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Alta Adams
Master Critic Reviews (14 Lists)
Alta Adams
8.5
Chef-driven modern soul food that treats Southern technique with Californian lightness. Expect deeply flavored meats, sharp vegetable sides, and a patio that makes lingering over cocktails feel natural. It’s the kind of place that anchors West Adams dining without trying too hard.
Must-Try Dishes:
Oxtails and rice, Fried chicken, Black-eyed pea fritters
Scores:
Value: 7.5
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: California-minded soul food with real depth and craft.
Who should go: Friends sharing plates and cocktail fans.
When to visit: Dinner on the patio.
What to order: Oxtails and rice, fried chicken, black-eyed pea fritters.
Insider tip: Build the meal around sides—three make a perfect spread.
Alta Adams
8.6
Southern-influenced West Adams spot from chef Keith Corbin turning out deeply seasoned fried chicken wings alongside soulful sides. The wings land crisp and juicy with a peppery heat that plays well with their house sauces, making this a neighborhood dinner anchor that’s still worth a drive.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried Chicken Wings, Alta Fried Chicken, Candied Yam Gratin
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Chef-driven Southern wings with West Adams soul and polish.
Who should go: Wing lovers who want a sit-down night out.
When to visit: Early dinner on weekends to beat the rush.
What to order: Fried chicken wings, Alta fried chicken, candied yams.
Insider tip: Ask about off-menu heat levels for the wings.
Alta Adams
8.2
Located in West Adams, chef Keith Corbin blends Southern‑roots soul food with California sensibility in a warm and stylish setting — ideal for milestone birthdays or intimate celebration dinners without the ultra‑formal set‑up.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried Chicken with Fresno chile hot sauce, Oxtails & Rice, Black‑eyed Pea Fritters
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Soul‑food roots elevated with California produce and a convivial setting.
Who should go: Fans of comfort with refinement, celebrating with friends.
When to visit: Dinner on a weekend evening for full menu and patio seating.
What to order: Fried chicken w/ hot sauce, oxtails & rice, black‑eyed pea fritters.
Insider tip: Reserve patio or wine‑shop adjacent room if you want a slightly quieter vibe.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is available, but can be limited during peak hours. Valet parking is offered for $12.
Dress code: Smart casual is the best choice. Jeans are fine, but aim for a slightly dressy look.
Noise level: Moderate - the ambiance is lively, but you can still have a conversation with ease.
Weekend wait: Expect a wait of 45-60 minutes without a reservation, especially on popular weekends.
Weekday lunch: No wait typically, though it can be busier around midday.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes, there are several vegetarian options, including some Southern-inspired dishes.
Vegan options: Limited, with about 2-3 vegan-friendly options available.
Gluten-free options: Yes, there are gluten-free options, and a separate prep area is used to minimize cross-contamination.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, it's a great spot for a first date! The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a mix of relaxed and refined vibes that make for a comfortable yet special setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? While it's possible to get a table without a reservation, it's highly recommended to book ahead, especially on weekends or during peak dining hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, Alta Adams is kid-friendly, with a casual and welcoming environment. Families with children will find the outdoor seating area especially enjoyable.
Best For
Better for: Alta Adams stands out for its combination of Southern soul food with California influences, along with its fantastic outdoor dining space perfect for celebrations.
Skip if: If you're looking for ultra-formal dining or fine-dining precision, this might not be the place. Consider alternatives like high-end steakhouses or Michelin-starred options.
Alta Adams
8.6
Comfort‑driven Southern California soul food with a lush back patio framed by string lights and vines, in the Heart of West Adams. The fried chicken and black‑eyed pea fritters stand out while the setting makes patio dining feel backyard‑casual.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried chicken with hot sauce, Black‑eyed pea fritters, Buttery coconut cake
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: A cozy, vine‑covered patio paired with elevated soul food classics.
Who should go: Anyone craving comfort food outdoors in a neighborhood setting.
When to visit: Evenings when lights come on and patio heats up.
What to order: Fried chicken, pea fritters, coconut cake.
Insider tip: Ask for a patio seat near the string lights—they fill fast on weekends.
Alta Adams
8.6
Chef Keith Corbin’s California‑soul food spot in West Adams bridges West African and Southern flavors with inventive produce‑driven plates and a cozy patio. The warm hospitality and community‑focus keep locals returning.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried black‑eyed pea fritters, Juicy fried chicken with spicy hot sauce, Buttery coconut cake dessert
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: Soul‑food rooted in West African and Southern traditions with a modern twist.
Who should go: Food lovers seeking soulful yet elevated cuisine.
When to visit: Evenings for dinner shareable plates.
What to order: Black‑eyed pea fritters; fried chicken w/ hot sauce; coconut cake.
Insider tip: Ask for patio seating under the string lights for a relaxed vibe.
Alta Adams
8.4
This soulful Southern‑inspired spot by chef Keith Corbin brings California‑twist comfort food to the West Adams neighborhood, serving up standout fried chicken, oxtails and a leafy patio vibe. Locals and destination diners alike enjoy generous portions and warm, neighbourhood‑friendly hospitality. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried chicken with Fresno hot sauce, Oxtails over brown rice, Buttery coconut cake
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Soulful California‑inflected Southern cooking in a revived neighborhood spot.
Who should go: Friends or couples craving elevated comfort food.
When to visit: Weekend brunch or early dinner on patio.
What to order: Fried chicken, oxtails & coconut cake.
Insider tip: Grab patio seating early—it fills up fast post‑work.
