that. Not only is it illegal but based on the service I received (horrible), I find this unimaginable!!! Let's just say that while others might find this place trendy and hip, I will not accept this type of treatment from anyone. Not only will we not go back, (there is nothing giving me reason to come back), I will have a few words with the owner.
(1)
Adam M.
It was okay. I like the location. Beer choice = meh. Food = meh. Staff=meh meh. I wouldn't come here again, I'd just go to Luxe. It's much better.
(2)
Michelle C.
I love the new trend in restaurants. Limited menu items done right. This time I had the mahi tacos, kale salad and fried brussel sprouts. The mahi tacos were on point. Perfectly cooked, corn tortilla with a unique twist that included bean paste. The kale salad is perfect. Pine nuts, Parmesan, golden raisins and a wonderful dressing. Last but not least, fried sprouts. OMG. I could eat them daily. Perfectly disassembled and fried with capers. The best I've ever had. Way better than Cork in Ferndale.
(5)
Cari M.
I REALLY liked Social !!! I think the only thing stopping me from going 5 stars is their bathroom situation. They are single stalls which is not a big deal but you usually have to wait to go in and the doors are right in front of the kitchen entrance and also right in the main dining area so you feel really in the way either standing too close to other diners or being a road block from the busy staff going in and out of the kitchen. Besides the bathroom dilemma my experience here was exceptional. Even when it was busy we were seated quickly- our server was a darling - she was hilarious and kind and one of the best I've had anywhere! I think the crowdedness here was mostly contained to the bar area, it was packed early on a Friday night, but getting seated at a normal table wasn't bad. The food was also excellent - started off with crispy brussel sprouts - very good (though I did like Townhouse's better!) ... and got potato pancakes ... umm they were incredible !!! Loved it!! finished off with the warm donuts which were just perfect to share!! They have good mixed drinks, creative food choices, friendly staff ... also Tim the tool man Taylor has been known to eat here ;) So keep your eyes peeled for a celebrity sighting!! I look forward to heading back to Social soon, it is really a quality place!
(4)
Emily O.
Popped in for a late, midweek dinner this winter. It's definitely a trendier establishment, with a younger crowd. Love the decor, very contemporary, hip. Warm ambience, though maybe a little cramped and somewhat uncomfortable, as far as seating; certainly not awful. There wasn't a huge crowd, it being late on a Thursday night, and there was no wait, though I can see where there may be on busier weekends. Our waiter was very sweet, and all smiles. I think I even used the word "jolly" with my boyfriend. Very attentive. We shared the chicken and waffles appetizer, which was one reason we chose this restaurant in the first place. It was fantastic and more than enough for a sample between two people. For my entree, I ordered the baked spaghetti and meatballs--something I never order in restaurants. Oh man, was it good. The sauce was a lighter flavor, leaning toward the saltier side, though not quite a puttanesca, but certainly not a sweeter marinara or a heavier bolognese. There was also lots of it, which is where some restaurants fail! The cheese was baked golden brown on top, noodles were perfectly al dente, and the meatballs were nicely (and not overly) seasoned. It was one of the best spaghetti meals I've ever had. My only complaint is a silly one: bigger water glasses with colder (maybe iced?) water would be nice. I was so thirsty that night, and just couldn't quench my thirst with tiny sips of room temperature water.
(4)
Laura K.
Love a Social Salad-they have it down to an art. Could eat it every day! The Bloody Mary bar on the weekends is really all you could ever ask for; like a salad for your cocktail!
(5)
Kristina C.
Not a fan! We had to wait a long time standing because there is not seating/lobby area and our reservation was simply ignored. The food was average. I'll give it another shot someday when I'm not too hungry. If you go with a group of friends, you'll have a good time. The ambience is great, however, the food was not in my opinion.
(2)
Nadav F.
one of my favorite spots in birmingham. great food any good atmosphere. i would highly recommend people to check it out
(5)
Sylvie A.
Nice atmosphere but the baked spaghetti and meatballs had so much grease floating on top that I had to drain it on to another plate before I could eat it. I should of sent it back. I should if taken a picture of it.:(
(1)
Chad S.
Best brunch we've had in Michigan for Mothers Day and didn't have to break the bank. The make your own skillet was extraordinary. Awesome atmosphere both inside and outside sitting.
(5)
Melissa H.
Airy, laid-back, and fresh. Met with family for brunch while back in metro Detroit, and we were quickly seated out on the rooftop on a nice, warm summer morning. Now, the menu isn't very large which made it difficult to get everyone settled on something that they'd like. The health conscious among us opting for salads (for brunch?!) while I (clearly on vacation) did a mental celebratory dance when I saw that they had chicken and waffles. Food came out together and in good time. Portion sizes were a bit smaller, but the food was good. The waffle was nicely browned, light and crispy without being too fluffy. The chicken was lightly battered, fried, and juicy (much like kaarage). The maple syrup mixed deliciously with oil from the fried chicken. It was bliss and I LOVED it. Family members looked on in envy, so I shared the wealth. Service post-meal was a bit slow, took a while to get our bill and to get out. Fortunately we didn't have any post-brunch plans, so we were willing to wait a awhile. Would recommend dining for breakfast/brunch and to indulge while here.
(4)
Blaise B.
My friend and I went to Social because her boyfriend works there. We were just killing some time because we were bored, so we each got a glass of wine and shared a side of Creole Shrimp, Andouille and Eggplant Casserole, which was excellent. I love that there is an outdoor patio with an awning during the summer to eat at. It was winter when we went, so they had temporary walls up and a heaters. We ate in that area and loved it- it was well-made and not drafty at all or anything. This place is too pricy for me, but I do want to go again in the summer to eat outside. It was a nice place to go just to hang out for awhile like we did- get a drink and share something small to eat. I'm sure we'll do that again sometime, especially when the weather is warmer.
(4)
Veronica M.
Had the brick chicken and it was delicious! It came with asparagus and roasted potatoes...big portion and super tasty! My boyfriend ordered the turkey burger and it was just ok...it was on a pita like bread and had wayyyyyy too many herbs!!! I like herbs, but it was bit much and a little perfumey! The crab cake appetizer never disappoints!
(4)
Julio E.
Nice vibe in this place. Very comfortable seating and atmosphere. Service was above average, server had some knowledge and good suggestions for the wife and I. We started with their French onion soup, it was the best I've ever had. Love the croutons they use and the broth is so rich and balanced. Had a chop salad which was pretty tasty. Could of used some meat in it. Next time I'll add chicken or crab cakes to it. Mini rubens were so good. delicious little pieces of pastrami on an interesting bread I've never had before, wish I knew the name of those. For entrees we split the brick chicken and the linguine clams. The chicken was so crisp and flavorful. the pasta was loaded of clams and had a nice red sauce on spots to compliment the creamy clam sauce. We were stuffed. Great value and overall dining experience. Finally a reason to eat in Birmingham.
(5)
Ann R.
Just a delicious spot to go in downtown Birmingham. Make sure you have their chopped salad it is fantastic. There are folks in my family that think the spaghetti at Social is worth raving about and I totally agree. I don't think you'll be disappointed with a check in here.
(4)
Justin S.
Good fish tacos for lunch, but a bit overpriced. HUGE portion of fries if ordered on the side, enough for 4-6 people.
(4)
Nicole L.
Cool ambience, great food, but the service left a lot to be desired. Sat with empty glasses for most of our visit.
(4)
Christine H.
O.m.g. just had the short rib dip and warm chicken salad sandwich with a side of mac n cheese. This place is fabulous! Our server, Shanahan, was on point and secured us coming back!
(5)
Jenn C.
I have been wanting to try Social for quite a while now and was slightly disappointed with my experience. Things I enjoyed: * The atmosphere is very trendy and lively (somewhat cold, however) * I ordered the warm chicken salad sandwich - it was really tasty and had potato chips mixed in which added a nice crunch * Bottle of water on the table so you do not have to wait for refills Things that made me go, "eh": * The sandwich did not come with anything on the side, so I ordered fries and they were LOADED with salt - literally, my lips felt more chapped after eating them and I feel like I need to drink a gallon of water * The service was o.k. - lots of servers running around and we had 3 different servers come to our table because it all seemed a bit much for 1 person to handle * It took forever to get our bill I might go back and try it for Happy Hour, we shall see.
(2)
dawn v.
Back again tonight for three new apps: Chicken and waffle appetizer is excellent, a little sweet, very maple-y. And it's better as an app than a main dish on Sundays. The shrimp, andouille and eggplant side is a little rich and heavy but good as a side to split with the table because a little goes a long way. We also shared the scallops app, which at $15 is steep for an app, but it's rich ad plentiful enough as a meal. The two of us shared the three apps/ sides, had two drinks from the bar and left feeling stuffed with food left behind. Total: $60. Plus tip. Probably because everything we ordered was so rich, we felt we had too much.
(4)
Benita M.
Food is good but overpriced. I guess that's expected in Birmingham, but if the food was excellent, I would not have minded so much. I ordered the naan grilled cheese with the tomato dipping soup. And it was just that, a dipping sauce. I would have liked a larger bowl of it to make the meal heartier. The naan grilled cheese was tasty but sort of greasy and I wish they had sharp cheddar as an option to give it more of a bite. I also wish I had gotten a chunky pickle spear rather than just sliced sandwich pickles on the side. My friend ordered a sandwich and it didn't come with any sides. We split an order of fries, which were the size of both our heads combined. The fries could have easily fed a table a four. Rather than the giant side portion, why can't they just offer a small handful with each sandwich? The fries were also a bit too salty, but they were deliciously thin and crispy so no real complaints there.
(3)
Joey G.
Came in for dinner Sunday night! We had the most perfect evening! This place is great! The music is great also, live and upbeat! 1.Hostess was exemplary, fast and quick thinking (how we like them, right?) 2. Server Jeff was friendly and professional and always there! (You must ask for him) 3. Enjoyed the following: A. Mini Reuben's on Gougere had a beautiful dressing flavor unlike any other! B. Shrimp with Grits we're slightly spicy and we'll balanced, unreal! C. The French Onion soup is lights out great! C.(cont'd) Chef Alec had us try the Pierogi with beef and cheddar that was sooooo gooood! D. Salmon with Lentils and mustard sauce was trancendent! E. Ordered Donuts and Pecan Pie, OMG! F. All the wines I had were also very enjoyable, great list! Chef Alec's calm and gracious demeanor represents Social Kitchen in the most relieving and enjoyable way possible! A true Gentleman that is very hard to come by! We will most certainly return very soon! Thank You for making our evening perfect! Joey & Ekaterina Gewarges
(5)
Gabriella P.
Can't go wrong with the turkey burger or kale salad. Great menu, great atmosphere and service.
(5)
Nina K.
Pretty good for Detroit. The brussels sprouts are delicious. The chicken was good-the asparagus and potato salad it came with need work though. The kale salad is tasty. The bolognese is good too. Had to try the doughnuts based off another yelp review. They are worth it.
(5)
Amy P.
The only reason this review is getting 2 stars is because of our awesome server we had on our first visit here. I forget her name but she was awesome! She made so many honest and awesome suggestions I loved it. Both my significant other and I wanted to start off with one of their cocktails and she led us in the right direction. At $11 I was expected to be blown away with a tasty and sizable cocktail, but alas we were not. I got the strawberry fields and my boyfriend got the Rol n' Rye fashion and together they maybe totaled 12 oz. My cocktail was probably 6 oz and the boyfriends looked maybe 4 oz. Not exact measurements but small for the price. Next we looked over the dinner menu. A few of the appetizers looked decent, then we got to the entrees and none of us could pick anything. And not because there was a lot to choose from, but because nothing looked interesting at all. Brick chicken $21? Chicken salad sandwich? Spaghetti and meatballs ($19?!?!?!) I mean I was shocked at some of the offerings and the prices. Not impressed. After asking our waitress her opinion we decided to go with a couple appetizers and a salad. We split a beet salad, the slider bites, and the fried green tomatoes with the shrimp, andoille and sausage casserole. We wanted to start with the salad and then just nibble on the appetizers but everything came out in a sporadic fashion. The best part of our meal was the beet salad. For $10 they split it and each was a sizeable serving. It was delicious. The greens with the golden beets, and the dressing were delicious. For $11 we got the slider bites which were 3 small round slider bundles I want to call them with a sauce on top and side of chips. This was pretty good. The bread was nice and soft and tasty but the meat mixture on the inside was a little weird, not bad, but just different. My significant other did not like the fried green tomatoes, but there were aspects of them that were great and not so great. The breading was good but the whole dish would have been awesome if you could actually taste the tomato. I felt like I was just eating fried dough with topping. They did top the tomatoes with this spicy peanut concoction which was pretty awesome though. Lastly we had the shrimp, sausage and eggplant casserole which looked so unappealing we each took a bite and that was it. It was weird tasting and weird looking. Our waitress even said it didn't look right and offered to take it off our bill. Overall I wasn't impressed. Nothing made me want to come back besides the waitress. Even if the drinks were good they are way to overpriced to come in just for drinks. Maybe if they changed their menu and made it a little more exciting and better priced, but overall way to expensive for average food.
(2)
Lisa H.
Overpriced food. Grumpy hostess. I would not come back here again.
(2)
Karen W.
Social Kitchen and Bar was Ok!. Prices are a bit high for what you receive. Food was ok. Staff was fair. Seating comfort was fair. I would venture back in the summer to experience the roof seating.
(3)
Tim L.
Great Food, Brunch or Dinner!! There is always a line which is an indication of its quality. Fantastic drinks and the Cheeseburger is one of the best. It is so juicy and flavorful. Mussels and oysters are great. One order of fries is good for an entire party, as well. Will be back.
(4)
Kristin G.
Social gave me a good impression right off the bat. There is this ambiance in the place that feels sophisticated without being stuffy. The giant windows let in lots of light and there's a feeling of an upscale down home kitchen. It's stylish but with an easy feeling. The layout is nice and open and the rooftop is really beautiful. Chow Time Low Down....To start, we had the Slider Bites. This App comes out and it's deceiving since it looks like you're about to eat some plain old bread rolls. Think again! Inside the nice warm bread outer filling is ground beef mixed with spices and cheese and little bits of pickles. I was surprised how well the bites were flavored, they really did have that Slider flavor infused in those little bites. Another App we tried were the Turkey Sloppy Joe's. I am a staunch supporter of my Grandmother's Sloppy Joe recipe and so I am very hard on Sloppy Joe's in general. I was ridden with guilt as I hawked down these delicious little messy morsels. Talk about GOOD! I'd have loved to have had that dish Entree sized. Sorry Grandma! They're that delicious! For entrees: I got the Halibut Skillet, my hubs got the TV Dinner. Let me just say this folks, get the TV Dinner. Just believe me. I was wallowing in my sorrows after I tried his entree. The meatloaf was bacon wrapped, juicy and full of flavor. The sides were even all good...fresh corn salad, mashed potatoes, coleslaw...all very fresh and flavorful. It was envy with a capital E. If there was ever such thing as a gourmet TV dinner, then Social has it down. 100%. The Halibut Skillet was decent, but the "crispy noodles" didn't really do it for me. They were tough to eat and didn't add anything to the dish. What's more is the sauce was overly salty & a bit too greasy for my taste. I personally don't like to have such heavy flavors surrounding such delicate fish. But that's just me. It was good but didn't have any kind of "wow" factor like the flavors in the TV Dinner dish. Now for Dessert. Get the donuts. Just do it. They are incredible. They make their donuts fresh & sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar and serve them in a little paper bag. It's almost like being at the cider mill...but BETTER. Yes BETTER! I don't know what's in that batter, but my goodness, they are good. We also had the Whiskey Pecan Pie. This slice is decadent, rich, but not so overpoweringly so that it's too much. Either one is a great choice, but if you want a truly memorable dessert, then you can't go wrong with the donuts. So to sum it up, Social is a keeper. From the stylish atmosphere to the creative dish offerings, it really has something that sets it apart from the others. I'll be back and I'll be bringing backup. ;)
(4)
Nicole T.
Love this place! I have been here multiple times since working in Birmingham and every time I have not been disappointed. I have always only gotten the create your own salad, usually with Salmon or Grilled Chicken, because I know it will be good. I love their balsamic vinaigrette and that they chop the salad for you to make it easier to eat. It is overall sort of pricey (about $16 for a salad with salmon) but worth it because they give large portions. The side of fries are absolutely HUGE and the mac and cheese is very delicious. Their sandwiches are also very large, almost the size of 2 regular sandwiches (the bread they use is huge, so that is probably why). It is a popular lunch spot among st several people so there can be a little wait, but it is worth it!
(5)
Sonali B.
After our plans fell through to have dinner, my friend and I headed to Social for drinks and appetizers. Neither of us had been there and were looking forward to trying something new. From the minute we walked in, service was pleasant. We had our choice of sitting in the heated covered patio or the inside. We sat in the patio which we were told was "warmer than the inside" but after a good few shivers, we headed back in the restaurants, drinks in hand. My friend had a dark and stormy and I had some version of a mint julip that was so strong, I may have had a buzz for quite some time. Our server was friendly and accommodating. He gave recommendations when asked and gave us enough time to order while we nibbled on complimentary pieces of cornbread which were light, moist and perfectly warm. We ordered the Naan grilled cheese, the broccolini and the grits with mushrooms. The naan grilled cheese looked better than it tasted and was very greasy. Maybe I'm expecting too much as an Indian person but it had a very monotone flavor. Surprise me, Social! Give me a smack in the mouth that's so pleasant I have to come back for another bite! It was served with sliced pickles and a tomato 'soup' side for dunking. I needed a bit more flavor but it was tasty - it just needs some improvements. The grits were as creamy as I'd hoped they'd be. The broccolini were beautiful and after helping myself to one out of my friend's plate, I took the liberty of eating one (or two) more. Fantastic! The only complaint I had is that we felt like we were being rushed out to leave. We were asked three times if we were done with our food and when our plates were finally taken away, I actually wasn't ready and the young man just took my plate without asking. Social makes you feel like long dinners aren't a possibility, but we saw plenty of other patrons there who seemed like they were there before us and who probably left long after us. For dessert, I was torn between the cookies or the donuts, but being a donut lover, we ordered them. Three donuts arrived coated perfectly in cinnamon in sugar in a paperbag. Three? Why not four! Don't make it awkward with the last donut. Thankfully, my buddy was thoughtful enough to tear the donut in two so we could both relish the perfectly light, warm, and delicious donut fair and square. I'd come back for those alone. All in all, Social was fun. I'd go back but maybe I'd order different things. Service needs to remember that sometimes, diners are meeting up after a long time (like we were) and want to talk. Feeling like we're in someone's way or being rushed out doesn't make the experience warm and cozy. I liked it and I will return.
(4)
Cheryl D.
Food, service and atmosphere were all excellent. Techno music is a bit of a drawback. Seems out of place for dining. Outdoor side porch is delightful.
(4)
Rachel O.
I love their French fries, which come as a generous amount In a paper bag on a tray. The salad was great. You can choose your own toppings. The service was extremely slow.
(4)
Sean P.
I hate to give such a low review when I didn't try the food but I have to complain about this place. I am not one to complain - I can be a bit critical with the food but when you go out for a nice meal you expect good service. Or at least some service. My wife and I wanted to go somewhere fun for our anniversary. We had a drink at the bar just for fun and that was OK. We were then seated on the outside with menus and what little was left of the drinks we got at the bar. That is when it got bad. We did not get a greeting, a wave, or anything from anyone for 15 minutes. No one came by to give us water or tell us about specials. Nothing. I wasn't in the mood to get that kind of service so we got up and left. I waved at a waiter after maybe 10 min, he just walked away. Another waiter walked by and I said excuse me plenty loud enough over the club music so he could hear me but he was clearly too busy to take the time to tell us if we had a waiter. I can see why people like this place and I understand it could be fun, but am very happy I got up and left and got some good service. This is not a place for a nice dinner, it is a place to go to be seen and overpay for poor quality.
(2)
Britany G.
This place reminds me of a younger version of Bistro Joe's. The food presentation is very nice and the decor is very modern. Our waitress was great. She took the time to explain everything since it was our first time here. They're lacking in the beer department but the wine list is nice. They even color code it to tell you what the taste is like (earthy, smooth, fruity, etc). My boyfriend ordered a mixed drink and it was very strong, like 80% liquor, 20% whatever else they add to make it look nice. As far as the food, it was fantastic. The spinach and artichoke dip was AMAZING. It comes with about 10 pieces of bread. I had the manicotti. I liked that they didn't use the traditional noodle with it and the vodka sauce was very good. He ordered a steak with fries. You get about 5x more fries than steak but that's not a bad thing because both are great, especially the sauce. For dessert we had the warmed up donuts and german chocolate cake. The donuts are as if you just got them from the cider mill. Overall, it's a nice place. I think our only complaint was the music. It sounds like a broken techno record, over and over again. Probably could of turned the volume down a bit.
(4)
Cheryl L.
One hour waiting for our food. Finally it came after several complaints, cold and not looking good. We sent back the food. No apologies just offer to put the food in a box like if we were asking for charity. 65 dollars for 2 drinks and 1 lousy appetizer. The most shittiest place I have visited in Michigan.
(1)
neil g.
What a hip vibe. The setting is so cool. Great wines and a sommelier who can guide you thru your choices! Food is yummy like chicken and waffles! Wow! Great salads and comfort food too! Love it!
(5)
U N.
Great spot to hang out! Great service, good drink selection and everything on the menu is delicious. Totally recommend the brussels sprouts, Mac and cheese, naan grilled cheese and falafal. Don't forget the milk and cookies for dessert!
(5)
Cyndi J.
I would definitely go back to this place. Very trendy and oh-so-very-Birmingham. However, the food was really good and the place literally looked like one big-ass kitchen. I didnt feel like we were dressed appropriately because we came from the movies and I thought we were going somewhere else but decided to try this place last minute. Everyone was dressed up but it was approaching the "bar time" so that could be the reason too. I got the Falafel which the pita was homemade & it was served open face. the turkey sliders were good too. Didn't have an issue with the service either considering it has only been open a month or so and it was a busy Friday night. I'd like to go for lunch. Oh and the have a patio that I'd like check out too.
(4)
Tanya I.
Social has so many good things going on, it's hard to know where to begin. Let's start with cocktails. The drink menu is very creative and I love that they use Valenine Gin and Vodka in some of their drinks. All of the fancy drinks are $11. I saw in another review where someone thought that was expensive. I think it's par for the course in mid-scale to high-end restaurants in B'ham and Royal Oak. I thought they were well made well and worth the price The food is mostly upscale comfort food. They serve it on these neat little tin trays with butcher paper on them, which makes the place feel more comfortable and cozy to me. (China plates would make it feel stuffy, I think.) We shared the fried brussels sprouts for an appetizer. So tasty! Nice and crispy. I had a really hard time deciding on an entree and finally chose the falafel based on the suggestion of our charming and knowledgeable waiter/bartender Steven. I have had a lot of falafel in my life, but nothing like this. It was one giant patty (for some reason I was expecting the little miniature hockey pucks like most middle eastern restaurants serve). It was crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. There was a lovely curry which was just so seductive. It was served with tzatziki (cucumber sour cream sauce) which had to be freshly made, it was so good. And also some greens, like a coleslaw/sprout combo. The best part was the homemade pita bread. I want to marry that pita bread. Oh wait, I also want to marry the naan bread they use to make their grilled cheese. My co-diner had that and we did a plate swap -- thank god. Otherwise I might have had to steal some of that tasty sandwich when she wasn't looking. The tomato dipping sauce is kind of like a thick tomato soup -- nice. I can't wait to go back and try the mac and cheese, the brick chicken, and the green tomatoes. Who needs to cook when you've got a place like this to go?
(5)
Rajan B.
This is one of the nicest place to chill out and eat. Their bread is so yummy!
(5)
Supernaut X.
Went for brunch today, awesome. Small menu but done to perfection from the iced tea to the steak and eggs with fire roasted tomato salsa. The wife was in awe of the sticky buns which came out prior to the meal. Staff was wonderful. Patio, bar and dining room all were well appointed and very clean.
(5)
Mark H.
No draft beer; limited selection. Too much attitude. Food is ok. Not worth the wait. Been here twice. No reason to come back.
(1)
B A.
Unfortunately, the horrible service from our server ruined the entire experience. We came in as a large group on the roof deck and she acted as if we were inconveniencing her by simply sitting down to order drinks and a few menu items. The server was rude, impatient, and snapped more than once at members of our group. Also, this server made one person feel badly for not finishing her entire meal and practically bullied her into taking home a to-go bag. Maybe it was a cultural barrier as she was from another country, but I suspect not. In any case, I recommend a thorough review of staffing procedures as the success of food service and bar venues hinges on customer service. She is a great example of "what not to do."
(2)
Ronda N.
Social Kitchen has a creative menu at affordable prices. Located downtown Birmingham this gem is in a loft style building. The cuisine is newave comfort food sparked with imaginative ingredients. SK's atmosphere is a casual/professional vibe. This is a great place for happy hour.
(3)
Eric L.
What a joke. How hard is it to cook a decent burger??? Came out raw the first time, then they just seared it a bit to cover it up but was still raw in the middle. The third time it was overcooked and dry. The manager was just plain rude about the whole thing. By that point, everyone else was done eating. Don't think I will go back.
(1)
Catherine H.
Not my favorite. I feel like the menu has an identity crisis - no idea what the style is if there even is a style. The lumberjack wait staff are disturbing and less than friendly. Last time I was here my friend has a tuna salad sandwich and food poisoning a few hours later. I don't intend to return.
(1)
Rola S.
Love coming here for a late lunch, parking is easy and the restaurant is not fancy fancy. Can get pretty wild at night with the music and the bar. Rooftop is my favorite place to eat. Last time I ordered my chopped salad, it didn't have avocado in it. The crab cakes were really yummy, and the hostess and wait staff are very pleasant.
(4)
Adrienne D.
expensive trendy and delicious the build your own bloody marry bar and the roof terrace is cool
(4)
Z K.
