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Enjoy great food with a Southern twist - Southern Oak, Opelika, AL

Southern Oak

4.6
4.6
103 Reviews
$31 to $50
Southern
Top Tags:
We are open for Breakfast daily from 6:30am to 11am. Reservations are strongly recommended on weekends, please call ahead for availability with Breakfast Buffet. Southern Oak will be open Monday-Saturday for dinner reservations starting at 5pm with a last seating at 9pm. Please contact the restaurant directly for reservations of 10 or more guest.

Make a reservation

2 people
8:30 PM
Booked 4 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Southern, Farm-to-table, Steakhouse
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 6:30 am–11:00 am Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (334) 737-2117
  • Website
    https://www.southernoakrestaurant.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    John Eckstadt
  • Location
    3700 Robert Trent Jones Trl, Opelika, AL 36801
  • Neighborhood
    Opelika
  • Cross street
    Grand National Parkway
  • Parking details
    Hotel Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Takeout, View, Wine

What 103 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Alabama

    Best Service

  • Alabama

    Great for brunch

  • Alabama

    Good for business meals

  • Alabama

    Healthy

  • Alabama

    Great for fine wines

  • Alabama

    Romantic

  • Alabama

    Lively

103 Reviews

  1. Orthoram

    Alabama

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 21, 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    The restaurant was closed so we had to sit at the bar section. This should have been stated when making reservations. The limited menu items were good but there were missing items in that menu as well. The food was good and service was friendly as it was almost empty. 99% California wines. Was it worth $450? Absolutely not.

    Southern OakResponded on November 24, 2023

    Mr. Orthoram, I am very sorry to hear about your experience and appreciate your feedback. It was not our intention to not have the restaurant available for our guests and I will ensure that this is prevented in the future. We will be reworking our wine list in the very near future to include more of a variety of wines as well. We do hope that you visit again, we would appreciate the opportunity to have you experience the full atmosphere of Southern Oak. Please reach out directly and I will personally ensure that you have a great experience. Sincerely, Chris Brown

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  2. Koley

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 11, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The Crab Cakes and Crawfish Sauce were excellent.

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  3. Jolo

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 5, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I went her for my anniversary dinner and I must say this was an outstanding dinner experience! We had a great waiter who was super polite and made us feel special! This was an upscale experience. The food tasted soo fresh and delicious! It was full of flavor and cooked to perfection. We were thankful for the complimentary cheesecake dessert to help us celebrate our special night. The cheesecake was perfect with a great balance of sweetness. I highly recommend this restaurant for top notch experience.

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  4. cindyj

    Atlanta Metro

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 1, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Everyone enjoyed their meal although the pork chops were over cooked but, still tasty. Burgers were fantastic.

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  5. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 27, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Exceptional staff with great food at the beautiful Grand National.

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  6. LebanonGirl

    Louisville

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 14, 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Everything about this experience was just average. We thought the buffet was really pricey for what it included.

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  7. const56

    New York Area

    25 reviews

    4.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The shrimp, chorizo, tomatoes and grits is out of this world. Friendly service.

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  8. CynthiaR

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 21, 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 2
    Nice place. Had the Shrimp and Grits and it was really good. There were only two other tables filled in the whole place.

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  9. LisaG

    Philadelphia

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on June 14, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Shrimp & grits were the best we’ve had. Sirloin steak was tender and cooked just right. Nice size portions. They were out of some things, like the horseradish sauce to go with steak. Our server, Michael, was friendly and attentive.

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  10. TylerH

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 14, 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Food was good but service was poor for how much money it costs to eat there.

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  11. KimJ

    Alabama

    10 reviews

    1.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on June 11, 2023

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Our waiter had only been there 2 days and he appeared to be the only waiter working. He was very good. We ordered appetizer biscuits and instead we were served a piece of cornbread that was as hard as a brick that we sent back because we didn’t order it. We were told they were out of the biscuits. Worst margaritas I’ve EVER had and took 20 to 30 min. To get. Zero alcohol in them. I ordered 4 vegetables and one of them was not correct. They were average, at best. Wouldn’t recommend this place to anybody!