Alta Adams
8.3
Keith Corbin’s California soul restaurant delivers polished comfort cooking rooted in West Adams and Watts tradition. The menu leans rich and familiar—greens, fried chicken, biscuits—then sharpens it with seasonal produce and careful technique. Warm hospitality and a lively patio make it easy to settle in.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried chicken with hot honey, Cornbread and seasonal butter, Gumbo with rice
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Elevated California soul food from a chef deeply tied to LA’s Black foodways.
Who should go: Groups craving comfort classics done with care.
When to visit: Weekend brunch or early dinner for the best flow.
What to order: Fried chicken, gumbo, a vegetable side or two.
Insider tip: Check daily specials—seasonal sides can steal the show.
Alta Adams
8.4
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Chef Keith Corbin’s modern soul-food anchor in West Adams pairs generous, smoky-sweet flavors with an inviting room and multiple private-dining areas. It’s the kind of place that feels neighborhood-casual but delivers special-occasion satisfaction, especially for groups.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smothered chicken, Fried catfish, Mac and cheese
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: California-grown soul food with private spaces that still feel like home.
Who should go: Soul-food lovers hosting a relaxed group meal.
When to visit: Early evening for prime kitchen pacing.
What to order: Smothered chicken, fried catfish, mac and cheese.
Insider tip: Book the Wine Shop area for the most intimate private dining.
Alta Adams
8.6
A soulful West Adams anchor from chef-owner Keith Corbin, balancing Southern comfort with a California lilt. The kitchen’s strength is deep-flavored braises and impeccably fried staples, delivered with neighborhood warmth. A reliable choice for a satisfying midday reset when you want something hearty but thoughtful.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried chicken wings, Shrimp & grits, Pork chop with chow-chow
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Modern Southern cooking rooted in West Adams history and community.
Who should go: Comfort-food seekers and lunch meetups.
When to visit: Weekend brunch or early lunch.
What to order: Fried chicken, shrimp & grits, black-eyed pea fritters.
Insider tip: Grab a patio seat for the most relaxed meal.
Alta Adams
8.6
A West Adams cornerstone serving Southern cooking with a polished, neighborhood-dining feel and a strong cocktail program. Happy hour is a smart way to sample their comfort-forward small plates and approachable wines before a full dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried Chicken Sandwich, Shrimp & Grits, Black-Eyed Pea Fritters
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Michelin-recognized Southern kitchen with a real neighborhood pulse.
Who should go: Locals, friends groups, and comfort-food seekers.
When to visit: Weekday happy hour for best bar energy.
What to order: Fritters, fried chicken sandwich, shrimp & grits.
Insider tip: Sit at the bar for the best happy-hour pacing.
Alta Adams
8.6
California soul food with a bar-first happy hour that leans into smoky, peppery BBQ wings and Southern sides. Chef-owner Keith Corbin’s kitchen delivers deep flavor and a polished patio vibe that feels special without being stiff. Come early for the daily 4–6pm happy hour, then stay for dinner if the wings hook you.
Must-Try Dishes:
BBQ Wings, Skillet Fried Chicken, Oxtails & Rice
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: BBQ wings and soul plates backed by a real daily happy hour program.
Who should go: After-work crews and diners who like modern soul food.
When to visit: Daily happy hour 4–6pm; patio is best near sunset.
What to order: BBQ wings, skillet fried chicken, oxtails & rice.
Insider tip: Happy hour runs all day on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.
Alta Adams
8.6
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Trendy Table Hotspots
Chef Keith Corbin’s modern soul-food landmark balances rich, Southern comfort with plenty of naturally gluten-free plates and sides. Expect bold seasoning, generous portions, and a lively West Adams dining room that pulls locals for dinner and weekend brunch.
Must-Try Dishes:
Oxtails & rice, BBQ cauliflower, Smothered hanger steak
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: A community-rooted, chef-driven soul-food room with strong gluten-free-friendly coverage.
Who should go: Groups craving Southern comfort with GF ease.
When to visit: Brunch weekends or early dinner before the rush.
What to order: Oxtails, BBQ cauliflower, collards.
Insider tip: Pair mains with the veggie sides—most are naturally GF.
Alta Adams
8.5
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Chef Keith Corbin’s modern Southern cooking draws multigenerational groups for big, comforting plates with a West Adams point of view. It’s polished but welcoming, and portions make sharing easy for families.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fried chicken with hot sauce, Candied yams, Blackened shrimp and grits
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: A Michelin-recognized West Adams anchor celebrating contemporary Black Southern cooking.
Who should go: Families celebrating or craving elevated comfort.
When to visit: Weekend dinner for the full menu.
What to order: Fried chicken, shrimp and grits, candied yams.
Insider tip: Split several sides—they’re a quiet highlight of the kitchen.
Alta Adams
8.4
A West Adams anchor for California soul cooking with a polished dining room and patio that feels tailor-made for a low-key romantic night. The smothered hanger steak is the steakhouse-adjacent star, backed by deep, savory sides and a cocktail program that keeps the evening humming.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smothered Hanger Steak, Fried Chicken Sandwich, Oxtails & Rice
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: California soul comfort with a legit steak centerpiece in a refined setting.
Who should go: Couples wanting a romantic West Adams dinner.
When to visit: Weeknight dinners for easier reservations and calmer energy.
What to order: Smothered hanger steak, oxtails & rice, cornbread with honey butter.
Insider tip: Ask for a patio table around sunset—best mood lighting.