I personally didn't think the food was amazing, the watered down juice drinks were very watered down. And the service was very slow on a Tuesday night, in which they weren't that busy. Of course it's quite pricey, because it's Birmingham.
(2)
Kristine P.
My husband and I were looking for a place to try out for a Friday night. We had no reservations and waltzed up around 7:30PM and got a table by 8:00PM. They took down our number so they could call us when our table was ready. There is outdoor and indoor seating and a sizable bar. This would be a great place to get a cocktail and dessert or appetizer. Our waiter was prompt, and we got drinks and our orders in right away. For an appetizer we chose the hot dogs in blankets, which were OK. Whatever breading they put on there was heavenly but the hot dog itself was a bit too salty for my taste. However in spying on other people's orders the artichoke dip looked amazing! I ordered the TV dinner and my husband ordered the flank steak. His was cooked to perfection and the roasted/sauteed corn was heavenly. My TV dinner was more "Hungry Man" than anything: three pieces of bacon-wrapped meat loaf topped with bbq sauce, the most amazing collard greens, a slightly lacking potato side dish and some great cole slaw. The potatoes were tasty but slightly underdone. The hero of this plate was definitely the greens -- seasoned and balanced perfectly. I could have done with more bacon flavor on the meatloaf it tasted like it wasn't even smoked. The BBQ sauce was a bit overpowering. For dessert my husband really wanted the pineapple upside down cake, which was good, but the warm cinnamon donuts and the chocolate chip cookies smelled and looked amazing. I'd give it another try for sure. Annoyances were the 1-seater bathrooms located in the busy dining area. The chaotic hostess station because there weren't really enough places to wait. Our waiter was super busy therefore drinks were not refilled as promptly as I'd like. Keep in mind that I'm pregnant and so drinks and bathrooms are top priorities for me :)
(4)
Ken Z.
Return visit: Companion had $15 hamburger and thought it was delicious. $7 doughnuts for me; good; wish there were more!
(4)
Gretchen K.
We stopped in for the first time today -- two adults and three kids. From the design your own salad, to the waffles, fish and chips and the kale salad with falafel . . . We were all blown away!!! Delicious and fresh. The turkey burger is the yummiest I've ever had. Great service and hospitality!!!
(5)
Stephanie S.
Love the decor! Love the tacos! Love the brussel sprouts! Can't wait to try the egg sandwich! Did NOT love the noise level. We had a hard time having a conversation.
(5)
Scott T.
We really enjoyed our dinner here. I had the steak fries and my fiance had a pecan trout. They were both very tasty. The drinks were also very good. We had the donuts for dessert. They were just OK for us. We will be back.
(4)
brandon m.
Met a friend for a drink and a small bite to eat. Great drink menu, decent beer menu, very good wine selection. The dinning room had a buzz - plenty of dates enjoying a pleasant evening. Everything looked great, we enjoyed the spinach dip and some beverages. I had a banana infused Jameson - highly recommended. Pricing is great for the quality, atmosphere, and service.
(5)
Deborah C.
We had the egg sandwich With bacon avocado and hot sauce, cheese on multigrain bread ! Hot sauce was a great addition! Ooey gooey deliciousness! Also had the pumpkin cream cheese stuffed French toast. Exceptional! Food portions are generous! Was a bit pricey for brunch, but quality of food was great. Only downside, service was slow. But, staff was super friendly, so we didn't mind.
(4)
Jennie E.
Great place all year round, but for the short patio season in Michigan this is a must! Great cocktail list and pretty decent gluten free menu items. Great for families (older kids), couples, friends or brunch (but be weary of longer than usual wait times). If gluten isn't an issue, you must try the cheeseburger sliders. If you don't tolerate gluten, like me, the kale salad is amazing and so are the shrimp and grits!
(4)
Mary R.
I had dinner with a friend last Friday at Social. After a few missteps---we were not happy with the first two places we were seated and moving us seemed to really irritate the front staff---we had a great meal. We ordered the brussel sprout appetizer---yum!@!---even vegjie haters would love this item. My meal was the salmon with lentils and crispy kale---one of the best meals I have had recently---and I eat out several nights a week. My friend had the trout and he was equally thrilled with his meal. This is my fourth time coming to Social and the first 3 times I was satisfied but underwhelmed. I was not excited about returning. My friend wanted to try it. I guess 4 is the charm---I can't wait to return and repeat my great experience. (Our waiter was great---handsome and charming---I think his name was Jeff.) By the way, I don't write many reviews.
(5)
Kathleen K.
Social Kitchen is a regular go-to for us. We like the casual atmosphere and menu. The waitstaff is always friendly and the crowd is fun and familiar. We're slightly addicted to the white Sangria and salads. The rest of the menu is fun to share, but is not for those counting carbs. We like the grilled cheese on naan bread and burgers when indulging. The rooftop bar is great in the summer. Cute place!
(4)
Caroline K.
Social Kitchen is fun. The food is good, array of choices, The have three different places to sit. Upstairs, main entrance, and the side covered patio area. Their drinks are good and their food comes in good proportions. It is a fun place to visit with friends.
(4)
Alex M.
Awesome service, neat atmosphere and great menu variety for anything you may be craving. I will be returning!
(5)
Fabio B.
This place gets an L.A. four stars, and that's something right off the bat. It was packed on a Tuesday night, but we walked in and sat down with no wait, albeit at a table in the middle of the place because the rooftop was full. Pleasant trendy ambiance without being douchey, lots of beautiful people. Drinks were a hit. The cucumber vodka was excellent. Pre-appetizer corn bread stuck to their theme of upscale southern comfort, but meh, it's cornbread. Appetizers: delicious! We had crab cakes, grilled oysters, and fried green tomatoes. Then ordered another grilled oysters! Dinner: marvelous! I had the barramundi skillet, my colleagues had TV dinners and I think the brick chicken. Everyone loved it. The bottle of sav blanc went well. Dessert: where it fell short a star. Not a big selection and only one of the four of us ordered. He got the chocolate pudding, but it's pudding with funky toppings. Meh. Might have been more appealing if we weren't STUFFED. Service was outstanding. Prompt, attentive, knowledgable of the menu, and made awesome suggestions for us (thanks, Shady!). Would go back in a heartbeat and bring clients here without a second thought. Prices, who cares? Good restaurants are hard to find, so if you pay a little more, so what. And really, the prices are fine. Look at the menu - if you think it's too pricey, you should just stay home or go to IHOP. Open this place in Los Angeles and it'll be an instant hit. Seriously, do it.
(4)
Rachel S.
Always a good atmosphere with great food! Quinoa salad is a must try. Reservations could be handled better.
(4)
Lauren T.
I have been there twice now and have thoroughly enjoyed the food. We loved the doughnuts, the fried brussel sprouts and kale salad. I would definitely go there again in a heartbeat.
(4)
Diane K.
Great food. Where else can u choose your own salad ingredients :). Had the chicken sandwich with crunchy potato chips inside. Great! And the tomato soup was thick with lots of flavor and not drowned with tons of cream. Wish we had one of these in the Los Angeles area where I'm from.
(4)
Ashley V.
I went to social for dinner with a friend about a month ago. Can't say that I was all too pleased with my experience. My friend and I enjoyed some nice appetizers of the brussels sprouts and artichoke dip. But our drinks and food weren't anything to rave about. My friend had a turkey burger and I had the grilled cheese. Both of our dishes arrived Luke warm and onions took over the majority of my food. We had one drink each but could not get our waitresses attention to get another one. She was very not very attentive and never came back to check and see if we even liked any of our food. The last thing that I was very unhappy about and probably the most unenjoyable part of our experience was the tiny table that we were put at in the corner. I got bumped into by the gentleman trying to sit behind me. It was very noisy and did not make for an enjoyable dining experience.
(2)
Viet N.
Came here for a six-person dinner on a Saturday evening, and overall, pleased with the restaurant. A couple of things before I start in on the food: - It's crowded. Ludicrously crowded. A good thing, I guess, but we waited almost an hour for a table at 7pm. They don't take reservations. - As a result of being crowded, it's quite loud. Not a good place to take kids. - Service is prompt. Overall very good balance between getting you what you need and leaving you alone to enjoy your meal. - There is a rooftop area, but we didn't go there. Too cold. A review of Yelp reviews and a quick examination of the menu led us to order appetizers as small plates, which was a very good decision, as we shared: 1) Fried brussel sprouts - shredded, they were oily and salty, but edible. I would have much preferred that they were kept whole or halved. Definitely not as good as the sprouts at Roast. Very generous heap of food. 2) Macaroni and cheese - large elbow pasta and exceedingly cheesy. No additions like jalapenos (ala Pollo Chapin) or crusty top (ala Redcoat Tavern), the mac and cheese here is nevertheless warm and very comforting. A major hit at our table. The portion is pretty small to share -- feeds 2-3 hungry people. 3) Chicken and waffles - amazing. My personal favorite dish. Crunchy, salty fried chicken with lots of sweet syrup on a fluffy waffle. Everything CnW should be. I could have eaten this all day, and then the next day, without any complaints. Comes as a half waffle with two pieces of chicken, so portion appropriately. 4) Broccolini in chili oil - also excellent. A very flavorful side dish and I highly recommend it. It isn't a lot of vegetable though -- feeds 1-2 hungry people, and I was craving more. 5) Rosemary fries - a miss. Far too salty, too much rosemary, and enormous portions. Not even good for drunk/hangover food. 6) Scallops - fantastic! Two large sea scallops, perfectly seared, in a butter-cream sauce. Would definitely get this one again too. All of these dishes were about $10-15 each, and between the six of us, and a bottle of wine, we paid about $25 per person. Definitely not bad for Birmingham, and in line with what I would probably pay for happy hour somewhere.
(4)
Dry Y.
Interior is super unique and rustic, love! For appetizer, the waffle with chicken (I believe that's what it's called) sounds strange but is actually so good! Kale salad is delicious and my favorite thing on the menu. Although the prices are not as fair as I hoped for the portion size, it was expected because of the restaurant location. However, after multiple visits to Social, none of the main dishes were appetizing.
(3)
Jonathan S.
This is my go to spot for business lunches. It is a great intimate, casual atmosphere and the food is always top notch. Lunches are reasonably priced and servings are normal sized rather than the Midwest heaping portions I'm normally used to. Dinner is pricy though, so may be a special occasion place if you are coming out on a Friday or Saturday night.
(5)
Trevor P.
Great trendy spot, delicious food, friendly staff, and a solid beer selection. What more can you ask for? I guess the food is a little expensive, but I think you're getting a good value in return. Everything I tried off the menu was tasty. I wish I had more room in my stomach so I could have tasted more. Would definitely return.
(4)
Amy D.
Drinks are a bit pricey but man is the food delicious! Oh and they have a Gluten Free menu for me! The sauteed mushrooms are delicious with just a hint of spice and the chopped salad with fresh avocado, peas and hearts of palm is a phenomenal concoction! Don't forget to order the fries...super fresh and you get heaps for $5. Enough for 2 or 3 people to share! I recommend sitting out on the patio, even in the winter they keep it nice and warm. Plus with all the delicate little lights it is a great spot for a date night.
(4)
Christina R.
Coles Notes: Great atmosphere, food is well executed, and the sangria is out of this world. Very Birmingham, which is a lovely thing.
(5)
Kirs P.
Finding a place like Social while traveling on business is what makes traveling for business bearable. So much better than the usual steakhouse I get dragged to all the time. Inventive food. Great atmosphere. Attentive service. And decidedly not stodgy. The meal started with lovely cornbread served via paper bag. Cute. And delicious. We ordered several apps to start- the crispy Brussels sprouts (also served in the cute paper bag- and it looked like it's a popular item- the distinctive waft of Brussels sprouts kept coming by our table- we had to order); the chicken and waffles; and the scallops with creamed corn and tomato bacon jam. All seriously delicious. In fact, when it came time to order the main course, I was so smitten with the scallops and chicken and waffles that one of my dining partners and I asked for them again, entree sized (and then we split it up to share). I could have eaten those scallops all day. My other two dining companions ended up ordering the same thing: the brick roasted chicken. Also amazing. That chicken was some of the juiciest I've ever had. Good lord. Everything from beginning to end (which were amazing donuts) was just spectacular. I'd willingly go back to Detroit just to eat here again. That. Good.
(5)
Jeffrey S.
Loved this place! Great chicken salad sandwich and appetizers. Came here with my girlfriend and she got the chopped salad with salmon which was also delicious. The food took a while which is why I'm only giving it 4 stars. Still would recommend to anyone in the area.
(4)
Fern G.
Great overall dining experience. Got there at 7 pm on a Thursday night for dinner with my friend. Waited maybe 7 or 8 minutes for a table. Had the sliders appetizer and it was dee-lish. Please note - These are not prepared like a typical "slider" tiny burger. These look like cute round little calzones so there's definitely no buns and the meat is loose not in a patty form. I think they are made out of puff pastry dough. ?? They come with home made potato chips that taste great as well but could use some salt. I had the chicken under a brick with broccolini and smashed potato cake. Chicken was juicy, perfectly prepared, and seasoned well. Broccolini was grilled nicely and potato cake was very tasty. We sat in the enclosed patio which was nice and warm thanks to all of the space heaters. The noise level was loud as hell but I didn't mind. It was pretty packed so one would expect such a noise level. I kept thinking this was a safe place to bring my rowdy 4 & 6 year old.
(4)
Jenai D.
I'm rating Social based entirely on a Sunday brunch. It was shockingly good. A very hip and funky vibe. The brunch menu was interesting and varied. For some reason I got the crab cakes (did not go for interesting and varied) but they were soooo good. Large and tender lumps of claw meat. Wow. Oh and the homemade cinnamon rolls - really good too. Also tried a Mexican-style chicken crepe - superb. Coffee comes in a french press with real cream. Can't wait to come back for dinner.
(4)
Elizabeth M.
The food was amazing the atmosphere is so cool! I had the chicken and waffles and I was beyond pleased! Great place to eat and it's not too loud, so you can talk comfortably.
(5)
Rachel W.
Went here for lunch today... The Pros -good food (between the three people in our group we had the tuna noodle casserole, the hot chicken salad sandwich and a build your own salad. Additionally, we all split an order of the fries) -good lemonade, tart and not overly sweet -great atmosphere and decor -attentive service -the dishes and glasses your food and drinks are served in are really fun! -when you have water, soda or lemonade to drink, you have your own refill at the table already. They leave a large glass of water on the table and when you order soda or lemonade they give you a small decanter-style glass with extra! The Cons -cramped seating -the tuna noodle casserole could have used a little extra moisture in it -the noise level was a little too loud Overall, we really enjoyed our lunch here and will likely come back!
(4)
Katie A.
I loved this place! I've been twice so far and I can definitely say I will be back and often. Everything I've tried has been awesome. Grilled Caesar salad is by far the best Caesar salad I've ever had. we went as a group so I got to try lots of different things. Chicken and waffles - loved the sweet syrup against the savory (and a tiny tiny bit spiced) chicken. Brussels sprouts - so so good, crispy, seasoned perfectly, not a bad word to say except I wish I had ordered them 5 times which is not their fault it's mine. Slider bites - hamburger was seasoned well and very cheesy which I loved, and the "bun" was great too and they were so cute! My boyfriend said he liked the TV dinner he ordered, friends got the kale salad and flank steak loved them, and the prices are great for the amount of food you receive! 5 stars well earned! :)
(5)
Ted C.
We had a long wait to get in on a Friday night. I put in an hour and a half and we didnt get the rooftop table as planned. I was just happy to get into the place. This is a very popular spot. The service here was quick and to the point which was fine because it was incredibly busy. I got a kick out of this place and wanted to stay longer but my party was in a hurry to find some place more quiet. It was very noisy in here and hard to hear people at my table. The food was very interesting. The sloppy joes were incredibly small, (four to a plate) but were very tasty. I wanted to eat more of them. The rest of the items on the menu had a lot of character associated with them and I wanted to come back and try them. This is a great place to hang out I would like to go back for the brunch menu and for a chance to sit on the rooftop.
(4)
Lizz H.
Fantastic! Went with some friends for our annual holiday dinner and were pleased that they weren't pushy about the very slow pace of our meal. The brussel sprouts are fantastic as well as the mussels, we got a salad that was sublime. We are way into sharing so I can safely recommend the Naan Grilled Cheese, Falafel, Brick Chicken, and Barramundi Skillet. They were all very good. You should also get the pecan pie if they have it, probably the best I've ever had. One note: If you can't get a reservation online give the restaurant a call, I was able to get us in even though Open Table said they were full.
(4)
Heather G.
Went here with a girlfriend on a Sunday before we caught a movie on a Sunday afternoon. I don't know if it was because the place is relatively new but they messed up on our appitizzy order....We were given mussels which had chorizo n it instead of the scallops ( my friend doesn't eat pork so she was screwed and we couldn't send it back because we were in a slight hurry to stay on time for the movie) The beat salad was delicious though and the atmosphere was fantastic!! One other complaint...we were bothered about 20 times during our meal...I am NOT over exaggerating...every 2 minutes someone was coming by our table trying to clear plates when we wern't finished eating, asking if everything was okay and if we needed a refill. Now don't get me wrong I'm all about attentive service but this was TOO much. I felt like I was being swarmed by vultures just waiting for my scraps! If they chef or owner reads this PLEASE correct this issue as it takes away from the awesome experience you were trying to go for. I might go back again to try it out for a second time just because that beat salad was damn tasty!
(3)
Irina O.
Loved the atmosphere; fries and artichoke dip were awesome... The Brussel sprouts that everyone has raved about were "ok" ... A little Salty and burnt. Overall, id go back for the "social" atmosphere and side dishes!
(4)
Kristie L.
I love this place!!!! very good brussel sprouts, mac and cheese and crab cakes..... Its decor is nice but we had to be seated upstairs and outside. Waiter seemed to be waiting on a whole bunch of up there on that patio. Come during the week at lunch instead of at night or on weekends when you will waiting longer....
(4)
Ben S.
I just had to write a quick review about this place to even out the score. The food is creative, and delicious. The staff is completely friendly. The ambiance is super hip. Great patio! Awesome rooftop! I've been here a few times now and it's always a great experience. I come in eager and leave completely satisfied. You have to try the made to order donuts! I would definitely recommend this place! :,D
(5)
Jesse P.
I had drinks on the roof top bar of this place with a friend this last summer. The roof top bar is pretty amazing. Great views of Birmingham and the architecture of the rooftop is very well done. The staff is pretty great and really friendly. They checked many times to see if we needed more drinks and were quiet attentive. I haven't eaten dinner here yet but I'm going to soon. I hear from friends that the food is pretty great.
(4)
Dana H.
Worst dinning experience ever. Not only did have to wait 3 hours + to get a table, the hostess was very very rude. Please and thank you weren't even in her dictionary apparently. When we were finally seated, it turns out they were out three items that we ordered. Mac and Cheese was one of the items! Exactly what did they run out of, milk, cheese and noodles??????? When it was time for dessert, they were also out of donuts. So no Flour or sugar in the kitchen. Not going back there again. Not a fan of being disrespected by their staff!
(1)
Tricia S.
My favorite downtown lunch spot right now! Love the salad where you choose your items like a sushi menu, brussel sprouts (ask for them if not on the menu) and love the ambience. Host staff isn't the friendliest but everyone else is and the ambience is great - on the patio, in the resto or upstairs on the roof.
(4)
Trisha V.
Visited Social for the first time tonight with a couple of friends. I arrived late, and heard from my friends that the hostess was very rude. They initially were told that it would be an hour wait, when there were more than a couple of empty tables. After a few minutes, they were seated, and I arrived. We chose to skip the entrees, as they didn't sound very impressive. Instead, we ordered a bunch of appetizers and sides. We had the crispy brussel sprouts, the scallops, the hot dogs in a blanket, the mini-sliders, the mac and cheese, the chicken and waffles, the andouille and eggplant casserole, the fries, the spicy mushrooms, and the brocollini. All of them were fine, but not great. Sort of middle of the road. The service once we were seated was good. Our waiter was attentive, without being annoying. I asked him to recommend a wine, and his choice was perfect. The dining room was very crowded, and a little claustrophobic. The restrooms are single-person, and right in the main dining space, near the kitchen, which causes some traffic jams. I would go back for a drink and an appetizer, but I don't think I'd make a night of it. Given the prices, I expected the quality of the food to be much higher.
(3)
S M.
Loved every minute about the dining experience at Social Kitchen & Bar. My husband and I would be regulars for sure if we lived closer but we were visiting from Chicago. My omelette with spinach, feta, pepperoncini and creamy greek dressing was outstanding and the bloody mary bar, fabulous with so many choices of mixes, hot pepper sauces & condiments. My husband enjoyed pancakes with fresh Michigan blueberries and a lemon custard (type) sauce, delicious! We shared the kale salad, a blend of sweet & savory flavors and textures. We love the use of local fresh seasonal produce in our food. We also love the atmosphere of the interior and patio. I recommend this restaurant for the food and the fun.
(5)
Marianne V.
I like this place... and I do love a rooftop patio in the summer. I read all the previous reviews and really had none of the problems referenced by some. Friday at 5:30pm, my friend and I walked in and were seated immediately outside. The waitstaff was attentive (almost a little too attentive but that's better than the opposite, right?) We ordered a bottle of wine and the fried brussel sprout appetizer, which came in a little bag. So delicious! We headed upstairs afterwards to check out the bar. it kind of reminded me of a wedding cash only bar upstairs but whatever. The first station you see is beer and wine only. The mixed drinks are further back in a different section. These are dangerously good. Seriously. A little pricey but strong and delicious. And the patio is fun! It was nice, relaxed, nothing too crazy... what more could you want? It shouldn't be that hard to just have a good time hanging out with friends on a rooftop patio. Just the perfect place to unwind with coworkers after work on a summer day. I will for sure go back!
(4)
Cory E.
Went here for brunch because it looked like a great space with a nice patio and rooftop. Waited 30 mins to get a spot outside... not a huge deal. After ordering it took almost 90 minutes to get our meal (pancakes and corned beef hash). The food was decent but really greasy and over priced. It seemed like every table around us was complaining to the manager about the poor service. Overall not a great experience. This place definitely has potential but the management need to step up their game.
(1)
Johnny V.
Been here once and it was nice. Good food and service. Came in again with a friend for drinks and apps and was surprised at how much it went downhill in only a few months. I guess they don't take reservations which I never understood, it's about servicing guests and if I want to be assured a seat at your restaurant that should be accommodated. I am after all making an effort to patronize your place! Hostess told us it would be about half an hour. Half hour later it was another 20 minutes. We almost walked out when we finally got called to be seated. The place was very busy which I don't mind if you can still comfortably move around which was hard to do here. It gets loud too if you care about that while dining out. We had the crab cakes, sprouts and scallops. All were pretty average. Crab cakes were room temp. not hot or fresh tasting. It took too long to get drinks to keep coming. Server was nice enough but not very attentive. One good experience and one bad experience. I'd still give them another shot. Maybe wait for the summer for rooftop.
(2)
Bob M.
I went to Social to try it out over the weekend. I can't speak to their alcoholic selection because I don't drink but i found the food to be very desirable. The selection was wide enough to give me choices but condensed enough to not cause me too much confusion as to what to order. The only thing that I can think of that had a cost that gave me sticker shock was the steak at almost $50. However, good steak is well worth that. Everything else was more than around $22. The value of the food at social was excellent. I was told that the doughnuts were AT LEAST as good as those at your favorite cider mill and I tried them and agree. The previous poster mentioned issues with the bathroom and I agree with that assessment. If I could rate it a 4.5 I would, but I don't think the bathroom issue should be a full point deduction.
(5)
Gray M.
Where to start ... Well, the food is outstanding and so is the friendly and knowledgeable wait staff. Call-ahead seating/reservations are a must on a Friday or Saturday evening. The bar is often filled with an eclectic bunch. Singles are never lonely for long. Sunday brunches offer great menu items, abundant seating, and lively conversation at the bar thanks to make-your-own Bloody Mary station. Recommend Barramundi Skillet (dinner) and Chicken and Waffles (brunch).
(4)
Melissa C.
Bartender didn't know what a Blood & Sand was... enough said.
(3)
Michael S.
They have a nice atmosphere, friendly servers and chefs. I went on Super Bowl Sunday. It was pretty dead inside so we easily found a place to sit. We decided to sit at the bar and chat with the tender. Drink: Rosemary cucumber infused gin martini with olives. (you can get them with bleu cheese if you want) They use Seagram's Gin as their well gin. This is the ideal gin to use in a martini. Appetizer: Fries with rosemary. crispy and aromatic. You'll have to eat them quickly though while they are hot. Ask for extra ketchup right off the bat. Entree; My wife and I shared the fried chicken which was crispy on the outside and juicy and flavorful on the inside. It was easily more than enough for two average sized people. We were stuffed.
(5)
Kathleen K.
Enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Social Kitchen this week. The service was excellent. The atmosphere was upbeat. We sat out on the patio and even though it was very cold outside, we were very comfortable on the patio with the heaters. The food was exceptional. I had the tomato soup, which was excellent, along with the chicken sandwich which was also very good. Could not have been more pleased with our choice of restaurants in the Birmingham area for lunch.
(5)
Brian S.
My family and I visited on a rainy Saturday. Everything was great from the start. I love the feel of the space, and the atmosphere really added to a great meal. Our cocktails were spot on. Their version of a cucumber gimlet is among the best that I have ever had. Each course was amazing! The brick chicken, the brussel sprout appetizer, and the donuts were standouts. I cannot wait to get back there.
(4)
Mim M.
i like the interior decor. a bit noisy inside, but i guess it IS called social kitchen for a reason :D i tried their white sangria, which was absolutely delicious, one of the best ive had (heavy peach fragrance). they have little stands for you to chill and socialize around the bar and the bar is also full service. one of the things we got was the barramundi skillet, which was fish served on a skillet with crispy noodles--it was okay, but a little too salty and burnt, so i wouldnt pay $28 for it. overall experience was above average, but our server wasnt really attentive so the service could be better.
(3)
Melissa K.
Went here for for the first time. Atmosphere was nice. Had the brick chicken which was pretty good. There broccoli was amazing to me. It was seasoned perfectly. I will be back.