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  12. MistyB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 27, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food was great, the staff was fantastic and very professional and friendly!

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  13. loriw

    Louisville

    6 reviews

    3.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on May 26, 2023

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 2
    Very slow service and we were the only table in the restaurant (5 people). Food was average at best.

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  14. WilliamW

    Alabama

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    We've never been disappointed before but this time was a big letdown from what we were expecting. Overpriced to say the least for a minimal selection of poorly set up warm entrees and side dishes. Staff should be old enough to serve alcoholic drinks and properly trained to provide service worthy of the reservation.

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  15. JoyS

    Orlando

    9 reviews

    2.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We had 0900 breakfast reservations Sunday morning on Mother’s Day. When they were made there was no indication that the breakfast buffet would start breaking down at 0930 for an upcoming brunch. Breakfast was rushed so we had to hurry to get what we wanted off the buffet and even some items that were once on the buffet like oatmeal weren’t even offered or already removed. They also advised after seating us that you had to get the buffet as no items were being allowed off the menu. Pretty disappointing and shoddy planning by the manager, host, etc for the way people were treated and seemingly rushed. For 4 people it was over 100 with tip and so not worth it. If I had know I wouldn’t have made the reservation. It should have been listed on Open Table that this may be an issue. Very disappointing.

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  16. NatashaS

    Alabama

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 9, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Southern Oak is a great place to have a nice family dinner. They have a variety of fresh selections and the service was amazing. I highly recommend.

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  17. OpenTable Diner

    Alabama

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was very nice place it was pricey but I don’t mind paying if the food is worth the price and it was one of the best steaks I have ever had the mashed potatoes where amazing and the pork belly was delicious.

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  18. Tracy

    Alabama

    7 reviews

    4.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Dinner was very good. Had the fillet & mashed potatoes. The food was done nicely. Not many people in the restaurant, so it was very quiet.

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  19. JoyS

    Orlando

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on January 8, 2023

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Thoroughly enjoyed both Southern Oak Bar and Grill for dinner and Southern Oak for the buffet breakfast. The buffet is spectacular and service in both establishments wonderful! We were delighted, impressed and will certainly be back.

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  20. TanjaR

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was good and service too. When there’s live music, the piped in music interferes

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  21. Tpatt

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 26, 2022

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Had a great experience here! Maya was such a great server and the food was excellent

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  22. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 25, 2022

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The service and food was fantastic!! The staff could not have been any better. I highly recommend and we will be coming back!

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  23. CozetteM

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 24, 2022

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We loved our entire experience! Great food, service and servers were freindly and attentive.

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  24. Rich

    Tallahassee

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2022

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Third year to enjoy Thanksgiving there. The food choices, food quality, and service have always been outstanding. Always recommend to friends but many think it is too expensive. However, we find that you could not get a better meal at a better restaurant, with all of the food choices, for a better price.

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  25. JenniferJ

    New York Area

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 20, 2022

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    It is your basic breakfast buffet. It is ok, no more no less. I was expecting a brunch type dining experience. There are so many nice Sunday brunch/ lunch places in the area. We were hotel guest and I thought this would be convenient but still “nice”. If you just want breakfast and someone to drop the check on the table as soon as you start eating. Sure, go it’s fine. If you want a nice Sunday brunch experience it’s not for you.

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  26. THen

    Austin

    14 reviews

    1.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2022

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    The restaurant was way understaffed, therefore the service was slow. The food was average at best and the atmosphere was "old country club"!

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  27. SandieM

    Houston

    28 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    28 reviews

    Dined on November 12, 2022

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    great hotel restaurant. Service was good despite football weekend

    1 person found this helpful

  28. Rachel

    San Diego

    34 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    34 reviews

    Dined on September 24, 2022

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    The food is really good with nice portions. Nice selection too. Knowing they were short staffed the night we were there, they did a good job doing their best with timing of food and drinks (I imagine it would have been better if they had the proper staffing). I would definitely go there again.

