Katie O Soul Food

Nestled in Brooklyn's Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Katie O's Soul Food has been serving hearty comfort dishes since 2014, blending family tradition with community spirit. This compact eatery at 452 E New York Ave delivers an authentic soul food experience in a welcoming, no-frills setting.

From Grandma’s Kitchen to Brooklyn Institution

Founded by Kiana "Katie" Muschett-Owes, the restaurant honors her late grandparents Grandma Peaches and Papa, whose recipes and philosophy that "food is love" form its foundation[2][5]. The space channels a grandmother’s living room, with checkered tablecloths and walls adorned with family photos – a deliberate homage to Katie’s childhood spent cooking with Grandma Peaches[2][5].

Signature dishes showcase classic Southern comfort:

• Crispy fried chicken brined for 24 hours and fried to golden perfection
• Soul food platters pairing meats like smothered pork chops with sides like creamy mac ’n’ cheese and collard greens[3]
• Cornbread served warm with honey butter – a complimentary staple with every meal[3]

More Than a Restaurant

During COVID-19 lockdowns, Katie transformed her eatery into Soul Food to the People, a nonprofit that has provided over 218,000 free meals to food-insecure New Yorkers[5]. Today, weekend restaurant sales help fund this ongoing initiative, maintaining Katie’s belief that "everybody eats, no matter what"[5].

Regulars praise the Sunday supper vibe, where platters of fried catfish and peach cobbler foster communal dining. As owner Katie notes in her YouTube channel: "We’re not just serving food – we’re serving love on a plate"[4].

With its unfussy charm and mission-driven ethos, Katie O’s remains a neighborhood anchor where every bite tells a story of heritage and heart.