(4)
Cranky C.
Ok.. I went again. I shouldn't have but I did. And it sucked... again. This time I'm not going to talk about the stuff that bugged me... My opinions on the idiotic design or super mediocre food, etc. I'll just cover the stuff that happened. You can judge for yourself.... Three people, lunch, weekday. Got a little less than two hours to eat. Person A Bowl of soup, salad entree, drink Person B Fish Tacos, drink Person C salad, chicken tacos, drink 1. Sit down order food and drinks. All good and happy. 2. Drinks come. No problem. 3. Person A: 1 bowl of soup comes. Person B: nothing Person C: 1 entree comes. No salad. Large piece of plastic in the entree. Sent back. 4. Salad for A & C comes. 5. Replacement entree, sans plastic, comes. Person B still has nothing. 6. C gives B some tacos because B is starving and its been 30 minutes. B agrees to give one of her tacos to C as payment for early taco. 7. 20 minutes later, Person B gets entree. 8. We eat. Food is hopelessly mediocre. 9. All drinks are dry and water is dry. Its like this for 20 minutes. 10. As we're joking around about wild things we could do to make our point about being thirsty, a guy comes up to us and says "man, you guys sure are having fun!" I said "oh thank god! Can we get the drinks we ordered and some water?" 11. Water came. 12. Finally we had been there 90 minutes and had to go. Got the card out waiting for the our server. 12. 15 minutes later the drinks came while paying the bill and boxing the leftovers for my dog. The bill came in seconds and they hadn't missed a beat. Everything was on there. Again, really good at totaling bills. Just shitty at everything else.
(1)
Sammy W.
The sticky bun and fries are outstanding.
(4)
Heather L.
Brussel sprout lovers rejoice! The crispy brussel sprouts here are to die for! Although they are on the dinner menu, I have had them for lunch. I've had the fried egg sandwich and the warm chicken salad sandwich and both are DEE-lish (although I would recommend splitting with a friend unless you have a really hearty appetite). Although I have not had it my friends LOVE the slice of life cocktail-I sadly sipped my ice tea as they enjoyed their their herby drinks.
(4)
Tarick S.
Food is good. Little too loud and stuffy in this joint. Unless you come on an off day. Food is good, drinks are weak as hell. Atmosphere is cool. Staff is good. One thing I will say is don't be cheap on your drinks if you want people back!
(3)
Emily E.
I have been back many times for food and I'm a much bigger fan of the Social "Kitchen" than the "Bar". The egg sandwich is never a bad choice at brunch or lunch. Social puts a very tasty twist on food you might see elsewhere that makes it worth a visit. Also, the decor is fun...a great place for a small group!
(4)
Chris W.
Food wasn't bad and the outdoor dining is nice but had bugs in my water, hair in my wife's and the bill came back wrong. Foods a little over priced as well. Wasn't as happy as I would like for the price I paid.
(2)
Stephen D.
I kept wanting to check this place out so I finally conned my son to going with me for dinner Sunday night. He said he thought it was just a bar (he didn't really think that - just saying he expected the food to be not great.) Well guess what - he loved his brick chicken entree. I liked the Kale salad which might be one of their signatures. Had Turkey sloppy Joe sliders for appetizer (on homemade rolls). No complaints. Waiter was good, friendly but not overly familiar. Hostess could have greeted us better but at least we got a smile out of her as she seated us. The star of the show really is the urban / country mash-up of a decor. 5 Stars to whoever did that.
(4)
Nurse T.
This is my third time trying this place...the service is horrible. Regardless if they are busy or not. It took 25 minutes for my order to be taken. When my waffle & chicken order finally came out, it was hot but the chicken was over cooked and the bacon was black & burnt. I won't be back.
(1)
laura p.
I have been here twice, once for lunch and once for dinner. On both occasions, I really enjoyed my food. For lunch, I had the fish tacos and shared the kale salad. When I came for dinner, I had the brick chicken. My only complaint was that the asparagus that came with the brick chicken was a little too charred for me. The service was great and the atmosphere is equally good. It seems to always be busy. This place can get a little loud when it's really busy, and there is only one bathroom, so you may have to wait. I highly recommend Social Kitchen.
(4)
Samir N.
This is a very cool space and I cannot wait to check out the rooftop once it gets warmer. We had a large group on Sunday evening, but we had no problems grabbing a table. They have a pretty solid selection of wines - many of which are available by the glass. You can go big boy entree or small plates and share. Sharing is caring, so I went with the latter route. One of my dinner mates went with the grilled salad; everything was grilled - including the greens. They loved it. The sliders were really clever and delicious - the meat and cheese was baked into the roll. The crab cakes were pretty tasty, although if you have ever had them in the mid-Atlantic they may be a bit of a disappointment - the meat was not as "lumpy" and too homogenous in texture as I would have hoped. The brussel sprouts were awesome, and the chicken and waffles were pretty solid. I like that the syrup had bacon in it. I wish I had room for dessert, but alas my stomach failed me. I get the feeling that nothing is really bad here and it would be interesting to come back and try to figure out what is great.
(3)
P B.
Had lunch there with my coworkers and the food was excellent! We all enjoyed our meals and shared my very large side order of fries. LOL Great food, great help, I'm sure that everything on the menu is excellent.
(5)
Vanessa W.
Lets just start with, the food is good, not incredible, but pretty darn good. Oh but the downside. See I'm from California. To be more specific, I'm from San Francisco(think Ferndale, its hip, trendy but embracing of everyone) and those of us from Northern CA generally hate Los Angeles. Social embodies all that Los Angeles hype, trend and dare I say it pretentiousness. The hostess actually looked me up and down and sneered. Ok, so I wasn't dressed to impress but for brunch, really, who does dress to impress for brunch. The waitstaff was lacking, which is too bad for them because we generally give awesome tips. Thats not to say that the food wasnt good, it actually was but all that goes along with it really just isn't my cup of tea.
(3)
Nic L.
Had lunch with friends and our server was awesome! He should teach a hospitality course to others. He was quite helpful, had good suggestions and was very attentive to our group. I loved the mac-n cheese but didn't care for the burnt brussel sprouts. Oh and the drinks were top shelf! Definately want to go back for seconds.
(4)
Scott L.
One of our absolute favorites in Birmingham and the kids love it too. Yes, it's expensive, but the food is great. Make sure to try the chicken and waffles and/or cinnamon roll at breakfast!
(5)
Amy B.
I was underwhelmed. The crispy Brussels sprouts while innovative got tiresome when you tried to eat them. They should be served with some way to pick them up and something to cut the oil they absorbed. The rest of the menu was pretty good though overly limited. I love a small menu where the staff can focus on quality but the menu on the day we were there wasn't varied enough. This restaurant could be great. It's almost there but something is still missing.
(3)
Brian G.
A quality of food not easily found in Birmingham - or anywhere around the area for that matter. Innovative with excellent execution, Social is a stand out in the metro area. Highly recommended.
(5)
E. J F.
Social is one of the newer places iin Birmingham. As such, it attracts the trendy crowd as well as a bunch of "look at me" people. Having said that the food is fresh, well prepared and the wait staff is knowledgeable, with one noticeable exception: everything I have ordered through my different visits was very salty, in particular the roasted Brussels sprouts and French fries. I now ask to have the food less salted... Or not salted at all so I can adjust to my taste. Full bar, excellent choice of whiskeys. Bloody Mary's bar on Sundays. Overall, a good choice.
(3)
Nina C.
Love it!! Somewhere new and the location gets you out of the normal loop- when you hang in Birmingham :) drinks are awesome, staff was great, food was pretty good!!
(5)
Mandy S.
I must admit, I was surprised how good this place was. I thought it would be another run-of-the-mill trendy Birmingham restaurant, but it wasn't. The hostesses were very friendly and helpful getting us seated at the bar where we wanted to sit. We tried a variety of appetizers: roasted brussel sprouts, mussels, and scallops. The brussel sprouts are a must have. They had that roasted, charred flavor as well as a sweet undertone. Really wonderful. The scallops and mussels were prepared with a hearty, rustic flare. The scallops were served on a bed of creamed corn. The mussels had black beans and corn in a savory broth. They were almost stew-like, but really fabulous. Then, to top it off, we got a jar filled with warm chocolate chip cookies and two glasses of milk. Very nostalgic and fun. My only negative comment is that I wish the bar staff were a little more freindly. They didn't smile, and I felt like I was inconveniencing them. I didn't get that warm service-oriented spirit you would expect from a new place.
(4)
Zainab N.
In my previous review I meant to say that I was disappointed that the waiter promoted farm-raised salmon over fresh-caught. There was a "not" that went missing. Oops! Still disappointed in that place.
(3)
Julie C.
Lovely looking place but my Kale salad left me violently ill! Not sure if it wasn't washed or what but I have travelled to several remote regions of the world and know food poisoning when I experience it and that is unfortunately my take away from Social.
(1)
Geoffrey J.
Came for brunch with friends and the waiter was not friendly, the food overpriced and the portions were beyond small. Pretentious and the cocktails are also quite expensive, unless you do the bloody mary bar. I ordered the crab cakes, which were great in flavor, but were only 3 crab cakes served with nothing in addition to it (as an entree). Everyone in our group left hungry and we actually went to another restaurant to eat after having brunch there. The decor is nice and the location good. Overall, the food is extremely overpriced, the service is mediocre at best, and the portions small. Save your money!!
(1)
R W H.
Sunday brunch was ok, the bloody Mary bar was not. Just another boring Birmingham spot. Will give it another shot during the week for drinks. Will stick with Toast or make the drive to La Dolce Vita for brunch. Bottomless mimosa = topless girlfriend, makes for a great Sunday
(3)
Jim R.
I have been proven wrong time, and time again. Opening quirks are gone. Great place for lunch or dinner. Fort time going, Terrible experience - four days in a row I tried to make a large group reservation. No call back, no one could answer questions. I was even scolded for calling during the daily pre-opening meeting.
(5)
Margaret F.
Was there last night to meet a group of friends. The hostesses that greet you as you enter are very busy and sadly didnt have enough time to listen to the names we asked if they had a reservation for. 'the reservation might be under X or Y.' They looked for X, couldn't find it and then pretty well dismissed us to look around the restaurant ourselves. We finally just called our friends, the reservation WAS under Y and they were upstairs. My husband went up first and I went to use the restrooms. A large restaurant like this and they have single occupant restrooms??? The line, which it seemed was constant, is right in the main walk way from the kitchen and right in the dining room. I went upstairs to meet our friends, only to be walking behind one of the hostesses who said 'you can't go up here, there is a private party' once I told her I was with the private party, her tone softened and she became apologetic. The drinks here are extremely over priced. A plastic cup of a Sauvignon blanc for $12? Ridiculous - both the cost and the presentation! Plastic cups are typically served in places that have a lot of bar fights which I seriously doubt is the case here, but not very nice nonetheless. The menu is interesting, but doesnt allow much for those who are not 'foodies' I sent back the pastrami, it was awful. The Brussel sprouts were Delish as was the Broccolini and French fries. Another trip to the restroom later in the evening was met with another hostess (aka Gestapo) blocking the stairway to anyone who attempted to go up there. The outdoor rooftop area is very nice, cozy as well as airy. Our waitress was wonderful especially with a party of 14 or so and the organizer of the evening requesting separate checks" odd though that they dont have the same wine choices as downstairs.
(3)
Mariah V.
Casual dining atmosphere with fine dining service was Social's achieved mission. The service may claim to be in fine dining fashion but the food is less than so. While the food is not anything to write home about, the atmosphere is more than enough to draw you in. With an eclectic menu overall, everyone can find something they like of all the very simple dishes. The appetizers were tasty but underwhelming in portion size, 3 hot dogs in a blanket for one appetizer. Not enough to share for the table. I highly recommend the Fried Brussel Sprout appetizer, converting even those who previously claimed to dislike the notorious vegetable. The multi-textural kale salad was very satisfying and not like a typical green salad. Social would be a great place to get drinks regardless of getting dinner or not. The sophisticated yet rustic bar serves as the centerpiece for this Birmingham restaurant. The wine menu was extremely extensive and complete with a flavor code, which makes it appetizing for those that may not be wine snobs or not know anything about it. I would definitely go back to Social but will keep in mind that the food is not nearly as nice as the atmosphere. I would add that the outdoor seating does convert to indoor seating for cold season but next time I would ask to be seated inside, as I was cold. Nonetheless the atmosphere is trendy and alluring.
(4)
Sarah M.
Rooftop dining, great food!
(3)
Dr.Ron F.
The Bistro food was excellent and the atmosphere was great.
(5)
Edward M.
Hands down to Social for being one of the top 10 best meals I've ever had. Ed and I finally got to go to dinner with our good friend, a long overdue event, and we're pleased as Social Punch that we did! We arrived as soon as they opened, placed at a table by the window facing due south on Maple in downtown snootytown, a great people watching spot. We started with the wonderfully seasoned fried brussel sprouts and couldn't get enough of those delicous lil guys. Next up we decided to share the Strawberry salad (honestly the best salad I've ever had, with strawberries... of course, spinach, caramelized cornbread, pickled ginger, goat cheese, granola, and ginger balsamic vinaigrette), grilled scallops (in a giant bowl of gazpacho goodness), and their mac n cheese side (so damn good). For round three we went with the Naan Grilled Cheese (with tomatoes and cheddar and most likely crack, since I couldn't stop eating it), the Falafel (which makes me want to fly to Lebanon to see if they made it better, which they most likely have not), and the awe-inspiring Sea Bass, complete with perfect crispiness...and noodles to go with it, capers, olives, and the perfectly seasoned spicy tomato sauce...absolute heaven. For dessert we went for the cookie jar (despite the chef's personal recommendation). That night the cookies were coconut macaroons, chocolate chip, and honey graham. Sounds simple and easy but one can easily screw up the classics, and these far surpassed my expecatations. Finally we had the banana pudding, which worked out great since I could dip the honey graham yumyum into the pudding for the full on top off. The service was great, he may very well have been Seth Rogen, but he just turned out to be a cool dude named Randy. The decor was fantastic...wood, colored wood, wood walls, wooden doors, and then a bevy of red and white chairs to plop upon. Side note time....when in Birmingham, one would never anticipate or expect the table sitting next to you to A. say hello...B. chat...or C. share every plate that they received in an orgasmic foodfest while mentioning how nobody is social or friendly anymore. Here, in the onslaught of appearance upholding, social stature, and unfriendly demeanors, is the epitome of good time fun mixed with actual and genuine social fun! I'll be spending too many paychecks here. Written by Brad, who's just hijacked Ed's yelp.
(5)
Jesse S.
Cool ambiance. Nice waitstaff. Good food. Relatively weak mimosas and pretty pricey. But, overall great place!
(4)
Brad S.
I went in for lunch with two friends. First off, everyone thought their meal was very good. It has a nice environment/mood with lots of natural light. Our server was very nice and attentive. The only negative was that the food was a bit slow getting to our table and my friends food came out a few minutes before mine did.
(4)
Deep A.
Excellent food and service.
(5)
Paul J.
Whitefish was outstanding. A bit pricey, but Birmingham isn't known for discount dining. Place is geared for young people and should be a hotspot. Older people might find it too loud.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Ray K.
Cool place Fish tacos were excellent Portion of fries was ridiculous but could not stop eating them
(4)Harleen K.
This is a fun Birmingham staple. My fiancé and I come here every so often for the bustling crowd and DIY Bloody Mary. Since it's the two of us, we usually walk in and have frequently gotten lucky to grab a couple bar seats. As mentioned Bloody Mary bar is well stocked with a wide variety of hot sauce, cheese, pickles, meats etc etc I really love the egg sandwich with runny yolks and guac- delish! I've also had made to order skillet as well. On yesterday's brunch I changed it up and got the egg white omelette- had tomato and onion and tasted pretty fresh. It's a pretty trendy place and usually patrons are well dressed to eat at this classy brunch spot!
(3)Liz S.
While visiting a media agency for work here in Birmingham, the girls I was with suggested we do Social for lunch as it is "truly Birmingham." The outdoor patio we sat on was absolutely beautiful with a canopy, giving it pretty lighting. I was practically drooling over the whole lunch menu but ended up choosing the build-your-own salad, where you can check all the boxes of items on the list, but it's still a flat rate. Uh, cool. Love it. The only negative: Let's be real, the service could be WAY better though...yikes. I'd like to at least see my waiter more than to drop off the check... Overall, the price for lunch was right, and the atmosphere can't be beat.
(4)Samantha L.
Came for 4th July brunch and the food was awesome! The sticky bun was huge, so make sure your super hungry if you get it as a app. Our waiter was not the best.....seemed to forget about us and try to consistently upsell us. But, overall I would come back!
(4)Christina C.
Had a fabulous Sunday brunch date with a group of friends at the social! Our server was very attentive and informative of the menu! I ordered the (make your own) skillet that was delicious! It was fun to choose what I wanted in my skillet and it was nice to avoid things I didn't like in it (instead of having to pick it out my dish :p). Ps: ORDER THE SIDE OF FRIES Fun fact: our waitress told us that all the sauces they have are homemade at the restaurant! So they don't have honey mustard, but a lot of other delicious vinaigrette based sauces!
(5)Christina O.
i'm so glad i brought my parents here for sunday brunch. the atmosphere is laid back and the decor is awesome. they have a great covered patio where we sat and enjoyed our meal. the bloody mary bar is really cool with every possible toping you can imagine. we all made our personal 'social skillet' which was delicious and at $12 it's a great deal. the mac and cheese is SPECTACULAR!
(5)Scott C.
Celebrated a birthday with family and friends on the roof top. With a large group of about 25, the service was great!!!. The kitchen kept the food coming all evening. Of all the entrees I sampled that evening, the Tenderloin Steak Frites and the Falafel dish were my favorite. And the bar service did not allow anyone's thirst to go unquenched. The weather was absolutely beautiful for an outdoor celebration. Couldn't have asked for better. Great job with such a large group. We will definitely be back for more rooftop fun.
(5)Christina K.
Great Ambiance and Food! Got the Kale Salad with Salmon and it was great. Also, the salmon entree with lentils and kale was delicious. Always have to get the sangria's here :) All in all everything was great. However, they were out of a handful of different items on the menu. Luckily j did not want any of them. Thank You Social!
(5)Crimson T.
Never before have I been asked to move to another table (where the server told me to sit) so that a larger party of 4 could have my table, which was being held by 2. I will never be back. You're not that fancy, Social Kitschen. The food is not all that, either. There's many better places in Birmingham.
(1)Amanda K.
So I went back to social today and was very pleased with my experience! I ordered the salad and crab cake appetizer- so good!!! The service was outstanding. Thanks to the manager Mike for inviting me back! I really appreciate it and I'll be back again.
(5)Karen S.
We were at social kitchen Friday night for the rehearsal dinner / meet and greet for the Bowden-Sabatini wedding. The staff was amazing - attententive to every detail - kind - gracious - efficient - remarkable!!!! The food was AMAZING!!! We loved the box kale salad, Caesar salad skewers, chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, and really enjoyed the hot chocolate chip cookies and cheesecake!!!! I would strongly recommend this restaurant for any event and look forward to our next visit!!!! Many thanks!!!!
(5)Caleb Y.
Great setting! The Ambiance is nice. The food was good. Only one beer on draft? Kind of weird for a "bar" in Michigan. I had the falafel lettuce wraps! They were good. Great falafel. Also, the fries. They are good but they bring out wayyyyy to many. It is somewhat ridiculous and off-putting. However, overall it was enjoyable.
(3)James T.
Went here with the wife after seeing American Sniper at the Birmingham 8. Wanted to try something new and this place looked interesting. We got seated right away and first impression was trendy, trendy, trendy. New age type music overhead, big couches and cute seating abounded. No ceiling, of course, have to see the pipes to be cool. I was dying for a draft beer but it didn't seem they had a selection and they were charging 6 to 9 bucks a bottle for beer, so I opted for a Long Island and the wife had a margarita. Both very good. The wife had some tomato soup for an opener, it was flavorful but a bit bland. We waited around a half hour or more for entrees and the waiter was slow to ask if we wanted another drink (we did). On to the entrée, the wife had the brick chicken and I had a French dip sandwich with a side of homemade potato chips (in a cool little brown paper bag). Her chicken looked to be perfectly cooked but it was VERY bland and if that was half a chicken, it must have been the size of a dove to start with. No sauce, skin or apparently spice on it. I, on the other hand, won the "who ordered the best dish" contest with the French Dip with chips. The chips were perfect and served with yummy dips and the French Dip had thick slices of perfectly tender beef and an amazing oniony dip in a crock. The bread? Terrific. Best French Dip sandwich I have had in ages. 4 stars for me, if I had ordered the chicken it probably would be 3 stars but she did seem happy with it. I offered up my dip for her chicken and that seemed to help, plus we both enjoyed the chips. In the future, I would order the chips as an appetizer, they give you plenty to share and they are very tasty.
(4)Khadija K.
The ambiance in this restaurant is exactly what I've been looking for. Fresh, fun, and full of life, it's never a dull experience at Social. I love the outdoor seating (available during warmer months) and the bar inside. I've always loved my meals here. I especially love coming for brunch and getting a "Social skillet," which you can custom order with eggs/veggies/sauces. Also, if you like fries, order a side of them - it's quite possibly the largest side of fries I've ever seen! Only complaint I have is the staff. Slightly snobby, I've never had a really friendly or warm server here. They're a little cold and standoffish so it isn't as nice dealing with them.
(5)Jennifer G.
I have eaten here about ten times and have never been disappointed with the food. Today's service started out poorly: we had to get the hostess's attention to get our server over. After she took our order, the owner came to our table to apologize and then took it upon himself to bring out our food. I was so impressed! I will continue to support Social kitchen!
(5)Michele A.
Review based on a week night sitting at the bar party of 2. We came in and sat ourselves at the bar. The bartenders were very nice and make great mixed drinks. The only bad part is no draft beer it was bottles. The food was outstanding. I got the shrimp cobb salad which was fantastic shrimp was cooked perfect. The side of frys FYI is HUGE! it can be split with 4 people. The french frys we split were amazing and had toasted rosemary in them. My husband got the french dip which we split, and so glad I did it was huge and super flavorful. You dip it in an onion soup rather than au jus much better their way. Cannot wait to come back and try some more items.
(5)Jennifer G.
We went here for my birthday brunch and had a great farm to table meal on their patio. The majority of the table had the breakfast skillet which was one price and choose your own items with a large selection of fresh ingredients. Everything tasted delicious. Sticky bun was ordered and it was the best. To top it all off the make yourself Bloody Mary bar. Not too pricey. Good price for the delicious and fresh meal. Plan on returning soon
(4)Randy G.
This is one of the semi-newer additions to Birmingham culinary scene. It certainly has that curb appeal and modernistic decor. The tables are a bit close together, so expect to eavesdrop on your neighbors. Its also loud, so expect to speak up and really get to know your new friends at the table next to you. Starting with their Sticky Bun is definitively a good place to begin. Is gooey, sticky, crunchy, and yummy. It's a good cinnamon roll, although it could have been served warmer and probably add more cinnamon. After the good start, I'm looking forward to breakfast. Now come the Crab Cake with creole sauce. Only evaluating it from the taste, I would give it a pretty high rating. When I factor in portion size and price, I now have some criticism. The crab, being the main highlight, is featured well and is the star in the dish. It's chunky meaty clumps were prepared very well. However, I could have used two more cakes or at least ordered another entrée to help satisfy my hunger craving after finishing it. It's mislabeled, it should be a breakfast starter.
(3)Michelle N.
Love the brunch!! Came back with the bf, and we both ordered and loved our skillets!! Bf got hash browns, caramelized onions, mushrooms, sausage, and cheddar cheese topped with avocado, sunny side up eggs, and gravy, with a side of hot sauce. Next time I think he'll try over easy bc they're runnier. I got hash browns, caramelized onions, Swiss cheese, and bacon topped with cilantro and sunny side up eggs...and loved my meal! Also, the fries are a must get. $5 for the hugest portions of fries I've seen. I think it's enough for 4-6 people. They're like rosemary/onion, crispy fries. Ask for a side of garlic aioli to dip in! I also got a still shaker (I requested peach and mango), and the bf got a coffee. Overall, brunch was $35. Not bad at all! We'll be back!
(5)Everett G.
The brunch is an excellent way to start your day. The Bloody Mary bar is a wonderful was to express yourself before your meal. The Pork Belly Eggs Benedict was the best I have ever had. I have eaten her several times and never once have I been disappointed. The menu has such an array of culinary choices. Made my reservations a couple days in advance because that is how good Social is. You don't want to be the person that says I tried to go their for brunch but could not get a table. The service is the best. Enjoy!!!!
(5)Lauren P.
I've been here twice and both times were really good! I really wish yelp had half stars because I'd give it 4 1/2 stars. The few reasons its not a 5: 1. No beer on tap 2. Drinks are a bit pricey (I know it's Birmingham but cime on!) 3. Servers could improve a little. On to the food!! Have to try the mac and cheese side, possibly one of the best mac and cheeses I've ever had (fyi large side portion). For starters, the brussel sprouts are amazing! Beware if you don't like salty food, you may not love them. As for the meals I've. Had the salmon and it was average BUT the Naan grilled cheese is the bombbb! Not your average grilled cheese, comes on a fancy yummy bun and lots of warm cheesy goodness! Oh and they don't forget a tomato soup side to dip!
(4)Evie B.
Saturday afternoon, busy and loud. They were going to seat us in the center of the room, only table left available inside, but we requested one in the enclosed outside area. Muuuuuuch quieter and less traffic. Very limited brunch menu - 12... Hmmmm would have preferred more options. Service was fast. I chose the chicken salad sandwich. It was good but nothing spectacular .The description mentioned chips- I didn't taste or see any chips. Very very pricey !!!! Price $11 was a sandwich only and although filling it wasn't huge. Hubs ordered egg tacos- flavorful - filling - yummy, but very very expensive for 3 tacos . We ordered fries- soggy, cold, over fried greasy tasting fries yuck! I would like to try the other menu and their Bloody Mary bar
(3)Tom S.
