Chili, Soups & Steaming Bowls

The ‘Famous Chili’ from West End Café
At West End Café, the chili has earned a permanent place in the conversation about local comfort food. The hearty beef-and-bean bowl is a longtime favorite at this Fourth Street mainstay, where the menu mixes familiar classics with changing specials. It’s a satisfying lunch on its own, especially when the weather calls for something you can wrap both hands around. Check the daily soup lineup before heading over to see whether chili is on the menu.

Homemade Avgolemono Soup from Grecian Corner
Chicken soup gets a Greek accent at Grecian Corner, a Winston-Salem landmark since 1970. Its homemade avgolemono combines chicken and rice with a bright, lemony broth that feels especially welcome on a gray afternoon. Order a bowl on its own or make lunch of it with a grilled cheese or small Greek salad. The soup remains a favorite among several of our Visit Winston-Salem coworkers.

Shoyu Ramen from Noodle Ju’b
Inside the Salem Bottleworks complex near Old Salem, Noodle Ju’b brings another kind of comfort to the table: a carefully built bowl of ramen. Start with its signature shoyu ramen, which combines house-made noodles with soy-seasoned chicken-and-dashi broth, pork, a marinated egg and scallions. It’s a hearty introduction to the neighborhood noodle counter from John and Lucia Bobby, the duo behind Bobby Boy Bakeshop. Settle in, pick up your chopsticks and leave a little time for slurping.

Soup Flights from West Town Restaurant
Choosing one soup can feel unnecessarily restrictive. West Town solves that problem with a cold-weather soup flight, letting you sample three varieties in one sitting. The selection changes, with comforting options such as chicken and rice and chicken and dumplings appearing on the menu. This longtime Styers Ferry Road restaurant also lists a soup-and-grilled-cheese flight for those who take their dipping opportunities seriously. Check the current offerings before you visit.

OTHER STANDOUTS

• French Onion Soup from Village Tavern. A classic at both Village Tavern locations in town, this savory bowl combines caramelized onions, rich broth and a melted cheese topping.
• Tomato Basil Soup from River Birch Lodge. A simple, warming start to a meal at this longtime favorite, where timber beams and stone fireplaces create a mountain lodge-like mood.
• Frogmore Stew from Milner's. Shrimp, oysters and mussels share a brown-ale broth with sausage, hominy and corn. Grilled bread makes quick work of whatever remains in the bowl.
• She-Crab Soup from Ryan's. Lump crab and cream sherry give this rich soup its appeal. It’s an inviting opening act for a leisurely dinner overlooking the restaurant’s wooded setting.

Savory Sandwiches

Shrimp Burger from Forsyth Seafood
An Eastern NC favorite finds a happy home at Forsyth Seafood Market & Café. Choose popcorn or jumbo shrimp piled onto a bun, with the café’s coleslaw served alongside. The deluxe version adds lettuce and spicy mayo if you want a little extra kick. It’s a satisfying stop at this family-owned seafood market and café just east of downtown, especially when your idea of comfort comes with a crisp, golden coating.

Collard Green Melt from Acadia Foods
At Acadia Foods in Washington Park, a Southern side becomes the main event. Collards join cheddar, mayo and bacon or tempeh on a grilled roll for an earthy, cheesy, filling sandwich. Choose tempeh to keep it vegetarian. For a vegan version, ask about plant-based cheese and mayo and have it grilled without butter.

Grilled Pimento Cheese from Mozelle’s
Sharp cheddar, grilled sourdough and a side of tomato bisque make this lunch-and-brunch favorite an easy cold-weather choice. Add Berkshire bacon for a smoky, salty extra, then alternate between bites of sandwich and spoonfuls of soup.

The Reuben from O'Brien's Deli 
There’s a reason O’Brien’s Deli calls itself the “Home of the Reuben.” The Country Club Road deli stacks lean corned beef brisket, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut on Jewish rye, then adds deli mustard and Russian sauce before grilling. The result has all the richness, tang and crunch you want from a proper deli sandwich. Go with the full-size version or the Mini-Reuben, and consider a cup of homemade soup alongside it.

