Enjoy a vibrant brunch menu featuring Southern classics like shrimp and grits, fried catfish, and chicken and waffles in a lively atmosphere with live music.
Experience high-energy beats from an on-site DJ spinning urban hits, creating a fun, party-like vibe during your meal.
Capture memorable moments with a professional photographer available to turn your brunch into a photo shoot, perfect for social media or keepsakes.
Host gatherings with our catering services, offering Southern-inspired dishes for parties, corporate events, or special occasions.
Sip on expertly crafted mimosas and mocktails, like the mock mule, to complement your meal and enhance the brunch experience.
I visited here on a trip. I went on a Saturday, their was a DJ and everyone appeared to be in a good mood. The service was great! The foood was flavorful and I enjoyed it. It was loud inside due to the music and DJ which is normally not a issue but as a patron I would recommend turning the music down just a bit, we are eating abd talking not in a club setting. Lastly I would recommend to play the radio version and not the club version since this is a family-friendly establishment. I will definitely be visiting again.
If you’re a foodie from the Midwest or Chicago like I am, you already know we have a high bar for what qualifies as "good" Southern food. We grew up on seasoning, spice, and soul, so I’m always on the hunt for a place that actually delivers. If you’re looking for that kind of environment, SugarJam The Southern Kitchen in Scottsdale is a spot you definitely need to check out. It’s actually a pretty cool story—this place started out as a tiny cookie shop run by Dana Dumas (who is still there making magic happen) and it has evolved into this massive, seven-figure Southern powerhouse. You can feel that success the moment you walk in. The vibe is lively and high-energy, featuring a live DJ spinning urban hits that keep the crowd moving. They even have a photographer on-site for those who want to turn their brunch into a full-blown photo shoot! A few pro-tips before you head out: Reservations: Get one. Seriously. The restaurant is typically crowded with long wait times, and while you might get lucky as a walk-in, I wouldn't risk it. Parking: It can be a struggle depending on the day. If you’re going on a Saturday, give yourself an extra 15 minutes just to find a spot. Budget: Make sure you have at least $30 to $40 per person at a minimum to really enjoy the full experience. Now, let’s get into the food. The Mimosas are fantastic and the perfect way to start the party. If you want the true SugarJam experience, you have to get the Creole Shrimp and Grits—it’s the kind of dish everyone should have at least once. The Fried Catfish was another winner for me; it was fresh, seasoned with that genuine Southern charm, and fried perfectly. I also recommend checking out their Parisian French Toast, which has a great family history behind the recipe and hits that sweet-and-savory note with the fried chicken. However, I have to be honest about the Oxtails. Usually, oxtails are my absolute favorite Southern comfort food, but I was a little disappointed here. They are on the expensive side 40+ a plate, and I felt like I received a lot of bones for the money. If you’re an oxtail lover, just be aware of that before you order. Overall, the energy, the fresh catfish, and those mimosas make this a standout Scottsdale spot. It’s got the spice, the soul, and the "Chicago-approved" seasoning that’s hard to find in the desert.
I went in at 10:30 on a Wednesday. I had checked out the website and was really excited. The website is much MUCH different than the actual menu. That disappointed me a little. But I ordered the mock mule and the French toast with chicken tenders and scrambled eggs. It was so good. From the butter to the syrup to the toast to the tenders…Lord have mercy! It was flavorful, it was hot. It was good. Well-seasoned Black food.
This place was jamming like the name suggests! I came visiting with family the wait was long but the DJ had the entire family dancing while we waited. Truly the only problem I came across was the wait time and the fact I felt the food was a little pricey, but the food is worth the price in my opinion The food that came out was seasoned to perfection!! The fried chicken and waffles were a perfect combination. Then there Catfish was so good. I had no room to eat it but it was so good I had to find room to finish it. Truly this is a restaurant that deserves all the hype they get. As a chef my self and a long time foodie it was refreshing coming across a place that kept true to their roots and authenticity flavors. This has now become a restaurant that I must visit whenever I’m in town!!
Let me start off by saying I echo the high rating of others. This place right here is worth the drive, reservations, and more. Now a days “everyone” is brunch spot but food be mid. Sugar jam did not come to play. The atmosphere is both a vibe and family oriented. You can go on a date with your hubby or bring the grandparents out for food. Now the music is loud (expected) so take note you will have to speak loudly lol. We ordered the lobster tail with shrimp & grits, along with the oxtail over grits. Listen both are 100/100. They gave a good portion of the meats on both. Only critique is less oil in the oxtail but keep the gravy (there’s a difference). We both had NO LEFTOVERS. That never happens for me because I’m always going to bring something home. But baby those plates were cleared. I would share and come again! You should too.

Where Southern soul meets Scottsdale style—vibrant brunch, live beats, and flavor that dances on your plate.
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SugarJam The Southern Kitchen is a lively, high-energy brunch and Southern cuisine destination in Scottsdale, born from a humble cookie shop into a seven-figure powerhouse. We serve authentic, Chicago-approved Southern dishes like Creole Shrimp and Grits, Fried Catfish, and Parisian French Toast with fried chicken, all seasoned to perfection. With a live DJ, family-friendly vibe, and on-site photographer, we offer an unforgettable dining experience that blends soulful flavors with urban energy. Perfect for foodies, families, and anyone craving genuine Southern comfort in the desert.
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