We went in on Monday night with some guests. The entire experience was FABULOUS! We trusted the restaurant to select items for us and they did a Detroit-inspired meal. The falafel was amaz-balls! The pulled pork slider was great! The smoked pork was probably the best thing we had-just great. And the spice rubbed tenderloin was also terrific. Veggies great, dessert great!! And reasonably priced too. There are a lot of other new, trendy places in tiwn that have hugely disappointed, even angered me. Social far exceeded my expectations! Thank you Chef James!!
(5)Karianne V.
I've been here several times, having been seated in every area of the restaurant. I've been for happy hour, girls nights, and date nights with my husband. Service is always good, and the cocktails are especially wonderful. Most recently I tried their carrot margarita, something recommended by the bartender. I would never have ordered this on my own but can say it was the best drink I've had in quite some time. Cheers!
(4)Pat G.
Went there last night around 10. Scene was still lively but we were able to get a 4 top by the bar. Staff was awesome. Very friendly and attentive. Turkey sloppy joes as an appetizer were on point. The sweet pickles with the salty meat was delicious. I had falafel. Not sure if get it again but it was decent. The general manager brought out our entres to check how everything was going. Appreciate that attention to detail. Great place!
(5)Eddie D.
Honestly, nothing too special about the menu. Had the burger and odered it medium well...but came out really under cooked. The chicken and waffles weren't the greatest. My daughters mac and cheese was pretty good though. All in all for my family of 4 we paid about $100 bucks, for two under cooked burgers, a not - so - great chicken and waffles and a decent mac and cheese. Not really worth it in my opinion. Not sure if we'll go back.
(3)Li G.
The ambience is good. The food is not so impressive. Can be very busy for weekend morning.
(3)Kimberly T.
food was great. Fries could feed 5 people lol the burger was amazing, stake not a big deal. Kale salad was great too they were a little slow though.
(4)BRIAN T.
If you dont enjoy your meal, please say something. They will go out of their way to accomodate!
(4)Danielle P.
Tried this place out with 2 friends the other night. Terrible service. There were 4 other people at the bar....2 bartenders, and it took 10 minutes to get greeted. Food was no better. I got chicken and it was horribly over cooked. Neither of my friends liked their food either. Not one of us at more than half, and we all left hungry. Unpressed with everything. Will not be back, there are way too many better options in Birmingham.
(1)Katie M.
Excellent food trumps OK service. Plus, a visit from the manager and free dessert makes the wrongs a little more tolerable. Celebrated my new job here with the hubby. First off - love the design and decor. I felt like I stepped into a West Elm catalog. Bar area was crowded, but still manageable and got a little corner table to tuck into while we waited to dine. Ordered two drinks from the bartender - a Tito's Dirty w/ Bleu Cheese olives and a sapphire tonic. The martini was good, but was surprised at the size of the olives (very small!) We were seated in the time that they estimated, in the enclosed patio area. It was a chilly night but the many heaters did the trick and the room was a perfect temperature. Our server was a bit slow to get over to the table. He seemed pretty busy and even forgot my glass of wine later in the experience. While everything on the menu sounded great, I had a hard time deciding. I love trying new things so I opted to try the fried green tomatoes as an appetizer. How unique! I have never had them before but I felt like with each bite I was unwrapping a new layer of flavor! I really enjoyed this dish. For my entree I selected the Turkey Burger. I was a bit unsure but ... wow. This was by far the best turkey burger I've ever had! It is not a "regular" burger, but very unique with its meat infused with feta, and topped with a perfect blend of parsley, mint and a hot sauce. It came served with house made potato chips which were also excellent, fresh, and perfect amount of crisp and salt. My husband chose the brick chicken, which was also very nicely done. He enjoyed the intense flavor (thyme maybe?) of the chicken, crisp skin and the potatoes were also very flavorful. We decided to be major hogs and also got a side of the mac and cheese. THIS IS ONE PIECE OF THE MENU YOU SHOULD NOT SKIP. Best. Mac. EVER. EVER!!! The downside was most definitely the amount of time that it took for our food to arrive at the table. The server and GM did come over to apologize, and mentioned two larger parties that had caused a jam up in the kitchen. The food, when it did come, was well worth the wait. And the free dessert was a nice touch too. I would have opted for the pecan pie, but I was full as it was. Hubby enjoyed every morsel of the banana pudding. I personally like my dad's better but it was still good. Served in a cute little mason jar - this place is well thought out in every way. Comfort food done classy. I love it!
(4)Bonnie G.
I have only been for brunch and had a good experience both times. I have had the breakfast sandwich and skillet. For the skillet the have a sheet you can fill out and personalize. They have unlimited items and do no charge or limit the toppings. My mom also got the skillet and we both enjoyed ours. The eggs were cooked well and all of the veggies tasted fresh. They do not come with toast or anything, that is all separate. We shared a sticky bun, I would not order again. It was $7 and burnt, not worth it. Everything we ordered came in the iron skillets. Good coffee, they were good about refills and warm-ups. Both times I have sat on the side patio and have enjoyed it.
(4)Kathryn G.
The restaurant was awesome! Everyone had something different and said it was the best they'd ever had. Service was wonderful
(5)Holly S.
I come here all the time so I think it's time for a review! I really really like this place! The atmosphere is amazing, especially the rooftop at night and the outdoor seating. I love the wood floors here too lol. Anyways, the food! My favorite thing here is the brick chicken and the chicken salad sammy. I have NEVER in my life had a sandwich that has such amazing texture. The bread was super crispy as was the bacon and the chicken was super moist. Perfectly balanced with sweet and savory from the sauce, pickles, bacon. It literally tantalizes every tastebud! The brick chicken is super savory, ultra crispy skin and juicy. Great option too if you're really hungry :) The slider bites are interesting. Not one of my favs but whenever I bring someone new we order them because they're different and I like hearing other people's opinion on them lol. They almost have a weird metallicy/chemical flavor to them and I never know what it is. I also think the meat inside needs to have more texture but they're fun. Overall, this is one of my favorite spots in Birmingham :)
(4)J. D.
Food is ok. The staff needs to smile more and try to act like they want guests to come in and give them business. Do you not smile because you believe your Birmingham clientele are stuck up? Smile anyway! Kill us with kindness! Anyway, got a tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich to go. There were no crackers that the soup is supposed to come with and I was supplied no plastic silverware or napkins. This was during a non-rush lunch period. I was in my suit. Please do the little things that help businesses become great!
(2)Thomas L.
Very cool place but a bit pricey. Ordered two entrees salad and appitizer and came to almost $70 bucks. Guess it is all about location. That being said everything was very good. Fried brussels sprouts were the best with the kale salad a close second. Atmosphere was really neat with outdoor and indoor seating. Noise level very good so can carry a conversation and service was very good as well.
(4)C J.
Good food albeit a little pricey for what you get. Friendly staff and cool hip vibe. Turkey on pita and cheese burger were both delicious, however no fries? The donuts were good. The Brussels were too salty and the portion was tiny. If you enjoy people watching, this is the place for you. We will go again with friends.
(3)Andrew W.
I visited for the first time today for lunch. I had their twist on a turkey burger. It had a nice kick of heat after every bite and was served in pita bread. The flavor was very good, but it was akward to eat because of the pita bread. The sevice was friendly and did a nice job explaining to a rookie like me.
(4)Rachel M.
Disappointed is probably the best way to describe every experience I've had at social. I enjoy the food and cocktails but it's not good enough to justify how long I have to wait for it. Despite expressing to our server that we were in a bit of a time crunch there was no sense of urgency. There's plenty of other places in the metro area to order $11 cocktails and get better service.
(1)Leesa J.
June 9, 2015, I brought my mother there for dinner on a warm sunny evening. Our waitress Misty seemed friendly at first, our orders were placed, I opted for a turkey burger, and my mother the brick chicken dish, alongside with two refreshing beverages for us both. To my dismay there were a few things that didn't sit well with me soon thereafter regarding this restaurant's matter of how they cater to customers, or shall I say how particular customers being that of color are dealt with. The service my mother and I received for the duration of our dine in was less than sub par. Our drinks were late and were never asked for refills on our beverages, mind you this placed wasn't busy. Our meals arrived to us beyond the time I felt was adequate for its preparation. While my burger was delightful in presentation, however tolerable to taste, my mothers chicken was tasteless and not quite thrououghly cooked to her liking, let me be clear it was't raw, or pink, it just didn't taste done. My mother isn't the complaining kind, she stated she would live with it. Meanwhile, Misty, who continued to show the rest of the guests she was assigned, attentive service, never returning back to our table once our meals were delivered by another serving employee there, can I say we were a little parched by then. So, I ended up forgetting about water or the refills, and ended up summoning Miss Misty and told her my dilemma regarding the uncooked chicken, never mind its lack of flavor. She gave her reasoning/run down of how the chicken is brined, cooked this way, flipped another with a transfer from skillet, to oven or whatever.....this wasn't any of my concern, it was a matter that it wasn't to my mothers liking and she was unhappy. Misty took the chicken back to the Chef, and never returned with a resolution. Meanwhile, she continued carrying on her waitress duties never to show any initiative, or concern for making things better with us. I grew quite frustrated and peeved, and rather than me showing out in front of mother in such a civil matter, we opted to end our visit peacefully. I ended up having to flag down Misty for our bill, we probably would've still been siting there awaiting for check out til this very day. Upon Misty presenting my check, she nor the chef, nor the manager on duty never mentioned anything about rectifying my mother's issues, it was totally ignored. It just goes to show you, that even though there may not be signs in your face that say "we don't want you here, we don't serve negros", the negative vibes, and tacky demeanor, are nothing short of a message that says what your mouth can't say openly. Never will there be ANY recommendations of the Social Kitchen & Bar from my book, NEVER EVER.
(1)Beauty G.
Awful with carry out orders . Take forever . When you order a salad for carry out they give you the tiniest cup of dressing that doesn't even cover the salad. Duh
(1)Tamara K.
Lunch is great. The outdoor patio is toasty warm. Had the chicken and waffles with the bacon bourbon maple syrup. Simply delicious. Tomato soup was fantastic. Very filling. Had a little bit of dairy but was not tough on me as I am slightly lactose intolerant. Had the banana whiskey drink which was also very good. Portion for the waffle and chicken was great but I did order the full meal version not the appetizer one on the menu.
(4)Kelly O.
Here is a story about 2 managers, a waitress, several food-runners and a drive-by "Kale-ing." Preface: This was my second visit. First time: great food, great service. Second time: great food, terrible service & management. Friday night my boyfriend and I had reservations here. I was taking him out for a special night to celebrate a recent success he had. We were promptly seated. We waited for about 5 minutes before we were greeted by our waitress. We started by ordering a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. She brought it right out to us, opened the bottle, poured a small taste and then poured us each a glass. The wine bottle was placed in a plastic bag that had ice water in it to keep it cool. After we each had a couple sips of the wine, we realized it was VERY warm. I stopped her as she was walking by, told her it was warm and asked if there was a colder bottle & if not, we would just switch to red. She then said, "it's warm?" and proceeded to pick up my glass and hold it to check. Then, she pulled the bottle out of the bag to feel the bottle. (Not AT ALL an accurate way to check temperature, furthermore, why are you touching my glass at all?) She says she'll see what she can do and walks away. A new lady comes by, a manager we presume, and takes the bag and bottle and says, "we're going to make this really cold for you," we thank her and she walks away. Moments later she's back with the same bottle and same bag annnnnnnddddd (drum roll please) the solution to chilling our $35 bottle of Sauv Blanc was to....... add more ice? Hmm. Okay. Well, we figured "what the heck" and let it go. Next, two DELICIOUS appetizers ordered: Brussels Sprouts and Shrimp & Grits. They were delivered separately at two different times by two different people. No sign of the waitress. A lot of time goes by and she finally comes back to take our orders. We each order a salad. The boyfriend has a gluten intolerance so orders the gluten free Barramundi Skillet. Waitress asks if he wants spinach or kale. Kale. I order the regular Barramundi Skillet. Next, more food runners with our salads. No waitress to check on how everything is. No one ever checks back about the wine. Salads are delicious. Now, more food runners with our entrees. His is on greens, mine is with kale and pasta. He starts looking at his and says, "is this spinach or kale?" and it was definitely spinach (not what he asked for). Well, apparently some "wise and helpful" employee was walking by while we're talking about this and shouts "KALE" at us and continues walking by. What the heck?!!! Waitress comes by, he tells her it's spinach, she blames the chef and brings out a side of kale. I should interject here that all of the food is DELICIOUS. Absolutely fantastic! Our dining experience comes to a close and a male manager comes by our table. We've been sitting for about 15 minutes with empty waters. He asks how everything was and the boyfriend says he would like some water. Manager gets water and returns. I told him that we were disappointed in our level of service, explained the problems we had and he said he'd "take care of it." We never saw him again. We only saw our waitress again for the bill. Long story short, the manager did nothing. No money off, no return to the table to follow up, essentially, no customer service. Our bill was about $150 for both of us before the tip. You would think that when they are serving food and wine that is about average price-points that they would try to maintain a decent level of customer service. We left with the feeling that they really didn't care and that there was a SEVERE lack of management, experience, communication and organization to the team. Will we be back? Maybe... the food is great, but what incentive do we have to return after being treated poorly?
(2)Vivian X.
I would actually give this place three stars for the food and everything else, but I just love the atmosphere too much! We came here for brunch. The menu looked so promising. I really couldn't decide what to get. I changed my order a few times, but our server graciously took it. My brother got the speculoos banana pancakes with a side of bacon, I got breakfast tacos, and my mom got something with quinoa in it (salad?). The tacos were cold when they got here, but I guess they tasted alright. My brother ended up not finishing half of a pancake because they were too sickeningly sweet, and was hungry again once we got home (swimmer probs). My mom was indifferent towards her salad. Would come here again with friends because of the fun and *social* atmosphere.
(4)Darvell P.
Went here on a Tuesday evening (date). Great ambiance. Most people were out on the patio, a fair amount inside but there was still good seating available. Ordered the Chicken and Waffle appetizer. Perfect size for 1 or 2 people (half a Belgian waffle). Server was attentive enough at first, then started to fade away after our entrees came. Great American but self-inspired menu. Drink menu looked decent also but I didn't buy any this time. Ordered a burger cooked medium well but it came out a little less cooked than medium well; actually sent it back to cook a bit more. Very gracious about it, no fuss, in fact our server suggested it. Burger was OK but it's big and very juicy. The burger is sold a la carte; They only have one size serving of fries and its ridiculous. It's meant to share between 2-4 people. We didn't eat half of it. They were OK too, nothing to write home about. Overall I will repeat again and try some other food, different server, and and see how it goes.
(4)E P.
This is my kind of place. Both times I have been here the sandwiches were great, I enjoy the outdoor seating and the decor is perfect. The check even came in a little mason jar. I know that sounds pointless and people will hate the "hipster" quality, but I still enjoy it. Pricing isn't super expensive for a restaurant these days and the service was on point. They weren't very busy after 2pm. Just be prepared to sit near a gaggle of wealthy women talking about multi million dollar homes. But such is Birmingham
(4)Brian P.
good food, nice clean restaurant. manager jared is great! get the doughnuts for dessert!
(4)Mary Y.
Just a little too Bham for me. The waitstaff was certainly friendly and nice, but the surrounding attitude I just wasn't a fan of. Lots of socials just sitting waiting to be seen. We went on a Sunday late morning so the only thing available was the brunch menu. Coffee was very good and strong, and we ordered up the tray of french fries that our neighbors were eating. That was a mistake. We overate. They were good. I ordered chicken and waffles. The chicken was a little overgreasy and overbreaded. We sat outside on the patio and though it was freezing cold and windy outside, it was cozy and warm inside the covered patio. Our waiter suggested dessert and although we were stuffed we ordered up the cookies and milk which was delightfully delivered in a pitcher, still warm. I'm not sure I'd return, but it was a worthy experience.
(3)Stephen M.
A simple name for a restaurant and aptly named. Very Social. Very good. My son and I walked in to get a drink and some dessert after having made a slight tactical error on dinner, choosing to go Italian and landing at a nearby average eatery. So this review is really based upon one dish--the pecan pie. And what a slice of pie! Moist, sweet, slightly crunchy, great crust. If you can take a classic and 'own' it in every respect, you're making your mark. Social made its mark with the pie. For drinks: my son had a Manhattan--same idea--classic! The coffee was rich and enjoyable. As we sat and talked, I enjoyed watching plates of food head to other tables. They all looked to be in the 'definitely-to-try' category. This place has a nice chatter environment. There's a buzz from many enjoying themselves, being social. As you sit and enjoy, its all very manageable in terms of your own conversation without shouting, being happily social.
(4)Scott S.
More of a heads up. Had lunch today. Decided to have a crab cake appetizer. It thought 16 dollars. I thought I'd get two. Heck 16 dollars anywhere is a lot for one crab cake. But that is what I got. No garnish. No sauce of any kind just a crab cake on a plate. Decent tasting but 16 for a crab cake appetizer at lunch and to just get one medium sized crab cake and nothing else Night before was at kruse and Muer. Had crab cake dinner. With soup. Remoulade sauce. Vegetable. Bread. 18 dollars.
(3)Bill F.
This is an awesome restaurant. The food is great and they are very accommodating. I am so glad he is opening up more restaurants.
(5)Omar A.
Favorite place for breakfast in metro Detroit! This is our go to Sunday brunch spot, especially if someone is in town visiting and we want to show off what the area has to offer. The skillets here are the go-to meal and I recommend them to any first time diners.. Oh and excellent hollandaise sauce. The server staff is extremely friendly and the restaurant always has a pleasant upbeat atmosphere. Protip: Call ahead the night before for Brunch reservations if you have a larger party. Social fills up pretty quickly once 11AM hits and the wait can be close to an hour. It's still worth it though!
(5)Nancy V.
Best best crispy Brussel sprouts you will ever ever have My fave place for that...and Now Im hooked on Bloody Mary Sundays..Awesome set up for that.
(5)Linda G.
What a lousy experience. I went with a friend for lunch on Saturday. She had been there before for me it was the first time. I ordered a skillet with poached eggs she ordered the waffle plain with the bananas and syrup on the side. My skillet 1/2 full of food with hard cooked poached eggs was sent back. Her waffle covered in everything sent back. My skillet returned still not worth $12, my friends waffle returned raw. She sent it back. I won't return. The manager gave her a $10 gift card. She may go back for lunch during the week. What a rip off.
(1)Ian P.
I was very impressed with my first time eating here. It has a great atmosphere and cocktail options. The staff were casual even for an uptight Birmingham area. The food was amazing and everything came out in a reasonable time, presented well and tasted even better. On a busy night even one of the managers named Jared came by and made sure everything was satisfactory. Looking forward to coming back and trying the amazing sounding dessert menu.
(5)Lynette A.
I loved this restaurant! I went for brunch this past Saturday AND Sunday. I had the skillet on Saturday, which you can't go wrong with. You can put as many of the ingredients (w/the exception of the meat and cheese) as you want for $11!!! Great deal and more then enough food. I had the steak and eggs (medium rare) on Sunday, it was delicious. We also had french fries, cookies and banana pudding. Everything was so good and well prepared. I tried the slice of life (cucumber based drink) and the white sangria. Both of the drinks were really good and refreshing. The service is really great from the moment you walk in the door and we didn't have to wait for a table either day. The music is on the louder side but I think it fits the hip & modern atmosphere. If the music is a real issue for you, you can always get a table on the enclosed patio. I will going back indefinitely to try the chicken and waffles. Great place
(5)Esther G.
After a mediocre brunch experience, I wanted to give this restaurant another shot, so this time I visited for dinner. Eh, it's more of the same. But really, I can't seem to figure them out. I feel like it's supposed to be a more upscale place. I mean, it's Birmingham. Is that a stereotype? There's nice wood furniture and everything, but all the workers (and I mean ALL) were wearing plaid shirts in all different colors, which gave my friend the impression that they're trying to give off a homey vibe, which I agreed. So what is it, homey or upscale? The two entrees that we ordered were both $13. Mine was the warm chicken salad sandwich ... with shredded lettuce. Really? And my friend's grilled cheese naan (aka Grease Mountain) with tomato soup that's basically a small cup of soup, bread and cheese. So they use rather simple ingredients on what's supposed to pass as unique, but charge a lot more than what it should be worth -- and with no sides. Furthermore, the food isn't served on plates but rather silver trays, like the one I had inside my toaster oven. Am I nit-picking? Don't get me wrong, the food was good. But I guess I was just expecting more. What exactly, I don't know, which is why I can't seem to figure them out. But back to my sandwich. I liked that the slices of whole grain toast were thick and sturdy, and it was stuffed with the chicken mix, bacon, BBQ chips and the shredded lettuce. We split a side of fries, or tried to at least. For $5 we got an overflowing brown bag of them topped and TOPPED with salt. Even after we gorged on them, it looked like we had barely made a dent. It didn't help that we had a server who threw the stink eye at my friend after the waitress came to ask what we wanted to drink as SOON as she sat down and my friend said she didn't a minute to look at the drink menu. Then she didn't come back for 10 minutes. When no one else was at the restaurant besides the just-out-of-work people at the bar. Then made this offhand, overly sweet but borderline fake comment about how she LOVED(!) my friend's credit card design! Omg, really? Me too! Anyway, I did appreciate the complimentary corn muffins that were just out of the oven. So thanks for that.
(3)Chef R.
I love creating my own salad without having to go to a salad bar. The ingredient are fresh and the options are plentiful. I'm head over heels for any of their salad dressings yet, but they do the job and the amazing quality ingredients deliver.
(4)Michael K.
Crispy noodles in the menu actually implies inedible and burnt. I ordered the Barramundi Skillet, the fish was great and flavorfull but it was served on a birds nest of burnt noodles that a knife couldn't cut. So when I would cut the fish it would fall into this nest and become trapped. It was a pleasure to eat. Don't cooks try their own food? And why do servers not observe the food they're selling and send it back when something is obviously wrong. Good atmosphere, good vibe, but another Detroit area restaurant that lives up to its mediocre compeitition.
(2)Michelle C.
It is spendy, but for lunch I really liked the create your own salad for $9. The only down side is the older lady who has hosted at lunch, is not very friendly. I hope she's someone mom or the owner because otherwise...She's not very inviting. I've gone with a couple different people for the salad and each of them was a little taken back by how brash she was. Like she was irritated to be seating us.
(3)Dano R.
If you like dining at trendy establishments this place is for you. The service is decent and the food is not bad but not outstanding. Previous reviews talked about how good the grits and shrimp appetizer is but I thought it was just "ok". Decent flavor but my grits had the consistency of soup. The side of Brussels spouts was disappointing at best. Dry and appeared over cooked and devoid of that savory taste. If you're a woman and seated at the bar for a pre-dinner glass of wine or a beer, you might get better service than I did. This is not a place I would recommend at this time.
(2)Danielle B.
I like everything about this place except for the abrasive older lady they had working as a hostess yesterday afternoon. I walked into Social hoping to pass some time before meeting a friend and told her I was just going to sit at the bar -- "are you going to eat or not?!" Lol seriously? I haven't thought that far and will eat when I want to lady. Other than that though..this place is golden. I've been here for brunch and lunch...and you see all types: ladies who lunch, business meetings, people on a lunch dates, etc etc. The menu is simple, but good.. And I especially like the "social salad" salad option for those days you want something on the lighter side. I had it yesterday with mixed greens and falafel and it was perfect. (I chose to drink my calories instead with two glasses of the delicious social sangria.) The decor is trendy, the patio is nice for warm days, the staff is professional, and the location in the heart of Downtown Birmingham close to all of the shops is perfect. What more could you want? I'll tell you..I wish there were more places like Social in GP!
(4)Mona W.
I keep wanting to like this place. I really do. They have a decent brunch but for the most part, food and service is terrible. Today.. I asked the bartender for no oil and butter on one of the dishes and said I'm looking for lighter option. She brings out the scallops and shrimp appetizers soaked in more oil and butter than I've ever seen. It was terrible. I mentioned it to her and her reply was: "ah I didn't realize you were looking for something not greasy. Yup you're right. Not a healthy option." Welp....
(2)Am W.
This used to be one of my favorite restaurants- had some of the worst service and in not hygienic with customer's food. The guy next to us had to send back cold-uncooked meat. We ordered salads and after waiting a long time they gave them to the couple next to us who picked through them and saw it want their order and retuned them. The bartender then handed them to us without saying anything! The woman even told Us not to eat what she touched because she is sick. They didn't apologize or say anything for pretending to serve us new salads hat were touched by the people next to us! We ended up paying for the overpriced salads we couldn't even eat and had to go get food elsewhere. Do yourself a favor and eat somewhere with stricter health codes.
(1)Renee Y.
One of my favorite spots in Birmingham-- very chill atmosphere with good food and drinks. It's a perfect place to catch up with friends.. love both the inside and outside (open during warmer months).
(5)Scott W.
The "go to" place for my office in B'Ham. Has the gluten free/vegan folks covered - menus for both. Must Haves: 1. Chicken and Waffles - bacon maple something on top - Awesome 2. Crispy Brussel Sprouts - even if you think you don't like BS try'em - Awesome 3. French Frys - enough for four - best in B'Ham Great beer selection and good wine selection - priced on the high side but hey it's B'Ham.
(4)Regina B.
I've been to Social too many times to count, but going for brunch last weekend was quite the experience. They now have loud music which reminded me of the brunch parties in NYC. The only thing missing is the DJ and bottle service!
(5)Sara B.
It's been a while since I've been here, but when I went I was very pleased. Our group of 9 was accomodated after making reservations, and we were able to sit outside. It was absolutely gorgeous out, and I loved the atmosphere of the restaurant. I can't speak for anything else on the menu, but I will say that I had a $9 build your own salad that rocked my socks off. They have a great selection of base and toppings that you can put on your salad, and while some items come with a price (chicken, steak, shrimp, etc) most are free of charge. All of the ingredients were fresh, service was prompt, and everyone was happy with their food. I call this a win! The main reason why I knocked off a star was because I went there on the weekend and was disappointed that I could only order brunch and salads/normal food was not offered.