The 'Cham' from T.J.’s Deli
The name tells part of the story: chicken plus ham equals Cham. TJ’s signature sandwich layers fried chicken breast, ham and provolone with lettuce, tomato and mayo on a bun. The combination has the familiar appeal of chicken cordon bleu, delivered in decidedly more casual form. For a bigger appetite, there’s the Super Cham, made with an extra-large portion of buttermilk-battered chicken. A cup of soup makes a fitting side.

Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich from Young Cardinal Café
The downtown café’s Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich earns its spot beyond the breakfast crowd. Fried chicken, pimento cheese, lettuce and tomato meet sweet-hot honey on a bun, giving each bite a little crunch, creaminess and heat. It’s a hearty option for a daytime outing along Fourth Street, particularly when you want something more substantial than a pastry but aren’t quite ready for a full sit-down dinner.

Entrées & Specialties

Chicken & Waffles from District 924
Just south of downtown near Old Salem, District 924 serves Southern and soul food favorites in a polished dining room accented by large chandeliers. Its chicken and waffles pair crisp, well-seasoned fried chicken with waffles for a hearty mix of savory and sweet. This staple goes beyond brunch: order it whenever the restaurant is open, including its popular Soul Food Sunday.

Tomato Pie from Mozelle’s
Mozelle’s signature pie fills a hand-rolled crust with tomatoes, sharp cheddar, Parmigiano-Reggiano and basil. Creamy succotash comes alongside, making this vegetarian entrée a satisfying reason to settle into the West End bistro. Cheese and pastry do much of the comforting here.

Carolina Shrimp & Grits from Fourth Street Filling Station
Fourth Street Filling Station in downtown gives this Southern staple a distinctive foundation: a fried grit cake. Shrimp, andouille sausage, tomatoes and spinach arrive with chipotle cream sauce and a finishing layer of cheddar and Jack cheese. The crisp cake and creamy sauce make a satisfying contrast. A cozy fireplace and lodge-like dining room set the mood indoors, while a spacious heated patio offers another inviting spot to linger.

Pizza Slabs from Grandpa Joe's Slaberia
The team behind award-winning Bobby Boy Bakeshop builds its pizza on thick focaccia, giving each rectangular slab a crisp edge and an airy, chewy center. The dough ferments for 72 hours, and toppings range from pepperoni cups and cheese to roasted potato with onion, pecorino and Parmesan cream. Mushroom and tomato-burrata slabs offer other tempting choices. Like Bobby Boy, Grandpa Joe’s is part of the lineup at Salem Bottleworks, a food hall-style complex south of downtown.

Moravian Chicken Pie at Muddy Creek Café
For a dish with deep local roots, head to Muddy Creek Café in Old Salem. Its personal-size Moravian chicken pie comes with a choice of side, bringing a regional tradition to the lunch table. Unlike a typical chicken pot pie, the Moravian version puts the focus on chicken and rich broth beneath a pastry crust, leaving out the vegetables. It’s a fitting meal to follow a chilly stroll through the historic district.

Steak au Poivre from Ryan's
Comfort food can dress up for the evening, too. Ryan’s serves an eight-ounce Certified Angus Beef steak au poivre with cracked black pepper and cognac cream sauce, plus a choice of potato. The sauce also appears among the steak additions if you have another cut in mind. Between the peppery richness of the entrée and the restaurant’s wooded views, it’s well suited to a relaxed cold-weather date night.

Oxtails with Rice from Taste of the Triad
Tender oxtails over rice anchor a hearty plate at this Old Walkertown Road soul-food favorite. The entrée comes with two sides and bread, so round out your meal with mac and cheese, candied yams or the collard-and-cabbage mix. Homey cooking and warm hospitality give it the feel of Sunday dinner at grandma’s, where there’s always room for one more.

OTHER STANDOUTS

• Chicken & Waffles from District 924. This Southern soul food spot just south of downtown near Old Salem pairs crisp fried chicken with waffles. A staple beyond brunch, the dish is available whenever the restaurant is open, including its popular Soul Food Sunday.

