Cherie's Southern Kitchen

Located in Hacienda Crossings in Dublin, CA; Cherie's Southern Kitchen feels less like a restaurant and more like being invited into someone's home for Sunday dinner. The first thing that catches your eye is the beautiful mural inside, followed by the familiar sounds of classic hits playing from the jukebox. The music adds warmth to the space without overwhelming conversation, creating an atmosphere that encourages guests to settle in and stay awhile.

One piece of advice: arrive early. On my visit, there was already a line forming before the doors even opened. That's usually a good sign.

The service model here radiates a true family-operated sentiment. A single, incredibly hardworking individual handles everything from taking orders to serving food and bussing tables, while maintaining a welcoming attitude and genuine hospitality. Because everything is meticulously cooked to order, patience is mandatory for your visit. Settle in with your companions and expect a wait; it will be completely worth it once the food comes to your table.

I arrived excited to try the brisket, only to learn it's reserved for the first Sunday brunch of each month. While initially disappointing, finding out it was removed from the regular menu because it was too labor-intensive was actually reassuring. This is a testament to their commitment to doing things the right way. Fortunately, everything else more than made up for it.

The gumbo was outstanding and easily the best restaurant gumbo I've had in the Bay Area. While the roux was slightly thinner than I typically prefer, the flavor was remarkably authentic. The combination of beef sausage and crab delivered the kind of depth and soul you'd expect from a family kitchen in Louisiana.

The wings were another highlight: freshly cooked, well-seasoned, and flavored with real lemon rather than relying on heavy breading or bottled sauces. The oxtails were exceptional with fall-off-the-bone tenderness, accompanied with rich, flavorful gravy that demanded extra bites of cornbread. Trust me when I tell you its worth trying a bite of their cornbread with the gravy, I was surprised by the rich flavor that came through on this combination.

The catfish was perfectly seasoned and fried, crispy without being greasy and free of any fishy aftertaste. The mac and cheese featured a well-balanced cheese sauce, while the greens were perfectly seasoned but not overcooked. The brown butter cornbread tied everything together, soft and moist with just enough sweetness.

Cherie's Southern Kitchen delivers something increasingly rare: food that feels completely unapologetic about its roots. Rather than adjusting recipes to suit a broader palate, the kitchen leans fully into authentic Southern and Creole flavors, and the results speak for themselves.

You should go if you are a deep-south comfort food purist or you appreciate an authentic, slow-cooked meal. The standout here is the gumbo, you also can’t miss the smothered oxtails with a side of mac and cheese, and a piece of the brown butter cornbread to top things off. However, you can’t go wrong with the catfish plate and some wings either. Yes, there may be a wait. Yes, I missed out on the brisket. Neither mattered by the time the meal was over. Cherie’s receives an exceptional 5 out of 5 stars. In my opinion, this is the best Creole food in the Bay Area. Can’t wait to head back for first Sunday brunch and see what’s good with the brisket.

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