(4)Melinda S.
I have been here a two times. My first wasn't a great experience. I wasn't planning to come back until a birthday party was there. The food was great the second time! I ordered the brick chicken & was very pleased!! The waiter was super nice, the food came fast & the atmosphere was cool!! I will come back again for sure!
(4)Kristina L.
The ambiance in this place is great, it's different and hopping, but the actual food I was not impressed with at all. My BLT had thick pieces of bacon and tasted very greasy. It came with chips which were hard and okay. I tried the fries as well which was a huge portion served on a tray. A friend got the falafel which came on palate with a sauce and oil. I got a peach juice to drink which was refreshing but didn't get a refill for that price wish it would have came with one.. The warm cookies and milk we had for dessert was a cute touch and idea but not impressed with the taste at all. Maybe if your going there for a few drinks and appetizer instead of dinner you may be more satisfied.
(2)Sean C.
Man, where did the time go? I have been meaning to post a review ever since we ate here a few weeks ago. It was a nice, cool evening and we opted for the rooftop for dinner. They warned us that there weren't any heaters up there, but we figured we could tough it. And really, I didn't think it was all that cool. I could have used long sleeves, but it certainly wasn't cold enough to warrant heaters. Unfortunately, I guess we were in the minority, as we had the rooftop patio pretty much to ourselves the whole evening. That wouldn't have been a problem, except it meant that our server was not quite as present as if we were in the dining room downstairs. The food was fantastic though. We had the fried brussel sprouts for an appetizer, which was a definite winner. I had the brick chicken for dinner and we shared an order of warm donuts for dessert. Nothing about the food was disappointing. My dining companions had the kale salad and the naan bread grilled cheese. All the dishes got rave reviews. Thanks again to Yelp for leading me here. This is exactly the kind of place I like to find when I am out on the road!
(4)Sa2 S.
Not happy at all. Sat and watched other people get served their food at least 6 tables that came in after us. We were the only Black people there. The manager had the audacity to ask, did we want to take our food to go. Absolutely not was my reply!! Never going there again. Very upset and hungry.
(1)Amy Z.
We had a fabulous brunch! We had been here once before for dinner and we enjoyed the brunch menu more then dinner menu. We both created our own skillet..... They were amazing. My husband enjoyed a Bloody Mary where a bar was set up and he could make his own. Service was attentive. We didn't get the sticky buns but we did hear they are excellent. Brunch is way better then dinner at this restaurant!!
(5)Trish P.
Yummy Kale salad and friendly wait staff.
(4)Megan C.
Social didn't quite match my expectations based on other Yelpers' reviews and how I have come to know many other Birmingham establishments as a frequent visitor to the area. While I don't think you'll be flat-out disappointed in coming here, I don't think you'll be blown away enough by the food/service/ambiance to put it on your regular rotation. Social lives up to its name in that it's definitely a busy gathering spot - even on an unassuming Tuesday night, Social's open-concept bar and dining area were buzzing about with locals and business people, so reservations are a must if you're planning on claiming a seat at one of their moden, SoCal-esque blond wood high-top tables for waiter service. Even though they accept reservations, I think part of what soured us on our overall experience there was the cavalier (bordering on rude) attitude the front-of-house staff took toward reservations. Even though 2 of our 6 attendees had arrived, she wouldn't seat us, and they weren't on a wait. Even when we said we'd like to be seated and that we'd order drinks, she seemed exasperated and told us we could go to the bar. Poor attitude and lackluster customer handling skills; front-of-house needs work. Upon being seated, it was cool to sit so close to the semi-open kitchen; always fun to see the chefs and sous-chefs at work. However, being on a high-top stool with my back against another patron one party over who kept bumping into our table? Not so fun. Tables here are way too NYC-intimate, but this is B-ham, Michigan. Space it out. Our waiter was fine, nothing amiss there. Food was fine, but mostly forgettable. For apps, we had Slider Bites (more so rolls stuffed with ground beef), crispy brussels sprouts (over-burned and too shredded to really share), and spinach dip (not much different than TGI Friday's). Among 7 guests, none of the appetizers were finished. Entrees brought some renewed hope - the Kale Salad was actually the most phenomenal item IMHO, and hearty and delicious while being gluten-free and vegetarian for those who are concerned. We also had Naan Grilled Cheese (way too greasy, as most other reviews state), Barramundi Skillet (great presentation of fish, but too temperature hot for too long - scorching), Steak Frites (nice GF option without the fries and great steak), and the spaghetti (hard to mess up). I see potential for fun roof-top outdoor drinks when the weather's nicer, but if you coming here looking for service and food to match the look and feel of the place, you might come up a bit disappointed. As long as your expectations are aligned, you'll feel "A-OK" about Social Kitchen, too.
(3)Ann W.
One of my friend's go-to restaurant, we met up on a Sunday evening to catch up. A popular restaurant in downtown Birmingham, there was a mix of guests: sorority sisters, a date looking to make a good impression, a young family. Eclectically decorated, the restaurant features a wood plank accent wall with a map of Detroit in the shape of a pig with an industrial light fixture affixed. We jumped straight to dinner, opting to skip the appetizer to save room for dessert. There were several interesting options on the menu that I considered: naan grilled cheese, spaghetti, pork chops, before settling on the juicy cheeseburger, cooked medium rare, with a shared order of the thinly-cut fries. The house-ground patty was well prepared and was served with pickles on the side. Yum. Now, onto dessert. We shared freshly-made yeast doughnuts that were rolled in cinnamon sugar. The hot doughnuts were crisp and tasty, even more so after we added vanilla ice cream. In all, the meal was lovely and a perfect way to cap off the week-end.
(4)Joe B.
To finish off our jaunt around Birmingham for date night we stopped in here for a night cap, and for my first visit, I really enjoyed the vibe of this place. Some of the décor is a little kitschy (utensils and pans hanging from the hostess' chandelier) but overall it has a wonderful ambiance to it with big points going to the patio seating. We sat at the bar offering vantage over the whole space and I was kind of impressed with how this place is laid out and with the smaller accents to service. For instance, if you order cookies (The Cookie Jar) for dessert they bring you an actual cookie jar with 5 or so warm freshly baked cookies inside that are wrapped in a white linen towel...what a great concept. After we ordered our drinks (did I mention that they have Delirium...NICE!) I couldn't help but look over the menu that our bartender had left for us. Having already had dinner at Market it was hard to resist the Pecan Pie with Bourbon Whipped Cream. While we waited for our order our neighbor across the bar, who was enjoying his own Cookie Jar over coffee, was kind enough to offer us a cookie from his stash. Even with pie on the way who could resist a warm freshly baked chocolate chunk cookie...I have to say they were pretty good. The pie was solid too if perhaps a little too sweet...but the crumb, almost streusel, topping was ridiculously good and the crust which I'm a huge fan of was a little tough but flaky and buttery. The whipped cream was the literal icing on the cake as it were. All that aside though, I've heard good and bad press about this place but after the service we had and the quick look over the menu I think I definitely want to come back to give them a chance to seriously impress me.
(4)Valerie A.
Well it's a very lively spot. This was my second time dining here in a few years. First time I had a really bad experience with the chicken dish and never wanted to go back after that. But this time I went on a Saturday night and it was packed so the atmosphere is good. Food is ok tho. Nothing I would really crave but then again I haven't tried everything on the menu. We ordered the Brussels sprouts which were good at first bite but then I noticed how extremely salty they were and I couldn't eat it any more. Mac and cheese was good- nothing super amazing. Fries were ok, they give you a ton! Scallops were pretty good, it was my first time trying a scallop. We got carrot cake at the end because they were out of the German choc cheesecake. Good carrot cake. Overall I think the food is average, I really only went there for the atmosphere.
(3)Kooky K T.
Ordered a salad. Huge. And delicious spread of toppings, veggies. Loved their French onion soup! Eating on the roof is an option too!
(4)Charisse G.
Uniquely prepared twist on the egg skillet. Really enjoyed building it by choosing my favorite ingredients. Taste was fantastic and price was even better! The seasonal blueberry pancakes w/lemon curd were wonderful! I continue to expose new friends to this quaint spot in Birmingham!
(4)Alexandra Z.
I can't stop coming here. BEST MAC AND CHEESE EVER. It's amazing. I get Mac and cheese everywhere and Social's amaaazzzzing. I haven't eaten anything that wasn't great. It's all amazing and I would order all again. I go a lot for brunch on the weekends. Stuffed Pumpkin French Toast - they make their own bread per order!!!! AMAZING. Not super sweet but def sweet. I literally crave these daily. Chicken 'n Waffles - tell them not to put the syrup on for you, ask for a side. They are syrup happy with this dish SOMETIMES. Tuna Casserole - great if you like tuna! Warm Chicken Salad is a sandwich..comes on toast. Creamy and delicious Sticky Bun. Get it. Without a doubt. The atmosphere is trendy and modern. Down to earth servers that are outstanding. Social truly understands customer service. I'll never stop coming here. COFFEE IS GOOD TOO! :)
(5)Nayha I.
Great place to go out for drinks on the weekend! Love the atmosphere. The donuts are to die for!!!
(4)Dan C.
Fantastic brunch food. Chicken and waffles just plain rocks the house. Every dish at our table was equally delicious. For breakfast, brunch or lunch, this place is great...
(5)Emily M.
I've been here twice. The first was a disastrous experience on a Friday night. I had to wait 2 hours even though I had an 8:00pm reservation. The second was on a weekday where I had excellent service and food. I'm glad I gave Social a second chance! They have an excellent salad and drink selection! Not too mention...love the outdoor seating with heated lamps! Can't wait to try the rooftop sometime!
(4)Varun B.
I was pleasantly surprised by this place. To start, the ambiance and decor was excellent and tastefully done. Go the Rol n' Rye fashioned drink, which was delicious. My wife had gotten the Hibiscus lime-aid, which was also pretty good. As for appetizers, we decided on the Fried Green tomatoes. The were nicely fried, and had a nice complementing garnish to go with it. For dinner, I had the Brick Chicken. Usually, I don't get a half chicken, but this one had a nice crispy skin with extremely juicy, tender meat. I love the crispy Yukon gold potatoes that came as a side. They also give a cornbread muffin with the meal, which was a nice touch. My wife got the steak frites. I don't eat steak, but she said it was pretty good. And they give a butt-load of fries with the dish, of which I ate plenty.
(4)Omar O.
This place is okay but nothing special. The menu is relatively limited and most of the food offered is greasy or fried. People say the fries are good but even those we pretty soggy and without much flavor.
(3)Lisa S.
I have heard about this place since it opened, only to come back in town and have everything over salted to the point of not being edible.
(1)Louai S.
Gorgeous design, very eclectic, shabby chic interior, however; front desk personalty needs serious work and food need way more work after all, people come here to eat. Here is the food at 2:30 on a Tuesday afternoon with a nearly empty restaurant. Clam chowder is more like salt pork chowder with very little clams and way to salty. we ordered two custom salads, not interesting, most ingredients ordered did not make it on or very little of made it on, Bland dressings, asked for more however it did not help. Chicken added to salad was over cooked, cold and very dry, not good quality. Falafel "2" add on for $5 really? tasted like dough not that we have any good falafel in town however this is just another bad version of the real deal. Burgers were just OK, however for $15 burger only with no sides, tomato or lettuce, you'd better be grinding 8 oz Delmonico steaks and not 5 oz chuck. Mac and Cheese, good, fries, delicious enough for the whole table. At the end of day, go ahead and charge whatever you want, I am willing to pay for a great meal just like many I know, but do not over charge and deliver below even the mere average quality. I know clams are expensive, however $7 for a 4 oz cup is extremely expensive. It should be loaded with fresh clams and 7 ounces.
(1)Sarah S.
Amazing place, amazing location , and amazing food !! that's how I can describe social !!
(4)Grace D.
Went for lunch at Social Kitchen and discovered brunch was the option. Okay, we will try brunch. I opted for the Skillet, which was a fun experience checking off the ingredients to create my entrée. I started with egg whites then added spinach, mushrooms and feta with a side of spicy roasted tomatoes. The skillet was very good and unique. I did eat every morsel. I am glad I opted for the tomato puree on the side, it was spicy, but a great flavor. My friend chose a chopped salad with the crab cakes. The chopped salad is a good portion and served in a large white bowl. The crab cakes however are a very small portion, but very good flavor. The service was slow. We wanted to dine outside so they take your cell number and text you when your table is ready. They texted us and we checked in to stand and wait for about 15 minutes. Once we were seated at our table it took a little time for our server to get to us. When she arrived we ordered coffee and tea, which took some time to arrive as well therefore we decided to order. The food is remarkable. We both had eaten everything on our plate. However, neither of us received a refill on our tea or coffee, which was odd since our server had asked us and we responded yes. She did stop and inform us coffee was brewing. We were not in a hurry, thank goodness. I will definitely be back the food was very good. It was about a 2 hour lunch, oops brunch.
(4)Yen L.
So delicious! One star off only because they are marking up their wine aggressively. The brussel sprouts are amazing, kale salad don't bother though. Don't bother with the broccolini either. I went with one veg, so can't speak to the meat dishes. But great service- they brought me an unopened bottle of wine after mine was taken away so that I could Vivino it (download the app) and tolerated our many requests- all around a very good experience!
(4)Lauren V.
I wish I could give this 5 stars, but after several visits to Social Kitchen & Bar, three stars is as high as I can go. The positives: the food!! Such yummy options at Social. I've had the Kale and Quinoa salad (which continues to be one of my faves), chicken & waffles, crispy brussel sprouts, sliders, grilled cheese, several different salads, oatmeal, Bloody Mary bar (on Sundays), and most of the desserts. I've always enjoyed the food. They are great about catering to dietary limitations as well. I have friends who are vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, vegan, as well as a whole host of other "issues" and the waitstaff doesn't even hesitate with these special requests (some of which I feel are personally ridiculous, by the way!). Just Okay: the service. Although I've had a few great waitresses, for the most part, I find the staff to be a bit terse and unapproachable. It is almost as if I'm inconveniencing them by trying to dine there. Also in the "just okay" category is the seating. It's pretty uncomfortable, unless you get a booth. If you dine in the patio area, many times the tables are off-balance and I've had to manually "fix" it by placing a napkin or something under a leg to balance it out. A few negatives: The time the food takes to be prepared. Once, a friend and I went for breakfast and ordered oatmeal, an omelet, and the Bloody Mary bar (which is self-help, so not included in the wait time, obviously). Our food took 85 minutes to be delivered (and as you can see, our order was not special or high-maintenance). At 45 minutes, the waitress finally came over and said our food would be out in a "few minutes". After that, we didn't see her again until our food came. At an hour, the manager came to the table NEXT to ours, offered copious heartfelt apologies and comped their entire meal, as well as providing some lovely "extras" to account for their delayed meals. Our table did not even get an apology, let alone a comped meal or extras. I emailed the restaurant twice and never got a response or even anything indicating they read my letter. This was a very upsetting experience. Other times I've dined there, my food has come out quickly--in fact, I feel that this has improved over time. Just an added observation: I can't help but notice that service seems to be directly related to who you are: when I've dined here with people who are well known somehow or connected to the owners, managers, or staff in some way, my service has been overwhelmingly better. That's quite rude and VERY insulting. I don't feel I should have to name-drop or be a "who's who of Birmingham" in order to get the same service as others. I've been here for private parties, and they seem to do a lovely job. No complaints there. The rooftop patio area is lovely in nicer weather and a great place for parties and events.
(3)J T.
Social Kitchen & Bar is one of those places that will always be packed, no matter how bad the food might actually be, thanks to the trendy decor and Birmingham hipsters. I had a kale salad (quinoa, parmesan, raisins, pine nuts, pickled onion, rice wine vinaigrette) that had the potential to taste quite good. I've made and eaten kale salads that were very flavorful. This one wasn't. It was extremely bland and flavorless and not worth $9. I will not be returning.
(2)Stacey C.
We just moved to Michigan from Texas 3 months ago, and this southern cooking made me home sick! No chance the food at this place deserves any less than 5 stars. The artichoke dip, chicken and waffles, brussel sprouts, shrimp n grits and desserts were out of this world. The hostesses are terrible though! So, that took a star away. We waited 45 minutes for a roof table only to be told that a 15 top came in wanting the roof so they couldn't accommodate us. Thankfully, the manager agreed with us that bumping us from the list for a larger party was not good business! He sat us right away. Our server, Rebecca was awesome. She was attentive and funny and added to our experience. She saved this review from being a 3 star.
(4)Katie B.
I've been here twice and both times been impressed with the food. The chicken and waffle appetizer is amazing.
(4)Crystal C.
Nice place good food I tried the Maurice wrap it was very good if you like the Maurice salad just in a wrap
(3)Erin K.
I love finding places that are unique and different from every other restaurant in the area and Social Kitchen fits the bill. The menu is not huge, but the offerings are unique and everything we had was wonderful. We started off with cocktails: Slice of Life (Effen cucumber vodka, cucumber, basil, lime, Goslings ginger beer) and Social Motif Martini (Kettle one orange, pisco, lychee liqueur and orange juice) and they were both really good. I was able to talk my boyfriend into the chicken & waffle appetizer and we both loved it. The chicken was juicy and crispy, but the maple-bacon glaze was amazing! I would definitely recommend trying this! My boyfriend had the Seafood Cobb (blackened shrimp, avocado, bacon, egg, tomato, white beans, and blue cheese) which he said was great and I had the Naan grilled cheese (onion-poppy naan, cheddar, tomato soup dipper). The naan was really good. Roasted garlic on it would take it to another level. And the tomato soup to dip was really good. The only negative was the cheese was not very flavorful. Maybe a sharper cheddar or more flavorful cheese would be better, but because of the naan and tomato soup, I would still recommend it. For dessert, we had the chocolate pudding (peanut butter whipped cream with rice krispie croutons). The peanut butter whipped cream and peanuts were great and the rice krispie croutons were perfect in it. The pudding is served cold; but if it were server hot, it would be even better. Here is a tip: I have tried to make reservations at Social Kitchen through Open Table and they never have availability. We decided to go anyways and it was mostly empty, so don't use that app as an indication on if you can get a table or not.
(4)B J.
Pretty much everything about this place is tremendous. I've been for both dinner and brunch and have found all my experiences here to be outstanding. Everything I've had on the menu has been excellent and is worth trying, so it's hard to even specify what is great. I guess the turkey burger and brussel sprouts stand out the most to me. Also, the sticky buns at brunch are ridiculously good. They have very creative, tasty cocktails. The atmosphere is really great, especially the patio seating and the upstairs/outdoor cocktail area. The place can get pretty busy and the service isn't all that fast, but that is part of the fun -- taking your time and enjoying some drinks. It's not the most price-friendly date spot, but it's worth every penny.
(5)Mario H.
Just ordered a carry out from here and ordered 2 turkey burgers and they only made me 1 and ruined mine and my wife's dinner because we ordered 2 but what's even more disgusting and u professional is they expected me to wait an additional 15 to 20 min for the second one instead saying we will have it ready in 5 min for you and even with there mess up and ruining our dinner they still charged me for the one and showed me compensation in there screw up I will never come here or order here again but what is sad is people will still support an unprofessional business that doesn't have good customer service at all
(1)Josh H.
Hadn't been to Social in several months. My wife reminded me how good the Barramundi was last time we were there, so we decided to go back. This time I had the Chicken Salad Sandwich, and she had the burger. When I tell you they were both amazing, they were both amazing! (gee that was creative). The chicken salad had a delightful tangy mustardy pickely potato-chippy goodness that made me want to order on to-go so I could eat it again later that night. Her burger was perfectly cooked medium, oozing juice, and finally a chef who knows how to use salt! kudos whoever the chef is! I usually don't bother with the cocktail list, but I tried a slice-of-life. We both agreed it was balanced nicely and very delicious. I'll order it again, especially when the weather gets warmer. No dessert this time, too full. Next time we'll try the donuts... the server said they're famous for them.
(5)Cassie M.
The chicken sandwich is amazing and I like their seasonal cocktails- I just wish they weren't $12! I would also give a five star rating if the sides were included with an entree.
(4)Virginia C.
I really wanted to like this place, but this was not a fine dining experience. The atmosphere was great and they try to be trendy/hip with their cafeteria like serving trays- but the food misses the mark. Why are people hyped about the brussel sprouts? Unfor. my brussel sprout were more than extra crispy and greasy. Mussels with Chorizo- Sounds great, lacked flavor The best part of my meal was the Kale Salad Naan Grill Cheese was greasy and soggy Brick Chicken- sounds cool b/c they do cook it with a Brick... lacks complete flavor I wished I did get the fried chicken though since everything was greasy and how can you mess up fried chicken?
(2)Lindsey S.
Another fabulous evening at Social Kitchen and Bar !! Last night I was seated right away, I truly have never had any issues waiting for a table here. There is both indoor and patio seating. It is a great restaurant for groups of 2,3,4. The restaurant is super trendy with its style and menu. There is a giant bar in the front with small high tops to rest your drinks on and stand by. There is also a fabulous roof top deck with a full bar, and lounge seating. Appetizers -- chicken and waffles is an absolute must !! if you have never tried them before, this is a place to do it. the crispy chicken fingers are flaked with corn flakes and the scrumptious bacon maple glaze over it melts in your mouth with the waffle. Crispy Brussels sprouts are divine, they are the perfect combination of crunchy and salty. HINT -- order them and add them to your salad!! Salads- I personally love the chopped salad! it is the perfect mixture of vegetables, and I also added grilled chicken breast. my friends ordered the kale salad which they have been raving about non stop. one friend added salmon, it was a large piece for a salad!! in a good way! Ask for the homemade chips, they are fabulous. All of the staff is super friendly and accommodating, they wear plaid shirts for a causal trendy feel! would go back again asap!! DRINKS -- they serve strong drinks -- the hand craft cocktails are totally worth trying, I had a social punch?
(5)Jessica K.
Great place to hang out, even if it's just for drinks. I appreciate the unique offerings of the menu and hospitable wait staff. It is a bit pricey..but pretty reasonable for birmingham :)
(4)Stacy M.
Cool atmosphere in this 1 year old establishment. Reclaimed wood and fun lighting, with nice outdoor patio - made this an enticing stop for a summer lunch. Unfortunately the food prices were ridiculously overstated ($12 for a tiny patty melt with 8 stale kettle chips?!? $14 for fish tacos with wilted slaw?!? $8 for a side of mac and cheese!?!). If the food tasted amazing or was made from a creative recipe or was made only from organic ingredients...maybe. But this just seems like greedy pretentiousness. Service also was lax, maybe due to the inexperienced, young afternoon waitstaff. Maybe it is better at peak times? A neighboring table was so dis-satisfied with their service it was distracting to our experience and we accidentally were served someone else's meal twice before ours arrived. Nice try, but I won't be making the same mistake twice.
(2)Megan K.
Fries were delicious, burger was good. A tad high on price for the burger (although the fries were mega cheap). I had a Vivant, from a can (it would have been nice to have it on tap, but maybe Vivant isn't on tap outside its own tap room?). Fried sprouts were delicious. Service was ok.
(4)Wendy R.
I thought the food was excellent and the wait staff was just that WAIT... we were there for hours before we got real service the guy barely came back to the table, and he expected a TIP, c'mon... that is all part of the experience. Get that together with your staff and maybe a 5 star would come your way!
(4)Sarah C.
What a disastrous experience! My friend was really excited about this place. I looked at the menu beforehand it was kind of like a cafeteria menu with its grilled cheese and spaghetti and meatballs. Seeing how excited my friend is and the 4 stars on Yelp we came here. We made reservations for a party of 6 for 8pm for a Friday night. We arrived at 8pm to a pack and crowded restaurant. We didn't get seated until close to 9pm. All we got were apologizes. Apologizes doesn't cut it when we waited close to an hour with reservations! If we were walked in that's a different story. We had to ask our waiter if we get free drinks or a discount. The manager did offer us either appetizers or dessert after we asked. We already ordered our food so we opted for the dessert. - Our table was really big which can be a good thing but with the loud music and the giant pole in the middle of our table; we couldn't have good conversations. - Our food took a while to come out! - My steak was overcooked with drench with bbq sauce. I wish they mentioned bbq instead of their "social sauce." I don't particularly prefer bbq sauce. - Drinks were pretty good. - Took forever to get our "on the house" desserts. Donuts and cookies - Both really good. - They box your left overs for you. - The waiter forgot to bring my friend's leftovers back so she had to ask him for it. - We were doing the annoying spliting for the bill when after 25 minutes our waiter comes and told us we could totally just split it easily because he wrote down what every individual person order. Couldn't you have told us that when you gave us the bill? - One women and one unisex bathroom. Really spacious, modern, and clean. Overall, it was an eh experience. My friends who ordered the salads enjoyed their meals and they do have yummy mac and cheese. Everything else was pricy for the food. $21 dollars for over-cooked steak? Not sure if I want to come back.
(2)Genevieve P.
This place scored high for the taste of the food and the service is excellent. We ordered the barramundi skillet, 2 burgers (one well and one medium, Caesar salad with salmon, brussels sprouts (minus the red wine vinegar) and chocolate chip cookies with milk. All was amazing except for the salmon that was definitively under salted and lacking.... we were VERY impressed with everything else! We were even provided complimentary mini corn muffins that were somehow encrusted with honey, we all agreed that the corn muffins were the best we ever had. Both burgers were cooked perfectly. The well-done burger even tasted amazing, that is hard to accomplish when a burger is cooked well. Service was excellent as far as knowledge of the menu and guidance... we were super impressed. However, after we were done eating, it took about 45 minutes to finally get our bill. This lateness ruined our aspirations to enjoy the cigar bar after our meal.
(4)Ren S.
This place was recommended by people who know good food so we went and tried it. Wow! We've been back again and again (always for dinner, you'll want to make a reservation). We've had the salmon, sea bass, burger, oysters, spinach dip, chicken and waffles (get the dinner portion for the appetizer if you're more than a party of two-trust me), kale salad is to die for. Service is always good, employees seem happy. I'm not big on alcohol but their 'So Good' is literally so good.
