Cleo’s Southern Cuisine is a Chicago soul food restaurant specializing in Southern comfort food, Creole-inspired flavors, and family recipes rooted in Mississippi cooking traditions. Founded by chef and restaurateur Kristen Ashley, the restaurant has grown from its original Bronzeville location to additional restaurants in The Loop and Lakeview.

Named in honor of Ashley’s grandmother, Cleodell “Cleo” Harper, the restaurant celebrates the flavors and traditions that shaped her family’s cooking. Its menu brings together classic Southern dishes, generously seasoned seafood, fried chicken, and comforting sides.

Fried catfish is one of Cleo’s signature specialties, earning national attention after food critic Keith Lee awarded the dish a perfect 10 rating. The restaurant is also known for its fried chicken wings, Southern-style seafood combinations, and rich, flavorful macaroni and cheese.

Other customer favorites include crab macaroni and cheese, honey butter corn muffins, and traditional Southern sides. The menu incorporates Louisiana and Creole influences, creating a distinctive approach to familiar soul food favorites.

Cleo’s offers individual meals and combination plates for customers looking to sample several dishes. Its menu is particularly popular with diners seeking crispy fried catfish, well-seasoned chicken, and hearty Southern comfort food.

Beyond everyday dining, Cleo’s provides catering for corporate luncheons, family celebrations, private gatherings, and community events. Catering orders are available for pickup or delivery, while individual customers can order through the restaurant’s website or participating delivery platforms.

Each Chicago location offers its own dining environment, from the original neighborhood restaurant in Bronzeville to a downtown lunch destination in The Loop and a larger Lakeview restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating.

With its family-inspired recipes, signature fried catfish, and commitment to Southern cooking traditions, Cleo’s Southern Cuisine brings a distinctive soul food experience to neighborhoods across Chicago.