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  29. KevinS

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on September 23, 2022

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Server Jasmine was amazing.

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  30. OpenTable Diner

    Hawaii

    24 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    24 reviews

    Dined on August 25, 2022

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Food has a lot to be desired. Live music was great and the service was good, it’s really a shame the food doesn’t match

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  31. PeterD

    Chicago

    55 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    55 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2022

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    Nnon existent server who struggled all night. Had to get him to find him and forgot to ask for temps on steaks. Brought out wrong food once. Food had zero flavor and we were sat next to the hotel breakfast buffet. Did not acknowledge the special occasion and we ended up going out two days later to celebrate it since this was so bad. Also, a wedge salad doesn’t need to be in a lopsided bowl where you can’t cut it without flipping the bowl over. The biscuit appetizer was burnt

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  32. KerryR

    Alabama

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 29, 2022

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Beautiful simple setting with great service and food.

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  33. TimC

    Western NC

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 16, 2022

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    Stella our server was wonderful. Our Steak was delicious, sides and appetizers was horrible. We go the spinach dip and it was cold and chips was stale.

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  34. PeterB

    Jacksonville

    22 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on June 15, 2022

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    The food is average at best and overpriced. They had 3 servers on duty 2 were taking care of a large party and 1 had the rest of the tables. My biggest complaint is that I was overcharged. I asked for the check to be split between 2 credit cards. The total was $195 $60 on 1 card and $135 on another card. I was actually charged $195 on 1 card and $135 on the other plus I left a $40 tip. I have called and left messages 3 times without a call back. Very disappointing and substandard for a high end Marriot property.

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  35. EmmetteM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 12, 2022

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    The service was great and so was the food. The crowd and the live entertainment are outside by the pool during warm weather.

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  36. KenH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 15, 2022

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Good and service was very good Prices are a little too high for breakfast buffet.

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  37. JasonM

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2022

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Nice restaurant and although I had reservations, they were not needed. The appetizer were great! The food was good, but the cook doesn’t understand what medium means. Our steaks were well done. To be honest, Longhorn serves a much better steak at a fair price.

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  38. Spartan86

    Alabama

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    We went with Mother's Day reservations at 1:30 p.m., not realizing that it was a buffet. We also did not realize it was $69 per person. If that was posted somewhere, none of us saw it. Most of the food was lukewarm or congealed, and not very exciting. The meat carving was novice. The table service was virtually non-existent; we had plates stacked on our table without being cleared. The one drink we ordered was a Bloody Mary. It was brought to us room temperature with no garnish. We sent it back and got the same drink with ice cubes added. This was our first time here, so I have no idea if this is typical, or perhaps a one-time issue due to low staffing. Even though there was plenty of room to spread out, we were seated right next to another family. The one bright spot was that we struck up an enjoyable conversation with them. Overall, I really feel like our family of three spent $250 to be almost insulted by poor food and bad service.

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  39. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    The most over priced ($69.99 per person) buffet I have ever had in my life! The food was mediocre at best and they were understaffed (but doing the best they could to keep up with drink orders etc). The omelets were great but the rest of the buffet was nothing to write home about and we felt like it was highway robbery for this family of 4!

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  40. OpenTable Diner

    Las Vegas

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Here for Mother’s Day brunch at $80/pp No scrambled eggs. Breakfast potatoes or bacon Long wait for omelette station Arguably one of the worst buffets I’ve experienced and at that price—easily the worst

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings

FAQs

Southern Oak offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (334) 737-2117.

Southern Oak is rated 4.6 stars by 103 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
8:30 PM
Booked 4 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Southern Oak

3700 Robert Trent Jones Trl, Opelika, AL 36801

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Grand National Parkway
  • Neighborhood
    Opelika
  • Hours of operation
    Daily 6:30 am–11:00 am Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Southern, Farm-to-table, Steakhouse
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    Hotel Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    John Eckstadt
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Entertainment, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Takeout, View, Wine
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