(5)Hal Z.
Great good, nice atmosphere, but poor management and wait staff. They are not properly trained and the attitude is they are doing you a favor serving you. Sad but true.
(2)William C.
Revisit Patio upstairs. Great atmosphere Great service Really nice cocktails chicken and waffles. OMG!!! get them. they are awesome. I have been dreaming of them all week. my only complaint now is the tiny bathroom downstairs. not sure they can change that as the space is limited. but this place has delivered big time now twice for us and we will be back again and again, especially for the summer night upstairs patio scene and the CHICKEN AND WAFFLES!
(5)Alexx M.
Great Brussels sprouts. Love the crab cakes-- they use lump crab in them. The brick oven chicken is great too. The bartenders are a lot of fun. Zac is the best!!
(5)Camilo A.
Excellent place with an amazing vibe. Foods is outstanding with superb service. In Birmingham? Don't miss to check this gem out.
(5)Rich B.
This is my first review of social after getting bruch there multiple times. I've been there for late afternoon/ dinner, and it was really good, but it's been too long. Brunch is awesome. The staff are attentive but not intrusive and the they have been able to meet even my unlisted requests. I will come back time and time again. Thanks for running a great restaurant!
(5)Josh E.
WOW! Shrimp and grits is a great starter. We also tried the pecan trout and the new to the menu steak. Both were cooked PERFECTLY! Finished it off with warm donut a nice piece of peanut butter and banana pie. Can't wait to go again.
(5)Carole H.
Beautiful decor - the space feels open, inviting, and slightly vintage. Loved the rooftop bar - it's too bad we couldn't find a free seat up there though. We were only there for drinks, but did grab an order of homemade chips (potatoes sliced thin and fried til crispy, in house). Doing a great homemade chip is one of my favorite things a place can do! The dishes I spotted on tables around us looked tasty, too. Specialty cocktails and martinis are tasty, but expensive. (think $11-14 a pop). My pint of Oberon was about $6. Service was a little slow, but then again the place was packed. This is a trendy Birmingham spot, so seating was at a premium even though it was only a Wednesday night. We had to wait standing for about 20 minutes before spots opened - and this was considering tables, bar seats, AND the rooftop. And, you better be dressed well. Not necessarily fancy, but trendy and on point. The clientele here was making me feel like a schlub in the dress that, earlier in the evening, I had felt pretty cute in. What can I say, I can't compete with their Linda Dresner attire and fresh Todd's Room faces. *sigh* Justin Verlander was there hanging out, which was pretty cool. A nice Birmingham spot, but not a place that's really in my vein of hangouts.
(3)M A.
Good food - service kind of slow around dinner. Brussels sprouts were legit and tenderloin was perfect!
(4)Brent A.
OK, the fries are a must order, but one order feeds 4-5 people. for the sandwich. order the egg sandwich. two eggs, cooked over easy with avocado, cheese, and some kind of hot sauce. Delicious. not the egg sandwich you had as a kid for sure
(5)Francoise G.
I absolutely loved the atmosphere, food and staff service at Social Kitchen. My only complaint is that they should have comfortable seating arrangements for larger crowds. I had a group of 16 for my birthday this past Saturday, and we could not all sit at the same table; we were back to back and had to squeeze in and out of our spaces just to mingle. I didn't like that which is why I gave them a four star rating, but other than that, I would definitely go back. Its an ideal place for date night or a night out with the girls/guys (just make sure there aren't 16 of you)
(4)Marija D.
After reading all of the great reviews about Social I was excited to try this place. The atmosphere was great! Service was horrible after waiting for our appetizer of spinach dip for over an hour we get a plate of crab cakes. We told the waitress that the order was incorrect and instead of fixing the problem continued to argue with us. We never got any refills of water and only did after I had to get up and search for the manager. It was a slow Tuesday night and there was no need to wait this long. By the the time we got all of our food half the table was already done with their food. Never going back again!
(1)Alexandra K.
I've been here a few times with larger groups and Social has always provided a fun atmosphere for..well..socializing with good food and drinks. With indoor, outdoor and roof top seating to choose from, there is something for everyone. My most recent visit, we were seated outside and while it was a little bit cooler than we would have liked outside, rest assured there are heat lamps on the patio. The menu is interesting - there is something for everyone, borrowing from many different types of food. I ordered the falafel once and while it was good, I'll probably save that order for Mediterranean restaurants in the future I'd recommend the Brussels sprouts as a must-have, as well as the spinach dip. Their fries are also good and come in a portion big enough to split with a decent-sized group. The kale salad, as well as their other salads from what I've observed, is plentiful and delicious - it tastes healthy and great. I ordered it along side the split pea soup and was very full after. For dessert, go for the warm chocolate chip cookies. They arrive in a cookie jar - really nice touch. The donuts are also perfection. Great place if you are looking for a cool atmosphere, different food, interesting drink menu and want to spend some time catching up with friends over a few appetizers/drinks.
(4)April L.
I love this place! I come here almost every Sunday with my boyfriend. They have a really simple menu and maybe the food is somewhat expensive, but its Birmingham, and everything we have ordered has been great. The atmosphere is great, very well decorated. Although I haven't tried any of their cocktails, they all sound really good, and they also have a bloody mary bar that I see a lot of people jumping on. The service is amaaazzzing- I love Troy and Jeff. They are attentive, funny, and professional. One time we were here and we even saw Brittany Snow and Kate Flannery eating! The only major downfall is it being a little cramped, and you usually have to wait a while for a table. I hear they are constructing an outdoor area, though. Their water glasses are also very small and usually room temperature.
(5)Matthew M.
Social Kitchen. What a find. Decor and atmosphere. Spectacular and unique. The pics online do not do the space justice at all and you would never expect what's inside from the street. Very airy open with an artistic edge to the space. We just moved back to Detroit from Chicago and I felt like this was a place I would have found in Bucktown. Very cool. Food: For starters, we tried the fried brussel sprouts. Everyone is raving about these, but we thought they were just o.k. Imagine a flaky, fried leafy app - almost like fried spinach. The flavor was good, but felt a little light for me. For entrees, I had the TV dinner. Cool presentation backed by great taste. The meatloaf melts in your mouth. My wife had the brick chicken. We both agreed - one of the most delicious and juicy chicken dinners we ever had. Service: Great. Very casual attitude, but very attentive. Drinks: Great wine selection with some reasonable choices by bottle and glass. I would definitely recommend Social Kitchen. Thanks for a great experience.
(5)Kayla V.
Love their roof top for drinks on a summer night! The bartender we had was not only attentive but hilarious. As far as their food goes, new American like sliders and kale salad are what you'll expect and they're good!
(5)Kat S.
Is it just me? I can't get into the food at these trendy, flock to restaurants. Why is all the food super greasy? I HATE greasy food and don't understand this new fascination of trying to make everything as unhealthy as possible. Social along with Local in Ferndale and Vinsetta Garage have gone all 1950's by reintroducing butter and grease into EVERYTHING. Maybe I'm just not a foodie. I do like a protein, carb and vegetable. I'm vegetarian and settled for the greed cheese......I know that's not the healthiest choice, but why does it have to be served dripping in grease?? The only other veggie option was falafel although they advertisd that they have many veg/vegan options available. Can we get some veggie protein and vegetables??? I am not thrilled with any restaurant that doesn't have a simple house salad without meat. Every salad cost at least $15. I also split the ceasar salad with a friend which came grilled. Again, why? drinks are also over priced and watered down. This place gets a 2 for looking interesting and having a wall papered ceiling. The crowd is very yuppy. I just wish these restaurants could get a little healthier and have more vegetarian/vegan options not sopped in grease.
(2)yelp s.
DELICIOUS!!! I'm surprised by the quality of food-- seems as though everything that i've had was made from scratch! Falafel was a giant patty with some seemingly indian spices with some whole chick peas, homemade thick lavash on the side, with delicious feta yogurt sauce and a perfect refreshing slaw-- I would order this again. I would skip the oyster appetizer next time-- oysters were small and the taste was covered by their sauce and topping. Beet salad was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!! Banana Pudding was ok-- I'm not sure if I would order this again, but it did taste homemade with their crunchy banana bread croutons and fresh whipped cream on the top. Overall, I would definitely go back and try their other selections- YUMMY!!!
(5)Rose P.
Great food, good service. That naan grilled cheese sandwich was the best $13 I've ever spent, especially on a sandwich!
(4)A J.
Service and atmosphere were excellent. Drinks were delish especially the Chasing Venus wine. Food was really good. Just be prepared it's pricey. Will go back.
(4)j w.
I've been there 4 times and the service has sucked 3 out the four times. This last time was the icing on the cake. I do like the food but the service is absolutely ridiculous. They are completely oblivious to it as well....right down to the moronic hostess. A half filled bar on a Tuesday night and not one of the two morons behind the bar could even acknowledge the three of us for well over five minutes. Not a ..."I'll be right with you"...or "here are some menus, I'll be back in a few"...nothing. No apologies either, only defensive poor excuses. If you can't work a bar that is half full you shouldn't be behind the bar!
(1)Krissa A.
I typically don't mind waiting to eat at a place, so long as the food is good. I heard a lot of good things about this restaurant, so we decided to give it a try. The hour wait was definitely not worth it. The place was crowded and very loud. Whatever ambience might have existed was completely lost on the howling fans watching the football game. I found the service to be slow and inattentive. The food was over salty and greasy. The noodles that came with the fish were burnt. When we told the server that the main course was burnt and over-salted she just shrugged her shoulders and said that she would mention it too the chef. Nothing was done to make amends for the poor quality, overpriced main course. We had to flag our server in order to ask for bread, cutlery and more drinks. When the waitress brought us our bill, it was inaccurate. We were overcharged for items that we had not ordered. Would I try it again some time? Nope.
(2)Paul W.
This is a restaurant that you want to love. Birmingham needs places like this to make it interesting. Unfortunately, its not the decor or the location that sucks, its just the people that work there and the over-priced, greasy food. From the moment we walked in, two ladies behind the counter could not be more aloof. Seriously? Are you working so hard that you can't make eye contact, smile or be helpful? Finally, she took my name and told me it would be 20 minutes before she could seat us. OK. We went to the bar to get a drink and the minute we got our drink, she paged me that my table was ready. Nice surprise. Terrible estimate of timing BTW. They seat us outside (cool) in the full sun (not good). Yes -it was a rare sunny day. We apologize and ask to be moved because of the direct sun (we forgot our sunglasses). They move us. It takes our waiter, a guy with dreadlocks, 20 minutes to bring us water. Another 15 minutes before we get to order. Now, remember, the menu for a brunch is only about 15 items long, so the kitchen complexity can't be that bad. Food arrives before the utensils. We order a wide variety of choices for brunch: Person 1 - a skillet (really, it was almost cold to the touch - not hot) Person 2 - chicken and waffles (drenched in syrup) Person 3 - chicken salad (disgusting looking but person said it tasted ok) Person 4 - belgian waffle with banana, belgian butter (great) Total = $63. I left my normal 20%+ tip or in this case, $13. And here is the kicker - just checked my bank account and our slow, incompetent waiter changed the 3 to a 8 so he received an $18 tip. I am furious that a waiter would do that. Not only is it illegal but based on the service I received (horrible), I find this unimaginable!!! Let's just say that while others might find this place trendy and hip, I will not accept this type of treatment from anyone. Not only will we not go back, (there is nothing giving me reason to come back), I will have a few words with the owner.
(1)Adam M.
It was okay. I like the location. Beer choice = meh. Food = meh. Staff=meh meh. I wouldn't come here again, I'd just go to Luxe. It's much better.
(2)Michelle C.
I love the new trend in restaurants. Limited menu items done right. This time I had the mahi tacos, kale salad and fried brussel sprouts. The mahi tacos were on point. Perfectly cooked, corn tortilla with a unique twist that included bean paste. The kale salad is perfect. Pine nuts, Parmesan, golden raisins and a wonderful dressing. Last but not least, fried sprouts. OMG. I could eat them daily. Perfectly disassembled and fried with capers. The best I've ever had. Way better than Cork in Ferndale.
(5)Cari M.
I REALLY liked Social !!! I think the only thing stopping me from going 5 stars is their bathroom situation. They are single stalls which is not a big deal but you usually have to wait to go in and the doors are right in front of the kitchen entrance and also right in the main dining area so you feel really in the way either standing too close to other diners or being a road block from the busy staff going in and out of the kitchen. Besides the bathroom dilemma my experience here was exceptional. Even when it was busy we were seated quickly- our server was a darling - she was hilarious and kind and one of the best I've had anywhere! I think the crowdedness here was mostly contained to the bar area, it was packed early on a Friday night, but getting seated at a normal table wasn't bad. The food was also excellent - started off with crispy brussel sprouts - very good (though I did like Townhouse's better!) ... and got potato pancakes ... umm they were incredible !!! Loved it!! finished off with the warm donuts which were just perfect to share!! They have good mixed drinks, creative food choices, friendly staff ... also Tim the tool man Taylor has been known to eat here ;) So keep your eyes peeled for a celebrity sighting!! I look forward to heading back to Social soon, it is really a quality place!
(4)Emily O.
Popped in for a late, midweek dinner this winter. It's definitely a trendier establishment, with a younger crowd. Love the decor, very contemporary, hip. Warm ambience, though maybe a little cramped and somewhat uncomfortable, as far as seating; certainly not awful. There wasn't a huge crowd, it being late on a Thursday night, and there was no wait, though I can see where there may be on busier weekends. Our waiter was very sweet, and all smiles. I think I even used the word "jolly" with my boyfriend. Very attentive. We shared the chicken and waffles appetizer, which was one reason we chose this restaurant in the first place. It was fantastic and more than enough for a sample between two people. For my entree, I ordered the baked spaghetti and meatballs--something I never order in restaurants. Oh man, was it good. The sauce was a lighter flavor, leaning toward the saltier side, though not quite a puttanesca, but certainly not a sweeter marinara or a heavier bolognese. There was also lots of it, which is where some restaurants fail! The cheese was baked golden brown on top, noodles were perfectly al dente, and the meatballs were nicely (and not overly) seasoned. It was one of the best spaghetti meals I've ever had. My only complaint is a silly one: bigger water glasses with colder (maybe iced?) water would be nice. I was so thirsty that night, and just couldn't quench my thirst with tiny sips of room temperature water.
(4)Laura K.
Love a Social Salad-they have it down to an art. Could eat it every day! The Bloody Mary bar on the weekends is really all you could ever ask for; like a salad for your cocktail!
(5)Kristina C.
Not a fan! We had to wait a long time standing because there is not seating/lobby area and our reservation was simply ignored. The food was average. I'll give it another shot someday when I'm not too hungry. If you go with a group of friends, you'll have a good time. The ambience is great, however, the food was not in my opinion.
(2)Nadav F.
one of my favorite spots in birmingham. great food any good atmosphere. i would highly recommend people to check it out
(5)Sylvie A.
Nice atmosphere but the baked spaghetti and meatballs had so much grease floating on top that I had to drain it on to another plate before I could eat it. I should of sent it back. I should if taken a picture of it.:(
(1)Chad S.
Best brunch we've had in Michigan for Mothers Day and didn't have to break the bank. The make your own skillet was extraordinary. Awesome atmosphere both inside and outside sitting.
(5)Melissa H.
Airy, laid-back, and fresh. Met with family for brunch while back in metro Detroit, and we were quickly seated out on the rooftop on a nice, warm summer morning. Now, the menu isn't very large which made it difficult to get everyone settled on something that they'd like. The health conscious among us opting for salads (for brunch?!) while I (clearly on vacation) did a mental celebratory dance when I saw that they had chicken and waffles. Food came out together and in good time. Portion sizes were a bit smaller, but the food was good. The waffle was nicely browned, light and crispy without being too fluffy. The chicken was lightly battered, fried, and juicy (much like kaarage). The maple syrup mixed deliciously with oil from the fried chicken. It was bliss and I LOVED it. Family members looked on in envy, so I shared the wealth. Service post-meal was a bit slow, took a while to get our bill and to get out. Fortunately we didn't have any post-brunch plans, so we were willing to wait a awhile. Would recommend dining for breakfast/brunch and to indulge while here.
(4)Blaise B.
My friend and I went to Social because her boyfriend works there. We were just killing some time because we were bored, so we each got a glass of wine and shared a side of Creole Shrimp, Andouille and Eggplant Casserole, which was excellent. I love that there is an outdoor patio with an awning during the summer to eat at. It was winter when we went, so they had temporary walls up and a heaters. We ate in that area and loved it- it was well-made and not drafty at all or anything. This place is too pricy for me, but I do want to go again in the summer to eat outside. It was a nice place to go just to hang out for awhile like we did- get a drink and share something small to eat. I'm sure we'll do that again sometime, especially when the weather is warmer.
(4)Veronica M.
Had the brick chicken and it was delicious! It came with asparagus and roasted potatoes...big portion and super tasty! My boyfriend ordered the turkey burger and it was just ok...it was on a pita like bread and had wayyyyyy too many herbs!!! I like herbs, but it was bit much and a little perfumey! The crab cake appetizer never disappoints!
(4)Julio E.
Nice vibe in this place. Very comfortable seating and atmosphere. Service was above average, server had some knowledge and good suggestions for the wife and I. We started with their French onion soup, it was the best I've ever had. Love the croutons they use and the broth is so rich and balanced. Had a chop salad which was pretty tasty. Could of used some meat in it. Next time I'll add chicken or crab cakes to it. Mini rubens were so good. delicious little pieces of pastrami on an interesting bread I've never had before, wish I knew the name of those. For entrees we split the brick chicken and the linguine clams. The chicken was so crisp and flavorful. the pasta was loaded of clams and had a nice red sauce on spots to compliment the creamy clam sauce. We were stuffed. Great value and overall dining experience. Finally a reason to eat in Birmingham.
(5)Ann R.
Just a delicious spot to go in downtown Birmingham. Make sure you have their chopped salad it is fantastic. There are folks in my family that think the spaghetti at Social is worth raving about and I totally agree. I don't think you'll be disappointed with a check in here.
(4)Justin S.
Good fish tacos for lunch, but a bit overpriced. HUGE portion of fries if ordered on the side, enough for 4-6 people.
(4)Nicole L.
Cool ambience, great food, but the service left a lot to be desired. Sat with empty glasses for most of our visit.
(4)Christine H.
O.m.g. just had the short rib dip and warm chicken salad sandwich with a side of mac n cheese. This place is fabulous! Our server, Shanahan, was on point and secured us coming back!
(5)Jenn C.
I have been wanting to try Social for quite a while now and was slightly disappointed with my experience. Things I enjoyed: * The atmosphere is very trendy and lively (somewhat cold, however) * I ordered the warm chicken salad sandwich - it was really tasty and had potato chips mixed in which added a nice crunch * Bottle of water on the table so you do not have to wait for refills Things that made me go, "eh": * The sandwich did not come with anything on the side, so I ordered fries and they were LOADED with salt - literally, my lips felt more chapped after eating them and I feel like I need to drink a gallon of water * The service was o.k. - lots of servers running around and we had 3 different servers come to our table because it all seemed a bit much for 1 person to handle * It took forever to get our bill I might go back and try it for Happy Hour, we shall see.
(2)dawn v.
Back again tonight for three new apps: Chicken and waffle appetizer is excellent, a little sweet, very maple-y. And it's better as an app than a main dish on Sundays. The shrimp, andouille and eggplant side is a little rich and heavy but good as a side to split with the table because a little goes a long way. We also shared the scallops app, which at $15 is steep for an app, but it's rich ad plentiful enough as a meal. The two of us shared the three apps/ sides, had two drinks from the bar and left feeling stuffed with food left behind. Total: $60. Plus tip. Probably because everything we ordered was so rich, we felt we had too much.
(4)Benita M.
Food is good but overpriced. I guess that's expected in Birmingham, but if the food was excellent, I would not have minded so much. I ordered the naan grilled cheese with the tomato dipping soup. And it was just that, a dipping sauce. I would have liked a larger bowl of it to make the meal heartier. The naan grilled cheese was tasty but sort of greasy and I wish they had sharp cheddar as an option to give it more of a bite. I also wish I had gotten a chunky pickle spear rather than just sliced sandwich pickles on the side. My friend ordered a sandwich and it didn't come with any sides. We split an order of fries, which were the size of both our heads combined. The fries could have easily fed a table a four. Rather than the giant side portion, why can't they just offer a small handful with each sandwich? The fries were also a bit too salty, but they were deliciously thin and crispy so no real complaints there.
(3)Joey G.
Came in for dinner Sunday night! We had the most perfect evening! This place is great! The music is great also, live and upbeat! 1.Hostess was exemplary, fast and quick thinking (how we like them, right?) 2. Server Jeff was friendly and professional and always there! (You must ask for him) 3. Enjoyed the following: A. Mini Reuben's on Gougere had a beautiful dressing flavor unlike any other! B. Shrimp with Grits we're slightly spicy and we'll balanced, unreal! C. The French Onion soup is lights out great! C.(cont'd) Chef Alec had us try the Pierogi with beef and cheddar that was sooooo gooood! D. Salmon with Lentils and mustard sauce was trancendent! E. Ordered Donuts and Pecan Pie, OMG! F. All the wines I had were also very enjoyable, great list! Chef Alec's calm and gracious demeanor represents Social Kitchen in the most relieving and enjoyable way possible! A true Gentleman that is very hard to come by! We will most certainly return very soon! Thank You for making our evening perfect! Joey & Ekaterina Gewarges
(5)Gabriella P.
Can't go wrong with the turkey burger or kale salad. Great menu, great atmosphere and service.
(5)Nina K.
Pretty good for Detroit. The brussels sprouts are delicious. The chicken was good-the asparagus and potato salad it came with need work though. The kale salad is tasty. The bolognese is good too. Had to try the doughnuts based off another yelp review. They are worth it.
(5)Amy P.
The only reason this review is getting 2 stars is because of our awesome server we had on our first visit here. I forget her name but she was awesome! She made so many honest and awesome suggestions I loved it. Both my significant other and I wanted to start off with one of their cocktails and she led us in the right direction. At $11 I was expected to be blown away with a tasty and sizable cocktail, but alas we were not. I got the strawberry fields and my boyfriend got the Rol n' Rye fashion and together they maybe totaled 12 oz. My cocktail was probably 6 oz and the boyfriends looked maybe 4 oz. Not exact measurements but small for the price. Next we looked over the dinner menu. A few of the appetizers looked decent, then we got to the entrees and none of us could pick anything. And not because there was a lot to choose from, but because nothing looked interesting at all. Brick chicken $21? Chicken salad sandwich? Spaghetti and meatballs ($19?!?!?!) I mean I was shocked at some of the offerings and the prices. Not impressed. After asking our waitress her opinion we decided to go with a couple appetizers and a salad. We split a beet salad, the slider bites, and the fried green tomatoes with the shrimp, andoille and sausage casserole. We wanted to start with the salad and then just nibble on the appetizers but everything came out in a sporadic fashion. The best part of our meal was the beet salad. For $10 they split it and each was a sizeable serving. It was delicious. The greens with the golden beets, and the dressing were delicious. For $11 we got the slider bites which were 3 small round slider bundles I want to call them with a sauce on top and side of chips. This was pretty good. The bread was nice and soft and tasty but the meat mixture on the inside was a little weird, not bad, but just different. My significant other did not like the fried green tomatoes, but there were aspects of them that were great and not so great. The breading was good but the whole dish would have been awesome if you could actually taste the tomato. I felt like I was just eating fried dough with topping. They did top the tomatoes with this spicy peanut concoction which was pretty awesome though. Lastly we had the shrimp, sausage and eggplant casserole which looked so unappealing we each took a bite and that was it. It was weird tasting and weird looking. Our waitress even said it didn't look right and offered to take it off our bill. Overall I wasn't impressed. Nothing made me want to come back besides the waitress. Even if the drinks were good they are way to overpriced to come in just for drinks. Maybe if they changed their menu and made it a little more exciting and better priced, but overall way to expensive for average food.
(2)Lisa H.
Overpriced food. Grumpy hostess. I would not come back here again.
(2)Karen W.
Social Kitchen and Bar was Ok!. Prices are a bit high for what you receive. Food was ok. Staff was fair. Seating comfort was fair. I would venture back in the summer to experience the roof seating.
(3)Tim L.
Great Food, Brunch or Dinner!! There is always a line which is an indication of its quality. Fantastic drinks and the Cheeseburger is one of the best. It is so juicy and flavorful. Mussels and oysters are great. One order of fries is good for an entire party, as well. Will be back.
(4)Kristin G.
Social gave me a good impression right off the bat. There is this ambiance in the place that feels sophisticated without being stuffy. The giant windows let in lots of light and there's a feeling of an upscale down home kitchen. It's stylish but with an easy feeling. The layout is nice and open and the rooftop is really beautiful. Chow Time Low Down....To start, we had the Slider Bites. This App comes out and it's deceiving since it looks like you're about to eat some plain old bread rolls. Think again! Inside the nice warm bread outer filling is ground beef mixed with spices and cheese and little bits of pickles. I was surprised how well the bites were flavored, they really did have that Slider flavor infused in those little bites. Another App we tried were the Turkey Sloppy Joe's. I am a staunch supporter of my Grandmother's Sloppy Joe recipe and so I am very hard on Sloppy Joe's in general. I was ridden with guilt as I hawked down these delicious little messy morsels. Talk about GOOD! I'd have loved to have had that dish Entree sized. Sorry Grandma! They're that delicious! For entrees: I got the Halibut Skillet, my hubs got the TV Dinner. Let me just say this folks, get the TV Dinner. Just believe me. I was wallowing in my sorrows after I tried his entree. The meatloaf was bacon wrapped, juicy and full of flavor. The sides were even all good...fresh corn salad, mashed potatoes, coleslaw...all very fresh and flavorful. It was envy with a capital E. If there was ever such thing as a gourmet TV dinner, then Social has it down. 100%. The Halibut Skillet was decent, but the "crispy noodles" didn't really do it for me. They were tough to eat and didn't add anything to the dish. What's more is the sauce was overly salty & a bit too greasy for my taste. I personally don't like to have such heavy flavors surrounding such delicate fish. But that's just me. It was good but didn't have any kind of "wow" factor like the flavors in the TV Dinner dish. Now for Dessert. Get the donuts. Just do it. They are incredible. They make their donuts fresh & sprinkle them with cinnamon and sugar and serve them in a little paper bag. It's almost like being at the cider mill...but BETTER. Yes BETTER! I don't know what's in that batter, but my goodness, they are good. We also had the Whiskey Pecan Pie. This slice is decadent, rich, but not so overpoweringly so that it's too much. Either one is a great choice, but if you want a truly memorable dessert, then you can't go wrong with the donuts. So to sum it up, Social is a keeper. From the stylish atmosphere to the creative dish offerings, it really has something that sets it apart from the others. I'll be back and I'll be bringing backup. ;)
(4)Nicole T.
