Smokin Skillet

I wanna tell everyone about this place, but also I wanna keep it a secret so they never run out of my favorite foods. I just finished the Blackened catfish sandwich and I miss it already. Perfect spice. Perfect heat. Mac and cheese is really cheesy. Greens are sweet and salty. Fries are crispy. Chicken was a tiny bit dry, but you know, there was so much food I couldn’t eat much of it anyway so no big deal. And cake! The giant slice of cake was delicious. The staff are great too. Friendly, helpful, just really great guys. We have been here a few times now and it is fast becoming my favorite. My significant other repeated several times during our meal «Yo, I would **** this dinner, it’s so good.»

Like many other people with new year resolutions, I am too on the bandwagon to better health (or actually, to an image that matches my desired level of vanity.) As I jogged from one end of Hamden to the other, I realized how much I hated running, nature, and everything else that isn’t mac and cheese or fried chicken. At the very apex of this intense self-​loathing and general disdain, I ran past a soul food restaurant. It was a serendipitous sign! I told myself that if I jogged back home, I will let myself fall off my diet wagon and eat something delicious.
The lure of fried chicken won, and I completed my harrowing journey of boredom back home. I then promptly got into my car and drove myself back to Smokin’ Skillet to fulfill my gastronomic desires. My heart was full of hope and optimism.
After analyzing their menu, I decided to go with my true love: fried chicken wings. I also got the five-​cheese mac and cheese and greens as sides because I’m a true southern girl. I opened my take-​out container after I exited the storefront and was already kind of disappointed by the sad lookin’ lil wings of uneven sizes. I also didn’t get any cornbread like I was supposed to with my entrée, but I was too lazy to go back into the restaurant to get it. It’s not like I need the extra carbs. Despite the initial meh factor, I remained somewhat hopeful.
The full disappointment came after I started eating. The mac and cheese was kind of strange. It was not particularly rich or flavorful. What 5 cheeses were even present? Who knows. The greens were wayyyyyy too sweet. Seriously, they were offensively sweet. I am offended as a southern person by these greens. The chicken wings were kind of dry, especially the smaller ones. The seasoning on the wings were just … mediocre.
There are definitely better options in New Haven for southern comfort foods. I probably won’t come back to this place because what I got just wasn’t worth the running I had to endure. COLOR ME CHUBBY AND DISAPPOINTED.

Fried chicken wings cooked in canola oil. Not greasy. Breaded in-​house with flour. Crispy. Sweet potatoes vanilla, sugar, and cinnamon. Rice and beans with coconut milk. BYOB and one for chefs. Five cheese mac and cheese better than Sandra’s. Décor befitting a Chinese take-​out. Collard greens tender — bitter and sweet. Blown away by the flavors. Amazing price to value. Can’t wait to for my next visit.

The hours for Smokin Skillet that say they open at 11am are wrong online, so when I walked up to the door at 12:30, it was locked. I started walking to my car but then a guy opened the door and called me back so I could order. I felt really bad for making them start so early, but I really appreciate the superior customer service. Smokin Skillet is really more of a takeout place, but there are a few tables available.
I got the blackened shrimp combo plate with mac and cheese and candied yams. The wait was a reasonable 15 – 20 minutes and the guy that opened the door for me (possibly the owner?) checked to see if I needed anything a couple of times while I was waiting.
I took my food home and was so happy that they decided to open early. The portions were huge and the food was all really, really good. The seasoning on the shrimp wasn’t too salty at all, the candied yams weren’t overly sweet and still had a great yam flavor, and the mac and cheese was ridiculous. I could eat it every day. The only thing I wasn’t super happy with was the cornbread because it was super dry and crumbled really easily, but the flavor was still good. I will absolutely be back in the near future.

My wife and I enjoy biking, and usually plan a meal stop at some restaurant along the route. Last month we rode the Farmington Canal Rail Trail from Cheshire down to New Haven, and stopped for lunch at the Smokin Skillet which was only a block off the trail. I had the pulled pork and my wife had the blackened catfish along with mac and cheese and the vegetables and it was very good. This is a small place that seats maybe 15 – 20 people, its clean and the service is friendly. The food is great and the prices are great too. Glad we found this place and look forward to eating there again.