• Shepherd's Pie at Finnigan's Wake. Few dishes are more at home in an Irish pub than shepherd’s pie. Downtown staple Finnigan’s Wake keeps the classic on its menu, with a savory meat filling beneath a generous layer of mashed potatoes.
• Overnight Pot Roast from Milner's. A slow-cooked classic served with whipped potatoes, broccoli and braising jus. Save a little potato for the last of the gravy.
• Mama’s Lasagna from River Birch Lodge. Lasagna with a mozzarella-Parmesan sauce and a tomato sauce made with ground beef and sausage. It’s available in petite and regular portions.
• Mushroom Pasta from Mozelle’s. This hearty vegetarian dish combines pappardelle, chestnut mushrooms and spinach in a Parmesan cream sauce. Rich, earthy and especially welcome on a chilly evening.
• Grilled Meatloaf at Village Tavern. Village Tavern’s grilled meatloaf delivers the sort of dinner that makes choosing sides unnecessary. The beef comes with a Madeira mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes and green beans at both Winston-Salem locations. 
• Texas Pete Chicken Flautas from The Porch. Crispy flour tortillas hold smoked chicken and cheese with a familiar local kick from Texas Pete. Topped with pico de gallo and Sriracha sour cream, the flautas sit over refried black beans and jasmine rice for a hearty Tex-Mex.

Fried Chicken Favorites

Slappy’s Chicken
At Slappy’s in Washington Park, the decision is less about elaborate toppings and more about how much chicken you can reasonably manage. Quarter- and half-chicken plates bring a crisp exterior, juicy meat and the sweet-spicy house sauce that gives this tiny spot its following. Get it dipped or ask for the sauce on the side. The sides deserve attention, too, particularly the collards and Cheez-It mac and cheese.

Mountain Fried Chicken
Sometimes the meal you want is fried chicken, potato wedges and something good for dipping. Mountain Fried Chicken has that combination well covered, with two Winston-Salem locations on University Parkway (linked above) and Akron Drive. Its menu also offers Winston Wings, homestyle sides and family-size orders, making it an easy option when a cozy evening involves bringing dinner home. Add honey mustard for the wedges and call the meal complete.

MORE CHICKEN

• Buttermilk Fried Chicken from Milner’s. Carolina Gold rice, collard greens and tomato gravy turn this crispy chicken dinner into a full Southern comfort plate.
• Fried Chicken from Mozelle’s. Boneless chicken breast comes with mac and cheese, green beans and peach chutney for a sweet-savory finish.
• Pub Wings from Foothills Brewpub. Order them house-smoked or classic fried, with blue cheese and celery. Ask about the current sauce selection, then pair your order with a pint from the brewery.

Sides & Small Plates

Crab Hushpuppies from Diamondback Grill
Penny’s Zucchini Patties are another reason to linger over the appetizer section at Grecian Corner. These savory fritters make an appealing start to a meal or an easy addition to a bowl of avgolemono. The combination offers plenty of comfort without committing to a larger entrée.

Zucchini Patties from Grecian Corner
Penny’s Zucchini Patties are another reason to linger over the appetizer section at Grecian Corner. These savory fritters make an appealing start to a meal or an easy addition to a bowl of avgolemono. The combination offers plenty of comfort without committing to a larger entrée.

Cheez-It Mac & Cheese from Slappy's
The chicken may get top billing, but Slappy’s mac and cheese makes a strong case for equal attention. Cheez-It crackers bring a salty, crunchy element to the creamy side, which holds its own beside the restaurant’s sweet-spicy chicken. It’s the sort of pairing that rewards ordering a little extra.

Spinach, Brie, and Artichoke Dip from River Birch
Spinach, Brie and artichokes come together in a creamy dip topped with candied tomatoes and served with grilled ciabatta. Order it for the table and keep a piece of bread within reach. It’s a cozy way to start dinner before moving on to soup or pasta.

Pimiento Cheese Deviled Eggs from Quiet Pint Tavern 
Deviled eggs are a staple of Southern Sunday lunches. Quiet Pint gives the classic a savory twist with pimento cheese, crispy Korean pork belly, pepper flakes and paprika. Creamy, crunchy and a little spicy, they’re an inviting start to a meal at this neighborhood tavern.

NOTES: This story isn't meant to be a comprehensive list of comfort foods but simply give you some good starting points. It's also worth noting we didn’t include any dessert or breakfast items due to space limits, though many items are available during weekend brunch.