Love this place! I have been here multiple times since working in Birmingham and every time I have not been disappointed. I have always only gotten the create your own salad, usually with Salmon or Grilled Chicken, because I know it will be good. I love their balsamic vinaigrette and that they chop the salad for you to make it easier to eat. It is overall sort of pricey (about $16 for a salad with salmon) but worth it because they give large portions. The side of fries are absolutely HUGE and the mac and cheese is very delicious. Their sandwiches are also very large, almost the size of 2 regular sandwiches (the bread they use is huge, so that is probably why). It is a popular lunch spot among st several people so there can be a little wait, but it is worth it!
(5)Sonali B.
After our plans fell through to have dinner, my friend and I headed to Social for drinks and appetizers. Neither of us had been there and were looking forward to trying something new. From the minute we walked in, service was pleasant. We had our choice of sitting in the heated covered patio or the inside. We sat in the patio which we were told was "warmer than the inside" but after a good few shivers, we headed back in the restaurants, drinks in hand. My friend had a dark and stormy and I had some version of a mint julip that was so strong, I may have had a buzz for quite some time. Our server was friendly and accommodating. He gave recommendations when asked and gave us enough time to order while we nibbled on complimentary pieces of cornbread which were light, moist and perfectly warm. We ordered the Naan grilled cheese, the broccolini and the grits with mushrooms. The naan grilled cheese looked better than it tasted and was very greasy. Maybe I'm expecting too much as an Indian person but it had a very monotone flavor. Surprise me, Social! Give me a smack in the mouth that's so pleasant I have to come back for another bite! It was served with sliced pickles and a tomato 'soup' side for dunking. I needed a bit more flavor but it was tasty - it just needs some improvements. The grits were as creamy as I'd hoped they'd be. The broccolini were beautiful and after helping myself to one out of my friend's plate, I took the liberty of eating one (or two) more. Fantastic! The only complaint I had is that we felt like we were being rushed out to leave. We were asked three times if we were done with our food and when our plates were finally taken away, I actually wasn't ready and the young man just took my plate without asking. Social makes you feel like long dinners aren't a possibility, but we saw plenty of other patrons there who seemed like they were there before us and who probably left long after us. For dessert, I was torn between the cookies or the donuts, but being a donut lover, we ordered them. Three donuts arrived coated perfectly in cinnamon in sugar in a paperbag. Three? Why not four! Don't make it awkward with the last donut. Thankfully, my buddy was thoughtful enough to tear the donut in two so we could both relish the perfectly light, warm, and delicious donut fair and square. I'd come back for those alone. All in all, Social was fun. I'd go back but maybe I'd order different things. Service needs to remember that sometimes, diners are meeting up after a long time (like we were) and want to talk. Feeling like we're in someone's way or being rushed out doesn't make the experience warm and cozy. I liked it and I will return.
(4)Cheryl D.
Food, service and atmosphere were all excellent. Techno music is a bit of a drawback. Seems out of place for dining. Outdoor side porch is delightful.
(4)Rachel O.
I love their French fries, which come as a generous amount In a paper bag on a tray. The salad was great. You can choose your own toppings. The service was extremely slow.
(4)Sean P.
I hate to give such a low review when I didn't try the food but I have to complain about this place. I am not one to complain - I can be a bit critical with the food but when you go out for a nice meal you expect good service. Or at least some service. My wife and I wanted to go somewhere fun for our anniversary. We had a drink at the bar just for fun and that was OK. We were then seated on the outside with menus and what little was left of the drinks we got at the bar. That is when it got bad. We did not get a greeting, a wave, or anything from anyone for 15 minutes. No one came by to give us water or tell us about specials. Nothing. I wasn't in the mood to get that kind of service so we got up and left. I waved at a waiter after maybe 10 min, he just walked away. Another waiter walked by and I said excuse me plenty loud enough over the club music so he could hear me but he was clearly too busy to take the time to tell us if we had a waiter. I can see why people like this place and I understand it could be fun, but am very happy I got up and left and got some good service. This is not a place for a nice dinner, it is a place to go to be seen and overpay for poor quality.
(2)Britany G.
This place reminds me of a younger version of Bistro Joe's. The food presentation is very nice and the decor is very modern. Our waitress was great. She took the time to explain everything since it was our first time here. They're lacking in the beer department but the wine list is nice. They even color code it to tell you what the taste is like (earthy, smooth, fruity, etc). My boyfriend ordered a mixed drink and it was very strong, like 80% liquor, 20% whatever else they add to make it look nice. As far as the food, it was fantastic. The spinach and artichoke dip was AMAZING. It comes with about 10 pieces of bread. I had the manicotti. I liked that they didn't use the traditional noodle with it and the vodka sauce was very good. He ordered a steak with fries. You get about 5x more fries than steak but that's not a bad thing because both are great, especially the sauce. For dessert we had the warmed up donuts and german chocolate cake. The donuts are as if you just got them from the cider mill. Overall, it's a nice place. I think our only complaint was the music. It sounds like a broken techno record, over and over again. Probably could of turned the volume down a bit.
(4)Cheryl L.
One hour waiting for our food. Finally it came after several complaints, cold and not looking good. We sent back the food. No apologies just offer to put the food in a box like if we were asking for charity. 65 dollars for 2 drinks and 1 lousy appetizer. The most shittiest place I have visited in Michigan.
(1)neil g.
What a hip vibe. The setting is so cool. Great wines and a sommelier who can guide you thru your choices! Food is yummy like chicken and waffles! Wow! Great salads and comfort food too! Love it!
(5)U N.
Great spot to hang out! Great service, good drink selection and everything on the menu is delicious. Totally recommend the brussels sprouts, Mac and cheese, naan grilled cheese and falafal. Don't forget the milk and cookies for dessert!
(5)Cyndi J.
I would definitely go back to this place. Very trendy and oh-so-very-Birmingham. However, the food was really good and the place literally looked like one big-ass kitchen. I didnt feel like we were dressed appropriately because we came from the movies and I thought we were going somewhere else but decided to try this place last minute. Everyone was dressed up but it was approaching the "bar time" so that could be the reason too. I got the Falafel which the pita was homemade & it was served open face. the turkey sliders were good too. Didn't have an issue with the service either considering it has only been open a month or so and it was a busy Friday night. I'd like to go for lunch. Oh and the have a patio that I'd like check out too.
(4)Tanya I.
Social has so many good things going on, it's hard to know where to begin. Let's start with cocktails. The drink menu is very creative and I love that they use Valenine Gin and Vodka in some of their drinks. All of the fancy drinks are $11. I saw in another review where someone thought that was expensive. I think it's par for the course in mid-scale to high-end restaurants in B'ham and Royal Oak. I thought they were well made well and worth the price The food is mostly upscale comfort food. They serve it on these neat little tin trays with butcher paper on them, which makes the place feel more comfortable and cozy to me. (China plates would make it feel stuffy, I think.) We shared the fried brussels sprouts for an appetizer. So tasty! Nice and crispy. I had a really hard time deciding on an entree and finally chose the falafel based on the suggestion of our charming and knowledgeable waiter/bartender Steven. I have had a lot of falafel in my life, but nothing like this. It was one giant patty (for some reason I was expecting the little miniature hockey pucks like most middle eastern restaurants serve). It was crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. There was a lovely curry which was just so seductive. It was served with tzatziki (cucumber sour cream sauce) which had to be freshly made, it was so good. And also some greens, like a coleslaw/sprout combo. The best part was the homemade pita bread. I want to marry that pita bread. Oh wait, I also want to marry the naan bread they use to make their grilled cheese. My co-diner had that and we did a plate swap -- thank god. Otherwise I might have had to steal some of that tasty sandwich when she wasn't looking. The tomato dipping sauce is kind of like a thick tomato soup -- nice. I can't wait to go back and try the mac and cheese, the brick chicken, and the green tomatoes. Who needs to cook when you've got a place like this to go?
(5)Rajan B.
This is one of the nicest place to chill out and eat. Their bread is so yummy!
(5)Supernaut X.
Went for brunch today, awesome. Small menu but done to perfection from the iced tea to the steak and eggs with fire roasted tomato salsa. The wife was in awe of the sticky buns which came out prior to the meal. Staff was wonderful. Patio, bar and dining room all were well appointed and very clean.
(5)Mark H.
No draft beer; limited selection. Too much attitude. Food is ok. Not worth the wait. Been here twice. No reason to come back.
(1)B A.
Unfortunately, the horrible service from our server ruined the entire experience. We came in as a large group on the roof deck and she acted as if we were inconveniencing her by simply sitting down to order drinks and a few menu items. The server was rude, impatient, and snapped more than once at members of our group. Also, this server made one person feel badly for not finishing her entire meal and practically bullied her into taking home a to-go bag. Maybe it was a cultural barrier as she was from another country, but I suspect not. In any case, I recommend a thorough review of staffing procedures as the success of food service and bar venues hinges on customer service. She is a great example of "what not to do."
(2)Ronda N.
Social Kitchen has a creative menu at affordable prices. Located downtown Birmingham this gem is in a loft style building. The cuisine is newave comfort food sparked with imaginative ingredients. SK's atmosphere is a casual/professional vibe. This is a great place for happy hour.
(3)Eric L.
What a joke. How hard is it to cook a decent burger??? Came out raw the first time, then they just seared it a bit to cover it up but was still raw in the middle. The third time it was overcooked and dry. The manager was just plain rude about the whole thing. By that point, everyone else was done eating. Don't think I will go back.
(1)Catherine H.
Not my favorite. I feel like the menu has an identity crisis - no idea what the style is if there even is a style. The lumberjack wait staff are disturbing and less than friendly. Last time I was here my friend has a tuna salad sandwich and food poisoning a few hours later. I don't intend to return.
(1)Rola S.
Love coming here for a late lunch, parking is easy and the restaurant is not fancy fancy. Can get pretty wild at night with the music and the bar. Rooftop is my favorite place to eat. Last time I ordered my chopped salad, it didn't have avocado in it. The crab cakes were really yummy, and the hostess and wait staff are very pleasant.
(4)Adrienne D.
expensive trendy and delicious the build your own bloody marry bar and the roof terrace is cool
(4)Z K.
I personally didn't think the food was amazing, the watered down juice drinks were very watered down. And the service was very slow on a Tuesday night, in which they weren't that busy. Of course it's quite pricey, because it's Birmingham.
(2)Kristine P.
My husband and I were looking for a place to try out for a Friday night. We had no reservations and waltzed up around 7:30PM and got a table by 8:00PM. They took down our number so they could call us when our table was ready. There is outdoor and indoor seating and a sizable bar. This would be a great place to get a cocktail and dessert or appetizer. Our waiter was prompt, and we got drinks and our orders in right away. For an appetizer we chose the hot dogs in blankets, which were OK. Whatever breading they put on there was heavenly but the hot dog itself was a bit too salty for my taste. However in spying on other people's orders the artichoke dip looked amazing! I ordered the TV dinner and my husband ordered the flank steak. His was cooked to perfection and the roasted/sauteed corn was heavenly. My TV dinner was more "Hungry Man" than anything: three pieces of bacon-wrapped meat loaf topped with bbq sauce, the most amazing collard greens, a slightly lacking potato side dish and some great cole slaw. The potatoes were tasty but slightly underdone. The hero of this plate was definitely the greens -- seasoned and balanced perfectly. I could have done with more bacon flavor on the meatloaf it tasted like it wasn't even smoked. The BBQ sauce was a bit overpowering. For dessert my husband really wanted the pineapple upside down cake, which was good, but the warm cinnamon donuts and the chocolate chip cookies smelled and looked amazing. I'd give it another try for sure. Annoyances were the 1-seater bathrooms located in the busy dining area. The chaotic hostess station because there weren't really enough places to wait. Our waiter was super busy therefore drinks were not refilled as promptly as I'd like. Keep in mind that I'm pregnant and so drinks and bathrooms are top priorities for me :)
(4)Ken Z.
Return visit: Companion had $15 hamburger and thought it was delicious. $7 doughnuts for me; good; wish there were more!
(4)Gretchen K.
We stopped in for the first time today -- two adults and three kids. From the design your own salad, to the waffles, fish and chips and the kale salad with falafel . . . We were all blown away!!! Delicious and fresh. The turkey burger is the yummiest I've ever had. Great service and hospitality!!!
(5)Stephanie S.
Love the decor! Love the tacos! Love the brussel sprouts! Can't wait to try the egg sandwich! Did NOT love the noise level. We had a hard time having a conversation.
(5)Scott T.
We really enjoyed our dinner here. I had the steak fries and my fiance had a pecan trout. They were both very tasty. The drinks were also very good. We had the donuts for dessert. They were just OK for us. We will be back.
(4)brandon m.
Met a friend for a drink and a small bite to eat. Great drink menu, decent beer menu, very good wine selection. The dinning room had a buzz - plenty of dates enjoying a pleasant evening. Everything looked great, we enjoyed the spinach dip and some beverages. I had a banana infused Jameson - highly recommended. Pricing is great for the quality, atmosphere, and service.
(5)Deborah C.
We had the egg sandwich With bacon avocado and hot sauce, cheese on multigrain bread ! Hot sauce was a great addition! Ooey gooey deliciousness! Also had the pumpkin cream cheese stuffed French toast. Exceptional! Food portions are generous! Was a bit pricey for brunch, but quality of food was great. Only downside, service was slow. But, staff was super friendly, so we didn't mind.
(4)Jennie E.
Great place all year round, but for the short patio season in Michigan this is a must! Great cocktail list and pretty decent gluten free menu items. Great for families (older kids), couples, friends or brunch (but be weary of longer than usual wait times). If gluten isn't an issue, you must try the cheeseburger sliders. If you don't tolerate gluten, like me, the kale salad is amazing and so are the shrimp and grits!
(4)Mary R.
I had dinner with a friend last Friday at Social. After a few missteps---we were not happy with the first two places we were seated and moving us seemed to really irritate the front staff---we had a great meal. We ordered the brussel sprout appetizer---yum!@!---even vegjie haters would love this item. My meal was the salmon with lentils and crispy kale---one of the best meals I have had recently---and I eat out several nights a week. My friend had the trout and he was equally thrilled with his meal. This is my fourth time coming to Social and the first 3 times I was satisfied but underwhelmed. I was not excited about returning. My friend wanted to try it. I guess 4 is the charm---I can't wait to return and repeat my great experience. (Our waiter was great---handsome and charming---I think his name was Jeff.) By the way, I don't write many reviews.
(5)Kathleen K.
Social Kitchen is a regular go-to for us. We like the casual atmosphere and menu. The waitstaff is always friendly and the crowd is fun and familiar. We're slightly addicted to the white Sangria and salads. The rest of the menu is fun to share, but is not for those counting carbs. We like the grilled cheese on naan bread and burgers when indulging. The rooftop bar is great in the summer. Cute place!
(4)Caroline K.
Social Kitchen is fun. The food is good, array of choices, The have three different places to sit. Upstairs, main entrance, and the side covered patio area. Their drinks are good and their food comes in good proportions. It is a fun place to visit with friends.
(4)Alex M.
Awesome service, neat atmosphere and great menu variety for anything you may be craving. I will be returning!
(5)Fabio B.
This place gets an L.A. four stars, and that's something right off the bat. It was packed on a Tuesday night, but we walked in and sat down with no wait, albeit at a table in the middle of the place because the rooftop was full. Pleasant trendy ambiance without being douchey, lots of beautiful people. Drinks were a hit. The cucumber vodka was excellent. Pre-appetizer corn bread stuck to their theme of upscale southern comfort, but meh, it's cornbread. Appetizers: delicious! We had crab cakes, grilled oysters, and fried green tomatoes. Then ordered another grilled oysters! Dinner: marvelous! I had the barramundi skillet, my colleagues had TV dinners and I think the brick chicken. Everyone loved it. The bottle of sav blanc went well. Dessert: where it fell short a star. Not a big selection and only one of the four of us ordered. He got the chocolate pudding, but it's pudding with funky toppings. Meh. Might have been more appealing if we weren't STUFFED. Service was outstanding. Prompt, attentive, knowledgable of the menu, and made awesome suggestions for us (thanks, Shady!). Would go back in a heartbeat and bring clients here without a second thought. Prices, who cares? Good restaurants are hard to find, so if you pay a little more, so what. And really, the prices are fine. Look at the menu - if you think it's too pricey, you should just stay home or go to IHOP. Open this place in Los Angeles and it'll be an instant hit. Seriously, do it.
(4)Rachel S.
Always a good atmosphere with great food! Quinoa salad is a must try. Reservations could be handled better.
(4)Lauren T.
I have been there twice now and have thoroughly enjoyed the food. We loved the doughnuts, the fried brussel sprouts and kale salad. I would definitely go there again in a heartbeat.
(4)Diane K.
Great food. Where else can u choose your own salad ingredients :). Had the chicken sandwich with crunchy potato chips inside. Great! And the tomato soup was thick with lots of flavor and not drowned with tons of cream. Wish we had one of these in the Los Angeles area where I'm from.
(4)Ashley V.
I went to social for dinner with a friend about a month ago. Can't say that I was all too pleased with my experience. My friend and I enjoyed some nice appetizers of the brussels sprouts and artichoke dip. But our drinks and food weren't anything to rave about. My friend had a turkey burger and I had the grilled cheese. Both of our dishes arrived Luke warm and onions took over the majority of my food. We had one drink each but could not get our waitresses attention to get another one. She was very not very attentive and never came back to check and see if we even liked any of our food. The last thing that I was very unhappy about and probably the most unenjoyable part of our experience was the tiny table that we were put at in the corner. I got bumped into by the gentleman trying to sit behind me. It was very noisy and did not make for an enjoyable dining experience.
(2)Viet N.
Came here for a six-person dinner on a Saturday evening, and overall, pleased with the restaurant. A couple of things before I start in on the food: - It's crowded. Ludicrously crowded. A good thing, I guess, but we waited almost an hour for a table at 7pm. They don't take reservations. - As a result of being crowded, it's quite loud. Not a good place to take kids. - Service is prompt. Overall very good balance between getting you what you need and leaving you alone to enjoy your meal. - There is a rooftop area, but we didn't go there. Too cold. A review of Yelp reviews and a quick examination of the menu led us to order appetizers as small plates, which was a very good decision, as we shared: 1) Fried brussel sprouts - shredded, they were oily and salty, but edible. I would have much preferred that they were kept whole or halved. Definitely not as good as the sprouts at Roast. Very generous heap of food. 2) Macaroni and cheese - large elbow pasta and exceedingly cheesy. No additions like jalapenos (ala Pollo Chapin) or crusty top (ala Redcoat Tavern), the mac and cheese here is nevertheless warm and very comforting. A major hit at our table. The portion is pretty small to share -- feeds 2-3 hungry people. 3) Chicken and waffles - amazing. My personal favorite dish. Crunchy, salty fried chicken with lots of sweet syrup on a fluffy waffle. Everything CnW should be. I could have eaten this all day, and then the next day, without any complaints. Comes as a half waffle with two pieces of chicken, so portion appropriately. 4) Broccolini in chili oil - also excellent. A very flavorful side dish and I highly recommend it. It isn't a lot of vegetable though -- feeds 1-2 hungry people, and I was craving more. 5) Rosemary fries - a miss. Far too salty, too much rosemary, and enormous portions. Not even good for drunk/hangover food. 6) Scallops - fantastic! Two large sea scallops, perfectly seared, in a butter-cream sauce. Would definitely get this one again too. All of these dishes were about $10-15 each, and between the six of us, and a bottle of wine, we paid about $25 per person. Definitely not bad for Birmingham, and in line with what I would probably pay for happy hour somewhere.
(4)Dry Y.
Interior is super unique and rustic, love! For appetizer, the waffle with chicken (I believe that's what it's called) sounds strange but is actually so good! Kale salad is delicious and my favorite thing on the menu. Although the prices are not as fair as I hoped for the portion size, it was expected because of the restaurant location. However, after multiple visits to Social, none of the main dishes were appetizing.
(3)Jonathan S.
This is my go to spot for business lunches. It is a great intimate, casual atmosphere and the food is always top notch. Lunches are reasonably priced and servings are normal sized rather than the Midwest heaping portions I'm normally used to. Dinner is pricy though, so may be a special occasion place if you are coming out on a Friday or Saturday night.
(5)Trevor P.
Great trendy spot, delicious food, friendly staff, and a solid beer selection. What more can you ask for? I guess the food is a little expensive, but I think you're getting a good value in return. Everything I tried off the menu was tasty. I wish I had more room in my stomach so I could have tasted more. Would definitely return.
(4)Amy D.
Drinks are a bit pricey but man is the food delicious! Oh and they have a Gluten Free menu for me! The sauteed mushrooms are delicious with just a hint of spice and the chopped salad with fresh avocado, peas and hearts of palm is a phenomenal concoction! Don't forget to order the fries...super fresh and you get heaps for $5. Enough for 2 or 3 people to share! I recommend sitting out on the patio, even in the winter they keep it nice and warm. Plus with all the delicate little lights it is a great spot for a date night.
(4)Christina R.
Coles Notes: Great atmosphere, food is well executed, and the sangria is out of this world. Very Birmingham, which is a lovely thing.
(5)Kirs P.
Finding a place like Social while traveling on business is what makes traveling for business bearable. So much better than the usual steakhouse I get dragged to all the time. Inventive food. Great atmosphere. Attentive service. And decidedly not stodgy. The meal started with lovely cornbread served via paper bag. Cute. And delicious. We ordered several apps to start- the crispy Brussels sprouts (also served in the cute paper bag- and it looked like it's a popular item- the distinctive waft of Brussels sprouts kept coming by our table- we had to order); the chicken and waffles; and the scallops with creamed corn and tomato bacon jam. All seriously delicious. In fact, when it came time to order the main course, I was so smitten with the scallops and chicken and waffles that one of my dining partners and I asked for them again, entree sized (and then we split it up to share). I could have eaten those scallops all day. My other two dining companions ended up ordering the same thing: the brick roasted chicken. Also amazing. That chicken was some of the juiciest I've ever had. Good lord. Everything from beginning to end (which were amazing donuts) was just spectacular. I'd willingly go back to Detroit just to eat here again. That. Good.
(5)Jeffrey S.
Loved this place! Great chicken salad sandwich and appetizers. Came here with my girlfriend and she got the chopped salad with salmon which was also delicious. The food took a while which is why I'm only giving it 4 stars. Still would recommend to anyone in the area.
(4)Fern G.
Great overall dining experience. Got there at 7 pm on a Thursday night for dinner with my friend. Waited maybe 7 or 8 minutes for a table. Had the sliders appetizer and it was dee-lish. Please note - These are not prepared like a typical "slider" tiny burger. These look like cute round little calzones so there's definitely no buns and the meat is loose not in a patty form. I think they are made out of puff pastry dough. ?? They come with home made potato chips that taste great as well but could use some salt. I had the chicken under a brick with broccolini and smashed potato cake. Chicken was juicy, perfectly prepared, and seasoned well. Broccolini was grilled nicely and potato cake was very tasty. We sat in the enclosed patio which was nice and warm thanks to all of the space heaters. The noise level was loud as hell but I didn't mind. It was pretty packed so one would expect such a noise level. I kept thinking this was a safe place to bring my rowdy 4 & 6 year old.
(4)Jenai D.
I'm rating Social based entirely on a Sunday brunch. It was shockingly good. A very hip and funky vibe. The brunch menu was interesting and varied. For some reason I got the crab cakes (did not go for interesting and varied) but they were soooo good. Large and tender lumps of claw meat. Wow. Oh and the homemade cinnamon rolls - really good too. Also tried a Mexican-style chicken crepe - superb. Coffee comes in a french press with real cream. Can't wait to come back for dinner.
(4)Elizabeth M.
The food was amazing the atmosphere is so cool! I had the chicken and waffles and I was beyond pleased! Great place to eat and it's not too loud, so you can talk comfortably.
(5)Rachel W.
Went here for lunch today... The Pros -good food (between the three people in our group we had the tuna noodle casserole, the hot chicken salad sandwich and a build your own salad. Additionally, we all split an order of the fries) -good lemonade, tart and not overly sweet -great atmosphere and decor -attentive service -the dishes and glasses your food and drinks are served in are really fun! -when you have water, soda or lemonade to drink, you have your own refill at the table already. They leave a large glass of water on the table and when you order soda or lemonade they give you a small decanter-style glass with extra! The Cons -cramped seating -the tuna noodle casserole could have used a little extra moisture in it -the noise level was a little too loud Overall, we really enjoyed our lunch here and will likely come back!
(4)Katie A.
I loved this place! I've been twice so far and I can definitely say I will be back and often. Everything I've tried has been awesome. Grilled Caesar salad is by far the best Caesar salad I've ever had. we went as a group so I got to try lots of different things. Chicken and waffles - loved the sweet syrup against the savory (and a tiny tiny bit spiced) chicken. Brussels sprouts - so so good, crispy, seasoned perfectly, not a bad word to say except I wish I had ordered them 5 times which is not their fault it's mine. Slider bites - hamburger was seasoned well and very cheesy which I loved, and the "bun" was great too and they were so cute! My boyfriend said he liked the TV dinner he ordered, friends got the kale salad and flank steak loved them, and the prices are great for the amount of food you receive! 5 stars well earned! :)
(5)Ted C.