Unfortunately the smoker wasnt working the day I went, but it turns out the pulled pork was still very flavorful and tender. I had french fries and dirty rice, which was mild but also had just enough flavor. Highly recommend ordering from Smokin Skillet. Support the small businesses in Hamden, order ahead and pick it up for lunch and skip the crap at McDonalds or Burger King.

Called in an order of chicken and waffles and mac & cheese as a side, was told it would be ready in 20 mins. Overall I waited 45 mins for my order to be done. The chicken and waffles were excellent, but my mac & cheese was so oily I couldn’t even finish it and it took away from the taste.

I visited this restaurant this week with some coworkers of mine and boy was it a great surprise! They didn’t open until 11 and we got there kind of early but the manager let us in. He told us that he was almost ready to serve and we didn’t mind waiting because the smells that filled that place were worth the wait. I got the fried shrimp po boy and it was about as long as my entire arm. The menu said it had tender gulf shrimp with a chipotle aioli and I was sold there. I was even able to bring a half home to my boyfriend. He gave it two thumbs up and that was 4 hours later! The peach cobbler was to die for. You can really tell that it was homemade and made with a lot of love it tastes just like my grandma’s, actually better. Lol! This is my first time writing a review and I’m glad that I was able to pick this place. All of my coworkers enjoyed every bit of their food and sweet tea. I’ll definitely be back!

I had my doubts coming into a soul food spot in Connecticut. I was born and raised in St. Louis to parents who grew up on soul food. I also spent a lot of time in Atlanta, GA… all that being said, this place NAILED it!
Blackened catfish was amazing (⁵⁄₅). The Mac & cheese was great (⁴⁄₅). Greens were okay (³⁄₅). The cornbread was good if you like it sweet (⁴⁄₅). And the candied yams were perfect (⁵⁄₅). Other people in my crew ordered chopped BBQ, blackened shrimp, and wings and they loved all of it.
The wait wasn’t bad considering the food was prepared fresh and there was only one guy holding down the kitchen. If you want food to go, I would order ahead. Overall: highly recommended!

Mostly takeout but very good food. a few tables but really not a «restaurant» chicken was really good but again no mashed potatoes on the menu!!! Corn bread not as fresh as it could have been. all in all a great place for takeout chicken.

They close too early… hardly open. What kind of restaurant that serves this heavy dinner food closes at 7pm?! You don’t see the Greeks, middle easterners, Italians or Asians closed 2days a week, and not servicing customers that are hungry past early bird dinner time. I can see why they moved and re-opened…but will that help when other options are right next door? Who is running this business? The food is too good to not capture the market share you have the opportunity to snatch.

Give This Hidden Gem 5 Stars Hands Down. Be Sure To Follow Them On Instagram @SmokinHamden. Tried Multiple Items On The Menu. Drove All The Way From NY To CT Just To Try Their Menu & I Was In Heaven. The Fried Chicken Wings, Mac & Cheese, Yams, Pulled Pork Sandwich, The Shrimp, & HomeMade Red Velvet Cake were among some of the items I have tried and all items were great. Will be returning very soon for more food.

This is a hidden gem. ! Excellent chicken and shrimp blackened spices are not overpowering or salty ! Greens are very flavorful and the Mac & cheese is baked to perfection as well as all their other food ! Go try this place out. Feels and taste like you’re eating at grandmas house

A must try… hands down the best neo-​soul creative cuisine in New Haven and Hamden!
This restaurant used to be named Cast Iron Soul but the owners moved and reopened under a new name. But no worries… it still is the same great food as before!
As someone who is very health conscious, the food is a lot healthier than traditional soul food… and it does not sacrifice flavor and substance to achieve it. I think that is a testament to how good chef Steve (the owner) really is.
My favorite entrees are the blackened Salmon/​Tilapia, stew chicken, chopped turkey sandwich with bbq sauce, or smothered turkey. And I always get the dirty rice and collard greens (perfect balance of sweet and tangy). The menu is pretty extensive and has lots of different options to choose from, which is important to me because I dont eat pork or beef.
Go here, try what you want, and dont forget to inquire about the specials.
Like most places in the country with really great food, its off the beaten path so dont be deterred by the location… the food will definitely be worth it!