The Cardinal
(Now Closed)Southern Food Restaurant, BBQ Joint, and Fried Chicken Joint$$$$
Alphabet City, New York
88 Tips and reviews
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David NguyenApril 6, 2014Good BBQ lots of food and sides and cheap! Only downside are cocktails were gross so stick to beer and wine...got the BBQ platter and fried chicken for 6 and it was more than enough
Adam GertzMay 12, 2013The fried chicken and biscuits with sausage gravy is on point! Highly recommend checking this place out for brunch. And for only $5 bucks you can get unlimited mimosas.
Donny TsangSeptember 21, 20122 of us ended up sharing the BBQ plate (ribs, brisket and pulled pork) plus 2 sides. Also ordered 3 more sides. Sides awesome (mac n'cheese must get) and meats were ok.
Brunch go with the Big Chicken Biscuit or Sour Cream Pancakes (maybe the best I've ever had). Cheese grits are solid. Wish they opened earlier on weekends and took American Express!
Reservations are recommended for brunch. Otherwise waits extend to an hour for two. The biscuit is so flaky and buttery. 😋
Go ahead and be that asshole that takes photos of the most delicious fried chicken, biscuits and gravy you've ever had - you'll surely be dead after you consume that many calories anyway.
Annie AlfstadMarch 2, 2015Awesome brunch deal, great food! Service a bit lacking but also may have been short staffed. Either way def going back!
Gilt CityDecember 12, 2011Manhattanites can indulge in the flavors of that faraway land south of the Mason-Dixon, sampling dishes like fried chicken and smothered and fried Heritage pork chops in red eye gravy.
Sara 🌈⚔🍾September 4, 2014So good! Basically had a tower of pork. The mac'n'cheese is bangin! Great atmosphere.
If you're grabbing dinner, order the BBQ platter, have a friend get the fried chicken, and split (you each get 2 sides!). Who says you can't have it all?
Erin LaneSeptember 27, 2011BBQ platter + a Sixpoint = the only way to go. Also, on a recent visit they played an R. Kelly CD (Down Low, Fiesta, Ignition, Bump and Grind...), making this one of my new favorite places.
Elizabeth IrizFebruary 18, 2013In a world full of mediocre pancakes, the sweet potato stack stands well above the rest. Not to be missed!!
Spanish Rob VSeptember 21, 2014Great food but it took 90 mins to get it, difficult staff, worried about letting our friends sit before they clean the table bc of "health regulations" but gave me a drink in a broken glass
Gables MavenOctober 17, 2011For Real, The Fried Chicken And Mac & Cheese Are (Dare I Say) Finger Lickin' Good. Wash Down With A Craft Brew And Tell Your Mate You Love Him/Her.
Paul KholodnySeptember 24, 2012get the facts straight, people, there are no veggie biscuits... all our biscuits are made with lard. There are some veggie options, but the biscuit is not one of them.
Alisha RamosOctober 8, 2012large portions; i had the fried chicken which was ok, but great with the biscuit. french toast was yummy. get the sweet tea.
- Maybe the best breakfast place in Manhattan. Never had better pancakes, great biscuits, bacon, and grits. And they take Amex now!
Don't listen to Erin. The bucket of fried chicken is the way to go. Plus a six point. She was right about that.
Maurice PJune 22, 2014The fried chicken is to die for. Also, $5 for bottomless mimosas? Is this real life?
Amanda SJanuary 29, 2013Best: $5 all you can drink mimosa brunch! Burger was less than stellar (a waste of my burger quota) and the fried chicken was good.
miles lennonApril 27, 2013If you leave without ordering the BBQ platter you are a fool. Be prepared to enter food coma immediately. Portions are healthy.
Vivek BhagwatAugust 23, 2014Pancakes or fried chicken for brunch. Always seems to have a table for 2 available
Anya Lipski WinslowFebruary 23, 2013Bloody Mary with lots of accoutrements...a MUST when you come. Staff EXTREMELY friendly!
Adrianne BenzionJuly 22, 2012The veggie biscuits & gravy were awesome. Ordered a side of eggs for $3 and they were huge. $5 bottomless mimosas.
Get the brunch special on the weekend - $5 for as many mimosas as you'd like!
Shayna KulikJune 23, 2013Food's great, but most of the sides have hidden bits of meat- make sure to ask ahead of time if that's an issue.
Get house cured bacon & eggs, home fries, and a biscuit. They won't stop refilling your mimosa glass until you leave..seriously.
Uranium TVJuly 10, 2013On Tuesday nights in the summer, the new age beatniks play dominos in the sauna downstairs.
James BNovember 16, 2011The fried chicken is unreal. But make sure the second time you go you get a BBQ plate. Just eat everything here.
reece pachecoApril 3, 2012Narragansett super-tall boys FTW! BBQ platter is solid. fried chicken is $$$. mac+cheese and green bean sides = bomb-diggity.
- Paul KholodnySeptember 24, 2012There is a very nice bathroom downstairs for all customers during all hours contrary to some earlier comments
Edlyn YuenOctober 28, 2012There's rarely a wait for weekend brunch. Best hidden secret for last-minute plans
Jeana CostaFebruary 26, 2012$5 for unlimited mimosa's with brunch is a steal! They're good with refilling too.
Proper IdlenessMarch 10, 2012cast iron skillet, american cheese, onions, lettuce, potato roll.House-made pickles and chips- Proper IdlenessMarch 10, 2012cast iron skillet, american cheese, onions, lettuce, potato roll. House-made pickles and chips. $13
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Foursquare © 2025 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Southern Food and BBQ Restaurant in the East Village. We offer outside catering and private parties downstairs.
Give us a call on (212) 995-8600 or visit us at 234 East 4th St, between Avenue A and B in New York City, we are open 7 days a week.
Permanently closed (Show more)
- Mon–Thu
- Noon–Midnight
- Fri
- Noon–1:00 AM
- Sat
- 11:00 AM–1:00 AM
- Sun
- 11:00 AM–11:00 PM
(212) 995-8600
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Food & Drink
Menus
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner
Drinks
Beer, Full Bar
See More
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"Will be my new spot in alphabet city. I love this place. There's plenty of space, $3 & $4 beers during happy hour, excellent service and you're right across from black iron burger. 👌🏻"
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