We had a long wait to get in on a Friday night. I put in an hour and a half and we didnt get the rooftop table as planned. I was just happy to get into the place. This is a very popular spot. The service here was quick and to the point which was fine because it was incredibly busy. I got a kick out of this place and wanted to stay longer but my party was in a hurry to find some place more quiet. It was very noisy in here and hard to hear people at my table. The food was very interesting. The sloppy joes were incredibly small, (four to a plate) but were very tasty. I wanted to eat more of them. The rest of the items on the menu had a lot of character associated with them and I wanted to come back and try them. This is a great place to hang out I would like to go back for the brunch menu and for a chance to sit on the rooftop.
(4)Lizz H.
Fantastic! Went with some friends for our annual holiday dinner and were pleased that they weren't pushy about the very slow pace of our meal. The brussel sprouts are fantastic as well as the mussels, we got a salad that was sublime. We are way into sharing so I can safely recommend the Naan Grilled Cheese, Falafel, Brick Chicken, and Barramundi Skillet. They were all very good. You should also get the pecan pie if they have it, probably the best I've ever had. One note: If you can't get a reservation online give the restaurant a call, I was able to get us in even though Open Table said they were full.
(4)Heather G.
Went here with a girlfriend on a Sunday before we caught a movie on a Sunday afternoon. I don't know if it was because the place is relatively new but they messed up on our appitizzy order....We were given mussels which had chorizo n it instead of the scallops ( my friend doesn't eat pork so she was screwed and we couldn't send it back because we were in a slight hurry to stay on time for the movie) The beat salad was delicious though and the atmosphere was fantastic!! One other complaint...we were bothered about 20 times during our meal...I am NOT over exaggerating...every 2 minutes someone was coming by our table trying to clear plates when we wern't finished eating, asking if everything was okay and if we needed a refill. Now don't get me wrong I'm all about attentive service but this was TOO much. I felt like I was being swarmed by vultures just waiting for my scraps! If they chef or owner reads this PLEASE correct this issue as it takes away from the awesome experience you were trying to go for. I might go back again to try it out for a second time just because that beat salad was damn tasty!
(3)Irina O.
Loved the atmosphere; fries and artichoke dip were awesome... The Brussel sprouts that everyone has raved about were "ok" ... A little Salty and burnt. Overall, id go back for the "social" atmosphere and side dishes!
(4)Kristie L.
I love this place!!!! very good brussel sprouts, mac and cheese and crab cakes..... Its decor is nice but we had to be seated upstairs and outside. Waiter seemed to be waiting on a whole bunch of up there on that patio. Come during the week at lunch instead of at night or on weekends when you will waiting longer....
(4)Ben S.
I just had to write a quick review about this place to even out the score. The food is creative, and delicious. The staff is completely friendly. The ambiance is super hip. Great patio! Awesome rooftop! I've been here a few times now and it's always a great experience. I come in eager and leave completely satisfied. You have to try the made to order donuts! I would definitely recommend this place! :,D
(5)Jesse P.
I had drinks on the roof top bar of this place with a friend this last summer. The roof top bar is pretty amazing. Great views of Birmingham and the architecture of the rooftop is very well done. The staff is pretty great and really friendly. They checked many times to see if we needed more drinks and were quiet attentive. I haven't eaten dinner here yet but I'm going to soon. I hear from friends that the food is pretty great.
(4)Dana H.
Worst dinning experience ever. Not only did have to wait 3 hours + to get a table, the hostess was very very rude. Please and thank you weren't even in her dictionary apparently. When we were finally seated, it turns out they were out three items that we ordered. Mac and Cheese was one of the items! Exactly what did they run out of, milk, cheese and noodles??????? When it was time for dessert, they were also out of donuts. So no Flour or sugar in the kitchen. Not going back there again. Not a fan of being disrespected by their staff!
(1)Tricia S.
My favorite downtown lunch spot right now! Love the salad where you choose your items like a sushi menu, brussel sprouts (ask for them if not on the menu) and love the ambience. Host staff isn't the friendliest but everyone else is and the ambience is great - on the patio, in the resto or upstairs on the roof.
(4)Trisha V.
Visited Social for the first time tonight with a couple of friends. I arrived late, and heard from my friends that the hostess was very rude. They initially were told that it would be an hour wait, when there were more than a couple of empty tables. After a few minutes, they were seated, and I arrived. We chose to skip the entrees, as they didn't sound very impressive. Instead, we ordered a bunch of appetizers and sides. We had the crispy brussel sprouts, the scallops, the hot dogs in a blanket, the mini-sliders, the mac and cheese, the chicken and waffles, the andouille and eggplant casserole, the fries, the spicy mushrooms, and the brocollini. All of them were fine, but not great. Sort of middle of the road. The service once we were seated was good. Our waiter was attentive, without being annoying. I asked him to recommend a wine, and his choice was perfect. The dining room was very crowded, and a little claustrophobic. The restrooms are single-person, and right in the main dining space, near the kitchen, which causes some traffic jams. I would go back for a drink and an appetizer, but I don't think I'd make a night of it. Given the prices, I expected the quality of the food to be much higher.
(3)S M.
Loved every minute about the dining experience at Social Kitchen & Bar. My husband and I would be regulars for sure if we lived closer but we were visiting from Chicago. My omelette with spinach, feta, pepperoncini and creamy greek dressing was outstanding and the bloody mary bar, fabulous with so many choices of mixes, hot pepper sauces & condiments. My husband enjoyed pancakes with fresh Michigan blueberries and a lemon custard (type) sauce, delicious! We shared the kale salad, a blend of sweet & savory flavors and textures. We love the use of local fresh seasonal produce in our food. We also love the atmosphere of the interior and patio. I recommend this restaurant for the food and the fun.
(5)Marianne V.
I like this place... and I do love a rooftop patio in the summer. I read all the previous reviews and really had none of the problems referenced by some. Friday at 5:30pm, my friend and I walked in and were seated immediately outside. The waitstaff was attentive (almost a little too attentive but that's better than the opposite, right?) We ordered a bottle of wine and the fried brussel sprout appetizer, which came in a little bag. So delicious! We headed upstairs afterwards to check out the bar. it kind of reminded me of a wedding cash only bar upstairs but whatever. The first station you see is beer and wine only. The mixed drinks are further back in a different section. These are dangerously good. Seriously. A little pricey but strong and delicious. And the patio is fun! It was nice, relaxed, nothing too crazy... what more could you want? It shouldn't be that hard to just have a good time hanging out with friends on a rooftop patio. Just the perfect place to unwind with coworkers after work on a summer day. I will for sure go back!
(4)Cory E.
Went here for brunch because it looked like a great space with a nice patio and rooftop. Waited 30 mins to get a spot outside... not a huge deal. After ordering it took almost 90 minutes to get our meal (pancakes and corned beef hash). The food was decent but really greasy and over priced. It seemed like every table around us was complaining to the manager about the poor service. Overall not a great experience. This place definitely has potential but the management need to step up their game.
(1)Johnny V.
Been here once and it was nice. Good food and service. Came in again with a friend for drinks and apps and was surprised at how much it went downhill in only a few months. I guess they don't take reservations which I never understood, it's about servicing guests and if I want to be assured a seat at your restaurant that should be accommodated. I am after all making an effort to patronize your place! Hostess told us it would be about half an hour. Half hour later it was another 20 minutes. We almost walked out when we finally got called to be seated. The place was very busy which I don't mind if you can still comfortably move around which was hard to do here. It gets loud too if you care about that while dining out. We had the crab cakes, sprouts and scallops. All were pretty average. Crab cakes were room temp. not hot or fresh tasting. It took too long to get drinks to keep coming. Server was nice enough but not very attentive. One good experience and one bad experience. I'd still give them another shot. Maybe wait for the summer for rooftop.
(2)Bob M.
I went to Social to try it out over the weekend. I can't speak to their alcoholic selection because I don't drink but i found the food to be very desirable. The selection was wide enough to give me choices but condensed enough to not cause me too much confusion as to what to order. The only thing that I can think of that had a cost that gave me sticker shock was the steak at almost $50. However, good steak is well worth that. Everything else was more than around $22. The value of the food at social was excellent. I was told that the doughnuts were AT LEAST as good as those at your favorite cider mill and I tried them and agree. The previous poster mentioned issues with the bathroom and I agree with that assessment. If I could rate it a 4.5 I would, but I don't think the bathroom issue should be a full point deduction.
(5)Gray M.
Where to start ... Well, the food is outstanding and so is the friendly and knowledgeable wait staff. Call-ahead seating/reservations are a must on a Friday or Saturday evening. The bar is often filled with an eclectic bunch. Singles are never lonely for long. Sunday brunches offer great menu items, abundant seating, and lively conversation at the bar thanks to make-your-own Bloody Mary station. Recommend Barramundi Skillet (dinner) and Chicken and Waffles (brunch).
(4)Melissa C.
Bartender didn't know what a Blood & Sand was... enough said.
(3)Michael S.
They have a nice atmosphere, friendly servers and chefs. I went on Super Bowl Sunday. It was pretty dead inside so we easily found a place to sit. We decided to sit at the bar and chat with the tender. Drink: Rosemary cucumber infused gin martini with olives. (you can get them with bleu cheese if you want) They use Seagram's Gin as their well gin. This is the ideal gin to use in a martini. Appetizer: Fries with rosemary. crispy and aromatic. You'll have to eat them quickly though while they are hot. Ask for extra ketchup right off the bat. Entree; My wife and I shared the fried chicken which was crispy on the outside and juicy and flavorful on the inside. It was easily more than enough for two average sized people. We were stuffed.
(5)Kathleen K.
Enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Social Kitchen this week. The service was excellent. The atmosphere was upbeat. We sat out on the patio and even though it was very cold outside, we were very comfortable on the patio with the heaters. The food was exceptional. I had the tomato soup, which was excellent, along with the chicken sandwich which was also very good. Could not have been more pleased with our choice of restaurants in the Birmingham area for lunch.
(5)Brian S.
My family and I visited on a rainy Saturday. Everything was great from the start. I love the feel of the space, and the atmosphere really added to a great meal. Our cocktails were spot on. Their version of a cucumber gimlet is among the best that I have ever had. Each course was amazing! The brick chicken, the brussel sprout appetizer, and the donuts were standouts. I cannot wait to get back there.
(4)Mim M.
i like the interior decor. a bit noisy inside, but i guess it IS called social kitchen for a reason :D i tried their white sangria, which was absolutely delicious, one of the best ive had (heavy peach fragrance). they have little stands for you to chill and socialize around the bar and the bar is also full service. one of the things we got was the barramundi skillet, which was fish served on a skillet with crispy noodles--it was okay, but a little too salty and burnt, so i wouldnt pay $28 for it. overall experience was above average, but our server wasnt really attentive so the service could be better.
(3)Melissa K.
Went here for for the first time. Atmosphere was nice. Had the brick chicken which was pretty good. There broccoli was amazing to me. It was seasoned perfectly. I will be back.
(4)Cranky C.
Ok.. I went again. I shouldn't have but I did. And it sucked... again. This time I'm not going to talk about the stuff that bugged me... My opinions on the idiotic design or super mediocre food, etc. I'll just cover the stuff that happened. You can judge for yourself.... Three people, lunch, weekday. Got a little less than two hours to eat. Person A Bowl of soup, salad entree, drink Person B Fish Tacos, drink Person C salad, chicken tacos, drink 1. Sit down order food and drinks. All good and happy. 2. Drinks come. No problem. 3. Person A: 1 bowl of soup comes. Person B: nothing Person C: 1 entree comes. No salad. Large piece of plastic in the entree. Sent back. 4. Salad for A & C comes. 5. Replacement entree, sans plastic, comes. Person B still has nothing. 6. C gives B some tacos because B is starving and its been 30 minutes. B agrees to give one of her tacos to C as payment for early taco. 7. 20 minutes later, Person B gets entree. 8. We eat. Food is hopelessly mediocre. 9. All drinks are dry and water is dry. Its like this for 20 minutes. 10. As we're joking around about wild things we could do to make our point about being thirsty, a guy comes up to us and says "man, you guys sure are having fun!" I said "oh thank god! Can we get the drinks we ordered and some water?" 11. Water came. 12. Finally we had been there 90 minutes and had to go. Got the card out waiting for the our server. 12. 15 minutes later the drinks came while paying the bill and boxing the leftovers for my dog. The bill came in seconds and they hadn't missed a beat. Everything was on there. Again, really good at totaling bills. Just shitty at everything else.
(1)Sammy W.
The sticky bun and fries are outstanding.
(4)Heather L.
Brussel sprout lovers rejoice! The crispy brussel sprouts here are to die for! Although they are on the dinner menu, I have had them for lunch. I've had the fried egg sandwich and the warm chicken salad sandwich and both are DEE-lish (although I would recommend splitting with a friend unless you have a really hearty appetite). Although I have not had it my friends LOVE the slice of life cocktail-I sadly sipped my ice tea as they enjoyed their their herby drinks.
(4)Tarick S.
Food is good. Little too loud and stuffy in this joint. Unless you come on an off day. Food is good, drinks are weak as hell. Atmosphere is cool. Staff is good. One thing I will say is don't be cheap on your drinks if you want people back!
(3)Emily E.
I have been back many times for food and I'm a much bigger fan of the Social "Kitchen" than the "Bar". The egg sandwich is never a bad choice at brunch or lunch. Social puts a very tasty twist on food you might see elsewhere that makes it worth a visit. Also, the decor is fun...a great place for a small group!
(4)Chris W.
Food wasn't bad and the outdoor dining is nice but had bugs in my water, hair in my wife's and the bill came back wrong. Foods a little over priced as well. Wasn't as happy as I would like for the price I paid.
(2)Stephen D.
I kept wanting to check this place out so I finally conned my son to going with me for dinner Sunday night. He said he thought it was just a bar (he didn't really think that - just saying he expected the food to be not great.) Well guess what - he loved his brick chicken entree. I liked the Kale salad which might be one of their signatures. Had Turkey sloppy Joe sliders for appetizer (on homemade rolls). No complaints. Waiter was good, friendly but not overly familiar. Hostess could have greeted us better but at least we got a smile out of her as she seated us. The star of the show really is the urban / country mash-up of a decor. 5 Stars to whoever did that.
(4)Nurse T.
This is my third time trying this place...the service is horrible. Regardless if they are busy or not. It took 25 minutes for my order to be taken. When my waffle & chicken order finally came out, it was hot but the chicken was over cooked and the bacon was black & burnt. I won't be back.
(1)laura p.
I have been here twice, once for lunch and once for dinner. On both occasions, I really enjoyed my food. For lunch, I had the fish tacos and shared the kale salad. When I came for dinner, I had the brick chicken. My only complaint was that the asparagus that came with the brick chicken was a little too charred for me. The service was great and the atmosphere is equally good. It seems to always be busy. This place can get a little loud when it's really busy, and there is only one bathroom, so you may have to wait. I highly recommend Social Kitchen.
(4)Samir N.
This is a very cool space and I cannot wait to check out the rooftop once it gets warmer. We had a large group on Sunday evening, but we had no problems grabbing a table. They have a pretty solid selection of wines - many of which are available by the glass. You can go big boy entree or small plates and share. Sharing is caring, so I went with the latter route. One of my dinner mates went with the grilled salad; everything was grilled - including the greens. They loved it. The sliders were really clever and delicious - the meat and cheese was baked into the roll. The crab cakes were pretty tasty, although if you have ever had them in the mid-Atlantic they may be a bit of a disappointment - the meat was not as "lumpy" and too homogenous in texture as I would have hoped. The brussel sprouts were awesome, and the chicken and waffles were pretty solid. I like that the syrup had bacon in it. I wish I had room for dessert, but alas my stomach failed me. I get the feeling that nothing is really bad here and it would be interesting to come back and try to figure out what is great.
(3)P B.
Had lunch there with my coworkers and the food was excellent! We all enjoyed our meals and shared my very large side order of fries. LOL Great food, great help, I'm sure that everything on the menu is excellent.
(5)Vanessa W.
Lets just start with, the food is good, not incredible, but pretty darn good. Oh but the downside. See I'm from California. To be more specific, I'm from San Francisco(think Ferndale, its hip, trendy but embracing of everyone) and those of us from Northern CA generally hate Los Angeles. Social embodies all that Los Angeles hype, trend and dare I say it pretentiousness. The hostess actually looked me up and down and sneered. Ok, so I wasn't dressed to impress but for brunch, really, who does dress to impress for brunch. The waitstaff was lacking, which is too bad for them because we generally give awesome tips. Thats not to say that the food wasnt good, it actually was but all that goes along with it really just isn't my cup of tea.
(3)Nic L.
Had lunch with friends and our server was awesome! He should teach a hospitality course to others. He was quite helpful, had good suggestions and was very attentive to our group. I loved the mac-n cheese but didn't care for the burnt brussel sprouts. Oh and the drinks were top shelf! Definately want to go back for seconds.
(4)Scott L.
One of our absolute favorites in Birmingham and the kids love it too. Yes, it's expensive, but the food is great. Make sure to try the chicken and waffles and/or cinnamon roll at breakfast!
(5)Amy B.
I was underwhelmed. The crispy Brussels sprouts while innovative got tiresome when you tried to eat them. They should be served with some way to pick them up and something to cut the oil they absorbed. The rest of the menu was pretty good though overly limited. I love a small menu where the staff can focus on quality but the menu on the day we were there wasn't varied enough. This restaurant could be great. It's almost there but something is still missing.
(3)Brian G.
A quality of food not easily found in Birmingham - or anywhere around the area for that matter. Innovative with excellent execution, Social is a stand out in the metro area. Highly recommended.
(5)E. J F.
Social is one of the newer places iin Birmingham. As such, it attracts the trendy crowd as well as a bunch of "look at me" people. Having said that the food is fresh, well prepared and the wait staff is knowledgeable, with one noticeable exception: everything I have ordered through my different visits was very salty, in particular the roasted Brussels sprouts and French fries. I now ask to have the food less salted... Or not salted at all so I can adjust to my taste. Full bar, excellent choice of whiskeys. Bloody Mary's bar on Sundays. Overall, a good choice.
(3)Nina C.
Love it!! Somewhere new and the location gets you out of the normal loop- when you hang in Birmingham :) drinks are awesome, staff was great, food was pretty good!!
(5)Mandy S.
I must admit, I was surprised how good this place was. I thought it would be another run-of-the-mill trendy Birmingham restaurant, but it wasn't. The hostesses were very friendly and helpful getting us seated at the bar where we wanted to sit. We tried a variety of appetizers: roasted brussel sprouts, mussels, and scallops. The brussel sprouts are a must have. They had that roasted, charred flavor as well as a sweet undertone. Really wonderful. The scallops and mussels were prepared with a hearty, rustic flare. The scallops were served on a bed of creamed corn. The mussels had black beans and corn in a savory broth. They were almost stew-like, but really fabulous. Then, to top it off, we got a jar filled with warm chocolate chip cookies and two glasses of milk. Very nostalgic and fun. My only negative comment is that I wish the bar staff were a little more freindly. They didn't smile, and I felt like I was inconveniencing them. I didn't get that warm service-oriented spirit you would expect from a new place.
(4)Zainab N.
In my previous review I meant to say that I was disappointed that the waiter promoted farm-raised salmon over fresh-caught. There was a "not" that went missing. Oops! Still disappointed in that place.
(3)Julie C.
Lovely looking place but my Kale salad left me violently ill! Not sure if it wasn't washed or what but I have travelled to several remote regions of the world and know food poisoning when I experience it and that is unfortunately my take away from Social.
(1)Geoffrey J.
Came for brunch with friends and the waiter was not friendly, the food overpriced and the portions were beyond small. Pretentious and the cocktails are also quite expensive, unless you do the bloody mary bar. I ordered the crab cakes, which were great in flavor, but were only 3 crab cakes served with nothing in addition to it (as an entree). Everyone in our group left hungry and we actually went to another restaurant to eat after having brunch there. The decor is nice and the location good. Overall, the food is extremely overpriced, the service is mediocre at best, and the portions small. Save your money!!
(1)R W H.
Sunday brunch was ok, the bloody Mary bar was not. Just another boring Birmingham spot. Will give it another shot during the week for drinks. Will stick with Toast or make the drive to La Dolce Vita for brunch. Bottomless mimosa = topless girlfriend, makes for a great Sunday
(3)Jim R.
I have been proven wrong time, and time again. Opening quirks are gone. Great place for lunch or dinner. Fort time going, Terrible experience - four days in a row I tried to make a large group reservation. No call back, no one could answer questions. I was even scolded for calling during the daily pre-opening meeting.
(5)Margaret F.
Was there last night to meet a group of friends. The hostesses that greet you as you enter are very busy and sadly didnt have enough time to listen to the names we asked if they had a reservation for. 'the reservation might be under X or Y.' They looked for X, couldn't find it and then pretty well dismissed us to look around the restaurant ourselves. We finally just called our friends, the reservation WAS under Y and they were upstairs. My husband went up first and I went to use the restrooms. A large restaurant like this and they have single occupant restrooms??? The line, which it seemed was constant, is right in the main walk way from the kitchen and right in the dining room. I went upstairs to meet our friends, only to be walking behind one of the hostesses who said 'you can't go up here, there is a private party' once I told her I was with the private party, her tone softened and she became apologetic. The drinks here are extremely over priced. A plastic cup of a Sauvignon blanc for $12? Ridiculous - both the cost and the presentation! Plastic cups are typically served in places that have a lot of bar fights which I seriously doubt is the case here, but not very nice nonetheless. The menu is interesting, but doesnt allow much for those who are not 'foodies' I sent back the pastrami, it was awful. The Brussel sprouts were Delish as was the Broccolini and French fries. Another trip to the restroom later in the evening was met with another hostess (aka Gestapo) blocking the stairway to anyone who attempted to go up there. The outdoor rooftop area is very nice, cozy as well as airy. Our waitress was wonderful especially with a party of 14 or so and the organizer of the evening requesting separate checks" odd though that they dont have the same wine choices as downstairs.
(3)Mariah V.
Casual dining atmosphere with fine dining service was Social's achieved mission. The service may claim to be in fine dining fashion but the food is less than so. While the food is not anything to write home about, the atmosphere is more than enough to draw you in. With an eclectic menu overall, everyone can find something they like of all the very simple dishes. The appetizers were tasty but underwhelming in portion size, 3 hot dogs in a blanket for one appetizer. Not enough to share for the table. I highly recommend the Fried Brussel Sprout appetizer, converting even those who previously claimed to dislike the notorious vegetable. The multi-textural kale salad was very satisfying and not like a typical green salad. Social would be a great place to get drinks regardless of getting dinner or not. The sophisticated yet rustic bar serves as the centerpiece for this Birmingham restaurant. The wine menu was extremely extensive and complete with a flavor code, which makes it appetizing for those that may not be wine snobs or not know anything about it. I would definitely go back to Social but will keep in mind that the food is not nearly as nice as the atmosphere. I would add that the outdoor seating does convert to indoor seating for cold season but next time I would ask to be seated inside, as I was cold. Nonetheless the atmosphere is trendy and alluring.
(4)Sarah M.
Rooftop dining, great food!
(3)Dr.Ron F.
The Bistro food was excellent and the atmosphere was great.
(5)Edward M.
Hands down to Social for being one of the top 10 best meals I've ever had. Ed and I finally got to go to dinner with our good friend, a long overdue event, and we're pleased as Social Punch that we did! We arrived as soon as they opened, placed at a table by the window facing due south on Maple in downtown snootytown, a great people watching spot. We started with the wonderfully seasoned fried brussel sprouts and couldn't get enough of those delicous lil guys. Next up we decided to share the Strawberry salad (honestly the best salad I've ever had, with strawberries... of course, spinach, caramelized cornbread, pickled ginger, goat cheese, granola, and ginger balsamic vinaigrette), grilled scallops (in a giant bowl of gazpacho goodness), and their mac n cheese side (so damn good). For round three we went with the Naan Grilled Cheese (with tomatoes and cheddar and most likely crack, since I couldn't stop eating it), the Falafel (which makes me want to fly to Lebanon to see if they made it better, which they most likely have not), and the awe-inspiring Sea Bass, complete with perfect crispiness...and noodles to go with it, capers, olives, and the perfectly seasoned spicy tomato sauce...absolute heaven. For dessert we went for the cookie jar (despite the chef's personal recommendation). That night the cookies were coconut macaroons, chocolate chip, and honey graham. Sounds simple and easy but one can easily screw up the classics, and these far surpassed my expecatations. Finally we had the banana pudding, which worked out great since I could dip the honey graham yumyum into the pudding for the full on top off. The service was great, he may very well have been Seth Rogen, but he just turned out to be a cool dude named Randy. The decor was fantastic...wood, colored wood, wood walls, wooden doors, and then a bevy of red and white chairs to plop upon. Side note time....when in Birmingham, one would never anticipate or expect the table sitting next to you to A. say hello...B. chat...or C. share every plate that they received in an orgasmic foodfest while mentioning how nobody is social or friendly anymore. Here, in the onslaught of appearance upholding, social stature, and unfriendly demeanors, is the epitome of good time fun mixed with actual and genuine social fun! I'll be spending too many paychecks here. Written by Brad, who's just hijacked Ed's yelp.
(5)Jesse S.
Cool ambiance. Nice waitstaff. Good food. Relatively weak mimosas and pretty pricey. But, overall great place!
(4)Brad S.
I went in for lunch with two friends. First off, everyone thought their meal was very good. It has a nice environment/mood with lots of natural light. Our server was very nice and attentive. The only negative was that the food was a bit slow getting to our table and my friends food came out a few minutes before mine did.
(4)Deep A.
Excellent food and service.
(5)Paul J.
Whitefish was outstanding. A bit pricey, but Birmingham isn't known for discount dining. Place is geared for young people and should be a hotspot. Older people might find it too loud.
(4)